Third Trimester

The third trimester (much like the first trimester) has been /will be a bit emotional for me.
I very clearly remember the final weeks of my pregnancy with Dean. I was weepy; I worried about how my relationship with Drew might change. I thought more about what I was taking away from him (me!) and less about what he'd really be gaining (how was I to know they'd be best friends?). It helps to have already been through this before, but it doesn't make me less anxious. While I think it's completely "normal" to carry both excitement and fear with me, I wish I could let go a bit. I need to trust that somehow I will manage three kids by myself (a VERY scary thought); they will all get what they need from us as parents; I will love them ALL with all my heart.

The beginning of this pregnancy seemed to have passed so slowly...yet right now I imagine this third trimester will FLY. I just want to be pregnant. Not a mom of three just yet. Happily pregnant with a little girl in my belly. Life is good right now. REALLY good. I want to treasure each of these "easy" days ahead because things are about to get a whole lot more complicated!

BIRTHDAYs

We have a pretty big BIRTH day coming up...I'm reminded by the fetal movements I feel each day. And we recently celebrated a few other important birthdays :) Isn't celebrating grand?!?

June 23rd - Dean turned TWO!

August 11th - Drew turned FOUR!




September 14th - Mommy turned thirty-five!

Good Times

We had a fantastic summer. In fact, we were having so much fun that I didn't have time for blogging! So, here's a recap of the last two months: Days spent on Bonnet Beach, playing with friends at Breezy Acres, a visit to the Children's Museum, a fantastic day at the Dinosaur Place, many visits to the zoo, swimming at Diego's pool, hikes on cooler days, playing at various playgrounds, outside summer concerts... LOTS of good times!

Two great pieces of work!

As a mother, facilitator of pregnancy & new moms groups, and now a DONA trained post partum doula, my world is full of discussions, literature, and information related to pregnancy and parenting. What amazes me is how much there is to know; and after having birthed two sons, I am still learning about childbirth and parenting. It's facinating. My two recent book discoveries have left me wondering why I didn't hear of these books earlier? Ina May's Guide to Childbirth will certainly be my first recommended read for pregnant women as I move forward in my work. And for new parents (and parents-to-be) The Vital Touch by Sharon Heller will be my second choice of literature. I greatly appreciate the anthropological approach each book offers - reflecting upon centuries of experiences as well as comparing the experiences of the US women with others around the world. But more than anything I am happy to find a return to what is natural, what makes sense for human beings, what feels right. I confess to being excited for this third child to be born - to give birth to her in a completely natural way. Mind-body connection. No fear. Trust in women and faith in my own strength. We were made for this. And I didn't have to be sold on the benefits of baby-wearing, I love my moby wrap! I understand the pitfalls of "containers" as well as the practicality of them. Balance. Trust my judgement. Hold and nurture this last baby as much as I can. I can't wait!

Long Island Fun with Friends

We had so much fun at the Riverhead Aquarium with friends!
It was a special day for Drew because he had Mommy & Daddy all to himself :) Dean stayed behind with Mama so he could have some special time with her. Mama took Dean on walks; they hung out at the

beach; and he had a sleep over! Drew got to see Daddy's high school friends Dave & Rob - and their families. The aquarium was awesome and all the kids had fun! Drew & Violet were holding hands by the end of the day...so cute. And while it was a brief visit, we enjoyed some good conversations with old friends!

Third time's a charm?!?

I'm still searching for something "charming" about this pregnancy. I'm in my 19th week - and it has been the most difficult, stressful, exhausting pregnancy I've had! (And I'm not even half way there!) Ok, I haven't spent days upon days vomiting - lucky me - but I've had my share of ailments:

* 14 weeks of light bleeding nearly EVERY day ~ leaving me to feel little confidence in the pregnancy and stressing about the baby's health.

* Random cramping throughout first trimester - adding more fuel to my concerns.

* Lots of tearfulness...feelings of worry, sadness, and fear. VERY unusual for me and very unpleasant.

* Headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, sleeplessness, and general discomfort. It could all be typical for pregnancy, but it wasn't typical of MY pregnancies.

Feeling badly while caring for two young boys isn't easy. Already (in my second trimester still!) I'm feeling out of breath when walking up a flight of stairs. WHAT!?! Already I've gained 14 pounds...scary. I have a feeling this is going to be a loooooooong pregnancy. I can only hope that growing inside is a beautiful, healthy baby. Then it's all worth it, right?

Weekend in NH!

We had a great weekend in New Hampsire with our friends, the Batlas! We went to StoryLand for a couple of hours on Friday and Saturday...and had a beautiful hike on Sunday. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the days couldn't have been better. Drew & Alex shared a bunk bed (first sleep over ever!!) and did really well. Drew slept on the top bunk - I was so impressed! After the kids went to bed, the adults had game night...which I always love. In fact, the evening adult time was my favorite part of the trip. But, as far as Drew is concerned, the water rides were the BEST :)

Dean is TWO!

Seriously?!? Two?!? It doesn't seem that long ago when Dean was born...and Drew was turning two. To compare the boys seems ridiculous. Dean did not get two years of my undivided attention. He did not get consistant music class, gym class, at-home lessons from Mommy, the-world-revolves-around-you (and only you) care. I'm okay with that. With baby #3 on the way, I have no choice but to accept that my time is limited, divided, and at times unavailable.

All that being said...here's Dean at 2 years of age:

*Height: 25th percentile
*Weight: 25th percentile
*Words: more than I can count!! This is a great thing because he "bloomed" a bit later than Drew.
*Sentences: "Daddy's at work." "I wanna go downstairs." "Where's elmo?" etc. Yes, he can speak in sentences!!
*Silly thing to note: Loves making funny faces...and imitates the faces I make too.
*Favorite activities: Pushing lawn mower, taking walks, playing with trains
*Favorite "lovies": Blankie (of course), elmo, baby (my old cabbage patch which Drew had), ernie, cookie monster, grover
*Favorite songs: Twinkle, Twinkle, Hickory Dickory Dock, ABC, If you're happy and you know it
*Favorite person: Drew (without a doubt!!)

Dean continues to be a rockstar crib sleeper: 12 hours at night and a 2+ hour nap (12:30-3ish). He is learning to climb into his carseat - funny, he climbs on everything else quite easily. He still slides down the stairs on his belly unless I hold his hand. He does not watch tv. He loves being outside. He's a good eater. He doesn't cry when I wash his hair (Drew does!). He wakes up happy and plays in his crib...so sweet. He likes making people laugh. He has blonde hair :) and dimples when he smiles. He scrunches up his nose a lot and it's so cute. He is typically calm and gentle, but he may hit you if you take what he's playing with :( He shares well if you use words. He hates having his diaper changed, but has never peed/pooped in the potty. He loves to say, "Hola!" and says Hi to everyone everywhere. He can get his own snack from the closet - and fruit from the fruitbowl. He's learning to do his own seatbelt (fastening the top). He likes drinking from big boy cups and is quite good at it. He respects the boundaries of our property and plays in the yard/driveway without any trouble. He likes playing with boys but has more girl friends his age. He's most loving towards people he knows, a bit shy around strangers. He's so cute, rather petite, easy to love, pretty low-maintainance, seldom whines, and loves to play.

FUN!

Is there anything better than eating delicious, red, ripe strawberries in June?!? Especially ones you've picked yourself? I think not. ALL of the photos I took at Schartner's Farm include strawberries-in-the-mouth. I guess you could say the boys enjoyed it!





Aside from the fact that we seriously almost got lost in Ryan Park today, it was an awesome hike. Dean started off zooming ahead and the two happily ran along the trail. After about 30 minutes, Dean lost his steam and I resorted to carrying him :( It was ok though - because at that point I thought I was lost and I wanted to keep a quick pace. We ended up crossing paths with the trail we walked on Monday...and all was good. Definitely one of my favorite hikes recently!

Three's a Charm

I'm not going to lie. I'm scared to death to have three children. Every day I ask myself how I will manage three kids - or, even worse, three BOYS! My two boys have so much energy that I leave the house every day by 8:30am...return for naps...and run out again as soon as they awaken! Today we went to the Y at 8:30 (yoga class at 9am for me!!), followed by a trip to Schartner's Farm for strawberry picking with friends, then to Sophie's for coffee...home for naps and off to Ryan's Park for a hike upon waking. I am not complaining about the activities. It sure beats sitting around the house. I'm just wondering how I am going to do it all with THREE. How will I squeeze in time for nursing? Will Dean hold my hand when we walk across the parking lot? Will Drew carry the cooler so I can hold the baby AND Dean's hand? Will I remember to pack two sized diapers, sunscreens, three hats, snacks & drinks for everyone?!? Will the boys listen to me when I tell them to stop! What will the baby's needs be? Will I have time for each child individually? Will my mom still want to babysit...all three kids? Will I ever have time for myself?

Yes, I'm scared.

I'm going to create some mantras for myself. I will repeat these over and over until I believe them. I appreciate any additional words of wisdom or support anyone can offer.

*Everything is going to be ok.
*Slow down....
*People have been raising big families forEVER and they manage.
*Drew will be a big help.
*The kids will have each other.
*Big families are FUN.
*Dean and Drew will keep each other occupied.
*I have lots of good friends to play with us :)
*My mom will always be there.
*I have a supportive husband.
*Drew will be going to kindergarten in one year!
*I can nurse in the moby wrap.
*Babies are easy and can sleep on the go.
*I love my children.

It's going to be ok, right?