Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Baby #2 details




Thank you everyone for all the love & congratulations! 
The THREE of us are thrilled to add another member to our family. I look forward to Sienna having a buddy close in age to grow up with.


So far this pregnancy has been so different than with Sienna, my cravings are opposite...I want all things salty instead of sweets and I have nausea this time...and lets not even talk about how quickly I started showing.

Boy or girl? Everyone says its a boy but I'm not sure, I don't really have a "feeling" either gender. When we ask Sienna she says "baby brother" maybe she knows something we dont.

Names? they're picked! we had a hard time agreeing on a girls name for the longest time, but we finally found one we absolutely love...and it translates to Polish perfectly ;) 






Wednesday, December 11, 2013

How I told Danny...


Hubs and I agreed that I wouldn't take a pregnancy test until I missed my period,  just to  avoid unnecessary disappointment from a false negative incase it was too early to tell. 

11/7 As I was cleaning up the kitchen after Sienna's lunch....this feeling came over me,
 I just knew it, I HAD to be. Sienna was still sitting in her high chair watching a video so it gave me the perfect opportunity to run to the bathroom quickly and take a test. 

Though it was SUPER early...those lines turned pink before I was even done peeing! ahhh I couldn't stop smiling! first person I told was my little BFF of course :) I said "Sienna! you're gonna be a big sister" she looked at me confused...."seshter?" 

I was so tempted to tell Danny right away, I was too excited to contain myself... but I didn't wanna tell him via text. I had to think of a better way. I had 3 hours before he was home from work.

Ever since we went apple picking, he would ask daily if Id make a pie. Since we were 'trying' that month I figured I could incorporate the pie into some cute announcement idea since he wanted it so badly...seriously, he would nag daily.

So I wrote a note that I put on the garage door to the house, it would be the first thing he'd see when he got out of the car and right before he got in the house

it read: "Since you've been such a great husband, there is a surprise for you in the oven"

Naturally, he walked over to the oven but to his disappointment...there was no pie, just another note that read:

"No, not this oven :)" 

So he ran upstairs.....I stood at the top of the staircase with the pregnancy test.....I made him a little "baby" pie anyway....with a little leaf and a #2 on it. Those notes are now the start of this babys keepsake box.



if this video doesnt work....try the link below

Here is a video

after that, he ate his pie & we talked about all things baby as big sis to be took her infamous 3 hour nap :)

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

1st letter to baby #2

(written after my 8-week ultrasound - Dec 9th 2013) 

Little Bean,

For almost 9 weeks weeks now, I have wondered about you.  Prayed that you were growing healthy and strong.  Anticipated who you will be and what you will look like.  Sometimes, nervously holding my breath. I've learned a lot this year and above all I think I've come to my own realization that you can't take anything for granted.  Today, in that tiny dimly lit ultrasound room, I nervously waited to see you....there you were....a tiny little thing with a strong heartbeat. It was such a wonderful sight to see.



This day will be tucked away with some of the best moments of my life, nothing quite like hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time. I look forward to more doctors appointments, a growing belly and all the tiny preparations that will bring us closer to you.





  

Monday, December 9, 2013

WE'RE SPILLING THE BEANS!!

We are so very excited to announce that BABY #2 is on the way!
Set to make its grand debut Summer 2014








more details to come
;)




Friday, December 6, 2013

5 Things I miss doing


1. Staying up late.
Does anyone else remember the days that you could stay out all hours of the night and still manage to function normally the next day?? I don't know how on earth I was ever able to stay up until 2-3am, wake up at 7:00, bounce out of bed, get to school on time and  feel rested & energized. I miss that. Just think of ALL the things I could accomplish in the day if I still had that kind of energy day in & day out.


2. Listening to music.

Music used to be my therapy. If I was feeling sad, overwhelmed, frustrated, or just straight up pissed off, I could always count on music to help me sort it all out. And now the only music I hear is twinkle twinkle little star or the wheels on the bus.

3.  Sitting in a quiet room just to think.
I know this sounds like a complete waste of time, but who else used to just sit on their rear and do absolutely nothing and savor every single minute? And if I felt like it, I'd think. Pre-kids, heck, pre-marriage... I would just sit there and contemplate crap. I miss having time to just think, and actually hear my own thoughts. These days, the only time I have to sit around and savor quiet time, is when I'm getting ready for bed. And at this point, I'm just too tired to even make sense of my thoughts.

4. Writing hand-written letters.
Remember passing notes in high school? Or actually writing a letter to a friend that moved away? Or... PenPals?? How cool were they? I mean, I love e-mail & texting and all the other cool technology we have at our finger tips. But there really is something to be said about hand-written notes and letters.

5.  Actually talking on the phone.
Okay I'll be honest, *most* of the time, I don't like talking on the phone. But sometimes? Sometimes is so nice to actually hear someones voice as opposed to reading written words through e-mail or text. I suppose this kind of goes along with #3. In this day & age, technology is making it too way easy to make things less personal.




Happy Friday everyone :)

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Friday, November 22, 2013

Frosted Frenzy cupcakes


Sweets are my ultimate weakness, particularly cupcakes....they're almost like a universal symbol for celebration & happiness.

cupcakes. they are my thing.

Frosted Frenzy is a home based company started by two friends who simply enjoyed baking, using only the highest quality ingredients the cupcakes quickly became a frenzy! After sampling some last week, I'm not the least bit surprised! These were to die for.

They have quite a range of flavors to make your sweet tooth happy. From Rocky Road to Almond Joy, there is something for just about anything you may be in the mood for.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the frosting to cake ratio, thats the big make it or break it deal for me, I mean... I love frosting with my cupcake not a cupcake with my frosting. These had the perfect amount!


Chocolate caramel toffee crunch - this had to be my favorite one! 
The frosting was the perfect combination rich & creamy and ahh best part was the caramel filling inside which took me by surprise, a very yummy surprise indeed :)

and who wouldn't love a pumpkin cupcake in the Fall?
This was another favorite, it was simple & delicious! Fluffy pumpkin cake with the perfect amount of sweet cream cheese frosting....you bet I ate every last crumb! You will too once you get a taste of these, I promise!

Frosted Frenzy also does custom cakes for parties, events, weddings and will match any theme you wish. I know where I'll be going when planning Sienna's next party!


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Family photo fail

Last weekend we decided to be brave and attempt Family photos on our own with the help of a tripod & a remote. 

Lets just say that we'll be needing a redo....

Oh life with a toddler, this was so much easier last year when she wasn't mobile yet and gave us her best smile without much effort...but atleast I got some entertainment out of how ridiculous these came out :)

This had the potential of being a cute photo and though its not Christmas card worthy, I'm kinda glad to have her personality captured.





Monday, November 18, 2013

Sienna's lip tie

Since the day Sienna was born, our breastfeeding journey was nothing like I envisioned. It was torture. With every feeding attempt we were both crying with frustration. Why wouldn't she stay latched on for more than a minute?? She was obviously hungry. I was so confused as to why she just would not do it. Isn't this suppose to be second nature to us both? I saw every Lactation consultant before leaving the hospital, seeked advice from every mom friend and sobbed to the pediatrician looking for answers.

Nobody could figure out what the issue was, nobodys advice was effective. So I pumped exclusively for almost a full year. Looking back now I still can't fathom how on earth I did that - it was some serious devotion I tell ya. I hope to never ever have to do that again.

Fast forward to about a month ago.
I randomly decided to look in Siennas mouth to see if there are any new teeth spouting and took note of the gap between her 2 front teeth...hmmm I wondered why she had it thinking that such things are genetic and since no one in the family has it why should she? I noticed that there was a significant amount of tissue between the two teeth and of course jumped onto Google right away trying to figure this out.


Sure enough everything pointed to lip tie, 
I compared every Google image photo of random kids cases & they looked very similar to hers. As soon as Danny got home, we took her to the 'best' Pediatric dentist in the valley with an opening that same day.  Thanks Google.


The dentist did in fact confirm that it was lip tie. Apparently its hereditatry, I know that all of my siblings and I had tongue tie which its a similar issue...perhaps thats where the genetics stepped in. We were given the option of doing the procedure right there on the spot, its quick and almost completely painless...the only issue was, you don't get put out for it. How do you make an 18 month old sit through that without holding them down? Something I wasn't going to bare doing unless it was an issue effecting her majorly. Of course the dentist pushed for it. Yet there is a very good chance the gap will close when her adult teeth come in, and the only thing it was majorly affecting was breast feeding and since we are past that...whats really the point of putting her through a traumatic experience like that?

I'm not a big interventionist, and I don't hold much trust in the medical establishment. I don't usually rush to the doctor for every little thing, but I was pretty angry, I needed confirmation after everything I read that day....I couldn't believe that her pediatrician never thought to check for that knowing of our breast feeding struggle. All i know is that when our next baby comes along...its the first thing I'm checking for.


Here is a little info incase you're wondering what lip tie is.



What is an upper lip-tie?
An upper lip-tie is where a piece of skin under the baby’s upper lip (the labial frenulum) is very short or thick and is pinned too tightly to the upper gum. This can restrict movement of the upper lip preventing it from being able to flange or ‘pull out’. This can make it difficult for babies to attach to the breast correctly as it is harder for them to maintain a good seal. In older children and adolescents, an upper lip-tie can be associated with a gap between the front teeth. Generally this is only a cosmetic issue. However, it can make it difficult for a baby to breastfeed.

What problems are connected to lip & tongue ties?
One of the first and foremost problems connected to tongue ties is breastfeeding issues. Many babies with tongue ties can't get a proper latch and hurt the mother, and may not stimulate the milk to come in properly. Many mothers whose babies have tongue ties give up breastfeeding right from the start, or stop after a little bit when their milk dries up because milk production works by supply and demand, and a bad latch can cause milk production to drop once its no longer regulated by the post birth hormone rush.
My siblings all had tongue ties, and we all, every one of us, had problems with nursing. My mother's milk dried up between 3 months and a year for all of us, and that was with pumping to keep up her supply.
Being able to nurse your children long term for a decent length of time (at least until a year old, ideally until 2 years old) is very beneficial for your children's long term health, not to mention pocket book, as breastmilk is much, much cheaper than formula (even once you factor in the cost of a pump and bottles if necessary, tongue tie snipping, and a lactation consultant).

Friday, November 15, 2013

She's our world


In just four short months, our little lady will be turning TWO. Its terribly exciting and terrifying at the same time. Although tiny, standing thigh height at best she is full of more wisdom and kindness than some adults I've met in my life. Her most admirable quality: her politeness. She utters "thank you" in the sweetest little voice in instances you'd least expect.

This little girl is our world, 
shining with potential in so many areas.


Friday, November 1, 2013

lets have coffee, shall we?


If we were to have coffee together this morning....

I'd tell you that I don't like Halloween, I didn't grow up with it but I would never deprive Sienna as shes growing up in a different culture than me

I'd tell you that I never drank coffee until I had Sienna, seems like I need caffeine to function these days

I'd tell you that the weather in AZ has been phenomenal lately and its here to stay till next May...Sienna spends most of her days playing outside

Id tell you that my Grandmother passed away last Saturday. She died in her sleep of old age...I haven't seen her since 2011 when Dan & I were last in Poland, part of me wishes I could have been there to say goodbye but another part of me is glad that I don't have to remember her the way she was when she died...instead I'll always remember her meeting Danny, when she was still mobile and alert.

I'd tell you that I'm a little disappointed with the iphone 5s  its been giving me trouble...besides the camera, nothing about it is worthwhile

I'd tell you that we are hoping to give Sienna a sibling next year

I'd tell you that my fairly new desktop computer is about to crash so I've been going mad trying to back up my photos before it does. I think its time for a MAC this way I never see the "blue screen of death" again and worry about losing my photos.

I'd tell you that I'm baffled by the lengths some people take to try and insult someone for no reason, an IG mama I follow was bashed anonymously for picking her childs costume for next year because "they should pick it out themselves" seriously? 

I'd tell you that I'm really excited for Christmas this year!



Thursday, October 31, 2013

Our growing pumpking

The month of October wouldnt be complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch :)
I think Sienna would agree - she was all about picking them up ( or trying to) and throwing hay - which wound up in her hair and somehow in her diaper. She was too busy for pictures so we only got a few...they were too cute not to share.


Can you even believe this is the same baby??
2012 vs 2013


I asked her to smile, this is what I got. 
Shes such a character

all about the "pannn-kin"




Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Happy Halloween!

I have been working on Siennas Super girl costume for quite some time now and I'm so excited to show it to you all :)

Hope everyone has a great Halloween!

ps: I learned my lesson with last years Halloween pictures and decided to watermark this time






 



Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Age of Maximum Cuteness

Sienna is ridiculous, you guys. Ridiculously adorable. 
I've decided that 1.5 is the age of maximum cuteness



This girl will do just about anything for an ice cream cone. (best bribe ever)
She calls it "acam come"

She will tell you and show you how old she is when asked, say please and thank you at appropriate times and inform you when she has "nasty poop" in her diaper

A couple of weeks ago we went to 2 birthday parties back to back so at the end of the day she learned the "happy birthday" song. Its the cutest thing I've ever heard.

See for yourself :)



I wish I could freeze time to have this age just a little longer, because before I know it she'll be talking back and thats when I'll really be wishing she was this little and sweet still









Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Makers of memories

Some time in the distant  future Sienna will be grown up and think back to being little. So many of these days seem ordinary- sitting on the floor playing, grocery shopping, park dates and long walks. But somehow they all weave into something that lasts forever; something she will look back on, something that will be so many parts of her future- her childhood.



So I try to make these everydays count. To be present, and to make ordinary things extraordinary, the regular somehow special. And when it comes to the holidays, I try and make new traditions for our family and create warm memories that she can carry with her as time goes on. Sometimes it's the little things- like the other day we just sat on a hill while Sienna searched for pine cones and chased Charlie with a stick she had found....the sun was just going down giving the whole field a golden glow..Dan & I just watched her laughing at her silliness and just savoring the moment. Or last weekend when she went on her first carousel ride...yelling "hi mommy!!" every time it went around past me.


 

In a way Dan and I are getting to relive our childhood all over again; we're able to revisit our own memories, dip into the nostalgia we both feel for times gone, and make them fresh again with our daughter. Isn't that one of the best parts of parenting? To be able to make a choice that you'll do things differently this time around, or in lucky cases, do things in exactly the same ways you experienced as a child.

It's amazing to think of our children's memories as blank canvases. We are the creators. We make these days count. We have a lot of roles as parents, but the maker of memories is one to be taken so seriously, and I hope one day she can look back and feel warm, and happy, and know she was so very loved.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

18 month update

Stats: 19.8lbs (10th percentile) , 31.5" (50th percentile)
Clothes: 12-18 months
Shoe size: growing out of 4 at the moment, moving on to 5



Favorite foods: soups, plain yogurt,bread with sunbutter & jelly, frozen berries, hot dogs ( I hate that she even knows what those are) but luckily we found a brand that makes grass fed beef, organic ones we are comfortable giving her.Still not liking pasta or mashed potatoes

Favorite activities: putting on mama's shoes, drawing with markers or chalk, jumping, jumping and jumping. She was just gifted a trampoline and shes constantly in it, bubbles.

Milestones: 100% paci weaned, says how old she is when asked and even show one little finger :) answers questions like "where does Babcia live?" with the cutest little "newwww York"

She loves babies & is surprisingly good with them and not jealous, this is good news for our baby #2 plans :)

Loves going on walks but wants nothing to do with a stroller, miss independent free spirit makes shopping trips a little difficult.

This is what I get when I ask for a smile


Love you my little sidekick,

-Mommy





Monday, September 30, 2013

God Bless Sienna

Two weeks ago my Mom surprised us with a visit. 
Just in time to see Sienna get baptized, I was so nervous about the whole thing being that I waited kind of long to do it, I thought Sienna would have been difficult (I even warned the Priest) The whole way to the church I kept explaining it to her telling her that a nice man is going to put water on her...she listened inquisitively.

I walked into the church with a 'lets get this over with' mind - thinking I was about to be embarrassed with Sienna telling the Priest to away and not let him come near her.

NOPE!

My child put on a comedy skit for everyone. We all couldn't stop laughing at what she was saying, the priest even took a moment to stop and announce it to everyone in the church.

So most of it was in Polish, except for one part so Danny would understand. This specific part the parents had to answer with "I do" after each phrase, so after maybe the 3rd one Sienna starts answering with us...it was hilarious & I really wish I had it on video.

Then came the part with water on her head & oil on her forehead. I thought she would freak out...but she loved it...wiped her eyes and asked for the priest to do it again. We were all cracking up (picture below) So the priest did it again upon her request.

During mass she enjoyed the singing, after each song would end she would loudly say "all done! again?" I think she liked it because it was in Polish & it was new to her.



My oldest sister is her Godmother 
Danny's best friend from home is her Godfather



God Bless my little firecracker





Saturday, September 28, 2013

Apple picking!

A month ago if you told me there was apple picking in Arizona I would have looked at you like you were crazy. Apples in the desert? no way.

Every  Fall since hubs & I met, we would go apple picking upstate NY...it was our little tradition, well maybe its every New Yorkers tradition- but anyway, I was always thinking how much I missed that here! So hubs turned to handy dandy Google & found us a place to go here in AZ! 

throwback - 2008

Sienna really enjoyed it! The girl must have eaten about 5 apples...those are gonna be some fun diapers to change tomorrow ha! 

Chowing down apples like its her job


Aviators for the win


Running through the orchards 


I bite your apple, you bite mine

"but Dadddyyyy....."