It's been a blue moon...

I talked to stuckinmd today for the first time in a LONG time!! We didn't spend much time on the phone because I had some errands to run but it made my day. We've been friends forever and even if we don't talk for a while it's one of those friendships where you kind of pick up where you left off. It's hard to believe (VERY HARD TO BELIEVE) we were at DLI 15 years laughing at Luecke and von Heiland. Last I checked von Heiland was a GS-15 in San Antonio.

Anyway, Schmitty's got to email some family. Yago set him up an email account so they can write each other during Yago's deployment.

Time is Flying

I get up almost every night with Ralphie for about an hour. Not really because he's up that long but because when he falls asleep after 20 mins I'm still wide awake for another 40 or so. Cuddling with him in the wee hours makes me think of when Sam and I used to cuddle. We don't anymore and it's sad for me. It's a somewhat recent development. He doesn't kiss me goodbye at the bus stop anymore unless I ask and I can tell when he holds my hand he'd rather not.

I knew the day would come and it'll only get worse. He won't want to go bowling together or go to the movies with his parents anymore. I also know the day will come with Ralphie and it's sad. One day I won't be the one who can calm him down (eventually he'll lose interest in my boobies!).

Everyone tells you that they grow up before you know it but to see it happen is different...

Just a minute too late...

I'd just gotten home from walking Schmitty to the bus stop and put Ralphie in his swing. He was just chillin' though and looked pretty cute. (Chillin' is an unusual state. Normal is eating, sleeping or crying.) I decided to run upstairs and get the camera for a picture when I heard the beginnings of a tantrum. By the time I returned he was on his way to a full-blown cry but I snapped the picture anyway. After all, I still think he's cute!

Venezia

We're back from Venice. We spent four nights there and we were all ready to come home.

It was a nice trip to take before Yago's deployment. We spent a few days sleeping in and traveling in to the city. Our hotel was actually about 20 km outside Venice because we didn't want to spend $300/night. Really. We also didn't eat in the city because that too was WAY overpriced. We were going to get a drink and some ice cream for Schmitty but each drink was $8 and the ice cream was $12 so we strolled around and bought snacks in little bodegas instead. In the picture we got off the ferry and found a little grocery store then ate our snacks on the steps of a church.

Sam bought the dragon necklace as a souvenir and it has become his prized possession. More on that later...

A Little Trip

This weekend we're leaving to go to Venice for a few days. Since we married we haven't gotten to travel a whole lot and we may not be able to really go anywhere again before we leave due to Yago's deployment and then his brother's wedding in OK. Before you know it we'll be back in the states.

We chose Venice because Sam's been wanting to go for a while now. He wants to see the "water world." We're all very curious what it'll be like. Unfortunately, Venice costs a FORTUNE!!! We're actually staying about 20 km outside of the city.

I have a dr appt tomorrow to get physically cleared for duty. What a pain in the behind. Duty, I mean. I'm not sure how I feel about it, the timing is bad. I won't get paid and it'll be a huge hassle with my cranky baby and Schmitty. We'll see.

Well, I gotta go do something around the house. Oh yeah, and brush my teeth. Definitely gotta get to that today.

Screaming Meanie

Here's a picture of the screaming meanie. This was taken the other day on our way out to run errands. I'm posting it because he's hollering now and this gives a visual...

Scroll down to see the nice baby.

Nuggets of Knowledge

I learned a couple of things over the weekend...

Sam's cub scout hut is moving because the building they're in is being turned in to a Shoppette. Last Saturday morning Yago and Schmitty were at the new building (term used loosely because the building they're moving to looks like it should have been condemned 10 years ago. really.) cleaning. Zach was there too, he's in Sam's class and very recently joined cub scouts. I sat in the car and nursed.

After a while Yago came out and asked if I could take the boys to lunch because everything was such a mess the kids shouldn't even be in there. I took them to Popeye's and that's when I got my education. I learned about WWE. I learned about what The Undertaker does when he wins and how John Cena enters the ring. I also learned that Zach's little brother drank soil milk when he was a baby, just like Jesus. Even Jesus was a baby once and had to drink soil milk. Apparently I drive like Zach's dad when he's drunk. Hmm.

We had another t-ball game on Saturday and it's ridiculous. No score keeping, no out keeping, everyone gets to bat. Sam was out there running like a goofball fairy because you can't get out so there doesn't seem much point in running your hiney off to get to the next base. It's frustrating and there's no way to motivate a kid to do well or try. I remember in gym class playing softball and getting that sick-to-my-stomach feeling everytime it was my turn to bat. "Please God. Don't let me make a fool of myself in front of everyone. Just let me hit the ball, I don't have to hit it far. Just don't let me strike out."

Sam has lost his motivation for a lot of things lately. He dawdles and fools around instead of doing what he's supposed to be doing. By the time I notice he's not working on what I told him to do it's time for dinner or bed, or whatever. It's very annoying.

I'm going to miss Dr. Phil today and take a shower instead because little Jacob is sleeping. (happy happy) Usually I wheel the bassinet in to the bathroom and just listen to him scream while I shower and dress. Maybe today will be different.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm, and a Cheeseburger...

After a rough night last night Ralphie is giving me a brief break, hence the blog entry. I know it won't last...

Sam's got his piano lesson this afternoon and I have a ton of errands I want to run but I don't know how much I'll get done. Sam can play Old MacDonald now, it's cute. It also reminds me of how he used to call McDonald's (restaurant), Old MacDonald's. ...As in, "Mommy, can we go to Old MacDonald's?" It was another one of those things that I thought was cute and didn't correct.

There isn't much going on that I can think of, mostly preoccupied with getting a shower before Ralphie wakes up. Oops, I waited too long.

GOOOO Lugnuts!

Sam's team is the Lugnuts. We just got back from his game and he's doing REALLY well. He throws, catches and runs well. Of course, they don't keep score or get out. It seems a little silly that if they tag a kid out at first they keep playing as if nothing happened (or maybe I'm being a uber-competitive mother living vicariously through her children).

Jacob's sleeping so I want to get some house work done, you wouldn't believe the state of the kitchen floor. It's gross. The bathroom isn't much better and my baby smells like sour milk from spitting up so much. Jacob's grown a lot and really does smile occasionally, it's sad that the extended family hasn't seen him yet. I feel bad for Yago that he won't even be there when his family meets the first grandkid (and great grandkid). They are all so excited with it being the first and Yago won't get to see their face.

My time is limited so I need to get to work...

Gardens, t-ball and baby

It's been really warm here during the day, the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Jacob and I met Sam at the bus stop this afternoon and we all walked to the German supermarket for a few items. It was really nice.

The Germans are HUGE in to gardening and everyone has a beautiful garden in bloom. It makes me want to learn to grow things but there's not much point since we'll be spending a couple months in the states. It really is enchanting though.

Sam has his second t-ball game tomorrow, he's doing well and seems to like it more than soccer. Maybe it's just that he's older and has a better attention span now. He's grown so much lately, I can't believe he isn't my cute little three year old anymore.

Jacob's been doing pretty well. The best we can figure it's my diet making him grumpy but if I cut out all the stuff they recommend I'd be miserable. No garlic, onion, spicy food, citrus, pineapple, dairy and a bunch of other stuff that I can't remember. I pumped a little milk today and let Yago try to give it to him. Jacob needs some more practice...

Jump! Jump!

Criss Cross will make ya wanna jump! jump! Oh, nevermind.

Ralphie is one jumpy baby. He startles easily which makes me startle. I have him strapped to my chest and every time I move he jumps and hits me in the ribs with his little fists.

He's changed a lot already. He's really putting on weight and doesn't look like a scrunched up old man anymore. (at least not as much...)

Last night we went to a potluck with Yago's squadron. We ate at a picnic table with another family and I kept dissing what I was eating, much to Yago's annoyance. He had to keep reminding me that we didn't know what the other couple brought and I could accidently offend someone. "These brats taste weird." "I always forget that I don't really like chicken wings." (with a mouthful of wing), etc. I'm a little socially retarded like that.

I put a note in Schmitty's lunch today that said his family loves him. I hope it makes him smile.

Keukenhof

We went to Keukenhof in Holland last weekend to see the tulips. Ralphie travelled well except for the constant pooping. Day 2 (of 3) he squirted poop all over my pants at a train station while I was changing his diaper. In my effort to pack light I didn't bring a change of pants. The morning of day 3 he pooped on Yago, the hotel bed and floor... while diapered! He shoots it out with such velocity Yago thinks we should start calling him "Shooter".

Quickie

I'm really short on time right now, I have a ton to do and am working on borrowed nap time. I would just like to say thank you for everyone's support during my difficult time. I don't (didn't) mean to be a drama queen. I was expecting a much easier transition into mothering a newborn and I don't know if it was the hormones or expectations I had but it was difficult for a couple weeks. Anyway, I'm grateful for such great family and friends.

A Respite

Ralphie is offering me a brief respite this morning. He's down for a nap and I got some stuff done (bathroom clean). He's been difficult to put down to sleep, as soon as you set him down he wakes up, unhappy I might add.

Today some friends are coming to spend the afternoon. They have a baby that's about 15 months old so they'll be understanding.

Sam started his spring break yesterday and he's been really good. He's outside playing right now. That's all I really have to report...

2-Wk Well Baby

We took Ralphie to the dr today for his 2-wk appt. He's gained back the weight he lost and is exactly his birth weight again, that's good news. We talked to the dr about the problems with nursing... Namely, that he nurses for HOURS STRAIGHT and I barely get time to pee or shower during the day. She said he was using me as a pacifier and we had stop that by only letting him feed 15 mins on each side and then waiting a couple hours. We're giving that a try today but I'm not sure how long I'll be able to do it if he becomes too fussy. She also said he should be done with a growth spurt in a couple more weeks and then the feeding schedule will be more normal.

Hiccups

This baby has the hiccups more than anyone I've ever known! Even in utero he had them all the time. It's strange. His jaundice is getting better. Has anybody ever heard of a baby that wants to breastfeed seven hours straight?

One Handed

I haven't written or done much of anything Since Jacob Henry's arrival. It's because I get about an hour a day (it feels) with both hands free and I prefer to spend the hour showering or going to the bathroom. The baby is constantly feeding. If he falls asleep, it's while being fed and he wakes up within two minutes of being put down or handed off.

A Ralphie by Any Other Name...

Yago and I were talking about Ralphie's reluctance to leave my cozy womb and he mentioned Sheldon from Garfield and Friends. Sheldon was the egg that refused to hatch because he was afraid of the outside world, I think it's a perfect analogy. Plus, it's a little funny that my Grandpa's middle name was Seldon. (wasn't it?) Anyway, Sheldon's shell will be broken Tuesday so I hope the little fella is mentally preparing now.

He Loves Me...

I've decided Ralphie isn't coming out because he loves me SOOOO much. He's happy as a peach knowing nothing of the outside world, just me and our special connection. (umbilical cord?)

I went to the dr yesterday and nothing's changed since last week. I made an appt for next Tues and at that point the dr said she'd admit me and start inducing. I REALLY don't want a Pitocin drip or my membranes ruptured but if that's what it takes... I still haven't completely given up hope on a natural labor but I'm also starting to wonder just how long this baby is will to stay. Which reminds me...

In bed the other night I wondered aloud what the longest human gestation ever has been. Yago replied, "Not one day past due..." I know! I wasn't suggesting I'm experiencing the longest human gestation ever, it was just a thought.