Tough Nuggets

Scoop, the three year old:  "I told Ebaby it was time to go to bed.  She told me she did not want to go to bed.  So I told her tough nuggets, get your jammies on."

Thankful

I had every intention of writing a Thanksgiving post detailing the things I am thankful for.  Lately it is hard to be thankful as Big Guy's cancer seems to color all of my thoughts.  I try not to let my anxiety show too much but of course I fail.  I didn't realize how badly I failed until the other day. 

On Friday I took Ebaby and Scoop to a Christmas fair at Ebaby's school.  It was a fun night with a craft, cookies, a few vendors and the big highlight- picture with Santa! 

Scoop was thrilled just to get to go to Ebaby's school. 

Ebaby was thrilled because they had a little "shop" where the kids could buy gifts for their family.  She used her own money from her bank and was quite proud of herself.

They each made a snowflake craft and had cookies.  We stood in line to see Santa.

I wasn't sure how Scoop would react to Santa, she's never seen him before.  At first she kept her vise grip on my hand until Santa asked, "Want a candy cane?"  Then she went to him.  So much for teaching her to not take candy from strangers.  They both sat on his lap and we got a couple of good pictures.  Santa asked them what they want for Christmas.  Ebaby never knows what she wants so now surprise when she said, "I don't know."  She really doesn't know and she is always excited and grateful with whatever she gets.  It's fun to buy for her.  I was really interested to hear how Scoop would answer that question because everything she see she wants.  She told Santa she wants, "hern own Barbies and ma pillow pet".  (Of course I had no idea what a pillow pet was and had to Goolge it.  $20 for a pillow???)

We had a really great time.  The next day I was telling my sister about it and she said the thing that made me realize how I had failed at hiding my anxiety.  She said:

"You sound so happy.  You haven't sounded happy in a long time."

And damned if she wasn't right.  I can put on a brave face and make jokes and kid around but the undertone of unhappy is there.  Everything just seems so hard lately.  Hell, getting out of bed some days is a major freakin chore. 

Friday, though, I was happy.  I was happy to see my girl proud to spend her own money on special gifts for her sisters and nana.  I was happy to see the delight on my two year olds face when she got the nerve (and candy cane) to see Santa.  I am happy to know we will at least have this Christmas and that no matter what comes, we are together now.  And that is something to be thankful for.

The Kids

The next thrilling installment of "Goings On"...

Sis is in her second year at college. She has a tuition scholarship which is fantastic. Her first year she got a bunch of little one time scholarships and financial aid that enabled her to live on campus and we only had to pay for her books. This year we barely got any financial aid (go freakin figure) and had originally said she would have to commute to college (it's less than 45 minutes away). Of course she was not happy about this and wanted to take out loans to live there. We were against this debt as it wasn't really necessary. After getting the Big Guy's diagnosis and the details of his treatment we decided it might be better to just let her live on campus. It would be too distracting at home and let's face it, she was going to do it whether we wanted her to or not. She's doing really well in her classes and seems to be having a good time but not too good a time!

Ebaby is in second grade this year! Holy cow my baby is seven. In first grade she had some real gross and fine motor skill difficulties. She needed occupational therapy but the state insurance we had for the kids did not cover it. The school would not classify her and it was very frustrating. My brother wound up finding someone for us who gave us exercise and activities for her to do. She made great improvements and continues to work hard. She loves school. I wish we could put her in some activities but everything around here costs money that we don't have. Thankfully she is pretty creative and she loves to play with her little sister. She has been taking the drama around the house really well. Of course we don't tell her very many details but kids know.

Scoop is two. Two! She is very funny and laid back. She is Daddy's girl all the way. She tells him all the time "we're best buddies" and she means it. She eats anything you put in front of her but we recently discovered she has a chocolate allergy (poor thing and more for me!). She is very tall and people tend to think she is older than she is which leads to some stupid comments from people when I buy diapers. She discovered the Toys R Us Christmas catalog and wants to buy everything in it. We told her to get a job. She informed us she was too "yittle". She has been a bright light in all the bullshit of the last couple of years.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of "Goings On"....

One Can Hope

I got a good deal on two huge cases of diapers today. They should last a while.

You watch, the little monkey will potty train next week.

Happy Birthday, Scoop!

One year ago today, after the longest labor in history (ok, I exagerate, but it was pretty damn long, 33 hours) my little Scoop was born. Time really is flying by.

I spent the weekend saying to the Big Guy, "Can you believe her birthday is Monday? She's almost one!"

"Uh, yeah, she was born a year ago." Typical man response, he just doesn't get it.

I said it in church on Sunday and everyone said, "Already? I can't believe it! My goodness, she's just a baby!" Now that is the appropriate response.

Anyway...

The Scoop is such a happy girl and a sweetie. After Ebaby gets on the bus she looks around and calls for her. Ebaby's real name can be a mouthful for a little one, but Scoop has it down! She doesn't say "mama" but she says Ebaby's name. They are playing right now and Ebaby has her squealing with laughter. What a beautiful sound!


Happy Birthday my little precious!

A Thanksgiving First

Hyped up on turkey and mashed potatoes, Scoop pulled herself to standing and cruised around Aunt K's living room. She headed straight for the Wii.

Diaper Dilemma

For those of you who don't know (meaning most of you), we have been using cloth diapers on Scoop. No, I'm not crazy. Well maybe a little, but we are using them. We decided to use them, frankly, because they are cheaper. I'm all about cheap these days.

They aren't as bad as I thought they would be. I was prepared for some nasty, nasty clean ups but it hasn't been anything I couldn't handle. That includes when she had antibiotics for double ear infections. I confess, I put her in disposables at night. This kid pees like crazy in the night and I hate waking up at 3 am to soaking wet baby and bedding. They are kind of cute too. For some bizarre reason I already have a picture of them loaded in the computer. Perhaps I knew I would miss you too much to stay away? Take a look...



Cute, huh?

Enter the mother's nemesis: diaper rash.

A couple of weeks ago she had a terrible rash, we're talking cherry red. I hadn't changed detergent or soap or let her sit in a dirty diaper too long, so I chalked it up to teething. I put her in disposables for a few days and it cleared up. Back to the cloth. Within one day the rash was back. It looks like my cheap alternative to disposables is no longer an option.

Here's the question: Can I ask family members to give Scoop a nice package of Luvs for Christmas? It's not like she knows what presents are. I'll give her an empty box and some crumpled wrapping paper and she'll be thrilled. Or am I being too cheap? What do you think?

Yes, I am still alive. Half asleep but alive.

I survived the never ending labor and delivery. I’ll spare you the full story but here are some highlights:

When I got to the hospital I was already in labor, contracting every five minutes all by myself.

Sounds good, right? That’s what I thought.

Scoop decided to take her own sweet time.

Thirty-two hours later she was born.

Stinker.

The epidural wore off and the anesthesiologist was doing a c-section.

How the hell do women do this without drugs?

I have a high pain tolerance but, come on this shit hurts!

She was large.

Nine pounds four ounces

ouch

Thankfully I only had to push for about 25 minutes.

I didn’t need an episiotomy nor did I tear.

Good for my healing- no stitches.

Possibly bad for the Big Guy and our future sex lives.

Scoop is super cute. She’s so big she looks like a two month old! She is a good eater and sleeper. Completely different than Ebaby. I know that each baby is different but they are so different it is pretty amazing.

Some of you have said you can’t wait to see pictures but I don’t post kid pix out of respect for the Big Guy. If you emailed me your address I’ll be sending out birth announcements when I get them this week. If you want one send me your address. I’m not sure how many extras I will have so act fast. Limited time offer etc, etc.

Special thanks to Rachel for updating the Scoop story!

I’m off to check my two week back up on Bloglines. I have to see if Cletus is here yet!

Scoop Is Here!

Hey everyone, it’s Rachel again. Scoop has finally arrived!! After a very very long labor, Scoop was born early this morning at 2:54 am. She weighed in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21 inches long. Both mom and Scoop are doing fine!!! Hopefully Mama will update us all soon!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to Ice Cream Mama and family!!!!!!!!!

Quick Update

Hey guys, it’s Rachel. I just wanted to let everyone know that Ice Cream Mama will be giving me updates today. So far I haven’t heard from her, but as you know she went in last night to be induced! As soon as I hear from her, I will update everyone!!


Edited to add: As of 10:05 am, cst, no baby yet, things are moving slow, but they are moving!

Update

Guess what?

I’m being induced tomorrow night!

Why?

My blood pressure is still fluctuating. I am ready. And my doctor is going on vacation on Saturday. So Thursday night I will be checking in to the hospital. She probably won’t be here until Friday. I’ll probably come home on Sunday. Then, knowing me, I’ll post a week and a half from then. So if someone wants to give up their phone number, you can be graced with the super secret password to the Ice Cream Palace and post an update for me.

Of course if you give me your phone number you will have to listen to how my husband annoyed the crap out of me while I was in labor. Even though he will have done everything right, he will get no credit for it, just because I had to push a big baby out of a small place! You might want to give some serious thought to giving up that number.

Also some people have expressed interest in pictures of Scoop. I don’t post pictures of the kidlets here, I don’t think the Big Guy would like it and I have to respect that. If you want to receive a birth announcement email me your address and I will be happy to send you one! My email is icecreammama(at)gmail(dot)com.

See you after baby!!