September 2007

Since Zach started at his new day care, I’ve tried to make drop-offs in the morning as quick and painless as possible.  It has gotten easier and easier as time goes on and he adjusts to the new routine.  He’s even to the point now where most mornings he gives me a hug and kiss and then turns and waves goodbye as I walk out the door.  I’ve been feeling really good about this because it makes me think that he is actually enjoying his time there (which is what every parent wants, right?).

This morning Zach was a little extra clingy when I dropped him off, so instead of dashing off I stayed a couple of extra minutes to give him some hugs and help him get settled in.  While I worked on peeling him off of my chest, his teacher mentioned that Zach hasn’t been napping all week.  Uh, what was that?  Yeah, no naps all week.  Then she continued to tell me how he just has so much energy when he’s there and can’t seem to settle down at nap time.  She reassured me that this was only a recent development and that he has slept in the past, just not this week.  I was a little shocked, to say the least, since this is the same kid who will often sleep for three or more hours in the afternoon when we’re at home.  I usually have to wake him up from his naps on the weekends or he would sleep through dinner.

Really though, when I give it some thought, I should have known something was up.  All week long, he’s been really mellow in the evenings.  He hasn’t wanted to do much but sit on the couch and watch Blue’s Clues.  That’s not too surprising though, since he no longer gets to watch TV at day care.  What is surprising, is that for the last week and a half or so he’s actually been going to bed when I tell him to (and staying there!).  After almost two months of nightly fights at bed time, that has been quite a relief for me.  Now I tell him it is bed time, he says, “OK”, and off we go.  It has almost been too easy.  Now I know why.

For a moment I felt a little panicky.  I’m not ready for a 2-year-old that refuses to nap.  I need nap time.  Granted I only have him on the weekends during nap time, but those 2-3 hours in the afternoon are usually a much needed break from the chaotic day.  So I started searching for answers.  What in the heck has changed this week that would make it different from last week or the week before?  Suddenly it dawned on me.  He has been taking Claritin for his allergies for about the last month.  This week?  I decided to cut it out and see how he did.  Since he hasn’t been showing any of his usual allergy symptoms this week, he hasn’t had a single dose of the Claritin.  I’m guessing that’s exactly where the change in sleep patterns started.  Now, I guess I just have to wait and hope that his little body adjusts back to normal…as long as he keeps going to bed on time at night.

One of the questions that you always seem to get during early pregnancy is “How are you feeling?”  I probably answer that question ten times a day right now and my answer is usually always the same.  “Not too great, but it is getting better.”  I can’t wait for the day when I can just say “good,” and move on.  Good certainly doesn’t sum it all up today.  I’m stuck in that hormonal roller coaster of emotions and here’s here’s how I’m really feeling today:

Sad - Because I feel like I’ve lost all motivation to keep up with my blog.  It isn’t that I don’t want to write, it is more that I don’t think anything I have to say is interesting right now.  Who really wants to read about how tired I am every day?  Also, sad because I don’t have the time or energy to fix my blog up all pretty like I want to.

Hungry - All the dang time!  When I want to eat, I rarely can, and when I can, I don’t want to.  I’m so ready to get past the first trimester and actually enjoy food again.  At least I’m not gaining weight.

Tired - Again, all the time.  I think I could fall asleep anywhere at any time.  It doesn’t help that I can’t seem to sleep at night and wake up over and over again.

Relieved - Because I read some of my old archives today from when I was pregnant with Zach.  Apparently I felt just as tired and worn down
 at 12 weeks as I am feeling now at 11 weeks.  I wasn’t sleeping then either (which I didn’t remember).  I should have read ahead a little more to make sure that it gets better.

Ecstatic - Because we got to hear the baby’s perfect little heartbeat on Friday and I keep hearing that little thump, thump, thump in my head.  I can’t wait to meet her/him.

Frustrated -  Because I live with a 2-year-old that doesn’t yet understand logic. Also, because said two-year-old couldn’t care less when I try to use positive reinforcement, instead responding only to threats of punishment.  He’s forcing me to be the mom I don’t want to be.

Happy - Because I have a new wedding band on my finger.  I’ve been without a ring since shortly after our vacation in July when my fingers started swelling and blistered from my wedding ring being too tight.  Unfortunately, my beautiful sapphire and diamond band has to take a vacation for a while so I got a plain silver wedding band (in a larger size) to take it’s place while I’m pregnant.  (I also managed to get an amazing deal on it which makes it even better!)

Somber - 9/11  Enough said.

Amused - Because out of nowhere, Zach started trying to tell “knock, knock” jokes today.  It started this morning, then he really got fired up at dinner tonight.  He doesn’t quite have the concept down, but he’s working on it.  Here is one of his best attempts:

Zach: Knock, Knock! (yelling cause he was so excited!)
Mom: Who’s there?
Zach: Dylan
Mom: Dylan who?
Zach: Zach (laughing like a maniac)
Zach: I’m FUNNY!!! (laughter erupts all around)

I guess you had to be there to really enjoy it, but I laughed harder than I have all day.

That pretty much sums up my day, except for all the times I got teary and almost cried while thinking about Zach, the new baby, and all of the adorable sibling pictures I’ve seen online lately.  Oh, and all the other millions of emotions that flash through me off and on during the day.  These pregnancy hormones are so much fun!

And now, it is time for bed.  Otherwise I may end up sleeping on my keyboard and that won’t be pretty in the morning.

My family has all been anxiously waiting for my brother’s wife to have her ultrasound so we could find out whether to start buying little pink dresses or hand over the tubs and tubs of boy clothes that we have accumulated with four boys in the family.  It appears that the pink dresses will prevail because they’re having a girl!  She’ll be the first girl on my side of the family, so we’re all very excited.  I’m even more excited because I’m going to have two little nieces by the end of the year (Hubby’s brother and his wife are also expecting a girl in November, which will be the first girl on Hubby’s side).

I’m even more anxious now to find out what I’m going to have.  I have always wanted one boy and one girl.  Since I already have my boy, I’m really hoping for a girl this time around.  I’m already imagining two little girl cousins tumbling around and playing together during our family get-togethers.  They’ll need the strength in numbers if they want to have any chance of competing with the older boys.