Miss Independent

This weekend we visited Hartford to stay with my in-laws and introduce more of the extended family to BabyBee. It was a nice visit, and included some quality time for Mr. Bee and I to go out alone, as well as afforded me the opportunity for a girl's night out with some of my friends. BabyBee seemed to enjoy the new environment and didn't mind being passed between all the relatives.

The activities of our BusyBee were more interesting to me though. I feel like I barely was needed this weekend, and indeed, she decided to spend an extra night and day with her grandparents while the rest of us went back to Boston. She spent a lot of time playing independently. I didn't have to take her to the bathroom at all, or convince her to eat any of the food she was offered. It felt like she didn't need me much. As I was leaving to go out last night, we did have a round of our new game, "No, I love YOU more," but my little girl is definitely growing up.

It's a good thing I still have this little baby curled up on my chest as I type this - he'll still need me for quite a while. But maybe someday the BusyBee will have her own blog - LilMisIndependent.

Four Years, Four Weeks, and Being a Family of Four

BabyBee will hit the one-month mark tomorrow. No, he wasn't the first baby in Boston (and I didn't see the coverage of who was, being that I was still in labor for half of January 1st). But he was delivered by an obstetrician who once delivered the first baby of the year in the country, so that must count for something. :)

We'll be celebrating by taking him for his one-month pediatrician appointment, as well as having BusyBee go in for her four-year check-up. It should be an interesting hour to say the least. I think both kids will be getting shots, which I'm sure neither will enjoy.

I'm adjusting well (at least I think I am) to being a mother of two. I have to admit that it's hard for me to be at home. Several times a day I have to remind myself of what day of the week it is, since there's not much to distinguish one from another. But I'm happy to have this time with the baby, and BusyBee seems to like her reduced daycare schedule. And I know it will be hard for me to go back to work too.

We haven't had the seismic shift I expected in my last post though - I'd say it's more of a mild aftershock from an earthquake. The second time around is easier in many respects as I feel much more confident as a parent, and our lives are already structured to be kid-friendly. As a bonus, he has such an easy-going personality. BusyBee really adores her little brother and has handled the situation remarkably well. We had some wonderful family support in these first few weeks, which has made things even smoother (thanks again!).

This has been a pretty cheery post, but I still need to take a moment to gush about my son: what a cutie. His blue eyes - if they stay this shade - will make someone fall madly in love with him someday. He's a champ at holding up his head and desperately wants to crawl and move on his own. I think he's going to have Mr. Bee's intensity and intellect, and I can't wait to see what kind of person he will become.

Down to the Wire

I am now 38+ weeks pregnant, and my labor will be induced on Monday, December 31. Assuming everything progresses well, we could get a nice tax deduction in addition to our little BabyBee. Or we could be on the front page of the Globe, with the first baby of the year. Either scenario is not something we're really striving for - the 31st is the supposed "ideal" induction date for me. I am pretty uncomfortable and ready to go. At least, as ready as you can ever be for your world to experience a seismic shift.

The BusyBee's level of excitement has been pretty consistent since we told her those many months ago. She loves babies - every baby she sees is cute to her, even the baby Grinch in the live action "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I know she will fall right in love with her baby brother, and I am excited to watch that happen. I see how much she loves her father and I, but to think that we can create two human beings that will love each other as well - it's just pretty special.

So the big question we're hearing a lot of: are you ready? The answer is a resounding "sort of." We have a lot of the gear in place, but this time around we're definitely travelling lighter. We're trying to be more reserved and figure out what we will really need, which is something you can't really do until you've been there before. I have a tendency to want to go overboard, but Mr. Bee has kept me in line.

As 2007 comes to a close, I look back on the year and know that we have worked very hard for a lot of the things that are good in our lives. But a baby - I recognize how lucky we are to have gotten to this point. I look forward to sharing some of the experiences of our growing, busy family with you soon.

A Giant Post

The last several weeks have gone by in a blur. We've had so much going on, that I'm actually kind of grateful to have a day at home with a fever-stricken BusyBee. So here are some bits on what we've been doing lately.

Halloween was a big hit this year. The weather was gorgeous, and we took our Little Mermaid to our village trick-or-treating event (I really get a kick out of saying "village" sometimes!). BusyBee was very polite, good at saying "trick-or-treat," and is still enjoying her candy a month later, one piece at a time.

We attended a family bat mitzvah in the Albany area the following weekend, the last of a certain generation in Mr. Bee's family (Mr. Bee being the first in that generation, his bar mtizvah having been 20 years ago!). It was a lovely event, and the last family bar mitzvah until the BusyBee's, nine years from now.

Continuing on the Jewish theme, Mr. Bee and I attended a synagogue-sponsored evening on day school and religious school options in our community. While we are still considering public school as our first choice, it was good to hear more about the other opportunities available. It's definitely overwhelming though.

The next day we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the brit milah of the BusyBee's best friend's baby brother. It was a very meaningful event, and we were honored to be in attendance. It was also great to see one firsthand, as BabyBee's brit will occur in just a matter of weeks!

Speaking of which, the BusyBee is getting very excited about her new big sister role. She attended a sibling class and really seemed to enjoy it. Mr. Bee was a little concerned about how all the kids there seemed to most enjoy poking the eyes of their plastic dolls, but BusyBee has reassured us that she knows the difference between a doll and a real baby. We'll wait to see if that's really the case.

We travelled to New Haven and Hartford for various parts of the Thanksgiving weekend, and had a lovely dinner at the home of my sister- and brother-in-law. We also attended Mr. Bee's 15 year high school reunion, where I commiserated with several other pregnant women about having to stand around for hours in our current state!

December is nearly upon us, and I am now 34 weeks pregnant. We're finally getting ourselves stocked with baby gear, and hopefully the rest of the month will fly by with getting ready for BabyBee's arrival. BusyBee is desperate for Hanukah to begin, but in the context of being pregnant, I've been desperate for all of the events above to arrive already! It's as though I have a running list of things that need to happen before the baby is due, and this past month they've been ticking by very quickly. I'm not nervous about having so few weeks left and so much to accomplish, but I'm not quite sure how it'll all get done either. Who knows though - BabyBee could surprise us all and come early. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

The Big 3-0

Today is my thirtieth birthday, and it's a good moment to take stock.

A lot of people seem to fear this birthday, but I've been looking forward to it. For one thing, Mr. Bee is throwing me a party tomorrow, and I'm excited to see some people I haven't seen in a while.

I'm a little sad to be leaving my twenties (which also began with an amazing party - that time, in a castle). I accomplished quite a lot in that decade: graduated from college, got my first real job, got married, started the MBA program, bought a condo, had a baby, quit the first job and got another, sold the condo, bought a house, renovated a kitchen, got a pretty big promotion, got pregnant again, and finished the MBA. I have had wonderful support from my family and friends. I have had the opportunity to travel a bit and experience new places. It basically was the decade when my life as an adult began.

But I am excited to finally be 30. This will be decade, G-d willing, in which my second child is born, and when the BusyBee will go to kindergarten. Hopefully, we'll be able to do further renovations on our home to create our version of a dream house. There will be weddings and bar mitzvahs to attend, and I hope to finally see Europe. There won't likely be any more formal education, so I'm interested to see how I'll keep learning.

One of my bosses recently told me that I am a "person of substance." I thought that was a very cool compliment. So happy birthday to me. And for all of you reading who aren't 29 weeks pregnant, have a drink for me.

A Career Milestone

When I began my first full-time job after college, on January 17, 2000 (I graduated early), I was given a prospectus to introduce me to one of the funds I'd be working on. I had no idea what I was reading, and was really overwhelmed. Until I came to the section listing the portfolio managers and investment professionals, and their biographies.

I worked for a firm that is quite well-known in these parts, and the biographies were impressive. I realized then that this was professional recognition in the investment world, a way of saying "these are the people to trust with your money." I made it a goal to some day be listed in pages like these.

That goal was realized this week, when I wrote my biography and added it to our investor presentation template. There are only five people listed, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. I know most people probably never even read the thing - you've got to be in a pretty select group of people to even see our presentation to begin with - but it feels like I've accomplished something.

The BusyBee wears pants!

The BusyBee is all girl. She loves princesses, purple and pink, make-up and most of all - dresses. Since last December, or there-abouts, she has worn only dresses and skirts. No pants, no shorts. I attempted a pair of shorts earlier in the summer, and after half an hour of screaming, they had to be removed.

But this past weekend, my mother-in-law purchased a very cute pants and shirt outfit from Hanna Anderson. The BusyBee approved the purchase and swore that she'd wear them. I had my doubts, but seeing as I hadn't even purchased a pair in her current size, I figured we might as well try.

So yesterday, when she woke up in a pretty good mood, I suggested the pants. There was a lot of resistance, but after promising a trip to McDonald's and the book store for that evening, she gave in. The pants were worn all day.

I really wish I could have taken a picture to commemorate the day, but I know the BusyBee would never have tolerated that. I didn't want to push my luck any further. So instead, I'll memorialize it here.

She's wearing a skirt again today, but I don't really want to change her sense of style. She's not going to want dresses forever. Though I did see a group of five 10-year-old girls on the T yesterday, all wearing different denim skirts. Maybe it's something she won't have to grow out of after all.