Not long ago, Dan, Jenny and the three of us went to a housewarming party outside the city. Our friends live right near a playground, and – since it was such a sunny, warm day – we couldn’t resist heading over and playing around a bit. Jenny just sent over some pics, and I thought I would share two here.
-M
It was inevitable, I suppose. After months of hearing us talk about my belly, Zoe decided this morning that she had a baby in hers as well. We were getting ready to head out when she grabbed one of her beloved little badgers (picture below) and stuck it under her shirt. “Look, Mommy – I have a baby in my belly!” she said excitedly – and she kept it there during our entire car-ride across town!
-M
I had to laugh when I read about a recent study showing that dads-to-be gained an average of 14 pounds during their partner’s pregnancy. Though I don’t think Q has gained any weight over the past few months, I can’t help but think of how my various cravings/food phases could have impacted him. He must have a lot of willpower – or maybe he’s just not that into brownie sundaes, donuts, root-beer floats and Honey Bunches of Oats cereal. Those are the foods that really got me at various points in the pregnancy (I can still eat the latter bowfuls at a time), and poor Q was right beside me as I eagerly munched away.
-M
One of the things I’m getting excited about is seeing Zoe in the big-sister role. I feel pretty confident that she’ll relish her new position; as mentioned before, she has already taken a great interest in the baby. The other day, she kissed my stomach and said, “I like you, Baby Sister.” And after she jumped on me recently and was gently reminded to be careful of the baby, she bent over my stomach and said, “Sorry, Baby Sister. I didn’t mean to.”
Zoe has been spending a bit of time with Elena’s newborn granddaughter, and Elena reports that Zoe likes to gently pat her and plant kisses on her forehead. Zoe has also been doing a lot of caring for her “baby” stuffed animals – just yesterday, she tucked into “bed” and sang to sleep her little badgers (which are actually part of a baby mobile). The badgers are still there today, serving as a happy reminder of Zoe’s nurturing nature!
-M
I’m not sure how it happened (i.e. how I got so lucky), but Zoe’s new favorite game is “massage.” While she enjoys being the recipient of a little foot or arm rub, what she really likes is playing the role of masseuse: she’s constantly running up to us with lotion (which she calls soap) and offering foot rubs. Given the state of my swollen feet these days, the timing couldn’t be better. And I have to say, she’s actually pretty good – and far less expensive than a spa!
-M
Though this early part of maternity leave is supposed to be about resting and getting pre-Poppy things done around the house, it’s also giving me some (fun) one-on-one time with Zoe. One highlight from our time together so far was Mon. afternoon, when we had an impromptu sing-along; luckily, I had the camera to capture some of it.
-M
At Michelle’s latest Dr’s appointment they came up with a Poppy plan. As most of you know Michelle has ITP and needs to have extra monitoring (even though everything has looked great so far). Combined with the fact that Zoe had some blood complications at birth, the Dr thought a planned delivery may be the best way to go for Poppy.
The new plan is if Poppy doesn’t come naturally by next Friday, we’ll schedule an induction. That means we are only 10 days or so away from Poppy! Zoe is especially excited to meet her baby sister…
Jon Q
You know how aging pro athletes – football players, especially – talk about feeling like old men when they wake up in the morning? (Brett Favre, for example, has gone on at length about how difficult it is to get out of bed – because of limb and muscle pain.) Well, I totally feel for these guys as I enter the home stretch of my own pregnancy – though my discomfort happens at night, not in the morning. Starting around 5 PM each day, my body feels like it’s about to shut down, with stomach discomfort, lower back pain and swollen (occasionally throbbing) feet taking over. It’s also increasingly tough to get up from a sitting or lying position; I often feel like an old woman myself as I struggle to stand up and move around…
My complaints are nothing unique, I know, but I had forgotten how this phase of pregnancy feels. Lucky for me (and unlike those aging athletes), these ailments should disappear in a few short weeks!
-M
We had so much fun on Sat. morning that we decided to head back to Union Street yesterday. This time, Zoe got to ride on an airplane, jump around with her friend Zander, and eat fair food the way it was meant to be enjoyed: on the street. Check her out below.
-M
One of my favorite summer fairs is the Union Street Festival; we went last year and had a lot of fun strolling and playing around. This year’s festival kicked off yesterday morning, and the three of us once again made an appearance. I had the most fun (over)eating and shopping (we got some great deals on clothes for Poppy), but Zoe seemed to enjoy the teacups and Sesame Street bouncy house the most. Here are some pics.
-M
Meal-time with Zoe is an occasional source of frustration for me. Now that she’s a bit older, she’s also a bit pickier – and she’s been known to turn up her nose at many food items placed before her. (Having her reject something I just spent time making is particularly irritating.) This afternoon, though, she did quite the opposite. I prepared a banana shake – something she hasn’t had before – and asked for her thoughts after her first sip. She was quiet for a second and I was convinced she didn’t like it (it had very little sugar, after all) – but then she broke into a big smile. “Dee-licious,” she declared happily – just about making my day.
-M
While Michelle was at her weekly Dr’s appointment leading up to Poppy, Zoe and I stayed home. This morning Zoe wanted to have a “hair day”, so of course I helped. Here she is with her hair all done up!
Jon Q
I had to smile when I saw the headline – “How can a man cope with his moody pregnant wife?” – on a favorite blog of mine. The blogger went on to discuss the challenges of dealing with a pregnant woman’s mood swings and told the story of a husband who said of his wife, “It’s like I don’t even know her anymore.” The writer also recalled how she once majorly flipped out when, during her third trimester, she couldn’t enjoy a twice-baked potato when she wanted one. (It was, of course her husband’s fault.)
I know more than anyone how moody/irrational/crazy/ pregnancy can make someone; sadly, I think I’m more susceptible to hormonal ups-and-downs than the average woman. Poor Q has dealt with his fair share of ranting and raving and even tantruming, and I thank my lucky stars that he has taken everything in stride – never losing his patience (or, at least, never showing it) and always accepting my later apologies and hugs. I’m not sure how he puts up with me – but I’m glad he has. And I look forward to the day when hormones don’t cause me to freak out over something as small as a twice-baked potato!
-M
So, it’s official: I’m on maternity leave. My last day of work was today, and I’m not expected back at the office for another four months. A good friend/co-worker asked me this morning if I was excited, and I wasn’t sure what to say. I am, I guess, but despite all the planning and having been through this before, it all feels sort of surreal. It will probably take the baby’s arrival for it to sink in that I’m on leave and how much my life is about to change (again!); until then, I’m hoping for a little time to relax, get more organized and spend quality time with my otherbaby.
-M
Zoe has been known to slip into my shoes or Q’s shoes from time to time, but she hasn’t shown a big interest in playing dress-up with our clothes. Last night, though, she decided she wanted to wear “Daddy’s pajamas” instead of her own, and she managed to pull herself into Q’s white tee (size XL) and lounging pants. After prancing around the house for awhile, she kept saying “cheese,” so we figured we should take a picture.
-M
