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!

It's official!

We're having a BOY!  I knew that we were having a boy the whole time.  Not because of the post where I talked about getting an ultrasound around 15 weeks because my doctor couldn't hear the heartbeat with the doppler but I knew the day that I found out that I was pregnant that I was having a boy.  I even said it out loud to Sean.  We couldn't be happier but I know that Sean is a little tiny winy disappointed not getting his little girl.  Like everyone else, they're telling us, "well, you can always try again"!  LOL.  I'm not even going to think of that at this point because I need to get through this 2nd one first.  That's a whole other chapter that I can't even think of right now.  The doctor told us that everything is pefect with this baby and that its measuring in the 58th percentile as far as growth.  I am also officially half way through this pregnancy (20 weeks) and still feel great.  No complaints other than I do have a little pain in my butt and lower back on my right side at times and I think its from picking up Hunter a certain way.  Well, what am I gonna do? Not pick him up?  Uh...no.  So, I'm switching to the left side! Haha.  I am also proud of myself for only gaining 10 lbs at my last doctors appt which was at 17 weeks which I'm sure I've gained a couple more since then.  They said about 5 pounds a month is good.  So, I think I'm doing pretty good by not nearing the 50 pound mark that I am trying so hard not to get to.  I'm trying to do my best but if it happens then it does.  I don't think it will happen because Hunter keeps me on my toes plus since our pool has warmed up I've been doing some preggo swimming aerobics.  Here are some that I do that are relatively easy and actually do feel like I work out.  I love it!

Basically just move my legs and create some resistance! LOL

Also, Sean has been teaching Hunter to swim (he used to be a swim instructor for kids, btw) and Hunter absolutely loves going swimming!  He's always loved the water and is learning how to be a little fish. Whenever Sean gets him from daycare he runs straight to his dresser and opens the drawer to get his swimming trunks out and looks for his swimming shoes.  He starts to pull his pants down and is anxiously waiting for us to take him outside to swim.  He's so funny!

 

Swimming with daddy!

 

Constant sickness...

Ever since I've had a child I feel like we are both sick every other month.  I hope that I'm not the only mother out there who feels this way and I know having a child in daycare doesn't help the situation either but you would think by now that it would taper off.  Yeah right! About a month ago we were all sick with the Rotovirus and this past week, Hunter and I both have colds.  I can't remember before the Rotovirus what the "flavor of the month" was before that but I'm sure one way or another we were sick.  I have zero sick days left which are tied into my PTO which therefore has definitely cut into my vacation time and thank goodness we can accrue time here at work but how can I accrue if I'm out sick all the time?  I was out a whole week with the Rotovirus and out one day this week for this terrible cold I have.  I'm not blaming daycare at all because I have to put Hunter in daycare and they do teach healthy habits with them washing their hands after they come in from outside and before and after mealtimes, etc.  Plus, at home we do the same.  Oh well, I guess for the next few years, this is how its going to be.  Not to mention having another baby and Hunter bringing home something from his daycare won't help either.  I clean and disinfect the house constantly.  Sean thinks I am OCD and literally has to tell me to stop everytime I look like I'm going bananas.  I know that cleaning too much can cut out the "good" germs but what the heck!    Does anyone have any suggestions?  Am I doing something wrong or is this completely normal and this is how it is going to be until Hunter is in Kindergarten.  Oh yeah, I thought breastfeeding was supposed to boost their immune system somehow.  I breastfed him for 10 months!  Please tell me that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.  Thanks in advance to everyone for listening and for any suggestions!