Bad Blogger

I've been a bad blogger lately.  I used to blog so often, but lately, well, it's just hard.  Sammy has me up around 5:15 am or 5:30 am every day and after work, by the time we finish dinner, clean up and make lunches for the next day, it's 9 pm and I'm wiped.

Here is my bullet point update:

• I survived my weekend of parenting solo last weekend.  My husband did his annual Bike for MS ride, a 150 mile bike ride from Boston to Provincetown.  I'm very proud of him for doing the ride and I'm very proud of me for surviving the weekend.  I had a really great weekend with the kids.  Ian took pity on me and was very well-behaved.  I managed to grocery shop, feed the kids and I even mowed the lawn!  It helped that my in-laws took Ian on Sunday and it really helped that I had dinner at a friend's house on Saturday night and dinner at my in-laws on Sunday.
• Sammy gets up super early these days and about half the time ends up falling asleep again on the way to daycare.  She makes it until about 7:15 pm at night and then crashes hard.  It's been much easier to put her to bed these days.  She cries for about 20 seconds before sighing in relief that she can sleep.  
• Sammy is growing up so fast - she's 14 months already!  She's not saying much these days and often has the binkie stuffed in her mouth.  This past week, she's been running over to Ian and bashing him on the head with a toy.  When I yell "No!" at her, she laughs at me.  This doesn't bode well!  Daycare says she doesn't hit any other kids, so I guess it's special behavior she saves for her big brother.

Funny Conversation

This morning, Ian was playing with my vitamin bottles.  And he wanted me to show him which way to turn the cap to open it so he could see the pills inside.  Here is our conversation:

Ian:  Momma, which way do I turn the cap to open it?
Momma:  You turn it to the left, like this.  You see, leftie loosey and righty tighty?  You turn it to the left to open and the right to close.
Ian:  Leftie loosey?
Momma:  Yes, you turn it to the left to open it, so that you make it looser.  Leftie loosey.
Ian:  But "Loosey" is my cousin.  (Yes, indeed, he does have a cousin named "Lucy")

Commence laughter.

Sammy's New Skills

Sammy, at 13.5 months, has learned some new things recently.

1.  Her second word is "Hi!"  She says it in a very bubbly and cute manner, usually while waving her hand.

2.  She can open all of our bedroom and closet doors now.

3.  She loves to be on the couch, especially when Ian is also up there.  She know understands there is an edge you can fall off and can get off herself, going backwards.

The Inevitable Has Occurred

It was inevitable.  13.5 months after having Samantha, my period has returned.  I sort of expected it because there were signs of ovulation about 10 days ago and I was dropping everything in sight yesterday.  I'm a total clutz right before I get my period.  So there it is.  I'm actually pretty psyched that I've had about 2 years without a menstrual cycle - 37 weeks of pregnancy and now 13.5 months post-partum.  Hooray for breast feeding!  Body, you have served me well and I thank you.


*As an aside, I am still nursing Sammy but it is only in the mornings now.  And if I miss a feeding, there seems to be no difference in how I feel.  Certainly, there is no pain or engorgement.  It's been so nice weaning her gradually (as opposed to forcing Ian to wean around 11 months).

Hand Food and Mouth

Poor Sammy!  It appears she has contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, which is going around her daycare.  Yesterday, she came home with a fever of 101.8 and was very fussy.  We had a TERRIBLE night - she was awake and crying a lot.  This morning, she was fever-free and so we sent her to school.  But while at school, the blisters started showing up on her skin.  She has some on her thighs and a couple on her mouth, but her poor bum is one big horrible red rash.  It must hurt a lot.  And her throat must kill her because she doesn't want to eat at all and is drooling a ton (because she doesn't want to swallow her saliva).  I feel really bad for her.  At least she is drinking her milk.  She can go to school in the morning if she isn't super clingy, but we'll assess in the morning.  If she's feeling really crummy, I don't want to send her in.  She needs my love and attention and support right now.  I know a couple of adults who have contracted HFM and they say the throat pain is excruciating.  I hope she feels better really soon and I am crossing my fingers and toes that Ian doesn't get it.

Best Buds

Ian and Sammy are SO cute together.  Ian is constantly trying to hug her or kiss her.  Sometimes he also wants to tackle her.  And Sammy adores him.  She wants to be in whatever room he's in and will follow him to the bathroom or to his bedroom, which is not always what he wants.  I love watching them grow up together and it looks like they're going to be best buds!