Somewhat easier than I thought

I can't say it enough, how exciting it is to have a baby that sleeps. Helen sleeps for 4 hour stretches at night, so I am only up with her about twice, as opposed to the 5-6 times with George until he was at least 6 months old. I am rested- actually more rested than when I was pregnant- and full of ambition! This morning I did my first solo outing with both kids. We met friends at the play area at the mall so George could do some running and climbing. Even managed a snack at the food court. No meltdowns except minor ones from both kids on the way home, but they both quickly fell asleep. Now I'm having a quick lunch and should have time to clean the kitchen and do some writing on a manuscript before they wake up. Am feeling sort of uber-mom today!

Two weeks

I can hardly believe it has been two weeks already! The biggest adjustment has been to go to man-on-man parenting. No breaks or naps while your spouse takes care of the baby- there is always a baby needing to be taken care of! Sleep deprivation is nothing new after our firstborn, so that's not particularly a big deal. For the most part we've been pleasantly surprised at how much easier the second kid is, since we somewhat know what we are doing this time around and fail to panic at every sneeze or whimper. Also Helen is just a very mellow and snuggly baby. We think she's probably a keeper. :)

Such riches

Helen is 6 days old, and we are so impressed with her! She is an excellent sleeper for a newborn and has given us one longish stretch almost every night so far. It is a welcome surprise after our firstborn... She is eating well and loves to snuggle. So far, basically, the perfect baby.

George is doing well with the transition. He likes to pat his sister and give her kisses. Sometimes he gets a bit upset when one of us picks up the baby, so he throws himself on the ground in slo-mo, dramatic fashion and yells "OW!" We've been trying to give him extra attention and hugs as he adjusts (this is easier for now as Grandma is visiting this week- we'll see how it goes next week when we are on our own!). He got a new toy that he likes very much- a set of alphabet magnets. Already he knows H, I and O. I can see we will have our hands full with these two little ones but I have to say that we are loving it so far.

Right on Time

After all her false alarms, and then our worry about her coming late, Helen decided to be born on her due date. Providentially, Christine's mom had just arrived to visit us when Christine's water broke. So Helen's timing was perfect.

Labour was quick but intense. Now we have a beautiful little girl! She weighed in at 9lbs 7oz and was 22 inches long. Christine and Helen are doing well, both were sleeping when I left the hospital to bring George home for lunch and nap.

Tim

Someone apparently didn't get the memo (40 weeks!!)

Today is the due date- I'll try to find a new and creative way to write about how nothing whatsoever is happening. I'm at the point where so few shirts meet my pants (or even almost meet my pants) that I am doing laundry constantly.

At bible study this week I was commenting on how patience is not really my worst area, there are plenty of things I struggle with more, and yet surprisingly patience is apparently the big lesson of this summer/fall. If I were God I probably would have picked some other kind of trial to improve me. A friend responded to the effect that that's just how sanctification goes, you are never done, you can always improve! Urgh. Serves me right for thinking I was "doing okay" in that area, as though okay is enough in anything. All the same, I hope the lesson is almost done. At any rate it can't last more than two weeks longer...

No news is bad news (39 weeks, 5 days)

We have arrived at full-on meltdown mode here, folks. The fact that I am now more pregnant than I have ever been is causing me some serious mental distress (George was born at 39 weeks 4 days....). Tim wisely suggested we go out tonight and get Starbucks coffee-almond-fudge ice cream. And then followed it up with a back rub. The man knows me well, what can I say.

Mom announced she is coming on Friday, baby or no baby. Which is an excellent thing, because certainly when Helen arrives I will need her! But also, if I do go past my due date, I will really, really, really need her.

Convexation!!!!! (39 weeks, 3 days)

This is me today. Tim made me smile for the picture, I am not really feeling that smiley! He also said "stand up straight" and I whacked him a good one. So, as you can see, I am very, very round of tum. And I am very, very impatient to have this baby already!

My interview did go well today, as far as I can tell. I am supposed to hear back late this week or early next week (note: by which time I dearly hope I have HAD THIS BABY).

I also saw my midwife today, and baby and I are doing just fine. She gave me a little pep talk and offered an ultrasound to see just how big this girl is. We ultimately agreed that for me ignorance is bliss right now. If I'm still pregnant next Monday (SAINTS PRESERVE ME) we'll do the weight estimate. For now, I'm sorry to say I can't report any signs of impending labor...

I don't even want to talk about it (39 weeks, 1 day)

Weather's a bit nicer today than yesterday, don't you think? Maybe we'll get outside for a bit... maybe take a nap first...

The debate was interesting, don't you think?

And, um, how about them Cubs?

Last minute thoughts (38 weeks, 6 days)

George has an awful, awful cold this week. Lately his colds start out innocuous enough but after a day or two turn into full on hacking fits, with coughing so painful he cries, which then makes him cough more, etc. etc. He struggles to breathe and sleep for anyone in the household is limited to non-existent. It goes away quickly enough- usually just 24 hours or so is bad- but is plenty frightening enough while it lasts. We just went through one of those yesterday. I was awake most of last night just out of fear concerning my wheezing, choking son. And it occurred to me somewhere between 2 and 3 a.m. that I am about to *double* my stakes in this game!! Who was it that said to have a child is to forever go about with your heart walking outside your body? Nevermind BASE jumping or mountain climbing, motherhood is what really takes nerves of steel. And on top of that, not to do it once, but repeatedly...

A funny thing happened (38 weeks, 5 days)

The teaching interview apparently didn't go so well as I found out shortly thereafter that I was no longer under consideration. That being the third "no" for a teaching type position that I'd gotten in as many weeks, I got all kinds of frustrated and disgusted with the whole thing and decided to try to concentrate on building up my consulting instead.

So naturally yesterday I get a call from a local community college about an application I put in last May for adjunct faculty, they are super interested, they want to do an interview right away about teaching for the spring semester. Hilarious! This is a much better position than the other ones I did not get- it is classroom teaching, not online, which I would prefer. I scheduled an interview for Monday afternoon (4 days before my due date!!!!) with the obvious contingency. Hopefully I can pull together a reasonably dressy outfit from the few remaining clothes that cover my enormous belly. And I was self conscious when interviewing for jobs when we moved here- at a mere 4 1/2 months pregnant!