He Who Shall Not Be Named

I've taken to calling the baby "He Who Shall Not Be Named."  Despite what you may believe, naming a child is not easy.  Names that you have loved since you were seven have suddenly become immensely popular.  You have a partner who you have to reach some sort of agreement with or risk alienation.  Naming suddenly becomes serious business once you actually get to/have to do it.  Really, you are helping decide that child's future and such decisions can not be made lightly.

We named Linus the day we found out we were having a boy.  We went out to dinner at a Greek restaurant on Phinney Ridge and had made the decision by dessert.  His middle name took a little longer.  Eileen was named probably within two weeks of the gender reveal. Her middle name changed as we walked into labor and delivery.  I will be 30 weeks on Tuesday and don't feel like we are even close to having a name.

Linus has named the baby Search Helicopter.  Eileen thinks Strawberry Shortcake would be a better choice but is willing to defer to Linus. When it comes to names I prefer more classical ones, but that are also less common (no top ten names for me).  The name needs to have character, personality.  Ideally, I would like it to be a saint's name.  If the first name isn't a saint name, then I'll try to make sure the middle name is.  Believe it or not, there is a Saint Linus.  He was the second pope.  I give bonus points for names that have songs attached. 

I feel like we did such a good job naming the first two that we have increased the pressure on ourselves to come up with another perfect name.  If we name him Jacob (a top ten name on the social security website and not under consideration), I may as well start apologizing to our third now.  Sorry kid, we just got tired and lost creativity, ie sending the implicit message from the start that he doesn't matter as much.

Right now Dave has a list of names, none of which I like although some are mildly tolerable.  And none of them feel like the baby's name.  I say this as the person who feels the baby all day and all night long.  I have a list of names, with a top 3.  None of which I am married to but strongly prefer to any on Dave's list.  Unfortunately, I think Dave is just as strongly opposed to my names as I am to his.

Yes, yes, I know.  The baby will be born, we will look at him, and then know his name.  I am skeptical of this since we are so far apart on names.  Additionally, I am a planner.  It will bring me so much peace to know his name.  If we come up with a name, he's born, and I say, "No way, he can't possibly be a McGillicuddy," then that's one thing.  I can deal with that.  Having him born and saying, "Sorry kid, I got bupkiss" seems so wrong. 

Dave and I are going away next weekend and having a little babymoon.  I am hoping that during this time of uninterrupted bliss (we get to sleep in past 5:30 am!!) we will come up with a name.  But for now the baby is "He Who Shall Not Be Named."

Family Camp 2013

Another year, another weekend spent at sunny Camp Don Bosco family camp.  I'm still amazed at myself every year that we go because as a young counselor I could not fathom going.  Ah how being a parent changes perspective.

So enjoy our "slideshow."

Eileen all ready for campfire the first night.  Can you see the enthusiasm bursting out of her?  She ran all the way to the campfire circle.

Not a lot of sleep was had by anyone during the weekend.  After falling out of bed, Eileen and I slept next to each other on the floor.  I quickly learned that sleeping on the floor on a thin mattress in a sleeping bag next to a toddler with an ear infection is the quickest way for a pregnant woman to get no sleep.  Luckily, I am married to a wonderful man who made a run each morning into town to bring me back Starbucks.

Linus' favorite part of camp this year was the craft shop.  He was prolific with his creations.

Tie dye!  Their shirts turned out pretty well and the kids looked like quintessential campers in their freshly minted tie dye (forgot to snag a pic).

So proud of his necklace and walking stick.

Lounging outside the craft shop.

A quick little hike to the Trestle.

baby butt looking down at Griffin Creek

The highlight of the trip for Eileen was horses.

 After getting thoroughly covered in dirt at the corral, Dave attempted to coax the kids into the pool.  Linus wised up very quickly to just how cold the pool was.  Eileen gave it a chance before crying to be let out.  I wisely just put my feet in and that was enough to let me know I had made the right choice. Brrr.  Dave was bummed.  He would have happily stayed in the pool for a while.

 The Slip N Slide went over much better.

Still trying to warm up from her dip in the pool.  Can you see the exhaustion from so much fun and no nap?  She passed out asleep shortly after this pic was taken.

Enjoying the makeshift swing.

One of the best parts of camp is the ability for the kids to safely roam and just play.  The kids quickly made friends.   Linus maybe got a little too comfortable and became increasingly difficult to keep an eye on,  there was just too much to explore.  Luckily, kids move in packs.  Bug hunting was a big activity.

Some bigger girls helped Eileen make a necklace and bracelet.  Eileen felt so special and talked about the experience nonstop afterwards.

 The kids had a good time.  Eileen cried when we left. Cried when we got home.  Cried when she woke up the next morning.  If she had her way, we would be at Camp Don Bosco right now.   

My experience was hard.  I didn't realize how trying it would be on my body to be 7.5 months pregnant at camp.  The inability to really get a chance to rest, the heat, the constant walking over uneven ground, the heart burn inducing food with no milk to be found, it was all too much.  By the time we left I just wanted to cry and felt like my body was going to give out underneath me at any moment.  Lesson learned. Very pregnant and camp are a poor combination.

Linus in his homemade space shuttle.  We needed lots of rest after such a full weekend.

I'm not sure if we'll go back next year.  A big surprise this year was discovering upon arrival that we would be sharing cabins with two other families.  We were lucky and actually knew the two other families we shared with and liked them.  It's one thing to share a cabin as a single adult with several other single adults.  It's another to go as a family and share with two other families.  Everyone really tried to be good sports and make it work.   Going away for the weekend with small children can be stressful, having to negotiate the needs of two other families in one room and not being able to have the cabin as a respite is a bit much.  So we'll see.

From the Mouths of Babes in June

Linus:  I think she doesn't know what she is saying.  (whispering about Eileen)

Linus:  When I grow up you will come to my house and have to follow my rules.  One of my rules is that bugs can come in the house.

Eileen:  It's not gross.  (surprised assessment of new dinner recipe, chicken and dumplings)

Linus:  Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Dave:  I think so but if they called them sad meals no one would buy them.
Linus:  Good one Daddy.

Linus:  I'm really good at fighting with light sabers.  I could be famous.

Eileen:  (examining her feet before putting on shoes)  I need to go to nails and get a pedicure.
Me:  Oh really.  Should we go to a coffee shop as well?
Eileen:  Yes.  I will get a croissant.

Linus: (while role playing a mommy jaguar in a cave)  No Eileen!  I'm Charlotte.  It's Mother's Day.  You have to give me alone time.

These two have been really playing a lot together recently.  It's great except when they're antagonizing one another.

Father's Day

Every year on Father's Day I am reminded that I picked a good one.  Dave is an amazing dad.  He is involved, patient, and fun.  He has the energy and enthusiasm to indulge Linus' fantasy projects, like building a lizard cage for the toy lizards.  When I'm too tired, he's there to go take the kids to play with sidewalk chalk.  At bedtime, he makes up stories and plays guitar.  I admit that sometimes I get lazy because I know Dave is there to pick up the slack.  He'll go to stores late at night to satisfy my pregnancy cravings, although I know that secretly he just wants dessert too since he's the one who asks if I need anything.

He stopped off after work the other day to pick up supplies for staking peas.  We really have Burgerville kids meals to thank for providing us with seeds to plant.  Otherwise, we would be without gardens.

I tried to be give Dave the morning off today to the best of my ability.  Really, any morning that one gets to sleep past 5:30 am is a treat.  The kids gave Dave birdhouses they painted, while my present to him (besides 3 children) was a bench vise and bench grinder.  He was excited to test them out.

Despite having the morning "off," Dave happily helped the kids play boats in the backyard.

Decorating the boats.  Golf clubs and scarves make excellent pirate flags.

Post nap we headed to Greenlake to do a little boating.  Eileen has been asking to go on a boat ride since our trip to Legoland last August.  Paddleboating was a big hit.

After getting dinner and dessert, this Daddy was still willing to be the one to put the kids to bed.  Happy Father's Day Dave.  I promise to thank you again next year.

Anything Worth Having Never Comes Easy

Ahh. Pregnancy.  You and I have a difficult relationship.  You are something I've wanted my whole life and yet you insist as making it as difficult and unpleasant as possible. Grrr.

So it my last post I mentioned I had experienced some contractions that gave me a little worry.  Last Sunday I had a few contractions during the afternoon that left me feeling a little off.  Late Monday night I felt that distinct constant pressure/tightening between my hips complemented by contractions every 10 minutes or so.  It was late.  I really didn't feel like calling the doctor at 1 am.  I decided if I could somehow fall asleep then I wouldn't need to call the doctor.  At my doctor's appointment on Wednesday I mentioned the contractions.  Since this is my third baby, I know I am supposed to feel contractions earlier.  But these contractions felt more like what I am used to feeling closer to 8.5 or 9 months, not the beginning of 6 months.  My doctor did a fetal fibronectin test which detects the possibility of preterm labor in the next 1-2 weeks.  He felt pretty sure that everything was fine, but just wanted to cover all the bases.

Fast forward to Friday.  You know it's not good news when instead of the nurse leaving a message on your home answering machine, the doctor calls you on your cell phone after not reaching you at home.  My doctor told me he had some bad news, that my fetal fibronectin test came back positive.  He said his heart sunk when he saw the result and felt horrible delivering the news since he knew how stressed I've been about the possibility of losing the baby.  My doctor basically said to not freak out, but that my threshold for calling needed to be lower than normal.  In terms of gestational age, I am right at what is considered viability.

An hour and a half later I am driving home from Woodinville and trying to process the possibility of a preemie.  Both kids had fallen asleep in the car so I had abandoned hopes of shopping.  All of the sudden I started feeling funny and then the contractions started.  Not cool.  Even less cool was driving through the Friday afternoon commute while contracting.  Luckily, Dave was on his way home.  I got home and laid down and drank some water to see if things got better.  When they didn't, I called and was directed to go to the hospital, leaving Dave to figure out last minute childcare. 

I spent 5 hours at the hospital undergoing tests and waiting.  The baby cooperated and the nurses noted that they normally aren't able to get such a good reading on a baby so young.  I of course noted that my babies are all very advanced.  The upside to having the hospital next door to your doctor's office is that it makes it really easy for them to come over.  The tests all came back normal and the contractions stopped.  I was directed to go home, take it easy, and check in with the doctor on Monday.

After a very boring weekend of laying on the couch, I saw the doctor today.  The good news is everything seems okay and I don't have to be on bed rest.  The bad news is I still am in the 2 week danger window.  I am supposed to take it easy and call if it starts feeling like labor again. 

At this point, I am left feeling a little neurotic trying to listen to my body and constantly second guessing myself. I haven't had any contractions for two days.  Right now I am focused on getting to third trimester, July 2.   I am trying to convince myself that I will go past my due date like I always have and this is just another minor hiccup.  This hiccup will probably alter how the kids and I spend our summer vacation at least a little bit. .  I feel a desperate need to nest and to get at least a little bit ready for the baby on the just in case. 

This baby is very wanted and very loved, and apparently has a flair for the dramatic.  A friend said she thought he would be a spitfire based on the behavior he has exhibited thus far and I am inclined to agree.  As my post title suggests, anything worth having never comes easy and this recent experience is just a reminder of that.

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.