I can't believe baby W is almost 2 months old! He is a moose baby, just huge. He can hold his whole chest off the floor and roll from front to back. I think he has a bit of reflux. He clears his throat, growls, coughs, spits up, grunts..you get it.

My SIL's pediatrician told her to start her 3 month old on rice cereal. I can't believe they are still telling people to do that. He said to only do it for a week or so to get her used to swallowing food, and then to begin giving her canned food! WTF? Crazy. Our ped told us to start DS1 on cereal at 4 or 5 months. We didn't of course! She also says to give them poly vi sol or something similar. I think they get what they need from breast milk! Kids have lived on EBF for hundreds of thousands of years!

I have been researching train trips for us, I think that would be so awesome. I know my boys would love it. W may not be old enough to care, but K would FREAK out!

the depths of despair

I have felt really alone this pregnancy and post partum. DH took two weeks off of work, but he still has school every day. He studies a lot and also works part time at the hospital. On Monday he goes back to work, so most nights he won't get here until 6 or 7pm and then he leaves again at 8pm to study. I guess it is understandable that I feel alone because I am alone. It really sucks. It is me here with a two and a half year old, and a newborn. I feel really overwhelmed. I know now for SURE that I can't have any more kids. Last night DH worked 7pm-7am at the hospital. He slept most of the morning and then studied the rest of the day. He spent some time with us tonight before he left for a good friends bachelor party. He feels really bad, I know he does. He goes out of his way to do things to make me happy (cleaning, laundry, etc.). It doesn't make a difference though. I am on medication for depression already. Maybe I need to have my dose reevaluated?!

I have friends nearby, but they are all newer friends. I never really get that close to anyone anyway, to tell them about this kind of thing. My sister lives not too far away, but she is so busy. I just feel like I have no one in the world to turn to. I can't expect everyone to feel sorry for me. Poor me, I am lonely. There are so many people with problems that make this look like nothing. It is not nothing though, I know that. I know from past experience how serious it is. I don't even really have time to get counseling. No one to help with my babies.

Today I have felt a little further on the edge than usual. I hate to to say suicidal, but there it is. I know the feeling WILL go away, for me it always does. I look at my babies and know how much they need me. I feel so bad/guilty that I could even consider ending it. They are so beautiful and I love them so much. I know the pain it would cause them in their lives, and that keeps me here.

I wish DH wasn't in school. I want him to change his career, because that is what will make him happy. I don't like the toll it is taking on my family though. I feel embarrassed that he often can't do family things with us b/c of his schedule.

Being a mom of two is terrifying. I haven't figured out how to get out alone with the two of them yet. I hope that it will get easier with time. I am worried that with winter coming we will be stuck home more than I would like to be. Since I have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) winter is pretty rough for me to begin with. I am just hoping this winter someone, somewhere will cut me some friggin slack!! Throw me a rope here universe!

shit ass family

I have a rant. This particular problem is making me miserable and I am damn sick of it.

Background: I have a 33 year old SIL with two kids. She lives a block away from us. Her mom and dad support her (they bought her a nice house, pay bills, etc.). She has a masters degree, so it's not like she really needs their help. She can't even bother to take care of the beautiful home they bought her. Her younger son is a PSYCHO. Seriously if I listed his problems you would say "holy hell." He's going to hurt someone someday, it is almost inevitable. She really gives all of us APers a bad name. The ILs live an hour away from here. MIL drives down here ALL the time to watch her kids b/c she refuses to take responsibility for them. MIL is down here babysitting all week and then the kids usually end up going to her house on the weekend. They don't get a lot of time for watching/spending time with other grandkids because of this. It is really hard to swallow a lot of the time.

My problem: I am due tomorrow. MIL is the one who is supposed to come down and be with DS1 for the birth. We have made it pretty clear we would prefer him to be at our home, for his comfort and reassurance. She agreed that it was the best idea. I just found out that she has all these plans to babysitt for SIL this week. As in tomorrow, all day and night on Thursday, and Friday. I can't help but be pissed off. Can she not for once tell her NO, that she has other obligations? Heaven forbid she does that b/c then SIL throws a damn temper tantrum. We don't want our son over there at her house without us (due to the younger son and some previous problems). We don't really want her kids here since I plan on laboring at home and then going to the hospital. Not to mention the kid is messy, has no respect for our things, and I am just not comfortable having DS around him without DH or I there. There is no way to really get across how crazy the kid is, but as a mother I know it is bad enough that my son will not ever be left alone with him. DH agrees with me on this and is completely on board.

I just don't know what to do now. At some point they are going to have to stop being in denial about the truth, but it isn't my place to open their eyes. The one thing I DO know is that my child will never be put in a position where something bad could happen to him. Am I going to have to get someone else to watch him, or what? I am really upset because if I DO happen to go into labor on one of those days then what will we do with DS? Like having a new baby in the family isn't stressful for him. I will not have him dragged around picking boys up from school, etc. Not to mention, she promised she would bring him to the hospital RIGHT AWAY after the baby comes. I want him to be the first (besides us) to hold his brother. How is she going to bring him if she's carting around the other kids? She is sure as shit not bringing that little spaz to the hospital. I have enough stress/issues in my life, I do not need that. I don't even really want him to visit me in the hospital. I love the kid, but I really can't stand to be around him. It is just too much.

I know it is going to come down to someone having to say something. Maybe not now, but at some point. I hate the idea of that. I know it will be a blowout and can't stand that idea. I wish SIL would just grow the F up and be responsible for herself.

End. of. rant.

blech

Reasons why today isn't the best day I've ever had;

• there is a woodpecker going to town on the wood siding outside, driving me insane! Normally, I like his sounds.. not today!
• For every step forward I take getting our house organized, 3 steps are taken backwards. It is a slippery slope to slobville!
• Why do people keep asking when I am being induced, and then not understand when I say I AM NOT? Or they ask when my c section is, WTF people?! I thought I explained the whole thing to you, BEFORE I even got pregnant?!
• Why does my Siamese cat insist on pooping on the floor in front of my dryer instead of the litter box that is 1.5 feet away? So tired of cleaning poop off the floor!
• People keep calling and instead of a well meaning "how are you?" (which would irritate me, but I could deal with it)... they say "ARE YOU IN LABOR?" The next person that does that will not know anything until this baby is a month old.
• My EDD is not until Tuesday 10/16. I went past the EDD with DS and I am sure I will this time too. Get over it people. I am the one carrying this baby around, NOT YOU! I wish he would come now too, but it just isn't going to happen!
• DH, I am tired of picking up after you. I understand you have a busy work/school/study schedule, but you are NOT two years old!
  

Wow, what a chip I have on my shoulders today! I actually feel a LOT better just putting it down on print though. I am staying in my PJ's all day today and if I don't get any housework done, oh well!!

On a good note, I am so glad we FINALLY have Fall weather around here! I was beginning to think we were skipping the season completely!

freezer food

I bought the distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and some spray bottles. Now I need to figure out what to do with them! I am not sure of the chemistry of the whole thing. I need to search online to find out how to mix them, and store them.

I have 2 weeks until my EDD, and 3 weeks until my DD by my dates. I am SO sick of people asking inappropriate questions! I know it goes with the territory, but geesh! I am also sick of the comments I get when I tell people my plans as far as MY birth go. Either they aren't mainstream enough and I get crap for taking risks, or they aren't crunchy enough and I get crap for that. STOP GIVING ME CRAP! I am doing it my way, the way that is working for MY family. THE END.

We had a housecleaning, finish up some remodeling, and reorganizing marathon this weekend. We got a lot done. There is still enough to do to keep me busy for another week. That is good though, it will keep me from sitting on my birthing ball waiting for labor! ha ha. I have only frozen two lasagnas and some manicotti. We'll be sick of pasta after this baby comes. I did decide to order from our local make and take kitchen. You go in they have all the stuff ready, you prepare your meals and take them home. For postpartum mamas they will assemble them for you, for free. We are getting 7 meals and having them split in half (so 14 really). Since it is the two of us and a 2.5 year old that sustains himself on air and fresh fruit, splitting them is best. The price isn't really bad when you consider everything, it is about $120. I think it will be worth it and cheaper to the alternative which for us would be eating out. I remember those postpartum days with DS1 and I wasn't about to be making supper! I am looking forward to a peaceful babymoon.

I don't know about you, but the weather here is starting to resemble Fall. It is overcast, rainy and chilly! I love Fall, especially those crisp days!

toxic cleaning products. YUCK

I am working on removing all toxic chemicals from my household. This is quite a massive undertaking. There are MANY reasons to do this, all of them very good ones. I have been using many "green" products in our home for a couple years. These are mostly store bought items though. I am going to buy a few things and begin to make my own non-toxic cleaners. It is considerably less expensive, and much more environmentally friendly. Not to mention more safe for the children, pets, and people in my home.

We have a plastic shelf in our laundry room for our cleaning supplies. Apparently these toxic chemicals in bottles let off fumes all the time, even with lids on!! A good example is our bleach container. It was sitting on the bottom shelf, barely used and opened almost never. Somehow a residue leaked out and built up around the bottom of the bottle. It looked a bit like baking soda or something. It was very clear that it came from THAT bottle. There were no holes in the bottle, and the lid was on very tight. Somehow the bleach leeched through the plastic to cause this buildup. It was only around the bleach bottle and there were no other chemicals on that shelf. I am not a chemist, so I don't know HOW or WHY this could have happened. I do know that it scared the poop out of me. It made the threat that these toxic cleaning products DO let off byproducts very real. YIKES. So that got me into the frenzy to get the nasties out of our home. The problem is, where do I get rid of the things we already have? I am not going to put them in the trash so they can go into a landfill. If anyone knows the answer to this, please tell me! I would also love any links with more info on toxic cleaners (or green cleaners). If you are using toxic chemicals in your home, please do a little Googling and see how harmful they are. There are a couple great household ingredients you can use to make "safe" cleaning supplies! I will post more on those later.

Happy Cleaning!

NO, I am NOT in labor!

I keep getting random phone calls. "Are you okay?" "Are you in labor?" "Are you alive?" etc. Don't most women kind of like to get into their private safe place at the end of their pregnancy? I am still going out in public, and still answering my phone (most of the time). I am not in labor yet, I still have 3weeks and 4 days until my estimated due date. It could be quite a bit longer than that though. Let me have some peace, please!

I have been unusually tired the past few days? My two and a half year old has been a handful, so that probably explains much of it. I hope my patience returns very soon!

DH and I were discussing the upcoming elections last night. yuck. I am not looking forward to it at all. I was pregnant with DS1 the last time around. It is such a sad thing that this country can't get through an election process (or any other political decision) without resorting to such base measures. I am ashamed of it. Even the "good" candidates do this, and it certainly makes them not so good in my eyes. I just wish there could be peace on earth. Wishful thinking, yes! I hope my children's generation will know how to handle these things better! I am teaching my son about tolerance, respect, peace, to be environmentally aware, and all the good stuff. I hope you are too!

hot flash

We went with the IL's to an apple orchard today. I was sitting at a picnic table talking to FIL and when I stood up the table wobbled. (It was set up in the grass on VERY uneven ground). He made a huge deal about how big I am and that I made the table lurch. Everyone laughed about it all day. So nice. I shouldn't be so sensitive, I know he was teasing. I just wanted to cry though, how embarrassing. *so sick of the HUGE comments*

I got to play around with my new camera a little bit (Canon Rebel XTi). I love it and I can't wait to take some photography classes so I can fully utilize it's capabilities!

We got DS1 back after his weekend with MIL and FIL. He had a great time and apparently was very good. He hasn't been good for US though. I know he got spoiled a lot, so we will just have to get back to our routine this week. Detoxing is in order I believe!

Well, I am having a rather lovely pregnancy hot flash. I am going to go crawl into the freezer and stay there all evening! Have a lovely evening!

You must be due like right NOW!

I am a little tired of people commenting on how huge I am. I am NOT having twins, I am not past my due date! This baby will come when he comes, that is all I KNOW. LEAVE ME ALONE! I know I look young, but I am not. It isn't your business strange lady at the mall!

Society makes me sad. Pregnancy has to be this medical condition for so many people and that sucks. I hope mommy's of girls are passing down better wisdom than what so many of us were given. I am just now at almost 28, with my second child learning to trust my body. so sad.

DH found out that he is pretty much accepted into nursing school for January 08. That is crazy, we really weren't expecting it to happen until Fall. It is going to be hard with him as a FT student, hopefully we'll live. It can't be much worse than the current situation; working FT at his career in IT (which he is leaving of course), working PT at a hospital nights and weekends, and taking classes of course. He will get his BSN, which will be his second bachelors degree. I hope someday, I can get back to school and finish MY degree! He is rarely here right now and it hasn't been easy. This pregnancy has been v hard emotionally and I am looking forward to seeing him more. Whenever that will be. *note* a little resentful, yes.

I am taking myself to get a coffee tonight.

brimful of asha

I have 4 weeks and 6 days until my due date! hiyah. I don't expect junior to show up until he is darn well ready. I am pretty much ready to not be preggo anymore though. I hurt everywhere! I started with a new chiropractor yesterday, best thing ever. She is so much better, more natural, and I heart her. My DS1 is starting to show some signs that he knows a baby is coming. He kisses my belly and talks about little brother. He also throws things at my belly and is acting funny too. Hmmm. I hope that we can all make a harmonious transition into a family of 4 (+ 2 cats).

I am hoping to get off the mental meds asap, but I can't make a major change just before or after birth. bad idea methinks. I have felt guilty for taking them during pregnancy, but nothing else was working and I was becoming something terrible. I have dealt with these issues my whole life and I know when I am too close to the edge!

I am excited to put the new baby in all the cute little cloth dipers I have gotten him. I am also excited to be breastfeeding again. That is something that you can never "get" until you have had that special bond that only a mommy and her baby get to enjoy! I am planning on starting EPO this week, orally. Probably at 36 or 37 weeks, I will switch to "the other way." We are going to see the In Laws this weekend at an apple orchard. That sould be a good time!

I am very lucky in that I have great in laws. They do a lot for us, and are just plain good people. I do have one SIL though that makes me a bit batty! As a person, I like her (I really, do). As a family member, she sends me into a tizzy. She is in her 30's with kids and is financially dependent on her parents. I could go on and on, really. One of the said children is pretty much crazy, and I have no doubts that he will end up on the wrong side of the law at some point (still too young to know for sure). The whole situation upsets me to no end, because she is so needy that it affects the rest of us. The other children (grand) in the family have to put up with so much. I am sure eventually, reality will slap her in the face. At least that is what should happen.

I am trying VERY hard to not let other people and their problems affect me so much. I need reminders about once an hour though. It is very hard for me, I am just emotional and I have a strong sense of right and wrong.

There IS a fine line between here and crazy.

Welcome to my blog and my first official post. I have kids so I am always on that fine line, about to lose my mind. I suffer from mild OCD and depression, but manage to survive with pharmaceuticals. I am strong willed and opinionated. I try very hard to be tolerant, it doesn't always work. I guess you could say I am a dirt loving tree hugger too. Please feel free to comment on anything I say. I do ask that you do so in a respectful manner, or I will chop your typing fingers off!