Can I Handle This?

Life is never quite exciting enough for Tommy. As we piled into the car this morning, planning to hit the gym and then visit the local fire station afterward, Tommy donned his baseball batting helmet and began his usual routine of foolin' around in the car.

Generally, Tommy takes to the back of the car, climbing over seats and grinning at me in evil amusement because he knows A) how mad I am going to get and B) that there is not much chance I can actually catch him, since my pregnant belly will not contort into the shape necessary to get over the car seats and into the back row of the minivan.

This morning, however, Tom took to his more-dangerous habit of playing with switches and buttons in the front of the car. You can probably guess where this is going. He took a good, long look at me and then locked the car. I was annoyed, but one door was open...so no problem. I manually unlocked another car door and proceeded to get Tom strapped into his car seat. Then I shut his door and, in slow motion, heard...the... automatic...locks...re-locking...the...front...door. Didn't know that was a bonus feature.

With both kids strapped and my keys locked up tight, I panicked. It was a hot morning, and while we were in the shade of the garage, I didn't know how fast things would heat up in there. Thankfully, Daddy excused himself from work for an hour to drive out and save the kids. As we waited for him to arrive, I tried unsuccessfully to pry open the front window and stick a homemade hook contraption onto the auto-lock button. Tommy cheered me on and kept urging me to, "Use Daddy's hammer!!...It's right over there in the toooooooool box!!"

Kids are a riot, but sometimes, my Grandpa is right: Don't be in such a hurry to get them on the outside (of your body). They cause less trouble in your stomach.

Hormonal Thriller

Well, the verdict is in: #3 is scheduled to be born 2 weeks, 4 days early on Tuesday, July 8. July 8 seems like a fine enough birthday, but it's definitely no 4th of July.

John and I both went to the doctor this morning; the ultrasound tech pronounced the baby to be of normal size for this point in the pregnancy. Nothing is really normal about baby size in our family, so we'll see whether her predictions ring true two weeks from tomorrow.

After the doc, John picked out some fancy new eyeglasses and then we headed for lunch at a longtime favorite, Punch Pizza. By this point, I was feeling nauseated from hunger and thirst. (Normally, I have about 3 glasses of water and ice chips by 11am, and I forgot to bring even one bottle of water with me to the doc.) As we ordered our pizza, I requested a BIG Coke. The biggest available. I didn't realize the cups were refillable.

As John and I laughed over my urgent and desperate plea for cola, I suddenly found my laughter turning into tears...uncontrollable ones. John quickly tried to make amends, "I didn't meant anything by it, dear!" I knew he didn't. It was just a strange and sudden hormonal shift.

I have a feeling many more are on the way.

Salute to the End

It's getting to be the bitter end: the point at which I must waddle instead of walk. This morning, the kids sat in the double stroller as I waddled around the marsh near our home. Geez, pushing that thing is burdensome. It is actually easier to run than waddle behind that stroller.

At most, I've got 2 weekends left before this baby makes a grand entrance into the world. The baby is wide awake right now, pushing and prodding around in my belly, which sticks out over the edge of my laptop keyboard as I type.

I can't say that pregnancy is enjoyable yet---no, no; far from it. However, it does seem to have gone by a little more quickly and a little more smoothly this time. Perhaps that's due to the other rugrats occupying my time. Or maybe I've just become somewhat numb to what seems a constant stage of my life.

Some of the things I will appreciate post-partum include:

1.)Putting on underwear more easily. I'm not talking about size here; I'm talking about balance. It is very difficult to balance on one foot and angle your other foot into a tiny hole when you can't see that hole because your belly is in the way.
2.)Chasing my kids around and giving them kiss attacks. Unfortunately, pregnancy prevents some of the most fun tickling and wrestling that parents love to do.
3.) Bike riding. It seems like every darn summer, I keep saying how much I miss bike riding. Then I get knocked up again and I'm afraid to fall off the bike.
4.) Booze. Well, most of you know I'll indulge in an occasional drink while pregnant. Dr. He-Man says it's fine, people! But it will be nice to order a glass of wine at a restaurant again. Public scrutiny is quite intense at my size.

My Birthday Boy

Up on the Scale

So, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. This is my 1st pregnancy that I will actually fall within the doctor-recommended weight gain specifications, and let me tell you, it has been no easy task. I am still running...a slow 2 miles this morning, and I am feeling so much better than I did at the end of either other pregnancy. I've gained 27 lbs., and imagine I will be up to 30 by the time the next 3 weeks are through.

I recently saw a poster at the gym that said maintaining your health (or weight?...not sure) is about 20% physical exertion and 80% nutrition. Yikes. Unfortunately, I had to tip the scales with extra physical effort, because I still ate plenty of ice cream this time around.

I hate to do it, but for those who are reading this blog and are in or anticipating their 1st pregnancy, please heed my warning of not listening to the many who will tell you it's OK to eat for 2. It's really not. Trust me; I've done it. The weight is hard to lose, and you're better off gaining less to start with. I don't know how I would have kept up with Tom and Lucy this month if I'd been where I was at the end of my last pregnancy.

Anyway, the point of this entry is to celebrate! How often is it that I can step on the scale proud of myself at 8.5 months pregnant? Three cheers for Anne! Thank goodness the end is in sight.

Sparkless

I recently saw a movie preview for Nights in Rodanthe, and for some reason beyond me, I was moved to finally pick up a Nicholas Sparks novel.

Bad choice.

I'd resisted him vehemently (in writing and on film) even after everyone I knew recommended The Notebook. I can't speak for that particular piece of international phenom, but Nights in Rodanthe was utter sap.What a waste of precious free time.

Curried Chicken Salad

This is something John and I have enjoyed since we lived in the city. Now I can make it in the suburbs!

Envy & Animosity Humbled

I was getting ready at the gym this morning when a tiny woman scooted in next to me. Irked to see her cute little body, I mentally sighed and wondered when my pregnancy would be over. I became more annoyed with her when she asked to share the (small) mirror to get ready beside me. Do I really have to primp next to Ms. Perfect?

Of course, she inevitably had to ask whether I was having a boy or a girl, and when the baby was coming. I responded in my best do-I-have-to-make-small-talk-with-everyone-just-because-I'm- pregnant voice.

She seemed not to perceive my emote, and instead sighed herself.

"You're so lucky," she said. "I just finished a round of in vitro fertilization. Sorry if it seems like I've been staring at you."

"I hope it works," I managed, surprised that she would share something so personal with me.

"It didn't," she said. "It was so expensive, and we don't have the money to do it again..."

Silently, I nodded as she went on for few moments, telling me what was in the deepest part of her heart.

Nothin' Sweeter

There's nothin' sweeter than a toddler gal in a tank top.You can see her tender little shoulders and arms, with just a tad of sunshine and a squeeze-worth of baby fat left. There's nothin' cuter...except maybe when you buy her a new pair of shoes, and her little girl legs seem so much different.And she walks with a new bounce.And she giggles and smiles and sits down often to examine her new acquisition.Ladies and gentlemen, she's a shopper!

This Many [Holding up 3 Fingers]

Dear Tommy,
It seems your toddlerhood is slipping (or "swipping") away from us.When I look at the calendar for this month, I can hardly believe your 3rd birthday is just days away.We did have to dash your hopes of having one of those real, working cars, but your other request for birthday strawberries will definitely be fulfilled.

As before the birth of your sister, I find myself strangely sentimental this month, wanting to snuggle you and hold you and just savor the relationship we have right now, before it changes.I don't fear the change, but I do know that things will be somehow different.And aren't they perfect now, with two giggling bugs chasing around our house?You are eager to meet the baby pushing you from inside my tummy, though...you seem unworried.

You are turning into such a smart and considerate boy, Tommy.You bombard me constantly with questions, asking just this morning where bikes were made and and what "suddenly" means.You never seem to forget our answers; instead, you repeat them aloud for several days or months as if committing them to memory is the most important task at hand.(I think this is a compulsion you get from Daddy.) "Frightened means scared!" "Exert means to try harder!"

We've been working our way through the alphabet lately, mostly so I could focus on something other than pregnancy.Things are finally wrapping up, and this week, you're learning about the letter U.A picture of Tommy wearing "Underwear" hangs on my left...and rightfully so, as potty-training has consumed so much of our and your energy over these past months.It really did go more smoothly than I expected, but every so often, you hold onto your right to pee or poo where YOU so choose.I can only believe such determination will serve you well in other areas of your life.

One of your favorite things to do, now that the weather is nice, is take off on the Radio Flyer bike that Grandma Linda and Grandpa Eric gave you.We need to get a basket on that thing, because you're awfully fond of collecting rocks along your way, but you're perplexed when they fall off the back of the bike.You are fast as the wind, and can go at least a mile.Yesterday, you rang your little bell and waved at a gaggle of girls as you passed.

You are a wonderful brother most of the time.When Lucy wakes up in the morning, you rush to give her a kiss.You tell me when she wants to eat yogurt or get a drink. You find her special bunny when she's sad.With gentle reminding,you are eager to share with Lucy.You become more happy when she is happy.I hope this lesson is one that sticks with you in life...to complete another's joy brings our own.

I will never forget the feeling of responsibility and joy and relief we experienced the day we drove you home from United Hospital in our little Volvo three brief years ago.I cried in that moment as I realized you were everything life could offer. And you really are.
To be a mother is to know a completeness that often overwhelms, but equally inspires.
I love you, Tommy.Happy Birthday.
Mama