Struggles with being a parent....

I've been living here in South Florida since 2006 (dang, 7 years!) and honestly, I knew before moving down here that Sean was going to be the "One".   Before even thinking of having kids, I knew that we would have our obstacles and challenges ahead for us before we really settled down getting married and having  kids.  I knew that the day would come when I officially became a mom and that time would just tell when we were going to have to face all the challenges that come with not having my parents nearby (my parents are separated)  to help or any sort of extra help like alot of my friends do.  Sean's parents do live in S. Miami but it can be a bit challenging for them to come visit at times and Sean's mother still works.  So, that in itself, I know is hard. This is something that I've had to work through since the day Hunter was born.  I'm not trying to throw a pity party for myself but I do realize that it could be alot easier if we had some extra help (free and hassle free kind!).  For one, trying to find someone to watch Hunter for a full day on the days that day care is closed (holiday) and Sean and I both have to work.  Two, what if Sean is working and I'm running really late getting home to pick him up from daycare? Also, I can't just leave him with anyone (there are a bunch of crazies out there)!. With that being said, here are a few options that Sean and I have created for ourselves:

1.  If Hunter is sick and Sean has to work, I just stay home.  One, who wants to take care of a sick baby?  Two, he only wants me anyway and I'm just going to worry my little heart out for him the whole day if I were to go to work.

2.  Luckily, Hunter's teacher (former) absolutely loves Hunter and she has watched him before if Sean and I have to work and the day care is closed.  She lives near us and I just drop him off over there.  She knows him just as well as I do and how can I not trust her! I felt really bad asking her one day because I know its her day off too (she works in the 4-5 yr old class now) but she immediately agreed and has told me numerous times to call her if I need her.  Plus, she goes and checks on Hunter at school alot for me and texts me every now and then a photo of Hunter =)

3.  Sean's sister has watched Hunter occasionally for a few hours at night if we want to go out on a date as well as our neighbor who is 20 yrs old.  So this is perfect!

4.  We also have some friends in the neighborhood whose daughter is 2.5 yrs old and she is expecting her second child the same day that I am due!!!  Sean works with the father so it works out perfectly for us to call each other if we need some help.  Hey, both of our houses are baby proofed!

4.  We have also looked into Care.com. because there is going to be a time that I really just need someone reliable to watch Hunter (and Tyler) one day because I have this or that to do and Sean is working.  I wanted to check it out now so that Hunter is aware of who that person is and isn't completely freaked out.  Sooooo, we are going to try out a few "nannies" or babysitters and see which one we like.  Don't get me wrong, its a bit pricey but since its a reliable source, I have to look into it.

5.  Sean and I are joining a church that has a pre-school with it and are planning on sending Hunter there when he turns 2 (that's when they start taking them, they don't take infants..).  What better place to meet other moms and just explore some options for us and join a church!

Now that I am in the middle of my pregnancy, I am starting to really see how even more difficult it will be when I return to work (when and if I do...lol).  We're pretty much settled now in our new community so what better time to branch out some more.  If anyone else out there has any other ideas, please pass them along! 

Update on The Hapgoods...

I thought of giving an update here on how we all are doing. 

Sean has been working so much in the yard before it gets super hot even though its already 85 degrees during the day but we really needed to fix up our backyard.  We spend our weekends out here 90% of the time and have turned it into a family friendly venue!  Here's the shed that finally arrived after 3 weeks of building it:

Sean pressure washed the outside area which looks a ton better than what it looked like before (sorry I didn't take a before photo but trust me it looked really bad!) We're also waiting on an order of our new patio furniture:

My wonderful husband posing....

We don't have much of a side yard because the other side has the boat but we were able to till up all the weeds and old grass and start fresh (thanks to our wonderful neighbor!) and put sod down.  Sean has also started a garden for us and is surprising me of what he is growing.  I know he is definitely growing tomatoes because I've already had a few but we'll see what comes up! 

The day that they put the sod down.

Here's what it looks like a few weeks after.

We're looking into re-doing our guest bathroom (finally!) before baby #2 is here because I know that if we don't do it now it will be a hundred years until we do it.  Lucky for us we have a super handy neighbor that is going to help us do it.  We are going to replace everything including the bathtub! Yikes!

On to Hunter....

Let's just say that he has entered into what is known as the "Terrible Two's" or rather more like "Testy Two's".  He seems to do everything that he knows he is not allowed to do and on top of that he looks at me with a silly smirk on his face to buy himself some more time to keep doing what he is not allowed to do. Haha.  It's so hard to keep a straight face with him too because of that silly smirk he gives me but I have been a trooper and he abides by what I say after a couple times of telling him.  I even had to throw out the counting "1-2-3" deal.  Not that he had a clue what it really means but he got the point somehow. Ahhhh, what can I say?  He's exploring more things and learning more with them so I can't blame him.  

He's also been swimming pretty much everyday for the past 3 weeks between Sean and I teaching him.  He can now swim underwater to get to the steps.  I'm so proud of him.  He wants us to let him go and just swim on his own because he gets so excited but he's not THAT ready yet and I'm not sure I am either but I believe by the end of the summer he will be swimming around like a little fish  (I'll post a video at some time.  I'm having issues with our video camera not uploading to the computer).

Me, I'm 22 weeks along and I feel great.  At times, I am tired from chasing Hunter around but that of course, is normal.  My only complaint is heartburn. I've got it so much earlier this time around and have been drinking milk and a few Tums when it gets pretty bad (they're by BFF's right now).  I have been worrying about how I am going to be even at 30 weeks because it is just now starting to get a little tough.  I try not to think about it but just like everyone else, I'll manage. 



At work we celebrated, National Walk Day.

We have also decided (finally) on what we are naming the baby and its Tyler Aaron.  I'm so happy now to call him by a name rather than the "baby".  I wanted a name that ended in "e-r" like Hunter and had 2 syllables.  Nothing too long and nothing too popular even though Tyler is somewhat popular but not overly.  We've also been curious how this baby will be and how he will look.  Will he look more like me?  Or look just like Hunter?  Will this baby have by eyes or Sean's?  Guess we'll find out in September!