Sick days

My baby is sick.

I hate it.

Usually he crawls around the house all morning but today he sat his hot little body in my lap and refused to move (even after the nasty diaper explosion that got on my robe he was not happy when I tried to clean him up).  We sat and watched Monk.  I know, I know, you shouldn't let 10 month olds watch tv.  But you know what?  Today I didn't care.  I even let him keep his binkies all morning (when usually they are reserved exclusively for bedtime).  Anything I can do to help him feel better.  It's awful that he doesn't feel well.

I hate it.

My baby is sick.

Kids

Coming from a family of 7 I have always assumed I would have more than one child.  Lately I have been getting to experience a little of what life might be like once I do have another kid.

My friend has recently started back with her summer-autumn job and I have been watching her 2 1/2 year old son, Miles.  Now, I have babysat before.  I've had my sister's girls a few times time and Miles and J have hung out quite a bit, but yesterday was the first time Miles was going to spend the whole day with us.  And I had to work in the morning!  So my sister-in-law watched both boys and when I got home they were on a walk.  When they got back Miles was asleep in the stroller and stayed asleep as we transferred him to my bed.  I then played with J until it was time to put him down for a nap at which time Miles woke up.  We played for a while, he watched a movie and we hung out until my husband got home.  Things went really well.

Which is why I was even more apprehensive about today - I could not believe that things would go as well today as they did yesterday.

Well, it's true that today was different.  J didn't nap as long for one thing, I think Miles might starve to skinny at my house because he eats almost nothing, and I need practice on bringing 2 children somewhere on my own.  But we survived.  Not only that, but I haven't completely pulled my hair out or rethought our summer plans.  I think I've more fully realized how people with multiple children do things.  It is possible, not just a pie in the sky dream, for me to have more children.  And though I'm not sure yet when that will be, I'm not nearly as worried about my ability to deal when they come.

In fact, I'm looking forward to them.

Energy or not?

Lately I have had zero energy.  When I put J to bed for his naps I sit in my chair, stare at my computer and think that I ought to be doing something productive.  Coffee hasn't helped much, nor has big glasses of water (which I heard are also supposed to be good for waking up).  Two weeks ago I finally went to the doctor (although not about the tiredness because I thought that was just mama stuff or me being lazy). 

Turns out I am extremely anemic. 

Which means my iron levels are very low. 

Which affects my energy.

So now I'm trying to take iron (which I'm not good at remembering to do) and hopefully get my hemoglobin level back up into the double digits where it is supposed to be.

Anyone know any good recipes for a spinach shake that doesn't taste like spinach?

Lately

So much seems to be going on these days!  Some good, some...not my favorite.  One thing that has happened is that our second car decided to poop out on us.  Thank God we still have our dependable Subaru!  This though, means that I am home a lot as Hubby has to take the one working vehicle to work everyday (a 45 minute trip at 7am which I am not anxious to make with a cranky infant just so I can have the car during the day).  This will get worked out, but I'm going to be the very definition of a "stay at home mom" for a while.

Being at home certainly hasn't been boring so far, with the most important development lately being: my son is no longer completely immobile!  We have wooden floors, and J has discovered he can scoot himself along a bit while on his bum or tummy.  Usually he turns himself in circles, but I can see that soon I will no longer be able to leave him on his own for 2 minutes without worrying about what he might get into while I'm in the bathroom!  Solutions to this will be forthcoming as I experiment on how to contain my child when the time comes.

J is increasingly curious these days.  One of the reasons he figured out how to move himself the limited amount he has is to see, reach, touch and taste things he might not otherwise have experienced.  Things that used to occupy him for minutes on end are now tossed aside like yesterday's glitter, and things that once bored him now require in depth concentration.  This requires me to be increasingly imaginative and I have not yet mastered the art.  I am so thankful for the internet and Mommy Blogs!  I have found so much out there it is amazing!  I love that I am not alone in this task, I love that other women have posted their ideas and experiences so that I don't have to learn everything on my own!  A few of the blogs I have enjoyed thus far:


http://badmommydiary.blogspot.com/ My wonderful friend, Tabitha, who is open and encouraging and fun.

http://themagiconions.blogspot.com/ I haven't read much of this one yet, but it looks to have some great play ideas.

http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/ The blog that got me started looking for play ideas.

http://alysbloggityblog.blogspot.com/ Sometimes it's nice to just read things from another mom - even though we are far removed geographically and don't know each other personally.

And now for pictures!  I've fallen behind on organizing and showing off photos of my son, but as Mama to an 8 (almost 9!) month old boy I hope you will forgive me.

Have a wonderful, bright and shining day!
In Truth,
Bee

This is a Home Where Children Live

You may not find things all in place,
Friend, when you enter here.
But, we’re a home where children live,
We hold them very dear.

And you may find small fingerprints
And smudges on the wall.
When the kids are gone, we’ll clean them up,
Right now we’re playing ball.

For there’s one thing of which we’re sure,
These children are on loan.
One day they’re always underfoot,
Next thing you know, they’re gone.

That’s when we’ll have a well kept house,
When they’re off on their own.
Right now, this is where children live,
A loved and lived in home.

~Judith Bond

Things I am thankful for:

- time with my husband

- music

- my son's laugh

- poetry

- forgiveness

- coffee

- communication

- God's promises

- sunshine

- flowers

- love

What are you thankful for today? Count your blessings, seize the day, redeem the time.
Go with God,
Bee

Of waking and watching and walking

Weather or teething - J was up twice last night and wouldn't go back to sleep until I fed him.  Thankfully he's napping well this morning.

Everything is new and interesting to this child, whether it be people (watch suspiciously), toys (attack!) or food (nomnomnom).  We introduced rice crispies this weekend, which seem to have gone over well.  They are helping him develop his fine motor skills, keep him entertained, and I can easily carry some with me in case of emergency.  Currently most of them do not end up in his mouth, but he has fun trying and I don't worry about him choking.

The quiet book I'm working on is coming along slowly - it would help if I could find my hot glue gun.

Yesterday I took J (7 months) and my 2 nieces (1 and 3 years) out for a walk so their mom could get some things done around her house (she is due with her 3rd child in Nov, hooray!).  Having 3 littles in my care at the same time was interesting, but not as difficult as I might have feared.  We have a double stroller so J and Thing 2 rode and I kept Thing 1 on a tether (read: leash) so as to be sure she wouldn't run out into the street (although it is a nice quiet neighborhood so cars are rare).  We were out for almost an hour and I quite enjoyed myself.  I brought along teddy grahams as bribes and those seemed to go over well with all 3 littles.

I have so many pictures to post, but I need to get a couple more things done before the Boy wakes up.

Blessings,
Bee