I think I’ve mentioned before that Hudson has major OCD tendencies. It’s really strange & scary so I don’t talk about it a lot. He just seems to freak out about the strangest shit & I am actually quite worried he may be crazy- but for now I will chalk it up to him growing & learning what he likes & dislikes. Anyhow, this video was taken of him in the balloon room at this place in the mall on Saturday. He loved it. But, at the end he freaked out because the people give the parents & kid a matching bracelet so when you leave they can compare to make sure you aren’t stealing kids. Anyways, Hudson refused to play until I took the bracelet off of him. Like crying FIT because he didn’t like it on his wrist. So I tied it on his pants. At the end of this video he realized it was on him still & he freaked out AGAIN. Why is he so weird?!

I updated my Christmas 2011 Wish list today to get rid of stuff I got & add some new stuff.

Also? My birthday isn’t for another two months.

So- I’ll probably edit this a few times.

Birthday 2011 by Emmiebee

But, whatever. It’s my blog & I can be cheesy when need be.

So, let’s talk FAT. I have always shared with you guys that I am a fat chick. I am. I developed pretty early,actually needing that training bra in 3rd grade, while other girls had them to be cool. By 6th grade I was filling out dresses my mother wore in HER TWENTIES. Yeah, by the time I met my husband I’d venture to say I had the PERFECT BODY- too bad I was 14 years old! It sucks to peak early, my friends.

Anyhow, after a few years of “the shot” and eating like I was still 14 years old- I had gained a poop-load of weight and by the time I was 19 I was just straight up fat. I’m still not comfortable talking numbers- but let’s be frank: I’m 5’5” and weighed something starting in 2. So, I got on the fad diet train. I did Atkins and lost 30+ pounds. I took some crazy prescription from a diet doctor and didn’t eat for days. I got back down to “looking good” but hungry Emily is a bitch and prescriptioned Emily is a bitch. And really, my husband & I FOUGHT. We ended up breaking up for a short while. (we weren’t married yet.)

Then, I stopped dieting. Because I looked good. And I was having fun partying like any 22 year old. My hubs and I got back together. AND BEFOREEE I KNEW IT! I was an even HIGHER number starting with two. When I got married it was the heaviest I had ever been. When I saw pictures? OH MAN. I RAN to Weight Watchers. Through making pretty healthy decisions and changing a lot about my exercise habits (HELLO SPIN CLASS!) I got down to the lowest I’d been in a long time.

Then I got Pregnant with Hudson.

And since I got so sick- I lost EVEN MORE WEIGHT! I was literally the lightest I’ve been since High School until I was 5 months pregnant.

That didn’t last, and at delivery of my son, I was about 10 pounds less then the worst case scenario. I guess that’s pretty good, because most girls are the heaviest ever while pregnant. So, I Got lucky I suppose.

But, as anyone who reads this blog knows- I lost a bit of weight from Hudson’s pregnancy – only to find out 4 months later that I was pregnant AGAIN WITH TWINS. So, needless to say, I never got to my old size before starting to grow all over!

I did lose weight again in my last pregnancy, as I have had Hyperemesis in both pregnancies. This time, however it was caught earlier and they were more aggressive with medication. So, I was back on track and heading north on the scale in no time at all.

And guys?! I gained 53 pounds. When I had those twins almost two weeks ago- my previous “worst weight ever” was a distant memory and I was just straight up SAD to get on the scale.

So, that’s where we are now. I am joining McFatty Monday OFFICIALLY. I will need to add in more exercise once I get the all clear from the doctor in a few weeks- but I think exercise probably isn’t necessary when you climb a flight of stairs to your doorstep and carry THREE KIDS AT A TIME up and down from their room 80 times a day. All together these babies weigh about 35 pounds. And I kid you not- I carried them ALL up the stairs just now.

Luckily, Hudson is reading (he hates when I try to read to him- he likes to do it on his own) and the babies are sleeping. So, I had time to blog this out right quick.

Anyhow:
Since the twins were born on March third, I am down from 2** to 1**. Yes. I have crossed the threshold into the weights beginning with one already! In total, as of yesterday’s compulsive naked weigh in before showering I have lost THIRTY-THREE POINT FIVE POUNDS. HOLLER!!!

I’ll be updating next week and hoping to see more progress.

Sorry- I know it’s an overwhelming amount of pictures, but it was actually hard to narrow it down. I am so in love with this space I cannot even tell you. The rest of the house be damned. I will be hanging out HERE. Now, with Hudson at my Mom’s until tomorrow night I will work downstairs tomorrow & Tuesday morning I have the cleaning ladies coming to deep clean and make stuff all purrrty.

I dunno what I can tell you about the nursery- but most of it was pretty DIY, so if you have questions about furniture, features or even toys- let me know! I’d love to share.

It’s been a long time coming & I definitely need to thank John Bo, the hubster, my sister-in-laws, Aunt Sharon & Uncle Mike, my friends- everyone who came over and helped my handicap ass get this DONE. Not a moment too soon. I love you guys copious amounts.

PS: All of the pics can be enlarged twice to see detail!

AND I DIDN’T GO INTO LABOR! (I figured today was the best chance as the stress level was like at least 3 feet over my head.)

My wonderful family & friends were so helpful in executing this wonderful party. My cousin helped me go grocery shopping, My aunt-in-law picked up cupcakes, My friend Lisa took me to Costco, my sister-in-law picked up balloons and my other sister-in-law hand crafted (among other things you will see later) every decoration we had along side me. In fact- we were in Michael’s racing through the aisles about 10 minutes before they closed last night to recreate the birthday banner I bought on etsy and never actually received. We did it by hand and were finally ready for sleep around 1 AM.

Then- at 8 AM we were back at it. Driving and getting tables and chairs (thanks hunny!) when my POS HOA decided to not have any tables in the party room for us- decorating EVERYTHING IN SIGHT including the men’s restroom, because really- who DOESN’T want to look at some paper robots while you use the urinal?

Everything looked great.
Everything tasted great.
My back is fucked and I probably won’t be able to walk tomorrow.
I was stressed the entire time.
Did I mention that legitimately 80 people were there?
Yeah, it was crazy.

Then, my mom & step-dad took baby home with them. We hadn’t opened Hudson’s gifts because really- 80 people bring with them a copious amount of gifts and I doubted anyone wanted to stick around to watch us open gifts for 5 hours.

It ended up taking 3 hours, btw.

Now I am laying on the couch hoping that someone will send me pictures for this event for my life & of course, so I can show you all my decorations!!

There is NO WAY I coud have been in charge of a camera today, as Hudson for the very first time in his entire life would go to NO ONE but me for most of the party. So I waddled my giant pregnant ass around carrying him and leaving the pictures to my SIL & cousin, who are much better with a camera than I am anyways.

The only shitty part? I would basically do anything to be sitting here sifting through the pictures. And when I get the pictures from them, they will most likely “edit” the ones out they don’t like- which makes me have to choose the pics I like out of the ones THEY like. But, of course I appreciate the fact that they took the pictures to begin with so I won’t complain.

After everyone starting heading home, my friends & family did a wonderful job of doing most of the cleaning for us allowing me to sit for a few minutes. (But, don’t worry- I cleaned a ton too!) Then the final 5 or 6 people packed up all Hudson’s gifts, the leftovers, the decor, etc and drove it to our house and unpacked it into my house(we live on the second story).

I am so grateful. I appreciate so much everyone who helped, who came and hung out, who had anything to do with my son and his entire first year, which is coming to an end in 4 days! I could not ask for a more supportive group of people around us. We are entirely too freaking lucky.

Pics to come as soon as someone sends me some- and now?

I am vegging out on the couch while husband polishes this bottle of scotch. I’d join him if it was allowed! <3

I mean, when I first met my husband (I was all of 14) I would have pretty much done ANYTHING to avoid that preppy horrible vile everyone-looks-like-clones Gap. I was perfectly happy in anything with a band name (my seventh grade pic featuring a HOLE t-shirt sums it up.) or plastic skirts (ala Cher from Clueless. I had at least 4.) or anything belonging to my mother in the 70s, my father in the 60s or my brother- who at the time was like 4 or 5. There were multiple occasions when I’d wear a shirt meant for a toddler and end up having to CUT IT OFF when bedtime came.

Anyways, this part is only important because somewhere along the lines, my husband convinced me that Gap was awesome. I think since he is a bit conservative, he probably loved the fact that I dressed like *insert here* but once we were dating probably preferred that I look like everyone else in my high school.

At that point I had successfully merged that off-limits prep style with my own and we were at a happy medium that until I got epically fat. And then I had “nice sweats” for going out. But that’s a whole other story.

The point- when I found out I was pregnant I pictured my child dressed in a certain fashion. I didn’t want him or her to be like every kid. I HATE baby clothes! (or so I thought) But at some point it happened. I FELL INTO THE GAP!

And luckily, most gift givers are also Gap lovers. So, Hudson gets a TON OF GAP STUFF. At Christmas he even got doubles of stuff. (how original!) prompting me to have merchandise credits over $250.00!

And last night- we went in to Baby Gap and bought these super DUPER cute items. It was even cooler because, after spending wayyyyy too much- I still walked out with my wallet UNTOUCHED!

Because HELLO! His birthday party is robot themed and ORANGE. WIN!

Hi there, little orange skinny jeans. Sawyer cannot wait to be 6-12 months and to rock these with little black cons and a cute t-shirt.

Luckily, she will have this little jumper to hold her over till the skinny jeans fit. Size 3-6 months. With matching diaper cover. I DIE.

Anyways. I love Baby Gap. I am going back today even. It’s definitely a problem & when my credits run out, I will be cut off. Which, really- makes me quite sad.

Herrrrrohhh exhaustion!

Today is Thursday, which means Hudson’s party is in two days. Sweet. Except I am really not prepared. Scott laid into me last night as I was melting down over all the details & such. Most husbands, I assume, are much more sympathetic- but that’s not my hubs style. I’m cool with it usually because I don’t need anyone’s sympathy. EXCEPT RIGHT NOWWWWWW. lol. He says I am making a way bigger deal of this party than needs to be made and I am trying to make a flawless party and he is worried I’m gonna freak out when it isn’t perfect. Awww. How sweet- SYKE! (Yeah, I went there.)

This dilemma started when he told me next year, for the twins first birthday, I am not to invite as many people. Yeah, we are somewhere between 75-80 yeses for Saturday. Now, plenty of people have said yes that may end up flaking, but I need to prepare for 80 people. That’s a lot of food. I would also like to explain that my parents are both divorced and remarried. My step-parents have family, that have been in my life for years and years. My mom? one of 7 children. Who all have kids. And I am close with my cousins. Oh, and my grandparents! They are divorced as well. I also having great grandparents. And that’s just my mom’s side! My family tree has many many copious branches and while I wouldn’t have it ANY OTHER WAY- it makes having a small party nearly impossible. My family alone is close to 50. Then, we have friends! And wow. This list got outta control quickly.

Anyhow, we live in an area that has an HOA, which sucks ass most of the time but they do have a lovely party room which I have used a few times. It costs money, of course, because the million dollars a month I pay isn’t enough. Oh, and the decor of this party room? Yeah- there is framed pictures of raccoons. Needless to say, I have QUITE a bit of work to do to make this place presentable for the party that starts at 12 on Saturday. And even though no one has rented the room for Friday, the HOA will not allow me to go decorate a day ahead of time (even in my condition) without paying an additional $50.00. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING!? And Saturday? Can’t get in till 8.

Even better then ALLLLLL that is the fact that I have to prepare food for 80 people the morning OF the party, because my fridge won’t hold the food and I am not allowed to even put food in the giant empty party room fridge until 8 AM Saturday. Thannnnnkkks.

So, I am currently wondering how this is gonna work.

8AM we get the key to the place.

I have to go decorate which will probably take an hour, maybe more.
I have to drive 10 miles away to pick up my balloon order.
I have to prepare food for 80 people.
I have to look presentable by 11:30 and be back at the room in case people are early.

Any suggestions?

Oh, and in case you are reading Kirsten: STILL NO BANNER!

So, that’s my complaint re: 1st birthday party.

Don’t worry, more posts are coming today and I promise they will not be so whiny. I will get to them as soon as I pick up the house. Hudson is with my step-mom for a few hours so I can rest. Too bad this morning he spent throwing toys and dog toys and cat toys ALL. OVER. THE. ENTIRE. HOUSE. So, by the time I am done picking up, I am almost sure he will be returning home. Just in time to create the mess all over.

How is it that I’m not in the hospital yet?

This, my friends- it scares me. Only because I was SOOOOOOO looking forward to installing my new (OK, HUDSON’S new) car seat on his birthday. It would face front. I would smile in the rear-view mirror and think- ‘wow. What a big boy you have become!’ We could interact and share a laugh or silly face at a traffic light and I dunno. That was my dream.

The car seat we purchased is actually (I think) new on the market, and it was purchased because next year around this time my poor car will have to line up THREE car seats in the backseat to accommodate my now 3 kids, the oldest being two and still very much needing a car seat. So, we had to find the slimmest car seat we could. It’s really cute too, which helps me in most my decisions because I have a problem and am apparently way too vain. I like my stuff to look good. Something has too- and it’s certainly not gonna be ME any time soon. So, I keep my kid stuffs pretty, well, pretty.

Anyways, now, my zeal for the forward facing car seat is being questioned. And don’t worry, it’s not JUST BabyRabies’ blog making me rethink this. My neighbor has a 2+ year old (like, maybe 29 months?) and she still has him facing the rear of the vehicle. She told me she has seen videos that made her want him rear facing as long as possible.

So, I googled it. I gotta tell you all- I am NOT going to watch any video where kids are being hurt because it scares me too much. But, it does appear that the consensus is that your child should be rear-facing as long as possible. I’m sad.

Why then does this new car seat say it’s front-facing orientation is suitable for toddlers over 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds? Why do they give me that 13 pound overlap in the instruction booklet that basically says “make up your own mind”? I NEED RULES. I NEED STRUCTURE. I don’t want to be the decision maker, especially if it could lead to me making the WRONG decision.

My other issue is that- HELLO! When we were kids- we basically got carried home in car seats resembling 5 gallon buckets, front facing, if AT ALL and we all made it long enough to blog about our own kids 25-ish years later.

I was even in a significant car crash while in a car seat with my mom in the 80′s and I wasn’t totally injured because I was front facing.

Fads in parenting seem to come & go- and I am totally confused as to what is right for me and my family. Once upon a time Doctor’s told women that formula was healthier for baby. Now? Gosh, if you don’t breastfeed people totally freak out. My point is: how do we know that in 10 years a NEW study won’t come out saying that rear facing car seats causes some other issue, or wasn’t as safe as they originally thought?

And in the meantime, should I give up my dream of my 1 year old (at maybe 20.5 pounds -fully clothed) facing forward, even when the instructions SAY that it is OK? Am I really doing my child the disservice that everyone claims? HELLLLPPP.

I walked away with two new items for Sawyer (Yes, I know- Hudson & Truman are ALREADY getting the shaft)

Too bad my $8.00 didn’t get us very far. I walked out $50.00 poorer even AFTER my big $8.00 credit. ON TWO ITEMS. Scott was not happy. AT ALL. Anyhow- I won’t be going in there anytime soon.

I just think he’s the cutest. <3