How much could possibly happen in a week?

Mommy Thoughts
There are things that you can not possibly prepare for when you cross the threshold into parenthood.  You hear all the time about what you'll learn: a new kind of love, a new level of exhaustion, a new sense of responsibility, a new outlook on the world.  It's all true.  A sister-friend (totally different from a sister-wife!) made an observation on Facebook recently about a conversation she overheard between some suburban moms.  She wondered if there was anything else in the world that they found interesting or substantial.  She was concerned.  I can say, almost confidently, that they do have other interests.  I'm still just as interested now as I was in politics, television, my social life, and my husband as I was pre-baby.  It's just that a person was introduced into my life who depends on me completely.  When you pair his dependence with this newly unlocked maternal love, everything else fades into the background.  (Don't let me forget to mention that I'm also one of those working moms.  I leave my house when it's still dark outside, and I get precious little time to sit and snuggle.  I feel like I only see him on weekends, so I spend a lot of time missing him, thinking of him, wishing I was with him.)  If I seem to have a one track mind, it's because I do.  He's growing so fast.  Almost 2 months have flown by.  The people who understand me best are the women who are living with their little ones - savoring moments as they slip away.  Put us together, and I'm sure we'd seem boring to almost anyone without kids.

Side note to SB: When it's you, people will wonder the same thing about you.  You'll smile, look at the tiny face that you formed and shrug it off, knowing that there will be plenty of time to catch up on news, sports, pop culture, or whatever it is that you're missing.  You're going to be awesome when it's your turn.  <3!

State of the Bebe

Bo will be 8 weeks old tomorrow.  He's holding his head up like a champ.  He's working up some facial expressions - I've seen fleeting smiles, and I'm waiting breathlessly for an honest to goodness big toothless grin.  I feel like we've passed a milestone with nursing.  He was slow to latch a couple of days this week, but we soldiered on and prevailed.  We're working up a bedtime routine - last feeding, lotion/massage, swaddle, singing, book, prayer, and bed.  Tonight was the second night.  He went down pretty quickly, and I felt vindicated.  He's still waking up between 11PM and 1AM and then sometime between 4AM and 6AM.  We're scheduled for the first round of vaccinations next week.  I'm already stressed about it. 

((ETA: He's still wobbly with the head holding... but definitely starting to get the hang of it.))

Family Plans
Cameron is going to pick up Tyler and Des tomorrow.  He'll finally get to meet their teachers for this year.  Des will be staying for a whole week - Tyler for the weekend only.  I'm excited for some girl time, and I know how much she wants to help take care of the baby.  My second set of parents are coming up on Saturday to meet the Bebe.  I can't wait for him to meet them!

Aunt Juliet and Uncle Jonathan will be here next weekend, and we have tentative plans for a pumpkin patch / haunted corn maze trip.   I'll probably definitely be sitting out anything described as haunted.  Someone has to keep watch for the Great Pumpkin after all.  :)  My guess is that Daredevil Des will be beside herself with excitement.

Routines
It's our second week back on the FlyLady program.  The house looks great.  The routines are starting to set in.  My filing cabinet is in better shape that it has been in at least a year.  The dreaded Tupperware cabinet has been organized.  The laundry is caught up, and I even gave myself a manicure.  I've built a family binder that keeps me organized and on track.  (I'm really geeking out about it - it may get it's own post.  Don't judge me.)  We can have a guiltfree restful and snuggle filled weekend.  I may even break out a fun kid activity or two from Pinterest.

Work
I'm learning about the sales world.  It's an interesting creature.  This week I overcame my fear of cold calling.  I drove to an industrial park, drove around, and talked to people.  I have to remind myself that people are, for the most part, nice.  The worst that anyone can say is no.  I even had one very nice man give me a tour of his warehouse. 

It was incredibly sad to see how many plants and factories have closed their doors.  Empty parking lots form desolate and dusty perimeters around sad buildings with dark windows.  It's a world that I've never seen before.  I'm relieved and terrified that there is an election around the corner.  I pray that in the near future, cars will fill the parking lots again and send the weeds that have set up residence in cracks in the pavement packing.

Research

I'm reading a book about attachment parenting.  It's an interesting take, and while I'm not exactly soliciting advice, I'd like to hear opinions that you might have on it.  Comment, shoot me an email, or give me a call.  We'll chat.  :)

I need longer weekends.

I love it when my sister comes to visit.  She got to town on Friday night with husband and dog in tow.  She and I watched Olympics giggled and talked about nothing in particular while the Olympics played in the background.  Our hubbies played together and put together my new chair.

Chair courtesy of Moma, Bepaw, Aunt Christina and family, and Kevin and Bessie!  Thanks, y'all!

It was waaaaay too late when we decided to make a trip into town to the Waffle House.  Aunt Juliet thought it was hilarious to tell the waitress that I was "10 months pregnant" which made them eyeball me suspiciously through the rest of our dinner.  Turns out that we're too old to be out that late or to consume that much grease.

The next morning while Uncle Jonathan played golf and Cameron worked, Aunt Juliet and I got pedicures and frozen yogurt.  My sissy spoils me like you wouldn't believe.  

I had nothing to wear to my shower on Saturday, but thankfully, a dear neighbor offered to let me borrow a few more maternity items to get me through the next few weeks.  Her dresses were fantastically cute, and definitely got me lots of compliments on Saturday.

You can't tell, but my toenails totally match. :)

The shower was thrown by my aunt and darling cousins.  The food was scrumptious - especially the lemon and blueberry cupcakes.  The company was amazing.  Baby Bo and I received several very special handmade gifts that I will treasure forever.  I didn't take a lot of photos because I was staying off my feet like a good little preggo, but here are a couple of my favorites.

2 of my hostesses and me - with mustaches, of course!

Useful and fantastically CUTE!

My first best friend and sculptor of washcloth dinosaurs for the top of my diaper cake.

I learned several things on Saturday - not least of all, just how many people are ready and willing to come to the aid of this terrified new mother.  I've said it before, and it only becomes more true every day - Rockmart is my home.

I'm loved.  My family is loved.  I did not only receive gifts for Bo and me, but also for Tyler and Destyni.  Cameron got a to-go box of shower food.  All in all, it was a great day for everyone.

Does Everything Have to Have a Title?

It's been 4 days.  Tonight, we visit.  We visit with friends and family, and we tell each other that Gramma is in a better place.  We try not to feel guilty at the relief that comes from knowing that she is no longer trapped here in the physical realm with us.

Pregnancy has complicated this whole experience.  Hormones and a 4 pound person trapped in my midsection have made me extra emotional and just plain exhausted.  I was advised by the doctor on Monday to take it easy.  My blood pressure has been slowly rising for the last month or so, and while we are still in what they consider to be "normal" territory, as we approach the due date, we will be taking more precautions.  Most alarmingly to me was that the doctor now wants to see me once a week... for the next 10 weeks or until Bo decides to grace us with his presence.  Next week, we're slated to have an ultrasound and a non-stress test.  I can't help but think that this test is VERY poorly named, because even if you stick the "NON" in front of it, telling an expectant mother that she needs another test will cause stress.

Cameron will be with me, and that makes me happy.  I'm tremendously lucky to have him.  It may be a side effect of everything going on, but I feel completely out of control right now and terrified of everything.  He assures me that I am normal.  That worrying about whether or not you will be a good parent is pretty much a pre-requisite to being a good parent.  Let's hope that he's right.

My sweet sissy has been staying with us this week when she isn't out doing music teacher type things - sight reading songs with strangers for fun... seriously... sounds like a blast, doesn't it?  Anyhow, Aunt Juliet is suffering from seems to be enjoying an almost gravitational pull to my belly.  I'm slightly in denial that I am actually the size of a planet now, but it just may be because now that I think of it, Cameron is exhibiting similar symptoms.

I can worry until the cows come home, but one thing is for sure - this little guy is loved - now and forever.

Aunt Juliet is MADE OF AWESOME.

We sure do love it when Aunt Juliet comes to visit. 

We get to show off our garden - even if she won't pick up the praying mantis.

She makes a great prisoner, and she doesn't use the safety release on the handcuffs.

We get to play dress up and FaceTime with Uncle Jonathan.

She inspires us with her fitness regimen.

She loves us and gives the BEST SNUGGLES EVER!