Back to School

Phil started his second year of medical school yesterday. We were all dreading it; this meant summer was OVER. This may sound dramatic but it was the last "real" summer of our lives where all of us were home without any obligations. Three whole months of having our daddy home. I thought I would go crazy with him home but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We traveled, played, relaxed, worked together on a big project for the kids' birthday and just had fun. I only wish we were having this baby during his summer break so he could be home to enjoy that as well.

Yesterday morning before he left he helped change diapers and got the kids their oatmeal. I ran a quick errand before he left, I was gone 15 minutes and when I returned the kids were dressed and he had done Kate's hair. So sweet.

Now a little ode to Phil since he was so darn wonderful being home. He jumped into his daddy role even deeper, nothing was off limits; diapers got changed without asking, baths, playing with the kids while I made dinner. The kids were spoiled with piggy back rides, bucking broncos and countless tickle/wrestling sessions. He sat in the kiddie pool with them, teaching them to blow bubbles and practicing pre-swimming skills.

Phil even took the kids out of town to his parent's cabin a few weekends back so I could have a few days to myself to make serious progress on their quiet books. Yes, three days to myself just to sew. Heaven! The moment they drove away I missed them and wondered what on earth I had done. Then, I got busy; Max's book is done and Kate's will be finished soon.

Phil says that the cabin trip with just him and the kids was really good for all of them. They bonded more, I could tell when they got home that they were closer and loved him all the more. And yes, my family can survive without me, but only for a few days.

Now it is back to the real world; Phil is in school for 10 hours a day and will be home for dinner and some playtime before the kids go to bed and then it is back to studying. This year is supposed to be even more difficult regarding the ciriculum and then there are boards on top of that. We are excited for progress but miss our daddy already.

Thankfully I have seamlessly switched gears into med school wife/mommy mode doing things solo. Here's to a great year!

2nd Birthday Bash

It started with an idea; browsing the web for inspiration, a plan to simplify for 2 year olds, one very pregnant mama and a daddy who would be in school on their actual birthday. Their actual birthday is not until mid-September. I chose a bubble themed party for the kids since what toddler doesn't love bubbles?

Bubbles also translated into balloons. Here were the invites: blow your balloon up, write the details with a sharpie, deflate and mail. Simple and fun. They looked even better deflated and you could still read all the information and your friends will wonder how you did it.

Circle garland hanging from the ceiling, crepe streamers in the background, fun circles aka bubbles everywhere!

Two birthday kids feeling oh so special and big with their juice boxes, a rare treat in our home.

Darling party guests.

I now know they prefer chocolate. Where'd they get that from?

How to entertain 8 two year olds? Balloons and bubbles of course!

Phil used his air compressor to blow up 266 balloons. Yes, really. We blew up the one bag of 72 large and 50 small and it looked like nothing so we ran and got some more for maximum fun and entertainment. The kids loved them!

Balloons also entertained the dads.

After our lovely guests left we tidied up the house and Phil corralled all the balloons into the kids room and set up their tunnell. More balloon craziness and fun. Then since no one could maneuver around I went crazy and popped over half with a pin. Much more manageable. The rest will slowly "disappear" in the next few days, if they even last that long. 

Our first real birthday shindig and I think it went great! Fabulous friends, food and it was the perfect mix for the kids.

These two crazies agree.

Endless

Amidst all the back to school posts of facebook it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks that Camden would have started kindergarten today. I looked at a picture of a boy born just days after Camden died. He was getting on the bus; standing proudly with his little sister in new school duds with a back pack as big as he is.

The other night I was driving home thinking of a friend who is new in her grief, her baby having been gone just 7 months now. I was reflecting on the stages of grief and how time lessens the ache, sorrow and pain.

Now I know I am wrong. Grief never leaves you; it sleeps at times and then suddenly takes you by the throat with its ugly claws, reminding you of what you have lost. It can be as fierce and hard as the first day and then just as fast life resumes and you must compose yourself as your tears are scaring your children.

So, I wipe my tears, blow my nose and resume my constant mothering duties and carry on. But there is a lump in my throat, tears are brimming and I need a good cleansing cry. Max and Kate will have to wait for a few minutes, their brother needs me. I need him.

Belly Update

I went to the doctor today for my regular check-up. At my last visit we did an ultrasound and they noted that my fluid was a bit low but not alarmingly so, they ordered another ultrasound for two weeks later. Today showed the same lowish level and I now get to see the doctor twice a week for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Non-stress tests, amniotic fluid index scan and a biophysical profile each week with an OB check thrown in for good measure. I am instructed to drink more water than I can hold and ideally soak in a pool up to my neck for up to an hour a day. I had to do this with Max and Kate as well. I asked my doctor if it was something I was/wasn't doing and he tells me it is the placenta, not me.

As long as the baby is moving and grooving and my fluids don't get crazy low then our goal is to get to 36 weeks, anything after that is bonus time. Ideally I would have a c-section on September 27th, just 3 days shy of my due date. I have never delivered a baby past 36 weeks and taken one home with me, let alone a full-size healthy baby. Hopefully we get that, I think we will. Baby is very active and we are both healthy. Here's to 7 more weeks!