A Long Awaited Pregnancy Update

First of all, still pregnant.  I'm now 23 weeks.  It's funny how different each pregnancy can be.  Nothing will ever compare to the horror and agony of Linus' pregnancy and delivery. Nothing.  This time the puking/nausea was kept to a minimum.  People ask me all the time how I'm feeling.  Really all I can say is, "Fine."  I don't think I will ever be one of those women who love being pregnant.  I'm not in horrendous pain, my heartburn can currently be kept at bay with a bowl of ice cream and two Tums at bedtime.  Since I'm not working (not that full time motherhood isn't work), pregnancy is significantly easier.  Teaching is not conducive to the needs of a pregnant woman.

The baby is pretty active and I feel him kick regularly.  Dave has been able to feel the kicks since Mother's Day (18 weeks) if that gives any indication of just how strong the baby kicks.  We don't have a name yet.  Not even close.  As the ultimate planner who doesn't deal well with unknowns, this is almost painful for me.  We've gotten as far as nixing names. Some names I've liked I've tried out for a few days only to discover that they really aren't his name.

Here's me at 23 weeks in all my glory.

I'm huge.  It's okay. You know it, I know it.  I accept it.  My doctor confirmed today that I am measuring large.  I am hoping that my body is just suffering from muscle memory and I am not slowly growing a giant.  My weight gain is on track (less than the other two kids at this point).
I've had some contractions that gave me some worry the past few days, but everything seems to be okay.

To beat the heat today, I took the kids to a splash park since the wading pools don't open until the end of the month.  The only bathing suit I have that really fits right is a bikini.  I don't know if I am brave enough to rock that look yet.  Maybe if it's gets hotter, I'll find a way to rally.  Eileen likes pools, but finds spraying (including showers) to her dislike.  She was content to hang out on the blanket with me although Linus was a good big brother, held her hand, and walked her around a little bit.

breaking out a few crazy moves before getting wet

He only likes to make silly faces these days.

I'm interested to see how this pregnancy plays out during the summer.  Hopefully, it won't get too hot or lots of people are going to get to see a painfully white beached whale.

From the Mouths of Babes in May

Me:  Do you want to take a bath?
Eileen: (very concerned) I don't want to go down the drain.

**Eileen has seemingly gone overnight from loving/demanding baths to crying/avoidance.   Once in tub, she stands on tip toes as far away from the drain as possible, crying.  She does not have an aversion to pools.

Me: Oh hey, it looks like we've got a little time.  Do you want to go to a coffee shop?
Eileen: I want to get more pedicures.

Linus: This is my song about reptiles.  It is very long.  It will be over when I'm dead.

Linus:  Aunt Sally I have a Star Wars guy that ruins movies. (pause)  What's his name?
Me: Jar Jar Binks.

Memorial Day "Camping"

Memorial Day weekend, a chance to honor fallen soldiers is synonymous with a few other things: Sasquatch, Folklife, and camping to name a few.  It's hard to explain war, soldiers, and death to a four year old, but I did my best.  We tried to do our part by participating in a little "camping." 

Upon hearing an ad on the radio for the REI anniversary sale, Linus squealed with delighted and suggested we take a trip there.  Of course I did my best to oblige. I was eager to avoid the crowds and let them burn some energy at the giant treehouse.  We found kid sleeping bags on sale.  Armed with our new wares, we were ready to do some "camping."

I don't like camping in the rain.  Additionally, a virus has slowly been working its way through our family, leaving each victim with a fever for two days before moving on to the next person.  As Eileen got better Thursday morning, Linus got sick Thursday night.  Dave would later have his turn beginning Sunday.  I resolved to set up camp in our basement.

They are very into tongue rolling these days.

attempting to copy brother's silliness

Eileen hid while Linus was deep in thought.

 Of course camping isn't complete without roasting marshmallows.  Our solution--sterno smores!

you know it was a good s'more if it covers your face

Linus was annoyed we wouldn't let him build a campfire.  Dave kindly broke out the guitar for some quality campfire songs.

We are actually mean parents who made the kids sleep in their beds because A. we are mean and no fun and B. we like sleep.

The next morning we woke early to take a quick dip in the lake and float down the river (aka the Mount Lake Terrace Pool).  The rain kept us indoors for the weekend and eventually led us to the movies where we saw "Epic."  It was Eileen's first time in a movie theater.

Eileen's favorite part was sitting in the seat and letting her legs fly up because she didn't weigh enough to keep the seat down. 

The reflectors on the kids' raincoats make them look like they belong in Tron.

I was by myself with the kids and it went great.  Linus loved the movie, but I think parts were a little intense for Eileen. Eileen's response to seeing her first movie?  "I like Frog and Toad." (We saw the musical Frog and Toad was visiting Portland the other week.) Poor Dave spent the afternoon sick.  With the rain pouring, we baked cookies and sipped hot cider.

Someday the kids will have a more authentic Memorial Day camping experience.  In the meantime I think as long as we don't go the way of Troop Beverly Hills and camp out at a luxury hotel then I think we are doing pretty good.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is tricky.  There are a lot of built up expectations and hopes.  Do dads feel that way?  Another trick part is that it's your beautiful wonderful children who made you a mother, but it's those same beautiful wonderful children from whom you desperately need space and a little bit of a break.  Today was great.  My husband managed to find that fine balance for me.

After bringing me breakfast and presents in bed, he took the kids on a morning hike so I could sleep in as long as I wanted.  I used this time to read a book without guilt.  It was wonderful.  Dave gave me a Mother's Day Spa package to my favorite day spa which I look forward to utilizing.  Besides a sweet gift Linus made me at preschool.  He crafted me a heart necklace out of paper and string and wrote me a letter. It was all very sweet.

The shape on the left is a heart.

Back of letter.

I actually didn't know that Dave had taken the kids on a hike until I called to find out what happened to them.  Dave had wanted to give me the morning off.  In the end I got to spend the day being waited on hand and foot.  Dave even made me a milkshake. I got to see the kids and snuggle them as I wished, but I had zero responsibility for their care.  I spent a large part of the day napping and caught part of the Law and Order:SVU marathon.

The downside to napping most of the day is that you end up looking a little more haggard.

Post long naps we went on a walk to a nearby park and then played some more with the neighbors.

Even fancy photo filters can't hide the haggardness.

Dave grilled us some burgers for dinner and we dined al fresco on the front porch.

I ended the day having barely lifted a finger and feeling very loved.  Maybe next year we'll have more of an adventure, but today I loved being able to just nap and snuggle up with a good book all by myself and an occasional little one. 

I love being a mother and am very grateful that I have a family who appreciates me.

Sun? In Spring? In Washington?

I think I've been as shocked as everyone else by some of the weather this week.  I've not yet gotten over Monday when Seattle was tied for hottest city in the US with Phoenix.  The sun has meant lots of time outdoors.  Since the weather is expected to turn in the next few days, I decided to make a trip down to Tacoma to visit the Pt. Defiance Zoo and also say happy birthday/happy mother's day to my mom.

I've become a zoo snob.  In order to avoid crowds, I prefer to go to the zoo on weekday mornings as soon as they open.  I've become too good to actually have to share the viewing of animals.  By going at opening I get at least 45 minutes to myself before any school groups get there.  I loathe the summer day camps just as much. I'm sure I'll have to get over myself once the kids are in elementary school but for now...

It was a perfect day for the zoo and Grandma accompanied us.  The sun was shining, the crowds were not existent.  We saw a baby tiger cub.  I didn't know about the new sting ray touch tank exhibit so that was an added bonus.  It was a great, low stress trip.

She was skeptical about actually touching a sting ray.  She also refuses to touch sea cucumbers because in her words, "They don't like me."

"I touched a sting ray!"

Seattle pride represent

Generally, sunny weather at our house means playing in the backyard.  Playing in the backyard is really code for digging in the dirt and finding sticks to fight over.  Linus recently discovered the boys who live behind us and happen to share his enthusiasm for dirt and bugs.  He constantly checks to see if they are out and available for conversation through the fence.

She got very dirty.

Sun + dirt play = increased frequency of bathing.  Bathing leads to naked time which leads to naked guitar playing.

I am so grateful for the sun and the increased opportunities to just watch my kids be kids.  I can handle the rain forecast for next week because all the pollen and dust has given Eileen a constant runny nose.  And if you've never experienced having your bare arm used as a tissue then you haven't lived. 

It's a .......

We had an ultrasound today.  I can't not take a peek.  It's a ...... puppy!!  No, just kidding.  We are having a BOY!

Everyone has asked me what I wanted.  Since we already have one of each, I'm less desperate to get a particular gender.  This baby is being born around the same time as the others so seasonally the clothes should fit either way.  At this point, I just wanted to be told at today's ultrasound that everything was okay.  No more surprises or reasons to worry.  Not only are we having a healthy little boy, but the hemorrhage has resolved itself completely.  Hooray! Allelujah! Amen! 

I'll admit I'm a little sad that some of Eileen's cute little outfits won't get another wear. I don't think there will be more babies after this one.  But I am looking forward to a few of the other clothes making a reappearance, especially one particular corduroy raccoon hat.  Linus really wanted a brother so he is quite happy.

Dave and I are very excited and nowhere near having a name.  Right now it may be stuck with its hospital tag name, Dimock Baby Boy A.  I think it has a certain ring to it.

From the Mouths of Babes in April

Eileen:  Ninjas took my dinosaurs.  I want them back.

Eileen: Ew. Yuck. Mustaches.

Eileen: (to the Thai food delivery guy) Do you have my sleeping bag? I want a haircut.

Eileen:  I be ninja fish (long pause) in the ocean.

Me:  Oh no it's raining.
Linus: No.  It's sunny and rainy.  It's perfect rainbow weather.

Linus:  (while crying in timeout)  Daddies are not fun for kids.

Eileen:  dum dum da dee dee.  dum dum da dee dee (Eileen's version of the Darth Vader theme)