Starting All Over

 Place:  Motherhood outlet in Indy 
 Lovely:  "Mommy, why does everything in here have this bump?" (points at mannequin)
Me:  "Because that's the kind of store it is."
Pause.
Lovely:  "But why are YOU in here then?"
Me:  "Because."
Lovely:  "Mommy!  Are you going to have a baby?"
Me:  "Maybe."
Lovely & Snugglebug whispering:  "Mommy is going to have a baby.  This is awesome!"
 Five minutes later.
 Lovely:  "Mommy, this is TERRIBLE!"
Me: "What?  Why?"
Lovely:  "A baby is going to keep me up nights with its crying."
Me:  ", you sleep like a rock.  Nothing is going to wake you."   
The title of this post is what keeps going through my mind:  I'll be starting all over.  I had finally moved past the diaper stage.  Lovely is almost out of her carseat.  And now:  starting all over. 

I normally didn't like to announce we're having a baby until after the first trimester, but I am now at 11 wks (although I look like I'm 20 wks!), and the cat seems to be out of the bag.  Hmm...this post may sound like I'm not happy, but really, I am.  I'm just nervous, which I attribute to being a bit older.   And knowing our house is entirely too small for all of us to live sanely.  There will be 6 1/2 yrs between Snugglebug and our newest, which seems like such a tremendous gap.  I had been under the impression that we just weren't going to have anymore children--which means we no longer have a crib, a carseat, a stroller, and numerous other baby items I had tired of storing.  I'm now 33, and I know there are plenty of mothers older than moi, I just feel...lol...old!  (shame on me, I know!)

I've decided I'll use my blog to document this pregnancy, praying it doesn't disappear.  I had kept an online journal through all of my pregnancy with Lovely--and the owner of the site transferred everything, happening to delete all of my posts . I barely wrote down anything with Snugglebug because I was too busy taking care of a 9 mo. old.  So, here goes!  

Current stats:
EDD:  November 16
Med Issues:  High blood pressure at last appt:  150/90.  However, I've taken it each morning & evening since and have not surpassed 133/82.  Thank goodness!  If I had high bp, I'd need to take meds, have weekly fetal stress tests at 32 wks and thereafter, and deliver 2 wks early.  Also, this will be my 3rd c-section.  There is one doctor in the entire area who is willing to do a VBAC after 2 c-sections, even though current research does not show a significant risk.  Anywho, he is in Louisville, and I must stay in S. Indiana this time around. 
Concerns:  I'm scheduled to teach three classes this fall.  I need the experience and the money, and since it's only 2 days a week, 5 hrs per day, I think I can handle it.  However, I'm not sure what I'll do for the few (approx. 5 days of classes) remaining after the birth. 
Predictions:  S told me (once again) that God told him we would have another baby, he just didn't know when.  This time, however, he was also told we'd have a boy.  I'm waiting and seeing.  I'm not eager to begin the battle of names that will ensue if we are having a boy. 

Columbus, Indiana

Because Snugglebug missed out on a field trip to Kids Commons in Columbus, Indiana, I decided to take both the girls myself.  It was a bit of a trip without another adult to talk with, but I couldn't think of anyone else who would be free to go that day, so anyways....

This is the main attraction.  A giant toilet that has a slide below.  The idea is to show the inner workings of a house, including insulation, and more.  They had a heat camera in one room that told you to rub your shirt so you can see the heat.  I won't tell you exactly where I rubbed, but I later found out people could have easily been watching on a screen located on the floor below.  Can we say embarrassing? ?

Below is a sliding portion of a wall that I thought would be so neat to put in a real house.  If we EVER get to move, that is. 

Bubble center.  Snugglebug became an expert bubble-blower, including creating a bubble that encased her entire body. 

Here is Snugglebug-Polar Bear.  She growled at everyone who tried to enter, including complete strangers.  Who said I needed a guard dog?

There was a cute campy scene for the girls to play.

And there was a Japanese house in which you could not wear shoes.  Very cute. 

 Before we went to Kids Commons, we stopped at a really neat soda/ice cream parlor a few stores down, Zaharakos

The girls were even enthused over the ladies' room tiles.  The food was a little pricey, but overall good quality.  Their cups of fruit really contained a huge assortment.  Their straws were made of paper, so it took a little getting used to, and the organ would play every now and then, making us feel like we were riding a carousel.  We filled up on lunch, but we went back a few hours later for ice cream.  MMmmmm...the strawberry milkshake was really good!

Dietary Changes, etc.

So this is what I'm trying first.  I bought it at Rainbow Blossom, where I was told I can return it within 60 days if it doesn't work.  Ok, this is Step #1. 

Step #2:  Cutting out red dyes/artificial colors.  This is a slow process because I just can't throw everything out of our house that has has artificial colors.  I also still need to research more foods that I can buy without them. 

Step #3:  Calm time before bed.  Earlier bedtime. 

Lovely already had limited dairy due to other digestive issues, so I haven't really changed this aspect of her diet.  Really, I do wonder if some of it is just emotional, such as not wanting people to "look" at her (which she's always had issues with), and thus she is zoning out during school.  However, she still enjoys parts of school, such as playing with her friends and art, music, P.E., Spanish, etc., during which she's totally there.  Perhaps she is just getting bored--who knows.  All I know is that homeschooling was next to impossible with her and I decided I didn't want to foster the type of relationship where I was mad and yelled all the time and she was stubborn or crying all the time.  Therefore, she's going to school for now, and we'll see how long it fits for us.  She's still getting excellent grades; she just doesn't volunteer in class (I'd be a hypocrite if I got too mad at her for not volunteering since I never did until college).  I am a little confused, however, because I've heard her read compared to other kids who are supposedly in more advanced reading groups, and oft times, she reads more fluently.  Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see.  Time will tell. 

In other news, Snugglebug was given the option of retesting for her 10-word colors spelling test (keep in mind, she's in Kindergarten and she had the following words:  blue, orange, red, brown, black, white, yellow, purple, pink, and green).  Some of the words are easy, but some are pretty difficult for this age.  Anyway, I told her she got a B- on the spelling test, and I asked her if she wanted to retake it.  Her response:  "Ummmm.  B- is close to an A."  Way to go, my little overachiever! 

Happenings

So what we all hear about happening happened.  I've been talking back and forth to Lovely's teacher because Lovely:

• Is always the last to finish her school work, and is therefore always working during snack break, etc. (I remember this problem when we homeschooled.)
• Is always tired in class, and tries to put her head down.
• Often doesn't even know the question being asked, let alone the answer.
• Has no clue how to do a process that they've been doing all year in school.

In addition, she:

• Will stare directly at you and not hear/understand a word you are saying.
• Is easily distracted.  

Her grades are pretty good, but she does have some anxiety for tests (who doesn't?).  Her teacher suggested I take her to the doctor to see if something is making her extremely tired.  Her teacher is a good teacher, and she is in a very good class.  They do fun projects in school all the time, so it's not a boring environment (I've subbed it). 

We walked in, in two minutes I was told it could be ADHD, and I was asked if I'd like some medication.  I told him I hadn't explored my alternatives and he said, "There are no alternatives."  What?!!  Not only that, but I was told most places that test for ADHD don't accept our insurance, and those that do just let you walk in, say your child has it, and then you walk out.  What?!!  Seriously? 

So anyway, I had already thought it could be ADD inattentiveness (b/c of the trials I had homeschooling her and her current behavior), but I'm just not ready to medicate my child without more research and looking into all alternatives--and yes, there are alternatives.  More to come...I just had to put my thoughts in order for now!

Sugarbush 2012

We finally made it!  We attempted treking through the sludge of last year's maple syrup festival in Salem, but the mud was just too deep to even park.  This year, I picked a sunny, dry day that was practically wind-free.  It was a beautiful day!

Before I show all my pretty iPod pics that are ever-so grainy, let me say I never thought I'd go to a "maple syrup festival."  Seriously?  I was a city girl from Arizona, so what on earth is a maple syrup festival?  Do we sit around, admiring the leaves and gorgeous amber bottles?  (Actually, that is part of it, but only part...)

S enjoyed the tomahawk throwing, and nailed it all three times.  Knife throwing?  Not as good quite so fast, but he does pick up dangerous weaponry sports quickly (wonder what he could do with a lance?). 

It took forever to get Lovely to even look at my camera with the monstrosity that was on her face.  Child's plate of waffle w/ strawberry, syrup, chocolate chips, and whipped cream, plus a drink?  $3.50.  Unless you're 5 or under; then it's free :) 

This was my dessert:

There were plenty of vendors to explore and demonstration stands set-up.  The smoke was getting to Snugglebug's eyes, though:

A giant stack of hay bales awaited the children, begging to be built into tunnels and forts...The children answered the call. 

And last but not least.  Snugglebug's maple cotton candy 'stache.  Oh-so-stylish, and a downright hoot!

In the end, we bought a few bottles of syrup, two bags of cotton candy (so yummy without the overly sweet aftertaste of regular cotton candy), a jar of maple sugar, two bags of maple candy:  peanut and almond, two jars of local honey, and a jar of yummy pizza sauce (not maple, of course).  My dinner was good, but I recommend getting there before 2 p.m. because I bought the very last chicken dinner.  They ran out of beans after my plate as well, and they were already out of rolls and ice-cream dessert.  There are only port-a-potties to use, but for the life of me, I'm not sure I want to know how they got them smelling like maple syrup, too .  

This is a definite find that I hope to do again.  The Sugarbush festival will resume for it's final weekend next weekend, so get out and try it if you have some time!  It's awesome family fun with lots of kids' activities (including a covered wagon ride that my girls loved). 

School, Work, & Stuff

Yet another post without pictures...do you hate me?  Well, even I hate my posts without pictures, so I understand if you do, too. 

I'm conferencing with students today.  I love conferencing with students because they can tell that I really care about their work, that I'm on their side.  And then, there are the students who miss conferences.  Of all my pet peeves, I think absences are among the greatest.  Why?  Because I went back to work three days after my father passed away.  Because I took a single day off when my grandmother passed away to drive all the way to Pennsylvania and back again.  Because I took (and take) commitments seriously.  There.  I've said it.  I've vented.  Phew!  Ok, so maybe all that wasn't entirely healthy for my mental state, but the excuses of working late hours or getting strep and therefore taking off a month just don't fly with me. 

I'm also having a conference with Lovely's teacher, per my own request.  I want to make sure she's getting all she needs.  More on that to come.

As for another confession, I've been cheating on you.  "What?!  How dare you!" you exclaim.  Yes, I know, cheaters never prosper and all that.  Actually, I've felt the need to develop a separate blog that focuses on my writing & teaching experiences.  I only just started it, and I have a whopping two followers (I'm actually being serious--no sarcasm here)--total strangers who actual see some value to my writing.  Or they accidentally hit the "follow" button.  We'll see.  Anyway, I've found it's a good place to share my ideas and articulate my thoughts, separate from my home/family posts. 

Speaking of work (again), I'm still looking for other work.  I put in my request to teach this fall, which I absolutely love, but let's face it--bills need to get paid and teaching won't start back up again until the end of August.  Online teaching jobs have fierce competition, I'm finding.  I'm even considering going back to administrative assistant work, but then I realize, it's not 10 years ago anymore--there aren't many of those jobs out there.  I saw a job that interests me at The Learning House, but I hate rejection-- and I still have to teach for 75 minutes two afternoons a week, through the end of April.  S had had an extremely busy Jan., but then Feb. rolled around and he got sick (for about 3 wks), and work has been pretty slow again.  Moral of the story is:  if you see a job I might be interested in, send the info my way; I'll be grateful :)

Time, Time, Time

I just realized I haven't posted in a while.  I've had these perfect pictures in my head to match all that's been going on in my life, but the problem is I keep forgetting to take these pictures.  Thus, my words will have to do as record. 

First, Lovely finally lost her first tooth.  She was super excited and refused to take it out at home--she wanted to take it out at school so everyone could see and so she could bring it home in a little container.  This happened Feb. 2 and it was one of her bottom teeth.  You may say this is rather late for a seven yr old to lose her first tooth, but I recently found out I still have one of my baby teeth (Lovely cringed when I told her this and refused to believe me).  Let's just say my teeth were/are slow to leave, and I hope they stay that way! 

We also worked on a desert habitat for Lovely.  It turned out really cool, with background pics from AZ.  In addition, we celebrated 100 Days of School, so I volunteered to help do centers in Lovely's class.  Word to the wise:  when building towers out of 100 cups, use regular, drink-size cups instead of those little snack cups.  Just sayin'. 

Next, I visited Build-a-Bear with Snugglebug, and realized I couldn't ever work here.  We apparently entered Barney land unbeknownst to me.  "Rub your bears' hearts, boys and girls, so they're filled with love.  Now touch your muscles with them, boys and girls, so your bears are big and strong.  Now, touch your heads with them, boys and girls, so your bears and smart.  Now touch your legs with them, boys and girls, so your bears can run fast in your dreams, etc., etc., etc."  And each and every one of those kids are special, dontcha know.  Then, we had to listen to 22 choruses of "Stuff your bear (insert child's name), stuff your bear.  Stuff, stuff, stuff your bear (insert name again), stuff your bear."  However, it was a cute field trip and after the bake sale (which I helped out with and we raised $420 in 2 days!!!), the trip w/ the bear only cost $3/student.  Then, I made Snugglebug work to earn money for clothes.  She chose a bride outfit.  What am I going to do with her?! 

To top off everything, S has been sick.  Like, willing to go to the doctor sick.  He's NEVER like that.  So, he had strep and got a Z-pac, only to find he's one of those rare cases of people who has extreme stomach pain, etc. from taking it.  He finished the dosage, but he hasn't eaten or slept right in a few days now.  Let's see if I get him to the doctor ever again....

Hope your February has been all that and a bag of chips.  Yes, I just said "bag of chips."  What am I, getting old and corny?  Maybe...