What is a calorie??

After a week of being sick and having a sick Jesse, and then a week and a bit of miserable weather, I am excited for a week of hot and sunny days ! My double stroller just hasn't got enough use because of the all the icky rain, and walking was going to be a key component in shedding a few pounds of baby flub.

When I had Jesse, I lost all my weight and then some within 2 weeks of being home. I didn't have to do a thing! But, with Janna, even thought I put on less weight, I have this pesky 10 pounds that needs some help leaving. I don't have time or money to hit the gym, so doing some power walking with the kids a few times a week, and a few days of Gillian Michaels DVD was the plan. However, this has not happened. I just have NO desire to exercise. So, I changed my plan.

First, I pulled out Dance Dance revolution last week, and set it up. It is so much fun, and doesn't feel like work, even though you are sweating after 10 minutes and your legs are going numb. And...I figure the time has come in my life where I should watch what I eat. Just a tiny little bit. I love food too much to obsess over it.

Growing up, I was pretty thin, and could eat whatever the heck I wanted. I never counted a calorie or went on a diet in my entire life! So....feeling totally clueless, I checked out a whole bunch of things on the good old WWW. I found this neat program that takes into account a million things and then gives you a NUMBER of how many calories your body needs to sustain your lifestyle...and how many to eat if you wanna lose one pound per week. So, I tried for a few days keeping a food journal and calorie counting just to see if I generally overeat or whatnot...

Man! I have never looked into how many calories things have. EVER. Like, I had to research if Water has calories I was that pathetic and clueless. Apparently it does not. Anyways, it was kind of fun checking everything out, but I was so sad to discover a few things. Peanut Butter has 100 calories per TBSP!!! Cheese has 100 calories for a fairly small cube!!! and my beloved chocolate and milk....I don't even wanna talk about it.....sigh... The moral of the story is that I eat too much chocolate everyday. If I just cut out a few fudgeos, and cut back on the cup of PB I put on my sandwhich I should be able to shake this no problemo with a few nights of DDR per week.

So, my goal is to be flub free by August. Do you think I can do it? For those of you who know how much I love chocolate, do you think I can do it? I think I really need to keep chocolate out of the house... cause I don't think 2 fudgeos a day will cut it when I'm used to 6, ya know? he he he... we'll see. Well, my darling boy needs some attention, and my angel Janna who is still sleeping at 8:30 AM, should get up for the day. So, I must be off. Thanks for reading :)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. A glimpse at the past 4 years

I can’t believe 4 years have passed since Dave and I were married on that sunny and cool May-day in Hartland, New Brunswick. After a sleepless night, I woke up at 6 am and took a stroll/jog around the B and B where me and all my girlfriends were staying to try and shake my nerves. The rest of the day flew by in a sort of beautiful haze. I attribute it to a combination of all the positive emotion, lack of sleep and tight dress. Totally happy and in love, Dave and I took off in our little red sunfire for our relaxed honeymoon in Old Quebec then onto Ottawa where we had our apartment and lives waiting. OLD QUEBEC

OUR APARTMENT

I remember lots of advice coming my way prior to marriage. Some claiming the first year would be the hardest, others saying it was the best. In my experience, it was both fun and challenging. We were broke and happy and trying to learn to live with each other with all of our expectations. Lots of laughs, some tears. I remember Dave and I trying to manage our tendencies to do weird things in our sleep. I had the habit of bolting upright in bed with a deranged glare that scared Dave. I would usually yell at him and insist I was awake. Dave likes to talk in his sleep, and the things he says crack me up. He still does it, and often speaks in other languages of which I’m not familiar. I usually sit up and watch him and ask him some questions for a further laugh. If I’m grouchy that I’ve been awoken, I’ll tell him he’s making no sense and to be quiet and go to sleep!

TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH DAVE's RELENTLESS APPETITE

4 years of marriage. Not a whole lot in comparison to many, but lots of stuff happening in those 4 years!
The first 2 years of our marriage Dave was still in school full time. The first year he was finishing his masters and thesis, and the second was off to teachers college. I worked full time days as a Nanny the first year, then teaching preschool the second. He also had a part time job, but worked opposite of me, mostly nights and weekends as a custodian at our church. We really didn’t see each other a whole lot! Our house mate, Eric, who rented a bedroom in our apartment the second year, would often comment that he saw each of us way more than we saw each other. It was true. That caused some teary moments from my end, as my vision of marriage not quite lining up, and feeling lonely some days. On top of this, we were surprised to find out I was pregnant about a year into marriage, and although totally pumped, I remember wondering if our little Jesse would ever see his dad! But, like many things, it was a busy and necessary stage that taught us to make the most of the time we did end up getting together.
OUR 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Dave’s hard work paid off, and he secured a permanent teaching contract at a private Christian school before he even graduated from teachers college. It was an absolute answer to prayer with a baby on the way! June 19, we expanded our little Vance riding with the birth of our gorgeous little boy, Jesse David Vance. I found having a first -child to be a huge challenge in numerous ways. In regards to marriage trying to figure out new roles while sleep deprived and on edge certainly can make you or break you. At the same time, I sort of fell in love with Dave again seeing him as a dad being cuddly and sweet and competent with our baby.

Year 3 was a BUSY one. Dave’s first year of teaching all new courses required so much prep work and he was often stressed as he was trying to figure out what sort of teacher he was and wanted to be. I was adjusting to the role of being at home with a very demanding and emotional little baby, and was also tired and stressed. But, we made time to connect and get out thanks to great friends who gave us a break here and there. We certainly miss having family in the area, and go through little stages of “lets move back East,” but we’re so thankful for a fantastic church family, and some close friendships that have really made our Ottawa adventure beautiful! We were amazed when we moved out of our little apartment last year how many people showed up to help us move!
Last summer, we finally had a bit of a vacation, the first ever together. Dave had the summer off for school break, of course, and I was still on my mat leave. It was the first feeling of normal and we had a lot of fun with Jesse and took turns sleeping in everyday!

SUMMER 2010 EAST COAST VACAY


This year has been really great. Year 4. I would say the best so far. Dave is doing such a great job at school, and managing his time. I went back to work for just a few months part- time before taking another mat leave and bringing another gorgeous baby into the world in January. Janna Grace Vance has been a total joy to the family, and Dave and I are just so in love with her. Although the days are busy, we’ve fallen into a great rhythm for getting things done and helping each other where the other one needs it. I read a devotional called “the Love Dare” earlier this year, where I was challenged to secretly do something for my spouse everyday for 40 days. Ultimately, the book switched focus and challenged and strengthened my relationship with God. Which when in line, translates into a love that is not possible in my own strength. Marriage is hard! Marriage is also awesome! To continually go deeper with one person who knows you best and loves you for it, while building so many memories is beyond special.

FAMILY OF 4!


Tonight Dave and I are going out for all you can eat at Tuckers down town . I can’t wait. To stuff my belly without kids rushing my meal or interrupting Dave and I’s conversation is what I want this year  We also have not yet watched the video footage of our wedding ceremony or reception. I can’t believe it. Anyways, love my man, life is good. Thanks for reading. I’m out!

4 years later...

Mother's Day 2011

Happy Mother's Day. I hope all you lovely mama's felt appreciated and loved, and perhaps got a bit of a break from the things you do so well. Both my kids must sense it's a day to be nice to me, because Janna slept for 10 hours straight last night, and then after a super quick feed at 5:30 am, went back to bed for another 3 hours. She also took a 3 hour morning nap, and is back down again now for her afternoon one. Dave got up with Jesse this morning which was beautiful as the little man decided to get up with the birds a bit before 6. I got to sleep in, and finally after a leisurely shower, wandered downstairs to a delicious breakfast and a few thoughtful gifts. I've come down with a sinus infection, I think, and so opted to stay home from church. Dave had to play in the service, so left me with the kids, and they both behaved like little angels. Jesse just played with his trucks and zippers quietly all morning, and Janna is always good. I called my mom to wish her happy mothers day and enjoyed a lil' chit chat.

Last year, I blogged about why my mom is awesome. After having kids you realize how AMAZING parents are for raising us with all our challenging stages. I appreciate my mom, and mom-in-law so much. I came across a few pics of my mom and me when I was super little, and thought I'd share.




This year, I'm thinking about how much of a blessing it is to BE a mom. Although it is exhausting and challenging, no doubt, children truly are a gift from God. So joyful and loving. So curious and inquisitive. So instrumental in making me a better person, as I strive to be selfless and a good example. Jesse is crawling all over me giving me cheek squeezes and kisses as I write this, and I'm reminded that to love and be loved by such tiny bundles of joy, really is a beautiful thing.

APRIL SHOWERS n ROAD TRIPS

Where has April gone?!?! It was a busy month for us, that started out with lots of trips to the doctors, paediatricians, and hospital for shots and falls and an ultrasound and blood work, etc. Jesse’s gassy abdomen is being looked into, and we’ve had lots of appointments to rule things out. We have an appointment with a GI specialist in a few months and hopefully we’ll put the celiac question to rest with a scope. Likely we’ll be referred to an allergist, as well. I’m sort of suspecting milk being more of the culprit than wheat.

Anyways, I was totally thrilled to be done of all that poking and prodding and after our streak of appointments and play dates, planned a trip home to the beautiful and friendly east coast for a few weeks. During Jesse’s first year of life, we road tripped home 5 times! Three of them I took by myself, and it really was an easy and enjoyable drive. Babies that little mostly sleep in the car, and when they wake up fussing you drive until they work into a cry and then stop to feed and love them. This time around I had no reservations about Janna, but I was a bit nervous this time around having a toddler, and a passionate one at that, to deal with. So, I sent a shout out to the Facebook moms asking for suggestions to entertain a near 2 year old in the car. I was amazed by the plentiful responses and their degree of difference from one another. I basically took ALL the wealth of ideas and supplies with me on the road. New toys, books, food, DVD player, gravol, ear plugs, etc. I wanted to be prepared!

Initially I was going to drive through the night. And perhaps with another adult travel companion I would have. But knowing I’d need to stop to nurse and pee, I thought it would be safer to be stopping in the day light as opposed to by myself with the kids at random gas stations in the middle of the night. So, I strategically picked noon as our departure time. My hopes were that Jesse would take his normal 12-3 nap while I went through Montreal , then I’d only have like 4 hours to deal with him before his bed time. I could make a bunch of stops as Janna nurses most frequently at those hours, then put them in fresh jammies at 7, they’d fall asleep and I’d drive the rest of the way to Fredericton arriving by midnight. Well, apparently Jesse had other plans, none of which involved sleeping. The toys and food and media only really distracted him the first half of the trip, and the second was filled with an overtired monster whining and screaming and squirming and begging me to let him out of his seat. He acted horribly when we stopped, and even wiggled free from my grip and took a dive in a mud puddle. I finally gave in and gave him some gravol around bed time, which didn’t seem to do a whole, either. He didn’t end up crashing until about 10pm, only a few hours before we reached our destination. It was STRESSFUL.

However, 2 weeks with family quickly made up for it. Jesse stayed overnight with Dave’s parents as they have a big crib and spare room, and Sharon was able to watch him in the mornings giving me a bit of a break before I came to pick him up for the afternoon. Janna and I had a great time at my parents and got in lots of quality time involving snuggling and sleeping in. It was a real treat not to have to cook or clean or do laundry for 2 whole weeks! Mostly, it was nice to catch up with lots of family and some old friends. However, toward the end of my stay, we were all ready to get back into our own space and see Daddy Dave. Ha Ha. I was all nerves the morning of our departure and eager to just get things over with.

The first half of the trip was beautiful. It was a gorgeous day and Jesse quietly watched the TV (which was probably the best distraction for him) and ate snacks. They were so well behaved at pit stops and we had fun hanging out in the front of the car which was equipped with special toys and food and stuff to change bums. I would put Janna in the sling and take Jesse by the hand to walk around the parking lot to get some fresh air and exercise and into a washroom for myself. But about half way through the trip both kids just sort of reached their in car limit and the rest of the drive was horrible. I don’t wish to recall all the details, and I feel like I could write a full novel about our return trip. But, in point form here are a few of my “favourite memories”

Losing my cell phone off the top of my car and watching it smash to pieces then be run over

Jesse’s fingers getting crushed in the car door

Almost being hit, then stalked, by what I think must have been drunk driver

Getting stuck on the side of a highway to deal with a Jesse melt down and having no room to merge into traffic for what seemed like an hour

Baby poop everywhere

The wiggles DVD skipping and having to reach back to try and restart it every 2 minutes or else Jesse would lose it

Not being able to see as we drove through Montreal because of the light in my eyes, both kids wailing/Janna near choking, having to pee, and my legs cramping up

Jesse finally falling asleep with only 2 hours to go in our trip, and Janna waking him up 10 minutes later with gas wails

Anyways, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO GET HOME, and I avoided the car for a few days. Dave and Katie had the house looking spotless and Jesse was so overjoyed to see His daddy. He dove from my hold into a big bear hug and just buried his head into Dave and wouldn’t let go for the longest time. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder! We were able to enjoy the long sunny Easter weekend all together, and also got together with some friends and family from Ottawa.

We’ve been laying low the past few weeks , not making a ton of plans. The constant rain and gross weather is sort of getting to me, although I’m thankful for the nice weather that seems to briefly surface on the weekend. We finally got a double stroller and the park is so much more funn with Jesse this year. Last year he wasn’t walking yet in the summer, he actually had just started crawling , and was sort of a frustrated kid. This year he can do so much more, including pushing other kids, which has been a recent thing he does to any kid who reaches into his bubble or touches his, basically. Sigh. He is getting so good with his words though, and just pulls out these random words perfectly. I also adore that he is putting so many new combinations of words together into mini sentences. The other day as I was putting him into the car he was pleading with me, “NO PLEASE, NO PLEASE, PLEASE NO!” Perhaps he is a wee bit scarred from our adventure homeJ Janna is just a delightful little thing, and as easy going as ever. She has settled into just one night time feeding, and then is usually up once more for a quick rock back to sleep. She loves to chatter and smile at whoever gives her a little attention. She is now up to 11 pounds, and has doubled her birth weight! Still kind of petite, but it sort of matches her personality. I am just so HAPPY to have such a healthy and happy girl in the house!

Well, the hubby is going to be through the door any minute, and food will be on his mind! So, I must go and season and cook up some pork chops for supper. Thanks for reading. I will try and be more frequent as far as May posts go. I’m out.

My life at this point...

Well, it’s been about 2 months since my last blog post, and I give myself a big F for that. Last time I updated you all, I was just about to venture into being a mama of 2 all on my own. I was a bit worried, but looking forward to it, and had a really great first week. It isn’t nearly as “hard,” as I thought it would be, but much “busier,” than I thought. Feeding Janna takes a good chunk of time and trying to keep Jesse entertained while I do so, can be challenging. Then the times where Janna is sleeping, I try to balance giving Jesse some good undivided attention, and getting the necessaries done.... having a shower, eating, keeping the house relatively sanitary etc. :S Throw in play dates and groceries and park time, and the day is packed.

Dave has been a great help to me, and while he has lesson plans and marking to do every night, he devotes from 5- 7 for family. He’ll take Jesse out to play and for a stroll while I make dinner, and then after supper give him his bath while I feed Janna. We try and get some sitting and talking about our day in there, and a little family play time too, but that just depends on the day. After Jesse is in bed at 7, I clean up the house, get the laundry in, give Janna her bath and get her to bed. Anyways, Keeping my family clean and fed and clothed and loved takes up just about all my time. Usually by about 8:30 at night I have a chance to breath and sit down, and I’m usually too wiped to do much but watch some TV for an hour before getting to bed. I’ve got to get to bed pretty early if I plan on getting 6 or 7 hours of sleep . It’s been good having the nightly routine for the kids sake, and ours, and I can’t wait for the warmer weather so that we can get out to the park with the kids for a little play before bath and bed time. I keep checking kijij every day for a good double stroller. I have responded to 2 in the past couple of days and they seem to be sold as they are posted!

Jesse’s ears finally cleared up about a month ago, and it was great to have a happy Jesse back for a few weeks. He is such a funny and smart little guy, and a great hugger. However, his 18 month shots were overdue, so we had those done a few days ago, and can I just say, I hate vaccine time! He is so grouchy and whiney, and on top of the terrible twos beginning to surface, I go a bit crazy with him on days when we are stuck in the house. Dave and I are reading a book on bringing up boys, together, and it has been an interesting read! A few very helpful pieces of information so far J

I was secretly worried about having another baby, that I wouldn’t like her as much as Jesse! Isn’t that horrible? But I am totally in love with Janna, equally. She is dainty and sweet, and such a beautiful addition to our family. She is laid back, but also pretty social. She is good to chill in her chair or swing while things are going on, but will squawk if we leave the room. She likes to sleep a lot through the day, but again likes to be sleeping in a room with someone. IF I put her down for a nap in her bedroom upstairs all by herself, she will only do about 45 minutes. But if I have her in her chair or swing down here, or in bed with me, she will sleep for a few hours. She’ll wake up here and there and look around at what’s going on, then fall back asleep. She takes a doozy of an afternoon nap, usually 4 hours if I put her down in her swing in the same room as me. I know, bad sleep habits, but I do what I can. I find I’m way more relaxed this time around with things.

As far as her night sleep, she has started doing a pretty consistent 5- 6 hour stretch at night from 8-1 or 2. She’s ravenous when she wakes up and will feed for like almost an hour before she passes out. But then will wake up usually around 3 or 4 am every half hour over and over and over again. As far as I can tell, she is just lonely. I will go in and she will be so happy to see me. She’ll kick her legs and smile, and just wants to snuggle in to me. She isn’t too interested in playing or eating, or even being awake. She just seems to want cuddles. She doesn’t take long to get back to bed, but then like 30-45 minutes later will be up again. When I get too tired of walking into her room and getting her back to sleep, I’ve been bringing her into bed with me, and she’ll sleep no problem until like 8:30. It’s not really a habit I wanted to start, but I find that I have more sympathy with Janna? I’m not sure that is the right word. Let me explain. When she is up during the day she doesn’t get nearly as much of my time as Jesse does. It’s just his nature and boyishness that demands a lot more of my attention. When Jesse was little, I found it easier to let him cry for a bit (although I rarely let him go more than 20 minutes) because he’d had all my attention all day long! I feel because of her good nature, Janna doesn’t voice her needs as much, and so when she does, I feel like I really want to meet them when I can. Which is, at this point, snuggling with her in the middle of the night at the cost of good sleep for myself. But right now, it’s worth it, to me. So, I do what I feel is best for everyone and what I can live with. I think it will get better with time, she is still so little, and we’ll slowly work towards the beautiful day when she will sleep for 12 hours straight like her brother.

Ahhh...sleep.... it’s what I dream about. And time. I feel totally unsympathetic lately when I hear single people talking about how busy and tired they are. I’m sure I was like that at one point. But, seriously. You can do what you want, when you want. If you’re tired..... sleep. If you feel too busy....cut out an activity or social engagement. Who cares? It’s a pretty undemanding lifestyle. Oooo... I sound like I’m bashing, but I’m really not. I’m just reflecting in hindsight?? Does that make sense.

I’ve come to realise that marriage was a big step for me in learning to live unselfishly consistently. Up until that point, life was about me. Being a kid was about having fun, and then getting education and a job was all about me and what I wanted. Being married is a daily challenge to put someone else above yourself, and it’s hard, but a beautiful way to live: loving someone else as much if not more than yourself. Having kids was a whole ‘nother intense step up from marriage in this regard. They are helpless little creatures who need so much love and attention and being busy and tired is not something you can change. Their needs often can’t wait. Having a spouse to continue to love and balance with your kids is another level of challenge that Dave and I are working at the best we can.

Wow...that was quite the rant. See, I need to blog more often to prevent this. However, I am skipping cleaning my house, folding laundry , and making dinner to write this while the kids nap. I don’t know how often I should/can. But! I have been testing out cloth diapers, which is surprisingly exciting, and feel the need to write out all my observations, so perhaps will do that sometime later this week.

Thanks everyone for reading. I’m out.

Labor and Life Since

Happy February Everyone! It's been 2 weeks since baby Janna entered my world, and so I guess I have lots I could ramble about.

I'll start with my "labor story." I'll keep it short.
On January 25th around 7 pm, Dave and I were home and we were marking exams together. I had decided on the weekend that I would put baby delivery on the back burner because it was just terrible timing for Dave. He had exams to mark, and report cards to complete, and a whole new semester to get ready for. I wanted her to wait one more week so he could get himself settled. Well... wouldn't you know it... as I'm sitting marking multiple choice... I start having crampy contractions. I ignored them for a good 2 hours, then decided I should start timing them. Sure enough, they were 5 minutes apart and the intensity seemed to get a bit more with each one. Katie got home from youth group, and was so funny. She was so stressed out for me, even though Dave and I were totally chilled. He continued to mark, I puttered around the living room, and she tried to watch TV to distract herself from my bouts of paint. She kept telling me I should go to the hospital because she didn't want to have to deliver my baby! I didn't want to go in and be sent home... or have to labor through the night.... But, by midnight, Dave had joined her plea, so we headed into the hospital. By the time we found parking and got registered, and got hooked up to the monitors and had a doc examination it was 2 am, and I was only 2 cm dilated. They told me I could go home, or walk the halls for a few hours and come back. Ugh. I was so discouraged. We decided to walk, and it was really quite torturous. We were both exhausted, and my contractions started coming like 2 minutes apart and fierce! They told me to come back if my "state changed," which it definitely did, but I was determined to be far enough along that they would admit me. At this point I was just ready to get the show on the road. When we returned around 4 am I was 4 cms dilated, and they had one room left. Thank God. I labored naturally until about 7 am and 8 cm. Oh my..... I really did forget how freakishly and undescribabley painful contractions are. With the pushing part imminent, I ordered an epi, and how marvelous that was! A little over an hour later, and with 5 minutes of intense pushing, little Janna entered the world! I cried. I even think I saw a nursing student who was watching tear up a little. She was so perfect, and little! At 5 pounds 6 oz, she was just like a little doll.

We came home the next afternoon, as I was missing Jesse, who was sick with something, and I was ready for my own bed and space. Jesse was excited for "baby nana," and mommy to be home. It was a great feeling to be home with our little family of 4.

The past few weeks have been tiring, but good. Jesse had a brutal double ear infection, so was a miserable, miserable kid for the first week. Luckily, Janna slept like a baby, ate like a pro, and didn't say boo for that week. So, my sanity remained intact. Thanks in large to my mom-in-law being here to help out. After a switch of anti-biotics, Jesse is doing better, and in good timing, seeing as how I'm flying solo with the kids. Sharon left this morning :(

Jesse is adjusting to Janna, and has come a long way in 2 weeks. The first few days he would have a melt down every time I picked up Janna. Now, he'll sit by us on the couch and pat her head and snuggle up to me happily. Janna continues to be very easy going and sweet. She is up to 6 pounds and is wiggly and adorable! I love watching Dave interact with her. He is so much gentler and "goo-goo, ga-ga" than he was/is with his boy.

well, thanks for reading everyone. Wish me luck as I deal with these 2 incredibly needy darlings! I'm off.

Waiting

Well...I've really enjoyed the past few weeks of being home spending lots of quality time with my little man. On top of that, I've gotten lots of random and not particularly important things accomplished. The car is clean, the fridge is clean, the cupboards are clean, the walls have been thoroughly washed down along with the baseboards. I have gone through the cutlery drawer, our sock drawers, and the tupperware drawer. I have sorted and updated my filing folders, my art supplies, and my sewing bins. The closets have been pulled apart and re organized. I even tried to tidy our basement storage room. The whole pregnant belly and lifting heavy boxes sort of made that one tricky. These are just a few items that got ticked off my never ending lists. hat I really should have been doing all week, however, was making oodles or freezer meals in prep for baby coming. But... my EI claim is still processing, so funds aren't really available to go and buy copious amounts of meat for the next few months :)

Baby 2 is due in 9 days. I told myself that I was fully prepared for this baby to come late. That I would be in NO rush for an early arrival. That I was going to enjoy my sleep and quiet house. You see, Jesse was 10 days overdue, and I think I cried every night for 2 weeks in frustration over his tardiness and my supreme discomfort. I tried every natural induction method aside from pressure points, and walked myself into tears. Finally, once I let it be, he came. I concluded that babies just comes when they want. Sure, some women will do certain things then go into labor, but I would chalk this up to coincidence. The baby would have come anyways. So, I promised myself I wouldn't do fretting or natural induction attempts this time. That going 10 days overdue would become my "new due date."

Well...today I caved started in with the raspberry leaf tea! Silly me. Yesterday was the first day I just felt like...OK, I'm ready to have this child. I've had a surge of morning sickness that has been peaking through the night. Little girl also has had a frantic random period of bladder punches and heel digs every night between 12-2am. On top of this, Jesse's crazy bum rash has returned in all it's horror, and he's been a ....... challenge... .. The funny thing is, I know that having another baby will not help any of these things. My sleep will become intensely interrupted, I will probably feel sincerely and more justifiably crappy for quite sometime, and I get to deal with a toddler AND crying newborn on top of this. But, I just feel like it's time to move into this stage. Ha Ha. I'm ready to shed the extra 25 pounds I've put on, and meet my little girl.

So...the induction methods begin...although I don't think I actually have faith in them... I just need something to feel like I'm bringing about the next phase in the Vance Palace. Thanks for reading. I'm out :)