Fail

I haven't written much about being pregnant this second time around. Maybe because I'm so busy with the child in front of me, it's a relief to have one safely tucked inside of me who can't run away or talk back or demand more tv time. She's rather low maintenance in comparison!

But there have been quite a few marked differences between this pregnancy and the last. Chalk it up to the second time around, or the fact that I'm older, or working/mothering while pregnant. I've gained more weight. I feel more tired and less "glowy". We haven't even been been able to settle on a name for this sweet thing.

At least we painted the nursery for her!

So when it came time for the glucose test, I faced it with a mixture of confidence and trepidation. Confident, because with Violet I breezed through the test with an A+ (at least, that's what it would have been if they gave grades out). A little fear because, well, things this time around just haven't been the same and I think I was expecting the worst.

Which is exactly what I got. And still managed to totally freak out over. We're talking, crying in the car on the way home. And mind you, I know plenty of women who have failed the initial glucose test. And they went on to pass the second time, no problem. But I'm not used to failure. My doctor said if she was grading my test, I would be a C student. Good Lord, I've never gotten a C on anything in my life! So now I've failed at knowing my baby's name AND I've failed this stupid glucose exam. Just hand over the Mother of the Year award now - I imagine it's only a matter of time before I catch Violet eating cat food or forget her at the grocery store.

You're all invited to my pity party this weekend, where I will be serving lots of cake and carbs. The three hour glucose test involves carbo-binging for three days to try and force your body into the worst possible position. The doctors figure, if you can eat nonstop bread, pasta, rice and cake for three days and still pass the test, well, you deserve your bill of health. Of course, this just means I'll be eating my regular diet, so perhaps therein lies the problem. Hmm...

A New Cat in the House

Violet has a new game she likes to play. She pretends to be a cat.

Sounds cute, right?

It starts that way. But then quickly spirals into the annoying. She meows at us, refusing to use words. She crawls everywhere and insists that "little kitties don't know how to" climb stairs, sit in chairs, get dressed, etc. I've caught her licking herself and trying to pick toys off the ground with her mouth.

Annoying and kind of gross.

I've spoken to a few child experts (ie: my neighbors), who both just chuckled and started reminiscing about when their boys pretended to be dogs, going so far as to require their food be placed on the floor. So I guess it could be worse. In fact, it seems like most parents have stories like this. So I'm trying to be patient, let this one ride itself out. Matt has reached the point where he's wanted to forbid it outright, but I worry that this will only make the phase last longer. I've resorted to ignoring it, continuing to talk to her and treat her like a human. There's also been a little bribing involved, in the form of "little kitties don't eat dessert, so you'll have to turn back into a little girl..." It works most of the time.

I'm wondering if it's some weird response to the imminent new baby. Acting like a helpless little kitten who requires being carried is not that far off from pretending to be a baby again, which I've heard can happen when a new sibling enters the scene. Or maybe all kids do this at some point and Violet just picked this time. Either way, I'm riding it out until school starts and then laying down the law the cats don't go to school. Hopefully that will be the end of it. Unless one of you has any better advice?

Can you spot the real cat?

Our rainy, indoor 4tho f July.

These faces just crack me up. I think she inherited a wee flair for the dramatic. No idea which side of the family that came from!

Date night with Daddy.

Violet's Room

We have been hard at work redoing the nursery this weekend, but before I show you the progress, I realized I haven't officially debuted Violet's big girl room yet. It's been a steady work in progress for the past few months, but I think it's finally done. Just excuse the dark photos... using my phone as my camera is convenient but has its drawbacks!

Once you step through the door...

We left the purple paint because, hey, Violet likes purple for now. The furniture is Ikea. The bedding is from Land of Nod, as is the garland. I really wanted something nice and bright to pop on the purple walls and with all the white furniture. This definitely did the trick, and I think Violet will be able to keep it for a while. I framed some random scrapbook paper and reclaimed the mirror and cabinet from elsewhere in the house.

Close up of the dresser. Love the print from Naptime Diaries.

Reading nook (sorry for the crappy photo quality).

The reading corner features curtains from Target, two little chairs from Ikea, and spice racks turned book shelves, also Ikea. The "read" sign I got at Hobby Lobby. Thanks, pinterest, for the inspiration! The shelves are nice because they keep the books way more organized that a regular bookshelf, and it puts a limit on the amount of books Violet can keep in her room, so we're not overrun.

Read all about it!

How it all fits together...

And there you have it! I'm pleased with how it turned out, considering I have zero decorating sense or style. Violet seems pretty content with it, too. Now if only we could keep it this neat and clean on a regular basis!

These Days

Because after some days like this, I need some days like this:

Never underestimate the power of a pretty park, a beautiful sky, a happy face, and ice cream for dessert.

Recently

Last week Violet had her first ever swim lessons, or as we referred to it, "swim camp". She did awesome. I was worried that she'd balk at going since none of her friends were with her, or that she'd freak out when I left the room, but this kid was a champ. She jumped in the water to her instructor, learned to put her face in and blow bubbles, practiced her kicking, wore goggles (perhaps her favorite part).

I just had to take a picture of my proud girl after she finished cleaning up her playroom all by herself! I was so shocked that a) she did it and b) did it without me and c) only had to be asked one time. Here's hoping I can figure out how to make this happen again! (I'm guessing bribery in the form of food would work...)

Matt and I had ourselves a date night and finally got to check out Cinebistro. It was very fun, regardless of the zombie apocalypse I had to sit though. (Brad Pitt's face helped a little.) If you don't know (and are too lazy to click on the above link to find out), Cinebistro is an upscale movie house that serves dinner and drinks while you watch. You get to sit in fancy leather seats and enjoy excellent service... it's basically a really nice restaurant that happens to have a giant movie screen as part of its decor.

I haven't killed the garden yet!

Tea party for three!

Party Time, Excellent!

This weekend our friends Tim and Jeanette flew down from the Great North of NJ with their daughter M to celebrate said daughter's second birthday. Jeanette is such a fantastic party planner. I wish I had taken pictures of the adorable Curious George party she put together - I'm sure it will be all over Pinterest in a few days. Violet is currently going through a Curious George phase of her own - if it keeps up another few months, perhaps I'll just copy Jeanette's ideas for a swingin' monkey party of our own!

Every good party has to include some story time.

Sweets to the sweet!

A little young for her first date...

And what has to be one of the simultaneously most adorable and most anxiety-inducing pictures ever taken of my child...

A (not small) part of me hopes they get married just so we can show this picture at their wedding.