30 is the New...

...something. I turned the big 3-0 yesterday. Lots of people asked me if I was having a hard time coming to terms with it, or could I believe it. Part of me doesn't care, but part of me is realizing how temporary and fleeting LIFE is. I think that's a feeling that many people have after they have children. Your time is now limited, there are parameters set on your life. Before children, it was just you, but bringing a child into the world automatically puts you on some sort of radar, stopwatch, ticking time clock, whatever. I don't know how to explain it. You're in this place where your parents are getting older, your children are getting older, but you can't be getting older, right? It's like, you never want to be without your parents and you never want your children to be without you. Perspective.

Deep thoughts aside, we went out to breakfast yesterday at my favorite breakfast place, Crispy Waffle, and I finally had my #1 pregnancy craving...get ready for it...corned beef hash. With ketchup. Pretty sure I grossed out everyone at the table, but who's going to chastise a pregnant lady on her birthday?

Facing Forward

The post title has a two meanings, really. First, we turned Olive forward-facing in the car. She is 25.5 pounds and 32" tall. It was time. She LOVES it. I think she feels like she's more part of the action, and is all smiles every time I turn around to talk to her at a stoplight. (Do you hear honking? Me neither,)

Also, I'm about to turn 30 (January 22). I've been doing a lot of thinking about my life up until this point, and how much has just...happened. It's been a wonderful blessing, all of it, the good and the bad. I think it's good to think back and remember where you came from, what has made you, and who you want to be. For me, turning 30 is a milestone for sure, but I'm not going to have a mini crisis about it, because it's all about facing forward and making your time here the absolute best it can possibly be.

It's a.......

BOY. It's a boy! I was in shock, because I (along with everyone else) totally thought it was going to tbe another girl. Our official 20 week ultrasound isn't until January 31, but we wanted to find out as soon as possible and be able to tell our families in person, so we went on Monday to Peek a Belly Boutique and when the tech zoomed in on the, um, wee-wee, we both gasped. Yep, it was confirmed that we are expecting a little brother for Olive. Michael and I are really excited. When I hugged him afterwards, I swear I heard him mutter, "Oh no, broken windows..." and I said, "What?" and he said, "Nevermind." Haha.

I am a little sad to be getting rid of all the little girl clothes and shoes and bows and stuff, I love love love love love having a girl. I cannot fathom loving another baby as much as I love Olive. That's normal, right? I know I WILL, I just cannot see HOW there is any more love to give. I guess that's a good thing?

Anyway, hurray for Team Blue!

No Mores

Why does every little end to something in babyhood make me cry? Blame the hormones, right? Tonight, I was casually making Olive a bottle and realized that it was using the last of the formula. Like, ever. I just felt so...unprepared. Like, I should have known the end of the formula container would arrive eventually, and I should be so happy to be saving tons of money on not purchasing formula (for a couple of months, at least, until #2 gets here...), but no. I cried. Like, sobbed.

It always make me feel reassured, you know? Like, if I wasn't feeding her enough of the right foods, there was always that little safety net of sorts, the formula. Now, it's all regular food. That just seems so grown-up. My safety net is gone.

Then I got to thinking...every single "no more" that's come about, pretty much, has made me cry.

Examples:
No more sleeping in our room: cry.
No more Rock 'n Play: cry.
No more infant tub: cry.
No more infant car seat: cry.
No more Sleep 'n Play jammies: cry.
No more whatever-size clothes (and God forbid I encounter a newborn clothing item while boxing up too-small clothes...one time I found her newborn hat from the hospital. That was bad.): cry.
No more formula: you get the picture.

I'm sure there are more no-mores I'm forgetting, but is this going to keep happening? Please say no. I really don't like reminders that my little baby is growing up.

Tasty Thursday: Slow Cooker Cilantro-Lime Chicken

Thanks, Pinterest!
*Also, if you love me, heck, even if you don't, please vote for us at Top Baby Blogs (1 click, I promise) on the right! Thank you! :)

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

In a slow cooker, mix together:
One 24-ounce jar medium or mild salsa
Juice from one lime
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
One 1.25-oz. package taco seasoning
2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (optional)
Add 4-6 thawed chicken breasts, cover with salsa mixture, and cook for 6 hours on low.
Top with sour cream/crushed tortilla chips to garnish.

Favorite Things: 12 Months Edition

I am doing a round two favorite things blog post, for the 12 month milestone. If you're interested, you can find the 6 month edition here.

Our favorite things right now:

No-slip bath mat - Olive LOVES the bath, and is very...mobile...throughout the bath. This was a necessity once she outgrew the infant tub.

Sleep Sheep - I'm pretty sure she'll be taking this to college.

Cloud B Constellation Night Light Ladybug: she looks up at her room, lit up with stars, and says, "Ooooh!" It is so, so cute.

Playskool Ball Popper Toy

Food

Anything that she is not supposed to get into

Stick-on place mats: fantastic for restaurants, as she loves to eat when we eat, but we don't feel totally okay with her eating straight off the table. Plates are not yet an option.

Zany B. Zoo: awesome toy, has everything, and doesn't play any songs or sounds in order to be fantastic!

Laugh 'n Learn Kitchen

Laugh 'n Learn Say Please Tea Set

Lovie

Hair Clips - O won't tolerate those cutesy headbands anymore...hello, free will!

Olive Turns ONE!

I know you're wondering if I made it through the day without melting into a puddle of tears and I am very proud to say that despite my many tear-filled moments before her birthday, I made it through with flying colors and didn't shed a tear in front of anyone! My mom was here between Christmas and Olive's birthday (December 28), so that was a blessing to have her watch Olive while I cleaned, grocery shopped, and got everything ready, since Michael had to work. Some people have asked for tips for the day of, and here are my basic suggestions:

1. Have as much food catered as possible.
2. Don't obligate yourself to doing anything preparatory (cooking, chopping, etc) during the party.
3. Assign someone to take pictures of you and baby opening gifts (thanks, Patsy!), someone to write down who got baby what (thanks, Candace!), and someone to help with a trash bag and tossing all the wrapping paper for you (thanks, Dad!).
4. The order of events that worked well for us was: eat/mingle, gifts, cake, baby naps while adults hang out.
5. Have drinks in cans/bottles and in coolers so people can find what they need and help themselves. You don't have time to be hostess and mommy at the same time.

The day was great and it was so nice to see how loved Olive is. It was sort of an unspoken celebration for us, too, having made it through a year of big change and everything a new baby entails, together, alive, and still married. Ha. Happy birthday, Beautiful Girl. We love you more than everything, ever.