*This post was written about six weeks ago. I never got around to posting it, but for scrapbook sake, I am posting it now, even though it is out of order. We have actually had much more going on in our family since this post was written. Maybe one day I will write it, but for tonight, I am just trying to catch up from the past month*.
I think it is time for some catching up on the blog. I have had the best intentions of sitting down to do this, but alas, life happens! I am pretty sure this might be my 4th draft of this post anyway - there is always something to do which seems more pressing, but I am trying to hard to keep this blog as updated as possible. One day I will look back on this and be so thankful that I made it a priority.
Let's see, it's hot here in Alabama. I mean REALLY hot. Fortunately, I have a little boy who seems relatively unphased by the intense heat as long as he has his cup of water with him. Momma is not so "unphased" by it, especially being pregnant, but each day we lather up with sunscreen, grab our water troughs (that's what we need), our hats, and we venture outside. I love the outside and just can't stand to be stuck in the house all day long. And you know what, in the winter we will do the same thing, just bundle up and take mugs of hot chocolate instead. Where there's a will, there's a way! We really have spent alot of time outside this summer. We have been swimming alot, been to the splash pad downtown to cool off, ingested more sugary goodness (otherwise known as "icee's"), than we should have, played in the sprinklers, visited every park in the city multiple times, taken nature walks around the neighborhood, tried to keep up with EB while he raced down the sidewalks on his bike or any other set of wheels he can find, splashed in puddles outside after a good rain, and whatever else we could find to do outside. He loves it, and I love it too. I won't lie and say that I am not itching to feel that first cool breeze to let me know that Fall is on it's way - ohhhhh, how I love Fall! Can't wait! But for now, I am thankful for summer and for the memories we have made.
I have to jot some things down about Elijah Brooks at this stage, since this is his scrapbook of sorts. This is my only way to remember alot of these things. Elijah Brooks is delightful. We have such a wonderful time together, and I am just tucking all of these precious memories away in my heart. As the old saying goes, "the days are long, but the years are short". I think that only a mom can understand that logic! But, it's so very true. He keeps me on my toes and sometimes I really do have to step back and remind myself that he is only 2 1/2 . The conversations that we are having and the questions he is asking, I didn't expect to be happening this early. I definitely have to be one step ahead of him at all times. He continues to LOVE people and LOVE life. I feel like I have been writing that since the day we brought him home from the hospital, but it's true. He just has a zest for life that is contagious and a love for people that is so uninhibited and genuine - no strings attached. He has worked his way into the hearts of so many people without meaning to - it's just who he is. He brings a smile to so many faces every day, and I bet alot of those people need a good smile. He is ALL boy...., loud, energetic, loves wheels, machines, running, jumping, throwing rocks, flying through the air, climbing on construction equipment in our neighborhood, "roaring" loudly at the cats, and banging on things. He is his Daddy's little side-kick when Jay has his tools out. You can always find EB right beside him with his little plastic tools. He could take or leave a ball - doesn't seem interested in them at all. Would much rather have something with a motor and a set of wheels on it. He does not like loud noises (which is funny to me because he is LOUD!), nor does he like to be dirty. Amidst all of the toughness and volume level, he has such a tender heart. He shows compassion for the hurting, and is very quick to put his hand on the back of someone crying and say, "It's okay, you don't have to be sad". Very, very tender heart. When he falls down, he will bite his upper lip and try hard to hold back the tears and say, "I'm okay mommy. I'm really okay" - even when the tears start pouring, he will still say that he's okay. He tries so hard to be brave, even when I know he's really hurt or upset. He doesn't like to sit and color for more than 2 minutes. He would much rather be pushing his tractors around the house in some pretend world that he invites me to be a part of almost hourly. His imagination has just exploded and we do spend much of our days in some other world. He is not a dramatic child, nor is his moody - I mean of course we have our moments like any other child, but in broad terms, his temperament is very consistent. I know how he will react in almost every situation. Sometimes there will be a surprise moment thrown in there, but he is really like Jay in so many ways - just very even keel. If he has been well prepared, he does remarkably well in any given situation. He is very reasonable and logical - I have never had to "beat around the bush" with him. I just speak plainly and logically to him, and he gets it. I wasn't expecting that honestly, but he does, so we go with it.
He still LOVES his mommy very much, but I have definitely seen him gravitate more towards his Daddy lately. I have heard this happens with boys around age 3 or 4 - we are just a few months shy of 3 now. In fact, the other night, Jay was going to take him to get a treat after dinner and EB's immediate response was, "Is Mommy coming"? When Jay said that I was, EB's face dropped and he said, "I really just want some special time with Daddy"! Okay, so I confess that my heart sunk just a wee bit, but it leaped for joy the very next second. I am so thankful that EB has a Godly daddy to look up to and emulate, and that he is gravitating towards Jay now. I won't lie and say that I didn't enjoy a few peaceful moments to myself. He still wants to be tucked in by mommy though, and I am just fine with that. I am still his best playmate in the whole world right now - trying hard to remember that when I am so weary of playing the same games over and over again, knowing one day he won't want me around! He pops out of bed in the morning ready to greet the world and is always talking about, "Mr. Golden Sun". Waking up from his afternoon nap however, is a different story. He is pretty teary and winy when he first wakes up, but nothing a drink and a snack can't fix - amazing how fast he will snap out of that when offered a snack! He will always tell me the truth, even when he knows he might get disciplined for the offense, bless him! I do pray that he will be a truthful man of God, telling the truth always, regardless of the consequences. He LOVES music, and the louder he can turn it up, the better! I thought at one point, maybe I needed to have his hearing checked, but have realized that it is only music that he turns up loud. The TV is at a normal level, but his music has to be loud! I think he just really likes to hear the different instruments and rhythm. When he hears music, he just has to move - in some way. He has gone to Kindermusik classes since he was 6 months old, but about a month ago, we made a switch to Gymnastics. Best investment of our money - he loves it, and is picking up on it quickly. His favorite TV shows right now are, "Cat in the Hat", "Super Why", and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse".
I could write for days about his favorites, and personality, likes and dislikes etc..., but this is a good overview for tonight! At least I have some of it written down so that I can remember.
Okay, switching gears, I am 21 weeks pregnant with baby GIRL, and doing very well. I truly love being pregnant. I journaled through my entire pregnancy with Elijah Brooks, but just haven't had the time to do it with this pregnancy. I will try to recap the last few months. I have felt identical to how I felt with Elijah Brooks. I was alittle "icky" the first 12 weeks, but then I hit week 13 and felt like a new woman. My fatigue and "ickiness" disappeared at 13 weeks to the day. I never threw up with any of my pregnancies. Of course, I am still tired, but it's not that drugged, tranquilized kind of tired that you have during the 1st trimester. I am growing quicker than I did with Elijah Brooks, but I have heard that is normal. I have gained the same amount of weight far, am carrying the baby the exact same (low), and overall feel identical to how I felt last time. I am getting some of the aches and pains in my pelvis that I had with him at this point, but I think most of that is due to some "shifting" that is taking place in my pelvic bones. I am almost positive that I cracked my tailbone during delivery last time, so sitting down is alittle painful. My vascular system is in major overdrive again, so I am wearing compression stockings on my legs at times - even in this heat! I should be wearing them 24 hours a day, but they are just so hot, that I just suck up my pride and wear my shorts anyway. I guess everyone has their specific pregnancy "not so pleasant" issue - this just happens to be mine. They are painful though, so I am trying to wear these things as much as I can stand them. I didn't have to resort to these last pregnancy, but this one is really getting me. I had relief almost immediately after delivery with EB, so I am praying that relief will come soon after delivery. I am still walking every day and am so grateful that I am still able to exercise. I haven't had any real food cravings, much like with EB. I will say that the first trimester I just wanted alot of meat - chicken bisquits from Chik-Fil-A specifically! But, as soon as 2nd trimester hit, I went back immediately to just eating normally. I still don't feel an overwhelming need to snack during the day. I eat a healthy and filling breakfast, healthy and filling lunch, and normal dinner, and that seems to satisfy me and baby just fine. Exactly like Elijah Brooks, I started having Braxton Hicks at 16 weeks - which I know is ridiculously early. I am making sure that I don't overdo it in a given day, and that I keep myself well hydrated. My doctor here is telling me the same thing my doctor back in North Carolina told me, "just pay attention to them, call me if you get nervous about anything, and keep yourself very well hydrated". They are not painful, but very tight, enough that I know they are happening and I usually have to stop what I am doing for a minute until they subside. Honestly, if this hadn't have happened last time, I would be pretty anxious. But I guess this is just how my body responds to pregnancy. It was literally 16 weeks to the day that they started with this pregnancy, just like with EB. Baby is measuring big, just like EB did - consistently measuring about 1 week ahead in terms of measurements/size. That doesn't change my due date, just means we might be having another 9 lb baby! Hopefully that doesn't mean my labor/delivery is going to be as long and difficult as last time. She is very active at nighttime, but seems to sleep during the day. Hmmmmm - let's hope she changes that habit before making her debut!
Seems so abrupt to finish this post like this, but I am tired and just can't type anymore!
