The child in my arms is 6.5 weeks old and my last post was his birth. Blush. Things are a leeeeetle busy around here.

He's super cute. He even smiles. See?

The preschool teacher the other day said she took a photo of me when we went apple picking, two days before his birth. She said the photo was amazing, from the side. I'm dying to see it but I'm sure I'll be horrified as well.

I'm actually at that point where I'm going to start giving him a bottle so that I can Get Out and do fun things like volunteer in a first grade classroom. Watch out world! Okay, and so maybe I will go out for dinner with the husband and have wine and stuff once in a while too. 

Just had the first grade conference with the big boy's teacher, and she says he's great. Funny and great vocabulary and all that stuff I like to puff myself up about. 

On Saturday I had a baby. His name is Dante Antonio and he's perfect. I had a c-section despite our efforts otherwise, but it all went smoothly.

A few interesting things.

The first mom of the 3 in our childbirth class had her baby recently, and she was going to have a homebirth. She ended up in a hospital she hardly knew, and had a c-section. Her baby had a double wrapped cord on her neck which prevented her coming down enough, and this is one of those cases. If they hadn't made the call, I'm sure they're all terrified thinking about that situation.

The reason I know all of this is because the teacher came to visit yesterday. She feels sort of bad - we're 0/2 on the c section front, and the other couple is a vbac couple as well. May they get their perfect birth. They were really worked up about their first c-section and I would love it if this one kind of atones for that.

The reason the teacher visited is because she was working with a doula client, and they were supposed to deliver at a hospital about 45 minutes away. But the baby was practically crowning and here we're about 5 minutes away. She delivered within 10 minutes of walking in the door. It was her fifth, I guess that's why you hear about the farmer ladies dropping babies in the fields.

Also, I found this a little strange. I have two brothers in law who live locally. Not a word of congratulations to myself or my husband or visits or anything. He called his twin because it's so weird, just to make sure he'd heard the good word, and it was "oh ya congratulations I guess". Not really, but that's the attitude we heard. Is that strange or what? Poor third kid.

We're going home today, a day early. I can no longer handle these 4 walls, these uncomfortable beds and chairs, and I miss my big kids. They come to visit pretty often but it's boring here and we expect them to behave and I just want to veg out and cuddle with them.

So I'm just over 37 weeks along and I've never been so ready to birth. It's not even that I feel bad (although last weekend I felt awful, I think it was a stomach bug or something), but that I have to go in 2-3 times a week for non stress tests and ultrasounds and I spend about 8 hours a week being monitored. It's draining, and then to be resting on top of that, I'm always on my bum but it's still exhausting. Mentally I guess. So I've been doing things like making eggplant parmesan and taking evening primrose oil.

I have been really impressed with my doctors though, even the one who I was afraid would be on call when I go into labor. People toss around the delivery thing but when I go to the birth center to be monitored, they just send me home. I'm hoping that every day I become more inducable, because I think that saying "deliver" at this point still means a c-section. So we shall see. 

And no, we don't have a name chosen yet. 

Well, that's a first. An online friend died of cancer tonight. She leaves a 4 year old daughter and two year old son. She was a real gem. We had this connection as she worked with (and goofed about, and I knew *exactly* what she meant) residential architects. I miss you already, Vaike.

Oh I am such a super slacker. Let's see what goes on here.

Only about 3 1/2 weeks left until we are a family of five. No, we haven't chosen his name, and since some events this weekend (OH NO I HATE THAT NAME) we're not discussing it any more. Also, we'll probably choose the name that YOU HATE mostly because you're such a twat about it. Okay, not really. Plans for a vbac are still on, still good. I feel great, even though my blood pressure is still creeping up. No one is mentioning taking him early though so I'm good. I am, however, prepared. My bag is packed, the changing table stocked, and I'm about to wash the cosleeper linens.

The boy started first grade. The transition wasn't quite like kindergarten, but he still shed a few tears. Today we visited him at lunch and that was happy, but he got a mite sad when we had to go.

Speaking of which, the reason we were there was because the babygirl is starting preschool. Tomorrow is a "real" day with getting up early and all, but today we just filled out forms and met the teachers and all. She is very super excited. She charmed all of the teachers and checked out most of the room. She can't wait to meet Rocco (Wocko!) tomorrow, whom she knows nothing about other than he has a brother with the same name as hers. 

I am rather glad that I will have a few mornings to myself before the baby thing begins. Hopefully more than a few.

A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about my twice weekly appointments, and how lucky I am to have great healthcare. The very next day, my daughter put a bead in her nose. And it really hit home. I was able to go to the pediatrician and a specialist, that very day, and only pay my regular copay. Also, the bead was never heard from again, but she's fine. Gotta love it.

Today I had another nst and stuff. But the appointment was my 34 week one, the one where we go over The Plan. So she asked all the questions, starting with the vbac one, and it went well. Even though I'm now "high risk" due to blood pressure stuff, vbac is still the plan (I just have to sign off saying they told me it can go badly. As can all births). But the no epidural, no circumcision, breastfeeding, all of it - no matter what she thinks, it was the right answer. Totally supported. Hooray!

We finally got up to Maine camping this weekend. It was so hot and I was miserable most of the time. But there were lovely moments and the kids had a blast. That will probably make things into happy memories in a week or two. However, when the husband asked if we could go back this weekend, I think my response had something to do with hell freezing or pigs flying. 

Today I had my weekly ultrasound and non stress test. Baby passed it all, and I guess I did too. The doctor said my weight gain is great, the baby is finally head down (and may he stay that way, you hear baby?) and I got some really great 3d images. He's right around 4 lb now, they say, and looks just like my kids. That round head and pudgy cheeks.

I'm supposed to be resting though. It took me about a gallon of water and an 8:30 bedtime to recover from camping (actually, I'm probably not even recovered yet). Now today has been so darn hot, and I think it's supposed to stay this way, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. We just went to the nice cool grocery store. 

I'm really quite a slacker. But you should know, it's a testament to the fun summer we're having. It really only started about 3 weeks ago, what with the fourth of july and all. But the girl had her dance camp, we bought the state park pass, it started to (finally) get hot, and we started doing regular fun summer stuff. 

Also, I'm sort of a glutton for punishment. This one expecting club that I can't peel myself away from (and I should, because it's not vbulletin or similar, it's an impossible to read format) is discussing c-sections. And I know that every mom wants to think they made the right choice, and I know that your doctor told you you HAD to have one, but I still think there are too many out there. And I frickin had one! But seriously, I have a reason to think that a vbac is the best choice for me, and you know, I'm not knocking your decision to already schedule your october birth, so don't knock me mine.

Mothers can be so judgmental.

So let me tell you a story. We have this childbirth class which started last night, from 7:30-9. Now, in our household, particularly in the summer, going to bed after 9 is not unheard of, at.all. So I'm looking for childcare for said class, and ask my mother in law. I said we could just drop them off and pick them up, etc. She says "oh no, that's after bedtime, I'll come there". Okay, so no. Firstly, I'm not putting them to bed at 7, in the summer (heck that's 20 minutes from now, and we haven't even eaten yet, but I digress), or letting you put them to bed. It's complicated for us and I just don't want to give you fodder. But that was the only option I really had, so I figured I would do lots of tiring activities and at least try to get the girl to bed that early (a long car ride oftentimes does the trick).

My sister in law, the other option, is spending her summer at her lake cottage. But I called her to find out when we could come visit and yay! She's at home, until Wednesday. And is dying to see the kids, and they her. And sure! They can hang out during that time, and heck, why don't you drop them off at 5 so that we can play outside and we'll give them hotdogs and watch Lady and the Tramp. And for once, it all worked out. Called mother in law, said thanks but no thanks, and the kids had a frickin blast. Oh and they weren't asleep at 9:45 when we picked them up, but they were vegetative in front of some movie, and fell asleep in their carseats, which I am 100% okay with.

I actually had been stressing about this and instead got to have dinner with just my husband, before rolling around on the floor doing labor techniques. Also, the class was great. Not too hippy-dippy, but lovely and supportive of natural birthing. The other couple there are both chiropractors, and she's due 3 weeks after me. And huger. Or at least I thought so, but when I mentioned how huge she was to my husband, he went "oh . . . ya, I guess so". I think I'm bigger than I care to admit. The heartburn speaks otherwise. My poor GI tract. I can no longer have pizza or anything tomato saucey. Bummer. I like that chicken parm stuff.

Two fabulous new recipes. I made cheese straws, but put about half cheddar and half asiago. And instead of red pepper, used a sea salt and herbs de province blend. Not a spicy fan and when cooking for a crowd, you never know. They were aweresome.

Also made hot artichoke and olive dip, pretty well exactly as presented. Have been happily eating leftovers for 3 days. Can't say the same for the poor pasta salad.

Well, the boy is 3 days into summer vacation. And it's been raining for approximately 40 days and 40 nights. I think it's a bad sign that God hasn't talked to me. Yet.

Also, the house is back on the market. It took like 3 weeks to get a showing request and we thought it was bad news. But now it's picking up and there's no place to move to. I'm not entirely sure what to do. Other than hope that the house is still clean enough from yesterday's showing for tomorrow's.

We saw UP today. It was a fun beginning of vacation event, I ate too much popcorn and cried a few times. I think my six year old saying "she died huh?" makes it even sadder. I hope that's not a spoiler, it's about 6 minutes in to the movie. We all liked it and it aided an early bedtime. Although when we got out at 4:30, the girl said "momma, it's another day!" The movies do that to even grownups.

Oh also, I had another ultrasound yesterday. At the hospital, where I went alone, so because of earlier dream, I was freaked out. All was fine, and now I get them once a month or so to check on growth, because my blood pressure is mad. Which it always is. Especially with two kids and a house on the market. This will be the first time it's medicated, actually. I get to take something, starting tomorrow. Let's just hope it doesn't mess with my vbac plans. The doctor said it might, but I'm fortunate that I have a history of naturally punctually going into labor. Even the time I didn't need to and was really hoping for a few more days of sleep and had a nice appointment already lined up . . . but the girl has been like that. ;o)

Let me tell you about my life lately.

Thursday night I was putting the girl to bed and my ear was a little sore. An hour later, I thought I would be better off just amputating it, myself. I didn't sleep more than 45 minutes the entire night. I called the oncall doctor at 7:30 am, and no one ever called me back. The whole thing was so weird - the office opens at 9, so that's when they get their messages. You know, I could have called at 9 to get an appointment. They couldn't see me until 11:45. The thing is, after all was said and done, it would have been worth it to go to the ER at midnight, spend the $100 and possibly get some rest like 12 hours sooner. Actually more like 18 hours sooner, because even though I got antibiotics, they don't kick in immediately, and I didn't really get any relief until 10 pm that night when my eardrum burst.

But back to earlier, at the doctor, my blood pressure was sky-high. I wonder how *your* blood pressure would be if you hadn't slept and had been in pain for 15 hours straight? But they wanted me to call the ob. So this morning I went in, and it's better, but not super. I do have this issue while pregnant, it's how I grow babies. Generally they do the watch and wait tactic until I give birth. And I pretend that I'm going to rest more and eat less salt. So they want me to do a 24 hour urine collection, and I get another ultrasound next week. But we're otherwise cool, I guess.

Ack, it's been a long time.

The boy has been bringing home the year's worth of work these last few days. It makes me burst to see the "writing journal" from the year. Mostly they are things like "the __ lives in the __": draw a picture and write the sentence. But just to compare September to May is amazing. His spelling is great, and being able to read what he wrote, putting together sentences, and just the humor factor. Many of his fantasies involve rappelling with helicopters. He always has a very elaborate plan.

Although I think in terms of neatness, he peaked around January. He was finally good at upper vs. lower case. Now he's just so comfortable with it that it's sloppy again.

I have to figure out a schedule for the summer. We really need to be good about reading and writing every day, even if just for an hour.

We've all been passing around a summer cold here. I think we're mostly on the recovery side. I'm a little worried that the boys are later and haven't been hit as hard - I hope that doesn't mean theirs is still forthcoming.

I had a very unsettling dream last night. I was at the hospital because I was bleeding, and no one was taking care of me. They were sort of lining people up (husband, "my" doctor, etc) because they knew it was bad news. But they hadn't done anything yet. I hate those dreams.

So at some point over the weekend, we were weeding and I guess I yanked some poison ivy and then touched my face. So now I have a lovely red splotchy complexion going on. I called the doctor and get to go in this afternoon since it's all around my eyes. She's going to flip when she sees my belly.

Also, it reminded me why I hate my doctor and need a new one. Not only is her bedside manner totally sucky (and that hasn't even been demonstrated today), but I called at 9:05 this morning (they open at 9) and got the answering service. At 9:10 when I called back I got the triage nurse's answering machine. I got a call back after 10. And an appointment at 2:15. My eyes are going to fall out or something! Not even any reassurance. Ugh.

Also, I'm freaking out about moving. If we move, it's going to suck. Any way. Even if we get a zillion dollars for our house and find the perfect situation, moving sucks. But in all likelihood, we'll have to scramble to find a decent place, and then will we move again in 3 years? Will we find a great spot with a dumpy house? No house? I'd love to build but then where will we live? Right now there are less than 1 decent options we've found. Where are all the great deals on foreclosures and estates and stuff?

Also, did you know there are real estate listings on ebay now?

So my neighbor is kind of an asshole. We know this and just deal. But he's also the coach of another baseball team in the same level as my boy. Last year, he was a coach, and chose many neighborhood kids to be on his team, but not my boy. In fact, all but my boy. But whatever, he's an asshole as I said, so no biggie. Not to mention that the kids are all a grade level older.

So today we played his team. And he had some issue with the way our team (a much younger, smaller team) was playing or something. So he says something to our coach, who then says "well you're pitching 5 strikes" (as the coaches pitch and tell the kids when they're out), and the ass guy starts to get into it. "We'll talk later" says our (awesome, if I do say so) coach. But then again, he's the one who's a middle school principal and the other is, as previously noted, just an asshole.

After the game the ass man tries to get into it, but the good guy just blows him off. Wtg coach.

Oh also, tonight marks the completion of one week TV free for the boy. This has been a great thing for all, more outdoor time, more violin practice, all that. Except for early mornings. I like saying "Oh hey transformers is on!!" at 7:30 saturday morning, and then staying in bed. I like that. Tomorrow, tv is back on, and transformers is on at 8. *Sigh of love*

These last two days have been a nightmare on my sinuses. Whatever is pollinating this week, I am not a fan. As I was out just now, hanging laundry on the line, I could see it floating through the air. It looked like inside when the dust is in the sun? The girl calls that "pixie dust" and makes it okay.

Speaking of, the house is super duper clean because some lady realtor called, said she had a couple looking for a house, and knows we didn't sell last year, can they come over? Tomorrow? So we scrambled, and fortunately, they loved the house. I don't know what to expect next though.

smile

smile
Originally uploaded by archimom

Here is the wee one! He's got a secret, can you tell?

I'm a hormonal mess. This morning I was ready to kill my husband for no good reason. I seriously mean that. Looking back I have no idea what the issue was, but I hid in the guest room for an hour and then gave him the silent treatment for another hour. The rest of the morning/afternoon was uneventful. Then, when at 4:30 an emergency calls him off to a client, I'm on the verge of tears that he's leaving. And even on days when I don't spend much of it hating him, this is good. I like renting movies and having happy meals with my kids. But today this was a big whoop.

I think it has something to do with the rhubarb cake I made. And by that I mean, the hormones made me make and eat most of that too.

Excedrin Migraine, I do love thee. Not only are you safe for the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, but you really work (I'm looking at *you* extra strength tylenol). I'm sorry that you didn't kick in in time last night, but I'm pretty sure I still got 3/4 of a dose. I hope I don't need you after pregnancy, but I'm glad you were here for me.

Also, thanks Ikea for making a comfy bed so I can lay in it (even though it's a tish short) and "play" little people with the girl. That dragon is totally in the sky.

Yesterday I signed the girl up for a week of half day dance camp. I couldn't figure out how to do it online, so we showed up at the place. Mis.take. She has been wearing her leotard with attached tutu nonstop since then, and thinks that it starts *today*.

I'm also a little bit worried - the reality of momma leaving her for a few hours is hitting her. The way the studio is set up, you can't watch the kids in class, unless they open this curtain (which I guess they do sometimes at the end of class), and she realized all the mommas sitting out there weren't watching their kids. Hopefully by the time it rolls around, the excitement will win.

So, I'm researching birth options now. Yes, it's early, but I'm one who pretends to prepare early and still cram it all into the last second. So, I really loved having a midwife with G. Since I'm vbac-ing, they want me to be managed by a doctor. So I contacted a friend who's a doula, and it turns out she's now a homebirth midwife. Suddenly that option is on the table. In theory, I'd love to. In reality, someone would be expecting me to make them a sandwich 45 minutes after giving birth. So I'm gonna say no. However, having a doula will be huge. This way I can just stay at home as long as I want. And the fact that she's a midwife will be great - if an "accident" happens, I'm all set. I've fantasized a bit about that particular accident, I must say.

So we had this tax fiasco for 2007, which resulted in us paying about $42,000 in taxes to the IRS and state over the last 15 months. Just now, I wrote out my final check. The business reimbursed us, but it still sucks. Want to know why? Because our (personal) stimulus money, tax refund, anything, was applied toward that. Not only that, but that extra money bumped us into a higher tax bracket, so the taxes paid on "our" money were also taxed at the higher rate.

Paying bills is always a mixed feeling. I feel great - I know we have heat and hot water and internet acces (what? it's important, man!!) for 30 more days. However, the money goes in and just as quickly goes out. Yes, some goes into savings and some into 401k, but it's all gone. I mean seriously *gone*. I get maybe one trip to the atm where the receipt makes me look like a lottery winner, and the very next one makes me go "how long until next month?"

Living the American Dream, I tell ya.

The big boy is very, very excited about sharing his room with the little boy in 2-3 years. I hope that when that time comes, the excitement still holds. That or I'm more comfortable with having the biggest boy sleep on the lowest level.

I'm beginning to realize that this room will be a den of testosterone, right around the time the girl probably begins to care. Right now, her primary entrance is through his room, but I have a feeling that will shift to the hall door when there are two boys, double trucks, double legos, double stinky feet.

Here's my littlest son!!

The girl has named our game alter egos Callida and Bellulah. I just love them, they're so close to real princessy names but just aren't. Bellulah. Collide-uh.

Mom you have hair too!! I see it!

(last week I was showing her the tiny hairs on her arms and legs so I assume, but we're in the pool)

In there mom! See? It's black!

My armpit. I guess I need to shave.

So here is where I tell you the saga of the late school bus. Last friday. So I go out to the bus, I'm 3 minutes early. It usually comes at 1:53 by my cellphone, but has been as late as 1:56. We had just bought a new sit n stand stroller so the girl was in that, testing it. Which turned out to be fortuitous.

At 2:08 I call my house, no call from school. That's 15 minutes late. Five minutes later, I call the school. No answer, and I ring through to the main office, no answer. I am freaking.out. at this point. Fortunately, the school bus stops at a house where I know the mom, and she was home. So I bang on her door, ask her to keep watch while I run home to make sure there's no caller id or message from school, or note from teacher letting me know of issue. Of course, there isn't, and as I'm walking back out the door, I see the bus and lovely Sheila greeting my kid. I also wave down the street (maybe 200 feet?) so the bus can see I'm okay with letting him off.

But how UNCOOL is them not answering, not calling, nothing, when he was 30 minutes late? I guess the bus was late getting there, there was horrid traffic somewhere, so he wasn't sitting on the bus, but was playing at school, but I was having a meltdown?!

And of course it was the day before vacation so no one's reachable now. Which might make it a little better for those who have to deal with me.

Oh also, we had plans to meet the husband in Boston, taking the train and having A Grand Adventure, with the new stroller. Which all worked out fine except for the travel to the train/parking/running up the platform with 30 minutes less than planned. I didn't get my camera, comfy shoes, or idle time before the train left the station, but it was fine.

I love having other little boys whose backyards touch ours. So I can send him off all independent to play, but sit here putting dishes away (or, um, planning to) and watching him play with his friend. It doesn't hurt that he loves orange so he has on a bright orange baseball cap which is super easy to follow during whatever they do there in the woods.

What do we think of this vehicle? What do we think of buying an American car for the first time ever for both myself and my husband (unless a toyota counts, which it kind of does, but a Ford?)?





Hubby's car has 100k miles on it, and mine has 55. We've had both the same amount of time, and mine started at 10k, whereas his started at 0. So we're considering having his company lease a new car and then he will drive the bigger one, and I'll drive the scion. It's in great shape and I would *love* to go to a manual transmission. And a smaller car day to day would be lovely. We're planning a pretty big road trip for this summer, and a new car sure would be fun for that. It seats 7, gets better mileage than our current van, and is 4wd. It's weird not having a vehicle that's 4wd, even though both of our fwd cars do well in the snow. The scion will be tight with 3, but I do like having the kids close - right now the girl sits in the 3rd row, just the best way it works out, and she's so darn far away. Not to mention that I only have a back door on one side and the rear windows are manual slides. It's a cool car but less and less practical.

We shall see. We've only ever looked at one from the outside, not been in one, not driven one, nothing. And I have no idea how good the lease terms are right now.

You know what word always looks misspelled? Affidavit. I don't know why, that I looks wrong. But affadavit doesn't quite look right either. Thank god that I'm someone who actually looks it up and doesn't write definately repeatedly. I passed sixth grade, thankyouverymuch.

Easter was lovely. We had it here, but everyone else brought most everything. We'll be eating leftovers for the next 90239023 days. I'm thinking pea soup tonight, but I'm not sure the kids will go for. Maybe one more day of ham sandwiches and potatoes au gratin.


Doesn't he look so big and grown up? Cry.

I think it's really mean that Cartoon Network has been advertising New full length!! Scooby Doo!! Movie!! Scooby Doo and the Samurai Sword!! for like a month, available this past tuesday, and I can't find it anywhere. Scooby Doo is the A#1 show in this household for moms and kids alike. Rrrg.

Completely blindsided by Good Friday being a public school holiday. I'm not sure why, because we always had it off growing up. Also, I thought I was fully prepped for all holidays, being that he went to this school for two years prior, but he never had school on Fridays. And growing up, generally it was the Friday before April Vacation, which sort of made sense. But that's not for another week, so I didn't really even consider.

Thankfully, they just moved pizza day up by a day, so he still gets that. Which to a six year old is a big deal. Now to finagle the music class teacher into allowing a big boy to come visit on Friday. He's been asking to come, and I'm sure it'll be fine, just this once. Right? :|

14wbelly

14wbelly
Originally uploaded by archimom

I took this at the end of last week. Maybe friday? I wear these fitted clothes and maybe I look more pregnant less fat. I still feel mostly fat. It's taking longer to show than it did with the girl, I think by 15 weeks with her I was clearly in maternity clothes. This time they fall off my behind. For good or bad. I'd love to wear something non-yoga pants though.

My daughter likes to write in her diary. Except she pronounces it die-uh-REE, so it sounds like messy bathroom illness missing a syllable. It cracks me up.

I had a checkup today, because 2 weeks ago my blood pressure was up. Today, at 9:30 am when I only had to wait five minutes, it was fine. And the little girl just loved to hear her "girl baby sister" on the doppler.

Okay, firstly, I'm creeped out. There seems to be a guy hovering near kids on the bike trail, saying "follow me" (this to our neighbor boy). Could be the same guy who did similar in the fall to kids getting off the bus across town. Could be the same guy arrested for taking photos of kids getting changed at the town lake last summer, right when we were there many times a week. So yuck. I am on high alert and have branded the photo of the guy from (at least) situation 3 in my head. However, it did prompt us to have the stranger danger talk again. Refresh it yourself if you don't mind.

Also, I realized just now, that my son's favorite movie for the last 3+ years has been Peter Pan. This makes me incredibly happy. It's animated, it's not too grown up (and the violence is, well, Captain Hook and pirates), and it's a blast. I just watch their faces as they watch it, and that's my entertainment. And it's only embarrassed me once - when the boy had to name "bad guys" at karate, he chose "indians". Oops.

We have this fabulous cowboy songs cd. We're particularly fond of Ghost Riders in the Sky, and Jingle-Jangle-Jingle. And maybe I tune out much of the rest of it. So today, in the car, the girl asks to hear "chasing the sun", and I don't even remember that line of a song or what song it may be from. Thankfully, the name of the song is in fact, "chasing the sun", and my ipod tells me so. Phew. Crisis averted.

So I had this mixed salad that got frozeded. And I heard about this red cabbage gender test. If it turns red it's a boy, purple it's a girl. So I yanked out the red cabbage from the icy salad bag, chopped it and made the "tea" from it. I had this lovely pink liquid.

This morning I added my contribution to it. It turned exactly the color you'd expect of mixing yellowish clear with pink - light orangey. What? I think the change is supposed to be more clear if there's a girl, something about more uric acid from a girl, but I'm not running out to buy blue any time soon.

April 30 I will know if this bubs cooperates. Till then, I will follow the wives tales and boil more cabbage or whatever is asked of me. Just not the drano. I'm already smell sensitive enough, I don't need *actual* toxic fumes involved.

I made a mistake recently. I started lurking on a due date club and then started posting. And you see, I've spent some time on the interwebz and I know that I am pretty stuck in my ways. And I also know that these clubs are way more traditional than I. Lots of "of course I'm getting a (sic) epidural" or "if it's a boy he'll be Jayden because it's so original" but still I go there. And as it always does, the topic of circumcision comes up. When your arguments are "I have been with uncirc'ed men and ewww!" you lose all credibility to me. Also, uncircumcised is like saying unamputated arm. You have to remove your arm, else it's just the way you come. Not that I think it compares with amputation, just that it's such a double negative it makes me cringe.

So I (in a definitely self-conscious and definitely deliberately inflammatory way) said "I am not interested in cosmetic surgery for my newborn" and got all "why be judgemental!!" (again, sic, these people need spelling lessonz). But "uncirced is eww" is not judgmental?

So I need a breather and to talk to people who have left the midwest, ever. Oh that was so totally judgmental. Oh well.

This daughter of mine cracks me up. I think three is the apex of "make you die laughing" behavior. She says things like "mom I want you to make me a white dress with a white thing for my head for married". Or wants to play with brother's remote control tarantula but it scares her, so the whole time she's willing it not to walk toward her, because she doesn't really get the controls. Or saying "I'm tired", then leaning her head on a kitchen chair and falling asleep. Standing up. At 6:15 pm. Or wearing a crown, necklace, ring, sparkly cape, and sparkly shoes, 24/7.

I had a checkup yesterday. We were late. Which was good, because we *still* had to wait 45 minutes. The rest of my appointments for the rest of time will be in the morning. I forgot the whole afternoon snowball effect. So then my BP was up. They took it about nineteen times and it was still 140/92 or something crazy. This is me in pregnancy. The rest of the time I'm cool as a cucumber. I don't know. Maybe the 45 minute wait with the boy and his K-9 unit GIJoe, who had to blow up lots of things and the dog barking, added a teeny bit of stress. I don't know.

Things otherwise are fine. We got to hear the heartbeat with the regular doppler which was fun. The boy liked that muchly.

When I was 13, I was skiing with a friend and hit a tree. I had a concussion, broken nose, all sorts of things. I missed several weeks of school that year. I guess it's that combined with pregnancy hormones that has me a weepy mess over Natasha Richardson. That one photo that keeps popping up of her with her sons - that's the one that does me in. How often do you see 13 year old boys smiling with their mom, anyway? And now they lost her. :(

Of course, just as the husband is getting excited about properties all over the region, I am making new friends. Every Monday morning I go to a playgroup, which has always been more "regular" moms than me. I don't know what that means, but I never feel like I quite fit in. But this semester, there are like 6 new moms and it's a blast. I actually look forward to getting out the door Monday mornings and visiting with my pals, and we basically neglect our kids while we chitchat. Yesterday I learned that one new friend is due like a day after me, and she's moving to a house about 11 houses down from me. I don't want to move. Don't wanna!!

Today I feel exactly like I'm hung over. I'm guessing it's a migraine? I think I'm going to climb into bed.

So today we drove to check out a piece of property. The one we all totally fell in love with, sold. In like 3 weeks. Why we could not have that karma selling our own house, I do not know. We would have lived there in a heartbeat, happily, until our dying days. I'm quite certain.

Anyway, so driving up to this other house, which is a really cute house in the one photo, and the price is really, really right, and the last/only store, 6.1 miles away, is super walmart. So as we're driving there, I'm praying there's somewhere else to shop. Or even somewhere a bit further than walmart. But no.

The end result is, the town it's in is cute. The property is that price for a reason. A "no thank you" reason.

Apparently I do too much blog reading. Last night in my dream, I was at the pioneer woman's ranch, making cake balls. I was making a mess. Also, once I really *did* make the cake balls, and they're much too sweet for me and mine, so I wouldn't actually be making them. Maybe if I was at the ranch, I'd do whatever was asked of me.

Also, at the other end of the island, TPW was making dinner, which was chicken and lots and lots of shredded cheese. It's all good.

Inspired by Cheri, here is my life by the numbers.

10. Tulip bulbs planted in our yard last fall. Soon we shall know our success rate.
9. Weeks until I'm halfway through this pregnancy. And will know gender!
8. How many times Mary Poppins has been watched this week. We have to return it soon. And buy our own copy.
7. Number of months until I meet number 3!
6. Approximate number of hours I slept last night.
5. Junk food items bought at ill-timed midday lunch trip.
4. Number of females in the summer house situation, as opposed to my son's 1 male.
3. Pots of tomato seeds on the windowsill. They actually have half grape tomatoes in them. I'm not sure how that will work out.
2. Time at which little girl came into bed last night. Yawn.
1. Still, the number of operational side view mirrors on my car. Not.happy.

I'm really, really motivating to get to the noon spin class today. I have to drink my (decaf of course) coffee early so that it can be out of the system by then. I haven't been in about two months and it shows. I plan to just ease back in and not push too hard, but I really need to exercise.

A little freaked out today because a vbac board I lurk on, a lady went in to the hospital with some strange pains, as well as contractions, and came home having to plan a funeral for her baby. When she said "bad outcome", I was expecting a c-section after all her planning. I don't even know this lady, not even know in an internet way, but it's rocking my world.

The big boy has a pal at school. His Best Friend. This is really the first friend that he's chosen - I don't really know his mom, he doesn't live withing walking distance, they just are pals. And poor boy, his Best Friend is moving. To Austria. Try as I might to make the best of things (pen pal! we will write letters and learn all about Austria!), his buddy is still going to be thousands of miles away, and we're probably NEVER going to see him again. It makes us both rather sad.

Last week I smashed the mirror off my car. I went to the dealer. They needed to order it. So they checked all the numbers, asked me if it was motorized (yes) and ordered. They called and today! I went to have it replaced. $175 for the part, $90 for the labor, was the quoted price.

I wait for 2 hours. And then another half an hour for good measure. And then! Steve from service comes in! And they have the wrong part! But I can order the right one, for $530, and then pay $145 to install it. And for your time and effort and *our* screwup, you get to wait in our room with chatty old ladies and crappy coffee for 2.5 hours. You're welcome!

I came home and did what I should have last week - called the VW mechanic we know. Sigh.

Again with the food. I've realized that although I get hungry (and the resultant psycho) really quickly, I'm craving halfway decent things and am really appreciative. Like right now, my belly full of steak salad wrap and oven fries, I'm just happy with it. I've really been into somewhat junky salads. Last weekend I needed, NEEDED, a buffalo chicken salad. I know it's not the most healthiest salad ever, but greens are still greens, and in the first trimester you can't really complain. I think by this point with the girly, I'd had about 3 dozen bagels and a gallon of cream cheese, and that's it.

9w3d

9w3d
Originally uploaded by archimom

We got to see the bub today! Fast heartrate of 170ish. Both of my kids were under 150 at this point, so I don't buy any of the wives tales. There was a little confusion about when I should pee and where, so I peed at the wrong time in the wrong place, having waited uncomfortably for no reason to. Oh well. Such is life at the ob office.

For five weeks I have been waiting for this date. March 2, it always seemed so far away!! But today, today I will get a peek of the baby and get to talk to the doctor about vbac and life will all be good!!

Did I mention that at 8 pm last night they called and cancelled? And now we have about 9" of snow and it's not stopping any time soon? Ugh.

Because I immortalized Perry Trotman here, I should share that the girl also has one of the best named critters ever. She has a soft little white bear named Flop. Flop is very special. Poor Flop had a booboo today that required six ice packs, a dozen cotton balls, and a hello kitty bandaid. He seems to be on the mend now.

So today at music class, one gal says to her friend "on monday, everyone I talked to was pregnant. like a week pregnant. are you?" and the friend, is not. And she says "seriously, xx told me she was due in late october, and she's just five weeks, and she already announced it on her *facebook*." And I realize, this is how life goes. I haven't yet made any facebook announcements, but it's not far off. Although I wouldn't want the worst to happen and some vague aquaintance who works at the flower shop to be asking questions. So till now, we're just here.

Ultrasound monday morning. I.can't.wait. I don't know how much to expect to sleep this weekend.

The other day, the girl and I were laying down in her bed and I took my coat off. The zipper whipped around and wacked her near her eye. So she got a nice little bruise, which today is a smallish black eye. The best part, she keeps saying "momma wacked me" when people ask what happened. Awesome!

FYI: I am a mall hater. But, my mom bought the boy some wonderful legos for christmas, and as a bonus got a little box to fill at the lego store. So, as it is vacation week, we decided to head to the mall and lego store, fill the little box, have lunch, make an adventure of it.

It was as good and bad as I expected.

The lego store is great! You can fit TONS into that little box, and the girl wanted a little box too, so we bought a marginally larger one for $8 and she filled it with pink and lime green random parts. All cool. Got to see all the legos and it was nice. But I mentioned it's vacation week right? So there were 2309203 kids there.

Then, being 11:45, we were getting peckish. There is a rainforest cafe in this mall, and hey! we're on an adventure! We put our name in and they tell us it'll be 40 minute to sit. Not okay. So we decide to blow some time, checking out the rain and all the junk they want you to buy. Then we decide we're too hungry and head to the food court. We are all cranky. Pizza is helping, and then the girl says "momma! Look at my pink rocks!!" See, they have a big bin of polished rocks at the cafe, that you fill a bag with, and pay like $7 for. So she stole two which, while only about $.34 worth, isn't great. Meh.

Then we go to the play area, to assemble the boy's new lego helicopter, which I"d promised him we'd start on, and the girl is just the right size for the play area. Worked for about 2/3 of the time we needed to build the helicopter. I barely made it to au bon pain for some sweets and water to bribe the kids into the car, and the ride home we all whined and ate cookies. I think we all drank a gallon of water as well.

Now we're having some quality time with various screens and seats. I've earned my good mom award right? Oh, except that I just reserved the zoo pass for tomorrow. When it's supposed to be 36 and rainy. I think that will earn me the Most Excellent Mom Award.

Today we stopped at Friendly's to redeem our valentine free cones. Excellent. Oh and I also realized that kid cones, which are just a single scoop but still *plenty* for kids and adults, are only $1 even when paying. This is the best/worst news I've heard in ages, particularly because Friendly's is just about walking distance. However, I got to only eat about a tablespoon of mine and it got snatched by a certain blondie. Oh well. I probably didn't need it, right?

So I'm a bit obsessed with food lately. In order to save money (ha!), I've been trying to cook at home. And cook things that are yummy and that we all want to eat. Tomorrow, for Valentine's Day, I'll be making steaks and french onion soup and salad and my parents are coming, with some sort of dessert and it doesn't really matter since I'm not making it. I even bought the crazy expensive cheese to go with it. And I know the kids won't eat it, but I'm growing a whole other person and I can eat a couple of bowls of that stuff. But that's why I invited the folks, because even though I can eat, not quite that much.

The other day I made a turkey breast and I've been happily eating turkey sandwiches all week. Same sandwich, different day. I have no issues with leftovers after thanksgiving whatsoever.

However, coffee is on its way out. I'm trying to decide if the joy of smelling it and beginning to drink it is enough to suffer the nausea caused by actually drinking it. I think it might be. Maybe I should go back to caffeinated. At least then I'd get true joy from the two ounces I can stomach.

I just took both kids to the dentist. Prices have gone up by like 200%, but we were getting a super sweet deal before. Anyway, kids are great, which I was worried about, because tooth brushing is pretty low on the girl's list, like below toenail clipping and hair brushing. Ugh.

But I did learn two things. Girly has two teeth that are slightly discolored - the second ones "out" on top, both of them, and I thought it was related to her brushaphobia. But they think it's just that she had a fever while those were forming, since it's so symmetrical and all. Cool to know how the body prioritizes. And since they're baby teeth, no one really cares. Also, we had no idea that the boy's big top two are loose. He's going to look so different without those guys, and especially when the huge ones grow in!

It's funny how your emotions can run the full gamut in a matter of seconds. So last spring/summer/fall, we were exploring our options for kindergarten and applied for a slot at the charter school. I wasn't 100% convinced it was the right fit, but I applied anyway. We were waitlisted at somewhere in the 22 range. Now the boy is happily halfway through his public school kindergarten experience, and that's all good, and we may move anyway, so who knows, we're just enjoying life. And I get a letter return-addressed from the charter school. What do I do? I don't want to switch him midway, but then we'll lose our slot! But if that many people dropped out since September, do I want this? My stomach was in turmoil.

Then I opened the letter. It just informed me that we've moved up to #14, and that they will keep us apprised on how that translates to next fall. Phew. I don't have any decision making to do. Good thing, because I'm bad at that.

Last night on our way into the city I wanted to stop at Kelly's roast beef. But we didn't, and we ended up having a lovely dinner in the city with cloth napkins and everything, which was fine. But I still needed roast beef. So today I went and bought tons of cold cuts and ate myself into roast beef heaven. Although I'm considering another sandwich for a late dinner/snack.

When I was pregnant with the boy, I was all about the beef. Roast beef in paricular. Rare and with salt and pepper on my sandwich. Or salted chicken salad. The salt. And the beef. Now of course, I'm reading all sorts of things into this craving.

Could just be that roast beef is delicious though.

Tonight, we're going to a reception to celebrate the opening of the Shepard Fairey exhibit at the ica boston. Very excited, for many reasons, not the least of which is the babysitting/wine factor. Here's what he's famous for, recently:


Bonus points if you remember him for this:


So then I'm reading up on his work, and the whole nature of "derivative" vs. "plaigarism", and it got me to thinking about what the art is - is it the image, or is it the sticker placed 2093023 times on mailboxes and stop signs all over New England? And that caused a discussion with my husband about this and you know what the best part was? Thinking like a grownup and discussing something that had nothing to do with children *or* work.

If you'd like to read up on the plaigarism issue, here is the first article I read, and here's a good essay with comparative images.

Want to hear a cool story? I go to to a playgroup on monday mornings, there are about 10 families, it's pretty small. At a church. Today I show up and there are two new faces. One looks remarkably like a high school classmate, but I grew up like 40 miles away. But no! It's her! And she's not one of the ones I'd rather *not* ever see again! She has a daughter my daughter's age! And lives nearby! Hurrah!

I wish I had something to tell you that's exciting. Like more exciting than an afternoon at Chuck E Cheese, which ended with one red goopy eye and a sick day today. Then my itunes settings were off, so I couldn't sync the episodes of Scooby Doo I bought for the ipod entertainment during tot music class. It's all set now.

Oh and the raging virus my computer had/has, which I can't fully get rid of and don't want to rebuild my computer and lose some of my "timeshared" software.

Old navy is having a great sale right now. I got the girly a cute thermal top in orange (she needs more non-pink in her wardrobe, stat), and two little baby holiday onepieces, all for $6. I just hope that #3 is not a giant monster child, and will run true to size.

The eagles are back! I just saw one land in a tree in my backyard.

The girl is now tattooed again on her arms and legs. And today she got her face too!!

Last night we went out to dinner, where our server, Dorothy, put her name on a napkin. This week The Wizard of Oz is on heavy rotation here. So the girl knew exactly. And then I realized that what would complete the napkin would be to add the word Surrender before her name, with our provided crayons. She thought this was hysterical and hadn't seen that before (which was a surprise to me). She went to hang it up out back. And then told us that she "always makes it home just fine". I hope my husband tipped her well.

So a few weeks back, the husband made a snowman en route to the bus stop, his name was Snowbert. Snowbert died in a warm spell.

Recently, a new snowman was constructed, who they decided looks bunny-like, and therefore his name is Hoppy. But at one point we toyed with him being a robot named Ro-bert. Robot plus snowbert. So there's a song, that is "my name is Ro-bert, my friend was snowbert! He got tipped over(t)." and although this song is silly and ridiculous, it gets stuck in my head for days.

Oh it is so cold. Times like now, I half wish we hadn't done public school for the boy. You know, the bus was a big bonus to this plan, but waiting for the bus, especially tomorrow, isn't so fun. Especially when I have to suit up and drag out the babygirl.

Also, I'm doing the decaf transition. I really should do it in earnest, but what happens is, I do it over the course of a month, to where I have half decaf half regular in the morning, just one cup, and then when the hormones come a-crashing, I ramp back up again. It makes for a fun start to the cycle. But it's not that practical and becomes a lot of work over the next few weeks, again. So today, I have my half decaf cup in front of me with half and half in it. The least I can do is substitute a little fat for my caffeine.

I got close to no sleep last night. Let's just say it has to do with a piece of property and the internal strife of knowing it doesn't exactly work out for us right now. If it did, soon, that would be great, but you see we own a house in a bad market. That and hormones and I had the strangest dreams ever. I wish I had the option of taking a nap right now, I really do. Until then, the xl coffee will have to cut it.

Today we got an invitation to the inauguration! I would love to go. But 5 million people, outdoors, in January, in somewhere only slightly more temperate than here, isn't such a great idea. Maybe if we visit in June, we'll actually get to see the tall man. So we wrote him a letter about that, and drew a picture of an ice breaker/truck/sidewalk plow which the boy thinks will be very useful on the sidewalks of DC. Oh I love him.

Also, this morning, the girl said to me, "let's make cookies!" and you know, I was up for that. The pictures are really great. She is helpful when she knows she'll get to eat much dough. She called it cereal. I mean, yes, it's oatmeal based, but it differs rather substantially when done.

So, Deleria is writing every day. Go see her. Because I recognize that I can't write every day. My life isn't that interesting. Like today. Today is my first day without childcare on a Tuesday. So we're going to clean the guest room. Maybe go to Target as an activity. It's really great, my life. No, really, it really is.

Anyway, back to Deleria. The other thing she's giving me is a yen for latte. So I just googled how best to do this with my stovetop espresso maker (which, thanks google, isn't even espresso, it's moka) and I'm having the best latte my kitchen has ever seen.

So woohoo!

So I've decided to try the special K diet. Two meals, two snacks a day of special k products or fruit. Which isn't really that hard, I really like cereal. I went and bought varieties last night. I can do almost anything for two weeks, right?

Also, the stubborn girl is now 95% potty trained. It took a few weeks before I knew her schedule, but well over a month more before she told me that she needed to go. Now we don't even do overnight pullups anymore. The only accidents lately have been true accidents, not telling me in time. Thank heaven. I will have the better part of a year, at least, without diapers. Phew.