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.

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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!!