asteroid B612

I got a wisdom tooth out today. I need both bottoms out, so one made its grand exit today. She didn't want to numb both sides of my mouth at the bottom, because then I wouldn't feel my tongue. As it is, I feel very numb and expect to stay close to the bottle of tylenol for awhile. The next one comes out in two weeks. I was shocked at how huge the tooth and roots were. Blah.

Hubby has been work, work, work, working and working some more. Too many deadlines for Daddy. He got up at 3am on Thursday and didn't go to bed until 9 pm on Friday. I'm not kidding. He was up and working for over 40 hours straight.

So we have been mostly keeping him fed and staying out of his way. When E came home from school on Friday, I packed the boys up and went to Lancaster. We boogied up to my parents' house listening to Funky Friday. I was planning to do laundry*, but as my first load was half way through the washer, my dad said, "oh, by the way, did you know that our dryer is broken?" Groan. I dried the boys' pajamas in the oven. We snuggled in the fall chill. My dear, kind mother took the rest of my laundry to the laundromat the next day.

*do I need to remind you that I don't have a washer/dryer?

In the morning we had waffles. Yummy, yummy waffles. My brother came over and we sat around the table and laughed hard. Nick and I went to see my grandma at the old folks' home. She's not doing so great and reminded me that I shouldn't take visiting my grandma for granted. Her body groans, but her mind is sound. Nick called ahead, and when we entered she was sitting calmly in her chair with fresh makeup on. She and I could share lipstick. We're twins.

In the afternoon we puttered around, and I had the insane idea of making a shirt, and my mom assisted my insanity. I had almost finished when Marlowe decided that enough was enough. I brought it home to finish, and packed the chilren' up again. We came home, the sun setting behind our backs.

Daddy is still working. Marlowe wakes hourly for the umpteenth night in a row. I pop teething tablets onto his gums hoping that that is the underlying cause of such sadness, because teething has an end, restless slumber for its own sake does not. "Sleeping through the night" is the biggest farce of modern parenthood.

Ellis helped me make chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. He holds the ancient hand-held mixer steadily with his eyes on the prize: the cascade of chocolate chips into the bowl at the end. He will stick his hand out and usurp as many as possible from their rightful place in the cookie dough.

A fistful of chocolate gets us through.

Let's see, where did I leave off? Yea, so then on Thursday, I scrubbed the kitchen floor and cleaned, cleaned while E was at school. Then we had our regularly scheduled trek to CHOP for speech therapy which takes up all the rest of the day.

And then Friday, I went to Lancaster. I was on the road by 9.30 am. Can you believe it!? I even remopped half of the floor since E spilled juice all over it the night before. Summer really takes a toll on the kitchen floor, between fruit, juice, and popsicles, it gets so sticky. Anyway. So I was pretty much All That on Friday morning getting out the door like that. We had lunch with friends at my mom's. When my parents moved to Lancaster when I was in high school, I never really made any friends there (I went to boarding school). I never really fit in with my peer group at church. And the summers pretty much were lousy. I did eventually make one friend, and when she's in town every once in awhile (she teaches overseas), we try to have lunch. It's nice to catch up.

After hanging out in the afternoon and doing laundry, I decided just to spend the night. After dinner, we went over to the Amish farm where my parents get milk. Ellis got to see their cows and horses and puppy. The family is pretty good friends with my family. Their youngest is a spirited 4yo girl and she and Ellis totally hit it off. They didn't even need to speak the same language! (She spoke PA Dutch and he signs. haha) They ran all over the yard all evening until they were running with the fireflies...laughing and laughing. I wish I could've taken a picture because they were so darn cute, but Amish don't like their picture being taken, so no pics.

On Saturday morning, I took Ellis and walked down to central market where I loaded up on yummy produce and baked goods. I got a coffee and E got a smoothie, and we sat on park bench and hung out together for a tad. And then he had a random meltdown on the way home. But was totally fine by the time we got home. *sigh* the emotional roller-coaster of three-year-olds. Ha!

We drove home, and I crashed for a bit and then began designing and cutting out my Mom Bag (aka diaper bag). It's gonna be so cool! I want to finish it before we go on vacation. T minus 12 days.

I AM SO TIRED! (this is so I'll remember that I was tired. If I don't blog it, I won't remember it.)

I want to write a fun post about Marlowe. He just turned two months old, and is such a cutie!!

Monday: I ran errands while E was at school. Marlowe slept while I hauled his bucket gingerly in and out, in and out. I stopped at 4 places, including grocery shopping. I think it's been 5 weeks since I've been to Trader Joe's, and that's my main store. But folks, FOUR places! Wow!

Tuesday: My mom came. Dad is at the national perennial plant symposium in center city. Mom and I went to Babies R Us, I hate that store, but I got a few things I needed. Mom bought me a new blender at Target. yippee! back to smoothie action! We hung out with Grace in the afternoon, and I made them yummy dinner in the evening. Mom brought my camera that I had accidentally left at my niece's bday party.

Bluey and Brownie. Are both of these boys mine?

Wednesday: Wake up exhausted, but have plans to go to center city anyway. It stormed in the night, but is no longer raining. Planning to rendezvous with a baby wearing group in Rittenhouse Square. No one shows up. Frustrated. Disappointed. Probably won't try to get together with this group again.

At least Ellis got a fun train ride, picnic, and milkshake out of it. I'm pooped. It was Marlowe's first train ride.

I keep trying to blog. I've started countless entries that are quickly abandoned in favor of a child who needs me or a brain that is checked out. More time passes and the gap gets bigger. It's really too late now, but here I am anyway. Something to mark my spot.

We got a new car last week. This is HUGE for us. It's a fairly young Honda Civic. Reliable, long-lasting. I get in, I press in the clutch, start the car, turn on the AC, and off we go. Such a simple luxury! We have downsized and while I miss the space of the minivan, I do a little happy dance at the gas pump. It'll work for awhile. We just can't take any passengers who aren't willing to do butt compression to sit between the two carseats hogging the backseat. And I've learned how to seriously minimize baby gear--mostly through babywearing (I don't need to haul around a "travel system" in my trunk).

We realized through this process, that *duh* neither of us has made a huge purchase requiring financing before--besides our college educations, that is. Partly, because we really haven't had the capital (we barely do now), and partly because we tend to be content and resourceful. We find a spot and make it work. Sure, I'd much rather be living in my own home with *gasp* my own washer and dryer on my residential premises!! But I'm content where I am. C and I used to discourse at great length about what it means to "live well." Hint: size of house is irrelevant. Maybe some people think we're foolish, but I don't regret anything we've done so far in terms of major life choices (I won't deny mistakes, but not regrets), even if we're "setback" in terms of how society determines what is "successful". I mean, there are people out there who can READ because of my hubby. Anyway, this is turning into a ramble and maybe is too honest. It's just that buying a car this time was really big for us.

The rest of my time has been spent dealing with another round of thrush, which my purple friend, gentian violet seems to have whooped. And making sure a certain 3yo is active and outside as much as possible, so that he's not climbing all over me as an incarnation of whatever monster he fancies he is. And trying to keep track of his CI. And making a certain 7 week old coo and grin big purple grins. And trying to remember to take my vitamins, get enough rest (ha!), and not get too hungry so that Crazy Hormonal Mama can be kept at bay. And getting sucked in to Battlestar Galactica with hubby (resistance is futile--oh wait, no Daleks). And trying that Mary Poppins trick where you snap and the mess goes away (it's not working--maybe if I took more vitamins).

I loaded up Ellis and Marlowe on Monday and went to spend a few days in Lancaster at my mom's. E's summer session at school starts tomorrow, so I wanted to get a visit in before that. I wanted my great-aunt and uncle to meet Marlowe, and we had lunch and a great visit with them. Aunt Lee loves babies, and it's so fun to see her love on mine.

Then we went down to visit my grandma. Ellis was such a buddy! He knew where we were when we got there, and brought in his puzzle book to show her. He plopped up on her bed and patted next to him for her to sit, but she is confined to a motorized wheelchair, so she couldn't, but she had fun looking at his book with him. And he performed his colors admirably. Much to the delight of her former schoolteacher's heart. She gave him a ride on the wheelchair holding him in her lap. I think she has more fun with this age.

And mommy and grandma were not too proud to sit outside in the baby pool with Ellis later. It was a hot day and the water felt great. Esp when E sprayed us in the face. haha!

E didn't sleep very well while we were gone, so I'm kind of tired. But it was nice to have an extra pair of hands to hold the baby, to have someone feed me when I was SO hungry (which I am ALL THE TIME--and I have a fat baby to prove it!), and to have a park to walk to a few blocks away.

We came home this evening. Ellis did not follow the plan and fall asleep in teh car, so he had a rather late bedtime. Hope it doesn't mess us up for school tomorrow, especially since he'll get to ride the bus for the first time.

you know, if I don't blog it, I don't remember it. Marlowe is 5 and a half weeks. Last week, the weekend gave me rejuvenation for one day, Monday was great. This week, I got through two days before I crashed into a mess of defeatism. I knew our little nighttime sleep fairytale wouldn't last. Today was rough. But thankfully, E was tired enough from running around with his buddy J for 3 hours at the park this morning that he sat quietly and watched his movie this afternoon. I slept soundly for about an hour (without being summoned for juice or crackers or whatever else a 3yo desires). And then staggered together a yummy meal for a goodbye party for my brother who is off to Italy tomorrow for his summer study-abroad. (I left July 3, too, the last time I went to Italy in 2004.)

So each week is difficult, but gets a tiny bit better. And there are little graces that get me over the rough spots.

Well, Jeannette was in Lancaster to relax. I was there to work. Ellis went off with Nick so that I could hang shelves unencumbered. Of course, I wasn't finished before E returned, so he ended up helping me with the last stages of the work. He actually was quite good with the drill. I held it and he pulled the trigger. He got the low screws and I got the high ones.

At some point, though, E wandered off from the work area, to return some moments later with a newspaper. I looked down into his beaming face and took the paper to see what he was so excited about. He reached up, and jammed his finger into the picture of the fireworks that accompanied the front page story about last night's festivities. With wide eyes and an ear-to-ear smile, he nodded and signed \.

Man, my heart just about blowed up.

Life has been whirling. I can't believe it's only been 3 weeks since Marlowe was born. My mom stayed with me for week 1, I was on modified schedule for week 2 (had some help with E's school run and therapy), but I was pretty much back in the saddle for week 3, though I still got a few more church meals.

I'm tired, though. I'm still healing, and then last week Marlowe and I got thrush, which I've never had before. Thankfully I caught it early, and we both got some medicine right away. It's mostly cleared up. Most of the pain is gone, and I don't dread feeding my baby anymore. Add to it the overwhelming feeling of having added another kid into our life and how does that work? We're all still figuring that out.

I've been working on this post for days. Gotta get used to typing one-handed again. Anyway. Ellis is doing great with Marlowe. Loves holding him and giving kisses. He's adjusting, though, to the new family dynamics. The hardest part about #2 is not so much the baby part, but figuring out to juggle the needs of 2 kids. The past couple of weeks E has been bouncing off the walls, knocking stuff over. Lately he's been hitting us. Not his playmates, though, wh. is good. It's an obvious plea for attention. I react calmly or ignore it. Hitting is definitely not appropriate, but if he gets a big response from it, that's what he'll do for a big response. So I calmly say, "E, hitting hurts. That's not nice. *have him apologize* Do you need a hug from Mommy? Then say 'I need a hug', you don't need to hit." This seems to get the best response. We may also need to bring back Hands are not for Hitting into the reading rotation.

Marlowe is still sleeping well! 3-4 hour chunks at night. The whole family is dog tired, though. And now M has started this thing where if he's not sleeping or eating, he's crying...save maybe ten percent of the time when he's looking around. He officially h.a.t.e.s the carseat; screams the entire time in the car. I'm getting a little frazzled. Eventually I can usually comfort him in the wrap or swaddling blanket, though.

Anyway. There are the little graces that have helped this transitional time for our family, and I'm truly thankful. And as difficult as this time is, we are rejoicing in the addition of little Marlowe to our family.

Marlowe is nine days old.

He had his first well-baby visit with our new pediatrician today and is back to birth weight after the typical losing a few ounces after birth. He's also gained half an inch in length and head circumference.

I like our new ped. We sort of stumbled into the one we had when E was a baby, and she was kind of nuts. Then I had to transfer a year ago because of insurance, which was nice, because I didn't know how to break up with the first one. But E only saw the new one once, because he was so healthy last year. But I wanted one I felt like I could develop a relationship with. The one I chose I feel like I can really talk to and that she'll respect me. She's a bit more mainstream than I would like, but she didn't balk at all when I didn't get the Hep B vaccine today. And the receptionist staff at this ped office is hands-down the most friendly, helpful staff I have ever encountered at a medical establishment! So anyway, new ped: check.

Overall, he's doing fantabulously! Get this, he sleeps! Can you believe it!? Like for multiple hours at a time! I sometimes have to actually wake him up to nurse!! It's a good thing we had Ellis first, because I know not to take this for granted. He also nurses very well. And is just totally adorable. He usually has a long stretch of wakefulness at one point during the day. He just looks and looks at us squarely in the eye.

We finally have a name sign for him, too, so that Ellis can call him something besides "baby". Since his nickname is Peanut and because he has a little dimple on his chin, his name sign is the letter M handshape tapped on the chin as if to sign PEANUT (the side of the index finger tapping on the chin).

Ellis loves on him. Kissing him and signing ILY (i love you). He wants to hold him whenever he gets a chance. And tells me MILK every time he cries. (He'd try to help him latch on, too, if I let him. haha)

But it's not saying much when your newborn infant is sleeping better than your nearly 3yo. Poor Ellis. He takes all his stress out on his sleep. All his growth and development, all his major life changes, it all gets thrown on his sleep and becomes lack thereof. Lately, he's actually made it to nearly 5 am, maybe waking up once and falling right back to sleep when sought snuggles are snuggled. It's hard to coax him past 5, though. Too early for mamas. Too early for little boys! Especially ones who don't nap. It turns him into a maniac bouncing off the walls. It's hard to balance the sympathy I feel for him, exhausted and upheaved life, and the irritation that creeps up on me when he is just flipped out crazy. I'm trying to spend some extra time with him during Marlowe's amazing naps. It's nice to be able to sit on his floor again. To feel like I can move and do things with him. Eventually we'll find our new normal.