Move over Bob the Builder; there's a new kid in town.

Updates from the Preggo Eggo

Disclaimer: All mentioned physical complaints will be shared with my doctor during my appointment this coming Monday, so please no worries. (Exclude #9 because Jesse was only doing his job... I guess.)

1. I am too tired to form proper paragraphs. Please forgive me and embrace the list.

2. I am in the throes of the worst sleep cycle ever. I typically crash around 10 pm, and then I am up and down for the next seven hours.

3. What's keep me up? The worst pain I've ever encountered. It (multiple body parts at this point) hurts in all positions and at all times. The pain oscillates from annoying to throbbing to stabbing. Changing positions amounts to a hill of beans because even standing has become a literal pain in my ass.

4. Contractions. Contractions. Contractions. These are also ever present, though they typically do not hurt. However...

5. Painful, and real deal, contractions are starting to occur. Luckily, they are only happening one at a time. But sheesh- I've got 5 more weeks to go. Come on!

6. My belly needs its own yoga instructor because it is sucking at stretching. Yep, Harold and the Purple crayon have made an appearance all over my belly. My only chance at looking cool after delivery is turning those marks into a psychedelic lightning motif tattoo. Maybe add in a wizard or a portrait of Jimi Hendrix.

7. Good- Penelope is growing. Bad- Penelope is growing. She's now large enough to head butt my bladder at truly inopportune times, like last night, when I woke up certain that my water had broken- not a fun experience... I was alternating between spazzing out about an impending delivery and the fact that I have not yet packed a bag or three. The lack of accompanying contractions made me feel much better. Ironically, this was the only time last night when I was having what surely felt like early back labor.

8. Lest we forget the typical pregnancy woes- stuffy nose, sore hips, forgetfulness, unmentionable things (yep, got a couple of them, too) and leg cramps- ahhh leg cramps. A few weeks back, I woke up screaming and writhing in pain with a leg cramp to end all leg cramps. Jesse thought I was in labor; I was able slur out only legs were giving birth. (I might have accidentally kicked him at that point. Opps.)

9. And finally, constant bladder pressure almost cost me life. One night, whilst making my fifth or so trip to the bathroom, my slumbering husband decided that I was not his leaky wife, but rather, I was a dangerous intruder headed for Miles' room. In with just the light of the moon as my saving grace, I had to fend off my sleep walking/ home defender/ slightly psychotic husband and yell him back to bed- because he was never fully awake or aware of the actual situation. Jesse, in an apparent kung-fu stance, was ready to throw me down the stairs, so I whipped my hair dryer at him- along with a long strand of expletives for almost scaring me into delivery. Obviously, this startles sleeping Miles, who chimed in with his own response to the yelling. In the morning, I had to remind Jesse of what had transpired. His meager response, "I must have been having a safety dream." What?!?! So this could have happened at any point during the last 8 months! For the record, I do not like "safety dreams."

10. Holy cow... the eagle is slated to land in 5 weeks.

Dear Penelope,

My dearest daughter. I am beside myself with the knowledge that your arrival is rapidly approaching, like a hurtling meteor ripping through the cosmos, aiming its impact on some unsuspecting villagers. Your destination has been charted, but many of the preparations are still in the works. Frankly, everything is in the air- if you arrived tonight, you'd have to bunk with your brother for a bit. Technically, you've got clothes, and I've got the food portion covered, but that's it- except, of course, your future nightlight. (So you might want to pack a sleeping bag.)

It's plugged in tonight next to my bed; I needed to feel the security and comfort that a nightlight can bring. Your mom's having a rough night. There are so many stresses that I've encountered today, including flashbacks every five minutes to the fact that we've got a billion things to do before you arrive. At least the most important bases are covered- you've got my unconditional love and a really cool nightlight waiting for you.

This particular nightlight I found two weeks ago, and it had your name written all over it. Plugging it in, lighting it up, and watching the glitter flecks float about makes me feel instantly calmer. I also feel more desperate to finally meet you- to hold you, and to whisper to you how much your arrival means to me. All of that can wait, so tonight we will share your nightlight. And chances are we'll share a dream, too. You've been making cameos almost nightly during my sleep, so I feel like I already know you a bit. In my dreams I've held you. Tonight, I hope I dream of us watching the nightlight together.

Good night little one. My sweet 2.0. I love you!

OBX 2010 (Polar Bear Plunge)

Even though I've got some serious extra padding these days and my core temperature hovers around nuclear, that water was darn cold! Little Man had no qualms about plopping his tiny buns down in that arctic surf. Additionally, Jesse had no qualms snapping off pictures of me chasing Miles around. Granted, I was smiling, and this makes for some great memories. (But I had to ride back to VA in those jeans- at least Miles got a quick bath and a change of clothes.)

OBX 2010 (Beach Buddies)

Miles & Orion:

I'm not a 100% sure of their actual relationship- be it second cousins, third cousins, once removed, twice removed... doesn't matter. What counts is that they made great beach buddies. These pictures are only a snippet of the actual cuteness that occurred. Next year, we'll need to hire a video crew to capture all of the magic! It's a miracle that the boys stopped running long enough to have these pictures taken. Seriously, they made the top floor of the beach house their personal toddler drag strip. Hee-larious to watch!

Attempting hugs...

Navel Gazing...

Tickles...

Big smiles...

Orion!

OBX 2010 (Aquarium)

Remainder of the shots from the aquarium:

An obligatory Penelope cameo- and to think, we'll actually be meeting her in 7 weeks!!!!!

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Hide and seek Dada and Miles

"Say cheese!"

Like father, like sun.

Miles takes a closer investigation of those pearly whites.

Preview: OBX 2010

(Might make this my new FB profile picture. It captures my moods so poetically.)

Hanging at the Shark Tank!

Yes, he was trying to kiss the shark.

The bigger one is pointing out fun ones for fishing.

My boys.

Miles and his wingman scoping out the tank.

I have a few more from the aquarium, and then we've got some fun shots of me following a crazy toddler into the cold November ocean. Yep, you read that right. Apparently, Miles is also a part time polar bear.

They Call It Puppy Love

Miles & "MyGaga" (Rajah) sharing an afternoon snuggle. I think they are best buddies.

BTPS

Somebody please tell my brain that it is well past my bedtime. Technically, I've already been to bed, but sleeping for an hour and a half hardly constitutes as rest. The cards are stacked against me: no position is comfortable at the moment, my body temperature is swinging from jungle to iceberg every two minutes, and my mind is racing at a billion thoughts per second, "BTPS" BTW.

Let's take the problem apart piece by piece. Okay, problem one- comfort levels. My back is popping and snapping every time I readjust myself. Furthermore, rolling from side to side is feeling is leaving me feeling like a beached whale on Blanket Island. I'm grunting, groaning, and using too much energy to complete a formerly simple task.

Problem two- my temperature issues are directly related to problems one and three. First of all, I am getting hot lugging the bump around- and flipping sleep positions counts, too. Secondly, my mental state (or near panic level thinking) is causing my temperature to rise. My brain is in overdrive, and the steam is leaking out of my ears.

Problem three- "What, me worry?" Hell yes! Panicky is the name of the game these days. Interrupting my ever mounting wall of anxieties are beautiful but brief pockets of joy- thoughts of finally meeting, holding, and cuddling Penelope. Once that daydream fades, the waking nightmares of financial woes, preparation deadlines, and the copious arrangements still to be made flood back in. I am thinking this is akin to mental nesting, but sheesh- having to cope this with at this late hour is a little annoying.

Possible problem four- I ate away too much fruit before going to bed. More fruit than a gorilla snacks on in a month. For some reason, those raspberries, blackberries, blue berries, and pineapple chunks had to be consumed by the fist full. (Could my worrisome tummy be only having a fruit-overdose?)

Possible Solutions: There is so much good going on; I need to take a deep breath (let my back pop back into place) and re-read the post I added yesterday morning. Celebrate the positive, recognize what I cannot change (especially at this late hour), and let go of my need to be in control. Though it is taking me a long time to get the message, the experience of parenting and becoming a parent again is a highly reflect journey into the land of realization, recognition, and release. Realization: that there are forces greater than me at work. Recognition: that I control very little of what actually happens in grandest of grand schemes. And release: that letting go of the fear allows for my energy to be spent on the positive.

And speaking of focusing on the positives, check out the cutie in the laundry basket. I love getting this picture messages from Jesse. Love, love, love it. That's my one am Moment of Zen. Also, until this restlessness kicked in, I was having an amazing day.

I am off to try sleeping again. Wish us luck (2.0 is also on the move right now, too. She needs to chill out, just like mommy)!

Serenity Prayer 2.0

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference."

What is my role? What am I here to do?

I am here to celebrate, educate, and advocate for you.

Together, we will navigate both storms and smooth sails,

and my love will be ever present, even when my composure fails.

Scavenger Chic

Hi Folks! We are headed to the Cary Town / Richmond-area this weekend in search of awesome second-hand baby girl finds. So far, I have purchased anything for Penelope yet. And this go around, I would really like to keep her early clothes to hand-me-downs and second-hands because now I know exactly how little time the wee ones actually spend in size ranges. Live and learn, right?

So, I know there's a cute shop next to the Byrd Theatre. However, after that... I need some suggestions. If you know of any good thrifty in that area, or in the greater Tri-Cities, please let me know. Thanks!!!