Cindy told her parents on Sunday - now, everybody knows. They were very happy, and claimed to have an 'idea' something was up.
We believe Lily officially entered the Terrible Two's yesterday (a week before she is 17 months). She started answering EVERY question with 'no' (what sounds like 'oh'). She's also becoming manipulative. For example, somewhere along the way she learned to grab her head and cry at the slightest bump. She'll fall gently on her butt, but still grab her head and let out the cry. Tears are never present and it goes away quick, of course. She's not a good actress, but the act might improve, so we will have to try to stay on top of it - one step ahead of her.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Doctor Appointment #2
Everything looks good....
- Heard heartbeat (150 - 155)
- Gained 5lbs - that's normal
- Got clearance to schedule the Ultrasound, so we'll know the sex on October 27th.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
5 .... 4 .... 3 .... 2 ....
We are down to two pets, from the original five.
We gave up on Gibby. There were a number of factors that made us decide to do this - in particular his age, health and early signs of senility. To say that the pregnancy didn't expedite the decision would be lying, because it's exactly that type of event that makes you look at how and what you are doing - to streamline everything for what's to come.
I still have guilt for letting him go because, given the resources, he could have still been cared for. That's clearly not rational thought -- it's just not realistic to expect to have a family, a job and spend half the day caring for a dog. You take from one to give to the other. Ultimately, I know we did the right thing.
Joe and Maddy are left. They are both relatively low maintenance, docile, kid-safe and unassuming pets. They'll probably each get a lot more attention, now that their spotlight demanding sibling is gone.
We gave up on Gibby. There were a number of factors that made us decide to do this - in particular his age, health and early signs of senility. To say that the pregnancy didn't expedite the decision would be lying, because it's exactly that type of event that makes you look at how and what you are doing - to streamline everything for what's to come.
I still have guilt for letting him go because, given the resources, he could have still been cared for. That's clearly not rational thought -- it's just not realistic to expect to have a family, a job and spend half the day caring for a dog. You take from one to give to the other. Ultimately, I know we did the right thing.
Joe and Maddy are left. They are both relatively low maintenance, docile, kid-safe and unassuming pets. They'll probably each get a lot more attention, now that their spotlight demanding sibling is gone.
Bedroom Television
We now have a TV in the bedroom. It's mounted on the wall, which is what you do with TV's these days. You'd think it would lend some aire of modernity, but it doesn't. It is cool how little space a wall mount TV takes up though.
This post IS baby related, because the TV was acquired at Cindy's request, specifically for the third trimester. It was actually something she wanted at the end of the pregnancy with Lily, but we didn't find the time to get one.
Now, the question is if we'll ever use the TV. I watched a short DVD Sunday, the day it was put on the wall, but it hasn't been turned on since. Neither of us watch any television - we are both way too addicted to the internet. She even hates the one show she got into during the FMLA time with Lily now --> Jon & Kate + h8.
This post IS baby related, because the TV was acquired at Cindy's request, specifically for the third trimester. It was actually something she wanted at the end of the pregnancy with Lily, but we didn't find the time to get one.
Now, the question is if we'll ever use the TV. I watched a short DVD Sunday, the day it was put on the wall, but it hasn't been turned on since. Neither of us watch any television - we are both way too addicted to the internet. She even hates the one show she got into during the FMLA time with Lily now --> Jon & Kate + h8.
Monday, September 21, 2009
1 vs 2
Lily and I went to the park last Saturday and had to wade through a soccer tournament. The normally serene Whispering Woods park was swarmed with hundred's of families and their accompanying minivans and SUV's. Even the playground equipment was swamped, mostly with soccer players waiting for the game or younger siblings of players. Lily was fine with this, because she typically likes watching people more than any activities.
It made me think about having kids, rather than a kid - siblings.
The obvious things come into play - it's going to take more time and cost more money. Still, the more dramatic changes will come from the overall dynamics.
It's going to be a balancing force for Lily. She's going to have to share the spotlight. Going from an only child to 1 of 2 is the biggest shift. Jealousy is inevitable, to some degree. Ultimately, this will be positive, in my opinion, because these are lessons that can teach humility.
Discipline suddenly gets more complex. It's going to be a juggling act. Young children don't always understand the discipline to begin with, and there are more traps for inconsistency with multiple children.
The kids get a built in play partner and buddy. They have someone to share experiences with - a peer, so they can talk about what mean parents Cindy and I are. Hopefully these relationships will continue throughout their lives. It's a valuable asset.
So, in the end, I expect increased complexity, but also a much better environment for both children & any that follow.
It made me think about having kids, rather than a kid - siblings.
The obvious things come into play - it's going to take more time and cost more money. Still, the more dramatic changes will come from the overall dynamics.
It's going to be a balancing force for Lily. She's going to have to share the spotlight. Going from an only child to 1 of 2 is the biggest shift. Jealousy is inevitable, to some degree. Ultimately, this will be positive, in my opinion, because these are lessons that can teach humility.
Discipline suddenly gets more complex. It's going to be a juggling act. Young children don't always understand the discipline to begin with, and there are more traps for inconsistency with multiple children.
The kids get a built in play partner and buddy. They have someone to share experiences with - a peer, so they can talk about what mean parents Cindy and I are. Hopefully these relationships will continue throughout their lives. It's a valuable asset.
So, in the end, I expect increased complexity, but also a much better environment for both children & any that follow.
Friday, September 18, 2009
On sleep and expanding bellies
We must be in the second trimester, because Cindy suddenly has energy again. She was up till 1AM on a school night, this past Wednesday. Last night she was tired, but it is nothing like the past couple months where she's drowsy at 8PM.
Oh, and she is showing. She won't be hiding it much longer. I'll probably have to dig out the maternity clothes from the basement this weekend, because the belly is expanding. We might be looking at another ten pounder.
Oh, and she is showing. She won't be hiding it much longer. I'll probably have to dig out the maternity clothes from the basement this weekend, because the belly is expanding. We might be looking at another ten pounder.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Big Sister Blankets the Baby
I'm convinced that this is strictly a point of development, and not some amazing feat of nature related to the pregnancy, but Lily's favorite thing right now are her 'babies'. Specifically, she likes to cover them up with blankets and then give them hugs/kisses or push them around in the stroller.
Through practice she's become very good at covering the baby up. The hard part seems to be wrapping a blanket around herself.
This video shows Lily covering 'baby' with mom's blouse, then trying to do the same to herself, with less success.
Through practice she's become very good at covering the baby up. The hard part seems to be wrapping a blanket around herself.
This video shows Lily covering 'baby' with mom's blouse, then trying to do the same to herself, with less success.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Instant nostalgia
We received an invite to Vanessa's first birthday today. She's about 5 months younger than Lily, nearly to the day.
It's really amazing to see just how fast things changed in the first year. Both Vanessa and Lily are very big, very healthy girls, so seeing pictures of Vanessa has sort of been a reminder where we were just a few months back. It's like instant nostalgia.
At any other point in life a five month age gap is meaningless but the development, day-to-day, in the first year is different. They go from helpless lumps to wobbly, walking, talking, little personalities. It's really the only point in life where you can even identify a 5 month difference in age.
It should be even more interesting comparing and contrasting with two kids on a day-to-day basis. It may give us a deeper appreciation, and not just for the 'new old stuff' with the young one. It could also put the 'new stuff' - Lily's continuing development - into perspective.
It's a reminder that everything is fleeting.
It's really amazing to see just how fast things changed in the first year. Both Vanessa and Lily are very big, very healthy girls, so seeing pictures of Vanessa has sort of been a reminder where we were just a few months back. It's like instant nostalgia.
At any other point in life a five month age gap is meaningless but the development, day-to-day, in the first year is different. They go from helpless lumps to wobbly, walking, talking, little personalities. It's really the only point in life where you can even identify a 5 month difference in age.
It should be even more interesting comparing and contrasting with two kids on a day-to-day basis. It may give us a deeper appreciation, and not just for the 'new old stuff' with the young one. It could also put the 'new stuff' - Lily's continuing development - into perspective.
It's a reminder that everything is fleeting.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The tackiness of flowers and letters
Cindy thinks using another flower name (Rose or Violet), or any 'theme', might be tacky. I almost agree, but the flower thing just doesn't seem the same as using only the letter 'J', or using the same middle name for every kid.
My biggest fear with the flower theme would be having a third(+) girl, in which case it would be difficult to break a theme. We'd either be working down a list of diminishing quality (Rose, Violet, Lilac, Pansy, Bougenvillas), or we'd break theme and have the 'flower children' and the 'other one'.
Maybe the baby will be a boy, and this won't be concern, so long as it's not an 'L' name.
My biggest fear with the flower theme would be having a third(+) girl, in which case it would be difficult to break a theme. We'd either be working down a list of diminishing quality (Rose, Violet, Lilac, Pansy, Bougenvillas), or we'd break theme and have the 'flower children' and the 'other one'.
Maybe the baby will be a boy, and this won't be concern, so long as it's not an 'L' name.
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