#3, Let's Have a Chat

So, little lady.  It's time for a talk.  You have been well cared for over the last 40 weeks ... even when I haven't felt like it and there were a lot of those days in the beginning.  There has been a steady supply of food, water, exercise and entertainment - especially from your brothers and father ... even the occasional dance party.  We are all super excited to meet you and it really is time for you to show some independence and get moving on your own.  You've cooked - and that two bedroom condo you're living in is only getting smaller.  Soon you'll know what it was like to have the studio apartment #1 grew in.  If it was a competition, you win.  You've beaten the Hurricanes, power work outs, Yoga, Massage and the full moon.  You win, you win, you win.  BUT, as your father says ... "Chipper, Chopper!!"  If you can spell Pitocin, it is coming next week.  I don't want to get to this point so please, get moving.  It's fun on the outside, I promise!

Nine!

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Right.  I'm too uncomfortable to be sappy or write about how great you are.  I'm more in the mindset of "YOU DID THIS TO ME!  LOOK AT THE MESS YOU GOT ME IN!"  Of course there is happiness on the other side, but can we get there quickly, please?


I will sincerely say I could never do this without you, so I'm glad you are with me on this ride.  I hope you've enjoyed sleeping in lately because those days are over.


xo

The Luckiest 5 3/4 Year Old Ever

Thank you, Miss AM for the "Best Treat Ever! ... even better than getting chocolate milk in the cafeteria last week."

Big Boy School

#2 has been in transition for the last month while he finished up camp, then waited for big boy school to begin (very slowly) last week.  We've been spending a lot of time together which has been nice ... and not so nice since it has caused "not fair" conversations with #1 and a bit of big boy regression for #2.  For the first little while he wanted me to do everything for him.  I'm somewhat happy to say we've swung the pendulum the other way and now there is a very adamant "NO!  I WILL DO IT BY MYSELF!" attached to the end of just about everything.  I'll take it though ... I enjoy seeing the independence and would like it even more if he remembered that independence in the middle of the night when his covers fall off or he can't find his cup of water.

#1 has the big brother thing down pat.  Especially the part that means you get to pick the junk out of your little brother - mess with him just for because - give a push that is just hard enough to teeter on the line of playfulness.  The "face paint" in this picture was courteously done by his brother (thank you Crayola for making your markers washable).  #2 is MORE than ready to share these things with someone else.  He is mostly sweet when it comes to his baby sister - he'll lay his head on my belly and wait to get kicked.  He likes to zerbert her - which always draws hysterical laughter and then zerberts all around for anyone close by.  He also likes to put both hands on my belly and try to shake the baby out ... I'm all for trying it at this point.  So far it hasn't worked.  He's also gotten in on the naming discussions.  #1 wanted to name him "Pancake" while he was in the belly.  #2 wants to name her "Lollipop."  I think it is nice that they both chose something sweet, yummy and delicious for their siblings.  It is certainly better than the things that can go with "butt" and "poop" ... other popular subjects around the house, and I'm sure about to get more popular when their sister arrives and they get a good look at what a newborn baby can do in a diaper.  

We're finally into "normal" school schedules which means both of the boys go to school together in the morning, and come home together in the afternoon.  They both are exhausted and we have lots of meltdowns over things that are just silly.  But we're all adjusting to new friends, teachers, schedules ... and there is that baby thing hanging over our heads.  "Mommy, you told us that the baby would be born when we started school again, so where is she?"  I would like to know the very same thing, myself.  


So far some highlights for #2 have been finding Milo the Mouse (his classroom mascot that hides somewhere new each day); taking his Batman lunchbox to school; riding his scooter to school with his brother ... and going to the same school as his brother; and repeating grown up things that he's heard along the way.  My favorite right now comes from me ...


#1 was playing with the staples in a stapler yesterday and I asked him to stop, told him they were sharp, said he could pinch himself ... he continued to play with the stapler.  He punctured his finger with one of them and drew blood on his fingertip.  I was in the middle of "get dinner on the table five minutes ago" and it wasn't a big deal, but #1 was in full drama and whining for a band aid.  After about 30 seconds of academy award winning song and dance by #1, #2 chimes in with "Mommy, Get #1 a Band Aid.  How many times do I have to say?"


Ah yes, this ride is never boring.

Round Three

Our #1s are almost 5 months apart.  Our #2s are 12 days apart.  Our #3s could be born on the same day.  Thank goodness I have a dear friend in the boat with me.  Some days our boat is sailing beautifully and others, sinking.  Luckily we seem to be trading the nights that one of us sleeps so we can talk the other out of drinking Castor oil.  Power to the growing gut!

K2 Frogs

(singing) It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.  #1s first day of Kindergarten was today.  #2's Nursery School teachers came to our house today to meet him and introduce the classroom mascot, Milo the Mouse.  The morning had a very rough start and an extra case of the grouchies from #1, but something at school cured the blues.  He came home with "homework" -- which was to share the contents of his school bag with his parents, and point out the special "parent information" pocket which is our responsibility to check.  In today's "parent information" was a K2 "Frogs" class picture ... #1 was front and center and smiling ear to ear.  This would be the same boy that refused to take a picture before we left the house this morning and then clung to my leg as I dropped him off at his classroom.  Thanks for the unnecessary worry this morning, Ry.

Florida Minis

My very long time friend, "Aunt Leslie," visited our fun city last weekend and we got to play, and play, and play some more.  By the time Sunday evening rolled around I was angry and bitter that I was not "playing" to the same extent the rest of the adults were.  Boo Hoo for me.  

The Dads and the Minis enjoyed a Nationals game while the Moms had some time to themselves.  We dished on who was doing what.  Aunt Leslie avoided the water since the water around here "apparently makes you pregnant."  ... and the wine tastes better anyway.  But how could you not want a zillion kids when they look like this and play so beautifully together for days in a row?!!  Aunt Leslie and Uncle Joe ... we're all telling you to move North!

Do you think #2 had to go to the bathroom?  Or just has a handle on things?

Cooked

Today is 37 weeks.  Can you say done?  When I was in labor with #1 I was very chatty with the Resident that was with me all.  night.  long.  I asked her what was the craziest hospital night/day.  She told me that there was definitely some truth to more deliveries during full moons, but the craziest number of deliveries she had ever been a part of happened during Hurricane Isabel.


It is the middle of the night and I am not sleeping for the second night in a row ... I'm wondering if Hurricane Earl will be close enough to make a difference with this nugget.  School starts next week, so the timing really isn't good for the boys, but man would my ribs and lower back really be happy.


#1 visited his Kindergarten classroom today and met his teachers.  He is super excited to start school and see his friends on a daily basis again.  He finished his visit on the playground with a friend of his - both of the boys had a choke-hold on each other with one hand, while trying to wrestle with the other.  I guess this is how boys greet each other after a summer break...