Post Something

It has been a long time no post, but I am not sure what to post about. I guess I will just give you all a smorgasbord update.

The Kid

The kiddo is doing really well. I resisted the urge to post on Valentine's Day, which is a good thing, because it would have been a horrible post. He was a little monster that day. We had a party and he was throwing things like I have never seen. Climbing up the stairs and tossing things down. I was appalled. But, I chalked it up to a few things: too much sugar; we woke him up at Sunday River early that morning; he had Dunkin Donuts for breakfast; and a rough nap. So, I think he was just not himself. I hope all the other mommies visiting realize that too!

Most of the time he is a good little man. We still battle over him giving the dogs food in the high chair, but I can't really complain. He is making strides in his talking, though the words are not coming out clearly - we know what they are, but does anyone else? He says "hank ooou" - for thank you, and it is pretty much the cutest thing you could ever imagine. He says it when I give him his juice now, or if he hears one of us say it he will repeat it. The other great thing - "bess ooou" - for bless you. He has said that after I have sneezed twice now. My polite little guy. I almost want to get sick to hear him say it more. Almost.

He is also big on saying "apull" for apple. He has eaten a lot of apples as a result of this. We get so excited he can say it that we keep giving him more. Of course "o-dur" is still big for Otter. He loves to stand by the door and call her in. Car, milk, water, are all coming. I am pretty sure he also says ball. Hopefully he will be talking up a storm soon.

Deuce

Deuce is coming along. I am gaining weight the same way I gained with Joel Andrew, which means I am gaining a lot of weight. I can't really complain though, I have been eating a lot of chocolate and I know better. I am trying not to, but it is so good. I read an article that chocolate eating in the third trimester is linked to calmer 6 month olds. I will take it. Despite knowing I have to get into a bridesmaid dress in September, and despite the fact that I remember how bad I felt when the weight did not come off easily last time - I continue to eat lots of ice cream. At least I am laying off the soda this time, and ordering salads instead of burgers. But, I am going to need consolation when I do not, yet again, fit into my old clothes for a year. Last time though. I have been watching the Biggest Loser in hopes it will pre-motivate me for when Deuce is out!

His room his almost together. The furniture comes in on Friday. We still have plenty of time, so it is early for sure. They say to order furniture 8-10 weeks in advance, and it comes in after 2 weeks. With Joel Andrew I was on bed rest calling the place every day looking for the crib - who can predict? I will post photos when all is up and ready!

Frankly though, I do not think it has hit me that we will have another kiddo yet. hmmm. Also, I keep thinking the kiddo will come out and be ready to play with Joel Andrew, also not a good thought. We are a long way away from those days.

Additional items

I am nearing the end of my contract position with work. One month to go. It has been a great experience, and a lot of fun helping out but with Deuce on the way, I could not commit to a larger job. I am kind of bummed as I am missing out on a good career opportunity, but my husband seems to think that I am a very valuable commodity and when I am ready to go back anyone would be jumping to have me! Let's hope so! Plus, I am hoping that Deuce's arrival will not throw me for a loop but will allow me to plan more fun outings this summer. Last summer we went to so many great places, it would be great to bring Joel Andrew back to the zoos, beaches, museums... Can I do it while Deuce is still in sleepy bucket phase?

Husband has not been going to Canada lately, which has been nice. More time at home with the kiddo, more help for me. I can barely do bath time anymore, my back is so bad that the kneeling and leaning over thing and being there to pick up kiddo if need be is not working, so this is also good that husband is here. He even made a delicious dinner last night! I guess you do not really appreciate all of the things they do, until they are gone a ton!

The house is also getting fixed up. Last year we had some leaking damage over two floors, and just now we are really patching things up, not to mention fixing the frozen pipe area that happened this year. As an added bonus, we have added crown molding to two rooms. I am really excited that this is finally all coming together, just in the knick of time too! Thanks to Nick for all of his hard work!

Spring is around the corner, the snow is melting, Deuce is on his way. Now it is time to think about things like, who will watch Joel Andrew when we go to the hospital?; What shall I have for my first glass of wine? Babymoon next week!

Skiing and Restaurants

This past weekend we went to Sunday River. Just the three of us. It is always an event when you arrive up there the first time for the season, and you have to lug all your stuff up three flights of stairs. Husband was extra angry because this time I could not help him and played the pregnancy card.

We tried a normal trip up. Normally I like to schedule long car rides around naps only, but this time we used a triple weapon, DVD player, dinner buffet and then bedtime. It worked like a charm. He watched a Disney movie on the way up, we stopped in Portland for dinner (Old Country Buffet, that experience is for another blog, let me tell you), and then by the time we were back in the car he was fast asleep for the night. Sadly, Joel Andrew was soaked through when we arrived at Sunday River. He, I guess - needed a diaper change really bad. We neglected him and thus a disaster. He was shaking by the time I got him up from the car seat and outside - back into the condo, where the heat was off. Pee pants was not the word. But after the drama the kiddo went right back to bed. Good man!
As you can see from the rest of the photos, skiing is not yet his thing. But I totally feel for the mini-man. I just learned how to ski a few years ago and I remember how terrifying and strange it is to learn. Joel Husband totally forgets and thinks that the bunny slope is really nothing - but it can appear big and scary to a 23 year old, so imaging to an 18-month old? Plus, he was all bundled up (perhaps too bundled), the sun was shining bright, and there were all these other new people on skis, snowboards and snowmobiles. Too much to take in.

The pool was a big hit though and we will be visiting that again for sure. We also learned a very valuable lesson, I think we are done with fine establishments for a while. Our favorite place up there, The Jolly Drayman, is so good. Delicious beers on tap, and a great menu of British/Indian pub fare. So good. We tried to take the little guy, but it is time that we face it, our dining out days are over. He cannot sit still, he throws the crayons, I get stressed out, we all shove down our food, and then pay a huge bill for something that was not enjoyable and just reminds Mommy of all the fun she is missing... So, it looks like for now we will be sticking with the family places. Maybe one step up from Old Country Buffet though please.

Snowmageddon, Ear Infections and Work

It is no secret, the entire Northeast is covered in feet and feet of snow. I blame myself. The last time I was pregnant, we also had a very snowy winter. Maine was so covered they had to dig out the road signs from the snow piles. This is all because I can't ski and enjoy the snow the way it is meant to be enjoyed. So, I'm sorry folks. I did it. But, soak it up because I do not plan on being pregnant again, so no snow in our future for the next few years for sure.

It is a lot of snow. I am finding that every week at least three things are cancelled, whether it be Gymboree, work, meetings, or day care. I went back to work a few months ago and work Tuesday and Thursday in the office, about an hour away. And, Wednesday from home. My boss knows I am a snow wimp, plus with the long commute that can easily turn into a 4 hour trip (no joke, has happened and would have happened today had I went in), and with husband in Canada and me being the primary picker-upper for the little guy, I just can't risk it. So, I am a first flake lady. One sign of the white stuff and I am working from home.

But, I am also first to admit, how do you get work done with a little man who needs CONSTANT attention? Today the little guy stayed home from day care, even though it was open, because he has a double ear infection. Husband stayed home too so we switched on and off while one of us had conference calls. So, I was actually able to get work done, but really honestly this would not be likely without husband's help, and without a slightly-lethargic version of my son (terrible thing to say).

Another terrible thing to say, I am going to miss my Wednesday this week. I love Wednesdays. I wake up, and bring the kiddo to day care in my PJ's. I work 1/2 day from home, so the other half I am going to the Dr, getting my toes done, or taking a nap. Lunch is a big deal for me these days. Where do I go for take out? But not tomorrow. Tomorrow will be day two of husband and I pawning off the kiddo to try and get some work done, followed by more shoveling (though, thanking pregnancy I have steered clear of that task) and lots of indoor time.

So, what do you do with your kiddo when you are stranded inside? How do we make adult snow days fun?