I always fancied myself the kind of mom who would make really cool, crafty Halloween costumes for my kids. Or at least shop for really cool, creative costumes. But so far, that’s just not the case. This is Alex’s third Halloween that he has worn a hand-me-down get-up—last year it was a bear; this year it’s a fireman (or a pirate...we have both so it’s going to be a game-time decision). The costumes are from my cousin Katie’s son and they are super-nice—she buys them at Pottery Barn and has taken great care of them—but I still can’t help but feel like a copout….

We tried this on last night. Pretty cute, right?

On my babymoon when I was pregnant with Alex. It was
heavenly...

As I mentioned on Monday, one of the things I want to accomplish before the baby is born (in three months—yipes!) is a little getaway with Nick. I’m anticipating our relationship may take a hit when baby Ruddy number two arrives so we may as well enjoy each other’s company while we still can, right?

I found out I was pregnant on May 1 and since then I think I have worked out maybe three times. The first trimester I was just too tired and nauseated (and busy eating Cheetohs and bagels to combat said nausea) and then all summer I was too slammed with work and now, well, now I’m just lazy. I didn’t work out a lot with Alex but I did walk a lot more than I walk now (I lived in NYC, I had no choice!) and I just felt…better. So far I’ve gained the exact amount of weight that I gained with Alex at this point but the problem is my back. It hurts like hell.

I’m doing some organizing—I’m in a back-to-school mode, despite the fact that I haven’t been in school in almost 10 years—and that means trashing a lot of stuff I don’t need. I have a huge bulletin board above my desk and it’s littered with old invites, expired library program calendars and…baby announcements. That means there are also a ton of those little two-inch-by two-inch photos of teeny, tiny babies floating around.

Opening his present this morning -- he was very excited!

He got a scooter…he’s already fallen 12 times (whoops!)

Today is the big 0-2 for my little man. Unbelievable how fast time has flown, and at the same time it seems like he’s been a part of our lives forever. Just like it’s hard for me to remember my life pre-cancer, it’s hard for me to remember my life pre-kid. (I think it involved a lot of effortless travel and fabulous restaurants and sleeping past 7 a.m.)