My current "baby"

This is my current "baby" of 5 years. I've been a bit distraught lately because of this baby, who's puzzled me by being grumpy more often than not, an easy to anger little girl. Her feelings are hurt in a glimpse. She can fly off the handle unexpectedly with anger I didn't know she was capable of. But why?

I ask her...is it all the one on one time with mom? Or the way you get a slushy at Target and Olivia doesn't because she's at school? Or is it how you play all day with your gazillion toys, have more scooby doo movies than I'm able to count? Is it the playdates with your friends? Is it the special snacks mom makes for you in the afternoon or the times we color and do puzzles?

Well, I'm puzzled. Perhaps its the new "no-nap" policy she's implemented. Maybe it's something else.

Last night I snuck down to the girls' room at 10:30 pm. I brushed her hair back as she breathed in heavy...sleepy lil baby. I kissed her forehead and whispered how much I loved her. I did the same for Olivia and tiptoed back up stairs. I laid in bed thinking about my littlest reindeer, how she'd be in school in a few short months, how in a few short months she won't be my littlest reindeer anymore. Why is she so sad? Have I not showed her how much mommy loves her? I wondered....

So I snuck back downstairs, scooped up my "baby", huffed and puffed as I carried an extra 50+ lbs upstairs, and collapsed back into bed with a big snuggle bug on my chest. I caught my breath (these kids are getting heavy), and I basked in the moment. She's my baby for now, and I love her so much. And I hope that it will come through to her heart, if it hasn't already, that I just couldn't love a person more than I love my babies.

I just pray she knows.

Pregnancy thoughts and musings

You know, they say that after you've had a few babies, things can be different. "Things" is a tad broad....what I mean is, this pregnancy of mine is NOT like the others. Besides the obvious 2 months worth of vomiting and not leaving the house or the couch, I find my belly pushing out in a pregnant fashion MUCH sooner than before and MUCH sooner than appreciated. But there's been some good things too, like I can feel the baby move. They say you're not supposed to feel it for a few more weeks, unless of course, you've had a few...babies. So whether or not babycenter.com believes me or not, I totally feel the little lime sized baby in there. Swimming, flipping, thumping me. It's a strange feeling that I pretty much forgot all about in the past 5 years; albeit a good one.

I also forgot about the really awesome things people say and do to pregnant people. Here are some of my favorites:

Say:

"WOW! You are about ready to pop!" Mkay. I haven't had to endure this one YET, but inevitably, more than one person will say this to me come months 7-9. "POP" makes me think of zits and that is NOT how babies come out. Nor do I wish to consider my actual size or weight at 9 months.

"WOW! You look much further along than that!" For obvious reasons, this is offensive.

"Are you going to have more kids after this one?" Has anyone ever thought they wanted to have more kids during their current pregnancy or before/after/during labor and for the 2-5 years following those events? I mean, except those phenomenally special easy pregnancy people who had a 5 minute labor and not a moment of morning sickness the entire time. This conversation doesn't offend me, it just makes me laugh.

Do:

Homeless men at the bus stop who reach out and rub your belly. Or anyone really, who doesn't ask first. Please.

Overall at this point, I'm starting to enjoy my pregnant days. I broke down today and looked at a lil Liz Lange maternity clothes at Target. I didn't die. And there were a few cute things I could wear while maintaining a small amount of dignity. However, I'm holding out for the warmer days that are coming SOON so I can wear my summer dresses that I love...that I have always looked pregnant in, but now, I can look pregnant proudly and on purpose.

I don't barf anymore....I sleep TONS (which is lovely)...I'm a bit snippety, but who isn't this time of year?...that's what I say anyway. And I'm sticking to that. And despite the temps in the teens last night, Dairy Queen tasted AMAZING. Like a cool drink of water in the desert.

Well, this concludes my pregnancy thoughts and musings. Have a fabulous February day. :)

I haven't posted pics in awhile. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why my font is underlined. I see no underline button. It's infuriating me, but...at the same time, Steve says I'm a tad more irritable these days. Pssh. Please.

Here are some things we've been up to:




The 1980's Jane Fonda workout VHS that I did with my mom and sister growing up. It's so obscene, it even keeps the kids attention for an hour!

Olivia is shocked into silence. Sophie is headbanging.

Pushups. Sophie's form looks strangely similar to mine....

"Why is Jane on all fours?"

Sophie at the park. We went out and about to enjoy the 40 degree day. Whoohoo! Melting!

Sophie and I call this "slushing". We wear boots out, walk around the block and jump in all the slush puddles. Don't get me wrong...those days are long gone. But there were a few above freezing days here in ol' Ioway.




Mothers. Don't get upset here. This picture LOOKS like two little girls, diligently doing dishes peacefully as their mother has asked. Right after this, Olivia turned around and said,

"You treat us like a bunch of Cindarellas!!!" (Clearly disgusted with me).

I laughed.

Sophie screams in exasperation: "YOU ARE RUINING MY LIFE!!!!"

I said, "Yep." Smiling and laughing and glancing at Steve who's cracking up on the couch.

Other than the above documented winter activities, the girls have both started swimming lessons at the Y on Saturday morning while Mommy sleeps. Steve does a good job as activity/keeping them quiet and/or out of the house while I sleep director. Both girls are signed up to do spring soccer as well. That's right. SPRING soccer. And we've signed up. That clearly means SPRING is coming. Clearly.

Happy winter everyone. It's so super awesome. Snow and everything. Yippee. As my aunt Jo would say, "That was written in sarcasm font." ;)