40 weeks and counting

Been awhile since I have written but as I left my doctor's appointment this afternoon my mind was swirling with all that's going to happen over the next few days and all that has happened over the last nine plus months. I just needed to write and get it all out.

At 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant I had my (didn't know it at the time but could have assumed) last doctor's appointment of this, my second, pregnancy. I went in, I think, hoping for some magnificent diagnosis of - "you're miraculously 8 centimeters and ready to have this baby any second - how have you not felt any of this?" HA! Who was I kidding? There's nothing going on...little dude likes it just where he's at.

So...that leaves us with induction. I guess I could have put my foot down and said. "induction, no way!" But I didn't. There's a big part of me that's just ready - ready to meet the little guy (and finally have to decide on a name), ready to have my body back, ready to be able to sleep on my stomach and wear normal clothes. Maybe that's selfish, but I honestly think that with all that has been going on, having Baby #2 will just bring things back to a level of normalcy that I can handle. I know, you're thinking, ummm....brand new baby + normalcy? Well...at least we can get into what will be the new normal. Steve, Becky, Ally, ?? - our new normal family of four. (I can't wait for this - probably the most exciting part.)

Then there's the whole "oh crap - induction's going to hurt." Well, I managed to make it through last time, induction and all. Granted, my water broke and I fought the introduction of pitocin tooth and nail until I had no other choice. Maybe this time will actually be easier? HA! (What a wishful thinker I'm being.)

Back to the induction. Monday morning at 6:30 I check in at the hospital. Doc says with my history and how "ready" my body is, I could have him by 2. I'm not going to be so wishful, but she's the doc, not me. So, this weekend, I pack the bag, give my "only child" her last "only child" lovin's (why am I so sad about this?), make sure the baby's room is ready to go, bills are paid, house is clean - whatever else I can fit in.

That means little "Darryl" Carroll will probably be born on Monday at which time he'll have to have a real name. Steve and I have some discussions to have this weekend. October 4th, 2010 for the newest Carroll.

Then I'll be the mom of two. I've always wanted two kids, but now that we're on the precipice of actually having two I'm a little nervous. I know what everyone says "you'll love this one just as much," "they'll be such good friends," "imagine what it'd be like if you didn't have a sibling" (love you Matt - couldn't imagine that for a second). I know all the benefits, but it doesn't make it any less intimidating. I know I'm ready, just have a mind awash with all the crazy thoughts of motherhood.

And then you have the flip side. This is my last pregnancy. My last childbirth. My last newborn. Granted - this is all a choice - but two is enough for us. Steve grew up in a family of four and so did I. It just makes sense for us. That means no more kiddos for us. Little dude will be our last.

All that's left is - well - I guess all that's left is the rest of our lives. The exciting part. This pregnancy and birth are just small blips on the timeline that is our future as a family. And that...makes me smile.

Can't wait to meet you, little guy...

~Becky

34 Weeks and counting...

While I sit here in my 34th week of pregnancy number two, I am feeling wholly unprepared for the arrival of Allyson’s little brother (he still doesn’t have a name – and no it’s not Darryl.) In the midst of escrow (we’re set to close August 31st), we’re making every attempt not to buy anything, use our credit cards or make any major purchases. But as D-Day approaches, I’ve been making lists of the things that he’s going to need – that we don’t have. Might be a little odd to use my blog as a To-Do List, but when I have the urge to write, I guess all who read have to suffer along with me (and help me make sure I’m not missing anything.)

When Allyson was born I knew that we were going to have a second so I made sure to get most of the “big” items in a gender neutral color so that we could re-use them. I am incredibly thankful for that foresight now because I could not imagine buying some of these things again. I already have – in bright green – the car seat and stroller. We have a swing and bouncy seat as well as a Jumperoo and high chair.

Here’s what I still need (and am starting to freak out about):

Bedding – we have it narrowed down to two different options (I think.) One set is called “Wings.”

And the other is called “Lil League.”

I think we’re leaning towards the “Wings” set. He’ll be able to have sports stuff later on in life if he wants. All Allyson’s bed set will be passed down to her little brother. So, I already have the crib and changing table along with the dresser. (Note the other big cost – this means my kid now has no bedroom set – yikes!)

I also need to get another monitor. In the new house, the kids are on the complete opposite side of the master bedroom. I don’t really love it (but I know I’ll get there when they get a bit older.) So, I really think I’m going to want a monitor in her room as well as one in the baby’s room – at least while she gets to know her room and the way to Mommy’s if she needs me in the middle of the night.

My diaper bag was destroyed in the last year, I really beat it up. Plus it was pretty girlie. I found this Timi & Leslie bag online at Zappos.com (have I mentioned how much I LOVE Zappos?)

This item isn’t deathly important, but now I’m heading into “nice-to-get” zone.

I’ve also done a little bit of research on strollers. We hardly ever use a stroller now, but I’m thinking that with two I might need/want/use one a bit more. I really wanted to find one that I could attach the carseat too, but that would also allow for Ally to ride along as well (she’s not all that keen on being strapped in a stroller – she’s my big girl.) I found one online by Joovy called the Caboose Ultralight Stand-On Tandem Stroller. It’s a pretty cool idea. The infant is strapped in the carseat in front and then the toddler child gets to ride or sit behind. Again, a “nice-to-have,” I’ll see how desperate I become when I start to venture out with the two of them.

And then there are all the little things that I know I’ll use but don’t have my shelves stocked with yet. New binkies – I love the NUK ones. New nipples for bottles – for when I go back to work. Milk bags, a new bath sling, diapers…you know – all that little stuff. I’ve been shopping since I found out we were having a boy (I know – shocker to all of you) for clothes and I went through all Ally’s old clothes looking for gender neutral items. I think I’m all set on onesies – that’s about all I was able to separate out. I see now that my daughter was a pretty girlie girl. (No wonder she was so cute! Wait a minute, she’s still cute.) I have all the stuff I have bought him in a bin but really have no idea what kind of inventory of size I have. Once we’re in the new house I’ll line it all up and see where I need to fill in.

I’m sure I’m missing stuff, but I know that I’ll be able to wing this one a little more. I mean, I’ve already had one – I know what I’m doing, right? All this stuff will fall into place as we get into the new house, as the baby arrives and as life as we know it moves into a more normal routine. At least a girl can hope, right?

~Becky

First Swim 2010

After a few errands and housekeeping, we ventured out to the pool for the first swim of the season. Here are a few of my favorite pics from today.

Ally checking out the water in her new giraffe swimsuit.

And getting a little braver. (The pool temp was 80 degrees - not frigid but not exactly warm.)

Then she was all over it. I think we're going to have a little fish this summer.

See ya next time....

~Becky

Days Three and Four

Right now I'm sure there are fives of you out there waiting to hear an update on the "Great Potty Training Weekend." After four pretty grueling days - no cardio or weight lifting, mind you, but grueling none-the-less - I'm still not quite sure we're anywhere close to potty trained.

As I sit here on the bathroom floor next to Ally while she plays in the tub I'm trying to think of what I've done since she was born that has been so rewarding and frustrating at the same time. Maybe it was breastfeeding. I had a pretty rough go of that one - mastitis after five days, an infant that really wouldn't latch, cracked, bleeding and sore you-know-whats for six months. But with nursing, there was really only the frustration of the act at the same time knowing that I was doing the right thing for her and my suffering wasn't all for naught. I don't know that I ever felt any sort of exhilaration when we got a good latch (or any other breastfeeding metaphor.)

In the case of potty training, however, the look on Ally's face when she successfully makes it to the potty is probably her best. Her latest statement is "Mommy, I win!" (Maybe that's because of the handful of Matchbox car "prizes" we've given her over the last few days for successful trips. Girl or not, she loves those things and they're cheap.) She totally gets that its a great thing to make it to the potty. In fact, aside from one accident out on the back forty at my parents house today because she was too busy playing with the dogs, we haven't had a #1 accident in over 24 hours. She even woke up from nap yesterday and today completely dry.

It's funny though. She really has moments when I see myself in her. A couple of times today I tried to congratulate her and she put her hand up and said "Shhh, Mommy, Shh" as in "seriously, it's not a big deal, I just sat down and peed." Cracks me up.

I can't relax though. Maybe this is the norm. For the last four days I have been entirely focused on making sure she's successful, doesn't have an accident and doesn't feel like she's in trouble when she does. I must have washed four loads of laundry this weekend just to make sure we had enough Tinkerbell and Minnie Mouse panties to make it through.

One good thing for the second part of yesterday and all of today was that we ditched the timer. It was really starting to piss her off. I think back to my college days and (forgive me Mom and Dad) playing Power Hour. (You know - that dumb drinking game where you take 60 shots of beer in 60 seconds - stupid, how many brain cells did I lose doing that?) Every 15-30 minutes that timer would go off and we'd either have a totally compliant little girl or a hellion that was saying "hell no are you taking my pants off." And I totally understand where she was coming from. The timer got really annoying. Today and yesterday Steve and I just kept a casual eye on the clock and watched her for signs. At this point, she knows when she has to pee and she knows how to hold it until she gets to the potty. We have 95% success here at least.

#2, however, is another story. The girl thinks toots mean #2. Pretty hilarious if you think about it. We have not had what my Dad is now calling "The Immaculate Poop." 0% success here. And I'm totally at a loss. For this reason I'm sending Ally to daycare in a PullUp tomorrow because I really don't want her to have a #2 accident there. I think maybe we need a little more time to put 2 & 2 (HA!) together.

I'm a little disappointed that we didn't accomplish it all during the long weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm SO very proud of her and how far she's come. Prior to this weekend she wasn't really showing any signs at all of wanting to potty train and to come from that to having #1 down pretty well is awesome. There's just part of me that thinks I missed some step during the "Great Potty Training Weekend" that would have assured a complete success. I really feel like I failed her in some regard. I know - its just potty training and the kid will get it eventually, but ARG! - what do I have to do????

Probably relax a little about it. :-)

To all of you who have been there, I know you feel my pain. To those of you who have yet to travel down this path, I hope you have success (including a happy kid and happy parents at the end of it all.)

For now, I'm going to get my kid out of the bath, put her in her Nite-Nite Panties, read her as many stories and sing her as many songs as her little heart desires and kiss her goodnight - cause this is one proud Momma and she deserves it.

~Becky

Day Two

More "Great Potty Training Weekend."

8:35am - thinking about switching the timer from every 15 minutes to every 20 or 30. She's starting to resent having to go sit on the potty so often and I really don't want her to hate it. So - maybe I'll try 30 and see how it goes.

8:50am - Ally has discovered the pile of clean panties on the counter. She has now decided that the Tinkerbell ones she was wearing are unacceptable and she needs a different pair. Oh lord, she now has 3 pair on at once. Whatever...

9:35am - We've had our first accident (and first potty of the day.) Ally yelled "potty" and ran for the bathroom. Too late. Panty #2 for the day.

10:45am - We're dressed and ready to go outside. Ally is wearing the first pair of pants she has had on in over 24 hours. I asked her "do you have to go?" She said no. As she stands by the door waiting for me to gather everything up she says "uh oh". (I'm beginning to hate that phrase.) Yup - you guessed it. Panties, pants and socks to the washer. I really think this one was my fault though. She hadn't really gone all morning. I should have waited until she went to take her outside. Oh well...I'm still learning too, right?

3:45pm - Took a nap with Ally. When the dogs started barking like crazy we both woke up. Ally looked over at me and whispered "potty." We made it. One pair of PullUps (or nite-nite panties as I'm calling them) saved for another time.

5:45pm - We were cruising along. Ally wad giving us a heads up that she had to go - I think she thinks toots mean #2. Steve and I were sitting on the floor watching Ally run around with her baby stroller when she walks up to us, squats and pees on the carpet. What the heck? Where did that one come from? We were totally rocking it.

As for panty count - I think I've lost track by now. Two more days to go before she's back at daycare - I'm nervous.

9:10pm - Ally and I are hanging out watching a show before bed time. Let me just say that with the last trip to the potty I ended up with poop on my foot. The perfect end to a fairly stressful day.

Is she going to get this tomorrow? Will there be some sort of epiphany? I know, I know - she's only two (almost two and a half) and this isn't easy for her. I know that she's on her way to getting it. She's just starting to listen to her body. Sometimes its a false alarm, and sometimes she hears it just a little late. I'm proud of her - and I do keep telling her that. I think I just need to relax and quit hoping for a miracle. We'll get there. And then, I'll just have to do it all over again with her little brother in three years.

Nite!

~Becky

Day One

Please refrain from reading should you not wish to experience the rundown of Day One of the "Great Potty Training Weekend." If you want all the gory details....read on.

Day One –

8:10am – We’re up and eating breakfast. I’ve set the timer for 15 minutes. At about minute 10, Allyson is playing on the floor with the dogs and I’m putting the dishes away. She said “Oh…” And…what do we have? A big flood of pee pee on the floor. One pair of Minnie Mouse panties down…

8:24am – Ally, from down the hallway, yells “poo poo!” We hurry into the potty. False alarm. I think she just wanted an excuse to play with toilet paper and flush the toilet.

9:36am – We’ve had a #1 and a #2 accident. I’m already frustrated. It’s going to be a long day.

9:55am – The 15 minute timer goes off. I ask her if she needs to go potty – even bribe her to go with a gummy bear. She adamantly refuses. I give in – go reset the timer for 15 minutes. What does she do? Pees on the floor. Great.

10:40am – 30 seconds before the timer goes off to sit on the potty she yelled “Poop!” We rush to the potty only to discover that we’d just gone pee in the panties. Onto pair number five.

10:42am – Allyson takes off her panties and puts them on backwards, inside out and with both legs in one hole. Awesome.

12:07pm – Success! Peeps on the potty. ~phew~ Timer set for another 15 minutes. Now we’ve got to get something for lunch.

12:14pm – Ally says “uh oh” and runs for the potty. Too late – onto pair number six. Am I delirious to think that we’re getting somewhere with the “uh oh?”

12:45pm – Another success (still only #1). Yes!

2:05pm – Down for nap in a Pull-Up. Will she wake up dry? Who knows. I need a drink.

4:30pm – We’ve napped (with a slightly wet diaper) and then laid around in my bed for a little while. (Loving Mommy’s bed is a new thing – need to nip it in the bud, but not during the Great Potty Training Weekend.) We came downstairs and sat on the couch for a moment so that I could check my email – remember it’s Friday, I’m working today. And…she piddles on the couch (sorry Mom!). YIKES! No biggie, we rushed to the potty and got cleaned up. Panty #7 on.

4:52pm – Since the couch accident she’s made it to the potty twice. Both times without the timer, just cause she decided she had to go. Dare I think we’re making progress?

5:03pm – We blew the #2. This momma knew that letting her go into the playroom by herself was a bad idea. That’s where she went earlier. Ugh – Panty #8.

The rest of the evening went on mostly like that. We didn’t have any more accidents, but by 8:00 it was bath, PullUp and bedtime. My only blessing was that Steve got home and I got a few breaks from being Eagle Eye Mommy.

For now, it’s off to bed. I’m exhausted but looking forward to tomorrow. It can only get better, right?

~Becky

Carroll Family 3.5

I've been promising to share recent ultrasound pictures of Baby Carroll #2 and I've finally found the time to do so. As you may have heard, the first perinatologist was right and we are having a little boy. Before I get to his name, here are a few pics.

Baby Boy Carroll Profile

Baby Boy Carroll's foot - too cute (a little creepy all skeletal looking though.)

I'll refrain from posting the picture that confirmed his "boyness" to prevent any future embarrassment for this little guy but be assured that when the tech said "here's a leg, and here's another leg and this - this is not a leg" we had confirmation of our little boy.

Those pics were from almost two weeks ago and today Mr. Carroll is about the size of a spaghetti squash. (Who compares to a spaghetti squash? Does anyone actually eat those? Or buy them in this form at the store?) So far this pregnancy has been pretty smooth. The morning sickness faded away between 14 and 16 weeks and I'm just starting to have to wear maternity clothes. Mostly tops - my pants still fit with a little help from the trusty Belly Band (love that thing!) I wore a pair of maternity jeans the other day and remember why I hated them so much. Those damn things have to be pulled up every time you stand up. I feel like I need suspenders!

Oh - name. I almost forgot. Well...after some serious consideration and input from family and friends...we've decided to go with Darryl. Yup Darryl Lane Carroll.

(And you if you believe that one - you're more gullible than I.)

We still have no idea. A friend at work threw out Darryl as a joke (at least I think it was a joke) and it has stuck - poor kid - I promise we'll come up with something soon. In the meantime, rather than calling him "the baby" or "him" we're calling him Darryl. Darryl Carroll - future NASCAR driver. (At least that's what that name sounds like to me!)

So stay tuned for more in the saga of the Carroll family.

~Becky

Decisions, decisions...

Should I get an eBook reader? I’ve been contemplating purchasing one for about a year now and I continue to struggle with it. It’s definitely a want versus a need, but this girl likes her techie gadgets (read: closet geek). I love to read, have a book in my purse or briefcase most of the time (usually one in both) and I thought that getting one of these new eBook readers might be something right up my alley.

I have a couple of reservations and I’d be interested to hear feedback from people who may have been in this boat or have actually purchased one.

1. I worry that I’ll miss the turning of the pages. The smell of a brand new hardcover, the crack of the spine when I first open it. Granted, buying an eBook reader doesn’t mean that I’ll never purchase a paper book again, but when you drop hundreds of dollars on one, my husband would probably be a bit P.O’d if I went out and paid full price rather than the cheaper eBook price.
2. I love to lend (and receive lent) books. There are restrictions with some of these eBook readers that even if I had a friend that had one as well, I might not be able to lend the books out. Granted, I’m sure publishers are none too thrilled with the lending book idea, but I get through a lot of great novels that way.
3. I stare at a computer screen all day. Is the last thing I want to do is come home and stare at another screen? These readers are not backlit so they’re very different than my computer screen, but it’s still an electronic screen. Between work, Blackberry and TV at home I think my eyes might fall out of my head.

I’ve only physically held the Barnes & Noble Nook. It was pretty cool. I like the size – can shove it in my purse and have a book always. Here are a few cool features of the Nook:

1. Ability to purchase content via WiFi and AT&T 3G wireless connections from any location in the US.
2. Ability to lend ebooks to others for 14 days.
3. Ability to checkout and read local library ebooks for free.
4. Ability to browse full ebook content while connected in Barnes & Noble stores.

Then there’s the Amazon Kindle. Cool features:

1. Been around longer than the Nook – i.e. the kinks have been worked out.
2. Longer battery life than the Nook.
3. Free book samples.

And the Sony Reader. Not really one of my top two – maybe not even worth the research to find out what’s good about it. Totally my prerogative.

I think I’m partial to the Nook, but that could just be because I’ve actually held it (and I’m a card carrying B&N member). I don’t know anyone with a Kindle and would appreciate any feedback from those who enjoy it. Hmm….what to choose? What to choose?

Or….do I hold off and wait for the next generation of eBook readers? Am I really sure I even want one? ARG! I’ve got a birthday and Mother’s Day this weekend and Steve is anxious to hear what I want. Maybe I’ll just say “screw it” and ask for jewelry….

~Becky

Ally's Music

I hear all these stories about parents whose kids are singing along with the ABC’s or Old MacDonald from a very young age. Allyson has never really done that. We listen to music – she LOVES the Little Einstein’s! I have a couple of little kid CD’s in the car and she always (always, always, always) requests the “Pop Song.” That’s code for Lollipop, Lollipop. But she doesn’t sing it. She dances around in her seat and yells at me “Mommy, dance!”

We go to her ballet class, which she loves. I sing to her every night before bed – songs at her request. It’s usually Farmer Goofy (the Disney version of Old MacDonald), Itsy Bitsy Spider or My Favorite Things. (Most of the time I have to sing all three.) But she has never belted out the tunes along with me.

Then we were sitting in the family room playing on the floor the other day and she starts dum-da-dumming. It took me a minute to make sense of it, but who would have known? The kid was singing (or dum-da-dumming) Eine Kleine Nachtkmusik. Not Baa Baa Black Sheep or Twinkle Twinkle – freakin’ Mozart! It had to have been one of her shows, we’ve been watching Little Einsteins DVDs on repeat lately. I think one of the kiddo CD’s in the car sings one of the songs to that melody too. Who knows where she picked it up? But I love it!

So…now I can’t get the darn song out of my head. I’ve been humming it all day long. I wonder what classical piece she’ll start humming next?

~Becky

Today was a good day...

Today started out well. I fit into jeans I haven't worn in months! Maybe the last eight weeks of morning (all freakin' day-long) sickness have been a good thing? Either way - I'll take it. Maternity clothes are in my near future, but this old pair of Lucky's will suit me just fine for the next few weeks.

Next, we got to go have another ultrasound. This is our second for this pregnancy. The first I had a few weeks ago to get a better determination of due date. (Remember - Baby #2 was a surprise so this Momma wasn't counting days.) Today's ultrasound was part of the genetic screening. This along with the blood draw that I did last week will help rule out any genetic abnormalities.

We got to the perinatologist's office and went into the room with a tech. I guess that for this genetic screening they send you an actual perinatologist's office for a high-tech ultrasound - not just the regular one at the lab.

Anyway, we got in the room and the tech started taking some pics of some fluid measurement at the back of the babies' neck. She was having a hard time getting a consistent number, not really concerning to us - we realized the baby was just laying in a position not conducive to this measurement. After about 30 minutes she went to show her pics to the doc. Guess they weren't good enough cause the doc came in a few minutes later to get the measurement herself. Within a few minutes - done.


Then...she asked us if we were interested in knowing the sex of the baby. Um...yes - we were, but you can't tell this early, right? She said "well - you can't be 100% certain at this stage but I have a pretty good guess." When a doctor says that she has a pretty good guess, I know that I would tend to believe her. Especially when it was not prompted. We didn't say "can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?" I mean, she does this for a living, right? So, we promised not to go out and buy bedding on her guess but said "sure, we'll take the news now."

We don't really care what we have either way. I've been thinking that a girl would be easier because we have all the stuff already. Steve is such a great "girl dad". I know how to do "girl" having done it once already. but then, a boy would be wonderful too. The nuclear family - Dad, Mom, Daughter, Son. Exactly like my family. She could torture love her little brother just like I do. ...back to the story...

The doc pulled up a picture on the ultrasound machine and said "see this swelling between the legs here?" We said "sure." (Do you ever really know what you're looking at in an ultrasound?) She said "well, when boys and girls develop they all have some swelling here, but at this far along in gestation this amount of swelling is probably not going to go away." Probably not? So that means ... BOY?

Yup - it meant boy.

So...we'll find out for sure in about 7 weeks, but we got a pretty good guess from the doctor that Allyson is going to have a little brother. We are off to find names for Baby #2. We're focusing more on little boy names - obviously - but we'll have a few girl ones picked out too. Just in case the next ultrasound comes back with something different. You never know.

~Becky

Carroll Family 3.1

It's been awhile since I have written anything. Sure, I stick around on Twitter and Facebook, but the urge to write has been missing. I miss it though. I write mostly for myself, but for some sort of record of the goings on in my life to have forever and to keep to share one day. So here's the latest from the life of Becky Carroll...

Allyson turned two in December and has been more and more fun every day. She's also developing some of those glorious Terrible Two Traits that I was hoping she'd skip. No such luck. The "no's" have arrived along with the whining when she doesn't immediately get what she wants. I thank goodness for a husband with much more patience than I have at times because I can just look at him with pleading eyes that say “if you don’t take over I’m going to muzzle her” and he jumps right in. Don’t get me wrong, we have very fun days. The last sunny weekend we had we played outside for hours, throwing the ball for the dogs, learning to ride a tricycle and making “lunch” in her little play house. I’m thankful for each one of them because they get this family through the days when we can’t get to bath, book and bed soon enough.

It could be the fact that work has been kicking my tail on a daily basis. The credit union where I work just announced a “mega merger” (Credit Union Journal term – not mine) with another like-sized credit union. When this will take place remains to be seen, but the ball has started rolling. Who will I work for? Will I still manage a team? Will I still manage my team? Will I even still have a job once the merger is complete? Who knows? Only time will tell and I’ll just continue doing my job well and hang on for the ride. I think managing a team makes it that much more stressful – especially for this still fairly new manager. Not only am I dealing with those questions myself, but I have to help seven other people work through those emotions themselves. I hope that getting through this makes me a better/stronger manager.

And then for the biggest (and best) news…we’re expecting! Baby #2 was not in the 2010 plans of the Carroll family, but life ends up working in strange ways and things just happen. I always wanted kids 2 ½ to 3 years apart and had resigned to the fact that it wasn’t going to work out that way. Well…somehow it was decided that my plan was to be – one way or another – and here comes Allyson’s little brother or sister.



I’m almost 12 weeks along and my due date is September 27th, 2010. In the throes of morning sickness that is different from the first time but sucks just as much, I’m trekking along in my second pregnancy. This one still feels a bit unreal. We planned on having Allyson – the surprise factor for this one has just thrown me for a loop. Either way, I can’t wait to meet baby number 2 and kiss all those adorable fingers and toes. And I know that Allyson is going to LOVE having a sibling. I know I do!

The other kicker? I’m a bridesmaid in my brother-in-law’s wedding on September 25th. (Mike and Morgan - I’m still SO very sorry for the timing!) So…will I be there in some maternity dress trying not to look like a hippopotamus? Will I be in the hospital after having just had a baby? Will I bring a couple-day-old baby to a wedding? Or will the worst thing possible happen – “does anyone have any objection to this marriage? Um….I think my water just broke”? Mike and Morgan have been so awesome. Mike’s take on it is that it’s going to be a story to tell no matter how it turns out. He’s such an awesome uncle – and looks forward to having another niece or nephew. I am so thankful to have these two as family. I volunteered to refrain from bridesmaid status, but they’ve both said that we’ll just play it by ear. So we’ll just see…

So…life is a little crazy right now like it is for everyone. We have to figure out things about our house. Do we stay here with two kids? Do we try to buy something else? Do we rent out this one and rent another? Lot’s of decisions to make. So stay tuned for another edition of the Carroll Family.

~Becky

Birthday Cake

I know that I'm the worst blogger in history. It's been over a month since I last wrote, but when you add the holidays, Ally's 2nd birthday and crazy work stuff into the mix, blogging becomes last on the list. So now begins the catch up. There are quite a few things I've been meaning to write about and share (I'll save you the groans and not head back to December and Christmas craziness) and Ally's birthday cake is one.

Last year we had Ally's ultra-ridiculous first birthday. Complete with custom invitations (which were super-cute by the way), designer birthday cake and 50 people. This year was much more low-key.

But we couldn't go the year without some sort of birthday cake. She's been really into suns lately. I don't know what it is. Whether its the first thing I drew when I started coloring with her, or just something she got stuck in her noggin, but the kid loves 'em. Whenever we sit down to color it's "sun?" When we go out to eat and get a kids menu with crayons, "sun?" "Ma-maw, sun?" "Poppa, sun?" "Daddy, sun?" We, of course, oblige and now we have suns drawn all over the house (and grandma's houses too.)

So when I thought about what kind of cake we should make her it came pretty easily. What I didn't realize was that my husband would get so into and eventually take over. For those of you who know Steve, not real surprising, huh? What did I end up doing - even though it was ALL my idea - baking the darn cake. That's it! Oh - and mixing the frosting. The rest is all Steve. He did a phenomenal job, and now I have to brag. Hey - maybe I've got my very own "Ace of Cakes."

He started out by taking three rounds and carving the sun.


Next, I made a really bright yellow frosting. Gotta love the KitchenAid mixer!


Steve frosted the cake on the stand and then transferred it to the board. (Which we made up out of plywood and foil - it was New Year's Day, there was no running to the cake supply store.)


And then the final product. There was so much cake we could have fed 50 people, but we only has a small family party. Everyone got HUGE chunks.


And here's the birthday girl enjoying the cake. She was way more into it than last year.

Let me know what you think. I think it turned out great!

~Becky