Being Thankful

While I walk or work out, I listen to several different parenting podcasts to pass the time. My all time favorite is the Manic Mommies, who are working moms that openly and hilariously discuss the challenges of trying to “have it all.” Recently, they interviewed a couple who started a Thankfulness website that challenges everyone to be thankful for three to five things everyday and to log these things either with their website/app or in a journal.

Well, I have taken on the challenge. I feel like lately the pressure of an almost 2 year old, managing a household single handedly and being mega pregnant and super, super itchy has just made me miserable. I feel like I do nothing but yell and pout and complain. I haven’t felt to joy of everyday life in a while, so I decided to start logging things everyday that I am thankful for instead of always thinking about all the things that frustrate and upset me.

It hasn’t been easy everyday, I have already logged my thankfulness for naptime and baby gates several times. There have been days where I can’t seem to come up with anything until after B has gone to bed. There have been days were being thankful for anything feels forced, but I still took the time to sit down and write things down.

Looking back on my week or so of entries, I have also noticed small, special things that I had been overlooking before. B has learned 4 new words in a week. J sends me nice emails more often than I thought. The dogs behavior isn’t as bad as I thought it was. It was a real boost to see all the things that I have to be thankful for in just a week.

I’m not delusional, there are really, really tough days ahead. I fear that the day little NB is born will be both one of the happiest and saddest days I have ever experienced. The challenges of cholestasis are looming and the challenges of bringing a new baby home all by myself is even more daunting. But, if I remind myself of all the things there are to be thankful for, like rocking my little boy to sleep before he gets too much bigger, then we can make it these last 118 days.

Registry Politics

I received a very interesting phone call last night from Babies R US. A registry person called and asked if I wanted a personal appointment because my registry was missing some important items.

With our second boy on the way in less than two years, I am having a challenging time coming up with what we really need when it seems like we have everything. NB doesn’t need a stitch of clothing, I think there are some things that B never even wore. We have towels and sheets, baby tub, diaper genie, bottles, pump, just about everything. I am going to sleep with NB in the room with me, while B kicks it in the crib until J gets home (the logistics are really just much easier this way). So, that just leaves a stroller and some diapers. Thus, I have a pretty sparse registry.

BTW, can I mention just how darn expensive these double strollers are. It’s highway robbery! I really want a Phil and Teds for space, jogging, and convenience, but I just can’t stomach spending that much money. I know that I will ultimately, but it just stinks. Plus, I have to have a double for the nanny, so we really almost need two strollers (I WILL NOT buy two Phil and Teds).

Anyway, I digress, I kind of feel bad that this baby won’t have anything “new,” but then I remind myself that it really just gets barfed and pooped on AND they don’t remember anything anyway. So, it doesn’t really matter what they wear, sit it, play with.

Halfway There!

We’re on the downhill! Finally, after 131 long, long days, we are now on the backside of this deployment and the end is somewhat in sight. I mean, it’s still 131 days, but that’s way better than what we have been facing. Our countdown chain is finally somewhat manageable and I might actually be able to string it downstairs instead of keeping it piled up in a garbage bag.

It’s strange to think that in that short (ish) amount of time, B and I will transition from being a two person household to a four person household, first with the arrival of NB and then the return of Daddy! I am grateful that my son is a fairly flexible person (something I think that we have cultivated since his birth – what other 3 month old flies across country twice and moves across country). I think that he will adjust to these changes with relative ease.

My parents will be staying with us for the first two weeks after NB’s arrival and I think that will be crucial to B. My father, Grampy, is the single best person in the whole world to B. Old Grampy can calm the boy in a way that I have never seen. He doesn’t tantrum with him, he just loves him. We will also have some other visitors in the first month, so that should give B some much needed extra attention while Mom is otherwise occupied. Then, Dad comes home, and although I am sure that B will have no idea who he is, I am sure that he will quickly fall into a good relationship with his father.

The only beings I am concerned about having transition problems over the next few months are 3 little kitties and 2 puppies. None of the cats were living with me when I had B, they were all in RI with J, so they have never experience a newborn. Two of the cats have grudgingly accepted the existence of B, they hang out in high locations whenever he is about. One, Nosy Rosie, has really taken to B and loves to sit with him and be petted and even lets him pick her up. Lou, one of the dogs, was with me when B was born and really did a great job with him. I remember him running between the crib and me when they baby started crying. He would constantly check in the stroller when we were out on walks, just to make sure his baby was still there. Lou, I’m not so worried about. Sully, though, may present a problem. Sully is hands down J’s dog and may miss him more than anyone else. I already know he is going to have some jealousy issues. My plan is to get out on a walk every day (weight loss!) to try and help Sully adjust.

So much to think about and plan for! But, at least we are on the downhill!