Good God.

This was quite a weekend! In good news, we picked up the nursery set and it is in awesome shape. Probably the best deal I could have gotten. And the woman who we bought it from was really great - she also turned me onto this neat highchair, the Kettler Kombi. We have a rather small kitchen, and I was trying to use a trapp trapp. I love the design - the idea is great and it's nice and small. But for a little guy learning to use finger food, there isn't a tray. So I was tucking him into the table, and putting the food there...and it just is a struggle to get him to concentrate on the food instead of the other things on the table... blah blah blah (I know, I could CLEAN the table, but I'm being realistic). So I got a free high chair off the side of the road (yep, I'm that girl) and I cleaned it up - but it's HUGE. It's seems to take up so much space, and it's kind of awkward to feed him in it. But he does love the tray and being able to have the cheerios to play with while eating. Anyway - this Kombi thing is still nice and small, and it converts to a toddler chair/table! I ordered one for the Hulk, and if it works out - I'll get 2 more for the twins. Later. Way later.

I also did some more work on cleaning out the twins room - and we are almost 100% there. Next step? Wallpaper removal. Fun fun! Not.

My mother was visiting, and like I've said before, she is just HARD. She has been alone for so long she is lacking in social skills, and also hasn't been in a relationship for more than 6 years (and that was 28 years ago). So she is always watching Aaron and I and judging. And she thinks Aaron is controlling... want to know why? Because he watched her give Hulk a bath on Saturday night. She is 68 years old, bad arthritis in both hands, and she is bending over a tub with a 23 pound soapy, squirmy baby. I felt better knowing he was there too! Jesus. Anyway - she tried to 'help' him when he was moving something heavy down the stairs, and he almost feel down the stairs. He yelled at her (yes, not appropriate) and she packed up and left (also not appropriate). I followed her out to the car, and she is telling me how she feels like she is walking on eggshells around him (and brought up a fight that Aaron and I had in front of her last visit, 2 months ago - which is another thing with her - she will remember things like that until the dawn of time. He will Never. Live. That. Down)- to I tell her if she has a problem to go talk to him (he is upstairs trying, in vain, to get Hulk to nap - that is another story). She says 'I'm not doing that', and leaves.

Awesome. Like I need this. First, I'm thinking I need to mend this. But you know what? She is a grown up. I don't need to deal with this bullshit. If she has a problem with Aaron, she should confront Aaron. Of course, I know she won't do that - so I'm going to need to figure out a way to have this conversation with her. It will also involve some rough words about her untrained dog - because she brings it with her whenever she visits, and she has it follow her around on a LEASH INSIDE. I had two boxers also - so she is taking it places that my dogs can't go (dining room, or kitchen when we are cooking) and just causes general annoyance. Of course Aaron needs to not YELL at my mother - but at the same time, my mother needs to realize that she isn't perfect also. I'm mostly nervous because she has hated my SIL for forever, and it made it so my brother was basically forced to choose between his mother and his wife. What do you think he chose? Now he is getting divorced, and I don't think that is the issue... but Jesus.

Sigh. I don't think it will get that far - but in the back of my head I'm nervous it will... and seriously. I don't have the energy for it.

Let's see.

What is going on here. It's been a long week. With Aaron gone until Tuesday, and then him working last night until midnight (or whenever he got home, I noticed he was in bed with me at midnight) I've been on Mommy-duty alone a lot more than usual. Add in the fact that we found out yesterday that the project we've been working on since I was on maternity leave was pulled. As in cease and desist working on it. They even told people to not come in today (I came in because I'm on other projects). I feel two ways about this - one is frustration. Many people worked almost 22 weeks straight, 7 days a week with the delusion that we would still go live. It was pretty obvious about a month ago that things weren't going to make it (we were supposed to go live in May, and then June.... and then it switched to TBD). To burn people out like that makes me angry. I was able to keep my team out of the fire... so they aren't as burned out - which is good.

So, I'm somewhat relieved that they finally 'called' it. But then there is the nervous factor in which this was a 5 year, multi-million dollar project that was the stability for our team. Even though we were in banking - we had this project. Now, it's up in the air if my division will keep it. I'm just thankful that about a year ago, when I was asked if I wanted to take on the role of QA Manager for the project - I declined. At the time, many were shocked that I would turn down the opportunity. It was a promotion (but not in my mind - it meant going back to working weekends and go-lives - which are brutal and soul sucking). But I was pregnant, and I didn't want the added stress. After watching the guy they did hire work his ASS off - I know I made the right decision months ago, but now it is even MORE clear.

Back to the good. There are a bunch of things going on with Hulk and the twins that are making me smile.

• Hulk is crawling. But backwards. It is WAY too entertaining to watch him figure it all out. He wants to go forwards, but he ends up moving backwards. He looks at me and is like "What the hell!?" - and I laugh. Hopefully not scarring him for life
• This new found movement makes it so he can entertain himself (!) for long stretches of time... a nice change.
• But... at night, he'll crawl backwards in his crib and get stuck in a corner and cry and cry. Nothing will soothe him - so I end up bringing him to bed with me at 3 AM. Not the best solution (nor a long term one! 3 babies, 2 adults, one bed? I don't think so). Any suggestions? Or is this a 'this to shall pass sort of thing'.
• Hulk is also trying new, more textured foods. Like instead of mashing up a banana, I'll give him a chunk. He'll get it in his mouth and makes this face - like WHAT IS THIS!? And then chew it and have a look of total relief... oh. It's banana. I like banana. And it totally cracks me up.
• I play a new game called 'messing with the twins'. I don't feel them kicking constantly yet, so if it's been a while, I'll drink some OJ, wait 20 minutes, and then they'll go crazy. It's entertainment.

That is all the news here. Lots to do this weekend - we are getting the nursery set, cleaning out the twins room some more, and my mother is coming to babysit so we can go out for Hulk's godfather's birthday. Bring on the weekend!

Finally healthy!

I took Hulk to the doc today to check his ear - all is clear! This is the first time since mid-May, he doesn't have an ear infection, cold, or poop issue. Hurrah!

I was trying to upload this ridiculously cute video of Hulk crawling backwards, and then getting a big LICK from one of the dogs... but I guess it was too huge to upload. Oh well. You all missed out on major cuteness.

For whatever reason, today I feel a lightness (? I guess that is the best way to describe it?). Like something crappy is lifted. I have such a happy, sweet baby - and am lucky enough to have two more (hopefully happy like their big brother!) on the way. I guess I've passed the freaking out stage, and now and really getting excited about the future.

It had to happen

First, in mommy-blogger news, Hulk is totally recovered. No runny nose, poop is normal, and he slept last night from 8 PM to 6 AM. Not a peep all night.

And Aaron is back! He is going to pick up Hulk at daycare tonight, and I can run a few errands. And I won't have to sleep alone tonight.

In 'you knew it had to happen eventually, Cece is freaking out about the babies', news.... I've really been on the ball about things. Cleaning out the yarn room to get ready to start fixing it up. This weekend, I'm going to pick up that nursery set. The smart, practical woman in me knows that I should be doing this. Working on things while I feel good and have energy. Picking up the nursery set before the woman realizes what a steal I'm getting for them and changes her mind(and avoiding me having to go through the drama of ordering them). But then. I look at the empty room, and think - what if something bad happens? Looking at this empty room is going to tear me apart! Moving my stuff back in will be heartbreaking. Knowing I have a whole nursery full of furniture... shouldn't I wait?!

Sigh. I'm going to move forward. It's going to be fine. It's just sad that those thoughts creep in, you know?

Day 3

Aaron left at 4:30 AM on Friday morning. Hulk slept like a rock star that night.... it was like the calm before the (poop) storm.

I should have known, when daycare lightly mentioned that a gastric 'thing' was going around - of course Hulk would get it. But that he got it when I was san-husband... that was a nice touch. The very best present my friend (and Cameron's god mother) ever gave me was to come and spend the weekend with me. I've never been so thankful to have a second pair of hands... and a pair of hands that loves to hold and cuddle my son, too!

When we got home from dropping Aaron at the airport, Hulk had a nasty poopy diaper. I changed it, thought nothing more of it, and we went back to bed until I needed to login to work. Then, the never ending weekend of poop began. He pooped pretty much ever hour throughout the day on Friday. Suzanne arrive around 2:30 PM - I had given up on working at 2 and taken both Hulk and myself to bed for a nap - he was super cranky the entire morning/early afternoon and I couldn't get him to nap by himself. When I came back downstairs from the nap - there was my savior! If it wasn't for Suzanne, Hulk would have been crying a lot more (you really couldn't even put him down for a minute, he was that miserable. If you were holding him? Happy baby. Leave the room? Full on tears.) and I don't think I would have eaten all weekend.

Friday night was pretty awesome, he went to sleep at 7 and slept until 4:30 - but I couldn't sleep at all because I was freaking out he was going to poop out of his PJs and I'd have to deal with it in the middle of the night. He pooped himself awake at 4:30, and he went back to sleep until 7! Heaven!

All day Saturday was pretty much a study in covering the house in poop. He pooped on me, Suzanne, the rug, his high chair, through 5 different outfits... it was awesome. And Saturday night, at 2:30 - there was the poopolision that I was dreading the night before. I couldn't deal with changing his sheets, so he came to bed with me.... where I got no sleep freaking out that he was dehydrated and would never ever stop pooping. Oh, and add on hunger (and no Aaron to poke awake to get me a snack. I eventually got my ass out of bed and got my own snack.). He woke up at 6:30, had one final poop.... at that was it!

No more poop since. I'm am praying to all that is holy that he has a great nights sleep tonight and is able to go to day care for the full day tomorrow. Suzanne left here around 4, and Aaron comes home Tuesday night. So only 2 nights on my own, I'd like it to be with a happy, minimally poopy baby.

What are the odds of that happening? I'm going to spend all day at work freaking out that daycare will call, telling me to come get him.

Oh - in other news? The twins room is 99% clear of yarn stuff! And, the guest room is maybe 80% moved into and organized! We were able to do a bunch of work even with Sir Poopsalot!

*I have to add. When else in my life am I going to be able to use the word 'poop' 14 times in one blog post?!*

Slept all night!

For the first time in weeks, Hulk slept all night. High levels of excitement here! Now, to see if it continues through the weekend, when I'm flying (semi) solo. I will have Hulk's godmother here with me, but I doubt she'll be involved in night time wake ups!

The rain doesn't appear that it is EVER planning on ending. I'm so glad that Hulk isn't older, as some of my friends with super active 2 or 3 years olds are getting ready to jump off a bridge at this point, I'm sure.

This weekend I'm really hoping to make a large amount of progress on cleaning out my yarn room. The shelving is out and ready to be restocked. The books are out. So, it's all about going through my stash and dealing with knitting/sewing/quilting accessories that are stored now in the closet. It seems like an achievable goal, but I find that I get really tired quickly, so hopefully Suzanne can keep me on track.

Once we get all the stuff out, we can slowly start removing wallpaper and the carpets. At the earliest, I think we could really start painting the weekend of July 25th - I want to wait until the 19 week ultrasound to really decide what to do for colors. I'm currently leaning towards a red rug, off-white walls, and then some sort of colorful designs on the walls... but I reserve the right to totally change my mind at anytime. We are taking the first week in August off for vacation - but I think Aaron has different plans than finishing a nursery!

Yet another ear infection

Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to call my doctor about Hulk's coughing/cold. I was thinking that I would talk to the nurse to see if there was anything else I could do about making him more comfortable, so he could sleep better. When I got on the phone with her, and explained he had this awful cold/cough for 3 weeks, and maybe I was being an over-anxious first time mom - she said 'He's been coughing for 3 weeks and this is the first you've called? You aren't over-anxious'. Lol.

She said I should bring him in so they could have a listen to his lungs. I'm glad I did (even after waiting over an hour to be seen - there is definitely a reason I always try to get early morning appointments with doctors). Hulk has another ear infection. The cold is just a cold - and she says we are doing everything right with managing that, I am happy about it. I would be happier if he was better, but hey, you take what you can get! I feel like we caught this ear infection nice and early - he hadn't started refusing bottles or anything yet - so at least there is that.

In crafty news, Hulk has this taggie blanket that he sleeps with. Every once in a while it will get nasty, and I'm pressed to try and get it washed and dried by bed time. I figured I should buy a new one as a back up. I was SO surprised to find they cost $20! Give me a break. I could make one of these in 30 minutes. So I went to the store, spent about $60 on supplies, and I have enough fleece and ribbon to make at least 30 of the damn things. I made 4 last night, 1 for Hulk at daycare, one for a friend's baby, and 2 extras for Hulk at home. When I have time, I'll just sit down and make a pile so I have some for the twins and as presents for baby showers. When I first saw these things, I didn't see the draw. But Hulk loves rubbing the fleece up on his face, and grabbing at the different textured tabs. And, it's small enough (12 inches square) that it's not a huge thing to be lugging around.