AMomTwoBoys

34 Weeks

Meghan — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:01:14 +0000

*Updated with a photo for Stacey and Greis*

So, this week I will officially be 34 weeks pregnant. Which technically means I have another 6ish weeks before I give birth.

Except that both of my boys arrived at the 37 week mark. Which, if you do the math, means I only have THREE WEEKS until I give birth.

Now, I realize that just because it happened the first two times doesn’t mean it will happen this time. Kung Fu Fetus might be perfectly content to hang out where he is until the calendar says it’s time for him to arrive. But I can’t really bank on that.

Which means I have some stuff to get done in the next few weeks. Like, wash all my newborn clothes. Because even though it’ll be late summer, I’m pretty sure he’ll need some clothes to wear.

I also need to wash all my slipcovers and blankets and crib sheets and tiny baby car seat fitter thingy and GAH. I have a lot of laundry to do! And I don’t have any baby detergent!

Speaking of car seats, I have to fetch my infant seat from the garage and adjust the straps to fit a tiny baby! Because I’m going to have a tiny baby! In a few short weeks!

Do you see how my mind works lately?

The good news is that he kind of sort of officially has a name! Which I’m not going to share with you until he’s born, but it takes a load off of my mind.

Except it really doesn’t, because now instead of trying to come up with a name, I spend my time saying the name, spelling the name, thinking about nicknames and trying to figure out what asshole children will change the name to to make fun of him when he’s 12.

DJ is especially good at that part because when he was 12, apparently he WAS an asshole child. I know, I’m just as shocked as you are.

In other news, Zach starts preschool a week from Tuesday. I’m excited for him, because I know he’s ready and he’ll have a blast.

Dylan starts kindergarten in a month. He and I did some quick back to school shopping yesterday. We bought a pair of jeans, a backpack and some school supplies. As we were walking to the register to pay, he said “Is this all a kindergartner needs?”

I WISH, dude. But I’m pretty sure you’ll need more. Also, I have no freaking clue what a kindergartner needs. NONE. This is new territory for me, too

And, I just registered Dylan for soccer. I know NOTHING about soccer, but some of his t-ball buddies played it, so he wanted to play it. It starts right around when the baby is due. I predict I’ll either be in labor at the first game, or I’ll be toting a tiny newborn around the soccer field.

I’m starting to realize that baby number three and I aren’t going to have any of the luxuries, like staying home and napping all day, that I had with babies number one and two. Oh well. He’ll never know the difference, right?

I feel like I’m entering this whole new area of my life. And I can’t get a handle on any of it. It’s one giant unknown up ahead.

EEP.

Back to Reality

Meghan — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:58:06 +0000

We had great vacations. Separate vacations, but great nonetheless!

DJ was in a beautiful, secluded spot in Canada:

He communed with nature:

He caught fish:

Though, sometimes the sea lions got to the fish before he could:

The freezer is now FULL of 200 lbs of Salmon and Halibut. Anyone want to come over for dinner?

The boys and I kept ourselves SUPER busy while visiting my mom in Northern California.

We played, we visited with family, we spent a lovely day in Berkeley and San Francisco:

Contemplating life’s complexities

We went out on the boat:

Eventually, the sun set on our vacations:

(HA. Sorry. I couldn’t resist)

And now we’re back to reality. OB visits (every two weeks now!), speech therapy, continuing to work on the house so we can FINALLY get it ready to be rented out, work, panic attacks about renting the house, Dylan starting preschool and OMG we’re going to have a baby SOON. All the fun stuff that daily life brings.

I’m planning on making some big changes to my little corner of the internet, and I’m working on starting a new online project. Yes, I own yet another domain now. Stay tuned!

I Have Seen My Future. It’s FULL of Attitude.

Meghan — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:24:39 +0000

I spent a good portion of the evening uploading old pictures to my Flickr account.

I came across this, taken November 1, 2007 (apparently after eating something chocolate):

Which reminded me of this, taken two days ago:

Who needs a girl when you’ve got this much attitude to contend with already?

Also? It looks like it gets bigger and badder as time goes on. I’m in so much trouble.

I also came across this one of Zachary, from November 1, 2007 as well:

Which, AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

And this one, of our dog Tahoe.

He’s so stupid. That’s all I have to say about that.

Have a great weekend!

Vacation Separation

Meghan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:26:20 +0000

So my husband and I have separated.

For a week.

He’s in Canada, eh, at a fancy lodge on an island, which he had to take a HELICOPTER to get to. He’ll spend his days on a boat in the ocean fishing for salmon and halibut. His evenings will be spent fireside with an adult beverage and the company of his father.

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

I decided the boys and I would take the opportunity to visit my mom outside Sacramento. I’ve spent the last two evenings on the porch with a glass of water while other people enjoyed an adult beverage. Pregnancy makes vacation less fun.

Anyway, the boys are having a great time. There has been swimming and visits to the Farmers Market and bike races in the cul-de-sac.

We visited with their Great Grandma

Today we’re supposed* to go visit Andrea and her kids. We’re spending tomorrow in San Francisco, Wednesday we’re having lunch with Emmie and Thursday we’re going to the River Cats game. I’m kind of tired just thinking about it all.

I think our separation will go by quickly for both of us.

We had such a busy day yesterday that we went to bed before the fireworks even started.

But we hope you had a great 4th of July!

*Our trip hasn’t been without drama. Zach woke up last night and threw up a few times. I’m *hoping* it was due to excessive amounts of pool water consumed, but I’m not 100% convinced. This little episode has put our trip to Andrea’s in jeopardy. Kids make vacation less fun. Heh.

Dear President Obama -

Meghan — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:07:23 +0000

I still believe in you.

From what I’ve heard and read lately, it seems like some people might not be willing to tell you that, but I am.

I don’t blame you for what is going on in the Gulf of Mexico. I don’t blame you for the oil spill any more than I blamed President Bush for Hurricane Katrina. I don’t expect you to put on a scuba diving suit and plug the hole with your finger. But, I do expect you to do everything in your power to make sure the oil stops flowing as soon as possible. I do expect you to do everything in your power to make sure that it gets cleaned up soon. I do expect you to make sure that people can get back to their jobs and their way of life as soon as possible. I do expect you to do everything in your power to ensure that something like this never happens again.

I believe that you are fully committed and determined to find Osama bin Laden and to take out Al Qaeda once and for all. I expect you to stay focused on that goal and not get sidetracked by the naysayers who seem more determined to take YOU out politically than to support you in that endeavor. On a related note, I give no creedence to the belief that you are a terrorist. Or a supporter of terrorism. Or a closet Muslim. Although, I still have no idea why being Muslim in and of itself is such a bad thing. I would still support you if you were. And I think it’s insane that “terrorist” and “Muslim” have become complete and absolute synonyms to some people. But that’s another story for another time.

I hope you do what you can to secure our borders, but I also hope you don’t discount the contributions that illegal aliens have already made, and will continue to make, to our country. I realize they came here illegally, and some of them may not be here for the best of reasons, but *most* of them are here because they believe that America can give them a good life. A better life than what they’ve known. That’s why my ancestors came here and I don’t fault them for it. Many illegal aliens are working, paying taxes, spending money and contributing to our society just like the rest of us, and I don’t believe they should be punished for that.

Please continue to support education, stem cell research, a woman’s right to choose and healthcare reform. For me. For my children. For my friends and family.

Keep fighting for and supporting what is best for us, for our country and for our children. For our future.

Make decisions based on what you KNOW is right and good. A majority of Americans voted you into office because we believed that you’d bring change and a new direction to the way we’ve been doing things . Remember that. Don’t get bogged down by the rhetoric of the “good ‘ole boys” who are still upset that their way is being toppled.

Make decisions that your daughters will be proud of. Make decisions that will make their lives, and the lives of my boys, easier and better twenty, thirty or even fifty years from now.

Continue to do what is right, not what is easy or expected. That’s what I expected from you when I voted for you. It’s what I expect from you today.

I still believe in you.

So do a lot of other people.

Remember that.

And say hi to Michelle for me.

Love,

Meg

P.S. For crying out loud, play as much golf as you want. It works wonders for my husband’s stress level, I can only hope it does the same for you.

*Any mean, derogatory or downright hateful comments will be deleted immediately. Please keep in mind that first time comments are held for moderation. So if it doesn’t show up right away, be patient!*

Daddy’s Day

Meghan — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:25:46 +0000

Your first photo with Dylan:

Your first photo with Zach:

A little more recently:

Happy Father’s Day, DJ.

You’re the best dad my kids have.

You know what I mean.

I can’t wait to add another one.

We love you!

Tune Into Friday

Meghan — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:25:53 +0000

I’m sitting at the shop on a beautiful Friday morning. And it’s insanely quiet in here. So I do what I usually do when no kids are here watching Nickelodeon. I turn on my iTunes or I head to CMT.com to listen to their radio offerings.

So I thought I’d share a few of my favorite current country music offerings. The first is by Zac Brown Band (as is the last one) and the second is by Lady Antebellum.

And if you’re not a country music fan, don’t be scared, they’re not twangy.

Happy Friday!

Zac Brown Band More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

*******

Lady Antebellum More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

*******

And for a bit of a pick me up, check out one more Zac Brown Band video. This is ‘Toes.’ It’s sure to get YOUR toes tapping AND it has the word “ass” in it. It’s right up my alley. There also *may* be a marijuana reference. That’s up for you to decide.

What songs do you listen to on repeat?

Can’t We All Agree to Disagree Sometimes?

Meghan — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:12:07 +0000

Versions of this post have been rattling around in my brain for ages. Some have been snarky, some have been funny, some have been sentimental and some have been downright bitchy (I know you’re shocked). For one reason or another, none of them have ended up seeing the light of day.

Hopefully this one will make the cut.

And won’t leave me feeling like this:

I’m talking to you, people of the mommyblogosphere. You know who you are, even if you shun the mommyblogger term. You might not blog about your kids all the time. You might not blog about your kids EVER, but you might read blogs by, and interact with, mommybloggers.

You see, it doesn’t really matter.

Because here’s the thing:

We are all a part of this large internet “community.” But the big secret that some people don’t want you to know?

We’re not all the same!

And we don’t always have to agree on everything.

Nor should we.

We don’t have to raise our kids the exact same way, or use the same products or support (or not support) the same businesses.

And you know what else?

We don’t even have to LIKE each other!

I don’t have to agree with your parenting style, or your breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding beliefs. I don’t have to be your cheerleader when you join forces with a group that I don’t support or agree with. I don’t have to come to your defense when you do something shitty and people call you on it. And vice versa.

And you know what?

That doesn’t make me a bad person.

It makes me human.

And yes, I’m human* before I’m a mommyblogger.

And so are you.

None of this is to say that when we don’t agree we should be assholes about it.

Because being an asshole is uncalled for in most situations.

There’s no rulebook that says we have to support each other all the time simply because we’re all moms or we’re all bloggers.

Having said that, there is also no need to be assholes to each other when we don’t agree.

The unfollow/block/unfriend buttons are wonderful tools. You don’t have to read someone’s blog or follow them on Twitter if they constantly piss you off.

There is nothing wrong with separating yourself from people you don’t get along with or agree with.

BELIEVE ME when I tell you it will make you happier.

It might even lower your blood pressure and make you healthier!

*Human is on my “Descriptions of Me” list right below “wine drinker,” “lover of show tunes” and “flip flop wearer.” In case you were wondering.

Gone Vacationing

Meghan — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:27:48 +0000

We’ll be back in a few days!

After some fun…

And relaxing…

When Bad Purchases Turn Good

Meghan — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:46:32 +0000

When I was in college, I inherited one of those raised bed platform things from a friend who was graduating.

You know what I’m talking about, right? It’s like a bunk bed, but the underside is open and you can put a desk, or a sitting area or whatever underneath?

So, of course, I wanted to put a little seating area/reading/study nook below it. However, I didn’t have anything on which to sit. Which is like, a KEY item to have for a sitting area.

So one day I was driving around downtown and I happened upon a futon shop. And I went inside and fell in love with a single size futon couch thing. For more money than I had in my wallet. Except I had a credit card. And because I was 19 and in college and stupid and INEEDEDITOMG, I bought it. On credit.

I’m pretty sure I’m still paying that damn thing off.

It’s been useful a time or two in the past 10 *cough* years. But it’s certainly never been anything I NEEDED to have around. Even if that’s what I had convinced myself of in the past.

Until last night, that is.

Because last night? I woke up an hour after having gone to bed and something was…off. Once I woke up a little bit more I realized that the AeroBed I have been calling home every weekend night for the past few months had exhaled it’s last breath. It was FLAT. And I was, essentially, sleeping on the ground.

Which, as a general rule, is unacceptable. But is totally unacceptable when you’re 6 months pregnant and exhausted.

DJ had the entire couch claimed, Dylan was sound asleep in his kid sized AeroBed next to me, and Zach was zonked in his portable crib. And honestly, none of those options sounded very appealing.

And then the dog, who was perched atop his spot, the futon, started panting and whining. And royally pissing me off.

But then the light bulb above my head went off and I realized I could solve my situation in 2 easy steps.

1) Put the damn dog outside.

2) Pull out futon, flip mattress (because holy dog hair, Batman!) and VOILA, a BED!

So that’s what I did. And even though it’s not nearly as comfortable as my actual bed, I decided that the stupid purchase I made on a whim 12 *cough* years ago was the BEST DECISION I EVER MADE.

What about you? Have you ever purchased something totally unnecessary that ended up being the BEST THING EVER?