JJ: lazy will eventually = babies.
I am very content with 3 (or the idea of 3 at this point) - we had always said 3 since we got married, and now, in the trenches with 2 young ones and adding another so close, I am ready to move on out of this baby phase. I'm going to treasure every last bit of it though.
I'm alot more zen and a lot less desperatate than I remember being during the last few weeks of the other 2 pregnancies. I think part of it is knowing that the breast pump does work, when it's really time (and it will again, if it comes to that. random nipple twiddling sets of minor contractions, so I'm certain the pump would do the trick if I wanted to) - and having that "ace" in my pocket sets my mind at ease a little.
39 weeks today, so really, really, any day now.
Last night was rough, Norah has an ouchy butt and lots of painful gas, which made her screamy and restless last night. poor baby.
Homeschooling vs traditional schooling - don't feel guilty. You do what works for you and your children. Some kids do really well with school. And it doesn't always have to be one or the other, you know. You can do the things that you might like about homeschooling in your time with her outside of it - opportunites she's not likely to get in a regular school - to really round out her education. Or maybe one day you'll decide homeschooling is a better fit, at least for a while. (Take a year off, travel cross country, or something)
For us, it'll be homeschooling, for lots of reasons, at lease for the first few years.
GIRL I'm going to be stalking you now!! Ha!!!
Any dtd before confirmed O is risky, I learned that and swear by it! I think we only dtd w/o protection like, the week I"m pms-ing b/c it's the only time I'm SURE it's ok. I can't be too careful!
Realization this am after Nora and I butted heads AGAIN for the millionth time -- I need to lower my expectations. Just b/c she's capable of helping me out or doing something doesn't mean she must. I am getting too frustrated that she's "not listening" when really she is just being non-compliant. She doesn't want to do what I ask. I wish she would help me out more, but it's just SUCH a battle.
I think I just got really used to her wanting to help and always wanting to please, that now when she refuses I get angry.
Thankfully, Gabe is in a helpful stage. His favorite thing is to take out the trash - which is really awesome, I think. His next favorite thing is to beg "baby" to help him clean up. That's really funny. I find I get the most success out of helping him help me - he will clean up if I clean up with him, or at least sit with him while he does. I don't blame him, after all, why should I just sit on my butt while he cleans? (even though he made the mess, and I really don't feel like getting up . . . )
Now, if only he would be potty trained, for everybody, regardless of his state of dress, or undress. With me, he's good probably 80-90% of the time, which is really lovely. DH . . .like maybe 50%? My parents are probably 10% and the ILs are striking out completely. The last because they don't ever let him be naked (they say it's too cold. If Gabe's cold, he'll put on something. He brought me a diaper the other day bc he said his penis was cold. I told him he could wear underwear or a pull up if he was cold. He chose to stay naked) I know it will happen eventually, I just wish I knew what, if anything, we could do to make it better.
D is so cute! Norah doesn't quite do that kind of stuff yet. But she does, sometimes, bring me things when asked. I do wish she "obeyed" better. I say NO alot more to her than I did to Gabe.
Cleaning up is one thing, I don't mean so much as doing what I tell her to in that regard. I mean, helping out with Finn -- bringing me a dipe if she's closer, if he's fussing b/c he can't reach something and I'm busy, etc. I just want her to help out. This morning I was naked in my room trying to get dressed after my shower, and she's all "MOMMM, FINN HAS A PEN AND IS WRITING ON THE WALLLLLL!" I was like, "Take it from him please, I'll be out in a minute!" "NO I WANT YOU TO." as she's just sitting there watching him write on the wall. I was like, really? REALLY? I got a little mad. Why can't she just freaking HELP?
Lately his thing is to barge into the bathroom while I"m in the shower, climb up on the toilet and turn the water on in the sink full blast, and play in it. He thinks he's freaking hilarious. I can't get him down while Im in the water. Today I'm in the shower and Nora comes in and is mad b/c she needs to use the potty and he's standing on it. I was like, either help him get down or use the potty chair. NOOOO I WANT YOU TO GET HIM DOWN! But I'm in the shower, honey, I'm soaked. It makes more sense for you to really quickly pee in the froggy potty or hold his hand so he can get down. NOOOO! *tears* I WANT YOU TO MOVE HIM!! I NEED TO GO, I NEED TO GO!
Sigh. It's like so frustrating. Just do what's easiest!!! I ended up jumping out sopping wet and getting him off the toilet, and she peed. Idk if I just need to chill and not flip out over these things or if this is more of a behavior I should work on with her.
And yes I'm def feeling overwhelmed with all the travel Chris has had this month, and all the sickness. I feel like I'll never catch up on chores and I'm really tired. I'm tired of doing everything and of wiping every butt and every nose and taking all the sickies to the dr over and over, and making all the meals only to have them not eaten or thrown on the floor! GRRR!! 
Meehhh, I don't get the feeling she's afraid of making him mad, I get the feeling she can't be bothered. It is what it is. I think I'm just used to her being compliant, and suddenly she realizes hey -- I don't have to do anything I don't want to do -- sort of any autonomy thing. So she's using it ALL the time and it just gets hard. Tonight went a lot better. I also remembered to get down on her level and speak softly when I needed her to do something, instead of just asking normally. She responded way better.
MW that timer thing has me scratching my freaking head. WTH?!? I wouldn't have done it either. Weird weird weird.
COME ON BABY! Let's go Theo!! 
I heard something about kissing your partner for a minute straight or something like that recently on the radio. Maybe he heard or read something like that? There was a study about it. IDK, I start to feel claustrophobic if a kiss is held too long. Like I can't breathe.
JJ, I think we'll all be interested in what's happening in your uterus over the next couple of weeks!
Oh Baby_Cakes, I meant to tell you. If you are leaning towards a Cars theme for Finn's b-day, you should check your DollarTree. I went to one of our's today and they have so many Cars-themed items like books, coloring books, puzzles, etc that would be great party favors. I saw a bunch of Sesame Street/Elmo stuff so I think I'm going to try to go back this weekend and get some stuff to put away for Ava's. I'm just going to make the executive decision that her party is going to be that. I can't imagine her all of a sudden hating Elmo. I'm thinking about just having her party at a local park that has a splashground and playground. Just taking blankets and maybe a folding table and setting up a party. Would that be tacky? Our house is just *too* small for anything like that.
I'm the same way re:long kisses. I need to breathe!!! That's annoying and not at all romantic. Setting a timer. Geesh.
Thanks for the heads up! I have a feeling that's what I'm going to do. He LOVES Cars. He really honestly says, "ligh ween!" when he sees lightning mcqueen. It's crazy!
Do you guys know when they start saying their own name, or start with the "do it myself" type of talk?
I think a play/sprayground sounds like a phenomenal idea. Do it!
I'm the same way re:long kisses. I need to breathe!!! That's annoying and not at all romantic. Setting a timer. Geesh.
Thanks for the heads up! I have a feeling that's what I'm going to do. He LOVES Cars. He really honestly says, "ligh ween!" when he sees lightning mcqueen. It's crazy!
Do you guys know when they start saying their own name, or start with the "do it myself" type of talk?
I think a play/sprayground sounds like a phenomenal idea. Do it!
Ava is just entering that territory and it's already driving me bonkers. Part of the problem is she has developed this awful habit of saying "have it, have it" when she wants something and it's just rude. She picked it up from the sitter's little boy. At lunch today, we were sharing white bean soup and I was holding the cup. She started that "have it, have it" crap and then when I wouldn't let her hold it, she started pitching a fit. Ugh. She says her name occasionally. If you ask her what her name is, probably about 60% of the time she'll say "Ava".
mmmm. Wine :) It's not as bad as it was with Gabe - with him it started at 37 weeks and lasted till birth, off and on, at 41+6. Norah I had a bit maybe last week or so I was pregnant. So I'm hoping I don't have much of it. mostly it's just a PITA. Just be the real thing, already.
I had pretty much no prodromal labor or lead up to my labor, other than a few small bouts of braxton hicks, but not even painful ones. I don't know how I would handle it now if I had prodomal with the next one! I am still SO glad that i was able to wait out the pregnancy without getting super anxious for it to end-- but again... I was 39w5d when I had her, and I had been -convinced- I'd go at least a week overdue, so I wasn't expecting her at all. Now next time if I don't have the baby by 35w5d I can see myself going batty! lol
Friday sounds good to me! lol Come onnnn Theo! Oh I can't wait to have a squish in the group again!
If the mess isn't bugging you and it's sanitary who cares? Once he comes it'll be a shitstorm of chaos anyway. 
Just relax, do the minimum required to not stress out over it. Ok -- sending birthy vibes for friday!!! Lets go baby!!! 
Yes-- totally this. I'd only worry about it if it's bugging you. Otherwise, pshhhh, other people can clean when they come over.
Honestly? That's the way I feel about being a WOHM. I hate leaving Ava, don't get me wrong, but it IS nice to go somewhere and have adult conversations for 8 hrs. Since DH and I pretty much just switch off, we do a lot of solo parenting and that crap is hard! I wish I had a better childcare situation. Actually, scratch that. I wish my DH would be more comfortable saying that his work day is from 7a-3p so that he could just come home and be with her. I don't like shuttling her all over the place or waking her from a nap to load her in the car.
I had a thought that it might be hard for me since I hadn't been on a labor unit since Ava was born but I figured that since it was a new building, I wouldn't have any issues. Man, was I wrong. The head nurse had two LD nurses and one of the nursery nurses come in so we could ask them questions about procedures, policies, etc. One of the LD nurses that came in was one of my postpartum nurses. She REALLY helped me the second night when I was at the hospital alone and having a really tough time. She sat with me for a few hours while I cried and just listened. She was awesome. I have wanted to send her a thank-you card but I could never remember her name. It was great to see her and thank her in person but I was fighting back tears for most of the meeting. But the new hospital is GORGEOUS. I'd love to birth there. I'm ok leaving that door partly open but I don't think I would be devastated if it's closed for good.
Yeah I get that. I'm kind of the same way. I love my time with Tenley, and I -hate- leaving her when I go to work. But by the same token, I also love being at work, and I feel like I do better when I have a bit of that time away to myself. I feel like I'd have a perfect balance if I was able to work a bit less-- like maybe two 4 hour shifts a week or something-- just enough time to have some "space" without cutting into my Tenley time so much! But right now financially, the 25 hours I week is really kind of needed.
That does sound hard with the buiding and being back there, even if it's not the same 'there'. I'm glad you got to see the nurse again though!
I think a big part of me knowing I need another child, is knowing that I won't feel 'complete' until I have a chance to go back and do that again, but differently-- I want a chance to use the new birthing centre, or have my homebirth.
JJ: lazy will eventually = babies.
I'm alot more zen and a lot less desperatate than I remember being during the last few weeks of the other 2 pregnancies. I think part of it is knowing that the breast pump does work, when it's really time (and it will again, if it comes to that. random nipple twiddling sets of minor contractions, so I'm certain the pump would do the trick if I wanted to) - and having that "ace" in my pocket sets my mind at ease a little.
Hahaha I know... It was a stupid thing-- we were right in the heat of it, and DH asked and I was like uhhh... it's not great timing, but we're probably ok... but it's not totally safe... so if you want to grab something... lol. I was not really in a 'weigh the odds' mindset.
Zen is good! It does sound like you're in a good place about it. Enjoy each day, every little kick and moment. Aww I miss it myself, and even I know I'll get another chance someday! It's just such a magical time at the end!
And ttoally good that you know you have a backup plan!
GIRL I'm going to be stalking you now!! Ha!!!
Any dtd before confirmed O is risky, I learned that and swear by it! I think we only dtd w/o protection like, the week I"m pms-ing b/c it's the only time I'm SURE it's ok. I can't be too careful!
Yeah, we -should- be fine-- especially since it took so long last time, and only finally conceived after using pre-seed, it makes me feel more confident. But honestly, I feel kind of whatever about it-- ONLY ONLY ONLY because of my friend being pregnant, and the idea of being pregnant and having babies at the same time as her sounds so lovely. And I know Tenley is getting bigger, and nine months is a long time, and so much would change in that time. But otherwise, yeah, I'm totally ok with not being pregnant too. lol. It's so nice to feel like that though... because I've been "ready" emotionally to get pregnant since very soon after Rob and I got together. Like before we were having sex. So I've never experience 'worry free' sex where it was just kind of "yeah if we do, that's fine, but if we don't get pregnant, that's ok too". Even the times when we were technically avoiding, or were in the beginning of whatevering, I still never felt chill about it. We may not have been actively trying to get pregnant, but my brain still actively wanted it!! lol
So cute! Tenley does that with her diaper bag, she tried to 'help' with it, and it's too heavy so she ends up practically falling over trying to carry/drag it around.
His next favorite thing is to beg "baby" to help him clean up.
I -LOVE- how his attachment to N is growing so much, and all the stories about her being his baby. I love that sibling interaction so so so much!
That DOES sound odd. Like he was trying to be cute and romantic but just... missed the mark. I'd find it odd too. DH and I used to kiss/makeout a lot the first year or so of our marriage, but we rarely really kiss anymore. I'm not really sure why, but yeah, 'extended' kissing feels a bit odd to me now too, let alone a timer!
Ok, bedtimeeeee! It's after 1am, but I wanted to come back and respond to everyones posts. I have tomorrow off, and it's super warm out, so I'm trying to decide whether I take Ten to the zoo to walk around, or whether I stay home and relax and get some cleaning done. Hard decision...
back home, thank goodness. blood pressure went back down and stayed that way. labs and everything were good. Theo needs to come out!
back home, thank goodness. blood pressure went back down and stayed that way. labs and everything were good. Theo needs to come out!
Glad everything is ok! Thanks for keeping us posted. C'mon baby Theo! We need to see you! And mama needs a break!
Oh man! Theo no more scaring us!
Come on baby... tomorrow if Friday. Time to meet the world now! ;)
Argh!! Had a really shitty night with DH. Kept trying to shake things off and come back with an open mind and fun attitude, only to be talked down to again and dismissed like I was some 'little miss' whose opinions and knowledge and thoughts don't matter. I --know-- he's stressed right now after the first week training at his new job, but seriously?!? I don't even want to go to bed right now, I'm so pissed at his attitude tonight.
On a more cheerful note-- we went out to dinner, and my GOSH was Tenley ever hamming it up for the waitress. Every night she came to the table, Ten was practically batting her eyelashes at her, and would start babbling up a storm and giggling. So adorable!
Also, we went to get DH a new phone, and in the phone store, Ten thought she was in heaven!! Walked in, and she took one look around the room and was like "oohhhh peeese? Peeseee!!" And kept reaching out towards the displays. *heart melt*
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