soft and dilated 1 cm!
I was quite shocked and excited. For those of you not in-the-know, that’s more than I was when I went to the hospital the day I had Liam, after six hours of uncomfortable-to-painful contractions. I’m quite aware that I could walk around like this for the next 3+ weeks without a change, but it’s nice to know I’m a sobbing, frustrated mess for something.
It was a busy weekend around here and I’m sure that being out all day yesterday didn’t help, but I just haven’t felt “right” the last few days. I know that part of it is that I’m tired again. (Man, that bed rest stuff was SO easy compared to what I’m doing now. It’s difficult to keep up with life.) But, I think that a lot of it is just hormonal changes taking place. Suddenly things that I loved, I loathe - and my body is acting strange.
Oh yes, there are others, but they are too nasty to share with you sweet, innocent Internet. I’ll just keep them to myself and cry about them later. But it will be ok, because two seconds later I’ll laugh and think they’re hilarious.
It’s just getting down to the wire and I’m not quite ready for life to change yet. However, it’s clear over the last couple of days that I don’t get to control my hormones - or either of my children, for that matter. I just wish I had the energy to accomplish some of the things I’d like to have done. I don’t even care enough to spell check this.
The HORROR!
Ang and I went to a shower for a friend of mine, Leslie, this afternoon (she’s due three weeks after me).
It was so nice to get out of the house. Plus, I got to push her her mother-in-law’s buttons regarding her strong opinions about medication during labor and delivery. (Really, it was all in fun…she was a HOOT.) I also demonstrated how to use a pocket sling - after I begged Leslie to let me take it out of the package in the midst of opening another gift, and I met her twin sisters and shared my thoughts about how I don’t really like infants.
Why do I do these things in public?
I also talked a lot about boobs and losing baby weight with another friend whose child is now a month old. And I drank a lot of lemonade mixed with orange juice. It was fabulous.
My shower was grand as well. Moll and Ang did a FANTASTIC job.
Those two love to cook and try new things. Ironically, I like to eat. So I’ll start with the food.
Ang made all kinds of tasty appetizers which involved chicken sausage, mushrooms, prociutto, phyllo, delicious cheeses, bruchetta, antipasto salad, deviled eggs with a twist, and a yummy bean salad. I was fortunate to be sent home with some leftovers, so I’ve been noshing on goodies all day today as well.
Moll hosted and provided fixin’s for make-your-own grilled pizzas
and 18 lbs. of M&Ms. (God they were good.)
Ang made buttery, crispy sugar cookies, which I’ve also been eating today…like 5 of them.
The shower wasn’t really a shower. It just sounded like fun to get a bunch of friends together so that the ones without kids would be reminded of why they use birth control. But, in light of the fact that Elena will be pooping a lot, Ang put together a Dirty Diaper Fund to help us with the purchase of all of the cloth diapering accessories that we’ll need for her.
And, super crafty friends made things for us. (I’ll have to take pics and post them later. I’m too tired to do it right now.) We’re so freakin’ lucky.
By the end of the night, I wasn’t feeling so hot and we had to scoot out of there pretty quickly…but not before a few fun shots of the “fat ladies” by Neal.
I was going to attempt to do a handstand and get the yin/yang thing going on with the bellies, but I don’t think I can support my own weight on my arms.
Leslie’s and my independent response to something rude that Neal said. And this is why I love her.
I felt horrible by the time we got home. I guess my body was trying to tell me that I did too much.
Note to body: Body, see previous picture. We have three+ weeks to go. You’re going to have to suck it up.
Dear Liam-
Well, it’s been a pretty rough month for the both of us. Mama on bed rest wasn’t the easiest for you to deal with - you don’t enjoy me sitting on the sofa. As a result, I wasn’t as diligent about keeping a list of things you’ve been doing. I’m sure by next month your posts and E’s will become much shorter. I’ll do the best I can, I promise.
As it stands now, I’m too tired to separate the items any more. We’re just going with a general list and pics.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL/PHYSICAL ALL MIXED TOGETHER:
I’m so proud of you. You did wonderfully with the variety of peeps who came to keep me sane.
And we managed not to miss a KM class thanks to Grandmas and Aunties as well.
We have had so many different people over in the past month and you’ve been certain to make friends with everyone. Sharing has been a little interesting, but we’re working on it. It was nice to have some other kids around - particularly vocal Ethan. Since they were here, you’ve calmed down a little on the sympathy cry. Now you don’t cry immediately. You whimper a bit beforehand and immediately say in a wavery voice, “[insert name]’s ok. It’s ok.” Then you cry.
You’ve taken to sharing your “happy face” with us when asked. It is a little frightening, but it will turn into a fake, social smile soon enough. It’s heartfelt for now, at least.
You learned it from your father.
We’re still having some issues with “please” and “thank you” When I ask you what word to use when you want something, you still say, “ax politely,” but you’re getting the hang of the other…it’s just that every time YOU do something, you thank yourself. You’ll learn soon enough that it’s all about getting what you want…and once you do I’m sure you’ll sidle up to me, give me a great big hug, bat your eyes, and say, “want a strawberry milkshake please, mama.” You’ll learn that from your father too.
You need to get out of the house once a day. And really, it’s better for me too. But, the pressure is immense. It can’t just be an outing to the grocery store any more. That is starting to turn into a Numeroff book. If I take you to the store, you want a piece of cheese. If I give you a piece of cheese, you ask for a tomato. If I buy some tomatoes, you say you want a pizza. It goes on and on.
And, since we’re getting out of the house all the time, you want to look your best. You are constantly asking for me to put makeup on your face and hairspray and “junk” in your hair. One day you did it yourself. You looked dashing.
I’ve been a little frustrated lately because you seem to be testing ALL the limits. I know it’s been a rough month and part of it is because you’re two, but as a result, you’ve been spending a little too much time in The Thinking Chair lately. Wonder why.
I have had to make entire rooms Off Limits to you. Really, why must you stand and jump on the furniture?
We’ve also begun to have a few issues with you throwing things. While I was on bed rest, you learned how to play one-way catch - you throw, I catch. However, your overhand is weak and you are making your father insane. He’s also a little concerned that when I tell you to put your hands out to catch, you diligently put them out to the sides and wait for the ball to hit you. Unfortunately, you think it’s ok to throw other things as well. Like I said…Thinking Chair. A LOT.
Instead of talking and saying things like “all done,” you now scream nonsense words and squeal. I’ve taken to turning your chair toward the wall and ignoring you when you do this at mealtimes. I’m pretty sure you’re working on figuring out your emotions, but does that suddenly mean that all language is null and void? You’re certainly willing to talk when you feel like it.
But you still haven’t figured out how to keep quiet about what you’re doing that you’re not SUPPOSED to be doing. (”Um” is what you call yourself when you are talking too quickly to get out that first syllable.)
Fortunately for me, we’ve created a gated community for you which allows you in the kitchen, in the dining room with your super cool fort, and in the breakfast nook area. There are no sofas, no crayons within reach, and the dogs can run away from you.
Aside from the ways you choose to entertain yourself at times, I am impressed by your ability to play by yourself. You’re starting to understand the concept of keeping “work” on your mat and will sit and play with puzzles, matching cards, shapes, etc., for quite awhile.
You also like to sing and will do it at naptime and bedtime. The alphabet is becoming less complicated thanks to books like Chica Chicka Boom Boom, but you still skip 15 when counting - however you do like to announce “Theeee number of theee day.”
I am now quite certain that your teeth are never going to come in. They will stay in your jaw and taunt me for the rest of my natural life. We should by stock in Hyland’s Teething Tablets, which you ask for by name. They do help a bit with your napping, and the other morning you slept until 7 - but only because I was up with you for two hours in the night. That was an anamoly, but I don’t think you need as much sleep as you used to.
Please L, I beg of you, KEEP TAKING NAPS. I will die if you don’t nap when your crazy sister arrives.
JUST A FEW OTHER THINGS YOU’RE DIGGING AT THE MOMENT:
You have done such a good job at adjusting this month. I know it hasn’t been easy. You’re turning into an independent pre-schooler. You’re getting to the point where you only do what you WANT to do, the way YOU want to do it. You can handle two and three-step commands, but sometimes you don’t want to - even when I remember to give you choices. (I’ll let you in on a little secret…sometimes I don’t want to do things either.)
I’m proud of you and can’t wait to see what the next month brings. It will be interesting at the least.
I love you Cookie Monster,
Mama
Finally figured out how to post video…wait until someone else does and then steal it.
Here’s the Lammer spouting his latest catch phrase, thanks to Meg.
Guess who's coming to dinner....
And don't you dare show up without Cheddar Bunnies.
