"THE 2ND TIME AROUND..."

Everyone always said having 2 is going to be CRAZY, that you think you have no time now...just wait! Honestly, it's EASIER than the first time around that's for shit sure. I don't have my head up my ass and Brian only has his head partially up his own ass!

We did go from zone defense to a more man to man approach, but I have to say I will try and diligently tell people it's easier the 2nd time around just a bit more nuts!

Today is Halloween, the shitiest holiday on the face of this planet. I always hated it, as a kid, in college and now as an adult. I honestly don't see the point of it, not for anyone...even the kids. It's annoying to have to deal with the costumes, they go nuts for the candy and then you are left with bartering..."if you are you are big girl you can have a piece of candy", I mean how F__G unproductive!?!?!?

The little one will be a Lamb (Aiden's old costume) while Aiden is Cinderella (she was snow-white as of Thurs. but apparently that has changed). I hope you all have a wonderful day...kids or not, I am ready to move onto Thanksgiving...now THAT'S a holiday!

XOXO
BTC

NOT ABOUT BABIES, BUT GOD I LOVE THIS SHIT...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/28/lynn-patridge-audrinas-mo_n_775196.html

TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, GOD HOW I HAVE MISSED DRINKING:)
XOXO
BTC

THE NEVER ENDING CASH FLOW...

EVeryone knows when you have a kid, you spend more money...what everyone does not know, is that you end up spending more money on not just the kid...but the your DAMN SELF!!!

It's not like you can jump right back into the exact jeans you wore the day you were preggers...I mean granted, at some point you can but certainly not week 2 or 3 post baby, SO that leads me to buy new clothes! I mean, I don't sit at home with 2 kids (not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that) but I don't live that life, so getting back into non-pregnancy clothing is incredibly vital right away. My suggestion is spend as much as you can, get as much as you can and then edit out as you go along. This way you have options, that's the KEY word here, "options".

Like I have time for this shit? It's almost 7 both kids sleeping, and about to work out...before dinner, at night which I LOATHE...but you gotta do what you gotta do!

XOXO
BTC

MANAGING EGOS, EXPECTATIONS AND THE ELITE ...

I have learned that you can't manage/change anyone, you just can't! You can try and help them see more clearly, but that's about it. I find that managing people's egos is actually harder than managing a newborn....

How do you tell someone that something is not possible? AND when you do that how do you help them to believe there's a reason for that? It's kinda like changing a poopie diaper, you do it while holding your nose and you do it gently...but FAST! Kinda like pulling a bandaid off that has been sitting on your leg for days! I always thought taking care of a kid was the hardest BUT honestly it's not! Managing adults is THAT much harder!

How do you help people who don't see things your way, see things your way:) AND help them understand that with your way, there is a reason for THAT way. You can't all parent alike and you have to agree to disagree on a lot of things, but at the same time as a parent I am extremely protective of my girls. Their safety and happiness is directly related to my happiness. Again, managing those that don't think or parent like you is really quite hard! What I do know is that I am thankful to have a husband who parents/thinks just like me when it comes to our kids. I think everything he did not have, he wants for his girls...as opposed to me who wants to parent JUST like my mom...and use everything that she taught me on my own girls.

"Managing" is the key term here whether it is in life or in business is always quite challenging. I would rather be upfront and honest than blow smoke up anyone's ass. Not everything will work and not everyone will be successful, but that's just how you weed out the not great with the GREAT, the men from the boys, the ones that are here to stay and the ones who are here for a fleeting moment. Funny, raising a baby is very similar to managing adults...nature vs. nurture...glad I took that Psych 101 class in college!

Ciao for now!
XOXO
BTC

HOW TO NURTURE THE MOTHER/DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP...

How do you find that happy medium as a girl, with your mom? How do you find the correct balance so that when you are of age, and can share secrets and feelings you do so appropriately. When does your mom go from being just your mom to your mom AND friend? All good questions and concerns I have with my own daughters...Funny thing is, when you become a mom you take note of all the annoying things that other mom's and daughters do or how annoying their relationships are!

Here I am sitting with my now 2 girls wondering what kind of relationship we will have? I often base it off my own relationship with my mother, that is just, to me, perfection. We connect, disagree, discuss, analyze, etc. we are not dependent on one another in ways that are not healthy, but rather depend on each other for all of the right reasons. She is someone I talk to about everything, but she does not live vicariously through me (like some mom's I know) and I have NEVER been financially dependent on her (post college) that is:) I fight my own battles, make me own successes and failures while she sits back and lets me do my thing! I can always count on her to speak her mind when she thinks I am doing something wrong but never tells me HOW she thinks I should fix it; unless of course I ask.

In any event, I am so thrilled to have 2 daughters to grow old with...to nurture and love the same way my mom did for me....it's a beautiful thing...I think the next topic of convo will be how much EASIER it is the 2nd time around!!!

XOXO
BTC

TO VACCINATE OR NOT TO VACCINATE THAT IS THE QUESTION...

SO a topic I hate to love...strangely one I just don't fully understand.

I know there is a great divide about this issue, and just like religion, party choice, etc. it's kinda taboo, but at the same time we are talking about putting non-vaccinated babies (who WILL be vaccinated) at risk in the interim, so I feel compelled to talk about it! AND if I can't talk about it on my blog, where can I talk about it? I am trying to be open minded about the different opinions re: this subject but my dr, said something that really hit home for me...

"Beth those kids who are not vaccinated are in reality, walking parasites!" OYE to the VEY is all I have to say! When you put it in that perspective it makes it much more real to me! She also mentioned of course that taking Lila into public places until she is at least partially vaccinated is a definite NO, and that if we know we could put her in harms way, why would we want to? All good points. I trust Aiden's pediatrician's with every part of my being and value their opinions, suggestions and then some.

So, after it was proven that vaccines do NOT in fact lead to some of the causes people thought they did, what do you do if it's too late to vaccinate your child? Can you imagine all of the things that go on in college let's say and not being protected against any of that? OR being SO angry at your parents for making that kind of decision for you when you were to young to make it yourself? I don't know, I know it's more complicated than that, but for me it's just so simple...vaccinate your child, BASTA!

Let's see....POST birth, I had a giant disgusting blood clot that when I stood up I literally felt a rush, ran to the b-room and out it came. I screamed for Brian b/c honestly I have never in my life seen such a thing. AH the lovely post birth situations...you are not pregnant for 9 months, it's seriously more like 2 GODDAMN YEARS!!

XOXO
BTC

HOW TO PUSH OUT THE UNWANTED HOUSE GUEST, THAT'S NOT A GUEST YET?

How do you explain to people, OR rather why is it necessary to explain to people that after having a baby,the last thing on fucking earth you want to do...is entertain! WHETHER or not they think you will have to, in the end you will. There are VERY few people that you can really count when coming over, that they will bring something and hang with you, but make your life easier. I would have to say other than my mom there are very few people I would not consider "company". I am SO type A that if people are in my house I feel compelled to do things. I guess I need help understanding why people would even think I would want them over at this point 1 week post baby?

Let's just discuss the obvious for a second. You feel and look like TOTAL SHIT for at least the first few weeks post birth. I don't care how GORGEOUS you normally are..things just are not what they used to be and are not in the places where they used to be. You are bleeding for literally like a month straight, wearing full on diapers and your Grandmother's underwear; why would you want everyone coming over, looking at your not yet immunized child, while you stand there looking anything other than your very best??!!? See, that's the thing it seems so common sense to me, but I guess realistically people just don't really get it. WELL I am here to say if I want you there believe me you, you will know; if I don't PLEASE for the love of God do not ask. I am fine with, "when you are ready to have visitors let me know". That makes perfect sense and it's nice to know people want to meet the new addition. EUREKA! I think my biggest issue with this is the fact that even after my first kid and knowing what it was like for me, the same freaking people annoy me all over again! Funny how that shit happens.

My husband agrees at times but disagrees at others, BUT of course that should be the case as he is and looks the exact same as before Lila was born; NOT to mention he did not push something out of his vagina with the war wounds to prove it! I understand that in some ways he just won't get it and in others he does. He has been great about fielding the calls and making sure I don't feel crazed but there is only so much he can do.

So, here I am sitting on my bed with INCREDIBLY SWOLLEN FEET (story for another time) in my robe, not showered and TOTALLY exhausted; about to pump for the 90th time today...wanting everyone (but a couple of key people) to leave me the hell alone for a couple of weeks. When I am ready I will find you.

OH and holy moly 2 is certainly not one, BUUT I would not have it any other way Lila is just simply perfect!
XOXO
BTC

THE AFTER BIIIRRRTH...

LET'S JUST SAY...I will tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth so help me God! I think my OB had me at, "you have a really nice looking placenta!" Ah yeah....you can only imagine the in-between....

BUt in the meantime, I am FAR to exhausted to do anything! I will leave you with this...My INCREDIBLE OB stayed an extra 3 hours JUST to deliver my baby. She was on call until 8 AM and Lila was born at 10:51. I cannot thank her enough, the experience would just never have been the same without her. I literally would have another kid just to visit with her:)

More to come I PROMISE...we are now entering the POST preggo diaries, you can only imagine what I might say!
XOXO
BTC

LILA JAMES COHEN, BORN OCTOBER 3RD, 2010

WOWIE! She came early...just as we suspected!
Lila James was born on October 3rd, 2010...at 10:51 AM, weighing in at 5 pounds 13 ounces! PEEEEAAANUT!

AAAHH I am so in love, it's amazing how you can you love the 2nd one as much as the 1st!

More to come...I mean you gotta hear about the birth and guts and shit, no? :) HA!

XOXO
BTC

THE SHIT THAT ANNOYS ME...Why, I don't know!

I have to say I honestly don't know who these people are, EVEN being in the media...but please help me understand why you publicize the fact that you are having a baby, know the sex but plan on keeping it a secret? I just don't get it? Someone enlighten me.

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/10/01/melissa-rycroft-we-know-the-sex-of-our-baby/

WTF??!?!?
BTC