Saturday, May 29, 2010

Beautiful baby

Eli's explaining rodeo logistics to her














I can't believe it's been less than two weeks. She fits in wonderfully.






Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I swear I didn't teach him this

So far, Eli has done great with Sydney and is adjusting pretty well to having another kid in the house. I worried because he's not the most "independent" kid in the world and it's hard for him to entertain himself for any significant period of time. I also worried because he's been The Only for so long that I thought he'd freak at having to share attention. But, for the most part, he's done great. The only place I've seen a huge change is when it's time for him to sleep. What used to be a small quick fight is now an all-out war. He negotiates, he screams, he cries, he has to be sent back to his room dozens of times after coming out with one more "I have to tell you something. Um um um..." What used to take 20 minutes is now taking hours. I suspect it's that he doesn't want to miss anything, but it's driving me up the wall. Plus he's not going to sleep until 9:30 some nights, which makes for pleasant days.


So the other night Eli was getting riled up for a particularly good tantrum and he yelled for my mom from his door. She went in, heard his newest plea to stay up, and finally asked "Eli, why are you being so crazy about bedtime?!" To which he replied, "Well, if I'm crazy than you can't be mad at me." Does anyone else hear a future defense attorney?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Introducing


Sydney Cheyne

5/17/10 at 5:26 pm

10 lbs 2 oz

21 inches long

Practically Perfect in Every Way

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Still pregnant

Okay, so apparently my kid is just as indecisive as the rest of the family because I'm officially a week late. Still no signs of her coming on her own and so we've got a c-section scheduled for tomorrow evening. Despite my reservations about trying for a VBAC, I'm still a little disappointed about another c-section. Mostly I'm bummed out because of the extra recovery time, the drugs, and the impact on my poor belly. Seriously, if I wasn't bikini appropriate before I'm pretty sure I'll be a full-time girdle candidate after this next one.

The wait for labor to start was killing me, so it is nice to know the baby's (still no name. MOTY)ETA. Tomorrow the plan is to have a huge breakfast of biscuits and gravy to sustain me for the day (since I won't be allowed to eat or drink anything, including water, after 9 am), pack our bags, and head to the hospital about 3:00. The surgery is scheduled for 5:00. With Eli, our surgery kept getting bumped because of more emergent c-sections so I'm anticipating that we may not go in until much later in the evening. Eli's not allowed at the hospital so he and Abba, along with my sister and her daughter, will most likely wait at home. Luckily the hospital is close so I'm hoping that the in-laws will offer/agree to watch the kids for a bit so my mom and sister can come see the baby.


Being overdue is a first-class pain in the butt, but it has given me an extra week to spoil Eli and enjoy our company. My mother-in-law and sisters-in-law came in on Tuesday and my sister and niece got here Wednesday. They've all been great about covering their disappointment about not having a baby to fawn over. Eli absolutely LOVES his cousin, who he's nicknamed "Dilly." They're adorable together.

She's the first baby I've ever known who rolls her eyes at people.

Aren't they cute?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Dear Baby,
First of all, I promise, pinky promise, double promise, that we will give you a name. You won't be one of those kids who goes months being called "Baby" or even better "the new one." We just haven't settled on anything yet. It's nothing personal. Girl names are hard, much harder than it was with your brother.

Speaking of, he'd really like to meet you soon. Apparently he told his teacher yesterday that you were going to "try really hard to come today." He's a fun kid. I think you'll like him a lot more if you come out here. Up to this point all you know is that he pokes you in the back a few times a day and then wants to kiss your bum or your eyeballs. That probably won't stop, but will be much more endearing on this side.

I am sure that one of the things I will be proudest of is your ability to think for yourself and to do exactly as you please. This will also be the thing that drives me craziest, much like your brother. For example, I'd really like for you to come on out. Seriously. My back hurts. I can't wear shoes because my feet are so swollen, and even if I could I couldn't tie them because my fingers are also swollen. My clothes don't fit. People point and stare and the enormousness that is your home. You have a literal ton of cute little outfits and tiny diapers just waiting to adorn your adorableness. The house is filling up quickly with people who would very much like to hug and kiss you and change your poopy diapers. If you stay in there, you'll miss all of that and instead have to hear all of your mama's comments, under her breath of course, about people trying to telepathically break her water and stop looking at me and I'm not a freak show and what-not. I promise, the first is the better option.

In three years, when you insist on wearing nothing but tutus and superhero underwear, or in fourteen years when you dye your hair green, join an eco-band, and insist on being called Rainbow Butterfly Warrior, I'll look back on this and think to myself "Shoulda seen this coming." Hopefully I'll also remember that as crazy as it drives me, you are my daughter and I want you to think for yourself. I really do, and I will try to encourage that as much as I can (ask your brother, who went to school in soccer shorts, cowboy boots, and two t-shirts today). But I also really really really want to see you and to have my insides back. So anytime you want to come out would be great. We're anxious to meet you.

Love, Mama

PS- You should know that Mama ALWAYS wins. So if you're not here by Monday the nice doctor's coming to get you. But I'd much rather you come on your own. There's some yummy milk in it for you. And we won't name you Esther Myrtle.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom (Abba) came into town last week to help us get ready for new baby and to be with Eli when Baby Sister makes her appearance. It's been one of the upsides of having to wait for this kid, because we've gotten to spend a lot of time together. My mom is the awesome-est (totally a word). Eli's been bouncing off the walls since she got here because she's so much more fun than we are. She even taught him how to ride rodeo on his swingset. He and "Flash" have been near inseparable ever since. My mom was so much fun when we were kids and it's neat to see my kid get to experience that too. Although I may be getting replaced if I don't step up my game.


A movie, in 3D, on a school night, outside. Does it get any cooler than that?
And in case you were wondering, still pregnant. I'm officially 40 weeks today. I'm also officially ginormous and have, in addition to shoes, sworn off pants.

Really, my arms and legs are generally not that size or shape. I swear I had ankles too, but I can't remember what that's like.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

39+ weeks and still pregnant

Yep. Still pregnant. I know that technically I'm not actually "due" and so can't complain, but I found a loophole. My original due date was May 2, so if you go by that I'm 4 days over. I wouldn't be so anxious, but I'm paying for my no morning sickness, no heartburn, no waddling, pretty easy trimesters, all in the last week. The worst is that my back hurts like a son of a bitch, but feels better if I spend a LOT of time walking. Like hours and hours. However, once I do that, my feet swell up to the size of hams. Seriously, bigger than my calves. My ankles have left the building. My hands also go numb, which is a new one and super awesome. But enough whining, because she'll be here soon enough. We still don't have a name, so she may be referred to as "Baby" for next six months, but she'll be here.







And now, for your viewing pleasure...
Le Belly (aka Holy Crap Where'd That Come From?)

C took this because he thought it was funny that I have to sit on the floor in order to switch the laundry. Luckily he missed how I got down there, and later how I got back up.