These are a few of my favorite things...

Being a new Mommy is a daunting task.  A fun, yet challenging, task.  It's so rewarding.  It's the best "job" in the world actually.  But, I think most new Mommy's can admit there were so many days in which you felt like a question mark was above your head.  My co-workers would probably agree...as I entered work on the day I had Ty asking "so, what's it feel like when your water breaks?". 
Luckily, I have a sister who had a baby first.  I had 2 of my best friends that had babies right before I had Ty (and we overlapped pregnancies on their seconds!).  And, my college roomie (and another great friend) is a pediatrition.  To say I had some great "go-to girls" during my pregnancy would be an understatement.  (Disclaimer:  You know you have an awesome friend that would do anything for you when you can't get your baby to latch on and she gives you Breastfeeding 101 sober.  Taryn, I love you :)
Anyhow, these are few of my (or our) favorite things we had for Ty.  As I mention these, please feel free to let me know if you have other ideas...it's only been 18 months but I'm working on Ace's "need to get" list and I love hearing new ideas!

Sleep Positioner:
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Delight-Deluxe-Snuggle-Patchwork/dp/B000BM8G0I/ref=pd_sbs_ba_5

This has an incline, a night-light, it's washable, and it can be folded up for travel.  We had another that was just a foam incline with the 2 side positioners and it was a MESS after washing it once. This helps with acid reflux and rolling over (Ty did that at about 3 months and it had me a nervous wreck!).

Swaddle Me:  http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_swdl_cttnprints.php  This comes in cotton and fleece fabrics.  We had both, in every size.  Those little receiving blankets just don't seem to keep babies swaddled as tight as they stay in the hospital.  These are much safter than putting a blanket in a crib.  And, Ty LOVED being cuddled up so snuggily in these.  The little booger figured out how to get his hands out after about a month, but he still loved them.

Arbonne Baby Wash, Lotion, and Sunscreen:

http://www.arbonne.com/products/baby/wash.asp  Oh, how I love these products.  Ty has eczema really bad.  Aveeno products are okay, but Arbonne is so much better!  There are flare up's every now and again, however after 1-2 days of lathering him down with this lotion he seems to have most of it cleared up.

Bean Bag:   http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10747193   This bean bag (we chose navy) saved our life.  At Ty's 2 week appt., our photographer (http://www.capturedmoments-ky.com/) used a bean bag in some photos.  She covered it with a blanket and Ty fell in love.  We left the studio, drove to Walmart, and got a bean bag right then!  Ty loved to be cuddled in his own little chair at home.  Yes, we had a swing, bouncy seat, play mat, exersaucer, jumpy seat, etc.  All my child wanted was his $14.99 bean bag. 

Infant Photo Book:     http://www.brightstarts.com/p-123-babys-photo-book.aspx  My sister got this for Ty before he was born.  She placed photo's of my family in it and Ty LOVED IT.  Of course, I did too!  Since my family is 2 hours away, we don't get to see them as often as we want.  Ty wanted this on his high chair tray EVERY morning.  He would turn the pages and point even before he could talk and tell us who was in the pictures.  He still does it to this day!  It's completely "child safe" and it's made as a teether too.  This is for sure on my list for Ace already!

An Eco-Friendly Placemat that Works:  http://www.greatbabyproducts.com/tiny-diner-child-placemat.html  We use this little placemat ALL THE TIME!  The cartoon kind that have sticky edges are okay (and the advantage to those are you can just throw them right away), however Ty figured out how to remove those in about 2.2 seconds.  This placemat has suction cups underneath and little tray that "catches" extra crumbs.  It pretty much stays put until Mom or Dad can wipe in down, roll it back up, and stick in back in the backpack.  Dirty restaurant tables still get a wipe down from me (and so do the high chairs), but after putting this placemat down I feel better about letting him eat off the table.

Handy Ty Man

Today was kind of a big deal for me.  Well, I mean for Ty too.  My little man had his 18 month check-up today (yes, I know it was almost 2 weeks late).  Anyhow, the big deal was that I got to take him.  Well, Daddy and I got to take him.  Todd's work schedule allows him to come and go more freely than mine, so typically Todd takes him to the doctor.  Ty did very well for a little boy knowing that he was getting a shot!  The good news is that he won't get another shot until next year's flu shot (we hope!). 
Dr. Ray said he was "excellent" and above 100% in each category (head size, height 35 3/4 in., and weight 37lbs).  On the growth curve, they are predicting him to be between 6'2 and 6'4.  That is probably about the size my Dad was when he was younger so I guess he'll follow in Papaw (or Pa's) footsteps.  While Ty does look like his Daddy, he also looks like my Dad too.  Isn't it strange how you can see different people in your child? 

We went home this weekend while Daddy practiced nonstop.  Mimi had surgery last week so Ty and I left after work on Friday and hung out with Mimi all weekend.  Mimi thouroughly enjoyed Ty saying "Mimi" in his country accent.  Yes, my child talks like an official Kentuckian?  Country boy?  It sounds more like "a Meeee Meee".  He literally said her name over 1,000 times this weekend.  Let's not forget "Pa" who is Papaw really.  As he said "Pa" over and over again I thought to myself "my child is like John Boy". 
Ty is becoming more and more independent every day.  He LOVES Handy Manny and his tool box goes everywhere with it.  He walks around carrying it all day long and only puts it down for a meal or diaper change.  He really wants to help us with anything we do (Handy Ty?).  Laundry, cooking (loves to stir), sweep, vacuum (he needs one for himself), bring us his toothbrush, and the list goes on and on.  I really hope his interest in chores remains so high...he'll REALLLY make his wife happy one day!
Since I'm off work today (thank you bank holidays) I hope to post Christmas and School pic's as well (if I can fit it in between my chores, the Bachelor DRAMA, a fabulous dinner @ Briarpatch, and day-ahead soup making).  Yes, I said Briarpatch.  To a pregnant girl, Briarpatch is kind of like hmmmm...heaven? 

A Boogie Sammie

My FB status tonight says, "i was really looking forward to eating my sandwich tonight until Ty turned it into a boogie sandwich. He pointed to it to show me what he did and said "boogie Mama". Yup, that kind of sums up the kind of day I had."
Yes, this is totally a true statement.  I walked away to grab the remote for HIM to watch the Backyardigans because the UofL game wasn't entertaining him enough.  As I sit back down Ty says this to me and he smiles and clapped his hands.  He was so proud of me...like he had just given me a fabulous gift. 
Oh Lord, what will I do with 2 little boys making Mommy boogie sammies? 

Making You Smile on Monday

In Mommy's Old shoes from the garage...and yes he found these, put them on, and yelled "Mama" for me to see.  He was so proud of himself.  18 months

Being a Mommy of 2

While I know I can do it...I want to do it right.  I want to be the best Mommy I can.  I want to have patience, understanding, time, love, hugs, kisses, energy, patience, understanding, did I say patience? 
During my pregnancy with Ty, I could nap and sleep as much as I wanted.  I was a cat napper for sure as I couldn't get comfortable for long periods of time.  My night time sleep was so off and on that I remember getting up and watching TV downstairs.  I was such a light sleeper that any noise, snore, light, etc. would wake me up and keep me up for hours.  But, it was tolerable because it was just Todd and I. 
This time around it's the same.  Except for the 18 month old little munchkin.  Poor thing...my Ty Baby sleeps so good.  Well, except for when he was on steroids 2 weeks ago for his nasty cough and wheezing.  That stuff is dangerous...he was bouncing off the walls and not sleeping.  Anyhow, he is on an awesome schedule right now.  He usually goes to bed around 7-7:30pm, wakes up at 6:30 (ish) and takes at least a 2 hour nap after lunch.  It works for him, and works for us.  Throw in my lack of energy and I'm sleeping about like he is.  I usually lay down myself after he goes to bed.  Todd makes fun of me because it never fails...I tell him to wake me when he hears the washer go off (or when the such and such show begins).  He always tells me no, and that I need to sleep. Usually, those are the best 2 hours of sleep I get each day.  I then get ready for bed, clean up a bit, get Ty's bag ready, and lay in bed watching the dvr.  That lasts for about an hour, and then it's off to more napping.  I wake up feeling so groggy, but the show must go on, right?
That leads me to the title...now that I've got 2 babies to raise (so blessed :) I have so many goals that I want ot achieve.  They are:
*Patience-My New Years Goal in 2010.  Patience for family, for my work, for everything in my life.
*Gym/workout for at least 1 hour 6 days per week
*Church every Saturday or Sunday for our family
*Monthly dinner with girlfriends (and not feel guilty about it)
*To eat at our kitchen table on a regular basis
*Better organization of my closets and cubby-holes (thank you Todd for my label maker in my stocking this year!
*Dates with each of my son's...here are a few of the places I'd like to go with them while on maternity leave this summer:
http://www.newportaqarium.com/
http://www.kazoing.com/  (more than once for sure!)
http://www.batsbaseball.com/ (so Ty can run the bases)
http://www.dinoworld.net/ (Kentucky)
www.kyrail.org/daywithtom.asp
http://www.bigsplashadventure.com/
http://www.kindermusikwithcathy.com/ (round 2...last summer Ty LOVED it)
http://www.huberwinery.com/
And, maybe short visits to ATL (Coca-Cola) and Orlando (Disney) if we road-trip to FL.  We'd have to break up the trip with 2 babies in the car, but that's just a thought right now. 
These are few of the places that I know we're going.  I'll have Baby Ace in his Baby Bjorn and off we'll go! Any other ideas?  Please let me know!  I hope to spend one full week in Louisville doing fun stuff there, and then some long weekends.  I'm so fortunate to have such great friends there (and of course family).  Spending time at the pool, on lunch dates with my Mom, Aunt, and Sis, and shopping with my Mom just makes everything better!  Ty also loves following around Ethan and the 2 new boys will need some good bonding time...so we're expecting them to come here as well!
I have this guilt of being a working Mom that my kids will grow up and say, "Mom and Dad were always working so we didn't get to do much".  My Mom worked in schools so we were always doing fun things all summer and other school breaks.  It's pretty sad the only time working Mother's get to take off for longer periods of time is when they have a baby. 
Anyhow, my to-do list of things I'd like to accomplish with Ty and Ace for 2010 is a work in progress.  Ace may not have a clue and Ty may not remember, but I will.  And, I want to remember the smiles on their faces.  My babies won't be babies for long...but then again.  They'll always be Mommy's Baby.  Both of them!

Ace Edward Lillpop

It's a BOY! 
We are ecstatic, pumped, excited, whatever you want to call it!  Mr. Ace Man will be joining us in May...and my house will officially become a "Penis Palace" as my fellow Mommy's of boys like to call it.  My due date is June 3, however Dr. Smith is sure I won't go that long (remember Ty Baby...my over 1 month early child?).  I'm praying for a May 15th-or-after baby...for his health and maybe we can bypass the asthma-like issues we've had with Ty Baby.
Speaking of Ty...the most excited Big Brother there is.  I mean, as excited as an almost 18 month old can be.  He pointed to the ultra-sound screen and said "bra-da" (his version of brother) with a smile on his face.  At first it was "baby" and then he wouldn't stop saying "bra-da", "bra-da".  He ran back and forth from my belly to the screen on the wall.  Then he danced.  Then he clapped.  And, then of course he'd had enough and wanted to play with all the gadgets in the room!
The ultrasound was perfect, Ty behaved great and was such the flirt he usually is (he gave Dr. Smith a kiss when we left).  Dr. Smith also promised him a surgeon cap at the hospital.  We're getting Ty scrubs and a Dr. kit as a Big Bro gift and she absolutely loved the idea (it was her idea for the hat!).  My appt. went great too and I'm glad to know I have 2 more months before I have the Diabetes test.  Drinking that gew is so icky!!!
So, you may ask, what on earth do we have to do now that we'll have 2 boys about 22/23 months a part?  Well, we had already decided we were going to get this baby something special as we did Ty the day we found out he was a boy.  It was "Ace's Day".  We went to Kidstop, a cute little clothing store, and got him a personalized sleeper, hat, and shoes.  We went to dinner with friends to celebrate.  I changed the name of my blog-site, and...Mama's started the list making.  We're having 2 "sprinkles" (fortunate I tell ya!) so I need to get a list together for those.  Ebay and Etsy has become 2 of my BFF's.  I already have Ty's Big-Bro shirt from an ETSY friend in Cali and now it's time for personalized items for Ace. 
It's supposed to snow soon...and in KY that means we stay home.  So, now it's time for inventory of the goods (you know...the AT LEAST 10 large rubbermaid bins of baby "stuff"), washing, rearranging, organizing, internet shopping and replenishing.  Sounds easy, right?  Well, my procrastinating, working-mom, wife of a traveling baseball coach, Mommy to a little boy that is adorable but into EVERYTHING, and did I mention prego self has got some work to do!  Being that Ty has gone from his newborn clothes being too big to some 3t things getting too small in a matter of 17 months, he has quite the wardrobe.  He has shoes he's worn 0 times, fancy-shmacy outifts he's worn for an hour, and adorable outfits he never even wore.  It'll be nice to have a round 2 for these items...but of course I'm going to be one of THOSE Mom's who wants to dress the kiddos alike (okay so maybe just "similar" so Todd doesn't get on me for making them "sissy" looking).  This will be so much fun!!!
So, here we go...we're approaching the 2nd half of the pregnancy.  Ace Man is already so loved.  2 baby boys.  Ahhhh...how did I get so lucky?

Almost 18 months old...WOW!

Ty found Daddy's shoes this morning after breakfast and stepped into them all by himself. He doesn't he even know he's cute! He wore them and attempted to walk in them for about 10 minutes. Yeah, that pretty much made our day!
Ty is ALMOST 18 months old...can you believe it?
18 month stats:
About 37 inches tall, 37 pounds, still 3t clothes but a few 4t shirts, 8.5 shoe, a vocab that grows DAILY, a lover of "ney" (Barney), still loves Mickey, the Backyardgans, Oso, Handy Manny, and Sesame Street. He loves to eat (I know the whole 37 pound thing speaks for itself), drink (this kid drinks more than Todd and I put together), and run (not walk, run). He is one speed I tell ya...and a fast little booger I might add! He LOVES to pat Mommy's belly when we ask "Where's Mommy's Baby?". (Although I immediately tell him he's always going to be Mommy's baby and of course my "Ty Baby" forever and ever.) He's been to his 3rd UofL game now!!! He is really coming on as a Daddy's boy as well. He loves "hi-5's", blowing kisses, jabbering like crazy (and he'll repeat 90% of the things we say (yeah, that's not always a good thing when we slip up!!!), can count to 3, he knows most of his body parts, how to turn the TV on, LOVES his roller coaster, loves having friends over to our house to play with him (yippee...the new baby will hopefully be a playmate for him), he's got a jealous bone (for real, kind of hoping this ceases before May!), and...dumdumdumdummmmmmm...he's starting pre-school on Jan. 12th! Ty will attend the Little House of Learning 2 days a week for 2.5 hours. He'll still be with his sitter for the remainder of the week and with Diane (his Nana) on Friday afternoons. This school will get him into a structured learning environment that will include a classroom of 18 month-3 year olds. We are so excited for him to start this new journey! His cute little backpack will be arriving hopefully in the next few days:

His name will also be placed above the bat! Daddy will be in FL for his first day of school so Mommy will surely have pictures like crazy (and I already have his outfits picked out for the semester...haha!
Tuesday of this week (January 5th) we find out if we're having a Boy or Girl. Ty will be joining us so we can learn as a family (and to make my Dr. and her nurses happy!) They ask about him each visit and they've kind of made us feel guilty about not bringing him in. They have only seen pictures since he was 6 months old and my i-phone pic's aren't sufficient! We're going to shop regardless of the sex immediately after and then heading to Salsaritas with some great friends afterwards. If Mommy doesn't cave in to this Salsarita's craving soon someone will be in trouble!
As for what I'm thinking...I was all boy until 2 days ago. Todd has said all along he thinks it's a girl...so maybe he's talked me into it. All of the sudden I just looked at him and said, "for some reason I'm thinking it's a girl today". He said, "you just know I'm right". Well, I don't know. We both want a healthy baby and that's really all that matters. I will be completly happy with Ace or Addy. And, Daddy will too. I did this last time though...I was all girl until a few days before the ultrasound and then I was convinced it was a boy. We shall see...
Needless to say, we've got an excitinig couple of weeks coming ahead. Prayers for a healthy Baby, Mommy, and a happy family in 2010!