James Benjamin is 20 Months Old!

I just realized that 20 months mean we're already in the 20s, which means we're close to 24 months, which means WHAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?  I'm not ready to say 2 years old! Let's hope these next 4 months don't fly by as quickly as the last ones.

This kid…and he's definitely acting more kid than baby these days.  Everything is an adventure to JB - something to climb, something to explore, something to turn on/off, something to take apart.  He doesn't ever stop moving, and now runs instead of walks.  He asks to water the plants every day, which is just his excuse to drench himself (and others) with the water hose.  He could live at the park, among all his piles of sticks.  He's become fascinated with trucks, and asks to read the "Let's Talk about Trucks" book multiple times a day. We always have to stop and look at real life trucks on our street.

He's also more and more independent every day.  JB doesn't particularly like you to do things for him lately (feed him, brush his teeth, wash his hands, etc), and I'm finding that - when I let him - he can actually do these things by himself.  He's really getting good with the fork. We're practicing with an open cup, and he handles it so well! (Until he turns it over and plays in the spilled milk - but that's another issue).  He really wants to put on his own shoes, so I'm hoping his new pair of Crocs will help him be successful (he tries so hard.)

At 20 months, JB absolutely loves:

• For you to smell his feet and say they're stinky
• Picking his nose (and other peoples' noses)
• Taking your hand to lead you wherever he wants to go
• WATER. The water hose, the sprinkler, the dog bowl, etc
• SHOES. His shoes, your shoes, other people's shoes.  (At the Chick-Fila playground the other day, he kept grabbing kids' shoes from the bin and running off!)
• Giving ferocious kisses on the mouth
• Rocking and cuddling at night
• Tom's toddler toothpaste

JB will throw a fit if:

• It's time to go inside
• He's confined, held down, or contained (in a high chair, car seat, your lap, etc)
• He doesn't get his way

Such a busy, busy little boy!  JB, you are so much fun right now!  But when you do calm down, you give the best cuddles, hugs, and kisses.  LOVE

Bumpdate - 25 Weeks with Baby Girl

How Far Along: 25 weeks
Total Weight Gain (so far): 19 pounds  (I gained a total of 22 with JB, so…yeah…)

(No Week 22 pic - sorry, Baby Girl, that was a craaaaaaazy week.)
(And, I promise I do fix my hair.  Just not that often lately.)

Sleeping: Only so-so (already).  Even though I'm exhausted, I've found that any little thing on my mind can keep me up all night.  And I have a lot on my mind!
Eating: On the road, I've had to really be careful about avoiding all the listeria-ridden foods (which feels like everything available to me).  But I'm getting in lots of carbs and fruits.
Craving: Cereal with fruit - I eat it every single night before bed (even though it probably causes my heartburn)
Wearing: Totally maternity.  I tried on a flowy, non-maternity top and it looked ridiculous.
Feeling: Can't really complain, because it's nothing terrible or abnormal.  Just tired and achy. She's very, very low, so I have a lot of sharp kicks that feel like she'll stick a foot out any day. (My doctor reminded me that wasn't anatomically possible, but it feels that way!)
Loving: The movement! Also, with our recent house decisions, she will have her own nursery.  Even though I promised James I would not yet start planning or "go overboard"…well, little white lies to your husband don't hurt, right!?  (I might have already ordered the glider because it was 10% off Memorial Day weekend and takes at least 6 weeks to arrive - totally justifiable.)
Missing: Cocktails, even though I don't drink liquor - they just look pretty and sound good!
Dealing With: Okay, I lied, I will complain a tiny bit - my back and body are an aching mess.  The belly band helps my back, but Baby Girl seems to hate it.  She kicks and pushes until I take it off.  I can't please everyone!

Best Moment of the Month: Receiving so much love, attention (and belly rubs) from all my colleagues this past month.  Especially in Latin America last week, where family and babies are so celebrated (even in a formal business meeting!)
Worse Moment of the Month: Lugging my suitcase through the airport for so many weeks.  I literally wanted to cry when I saw long security lines.  Fortunately this should be the last time I comment on business travel  - no more trips (I think…)
Looking Forward To: Surviving the move this month.  Although it's overwhelming to go through, I feel a great need to be settled and nested with my growing family, ASAP.

Previous Bumpdates:

• 16 Weeks
• 20 Weeks

Costa Rica!

Last week I left my boys and hauled the little gal (en utero) to San Jose, Costa Rica.  Not necessarily a pleasure trip, although I did spend 5 days with wonderful colleagues and in a great series of meetings focused on our Latin America business. I hesitate to say it was "just a work trip" because working is rarely that fun.  Or includes merengue and salsa lessons.

I didn't even bring my big camera, if you can believe it! With the 24 week belly in tow, I tried to lug as little as possible.  Here's all I managed to capture on my phone -

First, the view from my hotel room. Floor to ceiling windows, and the sun was fully up by 6AM.  (Every day I woke up in a panic thinking I was late to our meeting - it was so bright outside!)

The view from our meeting space.  It rained each afternoon for a few hours, but fortunately just while we were working.  (Meaning, didn't impact any fun evening activities)

I voted to hold all meetings on the rooftop deck, because, just look.

On Thursday afternoon, some colleagues and I took advantage of some free hours to take a quick tour of the city.  Although I have been to Costa Rica before (about 10 years ago with my parents, for a bird watching adventure) I hadn't seen much of San Jose.  This tour showed me all the highlights. 

Churches and Memorials

National Theatre 

Oldest hotel in San Jose

One of the many markets 

National Museum

Old Textile Factory/Now Girl's School

Our evening entertainment included dancing, of course, but also several fabulous dining experiences.  Like this dinner at the old monastery - check out the view!

The other highlights of my trip (besides the time with my Latin peeps, and seeing a new city) was the food.  Honest to goodness, I could not get enough food in my body.  Two and three trips to the breakfast buffet every morning, endless supply of fruit, snacks during the day. Everything was so fresh that I didn't even feel (that) guilty!! 

Breakfast - including the famous Gallo Pinto (black beans and rice) with plantains.

Whole wheat waffle with nuts and fruit. (And this was just at the airport!) Plus "cafe para la mama" or "decaf coffee" which everyone took upon themselves to serve me.  (Next time I will bring a doctor's note to say that I'm allowed a little caffeine!)

One night, a colleague had us over to her house for Salvadorian food.  Homemade papusas filled with cheese and pork - absolutely delicious!

I came home a few pounds heavier (will just blame it on the baby, not the 7 meals a day), about 10 bags of coffee, and a strong appreciation for our teams south of the border. I have been traveling like a crazy woman the past few months, but, as far as I know, this was my last scheduled work trip for the year.  I'd say it was a helluva way to end - such a great trip! 

Our Home, in Pictures

Things seem to be progressing well with the sale of our home.  We are currently under contract with at least one back-off offer, and I hear that's the best place to be.  Inspection is done and appraisal is underway - so we're working through all the things that can go wrong and sink a sale (based on my limited real estate knowledge).   We'll sign a lease on a rental home up the street (fingers crossed, this week), so at least the transition will not be as big. We're not ready to give up our neighborhood and neighbors!!

The pictures for the listing came out beautifully, and I wanted to share them here.  Not only for our blog readers, but also for us.  I always regret that I don't take pictures of my past abodes, because I realize you quickly lose memory of just how things looked.  Not with this house - we have professional documentation!

(Note: this is not really how things look all the time. Definitely staged, and the rooms are missing the abundance of picture frames, clutter, and baby/dog items that are normally all around.  Also, some photos cut off a lot of the other furniture or other wall space, so it's not nearly as bare as it looks! )

Front Porch

Front Yard (it's fake - highly recommend turf, if you hate lawn care like me)

Main Level

Front Entry and Informal TV Room

Formal Living Room

Formal Living Room - looks so good with a Christmas tree!

Dining Room

Kitchen

Kitchen (gonna miss that stove! And built in wine fridge!)

JB's Room

JB's Bathroom/Hall Bathroom

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

My attic office

Downstairs / Terrace Level

Downstairs playroom (JB's toys are stacked against the unphotographed wall)

Laundry Room - makes you actually enjoy the chore

Guest Room

Workout Room (the TV and my Jane Fonda videos on opposite wall)

Screened Porch

The BACKYARD

Patio

Such a beautiful home, filled with so many beautiful memories for our family.  I am sure going to miss her, but grateful that we got to spend 4 out of her 86 years within her grey walls.  (And I hope that the next family keeps her intact. If I see bull dozers over here after closing, I will come barricade myself to the white front pergola!!)