Back in the game.

Posted on | February 25, 2013 | 64 Comments

IMG_20130225_111852Oh, 15 weeks 4 days, you are officially my favorite of the days. Until tomorrow, hopefully, when 15 weeks 5 days happens. But today? Today I felt better than I have in at least 15 weeks and 4 days! It was fabulous. I’m sure it had a little to do with the fact that Harper’s illnesses are gone AND she went back to school today, giving me a little silence and alone time with an americano and a very empty Trader Joe’s. And I was surrounded by food and didn’t want to gag or curl in a ball and die. In fact I wanted one or two of everything! Tabouli! Garlic naan! Cookie butter! Shaved brussels spouts! All the TJ foods are belong to me.

I got dressed. I wore make-up. I walked my kid into school instead of dropping her at valet in sunglasses, sweatpants and slippers so I didn’t have to get out of the car so I could get back home and hug my toilet. If this sounds in any way dramatic, then you’ve never had morning sickness for over 2 months. And if you haven’t, I salute you and envy you. It’s lovely making a human but it sure is a lot of work there at the beginning.

In other news, H got a new bed!

IMG_20130223_123109She loves it, looks like the tiniest cherub in it, etc. It’s huge. She feels very special knowing she got this bed because she’s going to be a big sister and her old mattress is going to the baby (it was the crib mattress). I’m envious of her bedding, but what’s new.

082 copy

Parenting as of late has been hard. I’m not sure what this phase is, this 4 years 4 months phase, but please go away. I try to remind myself that I’ve been feeling badly, and she’s been invisible sick (with no complaints I have no idea how long she’d been sick really), and she’s still only 4, but oh my lord sometimes I can’t even believe this kid. Sometimes, she is so…mean? It’s like, beyond sass. It’s intentional, and it hurts, and I try not to let it. Because she’s four. And she is just testing, and learning and growing. I just wish she’d test, learn and grow a little nicer and more respectfully. But I know better. And I realize at the end of the day that it all falls back on us, and if we are slacking, she might be slacking. So it’s time to pull up my boot straps and try harder. I have no problem admitting that I’ve been less than lately. This new energy boost gives me hope that I can get back on my parenting game asap.

So yay for trying harder, and feeling better, and cookie butter and maternity pants. Amirite?

077s blog

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future posts delivered to your feed reader.
Category: extreme happiness, nugget, Number 2!, OMGTODDLERS, pregnancy, the haps

Comments

  • http://www.hibabyblog.com/ melissa rohr

    yea i love it all! yes, four comes with its own challenges – i didn’t think we would survive four and then like a light switch all was right in the world and i didn’t want to crawl in my hoodie and cry anymore.

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 10:08 am

    This gives me hope.

    [Reply]

  • Caroline Elise

    Once again, congratulations! Despite this 4 years and 4 months, little Harper is a damn cute kid and I’m sure will make an excellent big sister :) She is too adorable in that giant bed.

    Also: Those shoes are fantastic! I just got my tuition for this semester under control and I cannot wait to go buy some shoes! Can you imagine – shoes without holes in them?! I can’t wait! If you don’t mind, may I ask where you found those?
    -Thanks!

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 9:31 am

    Target! And…they were ten dollars. SCORE!

    [Reply]

  • http://ohheybabyblog.wordpress.com/ Katie @ Oh Hey Baby

    You look so cute pregnant! Congratulations again! I’ve never been to Trader Joe’s, but I’ve been dying to go because I really want to try this heaven that is Cookie Butter!

    xo,
    Katie
    http://ohheybabyblog.wordpress.com

    [Reply]

  • http://www.facebook.com/emallernee Ellen Mallernee Barnes

    that sweet baby belly. and those sweet shoes. it’s your belly that kind of makes me want to cry though. happy cry of course.

    [Reply]

  • Alena @ Simply Complicated Lif

    No, no, no, no, no. Four is supposed to be the answer to all the problems I have with three and a half!!!

    [Reply]

  • Alissa

    Ok so Liv will be 3 1/2 in march and holy shit. Devil. Mean girl. Tantrums. It’s killing me. I’m sure it’s much worse because of the new baby but he’s almost 2 months and when is she going to adjust?

    [Reply]

  • Rachel H.

    You look fabulous, and I’m glad that you’re feeling better…but…I NEED to know more about those blue shoes!!! Please oh please tell me more!

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 9:31 am

    Target! :)

    [Reply]

  • dany sun

    oy. if we have more kids, the thing I am not looking forward to is the two months of sick sick sickness. horrid. happy for you to be moving on out of that phase.

    oh, and those shoes? really freaking awesome.

    [Reply]

  • April

    First off, your belly looks adorable! And I feel you on the morning sickness bit! Didn’t have it with my daughter, but with my son I did! Glad you’re feeling better!!

    April

    knocked up fabulous

    [Reply]

  • keisha

    One thing that saved my sanity re: morning sickness was that I knew being nauseous meant that the baby was doing well. Yay for everyone feeling better, yay for cut flowers, adorable shoes, big girl beds, and baby bumps. :-)

    [Reply]

  • http://www.acutedesigns.org/ Gina

    lookin good lady! glad you had a good day :) .

    [Reply]

  • Jennifer

    I love your honesty! I’m glad you’re feeling better!

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

    [Reply]

  • http://www.misselaineouslife.com Elaine A.

    So glad you’re feeling better. Your bump is super precious. :)

    [Reply]

  • http://www.pecklife.com/ Emily @ PeckLife.com

    lookin’ good mama! love the shoes and harper’s new bed. has she ever made you cry before from being terrible? sky has been doing that to me lately and i feel like a complete failure. 3 years, 4 months is very very VERY hard. :

    [Reply]

  • http://peachonearth.blogspot.com/ elizabeth santana

    your belly looks adorable!! & im glad your sickness is going away, i had horrible sickness with luna until i was 7 months!!

    im sure Harper will do much better when you can go back to being your regular self. we all have out moments girlfriend! xo

    [Reply]

  • MacKenzie

    Where did you get those shoes? I love them!

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 9:30 am

    Target!

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/LBeauRoom Laura Shelton

    “All the TJ foods are belong to me.” Hahaha, you are the cutest. I wonder how many people get that reference. :)

    [Reply]

  • jen

    Glad you are feeling better. I just got those same shoes, and I can’t wait to wear them! Bu alas, this is WI, and we are still buried in snow. They will have to wait for a bit!
    You look great!

    [Reply]

  • MsEllie112

    ah! Im going to die over that last photo! You are too sweet, Mandy! I never have seen any photos of your pregnancy with Harper and just as I thought, you are rockin’ that to the extreme! Looks great on you! Can’t wait to see how handling two children wears on you – &&& all of the funny posts that will go along with it :)

    [Reply]

  • Jessica

    I appreciate your honestly so much Mandy. My daughter is 3 and your descriptions of Harper at 3 make me know everything is ok. How are these cute little things so mean?! Yet, still so cute! You look great too by the way. Love your selfie in the mirror.

    [Reply]

  • Rachel

    Four is so hard. There is a reason why some refer to t as the f*** fours. I love Harper’s bedding!!! Gorgeous. As are you.

    [Reply]

  • Tara

    glad you’re feeling better!! i’m 15w4d too!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1147547744 Robyn Clark

    love your shoes in the first picture! where did you get them?

    [Reply]

  • http://du-love.blogspot.com/ Annie at du-love

    Your outfit colors screams SPRING! So, hopefully just by posting these pics means that spring is here. Or almost here. Glad you’re feeling better too.

    [Reply]

  • aliya jiwa

    first of all… eff you for being that skinny girl with a “bump” – you look lovely. and second, your open and honest style is more than refreshing. it’s why you’re so goddamn relateable. thanks.

    [Reply]

  • Marty

    High five to feelin’ better! :D Harper and the baby belly are so precious. And your shoes, tre adorable.

    [Reply]

  • Sam

    I’m a preschool teacher, and 4 is definitely the age where they become intentionally mean. Just make sure to always say back to her or have her repeat what she just said, and have her do some self-evaluation. That always works like a charm for me.

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Such good advice – I’m on it. Thanks Sam!

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/wyngrrrl Kelly Murray Gardner

    Your Hair! It’s so long, LOVE it!! Also, you look adorable, per usual. I’m sure you look pretty darn cute even when you are feeling yucky. Good luck with the 4′s, I’m watching them develop with the friend’s bebes.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephanie-Nelsen/1534839672 Stephanie Nelsen

    four and half to five and a half has been the most fun yet!! keep the faith :) love your bump~

    [Reply]

  • Kiki

    At Target in store or online? What brand are hey? I’m looking everywhere online with no success, and I will perish w/o them, surely.

    In other news, you look mad cute. Hang in there with Harper, mine just turned five and I swear they get past it. Earlier someone mentioned the importance of making them repeat what they say when they’ve said something awful, and I swear by this. I’ll make Lucy repeat it twice, and ask her how she thinks she would feel if someone said that to her. I’ll explain how it makes me feel and ask her not to say that ever again. If its something truly atrocious, my husband will do the same thing when he gets home. Honest to bob, we’ve never had a repeat of the same insult, though we have gotten some really interesting and creative new ones. Try it out, it can’t hurt! Either way you’ll get through this.

    Don’t forget to tell me the shoe brand! ;)

    [Reply]

    Nani Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 11:59 am

    They are these http://www.target.com/p/women-s-mossimo-supply-co-layne-flat/-/A-14316337#prodSlot=large_1_2 I am ab out to cave and pay full price for them because I needz them NOW.

    [Reply]

    Stephanie Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    Seems like they only have that color in store. It’s Layne.

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Yep, Nani is right, below with the link. However they were on clearance in store for $10! And I’m going to try the repeating thing – thank you so much!

    [Reply]

    Kiki Reply:
    February 28th, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for the info! Ordering nao.

    [Reply]

  • http://littleorangebigworld.blogspot.com/ Nani

    =___= you just shot 4 out of the water of happiness for me. I thought 3.5 was hard but 4? It’s supposed to be better!

    Also those shoes.. I am obsessed and I cannot find them in my size (except online but online is not on sale and i LOVES SALES)

    Oh and hello baby belly :)

    [Reply]

  • Kymmie @ a day in the life of

    Oh. That first day that you feel fabulous after feeling sooo sick, and soooo tired. It’s the best day. Ever. I rarely take a good day for granted after having two children (and four pregnancies). That’s A LOT of morning, er, all day sickness! It’s up and up from here! x

    [Reply]

  • Perpetual Bliss

    haha, it does not sound dramatic at all to me!! I had the worst possible first trimester with 3 days in the hospital: Nausea is just terrible. My baby is 2 now and I think we’re ready to start trying for our next one but the first trimester scares me enough to put it off for the time being:s. I’m sooo happy you feel better now. Look forward to more regular posting from you:)
    PS: Love the color of those shoes and the glimpses of your place in the background!

    [Reply]

  • Perpetual Bliss

    PS: The last comment was by me, Nataliya. I cant figure a way to make it show my name. Has to do something with my google+ profile. But anyways, have to fix that:p

    [Reply]

  • Jess

    Right there with you on this one – feeling so happy to be rounding the corner to the chorus-of-angels-singing 2nd trimester. High fives all around. Just bought those shoes too but hadn’t worn them yet!

    [Reply]

  • Carrie Anne Castillo

    The wonderful part about parenting is that everything is always changing.

    The hard part about parenting is that everything is always changing.

    [Reply]

  • http://beholdlo.blogspot.com Lauren

    Oh, maternity pants. Why is it frowned upon to wear elastic waistbands all the time? Give me a store that makes all pants elasticized and I’ll show you where all of my money will go.

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 27th, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Amen.

    [Reply]

  • Brooke

    Where are your maternity jeans from? I’ve tried on every pair made by Old Navy or Gap, and can’t seem to find skinny jeans that don’t fall down like saggy tights (I’m 17 weeks).

    [Reply]

    Mandy Reply:
    February 27th, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    these ones are old navy, but just the waist band is stretchy. It’s not full belly or anything, so they work great for the smaller bump. They actually say jeggings on the tag (I got them at a consignment store). Hope that helps!

    [Reply]

  • jinglebellstime

    LOVE those shoes!

    [Reply]

  • Sloan

    Where did you get your shoes? SO adorable!

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/BipolarMomLife Bipolar Mom

    You have got to be the.cutest.preggo.ever. Love the bump! Also, just watched your vlog with Kat – hilarious!

    [Reply]

  • Tiffany

    Congrats! I sooo know what you mean! Being pregnant with Julia being older was almost worse because she knew she was getting a touch neglected and let us know! It will get better!

    [Reply]

  • Gracie

    YOUR SHOES. oh my word. perfect.

    [Reply]

  • elizabeth

    Will you consider posting information/sources about your maternity clothes? You’re always so cute, and I’m currently pregnant and looking for sartorial inspiration these days! Congrats!

    [Reply]

  • Megalin D

    your daughter is adorable! no matter how ‘mean’ she is, at least she’s super cute ;)

    [Reply]

  • http://aimymichelle.blogspot.com/ aimymichelle

    you have the cutest baby bump!

    [Reply]

  • http://peonyforyourthought.blogspot.com/ Kate Hager

    those shoes! i saw them at target…and hesitated, you’re making me regret it. i may need a trip back there ASAP! glad you’re feeling better, you look adorable!

    [Reply]

  • http://flourishblog.blogspot.com/ Danielle Geneson

    You are adorable.

    [Reply]

  • Rocio Gonzalez anidos
  • http://delirious-rhapsody.blogspot.com/ Deanna Fike

    my son was a mean, rotten, horrible brat from the time he was around three and a half until about five and a half. he’s only recently begun to be sweet again. i had actually forgotten that there was a nice kid trapped in there. four years old sucks. to the max. i dread when my (now two and half year old) hits that crappy stage.

    [Reply]

  • Cristina Colon Harris

    Stupid me and stupid target! I almost bought those shoes but then I put them down and said “no no, you don’t need those right now”, then I see this post and DIE! Talk about regret! These shoes have been haunting me, I searched target and the interwebs and THEY are out of stock! How dare they! I COULD settle for another color, but…I mean…Look at them! Sad times. I’m only a little jealous.

    [Reply]

  • Stephanie Weisman

    How is Harper doing in the queen bed? We have a queen bed in our guest room and once #2 comes along I’m wondering if we should just make the guest room Court’s “Big Girl” room. I always thought we’d get her a twin but for now the queen just may work.

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/nitenitemommy Nite Nite Mommy

    ahahah! This is amazing. At 15 weeks 2 days I plugged in my flat iron for the first time in.. well 15 weeks and 2 days. Ahh… My plan is to start looking presentable around 25 weeks. Until then Hubby is giving me a free pass! boom!

    [Reply]