Cold Spaghetti

Kudos and Congratulations to Violet, who has been given a University of Michigan Distinguished Research Administrator Award for 2006! Violet manages some of the University’s most cutting-edge medical research grants, is an incredible overall person, and one my role models (and did I mentioned that she is a marathoner and recently took up distance biking?) Hooray for Violet!

Granna: “Will, what planet do we live on?
Will: “Earth!” (comes out, “earf!”)
Granna: “And what keeps us warm on earth?”
Will: “The sun!”
Mommy (very impressed): “Wow, Will, that’s right!”
Will: “I did it! I did it!”

All of this. And we’ve just heard that Bono flew in today. *sigh*

…number of people during a 30 minute shopping trip that asked if I was carrying twins.
…approximate number of hours of sleep I got last night between baby and Will.
…number of hours I napped this morning after my Mom graciously took Will.
…Paul’s estimated time of arrival in Mobile this afternoon.
…days of sleep I’d like to catch up on before Kate arrives.

Weight: up two pounds (added meat into my diet to help with mild anemia — apparently it made an impact!)
BP: 100/60
Baby’s heartbeat: happy and reactive
Baby’s position: dropped even lower in the pelvis
Baby’s size: “not a big baby, sized well for delivery”

It’s been a busy two weeks for Vicki (our midwife). All of the other Moms due around the same time as me have had their babies… so I will be the next delivery in Mama’s Cradle. But it’s anyone’s guess how long we all will be waiting! Vicki and I had a nice visit; I really enjoy her. Two of the last few births involved some meconium inhalation. Something like this is my only real delivery worry. I gave Kate strict instructions to not put us through any ordeals. I’ve done the re-hospitalization thing with a newborn and asked her to please not make me do it again!

Paul arrives tomorrow. I’ve been telling her to hold back until he is here, so we’ll see how long she lets him rest before showing up. Mom’s birthday is tomorrow; Paul’s is next Friday… the date of our next prenatal. Let the countdown begin!

In the final preparations for Baby Kate, we have been cleaning up Will’s car seat. As Will was a normal sized child, he used the infant car seat for a little over a year, until he was big enough for a toddler seat. (FYI to folks without kids: this is very rare. Most infant car seats are used for only 6 or so months.) The seat is a basic Graco Snugride model and retailed for about $80 when we bought it.

Infant seats are one of the things child safety organizations recommend buying new so that you can be sure the safety standards are up to date, etc. I am starting to wonder about this. My theory: the recommendation against used car seats is not due to safety concerns from accidents or misuse. It’s really just about germs and protecting parents from having gross-out moments…the reality is that babies are messy and some messes just don’t go away.

We washed the linen covers… producing black water in the washing machine. This wasn’t entirely surprising since it had been stored (covered) in an attic for the past 18 months. Now those who read this know me and know that I am NOT a messy or dirty person. Things like black water cause a bit of a freak out. But, after a few more washings they are okay. Or at least I am okay with them.

Now I’m trying to tackle the car seat unit itself. Ick. A year of infant use means the straps are messy and gunk is stuck into uncleanable places. (Even dunking the plastic parts in the pool didn’t really help — you can’t dunk the whole thing due to the foam attachments but I did my best.)

So I’m stuck. Am I over-reacting? Am I being too much of a clean freak? Or do I drop the $80 or so bucks on a new seat?

… that’s a spacestation belly!

Circumference of ribcage, just under my breasts: 34 1/2 inches
Circumference of belly, at waist: 48 1/2 inches

And still growing!

Will, giggling to my Dad (PapPap): “You da man!”

PapPap: “No, You are the MAN!”

Will: (pause. serious voice.) “No, PapPap. I’m Will.”

As I was finishing the last sentences of the post below, the letter to Will regarding his coming sister, I heard my Mother’s voice calling me from upstairs. I quickly finished and went to investigate.

We thought that Will was blistfully resting in deep sleep. Usually when he wakes up, he walks downstairs to find us as a first priority. Sometimes he occupies himself with a book or magazine for a little while. (He has learned that if he stays quiet, he gets to keep his binky. Once he is found to be awake, binky is left in his bed to be used for sleeptime only.) Today, Will woke up and staying very quiet, started to explore.

While I wrote the post about my sweet boy and our excitement for our growing family, Will opened the closed closet in my room, turned on the closet light, moved out some bins of shoes and toiletries, and pulled out the bag containing the present Kate had so thoughtfully bought for new big her brother. My Mother found him at the top of the steps, exclaiming that he had found a “surprise,” a “present.” He asked her very politely, “Scissors, please, Granna!” A quick survey of the situation and she immediately began to call for me.

I found a very happy Will at the top of the stairs. “Mommy!” he said, “Look! Bob the builder! Need scissors, please-por-favor, Mommy.” Kate had chosen her gift well. The Bob the builder Lego set was definitely a hit. It seemed cruel to take it away. He was already in love with the bounty he had pirated. But since Kate wasn’t here to give it to him, we had a problem.

There wasn’t a lot we could do, under the circumstances. We explained that the present was from Baby Kate. “Thank you, Baby Kate” said Will, patting my belly. We called Daddy and opened the present.

Now we are left with the question: does Baby Kate still show up with a present at her homecoming, as planned?

Dear Will,

Today you are 2 years and 5 months old. In the past two weeks, your impressive vocabulary has gained a clarity and fullness that has impressed everyone. You engage us in conversation, make jokes, play games, and surprise us everyday with something new and fun.

Each day we talk about Baby Kate. I feel that you are starting to understand a little of how your world is about to change. You have needed me more in the past week, sought me to cuddle, asked for my hand. Of the many books we read each day, we have been reading about children who become big brothers. As clever and quick as you are, we all agree that you are catching on.

We are so excited about Baby Kate. A large part of our excitement comes from how thrilled we are for you. She will be the best present that Mommy and Daddy have ever or will ever bring to your life. I know this first hand; your Uncle Skip is the best present I ever got from Granna and PapPap. She will be your friend and companion and make those long summer days fly by in happy memories.

You are such a joy to everyone, brightening every space and making all our days special. Those qualities will be such a help to us as we welcome our newest family member.

I love you, little man!

Mommy