Questions for Jenni (Part II)

More answers to your questions...

1. Do you have a routine with both babies?
Yes! Carter is very {very} routine oriented {just like his mama!} so we have a routine for everything. While on maternity leave, we would go crazy hang out in the mornings- watch movies or play with toys, etc. I'd start lunch around 11ish, we'd eat around 11:30, then I'd change Carter and we'd watch baby crack Baby Einstein sing-a-longs from 12-12:30 ending with "Twinkle, Twinkle" {Carter's favorite} and then I'd put him up for a nap. He never fought me on this because he knew the routine. We'd do our usual handshake of "sweet dreams, kiss kiss, high five" that Carter made up and then he'd go right to sleep.

As for Brynn, she'd eat every 3 hours. It usually didn't interfere with the lunch/nap routine that we had, but sometimes it did, which just pushed everything back a little bit. No big deal.

After Carter's nap, he'd get a snack and juice and we'd sit and watch Ellen together =) This is really the only show of mine that I can get him to watch and it's obviously because there is so much music/dancing.

At night, Carter gets his bath around 7pm and his milk around 7:30 and he sits with me while he drinks it. We then go upstairs for "cuddle time" and we read Goodnight Moon. He usually falls asleep in my bed and then I take him down to his crib where he sleeps the rest of the night.

Brynnie Girl is a bit young for a real routine, but she usually eats every 3 hours. She has 3 wakeful periods, one in the morning, one in the afternoon {usually during Carter's nap}, and then again after dinner. During those times, she LOVES to talk and smile, hang out on her activity mat, do some tummy time, and hug and kiss her mama :) We tend to give her a bath later {around 9ish} so that she can eat and then go to bed for the night. Sometimes she wakes up around 4am and sometimes she doesn't. I think she's well on her way to really sleeping through the night for good =)

2. What do you find hardest about 2 under 2?
The hardest part of having 2 under 2 is, by far, when they both need you at the same time. It doesn't happen all that often {maybe once a day} but you can only do so much. Sometimes one has to cry while you're helping the other one. It makes me sad {and I always say things like "Mommy's coming Carter" or "I'll be right there Brynnie, hold on girlfriend!"} but really, you're only one person. Unless it's a true emergency, the other baby will be just fine for a minute until you're able to get there...

3. How do you do bedtime with both kids?
Well I sort of answered this in #1, but I usually have Carter and Bob will take Brynn. We're both involved in bath time with the kiddos, but after Carter is finished with his milk, I take him up to cuddle while Bob spends some time with Brynn. Once Carter's asleep, I'll come back down to hang out with Bob and the baby.

Brynn is still sleeping in our room, so we'll give her a bath later and then take her up to our room to feed her. She usually falls asleep soon after eating, so I'll just put her in her bed next to me. I'm not sure when we'll be moving her to her room. I'll probably start to transition her to her crib {we'll start with naps} sometime after vacation.

4. Would you mind if I used Brynn's nursery design for my own nursery one day?
Absoutely not! =)

5. Can you do scrapbooking templates for 9designs?
Email me and I'd love to create something for you!!!

6. I'm with everyone else who thinks you should blog full time. Can you blog everyday... please?!
I try my best to blog at least 3 times a week. I start to feel disconnected if I don't! I also enjoy going back and reading what was going on during each month, so it's a great way to keep myself informed as well =)

I'll try to blog more though! I also want to start coming up with topics that have nothing to do with pregnancy, labor, delivery, or my kids, but it's hard when it consumes your life. The mama's out there know what I'm talking about. I promise to try, though =)

7. What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas. By far. I start to celebrate Christmas sometime around October 1st. I'm not kidding. My college roommate actually had a rule that I couldn't put up Christmas lights or listen to music until after Halloween {which limited me to only listening to Christmas music in my car. And in the shower.}

8. When did you know your husband was the one? :)
From the first night I met him. It may sound strange, but I knew right away. It was November 2, 2001 and I had gone to a party with a friend. Said party happened to be at Bob's house. Well, I ended up talking to him the entire time... he was so funny! We exchanged phone numbers and AIM screen names {classy} before I left and on the drive home, I remember thinking that I couldn't wait to see him again.

The next night, he invited me to the movies {via AIM} with a group of friends {to see 13 Ghosts... I effing hate scary movies, but I went anyway because I was so excited} and I made sure to get in the movie line right behind him so that we could sit next to each other in the theater.

One thing led to another and I ended up hanging out with him everyday for a week. The following Sunday, November 11, 2001, we decided to start dating, officially. =)

We've been together ever since, with no break-ups or anything in between. Bob proposed on Thursday, May 26, 2005 and we were married November 11, 2006!

9. If you could live anywhere where would it be?
Southern California. The only reason: I hate snow. But honestly, home is where my family lives... so where ever they are, that's where I'll be.

10. What is your favorite food?
I get made fun of a lot for this... To me, there are only 4 food groups: chicken, pasta, french fries, and cereal. Kidding. Sort of. {Why am I not losing weight?}

I really don't like to try new things. Ordering different items off the menu? No thanks. I pride myself in ordering the same thing at the same places. Over and over again. I could probably eat the same thing every night and be fine with it {as long as it's in the aforementioned food groups.}

But, to answer your question, my absolute favorite food item/meal is my mama's homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Even the smell of it is "home" to me. Yum.

And, now I'm hungry.

More answers to your questions asap... Keep 'em coming!

Have you voted today? =)

Questions for Jenni (Part I)

Last week, I decided to do a questions post and I'm so glad I did... you guys came up with some really good questions! I guess I'll start from the top...

1. How did you become friends with that awesome chick over at A Grande Life?
Steph and I actually met on The Bump over 2 years ago, when we were pregnant with our boys. I think we took a liking to each others' smart-ass comments around the 2nd trimester and we've been IFF's* ever since. We now talk everyday on G-Chat, see each other often, and she takes all my wonderful pro-pictures now! =)

{*IFF=Internet Friends Forever... it's what Bob calls any person that I've met on the interwebz. He thinks it's funny, but I've actually met A LOT of awesome girls from my Knot/Nest/Bump days.}

2. Have you ever thought about going to BlogHer, the big blogging conference for women?
I actually never even heard of this conference until Steph brought it up to me last year. It was something that I was considering until I got pregnant with Brynn. I'm still not sure what it is... I'll have to look into it {as well as the cost!} but if we can get a group together, I think it would be so fun to go! Good question, Mol!

3. Do you have any dreams to become a full-time blogger and quit your day job?
The short answer: No.
The long answer: Not really.
The honest answer: I don't think I'm that good. I do this more for myself, than anything. I use blogging as a way to keep a record of things that are going on in my life and keep family and friends informed. If I entertain a few people a long the way, then that's great. But I really don't see myself being a full time blogger in the future.

4. Do you want more babies?
Absolutely. Bob and I have always wanted 3 babies. Maybe it's because we are both one of 3 kids, or maybe it's because I could never imagine myself stopping at 2... but we 100% want at least one more baby. We also plan to keep the sex of baby #3 a surprise. I hope I can do it!! =)

5. If so, what would you name your next child?
That's a good question. I have no idea! I really like the name Dillon for a girl and I absolutely {without a doubt} LOVE the name Reid for a boy. Bob likes Dillon, but hates Reid. I'll really have to do my research for names next time b/c (1) we've already used our favorite boy & girl names and (2) we're not finding out what we're having so we'll have to come up with a name for each!

6. What do you do for a living?
I'm an Academic Advisor for a large University in Philly. I've been doing this job for 6 years and I love it. It was actually a very weird path that led me here... I graduated with a BA in Psychology and my first job out of college was at a psychiatric hospital. It was interesting but VERY scary. Bob hated me working there and actually encouraged me to find something new. I then became a Social Worker for the ARC... a very rewarding job, but it being a non-profit company, the pay was awful.

I then decided to go to grad school {while working FT for the ARC} and get my MS degree in Education. During my very first class, I mentioned where I had went to school {a small college in Richmond, VA} and a girl in my class {Erin} asked me if I knew her roommate, Angela. Ang and I played soccer together and she was my little sister in my sorority. It's so funny how 2 people come together. We ended up talking everyday and Erin told me about a job opening for an Academic Advisor position in her office. One thing led to another and I ended up getting the job {which also allowed me to go to grad school completely free of charge! Well, besides the taxes you have to pay on the tuition costs, but they're much cheaper than paying for school!}

So yeah, that got long. But I advise freshmen and sophomore Engineering students and I absolutely love it.

7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hmm, good question. Five years from now, I'd love to have a new house with my husband {still Bob, of course} and 3 beautiful kiddos! I'd likely still be working in my same {or a similar} job at the university. Bob also works here, so I told him at least one of us is here for life so that our kids can go to school for free! {What? College is expensive.}

8. What's your favorite color?
Blue. It's always been blue. And while we're at it, my favorite number is 9.

9. How did you first know you were pregnant...test, feeling, sypmtoms...for each of your gorgeous lovies?
With Carter, I had NO CLUE. I didn't have a single symptom. Bob and I had been trying for 2-3 months at that point. I had decided to take an ovulation predictor test to see if that helped, but it ended up being negative the entire month. I thought there was no chance of me being pregnant, but I decided to take a pregnancy test 3 days before my period. I was completely SHOCKED when it was positive. I remember looking at it with a blank stare and then I had to sit down on the side of the tub. I then ran up to tell Bob {it was bright and early on Sunday morning, November 18, 2007} I told both of my sisters right away {within minutes} and shared the wonderful news with our families 3 days later on Thanksgiving. =)

With Brynn, my belly knew before I did. It started growing at a rapid pace and I knew the day before I tested that I was pregnant. We were away at a wedding that weekend, so when we left bright and early on Sunday morning, I ran to the store and bought a test. Positive. A beautiful positive. It was Sunday, September 20, 2009. We then shared the news with our families the following Sunday.

You can read the whole story {with videos} here.

10. Let's combine all of Kacy's questions, shall we...
-Who is your favorite sister? Not Kacy
-Who is the funniest person in your family? Not Kacy
-Who is the best looking person in your family? Me, of course.
-Who is the coolest person in your family? Definitely not Kacy.

And, on that note, we'll save the rest for next time. If you have more questions for me, feel free to ask {either in the comments section of this post or here.}

Have you voted today? =)

Jenni from the Blog

Hi. I realize that you guys don't know much about me, so I thought I would do the (somewhat nerdy) list of 100 things about ME. Here we go...

1. I am extremely close to my family.
2. My parents are about to celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary in February.
3. I have 2 sisters.
4. My older sister is Kristi.
5. She's 31.
6. My little sister is Kacy.
7. She's 26.
8. I'm 29.
9. Bob's 28.
10. I guess I like younger men ;)
11. My sisters and I were all married within 18 months of each other.
12. Kacy and Ryan were married first- May 14, 2005.
13. Kristi and Matt were married second- June 9, 2006.
14. Bob and I were married third- November 11, 2006.
15. I hate being at work all day because I miss Carter too much.
16. I feel lucky that he's with Bob's mom on Monday's and my mom the rest of the week.
17. I smother Carter with kisses for the first hour that I am home everyday.
18. I think he hates me.
19. Nah, he really loves me and thinks Bob and I are hilarious. (at least someone does.)
20. I love Bob's family.
21. Bob's sister, Brianna, is a sophomore at a prestigious art school.
22. Brianna is the greatest artist. Ever.
23. I went to college in Richmond, VA.
24. I majored in Psychology.
25. I was a starter on the varsity soccer team all 4 years.
26. I won all-conference and all-state player awards.
27. I was Rookie of the Year my freshman year of college.
28. I was in a sorority- Kappa Alpha Theta.
29. I graduated in 2001.
30. My first job out of undergrad was at a psychiatric hospital.
31. It was scary.
32. Bob didn't like me working there and neither did I.
33. After 7 months, I left that job to work as a Case Manager.
34. I worked there for 2 years.
35. I then left to work at a large University in Philly as an UG Academic Advisor.
36. I started Grad school at the same time.
37. I was an Adjunct Professor.
38. I majored in Education.
39. I earned my M.S.Ed in 2006.
40. I graduated with a 4.0.
41. I now work as a Graduate Academic Advisor.
42. I hope to, one day, teach elementary school.
43. I have a dog named Kaiser.
44. We call him Kai (or Ka-Kai).
45. He is a German Shepherd.
46. He'll be 3 in May.
47. Yes, we have parties for him.
48. Yes, we wrap his Christmas presents.
49. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Clearly.
50. My favorite color is blue.
51. I would have decorated the nursery in blue, even if we had a girl.
52. We want 3 kids.
53. Our girls name is Brynn Sophia.
54. Our (next) boys name is.... still up in the air.
55. I hate that my 2 best friends live so far away.
56. Both of them- Liesl and Cheryl- live in VA.
57. They live 4 hours away from me.
58. They live 4 hours away from each other.
59. Seinfeld is my all-time favorite TV show.
60. I quote it daily.
61. I can't wait to play the Seinfeld Scene-it Game.
62. I also quote movies on a daily basis.
63. Usually only my sisters "get it."
64. We are the crazy people that shop on Black Friday.
65. I have a slight obsession with Dunkin Donuts.
66. We call it "Schmunkin"
67. We have odd names for everything.
68. We refer to Chinese food as "China Man" (as in- "do you want China Man tonight?")
69. Yes, we are weird.
70. My mom is the best cook in the entire world.
71. My favorite smell is her homemade pasta sauce.
72. It smells like "home" to me.
73. Bob's mom is an excellent cook as well.
74. Bob loves to cook.
75. I hate cooking.
76. I feel lucky that I know so many great cooks.
77. Now I need to lose weight.
78. Bob and I bought a fixer-upper in 2006.
79. We have remodeled nearly every. single. room.
80. We took on the kitchen first and it looks beautiful- I'll show before and after pics later.
81. Next up is the upstairs bathroom.
82. We can't wait to take a sledge hammer to the pepto-pink and light grey tile.
83. We'll start in February or March.
84. I'm obsessed with great photography.
85. I set my alarm for random times.
86. For work, it's set for 6:02am.
87. I grew up in New Jersey and still live there. (and love it.)
88. I love going out to dinner.
89. I'm a little obsessed with wine.
90. I want to steal my parents house because I love it so much (it's a 150 year-old Victorian on an acre of property in the middle of town.)
91. I grew up in a house full of people at all times.
92. I love having a lot of people around me.
93. My mom owns a daycare.
94. Her oldest daycare kid is now 34.
95. My sisters and I loved having all the kids around when we were little. (and still do.)
96. I'm the funniest person I know.
97. Just kidding... Kacy's the funniest person I know (sorry Kris!)
98. I love Philly sports teams.
99. I love Bob, Carter, and both our families.
100. It's really hard to think of 100 things about myself, but I made it.

The end.