Pregnancy Updates: 36 Weeks

How far along? 36

Total weight gain/loss: Over 25 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  I wore the stretchiest pants I own to Thanksgiving yesterday, and today I wore sweats (but fancy sweats) out in public.  

Sleep: Lots of insomnia this week.  I got a good chunk of Christmas shopping done between the hours of 2 am and 4:30 am this morning.  

Best Moments this Week: Thanksgiving with my family.  Seeing baby's face in 3D during today's ultrasound.  I debated whether or not I should put the picture up here cause 3D baby images are pretty much the stuff nightmares are born from, but it's my blog, and I'll do what I want.  

I showed Madeline the pictures.  She studied them with raised eyebrows for a few minutes before tossing them on the floor.  "I'm all done," she stated before walking away.  Hmmm.  

Movement: On my way to my non stress this morning, baby was kicking up a storm.  When they hooked me up to the monitors, her heart rate was really high.  Too high.  At my test on Tuesday, her heart was around 130 BPM.  Today, it came in at over 200 BPM.  I was told that everything between 120 to 180 is considered normal.  It started to fall as baby calmed down, but was still high, so they did an ultrasound.  Everything looked great, and when they performed a second non stress test, her heart rate was back to the normal 140s.  I did have some leftover pie for breakfast this morning....so I 'm wondering if she was having a sugar high.  I guess that means more leftover pie for Eric!  

Food Cravings:  I finally got my gravy fix!  About to do leftovers in a few minutes too.  Yum! 

Food Aversions: As if you have to ask...

Gender: Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  As I mentioned the other day, I'm having contractions.  I was really crampy the past few days, but today I felt normal again.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: Heartburn like whoa.  

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss: Nothing really.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks.  

What I am Looking Forward to: Having a baby!

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: I have my next non stress test on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to it after today's little hiccup.  Let's keep an eye on this somersault-performing little lady.  

Current Food Comparison? A crenshaw melon.  Whatever that means... 

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

And here's what I looked like at 36 weeks last time! 

Things You Should Not Say to Your Pregnant, Redheaded Wife

There are probably many things men should not say to the pregnant women in their lives.  Things like, “You’re overreacting,” or “You have no idea how tired I am today,” or “Did you just eat another slice of pie?” 

Luckily, although I sometimes catch Eric giving me the side eye as I struggle to get into my pants, he’s very sympathetic toward my swollen state.  He doesn’t judge the amount of pie I eat.  In fact, he even brings home cake on occasion.  Still, he’s not a perfect human being, and sometimes, he says stupid things. 

Over the weekend, I was lounging on the couch like a much cuter version ofJabba the Hut, daydreaming aloud about what baby girl might look like when Eric piped up with the following:  

"Groan. I hope we don't have another redhead. We've had enough."

I blinked…twice…and resisted the urge to slap him. (Mostly because slapping him would require getting up, and by the time I waddled his way, he'd have had plenty of time to duck anyway.) 

In a tone that I hoped communicated that he was treading in very dangerous waters, I reminded him that his two favorite people are redheads and that he should count himself very lucky. 

Besides, what did he mean by, "We’ve had enough?" Enough what?  Enough awesome?  I know he didn't mean enough sunscreen.

He tried to explain himself while I glared across the room.  He wants baby girl to be special, he argued.  He doesn’t want just another redhead thrown into the mix. 

I was unconvinced.  “Redheads are special!” I cried. 

Later that night, after eating some cheesecake that I refused to share with my own child, I began to process what he said, and now I think I get it.  He loves Madeline, but he doesn’t want our second child to be a carbon copy of her. She already has to use Madeline’s old toys and wear Madeline’s old clothes, so he wants her to have something that’s her own.  Red hair might be considered rare, but when your mother and older sister are already redheads, it’s not really special anymore.  She’d be more unique with brown hair. 

Of course, if he had phrased it that way instead of groaning about the abundance of redheads in his life, I probably would have been more forgiving.  Then again, maybe not.  I hate to be a walking stereotype, but the redheaded temper, lack of patience, and stubborn tendency to be right are all qualities I possess.  Madeline is quicklyfollowing in my footsteps, so it can’t be easy for Eric to live a peaceful existence amid all those gingery emotions. 

As it is, I can't wait to meet this new little lady no matter what her hair color may be, and I know Eric feels the same way. It's going to be fascinating observing the similarities between her and Madeline, but it will be equally interesting to discover their differences.  One would think that the same set of parents would produce similar offspring, but we all know that’s not the case.  Siblings can be drastically different both in looks and personality. 

Personally, while I was open to any hair color before, I’m now routing for another redhead simply to annoy my husband.  

via

 

One Month...Theoretically Speaking

My due date is one month from today.

Of course, I laugh in the face of due dates and fully expect this baby to say howdy-do anytime between tomorrow and the year 2014.

I had my first non stress test this afternoon. Just like last time, I'm having steady contractions already. The nurse came back in the room half-way through with her eyebrows raised. "Summer, are you feeling any of these contractions?" she asked. Nope. I have some light menstrual-like cramping, but that's about the extent of it.

On my way home, I listened to Christmas music. I usually wait until after Thanksgiving to indulge, but since the season to celebrate the Baby Jesus might be interrupted by our own holy child, I figured it's okay to cheat. The Little Drummer Boy came on twice. Bonus. Now I just need to convince Eric to let me get a tree this weekend...

I also need to finish setting up baby furniture, getting the house clean, and I have about 200 papers to grade. It's going to be a busy long weekend. Good thing there will be turkey and pie to get us through it.

Pregnancy Updates: 35 Weeks

How far along? 35

Total weight gain/loss: 25

Maternity Clothes:  My wardrobe is becoming seriously limited again as my girth steadily increases.  

Sleep: Yes, please?

Best Moments this Week: I had an ultrasound this morning!  Eric took the day off to tag along, which was awesome since he missed the earlier ones.  We got some clear views of little baby's face.  Cheeks for miles! I think she looks just like Madeline did in her last ultrasound picture, but Eric says all babies look the same.  She's breathing, rolling around, head down, and about 5 lbs.  Hooray for healthy babies!  

If you're curious to see what Madeline looked like, click HERE.  

Movement: She's getting snug in there, so the movements aren't as strong.  I can feel little elbows, fingers, and toes poking me though.   I can feel her bum pushing up against my ribs now and again as well.  

Food Cravings:  Not particularly, but I've been ravenous.  

Food Aversions: I laugh in the face of food aversions.  

Gender: She's still a girl!  We made sure to check at the ultrasound just in case...

Labor Signs: Major cramps every night around bedtime.  Braxton Hicks, I guess.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: I'm epically large.  Cartoonish even.  And I work with teenagers who don't let me forget it.  I've seen stars a few times over the past week too, but I checked in with the doctor, and he said it's normal.  All the blood is going to my belly instead of my brain...That explains so much.  

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss: Walking like a normal person.  

What I am Looking Forward to: The holidays!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: Next week I'm starting up non stress tests twice a week, and a check-ins with the doctor once a week.  I've got more appointments than brain cells.  

Current Food Comparison? A honeydew melon!   

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

For a comparison of what I looked like last time I was with child, click HERE! 

Don't Call Me Ma'am

I know in some parts of the world, this word is used as a sign of respect.  Maybe it's because I'm a curmudgeonly northerner who doesn't understand life below the Mason Dixon line, but "Ma'am" might be the most offensive word in the English language. And since when did people start tossing it in my very youthful direction?

A few years ago the word "Ma'am" was very rarely directed at me.  Then something shifted.  People started using it more, I stopped getting carded, and my students stopped assuming I knew what a Wiz Khalifa was.  Then it hit me. Holy hell, I'm middle aged!  

The past decade has flown by so quickly, that I sometimes still write 2008 on my checks.  Yes, that's right, I'm five years behind.  Yet, here I stand.  It really is 2013, I really do own a house which I share with a husband and, soon to be, two children!  My children.  When did I become somebody's mother?  I keep finding white hairs, the weight doesn't come off as easy as it used to, and I really do need to use the facial creams those bitchy twenty-somethings with flawless skin hawk in the commercials.  And yes, youngsters now address me as "ma'am."    

The problem is that I don't feel like a grownup.  Most of the time I don't know what the hell I'm doing.  I still need to call my mom for laundry advice.  I've never balanced a check book in my life.  I still find myself giggling, "That's what she said," in my head throughout episodes of Downton Abbey.

So I think what old people say about being young at heart is probably true.  Maybe nobody ever feels like a grownup.

All bag boys, drive-thru attendants, theater ushers, and children trying to sell me cookies, take note:  On the outside, I may be a thirty-two-year-old pregnant lady toting a toddler while wearing clogs and a coat from LL Bean.  Yet, do not let my ill-fitting jeans and Toyota Corolla fool you.  On the inside, I am still a fabulous twenty-five, and you should treat me the same way as you'd treat one of those young ladies sporting Uggs and a lack of legitimate pants.  

But yes, I would like to buy all the cookies, and I would like you to carry my groceries to the car, young man.

Maddie Bear Sings

Madeline makes up songs as she tries to fall asleep. Meanwhile, we giggle listening to her voice echoing through the baby monitor. Here are some highlights from two nights of listening:

Cockadoodle-doo is not a question.
I love you, is a question,
And I love you,
And I love you,
And the mother is not feeling well!

(Sung to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star")
I love you Wild Kratz.
Now that I love you Wild Kratz,
Now that we have a square.
Chod Chod Chod Chod Chod Chod Chod.

Sorry we're closed today.
Nick! Sally! In the house!
Quick in the house!

Boo!
Ahhhh!
Boo!
Ahhhh!
Boo!
Ahhhh!

I wish I had a friend!
And I don't have friends in my bed,
And I don't have talking friends in my bed.
And I don't need this pillow!
In the skyyyy!

They grow big on the big tree,
And they grow little on the little tree.
Blah, blah, blahblah, blahhhh


I'm not sure if she'll be he next Taylor Swift or a great modern poet.

Dear Maddie Bear: November, 2013

Dear Madeline,

Forgive me for being a little late with your letter this month.  I'd like to blame it on the postage service, but it's really because your poor mumma's brain has been misplaced.  I may have left it at the obgyn's office last week, or maybe on top of the photocopy machine at work.  You see, in my world, it's still the first week of November.  It's really the middle of the month though, which means this could be the last letter I write to you before you become a big sister.

 Maddie Bear, my darling, you have been so very, very three the past two weeks.  People have warned me for years that three is a tough age.  Those people were right.  You do not follow directions well.  You are stubborn.  You scowl and pout most of your waking hours.  You've stopped talking and have instead invented your own language consisting of various whining noises and grunts.

A big problem we've been dealing with is your adoration of the iPad.  We let you use it on occasion, but now every time you see it, you ask for it, which obviously leads to many tears.  When we do let you use it, you cry when your time is up.  You shed giant, sorrowful tears, and sob for Olaf...the only person bear in the world who can truly understand just how mean your parents are.  I guess this is parenting in the age of technology...

I'm not sure if this difficult phase has to do with all the big changes you sense happening around you, or if it's simply a three-year-old thing.  My guess it's a little of both.  Either way, you're seriously testing the patience of both your parents.  Normally I'd turn to wine in times like these, but I'm too busy incubating your baby sister to find any relief.

Luckily, you're also adorable and funny, so we don't stay angry with you for long.  I so enjoy listening to the things that come out of your mouth.  Conversations with you are the best.  I never know where they'll lead.  The other day we started talking about the baby and ended the conversation talking about how it's good to try square cookies but not green eggs and ham.  You sing all the time.  This afternoon you propped a book up on the top of your toy piano and sang the story at the top of your lungs while banging on the keys.  

You're starting to get excited for Christmas, but still don't seem too sold on the whole Santa idea.  We saw him at the mall, but you hid behind my leg and scowled when he waved at you.  We talked about him bringing us presents on Christmas Eve, but you seemed freaked out by the idea of a strange man in our house while we're sleeping.  We'll see how this year's visit to the jolly man in red goes.

This is the first year you can tell us what you want for Christmas.  You've made very few requests, which is nice.  However, you did ask for a toy version of Chili's restaurant for your princess Little People.  I don't think Santa makes that in his workshop.  Sorry, Maddie Bear.

We finally set up your big girl bed this afternoon, and as you can see from the photographs, you were thrilled!  You look so tiny in it!

I was a little apprehensive about letting you sleep there tonight.  We haven't received the rails yet, so I was worried you'd fall out.  For the time being, we removed the box spring to keep you low to the ground, and I surrounded the bed with giant pillows to break any falls.  I was also worried that you'd be so excited that you'd bounce around for hours.  Instead, it took you about ten minutes to fall asleep.  Maybe this big girl bed will solve our bedtime issues...but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm so very proud of you, Madeline.  Even with the attitude, temper tantrums, and strange noises you make, I'm still convinced that you're the smartest, sweetest, and best little girl on the planet.

Love you to the moon!

-Mumma Bear

Pregnancy Updates: 34 Weeks

How far along? 34

Total weight gain/loss: Don't know; don't care.

Maternity Clothes:  Ugh, yes.  I just want to wear normal, cute fall clothing instead of feeling like a sack of potatoes most days.  

Sleep: Flipping over is obviously a challenge, but I'm surprisingly well.  

Best Moments this Week: My employers posted an ad for my replacement while I'm on leave.  Things are getting real!  Also, Eric picked up Madeline from school a few times this week giving me a chance to nap.  It's nice to simply lie on the bed and focus all my attention on baby beans every now and again.  

Movement: I did some kick counts earlier in the week because I was worried.  It turns out she's still wiggling quite a bit in there, but unless I really stop and pay attention, I'm not feeling those kicks as much.  Everything feels different.  On the other hand, I was able to grab her foot the other night.  At least, I think it was a foot.  I suppose it could have been a knee or elbow too.  

Food Cravings:  Not really...what's wrong with me?! 

Food Aversions: No.  

Gender: Baby Sister

Labor Signs: I've been cramping up quite a bit each afternoon, and my belly is still getting tight.  Several people told me that I've "dropped" this week. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Oh my God, I'm so FULL OF BABY!  I told Eric this week that I will be shocked...shocked...if we make it to my actual due date.  Everything just feels different...not sure how else to explain it.  (Watch, now I won't have this child until the middle of January because I opened my big mouth.)  

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss:   Everyday tasks like tying shoes or putting socks on Madeline are becoming so much more complicated.  I miss when I could sit on the floor with her without having to roll around like a turtle on its back to get back up.  

What I am Looking Forward to: Getting all our lose ends tied up so I can just sit back and enjoy the holiday season with my pj's on.

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: Doctor the middle of next week.  

Current Food Comparison? A cantaloupe!  She feels like a nice, firm cantaloupe in there.  

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

For a comparison of what I looked like last time I was with child, click HERE.  Yes, I would say my belly looks a lot lower this time around...

Babies are Scary, Yo

The other night, the thought came upon me suddenly that,  "Holy hell, we are going to have a baby again!"

Eric looked at me as if I were daft while I started mildly hyperventilating.  Madeline continued to ask/whine for more juice.  This is what most of our family dinners look like.

Of course I've known for quite some time that we're having another baby, (hello, it lives in me) and I'm really, really excited about it.  But also?  I'm really, really scared.

Three years have passed since I last cared for a newborn.  Apparently that's just the right amount of time to want a new one, but not enough time to forget the sleepless nights, sore nipples, and buckets of irrational tears shed (mine, not the baby's).

Last time I was pregnant, I was blissfully unaware of these things.  I knew parenting would be hard in the same way I now know that cutting off my right arm with a kitchen knife would be hard.  Sure, I can imagine the pain, but can I really imagine the pain?  No.  Instead, my head was filled with pink-tinged hallucinations of lovingly gazing into my daughter's dimples while slowly rocking her into a peaceful sleep.

Of course, the reality is that babies are hard to take care of.  It seems like it should be easy since they are so small and unable to argue.  However, they are demanding, selfish, loud, completely irrational, and they gnaw on your body parts at 3 am when all you want is sleep.  Plus, their faces get squished and weird looking during delivery, so they aren't even that cute for at least a month.  Couple all this with the new mumma's broken tail bone, stitched up lady bits, and crazy hormones, and you've got one hot mess.  Too harsh?  I speak the truth.

The anticipation of all this drama, added to the fact that I now also have a small child to take care of at the same time, has me worried.

Will I actually be able to do this?  Or will I run shrieking mad into the streets of Massachusetts until someone mistakes me for a Kennedy and gives me a job?

On the other hand, with knowledge comes wisdom.  Maybe this time it won't be so hard.  Maybe this time I'll understand, and believe, that each difficult baby phase passes quickly until one day my squished baby really will be cute, really will smile, really will be able to recognize the difference between my face and a stuffed bear with a binky attached to it.

Maybe this time I won't care so much about schedules, time lines, and doing things "right."  Maybe I'll be a little easier on myself when breastfeeding doesn't come as smoothly as I'd like, or I cry more than I should, because now I know that formula isn't the end of the world and that crying doesn't mean I love my child any less.

Regardless, this baby is coming...soon.  Whether I am a shrieking mess of a woman, or a zen-like mommy guru, we'll get through it just fine, and our new little baby will be so loved.

Beach Day

 I love going to the beach in the off season.  Sure, it's cold and windy, but without the hoards of sunbathers, umbrellas, coolers, lawn chairs, and youngsters jumping in the surf, you can really appreciate just how beautiful the sand, sky and ocean are.  Plus, nobody has to see me in a bathing suit.  We all win.

We generally end up at the beach a handful of times over the winter months.  We bundle Madeline up and let her run around like a wild thing.  She finds sticks, rocks and shells.  She laughs at the seagulls, and watches dogs playing in the distance.  In spite of the cold, she still manages to build sandcastles and needs to be told not to go in the water.

Afterwards we usually head someplace to warm up.  Sometimes we stop at our favorite seafood shack for some chowder.  Madeline eats a hot dog and cries when she sees the lobsters.  She doesn't know what she's missing.  And other times, like yesterday, we drive along the coast to Newburyport or Portsmouth to get coffee and window shop.  

I commented to Eric yesterday that we probably won't be making many beach trips this winter, and yesterday was probably our last trip as a family of three.  But next winter, we'll have two munchkins with rosy cheeks and lopsided grins to chase around the sand.

State of the Name...Again

Ugh, the great name debate continues. I think we've considered ALL the names, and I still. can't. decide.  I'm not BS-ing about this so we can be all, "Surprise, her name is Dmiracle! We knew it all along!"  We really don't have a name yet....at all.  

But since we can't call her "The Baby," or "The Other One," or "Little Sister" indefinitely, we've narrowed our choices down to the following three:

Vivienne Ann

Vivienne has been on the top of my list from the beginning.  I think it's so, so pretty.  When I hear this name, I think of someone who is feminine, lovely, and a bit on the serious side.  I also like Vivi as a more playful, youthful nickname.  Vivienne is also Madeline's favorite because that's the name of the shy princess on Sophia the First.

However, Vivienne Ann, along with our hyphenated last names, is quite a mouthful.  The sound of her full name is not a deal breaker though since the only time I ever use Madeline's full name aloud is when she's in trouble.

Ivy Anne

Ivy is quickly becoming my new favorite. It's got the "vee" sound I seem to be drawn to in names like Vivienne and Evie.  Plus, Ivy is appropriate for the Christmas season.  I imagine a girl named Ivy to be a bit quirky, artistic, and free-spirited.

The drawback is the whole Poison Ivy thing. I don't want people to associate my sweet baby daughter with a poisonous plant that causes a gross body rash.  On the other hand, a student who overheard me discussing baby names with a colleague told me, "Ain't nobody gonna mess with a girl called Poison Ivy.  She'll rule the school."  That's good to know.

Elsa Anne

This is Eric's favorite, and it's growing on me.  Elsa is pretty, simple, and old-fashioned.  I picture a girl in braids making daisy chains and playing the French Horn when I hear this name.

On the other hand, it's very The Sound of Music.  I'm worried that if we go with a name like Elsa, she'll end up appearing in a Ricola commercial with a goat named Sven.  Not that there's anything wrong with goats or the name Sven.

So there you have it!  Our child could end up being Vivienne, Ivy, or Elsa.  In fact, we might end up picking a name from a hat.

P.S.  I did the same run down with our top three names last time.  Read it HERE.  It's funny how I can't picture Madeline as anything other than Madeline now, but she could have been Harper or Ellary instead.  I suppose I'll feel the same way about baby Dmiracle some day.

Pregnancy Updates: 33 Weeks

How far along? 33

Total weight gain/loss: I was surprised to find that not only had I not gained any weight in the two weeks since my last doctor’s appointment, but I actually weighed two pounds less.  I’m chalking it up to a lighter lunch and a different scale, but it was still a nice surprise. 

Maternity Clothes: Praise the Bella Band!

Sleep: I’m still sleeping pretty soundly except for the nightly Charley horses waking me up.  

Best Moments this Week: Madeline has been particularly cuddly and sweet this week, which is nice.   Pretty soon I’ll have two sweet girls to cuddle with! 

Movement: The baby was so quiet at the beginning of the week, I was starting to get nervous, but then she decided to start kicking her way to freedom, and I knew all was well.  The movements have been different though, and my doctor confirmed that baby girl is head down, so that’s probably why. 

Food Cravings:  Mashed potatoes are still sounding good.  I just want warm comfort food in general. 

Food Aversions: No. 

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: None except for the occasional tight belly. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Holy stretch marks!  My body is going to look so weird when this is all over. 

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss: Cuddling with Madeline is getting really hard.  She tried climbing on my lap this morning, and just couldn’t get close to me due to baby sister poking Mumma in the ribs.  Sad. 

What I am Looking Forward to: Getting all baby girl’s things washed and set up. 

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: Nothing significant.

Current Food Comparison? A pineapple…but pleasantly less prickly! 

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

 To see what I looked like last time a person lived in my belly, click HERE!  It looks like my belly was a little lower by this point last time. 

Rollin' in the Leaves

 Madeline loves helping Eric rake.

The Mysterious Era Before Children

Nana and Pop babysat Madeline on Saturday while they were in town so that Eric and I could have a date night. (Thanks, guys!)  We were obviously very excited and eager to have a night of uninterrupted grownup time, but when we tried to think of something fun and exciting to do, we were stumped.

What did we do for fun before we had a child anyhow? I vaguely remember being an interesting person.  At least I was able to carry on a conversation without inserting words like "potty," "Dada," and "uh-oh!"every few minutes.  And I seriously doubt Eric and I would have decided to breed in the first place if we weren't having a good time together.  I know a lot of drinking was involved in the days before Madeline, but that couldn't have been all...right?

Saturday's experience got me thinking about what else we did with ourselves before we started a family. What, for example, did I do after work if I wasn't grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning up spilled juice, pretending to ride on a boat, taking Madeline to the bathroom, doing laundry, trying to explain where babies get milk from, coaxing Maddie out from under the dining room table, or picking Legos out of my body? (All of which I did this afternoon.)  I think I spent all my free time heating frozen pizza and napping.

Furthermore, I remember getting stressed on occasion before having children, but now I can't for the life of me figure out what I could have possibly been worried about.

Oh no! I napped through Oprah! Now I'll never know John Travolta's secret to happiness!
Oops! The four martinis I just drank were twelve dollars a piece! Well, it's a good thing I don't have to pour my hard-earned dollars into a bottomless mini human.  I guess I'll just give my drunk self a bath in my money now. Damn, there's three new movies I want to see, and I've got a free Sunday afternoon. However will I choose?

I'm not snark-ing against people without children. In all seriousness, I know life is busy and stressful for everyone at times for different reasons.

I just find it interesting how parenting has become so consuming that I can't even conceive of what life was life before we had children.  Project Madeline takes up a lot of resources.  She's sucked all the money, time, and brain cells out of Eric and me and replaced those things with sticky, gummy-bear-flavored kisses.

In the end, we spent Saturday evening browsing home decor stores we usually can't visit with Madeline and her grabby hands. Then we stuffed our faces with burritos and visited a new craft beer store that opened in town. Nothing like browsing the beers of the world while eight months pregnant, let me tell you. Even though our night was not particularly exciting, Eric and I still had a lot of fun just being us.

Meanwhile, in the not so distant future, I will begin to wonder, "Hum, what did I do with all that free time when I only had one kid???"

Nana and Maddie Bear

Halloween, 2013

For the past two years, Halloween has been postponed in our area due to a blizzard and a hurricane.  So, when it started down pouring on Thursday afternoon, I thought, "Oh great!  Here, we go again!"  Luckily, the rain turned to mist and the air stayed mild making it possible to go trick-or-treating.

Madeline went trick or treating last year, but she was much more aware of what was going on as a three year old.  She was a bit apprehensive about the experience at first. When the first batch if kids showed up at our door asking for candy, she hid around the corner.

 Then, when it came time for us to venture into the neighborhood, she got cold feet.  She burst into tears and buried her face in Eric's shoulder when we climbed the stairs to our neighbor's front porch.  Between moans she told us, "I don't want to say 'trick or treat'!"  

As we approached the second house, she gave herself a pep talk. "I was a little scared at that house, but it's okay," she said.

Sure enough, with each newly acquired piece of candy she became a bit bolder until she was waving to strangers and ringing doorbells all by herself.

We didn't stay out trick-or-treating too long. She got bored and cranky with the process after one loop around the block, so we headed back to our house to help Mimi and Bob pass out candy.

She inspected her loot and sat on the stairs eating candy for a while.  Then, once the sugar set in, she changed into her witch costume and started handing out candy to the kids.

She was allowed to stay up late to watch The Great Pumpkin, read Halloween books with Mimi, and had an overall grand time.

Meanwhile, it's now Sunday afternoon, and Eric just discovered her under the table with the entire bowl of candy in her lap.  We never seem to get the candy situation right.  The past two years we ran out, so this year we seriously stocked up.  However, due to the damp weather, we got fewer kids this year.  Now we're left with three bags of candy that haven't even been opened yet.  Guess we'll be eating mini KitKats till the groundhog sees his shadow. Not that I'm complaining...

32 Weeks

How far along? 32

Total weight gain/loss: Over 20, and I'm supposedly going to gain a pound per week until baby comes.  Things are getting epic.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and now my maternity shirts are starting to get a bit tight.  

Sleep: As can be expected, I'm having a hard time getting comfortable, so I wake up often during the night.  However, no insomnia this week.  

Best Moments this Week: Bringing Madeline trick or treating!  Also, I had three separate students tell me how huge my belly is getting this week.  I told them to watch out for December.  I'm going to be knocking people down with this thing.  

Movement: I predict this baby will need constant rocking to fall asleep just like Madeline did.  She sleeps all day long if I'm up and about.  

Food Cravings: Mashed potatoes with gravy!

Food Aversions: There's not such thing.  

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: Nope.  Girl is hanging tight.

Pregnancy Symptoms: I'm so sore again!  My hips and pelvis are seriously screwy.  This is making me waddle ever more slowly.  

Belly Button In or Out? I saw a lot of pictures of pregnant bellies this week, and I must say, my belly button is not as far out as it could be.  Mine is mostly flat, with a little pizazz.  

What I Miss: Being able to bend over or walk up stairs without panting like a wildebeest.

What I am Looking Forward to: Still getting the girls' room done.  Sigh, so little time.  I'm also looking forward to some Christmas cheer even though it's still way early.  

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: Next week

Current Food Comparison? A jicama!  

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

And the last time I was growing a tiny human, I looked like this!  I'd say the bump is looking about the same as last time...