I Give Up

Waiting for my energy to kick in, that is. It appears it is not going to happen this pregnancy. Maybe 'cause I'm old; or busier this go-around; or that DH works 50 hours a week; but I can't. get. enough. sleep. I drag around here just trying to survive. My house is a wreck, but at least I'm too tired to care, right?

The kids have been playing soccer for three weeks now. Every Saturday morning I have the pleasure of running around trying to find where their clean shirts, shorts, and shinguards disappeared to, and usually Sarah is behind it all. But if you ask her, she just puts her hands up and shrugs, saying, "I dunno, Mom." Then she shouts, "There it is!" when you find it. Cute. Notsomuch.

Maggie finally played today. Every week we would take her, and every week she would cry. She didn't know anyone, so she was too scared to play. This week I enlisted dear Aunt Ro to try and coax her into playing. It worked like a charm. She brought her to the field (I was already there watching Daniel play) and managed to get her close enough to introduce her to all the other kids. She did do some crying, but not nearly what she was doing for us. By the time we walked over to the field she was playing on she was a happy camper and just kept smiling and waving at us. Yeah. Only five more weeks to go.

Daniel plays on the first and second grade team. Last week he "officially" became part of the second grade team. The game is played in four quarters and they put the first graders out together in the first quarter, then the second graders for the second, and switch off and on until the end. I noticed today that there is only one other first grader that gets to play with the second graders, so I was quite impressed. It's amazing how much better he gets each week. I'll be curious to see where this leads one day. He has some cousins that are very good and play on the traveling team. I'm not so sure I'm looking forward to that as some of their games have been as far as Maryland!

Now if they traveled to Florida I wouldn't mind so much ; )

13 Weeks

Yes; it's been one month and some change since I posted. I know. I'd be mad at me, too.....that is, if I had any energy to work up some anger. *yawn*

And yes, it's going to be a lame post. Here's what's going on in there now:

There is a lot going on with your baby this week. Your baby's intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord into his or her abdomen. The villi are also forming in the intestines, and these help in peristaltic movements and digestion. The liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas is even secreting insulin! All twenty teeth have formed and are waiting under the gums, while your baby has begun to practice swallowing by taking in the surrounding amniotic fluid and pass it back in his urine. Your baby can smile and his vocal cords are quickly developing, too. He looks more and more human as his eyes move closer together and the ears are beginning to move to what will be their normal positions. Your baby weighs between approximately 13 and 20 grams (½ and ¾ ounce) and is approximately 2½ to 3 inches long. The placenta and baby are about the same weight now.
This week marks the end of the embryonic period. Most of the vital systems are developed now, and baby starts really growing, at times, growing as much as an inch this week.

So, there you have it. Hopefully it won't be another five weeks before I update......but you never know!

8 Weeks

The reason I've been so tired and so absent:

Week Eight
Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this week your baby will have already completed 1/5th of the journey 'til his birthday!
The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The position is more "newborn" like already!
The tongue begins to develop
Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen.
Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this little one is growing inside and out by leaps and bounds!
The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short
Baby's length (crown to rump) is 0.61 inch (1.6cm) and weight is 0.04 ounce (1gm)

Who would think something less than an inch could use up so much energy? Methinks there are at least four of them. There must be. I. Am. That. Tired. What? You think it's because I'm pushing 39 yo and have five other kids to take care? I think it's quads, or triplets at the very least. That must explain why I have no energy to do anything, nor the desire to do so. Growing babies is hard work, people. When my DH walks in the door, I tell him, "I made an ear today; what'd you do?". His answer never comes close to anything as cool.

20 Months

Miss Sarah Elizabeth, you are 20 months old today (well, it's after midnight, so 20 mos 1 day, but let's not get technical) and approaching the "Terrible Two's" fast. At some point in recent weeks you have perfected your "foot stomp" and your "do-it-now-glare", but have yet to figure out that doesn't work around here. Usually your "do-it-now-glare" turns into an "eyes-look-downward-stare" after I give you the "look". I think you keep hoping it's going to work its magic one day, so you're not ready to give it up. That's okay, I have outlasted kids before you and I can outlast you. Like others before you, you will learn........how about we make a deal that it's sooner rather than later, eh?

If there is music playing we can find you there dancing. You have the cutest little hip sway. The faintest sound of music will have you running. Many people have stopped to watch you as you boogie to the beat. One time in the grocery store you were dancing in your seat while two older ladies were watching and smiling, which only adds to your pleasure. You are quite the ham.

There are so many things about you that I wish I could bottle up and remember. I love the way you will put your hand up high to wave and say, "Hi!" to everyone you see. It's especially funny when you do it to your sister Charlotte when she comes down from her nap. She is usually grumpy when she first wakes up, but that doesn't stop you. There you are, in her face, saying, "Hi....hi.....hi", waving away until she acknowledges you, which she usually does with a big laugh. I get the biggest kick out of walking in a room with you that is full of people and everyone chuckling at you waving and saying hi to them. You would make a great politician! There hasn't been a stranger yet that you've shyed away from.

Lately people have been commenting on your growth. It seems they think you've "shot up", but I'm not really sure. You are still wearing 18 mos, although 24 mos aren't looking quite as big on you anymore. The sandals (sz 6) that were big on you in May are now getting small, so it looks like your onto a sz 6.5 now. If I had to guess I'd say you weigh around 25 lbs. A few people have asked us recently if Charlotte and you are twins (because we sometimes dress you alike), but you are still much shorter than her, although I guess you are gaining. It will be interesting to see how you progress.

As for your likes and dislikes.........foods you love: food. Seriously, you are one of my best eaters. You certainly give Maggie (my official "best eater") a run for her money. You are willing to try anything and more times than not like it. Such a pleasure after having to deal with Miss Charlotte-I-Don't-Like-Anything-You-Put-In-Front-Of-Me child. It is a pleasure to share my vegetables with you ; ) There really isn't anything you dislike. The only real dislike you have is being told "No", and well, that's too bad because it's going to keep happening. Sorry, kiddo.

Remy asked me today when we were going to have another baby. It seems he thinks you are too old to be the baby. What do you think? I think you rather enjoy being doted on. And that's a good thing 'cause we all enjoying doting on you!

My sweet Sarah Beth.......I love you always and forever

Has Anyone Seen My Energy?

This weekend was a busy one. At least it felt like it (coming from one who is tired when she wakes up in the morning; so take it all with a grain of salt) to me. Jeff's job has him working on weekends since they are the busiest times, so it's not in our best interest for him to take off. It has to be for something big. Like a Buffet Cruise. With my sisters. And some friends. No, Jimmy Buffet was not there, but a guy strumming his guitar sounded close enough for me. All I know is I didn't have to cut up anyone's food and I was able to finish a sentence without interruption. It was all good. The weather was perfect and a beautiful night to be out on the.....er.....Delaware River. So it wasn't the Florida Keys, but did I mention I finished a sentence (or five?) without interruption?

Yesterday we had a storm blow through. It was perfect timing; just as I was trying to get the girls down for a nap.....so I could nap clean the house. Have I mentioned we all sleep with fans on for white noise? Ya'll realize fans don't work without electricity? Let's not forget my first paragraph here.....the Buffet Cruise where I didn't get home until midnight? And Jeff works weekends, so we have to go to Mass at 9am.......which means getting up at 7:30. I really needed to nap clean the house. After hoping for a half hour the power would come back on and I could salvage their naps, I gave up. They said 4 pm and at 4:15 I called again only to hear it would be back on at 7 pm. That would be almost 6 hours.......I decided to call Jeff and ask him to come home to turn on our generator. The fridge was already starting to feel warm and I really didn't want to throw out any food. Of course the lasagna I had planned for dinner was out so I took the kids to Wendy's. Yes, Wendy's. I know, they were crushed.

My knight in shining armor came home and hooked everything up, including my bedroom fan so I could take my much needed nap, especially now that I had a migraine come on. And yes, of course the power came back on fifteen minutes after he had all the extension cords running all over the house; how did you know? It was a long day, but I'm thankful I woke up migraine free!

I'm still waiting for my power to come back on, though. I have a ways to go, me thinks!

Happy Dance

I'm doing the "Happy Dance" here, and hopefully will be for awhile! A great stresser has been lifted and I'm so thankful to the Lord for all His blessings. A prayer was answered and it's time to celebrate.

So, come on; what are you waiting for? Shake, shake, shake......shake, shake, shake....shake your bootie! Shake your bootie!

Dance with me!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Dear Blog

Please don't be mad at me because I hardly ever visit. It's not that I don't love you. Honest. I want to come and visit with you daily, but these kids of mine have other plans. You see, they want me to visit with Mr. Beachchair so they can hang out with Mr. Pool. I know come August they will be tired with Mr. Pool and want to catch up with Mr. T.V., so I'm hoping we won't be apart for much longer. I hope you can hang in there without me for just a little while longer.

Love,
Me

PS-It's not just you that I'm finding it difficult to visit; it's also Mr. Mrs. Shower. In this heat he she is someone I most definitely should not be ignoring, which is why I found the time to visit with her (is it weird I just can't call him her Mr. Shower.....what with being naked in there, and all? Come to think of it I'm sure it is a female. Who else would do all that cleaning?) tonight. At midnight. When I really should've visited with her this morning. Yeah. I know.