The Joys of Late Pregnancy

Pregnancy is such an amazing thing. The creation of life, is the most beautiful thing a woman can do with her body. Unless of course, you are that pregnant woman. Then you just feel gross, and leaky, and hormonal. Bending at the waist seems like a feat, only a contortionist could accomplish, and standing up for more than five minutes . . . well . . . say good-bye to those ankle bones! What is it most people say? "Oh my aching back." Well, for a late term pregnant woman, its more like, "Oh my aching back, neck, hips, ribs, pelvis, feet, shoulders, and tail bone!" (yes, tail bone.) I'd like to be able to say that I'm not usually one to complain, but I would be lying. I am, and always have been, a wimp. I don't like to be uncomfortable. Or tired. Or fat. Or swollen. Or constantly hungry, and nauseous simultaneously. I am not a graceful pregnant woman, who floats through her nine months with poise and ease, contrary to what my maternity photos suggest. There are those glowing pregnant women at the supermarket, in cute clothes, and heels (bitches) who you see reading the labels on the backs of some organic whole grain nutritious whatever, and then there is me.. Looking around to make sure no one is watching while I open a box of something over-processed and full of high fructose corn syrup, and artificial dye, in the middle of the aisle, because I just can't make it to the car before I attack! I am 37 weeks right now, and I am not happy about the fact that I am still pregnant. I get a hiccup, and convince myself its a contraction. I am ready to have my body back, and lose the 45 pounds that I have gained in these last 4 months. I'll leave now, and stop my whining, but I'll leave you with this: I do have one good thing to say about being pregnant. I'm enjoying my beautifully thick and long hair! Because I know after the baby comes, all of it is going to fall out. Oh post-pardom joys!

Adalee's First Week of School

We decided several months ago it would be a good idea to get Adalee into a mother's day out program, since the new baby is coming soon, and lets face it, I'm a big boring pregnant blob right now.. Turns out, every one in town was full, and had waiting lists. I put her on all of the waiting lists, and kept my fingers crossed. So in June, I get a call from My Growing Place, a pre-school program at the First Methodist Church in Lufkin, that they are opening up a new class for her age group. YAAY!! I went over that day, and they gave me a tour of the facility. They explained to me what they do in their classes, and what the kids learn, and the skills they develop, and I was SO excited! I just wanted a little break, and now instead, I get a little break, AND Adalee is learning stuff! win/win! Adalee liked the tour so much, she threw a fit when we went to leave.. little monster. So we registered, paid, filled out the papers, got the shot records faxed over, etc, etc, etc.

I was really excited, until I dropped her off for her first day on Monday. It kind of all just hit me. My little baby is growing up. She's not my little baby anymore. She's her own, individual, independent little unit. She is totally confident and comfortable exploring new things, without me having to hold her hand. And I was sad. When did this happen?? I came home and cried, but not too much. I mean, after all, check out that look on her face. How could I deny her that kind of happiness?! She loves school. She wants to jump out of bed in the morning, when she hears the word "school." She has used the potty 4 times at school so far, and got stickers every day for doing such a great job feeding herself! She is the oldest in her class, which i was unhappy about at first, because I would rather her be challenged, but I think she is developing some great leadership skills by being older. When the class walks outside for recess, they all have to hold on the this little knot on a rope, so that they stay in a line, and Adalee is at the front of the line, being little miss "look at me!" Words really cannot express how proud I am of my little girl. Its hard for me, and I brought her to school late today, because I wanted to spend the morning with her, but she is such a trooper. I'm sure she's going to be a great big sister.

Being a mommy.

There is nothing in the world like being a mommy. It's fun, terrifying, heartbreaking, heart wrenching, and absolutely wonderful. This is my baby girl, Adalee, 19 months old, on her first trip to the beach. I was completely on edge the entire time she was playing. I didn't want her to get knocked down by a wave. or get sand in her eye. or water in her nose. or hurt herself doing any of the other million and a half things that kids get to experience and learn from every day. My fears are mostly internal. I don't really limit her to ease my own mind. I just sit back with tense shoulders, ready to pounce at the first sign of danger. I assume thats what a good mother does. We try not to "sweat the small stuff," but when you love something so much, with every absolute fiber of your being, its hard not to be a little intense about protecting it. Adalee is going to be a big sister any day now. Its hard to imagine that i will have enough room in my heart to love another child as much as her. Seems a little unfair. but we'll see how it goes. Welcome to my journey from chaos, to extreme insanity!