My Latest Obsessions

We made our Checker Tournament bracket yesterday and this afternoon we will see who plays Daddy/PFC!

Blizzard 2011 - Pic in front of our house.
Unfortunately, this pic doesn't show much perspective in relation to how much snow there really IS!

GMC chilling inside during Blizzard 2011 - 6 months old.

Happy Friday! I'm loving some of the terms used to describe this latest Blizzard. My fave = SNOmg. I have to admit, I'm not a HUGE fan of snow and/or of being COLD. So, I have had to really take some steps these last few days to turn some of my negative thoughts into positive ones.

And frankly that exact thought has been on my mind lately (taking any negative thought that pops up and trying to spin it into a positive). This same topic always seems to come up when I start to think about work-life balance (a topic that I touched upon in last week's Latest Obsessions). So, I'm going to reinstate my gratitude list again (which I seem to start at the beginning of every year but never seem to stick to).  So, this week I'm grateful that we own a snowblower. Enough said.

Last year around this time I wrote about mini moments. Some of my "mini moments" and the "little things in life" this week are pictured above. I have to laugh as I was basically "called out" this past week by a bagger at the grocery store for picking up my cell phone when I was checking out. She looked at me after I had finished my cell conversation (which was under a minute mind you) and asked if I was talking with Obama or Clinton. I was so in my head (thinking about which kid had to be where and when and if I had picked up everything on my mental "blizzard is coming" grocery shopping trip and praying that GMC would hold out a little longer as it was time to feed him) that it didn't dawn on me that I was being rude. I starred at her for a moment and laughed (um, no, not Obama nor was I solving world peace) and apologized (and refrained from asking her if she wanted to stay home w/the baby while I ran some errands that needed to happen in a very short time frame...hello, I wanted to say, ummm, that phone call just saved me another 10 minutes because now M is being picked up and if I had not picked up the phone I would not have known that fact...blah, blah, blah). But alas, she was a bit of a reality check for me (to some extent). And then there is always Relativism!!! Which then brings me to some of my favorite lines from JuJu (my mom) = It is what it is, and it ain't what it ain't AND It is ALL relative.

I'm all over the place this week in terms of topics and things on my mind. A good friend sent me the following blog post entitled The Me in Mommy. WOW - this gal really summed up (very honestly may I add) another topic that has been on my mind (and one that I'll delve into later)!

Birth Stories

I never truly appreciated Birth Stories before having George. To be honest, I thought they were a bit weird (why would anyone want to know the details of someone else's birth story). However, now I LOVE hearing birth stories. I love hearing the entire process and all the details leading up to meeting the new little guy or gal. While I have heard the story of how I was born I would love now to know more details.

I've contemplated writing out my birth story for George so that I can remember it down the road. I read Joanna Goddard's A Cup of Jo blog from time to time and yesterday she posted her birth story. She may have inspired me to write mine out as well! Stay tuned!

GMC is 6 weeks OLD!

Happy Tuesday! All weekend we watched the US Open and I just finished "Open" by Andre Agassi. I couldn't put the book down! WOW - such an intimate look into his life. He was a huge part of my growing up - as we used to watch him play in Cincinnati.

I cannot believe that little "GMC" (George Martin Carr) is now 6 weeks old (as of Friday). Amazing how quickly time flies. He is getting so big. His sisters adore him and are taking their roles as "big sisters" quite seriously -- always hovering around the little guy to make sure he is all good. Very cute.

It has been a whirlwind 6 weeks - we moved back into our house / had George on his due date / the gals started school (first grade - HUGE / and pre-kindergarten). I've learned a lot in 6 weeks - patience being KEY! AND I think I have officially come to peace with my status as a SUBURBANITE.

What I've Learned - Beating the CLOCK

Wow, it is crazy how time flies. George is already 3 weeks old (as of this past Friday)! I adore the little guy and Cate and Margaret cannot get enough of him.

I have been home with Cate and Margaret for a little over a year - and wow - I probably have learned more in one year (about myself / parenting) than I have ever learned. I'll never forget when I pulled out in the mini-van for the first time (or the first time I found myself LOVING the van for the sliding doors)!

I am always trying to beat the clock and squeeze as much as possible in to small increments of time. I remember driving downtown for my doctor appointments and trying to strategically find a parking spot that didn't require me the extra 5-7 minutes of time in the maze of a parking garage. Those extra 5 minutes matter (as I was racing to pick up Cate or Margaret from camp / school / a playdate). Now, I'm even more buckled to a schedule - as George feeds every two hours during the day (and he is like clockwork - literally on the dot he will start to fuss). My mind is always racing - 8 minutes to shower and get dressed / 7 minutes to get the girls out the door / 9 minutes to make mac and cheese / 5 minutes to stop at dunkin donuts / the list goes on and on!

Time management gives new meaning to the luxury of time! Lucky for me that my mind operates like a calendar.

What I have learned...

George is now 2 weeks old (amazing how time flies)! It has been an amazing two weeks - filled with lots of learning experiences and lots of smiles/laughter and JOY. Wow - having a baby is such an amazing experience. During my pregnancy Peter was super excited for me to experience giving birth and having a baby (he said - from his experience - that there is nothing like it). I now look at Cate and Margaret differently and our entire little family with a new level of love.

Oh, the things I have learned these last 2 weeks:

• MODESTY - goes out the window when in labor. I now laugh as I honestly didn't care who was in the room at that moment (you forget what is truly going on and that you are in a compromised position). I now laugh that the nervous 23 year old medical student was holding one of my legs while I was pushing (poor guy looked like he was about to pass out and me asking him questions about where he was from was not helping!). And it is hard to be modest about feeding your baby when their are a million workers still working on your house!
• EPIDURALS are a godsend. I respect and appreciate woman that decide to give birth naturally but OMG - once I received the epidural everything was serene/chill/zen. LOVED it! It allowed me to truly enjoy the moments up until I met George.
• FAMILY/GOOD FRIENDS - I feel so grateful that Peter's parents live down the street and that his siblings live close by as well. One of his sister's was so helpful in the beginning when I was struggling with breast feeding. And my mom and stepdad have been AWESOME - they flew in the Friday that George was born and helped us move that next day back in to our house the next day. And my mom (who has been our chief advisor throughout our renovation) has been our designing diva and has been putting the house back together! Little sister Carrie flew in from NYC and now adores George and had a hard time leaving. And friends have been incredible - w/their visits / calls / cute gifts for George and the girls / homemade dinners (YUMMY!) and just overall thoughtfulness.
• BRIEFS - I've gotten over the fact that they are not sexy and secretly (or not so secretly) have grown to like them!

My Lastest Obsession - BABY BOY CARR

Pic = moments after "BBC" was born! Such a happy MOMENT!

WOW - so today was an AMAZING day! I delivered Baby Boy Carr this morning at 5:46 am and I'm now typing next to our beautiful little boy as we speak. Peter headed home for a bit to pack up our rental house as tomorrow we are moving back in to our HOUSE - hooray! Ironically he had taken the day off to pack - but "BBC" arrived just on TIME (his due date).

"BBC's" STATS:

FULL NAME = George Martin Carr

(George is my Dad and Grandfather's name and Martin is Peter's maternal Grandfather's name -- and also referred to as the "fifth Beattle")

WEIGHT / HEIGHT = 7 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.5 inches (love that day 1 in your life is the ONLY time that your "weight" is freely announced to EVERYONE)

PERSONALITY = CHILL CHILL CHILL (like his Daddy) and very expressive and prompt/calendar oriented (like his Mother!)

He met his Aunt Stephie and Uncle Sean / Aunt Michele / and Grandpa Carr today. Tonight he may meet JuJu and Grandpa T depending on their flight. And tomorrow George Martin gets to meet some of his so-called "Aunties" - some of my buddies that are making an appearance. The gals are at their grandparents lake house this weekend - and they will meet their baby brother on Sunday - cannot wait for them to meet him! We've officially gone from a FAM of FOUR to a FAM of FIVE!

I'm IN LOVE (with George Martin) and have an entire new level of love for Cate and Margaret as his big sisters. And I have this new level of love for Peter as the Daddy of our little guy. I melt everytime I see him hold little George. So cute!

39 Weeks - Our Mini Watermelon

One of our last pics as a FAM of FOUR (before we are a FAM of FIVE)!!! LOVE IT.

So, we are in the final stretch for sure. Baby Boy Carr hit 39 weeks this past Friday - so any day now. One of my dear friends was two days behind me and had her baby boy this Saturday (so exciting). It has been amazing to share this experience step by step with a close friend who is having a baby for the first time as well. SO FUN. I never understood before the connection you have with other women once you are pregnant - this underlying sense of unity (amazing really). Everyone loves sharing their experiences of birth, babies and being a mom. Lots of perspectives, opinions and views.

"BBC" weighs a little over 7 pounds now (mini watermelon) and is about 20 inches long (according to BabyCenter). And he is ready to ROCK!

38 Weeks - Our little "Leek"

So, this past Friday Baby Boy Carr hit the 38 week mark! Less than 2 weeks to go. The countdown is on - not only for "BBC" - but for our house (we move in the day after I'm due!!!). So many exciting things happening at the moment - hard to focus on just one or the other. According to Baby Center, little "BBC" has now plumped up to about 6.8 pounds and is about 19.5 inches long.

I cannot wait to meet the little guy who I have grown quite attached to - his kicking seems to be on a schedule (hmmm...maybe he will be a total schedule/calendar freak like me!).

So, now time to start thinking of what to pack for the hospital. Some items that will definitely go in my bag =

• Smith's Minted Rose's Lip Balm (have always loved this stuff - cheap/and love the old school packaging)
• Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer
• My Kindle and my i-pod

Week 37 - Our little "stalk of swiss chard"

I'm sitting down and getting ready to start another week. This past Friday I hit week 37 - so little Baby Boy Carr is officially considered full term, with just under three weeks left! According to BabyCenter "BBC" is about 6 1/3 pounds and measures a little over 19 inches.

Peter and I continue to wonder about "BBC" and what he will look like and what type of personality he will come out w/. I'm hopeful for a super chill little guy that goes with the flow (sort of like his Daddy!). If "BBC" stays put and arrives on or after July 23rd he will be a Leo and if he comes a bit early we will have a Cancer.

"BBC" as a potential Leo =

• Warm of Spirit, eager for action, eager for a desire to be loved for what they bring to others.
  
• Motto may be "What you see is what you get."


• Greatest strenght is a playful and loving nature.


• Party personality = Natural magnetism and flair for the dramatic gives the whole party a celebrity aura.


• Famous Leos = Tom Brady, John Stamos, Patrick Swayze, Matthew Perry.

"BBC" as a potenital Cancer =

• Fiercely loyal and has a difficult time letting go.


• Greatest strength = ability to nuture others.


• Favorite Ice Cream = Dairy products are a Cancer's favorite indulgence. And he likes his ice cream rich and gooey. Because he is security-oriented, vanilla is his favorite flavor -- Haagen-Dazs Dulce de Leche or Vanilla Swiss Almond. He may try making his own ice cream too, since he is handy in the kitchen.


• Famous Cancers = Kevin Bacon, Chris O'Donnell, Matthew Fox, Tobey McGuire.

Soon enough we will see if we have a little Leo or Cancer on our hands!

36 Weeks - Our little "Crenshaw Melon"

Happy Monday! I hope that everyone had a fabulous Fourth of July weekend! Peter/the girls and I decided to stay local and just have a relaxing weekend with not much on the agenda. It was the best decision ever! Peter and I woke up Saturday morning and looked at one another and said "what do WE want to do today?" - as we both realized it was the first Saturday/Weekend in our 2 years together that we didn't have an agenda or somewhere to be. It was so FREEING - OMG, the best feeling ever. We took the gals to the Oak Park Farmers Market in hopes of scoring some of their fresh (and highly talked about) donuts and some fresh veggies. We then hit the pool later that afternoon and ended up at a good friend's house for an impromptu BBQ with some awesome fireworks! Sunday we were at the tennis club for Fourth of July activities - the petting zoo, pie baking contest, pool games and a BBQ. The weekend could not have been more perfect and was just what we needed (for one of our last weekends as a Family of Four!).

This past Friday I hit the 36 week mark - wahoo - less than 4 weeks to go! I'm laughing as our move in date (back into our house) is scheduled for the day after my due date - why not do it all at once?! Ha! We are SO excited to get back into our house - cannot wait!

Little Baby Boy Carr is now the size of a crenshaw melon (which I had never heard of before) - per Baby Center. "BBC" now weighs about 6 pounds and is putting on about an ounce of weight a day. He is about 18 1/2 inches long. We cannot wait to meet "BBC" - I've grown quite attached to the little guy and his patterns of kicks. Being pregnant has been such an amazing and interesting process - and talking to other woman that have been through it has been so helpful. There are so many random things that they don't really talk about in books - and it has been nice to talk to other moms about the process.

34 Weeks - Our little Canteloupe

This past Friday I hit the 34 week mark - so that means we have 6 weeks to go! I feel so connected to Baby Boy Carr - as he has been a kicking machine lately. We are getting so excited to meet him. According to Baby Center little "BBC" weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (average canteloupe) and is almost 18 inches long!

Peter's sisters and mom hosted a baby shower for me this past Saturday. It was ADORABLE. It was right up my alley in terms of creativity and color coodination - I LOVE the above picture of the favors ("Dee Dee's Little Bun in the Oven" - and inside the box was a YUMMY sticky bun) - such a clever idea. And one of his sisters also snagged my 20 week ultrasound pics and had them framed with decorative paper - so cute.

Today we celebrated Father's Day. The girls and I gave Peter a few gifts (a cute key chain that has a pic of the little gals and a travel mug with a picture of the two gals) and of course many homemade cards from Cate/Margaret. Even "BBC" wrote a little card for Daddy - a hilarious card I found of a Dad and a little boy both in their underwear and super hero capes. The card read: Are we a Super-Duo or What? Happy Father's Day. The card made me laugh. We then went to an awesome brunch at Maya Del Sol and indulged in lots of YUMMY food.

I have enjoyed talking to two of my college friends who recently had their first babies. I've been asking them many questions - such as "I've got 6ish weeks left...any ADVICE to do now until the baby comes." And I've also drilled them about the first couple of weeks afterwards - things to expect! They have been invaluable and so helpful. Motherhood is such an interesting "CLUB" -and being pregnant with some close friends has been so much fun. I have lots of veteran moms in town that I talk to about pregnancy/babies/motherhood (which I don't know what I would do without) and there has been something so special about connecting with my friends that are having a baby for the first time (as well) that has been so wonderful.

PS - I'm so excited about our wedding spread in the mag Brides Chicago!

Week 33 - Our little "Pineapple"

As of this past Friday Little Baby Boy Carr hit the 33 week mark (7 weeks to go!). "BBC" is now the size of a pineapple (per BabyCenter) - about 4 pounds and he has surpassed the 17 inch mark! He is losing his wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. 

Peter and I were able to get away for a night this weekend and stay downtown - which was so awesome and much needed. We have been so busy lately that it was such a treat to spend some quality one on one time together - especially before life gets even more busy with the baby! We went to Piccolo Sogno for dinner and loved it. Such great food and fun people watching. Their back patio is the best. 

The next morning we had coffee at the Goddess and Grocer (Gold Coast location) and then we made a brief pit stop at Anthropologie (reminded me of my weekends when I lived downtown). I felt right at home with all the gals that work there - one even asked about my sister (as we were their usual suspects every Sunday when I lived downtown)! Peter read the newspaper on the couch there while I perused the store. I fell in love with this adorable "gazelle" - handmade by Haitians - using repurposed cement bags and vintage french book paper. You may end up seeing this in the Cate/Margaret/BBC's new bathroom! 

Then Saturday/Sunday we had our all day birthing classes. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed them and loved the woman (here is an article written by her) who taught the class (chill / down to earth / very knowledgeable / she is a doula and just delivered her 1000th baby). Wild! This is all feeling so much more real! 

Week 32 - Our little "Jicama"

This past Friday I laughed when I read that BBC is the size of a large jicama (according to Baby Center). 32 Weeks down and 8 to go! By now the little guy weighs about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long. He now has fingernails, toenails, and real hair (so curious about his hair and the color of it)! I was born 10 weeks early and came out with a full head of hair (and look at me now - quite a head of curly hair!). 

Cate and Margaret were a bit perplexed by the latest veggie/fruit description. "What is a JICAMA?" While I like jicama I didn't really know how to describe it to the gals. So I looked it up. It is a crispy, sweet and edible root! 

Week 31 - Our "little basket of oranges"

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend! It was so nice to have that extra day - would LOVE 3-day weekends all the time. We were up at the gals grandparents lake house and then back for memorial day action in town (BBQs, pool time, parade). The little gals (myself included) were quite tired this AM. They are in countdown mode - as it is their last week of school. 

So, little Baby Boy Carr hit 31 weeks this past Friday - less than 9 (ish) to go! Wow, little "BBC" now measures over 16 inches and weighs about 3.3 pounds (according to Baby Center). This week they are comparing him to carrying 4 navel oranges! 

I seriously cannot believe that in a little over 2 months we will be meeting little "BBC!" We cannot wait! 

PS - And congrats to my youngest sister who graduated this past weekend from Princeton University's School of Architecture - so proud of our littlest pup. I admire her passion and dedication - she has been such a rock star with all her schooling! "BBC" cannot wait to meet Aunt Carrie when she emerges from "underground!" 

Some shout outs to little Carrie (a quick google search pulled up the following): 

Special Mention in the Evolo Competition  

Future Cities Lab - Super Galaxy

Week 29 - Butternut Squash

NOTE: Pic is from my mom's in AZ (on my way to my baby shower with her friends). I was 26 weeks here!

So, this past Friday little Baby Carr hit the 29 week mark - wahoo! 29 down...11 to go! Seriously, time is flying by so quickly. I'm now officially in my third trimester - wild!

Little Baby Boy Carr now weighs about 2 and a 1/2 pounds and is a little over 15 inches according to Baby Center. Our little guy has been quite active and I can feel him all the time now. I love feeling the little kicks here and there - makes this process all that much more real.

It is amazing to think that my mom had me at 30 weeks (so basically this upcoming Friday). She had such a different pregnancy than I have been having (let's just say that uneventful is a good thing!). The little gals are getting so excited - especially now that they can visually see my BUMP!

My Latest Obsessions

Happy Wednesday...a few of my latest obsessions/favorites! I still have yet to write a post about our fabulous trip to AZ to visit JuJu and Grandpa T but wanted to get some of my faves out! 

For awhile Margaret was asking for "heart" shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. However, she never ate the outside of the heart so I stopped making them. I saw these adorable Lunch Punches from Fawn & Forest and they made me rethink shaped sandwiches. 

I'm super excited for little Baby Boy Carr's high chair. OMG, did I just say that! Ha! A couple JuJu (my mom's) friends went in on the Tripp Trapp Stokke high chair and accessories for us. I'm so excited to check it out! This high chair will allow little Baby Boy Carr to dine at the table with the rest of us! 

My dear City Gal Pals hosted a lovely Baby Shower for me last weekend - it was ADORABLE. Cutest theme ever! Check out the post from the shower (and btw, my friend Taryn's new blog Sage & Style rocks)! 

I saw these adorable needlepoint pillows from Jonathan Adler - and Daily Candy featured a special on them for 20% off through May 7th (enter DC20).  

Okay, so I'm kind of obsessed with Aimee Wilder's wallpaper - discovered it this weekend and now I cannot get her stuff out of my mind! We are thinking of wallpapering the new "kids" bathroom - wouldn't these squirrels be adorable (envisioning this combined with a lime green wall). FUN! Aimee has a pretty cool blog as well. 

I think these personalized reversible dresses from Garnet Hill are ADORABLE! 

Daily Candy Kids featured some Mom Blogs - lots of cute ones. 

Fryd + Design - Norwegian mom of 2 covers everything from interiors, meals and her kiddos. 

The Happy Home - former editor at Australian interiors mag Real Living documents her home renovation and decoration. 

Ish and Chi - Sydney-based Mansour started blogging while renovating her home and putting together a nursery for her son, Robert. 

Ummm, love these brown paper packages tied up with string (from Decor8). 

Week 26 - A Cucumber (an English Hothouse one that is)

This past Friday I hit the 26 week mark (6 and a 1/2 months) - so 14 weeks to go! I hit the 3rd trimester in 2 weeks. So, according to BabyCenter our little "Rutabaga" is now the size of a "Cucumber" (an English Hothouse one that is)! I'm laughing because just as the girls were getting used to the word "rutabaga" I told them that now their little brother is the size of a cucumber! I enjoyed listening to Cate tell people that her little brother was the size of a "Root-a-Bagel."

Little Baby Boy Carr (according to my pregnancy bible BabyCenter) can now hear conversations around him (so hopefully he can hear the chatter of his soon to be sisters and Daddy). He is continuing to put on baby fat and now weighs about a pound and two-thirds. He measures about 14 inches from head to toe.

Right now we are visiting my mom and stepdad in Arizona (more later about our fun trip). It has been very fun for me to share my pregnancy experience with my mom (as of late it has been all long distance via phone). I loved showing her my NEW GROWING BELLY when we arrived on Thursday. The two of us were chatting about the fact that I was born at 30 weeks (which would be a few weeks from now for me). WOWSER. So wild. Her pregnancy experience (and the birth itself) was quite different from the "uneventful" and smooth (thank goodness) one that I have been having thus far.

Week 25 - A Rutabaga

I cannot believe that last week I posted my 6th month pic (of me being pregnant). Wow - half a year has flown by - that is for sure. I hit the 25th week this past Friday and apparently little Baby Boy Carr is the size of a rutabaga (will say that this is one of the oddest veggie/fruit comparisons from Baby Center thus far). 

I chuckled when I read (per week 25 on Baby Center) that I may not be able to gracefully move around anymore! Yes, for sure my center of gravity has changed! 

The "cowboy" left Saturday to meet my stepdad for their horseback riding excursion. The girls and I are in countdown mode to meet "Daddy" at the tail end of their trip. Cate has been trying on her new cowboy boots daily and tonight had them on with her pjs (quite a cute look!). Cowgirl up! This saying might have to replace my mom's famous line, "Suck it up cupcake." 

Week 24 - Ear of Corn

I've hit the 6th month mark - wahoo! Little Baby Boy Carr is kicking away these days - so fun to feel that a little one is in there. According to BabyCenter.com our little guy has gained about 4 ounces from last week and he is now about a foot long (about the length of an ear of corn). Wowser!

The girls have enjoyed being involved in this process and every Friday I update them on the new fruit/veggie that represents their soon to be little brother. They thought the Spaghetti Squash (2 weeks ago) was such a hilarious vegetable! It was a riot listening to their conversations - "so, there is something called a spaghetti squash - do you eat this squash with spaghetti?"

I'm excited to see my mom and stepdad soon as they have yet to see me "prego" in person! Peter is leaving this upcoming Saturday for a week long Desert Horseback Riding Trip in Wickenburg, AZ. My stepdad is sponsoring Peter as a "newbie" this year. The girls and I are then flying out together late the following week to greet them at the tail end of their ride. Yesterday we hit Alcala's for a few last minute packing items for Peter's trip. The girls think it is hilarious that their Daddy gets to be a "cowboy" for a week!

Week 22 - Spaghetti Squash

So, last Friday I hit the 22 week mark (2 weeks beyond the half-way mark)! Hooray!

Little Baby Boy Carr is now the size of a spaghetti squash and almost 1 pound (and about 11 inches long). The little guy is starting to look like a miniature newborn. I'm feeling more pregnant per se and feel more connected to the baby now that I know he is a little boy. When I'm in stores I now notice the "boy" section. We are so excited. This will be an entire new world for all of us (the girls and for Peter - who grew up with all sisters).

So, I was telling my mom today that our girls change outfits multiple times a day (and not because they spilled something). After each new activity or part of their day they want to change into something different. I was telling her that I'm trying to curb this pattern (secretly until they are doing the laundry themselves and realize that 5 little outfits a day leads to lots of laundry). My mom was pretty funny when I told her this - as she said that I should let them change their oufits as often as they would like - as I shouldn't be stiffling their creative style and energy. She may have a point (but I'm sticking to my guns on limiting the outfit changes until my my mom comes down and helps with laundry!). I don't mind them playing dress up and going through all the outfits (in the dress up trunk) but changing "real" outfits several times a day leaves our washer running all day long! Maybe I'll pull the "we need to be more GREEN" idea with them (and talk about all the water we will be saving!).

And then there is always the fun topic of letting your child chose his/her own clothing. Umm, that always brings me back to the dreadful picture of me as a tear stained 12 year old standing next to my two sisters in matching dresses for a picture (thanks MOM!).