Tropic of Mom: Life at Latitude 26

Florida residency has its privileges

2009-07-16T15:30:00.004-04:00

Living in Florida definitely has its perks. One of them is being able to see the space shuttle taking off. (At least until NASA stops doing missions.)

Um, yeah. That little streak in the sky is actually the Endeavor from yesterday evening. I know you're really impressed with my proximity to the rocket and my photography skillz.

My husband and I took the boys outside to see the shuttle. When we saw it, we excitedly like nerds pointed it out to the Man-cub: "See the rocket? There it is! It's going into space! It's going very fast!" Etc. etc.

"Can I have a boost?" the Man-cub asked.

So I picked him up.

Then he cheered.

That extra three feet into the air makes all the difference, I guess.

Parasailing

2009-07-15T07:10:00.002-04:00

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Hand-me-down womb and all

2009-07-10T18:33:00.004-04:00

Man-cub and Junebug

The day I went into labor with my little Junebug, I remarked to the ultrasound tech who asked if I was having my first baby that, no, mine was actually a certified preowned womb.

And he said there was nothing wrong with hand-me-downs.

I think the boys don't really mind.

Yet....

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

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10 steps to being a fun mom and a good housekeeper

2009-07-09T07:45:00.014-04:00

Something I discovered just yesterday is that it's possible to succeed at this toddler/preschooler and newborn thing. Just not maybe every day. For a while yet.

(How did my grandmother manage twelve children?!)

Here's what you do:

1. Partially fill three large bowls with water and set them on the kitchen floor.

2. Holding baby, get some balls and show your toddler it's perfectly fine to make a mess by aiming the balls into the bowls.

3. Marvel at how good he is at actually getting balls into the bowls.

4. Try really hard not to laugh when he slips on the wet floor, despite multiple warnings not to run or jump. I'm sorry, but people slipping can be funny.

5. Tire baby out, then put him in the swing when you realize he's fallen asleep.

6. Continue to play with toddler until he begins to lose interest in the game.

7. Break out a new Little Einsteins DVD.

8. Mop up water on floor, thus cleaning the kitchen.

9. Prepare self a snack like a NutriGrain-waffle-with-neufchatel-cheese-and-raspberry-preserve sandwich.

10. Check e-mail for 10 minutes, by which time the baby in the swing begins to cry.

And then you watch the remainder of the DVD while your baby nurses as though he's never eaten before and never will again, and you ponder when you'll get to the rest of your e-mail and blog commenting.

Easy-peasy!

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Spread your wings and prepare to fly

2009-07-08T07:04:00.005-04:00

A queen butterfly

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Bring on the chaos

2009-07-06T16:15:00.005-04:00

I was going to write this post about how I hope by the end of the day, I will be able to say I survived being the mother of two children alone for the very first time.

See, my husband went back to work today for the first time in a week.

But.

Super friend (makes her sound as though she has super powers, no?) Guinevere and her son stopped by with lunch. Her son and the Man-cub played and swapped sandwiches. She got to hold the baby.

Then my husband also came home for lunch. And to hold the baby.

So I haven't been alone for the whole day.

Which is way better than the post I would have written, I'm sure.

For once, I'm disorganized, but rather than feeling out of sorts about it -- I am enjoying every minute of it.

For now....

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I'm not pregnant anymore

2009-07-03T18:59:00.004-04:00

Was it all the walking?

Taking my son for a bike ride over all the speed bumps in our neighborhood?

The, ahem, prostaglandins?

Was it the labor-inducing cookies suggested by the Rookie Moms that I made the day before I went into labor?

The threat of scheduled eviction?

Or was it just time for him to be born?

We finally got to meet our baby on June 30 -- our little Junebug.

He's perfect.

I'm sore and exhausted (can't you tell from the photo?), but extremely happy.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

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Down the boardwalk

2009-07-01T07:02:00.001-04:00

At Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

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Overdue

2009-06-26T16:44:00.004-04:00

Today I got to see this cute little creature who is quite comfortable in my womb with his/her eyes open. I am fine. The baby is fine -- big, but fine. Rather happy, the ultrasound tech said.

Not to put a damper on your comfy-cozy happiness, little one, but you will come out! I promise I'll try my best to make it worth your while.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

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Top 10 signs you've been pregnant too long

2009-06-25T07:29:00.000-04:00

10. At your doctor's office, they're talking about inducing you. But it was the janitor in the elevator who suggested it first after taking one look at you.

9. You won't be held accountable if you happen to punch the next person who says to you, "You don't look comfy," or "Are you sure it's not triplets?" (Both said to me in the past week.)

8. Family and friends who were once interested and excited in your upcoming birth are bored with you and have now moved on to talking about Jon and Kate.

7. Even your husband is no longer interested in helping you out with that #1 method of getting labor going ....

6. Braxton-Hicks contractions no longer phase you, and you wonder in the back of your mind if you'll glaze over real-labor contractions too and be surprised when the baby arrives while you're eating breakfast one morning.

5. You are considering charging your baby rent. You could take it out of his or her future allowance.

4. When you hear a friend's neighbor had her baby two weeks early, you scoff, "Showoff! Overachiever!"

3. When people politely ask how you're doing, you tell them you feel you're going to burst -- and they believe you and take five steps backward.

2. You feel sorry for yourself and drown your sorrows in a glass of milk.

1. Your toddler son gets confused when you show him a real baby -- and it's not in your belly.

After all my boasting about how I just knew this baby was going to come early like I just knew my son was going to be late (and he was -- a whole week late), this child is showing s/he is either a procrastinator or another little obstinate, strong-willed child like the Man-cub.

And all I can say is Oy.

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Path to the beach

2009-06-24T06:59:00.004-04:00

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It was nice while it lasted

2009-06-19T00:05:00.007-04:00

One of the hardest slaps in the face for parenting has to be when your child ruins something you treasure.

Let me back up. We did it -- we bought a van. In the eyes of some folks, we're now officially a family.

OK, my husband bought the van. It was his idea. But it's not a minivan. It's actually an extended van. It seats so many people that I could start a nice summer camp for children. (My mother: "How many kids are you planning on having?!" Our son: "I play hide and seek inside!") But my husband is planning on taking out rows -- plural -- of seats to make room for equipment and for "all the road trips we'll be taking as a family." (Road trips we've taken since the Man-cub was born: five. Road trips we used to take as a couple in husband's Jeep: about 20 each year.)

"What do you think?" my husband asked me.

"It's so clean!" I said, having no memory of what a clean vehicle looks like. (Huge aside: this is called foreshadowing.)

When we got the van, our son was so excited that he kept asking to go for a ride.

"Go for ride? Go for ride? Go for ride? Go for ride? Look! A lizard! Go for ride? Go for ride?" Etc.

And yes, we went for a ride.

When we got back home and took the Man-cub out of his car seat, I had the misfortune of being the one to point out something was on the seat where he'd previously sat.

In the first half-hour of being in possession of the new van!

Don't shoot the messenger ... or the child who got some unidentified sticky blue goo on the back of his shorts that we still can't figure out.

I once blogged about Mom's Law. Now, unfortunately for my poor husband, there is Dad's Law.

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The Twitter baby blanket

2009-06-18T07:20:00.006-04:00

When you're 39/40 weeks pregnant and decide to make a blanket for your baby (because you made one for your son before he was born and want to avoid future therapy or at least sibling squabbles) -- and you unwittingly use the Twitter bird in the blanket -- well, you might stop to think you're online too much.

(The yellow isn't really that yellow. And the green isn't really that pea-soupy. And those are a firefly and a caterpillar, if you're wondering.)

(At least the bird is making an attempt to smile.)

Also, I have to wonder: why didn't I start this project sooner? There's nothing like a big belly and enough extra weight to equal another whole Man-cub to make bending over and pinning fabric a new pastime: aerobic quilting. (See, sometimes I actually do exercise.) But I can't really call this a quilt because I'm not that artful.

So the baby has a blanket, the room is ready, friends just gifted me with a carload of diapers and wipes at a sweet baby shower right on the beach, my hospital bag is packed and today is as good a day as any to have a baby ....

Do you think Twiller is a good middle name?

Oops again!

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River of Grass

2009-06-17T06:58:00.001-04:00

The world's only Everglades

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Like all-natural stuff? Check this out -- and win

2009-06-15T16:12:00.001-04:00

You know I appreciate all-natural stuff and try to look for healthier, less-chemical-y alternatives to just about anything. The people at Ecostore must have known that, too, because they asked me to review a couple of their all-natural products. They sent me a spray bottle of their all-purpose Citrus Spray Cleaner:

And a container of their Dishwash Liquid:

I've been trying these out for a few days now, and I think they work great. The cleaner works even better than another popular "green" brand that I use. I used it to clean some spots on the floor, get rid of stuck-on spills on my garbage can and clean the kitchen table and counters. I hardly needed any elbow grease at all. The dish liquid takes just a small amount to do a good job.

What I like about the Ecostore cleaners is they are plant based, and the company has trademarked "No Nasty Chemicals" as a catchphrase. Knowing that some small children react to chemicals in cleaning products (even just the smell wafting through the air), since my son was born, I've been trying to use more eco-friendly products. And with a baby coming any day now (hint, hint, baby! any day now!), I feel better cleaning house without chemicals that could be irritating to tiny lungs or eyes.

I also like that the following was printed on a packing slip inside the box that arrived: "Note to the consumer: All packaging products used for this shipment are environmentally friendly, the packing peanuts are made out of soy, the newsprint, packing tape and even the boxes are all made out of recyclable paper. As well as the paper this note in printed on."

What I didn't like was the Dishwash Liquid is orange. I admit this is pretty minor. Because I usually take whatever dish soap we have and make it double as our hand soap -- using pump dispenser bottles over and over to create less waste -- the idea of washing my hands with orange soap seems weird. (I usually try to buy clear or white dish soap.) Also, the Ecostore products are sold in all the Meijer stores here in the United States (Ecostore products have been established in New Zealand for 20 years), which are only in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky -- so if you live elsewhere, you'd have to order online to buy the products. At least Ecostore offers free shipping on order $25 and up.

The Ecostore folks would like to offer two free products to one of you! The winner can pick any two items from their online store, which includes baby care, bath and body, household cleaners and pet products. Please check out the EcostoreUSA blog and sign up for coupons and updates. You can also follow Ecostore on Twitter. (They don't just tweet about their products!) If you do one or both of the above, please mention it in your comment for extra entries into the contest. I'll randomly pick a winner on July 1 -- just leave a comment here. Good luck!

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National Get Outdoors Day and the Great American Backyard Campout

2009-06-13T06:15:00.013-04:00

To hear me talk sometimes, you'd think I live in Australia (the Southern Hemisphere where the seasons are reversed) instead of South Florida. Our oak leaves drop in spring, meaning lots of raking then. We can start planting vegetables and herbs in September. Florida berries are harvested in February.

And we -- meaning my family -- never camp in the summer, preferring December through April or sometimes May.

First of all, summer is freakishly hot and humid. It's the wet season (also known as hurricane season!). Mosquitoes and other bugs are plentiful. These things make camping unpleasant and can be downright dangerous -- one time, my husband and I suffered from heat sickness when we got lost on a trail. And that was during a heat wave in March well before summertime!

Despite our lack of outdoors adventures in the summer, I feel compelled to share the news of two nationwide outdoors events -- for those of you who are more intrepid than we are or who live where summer is actually bearable.

First, today is National Get Outdoors Day. The U.S. Forest Service, Coleman, Clif Bar and other organizations hope people (especially young people) will explore public lands. I think this is the first year of this event, so there are only 62 official locations across the country hosting National Get Outdoors Day events. But if you're looking for something to do today/this weekend, check out the site and look for fun happenings near where you live.

Then on June 27, thousands of people will participate in the Great American Backyard Campout. Run by the National Wildlife Federation, the Campout is a way to help get kids interested in nature. At the site, you can get camping tips and checklists, find parks and campgrounds near where you live and even register your own personal campout. Even if you can't do it on June 27, camping is a fun outdoors activity to do with your family or a group of friends.

For me, I'm thinking maybe March 2010....

Daily exercise is so important

2009-06-12T00:06:00.003-04:00

This ... used to be me. I mean, I didn't look like Barbie or any kind of step aerobics instructor, but this was my workout of choice.

Except I had to be ~~cheap~~ ~~weird~~ original and use a milk crate, of all things.

See, I couldn't settle for just any exercise step. This was tall! So I felt I was getting a harder workout! I had to be all Extreme Home Step Aerobics! And sometimes, the milk crate would topple over, so there was an element of danger.

(That's me, Mrs. Element of Danger!)

Or, was me. When you're pregnant and can't see your feet, and when what you're standing on slips underneath you, it's easy to see how the milk crate became my ex-BFF. So I got a ~~homogenized~~ real stepper.

And let me tell you, this stepper is still a hot item around my house. This is how I use my stepper now.

It's a great way to heft my pregnant self onto our tall bed. I don't burn as many calories, and my legs and butt aren't as firm, but I sure can get into and out of bed a lot easier. Who needs danger when a soft pillow awaits?

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

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Big brother is a big deal too

2009-06-11T07:37:00.001-04:00

It seems for the past month, my husband and I have been in a mad rush to get things done before the baby arrives. I feel as though my day starts out with a long to-do list hanging over my head, and I get to cross off only a few items by the end of the day. Not everything is baby-related, but a lot of our tasks are specifically for the baby.

Now that I'm visiting the doctor every week -- also because of the baby -- and the word "baby" comes up in conversation an average of once every half-hour, my son is getting a clear impression that whatever this baby thing is, it must be a big deal.

And of course, the baby is a big deal.

People have asked me what the Man-cub thinks about having a little brother or sister. I usually say we talk about the baby but that I'm not sure how much he really understands.

Recently, I got a clear idea what he understands.

I bought some new sippy cups for him because the Man-cub has chewed them so much that the edges are just this side of cutlery. When I showed him the cups, he said, "For the baby." He wasn't excited. He wasn't sad. The Man-cub just assumed something new coming into the house was for the baby -- like almost everything else.

My heart broke a little.

"No, sweetie," I said. "These are for you." I hugged him tightly.

One of the reasons my husband and I thought it would be great to have another child is to help our son learn that in life, he can't be the center of attention all the time.

But I also want him to feel loved, to feel special, to understand he himself is also a big deal. I just need to find a balance between the two ends of the spectrum -- while balancing my love for both little ones.

Beach umbrellas

2009-06-10T07:25:00.001-04:00

On Hollywood Beach

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Baby showers for the second (third, fourth...) child?

2009-06-09T17:37:00.002-04:00

This will be my second baby (38 weeks along today!), and I have pretty much everything I need to welcome home a child. I think most parents probably keep things like bassinets, swings, car seats and Xanax if they think there's a chance they're going to have more children -- and we kept almost everything. What we needed (a double stroller, a second baby monitor), my husband and I bought. I still have my son's baby clothes folded neatly into drawers labeled by size (woo-hoo! One area of my life where I'm actually organized!). If this baby turns out to be a girl, well ... girls like trucks and puppy dogs too, right?

Because we're already well-stocked, the idea of having a shower to get stuff doesn't seem right. We just don't need stuff. Friends did have a fun shower for a group of us moms who are expecting or recently gave birth, but it wasn't really a stuff shower. It was for fun.

Another friend plans to get together a group of friends for a fun girly time on the beach next week. That shower-of-sorts won't be about stuff, either.

It's a perfect idea for parents who don't need to get things but still want to celebrate a new life coming into the world.

Still, there are a few people who have asked what we need or would like.

Truth be told -- sadly -- what I really want is something along these lines:

How about some Marc Jacobs sandals:

A maternatini:

Decadent truffles:

And maybe a flat-screen TV.

You know -- standard pregnancy issue items.

Selfish, I know ... but when you consider the months of selflessness ahead of me, is it really so bad?!

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Storking

2009-06-08T06:51:00.006-04:00

Who is this stork character that delivers babies? And why does he get all the credit?

Do you know how much eating and sleeping it takes to get a physique like this?

Or how talented a photographer it takes to make me look good? (My friend Jennifer.)

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Not i(n)Touch

2009-06-05T00:07:00.003-04:00

There was something strange about an e-mail I opened up on my iTouch.

Look, iTouch, I know you're pretty new, but did you have to go and call me old?!

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Deerfield Beach

2009-06-03T07:08:00.002-04:00

The end of the pier

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Moms are the new, well, moms

2009-06-02T15:16:00.015-04:00

A few months back, a parenting magazine touted from the cover that dads are the new moms.

I couldn't figure that one out. Even after reading the article inside. If you are able to wrap your head around that one, please clue me in.

To me, it's not even about gender roles. I guess coming from the perspective of being a mom, it's about how other moms are there for one another. They support one another. They listen to tales of woe about teething, sleep, tantrums, emergency room visits and embarrassing moments. They swap labor and delivery war-wound stories. They are happy for one another when something actually goes right.

Moms are eager to jump up and down, scream or give you a hug when you find out you're having a baby.

They organize baby showers.

And when the strap of your new tank top snaps within minutes of arriving, moms offer advice on how to fix it in a pinch.

They make or carefully select gifts...

...including handmade party favors.

They ship baby presents through the mail when they can't travel to celebrate with you. (Baby presents that big brothers have to open.)

Moms are the best thing since, well, moms. Moms are the new moms. Moms make the world go 'round. I'm not trying to be trite, but ... moms simply rock.

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Nesting

2009-06-01T07:47:00.008-04:00

They say pregnant women go into a nesting mode shortly before the baby arrives. Supposedly, they thoroughly clean the house like a whirling dervish and aren't satisfied until even the canned goods are lined up in alphabetical order, walls are washed down and upholstery steam cleaned, every last weed has been plucked from the yard and cards for the next three months of loved ones' birthdays are purchased (or better yet, mailed out). Even outside the house, co-workers have been drilled ad infinitum about what to do during maternity leave. It's all to get ready to bring that baby into a clean and organized world.

With about three weeks of pregnancy left, I'm nesting too. So far, I've deleted old numbers out of my cell phone address book. Oh yeah, and checked to make sure I still have some scented drawer liners for the vintage dresser where the baby's clothes and blankets will go.

My husband, however, has removed old furniture from what will be the baby's room, installed a new ceiling fan, shopped for and installed new window blinds, had new carpeting put in (it's made out of corn!) and even patched and painted the wall outside the room when he found a crack. Just as he did for our son, he also is painting murals on the walls. Because we aren't finding out the baby's sex, we decided to go with a birds and bugs nature theme. (We'll just add more butterflies and ladybugs if the baby turns out to be a girl.) My husband asked me to take a look at what he has done so far:

I love it --he made the leaves with his thumb -- but I was a little disappointed when I first saw it.

"Oh," I said.

"What's wrong?" my husband asked.

"I was going to stencil some little birds in the tree. Maybe even a nest with little eggs or baby birds."

"So?"

"There's an owl in the tree. Owls eat baby birds," I told him.

"Well, it's a vegetarian owl," my husband said, not at all concerned about the food chain playing out in our baby's nursery.

"I'll let you explain that one to the baby," I told him, still thinking about the cute little birds' nest and how to keep the new carpet blood- and feather-free. (Owls can be messy.)

I'll find a way ... after I clean the lint out of the dryer ....

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