This is really happening

BAM

5 years and 3 months in the making

It's okay. It's mostly like reading German for me, too.

This is M's thesis, which he turned in to his committee on Thursday evening. Lots of drinking ensued. He still has some more work to do before his defense on Tuesday, but nothing like the 18+ hours a day he was putting in before.

After his defense, he'll still have to do some revisions before submitting it, but he will be essentially done. On Tuesday, November 29th, Carina and I will board a plane to Philly! We'll be staying with M's parents for a couple days, while M drives the car with the cats and tries to maintain his sanity. I'm hoping that there won't be a chorus of frantic "meows" all the way from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania. Anyone have any advice on sedating pets? :)

Then, we'll drive up to New Haven on December 1st so M can start his new job, but unfortunately we won't be able to move in to our new apartment quite yet. It won't be ready until the 5th, so we'll be staying in a hotel. I'm actually looking forward to this - it will give me a chance to explore the area a little bit, pick out some furniture, and set up appointments for cable/internet without having to worry about unpacking at the same time.

I'm finally starting to look forward to all of these changes, instead of getting anxious when I think about them. We are almost there!

Placating fussy babies

Carina has been fussing continuously for the last 2 weeks. I think she misses M, who has been working 18+ hour days to finish his thesis. I know she isn't hungry, doesn't need a diaper change, and isn't tired. When cuddling and toys fail, what to do?

Sad sad baby

First, abandon all sense of dignity and pride.

Second, take tongue and insert it through grates of plastic baby jail.

SERIOUSLY

Last, watch as baby squeals in delight as she pokes at your tongue OVER and OVER again.

Bonus, she just might do it back. If she does, you will definitely want to watch, and grab the camera.





I cannot believe how hilarious my kid is.

Unfortunately as soon as I stopped flashing her my tongue, the screaming began again. Le sigh.

On Accepting Help (and the universe paid for my cheesecake)

It has always been hard for me to ask for help. Growing up I never asked my parents for help with my homework and I never sought out my teachers to inquire about receiving extra-help. Similarly, at work I very rarely asked my colleagues to explain things to me or assist me with projects. I am so anti-help that I usually even refuse it when someone offers. I don't really know what my problem is. It's not that I'm too proud; I think it's that don't want to put anyone out, or take up their precious time.

But you know the saying, desperate times...  So when two very lovely ladies I know in real life (who also read this blog) each offered to come watch Carina for a few hours this week so I could 1. get out of the house or pack for our move in less than two weeks and 2. prevent a complete nervous breakdown, I did what was really hard for me to do...accept.

Tuesday I got a few hours of packing in, and yesterday I went to Target and just wandered around for an hour. It was freeing. I didn't have to worry about Carina fussing, or rushing to get home so M could get to work. After Target I had a lovely lunch (below) at Barnes and Noble after perusing some books. That's a slice of Cheesecake Factory Godiva cheesecake, and I savored every bite as a shoveled it into my mouth. I almost couldn't finish it.

NOM

On my way out to the car I found a $20 bill. I looked left and right, but didn't see anyone at all. So, I pocketed it, smiled, and headed home to my happy smiling baby. I'm feeling relieved that just a few short hours to myself can make me feel this much better.

Do you have issues with accepting and/or asking for help?

P.S. Thank you so so much! (you know who you are) ;)

MaliMoo Baby - Review & Giveaway! CLOSED

From maternity wear to baby clothes, toys, gear, and personalized gifts, MaliMoo Baby is your one-stop shop for everything Mommy and Baby related. Named after founder Martina's niece, MaliMoo Baby is designed to provide newly pregnant women with items that are practical and essential at every stage of their pregnancy and delivery, and even after baby is born (and through to toddlerhood!)

"MaliMooBaby is about mothers and their children. About finding the right quality products for your new blooming body and then for your new little blossom! MaliMooBaby takes the time to find the items that make a difference to you and that make the new experience of motherhood into a fun and creative time."

Can I be pregnant again like, right now, so I can wear some of the casual maternity dresses? ::stomps feet:: In all seriousness I can't wait to get pregnant again so I can shop the maternity section. One of my favorite parts of being pregnant was trying to find cute clothes to make me feel pretty and flatter my bump {did I really just admit to that?}, and I love the maternity wear on MaliMoo Baby! Some of my other favorite items include the personalized birthday hats, amazing (truly) block sets, and festive holiday clothing.

  

I was sent the timi & leslie Farah 2-in-1 Diaper Backpack to try out. I've been wanting a smaller diaper bag for a while {you can check out the monstrosity I've been using here} and really liked that this bag can be used as either a backpack, or a messenger. I brought it with me when we traveled to visit family and look at apartments in New England last week, and it was perfect for traveling.

Hello, lover

Pockets and pockets and pockets, oh my!

This bag is FULL of pockets, which is an absolute must-have for me. I just can't handle Carina's pacifier rubbing up against the {potentially used} burp cloth, you know? I also like to store a clean change of clothes far away from the changing pad. Basically, I like to keep everything separate. With pockets and compartments on the inside, sides, and back, this bag more than satisfies my need to organize. There are even a bunch of compartments inside the front flap that are perfect for your phone and/or wallet.

Hands free!

What was super helpful while traveling is the fact that this bag comes with two little non-slip loops that hook around any stroller bar, so that you can safely attach the diaper bag to the stroller. So I pushed Carina through the airport, with the bag latched right onto the stroller, which kept my arms free and the bag perfectly in view.

Changing pad, and messenger bag strap

I could rave about this bag all day. The lining is water resistant (which was perfect when Carina's no-leak sippy cup proceeded to leak all over the place). There are metal feet on the bottom - so no need to worry about scuffing up the canvas bottom. It comes with a large changing pad that fits compactly within the diaper bag.

It's also comfy to wear and fits nicely under the seat in front of you while flying (just in case you were wondering haha). I would definitely recommend the timi & leslie Farah 2-in-1 Diaper Backpack if you're looking for a practical, organized, and multi-use diaper bag. This pattern not your favorite? There are a handful of others (as well as different styles) on MaliMoo Baby.

Shop
Visit MaliMoo Baby and peruse the fashionable maternity wear, adorable baby clothes, and more! For all of my Canadian friends, Martina assures me there will be a Canadian sister site up and running very soon!

Win
Martina is generously offering a $25 shop credit to one of my readers!

How to Enter:
This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click "Read More" below and then follow the instructions on the widget. All currents count! Please contact me at growingupgeeky@gmail.com if you run into any technical difficulties with Rafflecopter. *US Residents Only*

My Little Cheerleader

My Mother-in-Law recently sent green and white pompoms so that Carina could cheer on the Eagles with Daddy. While there may no longer be any hope for the Eagles this season {sorry Babe}, Carina still enjoys playing with the pompoms!