2nd Time Mommy

On Tuesday my Maternity Leave will end. I am sad for many reasons. One, I know this will be our last child, pregnancy etc. The other reason  is that I really enjoyed my maternity leave. Its not to say I didn't the first time but I was very overwhelmed as a new mom. 

Here are the things I did differently this time around.  I highly recommend all new moms do the same. 

•  In the hospital, I let the nurses take Julia so I could get some sleep. Returning home to a toddler and a newborn, I was going to need all the defenses I could get. 
  

• I got out of the house EVERY day. Even in the 7 degree weather I made a point to get out. Most days I had the baby in tow. Don't worry she was more than bundled. It was good for the post baby body and the mind to get a walk in.
  

• I snuggled, cuddled and did not worry about "spoiling" Julia. I even picked up her up to snuggle when she was quiet.
  

• I had girl time and play dates. I was very lucky that three, yes three, of my friends were on maternity leave at the same time. We had wine lunch dates with the little ones(taking advantage of the sleeping time), coffee play dates and lots of fun. It is nice to just relax and get to hang out with someone who is going through the same thing. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I have not one, but two little girls. Julia spent most days in her jammies or a onsie. I was so excited with Ela ,that each day she had on a new outfit and bow. Maybe I am just too tired but it did not happen this time. We are lucky if she got a fresh outfit daily.

• I slept while she slept! I know this is cardinal rule of new motherhood...but I actually did it. Its very easy when you have a good sleeper on your hands!

• I did not give Julia a bath every day...Sometimes it even went 2-3 days. The winter was rough and frankly she was just not a spitting up baby! Plus babies really don't need a daily bath!

• I worked out. This has nothing to do with loosing weight. Actually, I did not weigh myself until my 6 week post pardum appt. A goal of mine is to run a 5K on Mothers Day and continue to run. I think running is one of the best ways to steal 30-40 min of "me" time.

• Finally, I let the whole having a perfectly clean house go. I think its an impossible feat with two little ones.Why spend all day cleaning for Ela to come home and mess it up? (Trust me it was not super messy but I learned to let the small things go) 

The Amazing thing about being a Mom....

Is that even though they grow too quickly, we get to watch them as they learn, explore, imitate and develop into their own. Its amazing to watch and wonder what they will be like when they are "grown".

Will we see this video in 20 years on MTV as a Inside Look on Ela  the next pop singer?

Will she be an artist or a Fashion Designer? Designs By Ela....

Or maybe a chef? The girl does love her food.

A Yoga Instructor?

A stay at home Mommy

A business woman working in an office like her Mom.

Or an Internet Marketing Director?

Whatever she decides to be, the journey watching her grow sure is fun!

Food Allergy Update- Year 3

Every year shortly after Ela's birthday we test in the hopes that she can experience the joys for Nutella or Almonds one day. Or more, so Mom does not have to attend birthday parties on high alert and lug around the EpiPen all the time.  This year we decided to switch allergists to one that was  local and part of the Mount Sinai hospital group. This medical group is known as being one of the top for allergy research in NYC. Our new doctor recommended blood testing  to get a bigger picture of her allergens. Ill spare the horrific details of getting blood drawn from a three year old but I am sure you can imagine the worst. The skin testing was not as bad thanks to the Ipad.

The first visit we tested her for  seasonal allergies,dog and a few others via a skin test and then the food allergies via a blood test. 

As you can see she reacted to a few such as dogs, and believe it or not cockroaches.( Thats a big problem living in NYC) She tested negative for seasonal allergies. 

Onto the food.

 Prior to the testing she was allergic to Sesame, Tree nuts with the exception of pistachio and hazelnut, as well as  peanuts. Take a look at the blood test results for yourself

I was literally jumping around when I read the email from our doctor! This was great news. As soon as I could, I brought Ela in for skin testing. If all was negative we would feed her the foods she has never eaten under doctor supervision. The morning of the test, I told Ela that she might eat nuts today. She responded " Mommy, I can not eat nuts remember? They make me very sick." This was one obstacle I did not think about. What a smart little (nut less) cookie!

The top right is the control allergen that helps determine the level of sensitivity. You can barely see any of the others. Looks great right? Yes and No. There are small welts for Peanut, Pecan and Walnut but everything else was NEGATIVE!! I was very happy and we were heading in the right direction. Discussing with the doctor she said that most likely she would have no reaction to these foods as they were more likely a sensitivity. If she did have a reaction they would be hives, which is much better to the alternative of anaphlatixis. Additionally Sesame on the blood test was a 2 out of 6, which mean two things. 1) she was growing out of the Sesame allergy 2) If she did accidentally ingest it would not be as severe as last time. We ended up not doing the food challenge because I had another appointment and needed to be able to devote 3 hours; We will return shortly.

All in all we are heading in the right direction. There is so much conflicting information about food allergies out there as it is relatively new. I have received at least five different answers on eating allergenic foods while breastfeeding Julia, especially with our now known history of allergies. There are two schools of thought; 1)introduce to build the immunity now or 2) avoid to reduce the chance of allergies. For other moms with children of food allergies, I personally take the first school of thought. I have been eating them in the hopes that Julia will not have allergies. I also practiced this with Ela. I would feed her foods that were labeled "May contain peanuts or Made in a factory with peanuts" with the thoughts that the smallest interaction would slowly help outgrow the allergy. I can not say that's what has helped but there is nothing else to do but hope. 

I hope that we are in the percentage of kids that outgrow the allergies. The younger the children when developing, the greater the chance of outgrowing! Until next years visit...

I'll love you forever....

I'll love you forever,

 I like you for always, 

as long as your living my baby you'll be....

You probably recognize the quote from one of my favorite childhood books. I love that book and it is truly how I (along with most other parents) feel about my children. While we love our children dearly, some days a more appropriate quote would be "I'll love you forever, your driving me crazy tonight, as long as your living my baby you'll be".

The days of being a mother of two have been wonderful, but at times very hard. At 3 years old the transition to being a big sister has been less than easy. I think more has to do with the fact that she is now a "threenager" instead of being a big sister. I blog to look back on my children's life, and I enjoy reading about other parents' journeys, as people do mine. I was hesitant to write a blog admitting how hard it can be at times with two, but then I remembered many others are going through the same. Looking through Social Media it seems that many have a second baby, adjust instantly, loose the baby weight in one month, siblings form an instant bond,and yada yada yada. I am sure most(if not all) reading this post can relate to having two babies and can see its not what often is portrayed on Social Media.

I had a plan when Julia was born on how I was going to handle things when we got home.I expected caring for a newborn to be the hardest part, but I was wrong. No reading could have prepared me enough. I  bought her a present from Julia, planned to keep her on her schedule, and to set aside one on one time with her, the whole nine yards. Of course nothing ever goes to plan. We had family in and out for three weeks and Julia began to cry constantly at 3 weeks requiring to be held ALL the time. Not even just be held; but by me ONLY! I began to have guilt eat at me;  I could not devote as much attention to Ela that I used to or even planned to. I know this is normal and I have friends that are going through the same. I am surprised because I never really expected to feel this emotion out of the many that I had anticipated.  For Ela's whole life she received my 110% attention, especially considering that many times Tomasz was working and traveling. During those times it was just the two of us.

The days are getting easier now that we figured out why Julia was crying. I can actually put her down and play a board game with Ela or lay in bed at night and cuddle.  I have also made a point to carve away alone time with Ela even if it means she sits in the bathroom while I shower and we chat. Believe it or not, this has become one of my favorite few minutes with her. She is transitioning from tom boy to a little girl and is obsessed with all things beauty products. Recently a trip to the nail salon for her birthday was wonderful for both of our hearts!

I learned a few things in the short time I have been a mom of two:

1. Punishing your kid is harder on the parent than the child.

2. No matter how mad you are at your child you always love them. I remembered feeling that my parents did not love me as much when I misbehaved. In fact the opposite is true; you love them more.

3. A "three"nager has the ability to completely throw off your day and turn your world over!

4. Ela is much smarter that I was at 3 years or  even now at 31 years. 

5. The love of a parent is selfless. There are days that I forgo a shower just to spend time with my babies or even gave up my coffee for a few days for Julia to adjust to my diet. (scary thought right)

All in all we take it day by day and each day it gets easier. As my pediatrician says " Dont worry she wont even remember how she felt during this time when she grows up" I guess this is true because I am the oldest of four and I survived!

3 years old! - Ela

Holy Cow! My "baby" is 3! Time really does fly when you have kids. She has grown into such a smart, funny, big girl and I could not be more proud of her!

1 year old- 1/12/12

2 years old- 1/12/13

3 Years old -2014

Weight 31 pounds

Height: 36 inches- a foot for every year

Milestones:

First Trip Overseas to London-April

Potty Trained- May

First Hospital Stay- July :(

Big Sister- December

Birthday Celebrations!

On Saturday Ela and Mommy had a Breakfast date and got Mani/Pedis. Ever since I had Ela I could not wait for the day until we could get our nails done together. We had been talking about getting them done for a few weeks and in the middle of her Pedicure she said " Mommy I cant stop smiling" It was great to get some one on one time with my little girl! Purple is her favorite color of course!

On Sunday(Her actual birthday) We started the day with  a pancake for each year of her life and  play date with her favorite boys! These guys have grown up together and are her Best Friends!

Later that night went out to dinner and Ela had her favorite desert. 

Good thing singing does not embarrass her yet!

Some of her favorite gifts. A puzzle teaching her how to write and a scooter and helmet!

I am sure this year will be full of more exciting times and growing! I am so proud of the girl that she has already become and she will always hold a special place in my heart for being the one that made me a Mommy. <3

Julia- 1 Month

Julia is 1 month. I am writing this post a day early, but its hard to believe that a month ago at this time I had no clue I was about to be in labor and we were walking around the city. So so happy we finally got to meet our little Julia. Speaking of little, she wont be for long. She LOVES to eat and has already gained two pounds since birth!

Stats:

Weight: 8.8pds- 44%

Height: 21.5 -77% 

Here is what we have learned about her personality so far:

*Julia is a cuddlier and loves to be held...Who am I kidding? She always NEEDS to be held to be happy. Her favorite position is lying on her belly on my belly. 

*She has smiled a few times(its not gas).

*After trying 3 pacifiers, I have determined she is not a big fan. The soothie will work sometimes.

*She HATES having a dirty diaper. I mean HATES!

Julia's Firsts:

First Christmas

First Bath

First Time in Church

First Smile.

First Blizzard

Chunky Cheeks

Love....Julia is unsure though.

Selfie of my girls

Funny outtake

If you are interested...Here is Ela at 1 month. Ironically, Jules and Ela almost weighed the exact same.

Ela-1 month