Intro
I am!! I am counting the days.
Pregnancy is truly an amazing experience. The body knows exactly what to do and how to care for the precious baby inside a woman’s belly. The process is so perfectly designed that near the end a pregnant woman is so sick of being pregnant that they actually look forward to labor, which in and of itself is not the most pleasant experience, to say the least. I am at the end.
I think the best way to describe exactly what it is that I am feeling is by imagining a roller coaster. My hormones are taking me for a wild ride that is causing such inflections in emotions that my husband finds himself continually confused as to what it is that I am actually feeling or wanting.
One minute I am complaining about all my aches, pains and about that fact that I feel like a cow and how quickly people are to point out that I am truly quite large. (Yes I can still fit in a car and yes I am sure there is only one baby and no I can’t and have not tried stacking items on my belly).
I come home crying from the doctor’s office because there isn’t as much progress as I was hoping and yet when I really stop and think about the fact that in three (plus or minus) weeks there will be a newborn living in our home I panic. I have had over 9 months, 37 weeks or 260 days to have this fact feel like a reality and the faster it approaches the more nervous and frightened I get.
One moment I would give anything to have this baby outside of me and the very next I am so completely freaked out about having two children that I just hope that baby number two decides to stay in his dark, warm and cozy womb for a couple more months until I figure out logistically how to raise two children.
When both children are screaming who do I deal with first? While nursing baby number 2 (a.k.a. Roman) and number 1 (a.k.a. Baron) is being disobedient how do I discipline while continuing to feed Roman so he won’t start panicking? How do I get both children out of the car gracefully and while avoiding having Baron run into the street? Do two kids fit in one grocery cart or will I be the crazy lady trying to push two carts through the store?
That is the roller coaster of my emotions. I hope you enjoyed the ride.
While one is dealing with such emotional chaos I have found that Chocolate Cream Pie really helps ease the mind. Flaky and buttery pie crust + dark and intense chocolate pudding + unsweetened whipped cream piled high = a heavenly combination that enables the mind to become settled while the taste buds are entertained and awakened.
Now normally I do not recommend the habit of emotional eating but in such extreme circumstances such as the end of pregnancy all rules are thrown out the window and the pregnant woman is allowed whatever her heart (belly) desires.
Recipe for my favorite flaky and tender pie crust
Bake shell completely and with pie weights (if available). 350* about 20-25 minutes
Chocolate Pudding Filling
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large egg yolks
3 cups whole milk
5 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened) chopped fine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon excellent quality coffee beans
Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, cocoa powder and yolks in a 3-quart heavy saucepan until combined well, then add milk in a stream, whisking. Add coffee beans to liquid to steep. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking, then reduce heat and simmer, whisking, 1 minute (filling will be thick).
Whisk in chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Force filling through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Cover surface of filling plastic wrap and cool completely, about 2 hours.
When both pudding and pie crust are completely cool fill pie shell with pudding. Cover pudding with a generous layer of unsweetened whipped cream. Top pie with dark chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, chocolate cookie crumbs, m&m’s, fresh berries or anything else you desire.
Note: I really am open and looking for suggestions as to how to live out daily life while having two children. If anyone has some brilliant tips and hints please share. I would be so grateful!
Farmer Ashley,
I am so excited for you. I know that the end is so nerve wracking…it doesn’t help when the good ol’ doc says “any day now” then it seems to just DRAG! I actually asked my last doc with my last pregnancy to NOT say that to me. (she still did) Anyway, You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Beautiful pics, I love the labels!
Carrie
I promise that you will learn to do it all, just as you did the first time around. I’ve found that the best thing I can do now that we have two kids is to leave extra time for everything…
When both children are screaming who do I deal with first?
It depends I would say – if Baron hurt himself, deal with him first, if he just wants attention, take care of the baby first. A friend once told me that the baby won’t remember but the toddler will, but I think it really depends… You will figure it out.
How do I get both children out of the car gracefully and while avoiding having Baron run into the street?
I took the baby out first (would not run, was even buckled into this baby carrier/car seat thing at first), then the toddler. Going back in the other way around – buckle in moving target/ mobile toddler first while baby is rocking away in car seat on sidewalk…
None of the hints are brilliant nor are they true in all situations, but I am sure it will work for you however you do it. My kids are close in age and now I can say that I appreciate it almost daily. They play together well enough and have more social skills than their peers without siblings or with more age difference (at least for now).
It will be FINE!!! Nonetheless – good luck ;-),
Alexandra
I feel your pain – really I do! 🙂 I have a 3 year old at home and am 8 months prego with our second little girl! I am seriously in the nesting phase right now and am utterly exhausted – so when I lie down at night my mind races with the exact things you just posted about. And yes – people are saying the same ridiculous things to me – although I HAVE out things on my belly! When I sit on the couch I put the remote on my belly and watch the baby kick and it flies right off me onto the couch. I am obviously easily amused! Since you are ahead of me – I can’t wait to see what you say re: your concerns above – please let us know what happens!!!
Forgive me a cruel chuckle! A wonderful thing about God is that He promises Grace for what we are dealing with, not what we are afraid to deal with. Wait for it. Grace will come. And don’t be afraid of the days when grace comes in the form of Amy or me taking the Baron child for a while. You know we are happy to!
Ha! Sorry, but I too laughed a little but ONLY because I’m in the midst of it all myself. 🙂 I do readily admit that the first few months were pretty tough, but only because my kids were/are terrible sleepers. When they sleep good, the world, well, at least MY world, is a much different and better place! 🙂 Emma adjusted pretty well so I never really had to worry about her hurting Jaden, which was/is really nice! And I found that the best idea as far as the whole nursing thing goes, is to make sure that Baron is occupied before you start like with a movie, a meal or snack, or an activity so that you are free to at least get one side done without interruption and then when you’re burping, you can take a min. for him again before you finish with Roman. It all works out! 🙂 (Adorable name by the way-Love it!! That IS his name, yes? I didn’t know you were telling it…) This could take awhile….you should just call me sometime. 🙂 I know that I have had to get used to being home more, which has been another adjustment for me, but I’m really starting to enjoy it. And since Spring is SUPPOSED to be here any day now….I will be able to get out for walks and stuff which will be nice. Oh yeah, and anytime people offer to take Baron for a few hours, especially in morning….take them up on it!! That was always nice for catching a few more zzz’s! 🙂 Very helpful! Hope to talk to you soon! Are you guys going to Julie’s on Saturday???
oh ashley… i know exactly what you mean. i’m not pregnant with no. 2 yet (i think!) but i think about that near future often. i have a hard time grocery shopping with 1 as it is… how to do it with 2 is a mistery to me. you will have to share thast with us. as we speak, i am typing and nursing my little one. yes, he is 21 months and still nursing. don’t know what to do about that either. i think about what will happen to my baking and my blog. will have to readjust priorities. but things resolve themselves and we should just let life happen. like you said, our body knows exactly what to do. enjoy the last three weeks and i am so excited for you!
Appreciate every minute, no matter how difficult it seems at times. It truly is over before you know it, and they’re grown. My suggestion is to make chocolate cream pie a lot!
I can’t believe you are about to give birth and are still coming up with wonderful recipes to post…amazing!
Well, I see someone already gave you some very helpful tips. I will say, though, that now that I have an (almost) 3 year old and a 15 month old I have figured out how to do some… but only some… things more smoothly. I totally agree with the above:
1. Get the baby out first, then the toddler. On the way back, in reverse.
2. I wish I could help you more on the feeding thing. Both my kids are adopted and were bottle fed so…. I propped and disciplined. I know. Bad mama. I kept a good eye on her though. And… don’t worry about it yet – but I’m finding the harder scenario to be: both need discipline – who do I tend to first?
3. I’m so happy to tell you! Two kids DO fit into the grocery cart! The bad news… not with food. That’s why we shop at Costco – thank you Costco for your wonderful big carts that fit kids AND food. For big grocery lists your Phil and Ted’s doubles kit and your hubby will be your best friends. 😉
Now, can somebody tell me what to do with a potty trained 2 year old that just got up from his nap and ran out to tell me, “Don’t worry mama, I took care of my poop.” Um…. thank you son?
I might need some of that chocolate cream pie.
i came across your blog by chance, loved your photos…I have 3 children all very close in age, and the wisdom i have found out, is that 2 children is a breeze, you’ll do fine. its the 3rd one that was the hardest. My 1st 2 are only 13 months apart, and it felt amazing, they were pretty much like twins, except i only nursed the baby. I miss being pregnant so much, i have friends who are pregnant and a sister and i tend to get very jelious and sad when i think that i am having no more children.
Good luck and God bless.
Thanks everyone for all the encouragement, advice and for laughing at me! 🙂
I have now gone so crazy that I decided that I wanted to potty train Baron before Roman comes along. YIKES!! We are doing a three day intensive program and so far not much sign of hope. But we will stick to it and keep on cleaning up the pee.
Thanks again! Keep the advice coming.
My hardwood floors are hating this three-day intensive potty training program. A lot of piddles and puddles getting used to BIG-BOY underwear!!
love,
your husband
Not to dampen your spirits….I say go for trying the potty training…but if it doesn’t work, don’t get too frustrated. I tried with my first son shortly before my second son was born and he was doing relatively well but then I had to take a break due to some health issues and when I started back in, he wasn’t interested….at all. He’s starting to work back into it now (it’s been 5 months) but it’s still slow. All that said, give it a whirl and hopefully it will take! Good luck! And be thankful you have hardwood floors….we have carpet :{
Oh man, as I read your post I get a glimpse of the future- but my baby#1 isn’t even walking yet! I am sure in the end we will figure it out just like the millions of women ahead of us. Hope your shower was (is?) fun.
One day at a time, but coming from one who had 3 in 4 years and I was sick that whole first year after having #3, it is true!! You will be amazed how quickly you will “learn” what each of them need! Anxious to hear his arrival! Love you!
Ashley,
You are still your teeny self, skin glowing and all smiley every-time we see you across the alley way and between yards. It’s baby Roman who’s getting so big, every week we see how healthy and strong he must be getting! Hang in there, chick-a-dee!
you are amazing to wade through this craziness and yet post beautiful pics/recipes such as these! thanks so much for the delicious pie recipe–I usually don’t even gravitate toward pudding anything, but this sounds so good, I’ll have to try it.
Congratulations on your new baby! I’m new to your blog, and I’m so delighted to find such gorgeous photos (food AND bebes!) and lovely writing. As a sage mom of two (now 11 and 8, whew!) I have to tell you to expect a challenging first year. But it gets easier, and soon your boys will be beating the crap out of each other and loving it. I don’t know how much time you’ll have to blog…but maybe you can work that in somehow, depending on how little sleep you need…
In the meantime, good luck, and congratulations again!
I don’t know if you’ll ever read this comment, I am pregnant with my second, I have a boy and am expecting a girl, just wanted to tell you when I read your posts, I recover sanity and I am able to enjoy my pregnancy instead of worrying. thank you!!!