Update

What I've been up to:

1. Final ultrasound appointment (it's still a girl) on March 16th at that point the baby weighed (estimated of course) 6 lbs 3 ounces with almost four weeks to go.

2. Family & friends baby shower March 21st. Not a lot of attendance but great gifts and great company. My cousin did the cutest party favors. . .a little poem about me having a bun in the oven on the front of these cute bags ties with cute ribbon and inside was a delicious honey bun.

3. SURPRISE baby shower at work March 25th and I got a TON of stuff!! The generosity that people show for wedding and baby showers has always amazed me. The little princess' closet is already full of clothes, diapers and wipes! PLUS I have like $250 in gift cards for Target and Babies R Us!

4. Doctor's appointment March 26th reveals I am THREE centimeters dilated already. My doctor was a no show so I saw one of her partners who tried to convince me to be induced on April 3rd. That's NEXT Friday! Ten whole days before April 13th. . .um no. I think I'm gonna pass on that offer.

5. I took three quizzes and finished three papers (one pagers) all last weekend in preparation for my impending childbirth. I have to go on campus for a quiz on April 1st and have yet to study!

6. My ankles and feet have been on SWOLE for almost three weeks! It's to the point now that I am wearing FLIP FLOPS to work! I have no other choice. . .I refuse to buy new larger, wider shoes to wear for two weeks and half weeks.

7. Finally, been sleeping on the couch for the last few nights because I cannot get comfortable in our bed. Sleeping on my back and side is not working and I can't sleep on my stomach so I pretty much sleep sitting up. Not very comfortable at all!!!

Yeah, just a TAD bit overwhelmed and TIRED.

Cute Keepsake

I have been a loyal customer and big fan of Snapfish since my son was born. I've gotten some really cool products including an annual photo book of my son's milestones every years since his birth. I consider them my "coffee table" books and they are a great and classic way to capture those precious moments.

My son is also quite the "artist" and he has been known to create some masterpieces that he usually has to explain. . .but it's only because of my apparent lack of imagination. Ha ha! Anyway, Snapfish now has this cool product that allows you to upload the scanned images of your child's artwork and turn them into a book!! How cool is that! Not to mention you don't have to worry about all that refrigerator CLUTTER- one of my serious pet peeves!

If you have a budding artist you should check it out!

Sibling Revelry

Yesterday my son attended a new sibling course at the hospital in our neighborhood. I saw a description of the class online and thought it was a neat idea especially for children who have been the only child for a while. But I must admit once the time came to attend the class I was tempted to blow it off- if for no other reason than I am a lazy, tired, and overwhelmed pregnant woman who will be giving birth in less than three weeks!

But my son was beside himself with excitement so I pulled it together and off we went- with hubby in tow. I am very glad he had the opportunity to attend. They showed a video about how babies grow and what happens when the baby comes home (crying, eating, sleeping, pooping, crying, and it starts all over) and the important role of the older sibling.

The soon-to-be new siblings got to put a diaper on a fake newborn baby, my son totally mastered the diaper changing thing, which is very scary- note to self: hide the diapers. I think he’ll probably use them like he does the superhero band-aids. Put a new one on “just in case” the baby has an accident. They also got instructions on how to hold the baby and wrap the baby in a blanket. The instructor also talked about keeping toys off the floor and out of the baby’s reach so that she won’t choke on them. Finally, at the end of the class they received gift bags with books to read the baby, coloring books, stickers and a stuffed animal.

I thought the most interesting part of the class was when the instructor played therapist and started asking the kids if they thought things were going to change around their house and how they felt about it. When she asked my son what he thought was going to change he said he would have to start sharing. Apparently that was his only concern. I was actually shocked that he even said that- because from day one his mantra has been, “I’m the big brother so that means I’m the boss”. I’m sure there are times he will assert his “big brother” rights but I also know this little girl is going to have him wrapped around her finger.

(I’ll post pics from the class later.)

Forever and A Day

Oh, yeah I have a blog. . .

My BABY boy turned five on March 2nd. I am still in denial. Sometimes it feels like he's much older but most times it seems as if he just turned two the other day. The thing that's so weird to me is that he's always the age he is now. . .translated- my best and sharpest memories of him are when he was four. I remember little things he did at two and three (barely anything at one) but it's like he was born at his current age. I don't know if that's a deficiency on my part as a mother or if that's how it is for everyone.

I've promised myself to slow down a bit and enjoy the "precious moments" a lot more with Baby Girl (who by the way will be here in four and a half weeks!) especially since this is my LAST hurrah! No more babies for this old broad!

Life has been moving along. Work is totally kicking my ass and the psychology course I'm taking is proving to be a bit more challenging than I had originally anticipated. I had to talk myself out of jumping from the highest bridge when I made a 75 on an exam! Since returning to college as a grown ass woman I have never made any grade less than an 90. . .but then again I haven't been applying myself or preparing myself at all. I'm one of those sickening people who cram for a test a few hours before and usually get an A. Not so much this time. I think I might have to actually READ (gasp) and study the material if I plan on pulling out an A in this class!

What do you think it means if someone you work with is asking you a million questions about if you're going to start a baby registry and what is the theme of your nursery. . .someone who is not really a "baby person". Mmhmm. My presumptious nature smells a surprise baby shower in the works. I just hope it's not on one of my down days when I roll in with my "natural" hair and something I found in the back of my closet to stretch over my stomach! Looking a hot ass mess while everyone is yelling SURPRISE! Ha ha!

Anyhoo, I'm currently at work taking a break from the monotony of a huge project that I'm starting to lose focus on. I promised to have it completed before I left for maternity leave but now that I'm on the downhill, swollen ankle, Braxton Hicks contractions side of things- my focus is leaving me. I am doubting this project will be complete. I guess I might need to tell somebody. Part of me thinks maybe leaving something undone might give me a little job security. . .I would hate to have them come to the conclusion- in my absence- that they can do without me! I just sincerely wish I could totally do without them!

Here's my sweet prince on his special day!

My Life.

Okay, one day before I totally decide to shut down this blog I promise to post a video of my son and one of our stimulating conversations. I want to do this just to prove that I am NOT making up some of the stuff this kid says! Last night he left me speechless during two conversations in the span of thirty minutes. I literally did not know what to say to him and I think it's because he always shocks me. It's never anything I expect.

Case in point, his father was going over results from a comprehensive physical that he (my husband) takes every year. So, my husband is at the table in the breakfast room and my son and I are listening to him from the family room. My husband is going on and on acting as if his over production of creatine is a death sentence when my son out of the blue asked me, "Mama have you ever had leprosy," I stared at him extremely puzzled because I'm thinking there is no way he just asked me if I had leprosy. I barely know what leprosy is surely a 4 year old has no clue what that means. "What?!" I asked. He repeated the question- slowly, for my benefit obviously. "Where did you hear that? Do you even know what that means? Why did you ask me that?" I hit him with a barrage of questions.

He grabbed my hands like he's trying to soothe me and he said, "Leprosy is when you have a bunch of sores or scales on your body, like on your skin. We learned about that in a Bible story at school. But don't worry because Jesus can heal you if you get that," My super parental reply? I started coughing and had to go and get some water. By the way, I've never had leprosy unless Jesus cured me before I realized I had it.

Less than ten minutes later I am in my bedroom, while my husband is STILL reviewing the results of his physical, when my son comes in and says he wants to talk to me. Oh, no more conversations about leprosy! This time he tells me he would like to share a secret with me. I TOTALLY encourage the sharing of secrets because while sometimes they are innocent and ridiculous they could eventually be something totally serious and life threatening so, I always want him to be able to share secrets with me. . .actually I try to discourage having secrets from mama in the first place.

Anyway, he tells me this little girl- who he talks about constantly as he's blushing and grinning from ear to ear- this little girl in his class (who is also FOUR) told him that she is falling in love with him. My mind was still reeling from the leprosy thing so I asked him if we could share his secret with daddy. He hesitated but shook his head, "yes". So I go back to the kitchen and tell my husband a little girl is falling in love with your son, please handle.

His head snapped up from the report and this idiot- I mean wonderful man that I married- started grinning and asking "who"? UH, not helping daddy. I do not want my son to be labeled as the pre-school sexual deviant because he ends up kissing this girl or holding her hand. We are living in a totally different society and while on one hand it makes you cover your heart and go," AWW," on the other hand all it takes is for one little innocent action by him to totally turn this into a suddenly serious situation.

So, his father proceeded to tell him that this girl probably just really likes him because he's smart and handsome but they are just friends and that he doesn't want him trying to kiss or hug her. He goes on to say they are too young to be talking about love and just be her friend and play together like he does with everyone else. I thought that was a good answer until my husband started talking about all the little girls who adored him in school when he was growing up too. If I weren't pregnant I probably would have taken a Valium (or two) and went to bed!

Pray for me!!

Letter to My Little Prince

There are so many headlines featuring black men in the news lately. Stories ranging from the ridiculous- Chris Brown, baby, what the hell!? To the sublime- President Obama. . .regardless to all the hateration I'm still floating on cloud nine. . .a black President?!!!

My husband and I were watching a reality show (Road to Redemption) on MTV starring T.I. and I thought it was great!! He's not trying to teach Hustling 101 nor is he trying to mold the 'hood's next superstar. He is actually trying to make a difference in young people's lives who are headed down the wrong road. On the episode we watched he took a young man to a FUNERAL HOME to see the dead body of a young man who was hustling just like him- to show this kid "this could have been you". Talk about keepin' it REAL!! Anyway, after watching the show and just checking out all the latest news headlines I was inspired to write a letter to the little black boy I'm raising:

My Dearest Son,

I am writing this letter to you from the bottom of my heart to let you know how much I absolutely adore you. You are such a wonderful, smart, funny and handsome little boy and I am enjoying being your mother so much. Although there are times when you try my patience I am extremely proud of you for being so inquisitive and being able to discern what’s reasonable from what’s bullshit at such a young age. I think you will make a great lawyer or politician someday as long as you don’t get things twisted.

In all honesty I would love to chart the course of your life because as your mother I just think I know best. But I promise to try and stand aside and let you live your own life and make your own decisions but I can’t promise to stand by and let you make decisions that I know will destroy your life. The main thing I want you to get out of this journey is to live it to the fullest and always give your best. Get the best possible education you can because that is something no one can EVER take away from you. Pray, read, travel, laugh, always use condoms, don’t lead women on, never hit a woman no matter what, have babies after you’re married and always call your mama.

Although it’s your life I wouldn’t be a mother if I didn’t mention how stupid it would be for you to use drugs, smoke cigarettes, steal, lie or cheat. And FYI- the police will have NO tolerance for you so, please stay out of the criminal justice system until you become a lawyer. Jail is not a place you want to live or visit- do not place that burden on your mother to see her first born locked up like an animal. You may as well cut my heart out of my chest with a dull knife!

You also need to know that I will ride your ass like a mechanical bull if you don’t do well in school. If you are having problems I will be the first person to try and help you either myself, by hiring a tutor or having you tested for learning/ developmental issues. But I will NEVER EVER accept excuses or laziness where school is concerned. I might let you get away with a lot stuff throughout your time with me but NEVER will you be allowed to get over on mama when it comes to school. Besides I already know how smart you are so you have to keep it up!

Finally, never let someone else (including me) define for you what it means to be a man. You are a unique manifestation of God first and foremost and by serving God and your community you do a great service to all mankind. I sincerely appreciate you for being the first person to ever teach me the meaning of unconditional love, patience and selflessness. I hope your star shines brightly for many, many, years to come! There are no "do-overs" in life so be sure you live it right the first time.

Love You Forever,
Your Biggest Fan,
Mama

Friday the 13th: Looking for better luck!

Okay, so here' s goes my um. . .weekly post. I know I lied but I did try. I tried to keep up with the blog and tried to keep it relevant just like I've been trying to keep motivated at work, engaged with my son and enchanted with my husband. That last one has been tough considering dude was working my nerves for a about a month or so at the end of the year!

At any rate, I've felt like a major failure on all fronts. Of course I'm thinking a good idea is to totally blame EVERYTHING on this pregnancy. I didn't do it all with my first pregnancy (I was like ridiculously calm and energetic) so I figure I'm going to milk this excuse until this kid is at least TWO! Ha ha!

Anyway, my life is back to feeling like I'm being tossed around in a food processor at high speed. This month, this short little month of February, I have SEVEN of my family members- close family members (hubby, mom, both/only nieces, uncle, only aunt and step daughter) who have birthdays- three of which are milestones (16, 18 & 60). Everybody is having a party or celebration that requires my attendance and there are only FOUR weekends in the month. You do the math.

Then March rolls around and that first week my son turns 5 and is having a party on the 7th. Then I've been told a baby shower is being planned for me on the 14th. That leaves FOUR short weeks until Bambino Number 2 makes her debut. Oh, but wait in between that time I have a presentation due for school AND a ginormous project at work that I've just been told is expected to be completed before I go on maternity leave.

And on top of all of this my laptop is out of commission. . .I have been forced to use the antiquated desktop in our game room that is temperamental as hell. But the best part of my week was being sick- I'm talking complete with throwing up soup (sorry I know that's TMI)- for most of this week. Fevers, night sweats the whole nine. Just some random bacterial thing going around. My son was down for the count also so, I'm blaming those snotty nosed kids at his school! No, really I'm blaming their parents- I never send my son to school if he's really sick, i.e, has a FEVER of 100.9 or higher. Everyone knows or should know if a kid is running a fever they are more than likely infectious/contagious and can make other kids sick!

Ah, but I digress. . .or not, this started off as a rambling post and I guess it's best to finish it that way. Tomorrow is my husbands b-day, yep he's a Valentine's Baby. His defense when I tell him he's being a little too touchy-feely- he says he can't help it because number one I'm so irresistible (yeah, me and these extra 24 pounds) and he was born on the day of love. O. . K. I bought him this gadget from the Apple Store that he's been wanting and my son and I plan on making heart shaped cookies. I know the restaurants will be a mess tomorrow but it's been kind of a tradition to go to Pappasito's every year so, I guess we'll get started early.

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day! And be careful not to let any black cats cross your path tonight! Although it might have the opposite effect on luck for me. . .