Coco no more

We were all set to assume care for a beautiful dark brown dwarf rabbit.

I've been hesitant to take anything else on, but one look into those deep brown eyes, and I was a sucker.

Easy care for these creatures. They stay outside most of the time in a cage (provided), eat fresh veg or rabbit food, and require a cage change once a month or longer (poop drops to "poop deck").

I walked over to our neighbors to give it a trial run, yesterday during the torrential rain pour. I'd arrived home, to find an unlocked door, and my family missing. Where could they be? The car was in the drive, radio on, no family. I decided to take Coco for a walk, couldn't resist having it next to my cheek, actually. And found the clan at the end of the block where the street had mildly flooded playing barefoot in an enormous puddle! Laughing and soaked to the bone, they did a double take when they looked in my arms.

Ana's first words: Is that a real penguin?

Kevin and I laughed. She'd mistaken the tiny ears for a beak (and was seeing the animal's head as if backwards).

After throwing the kids in warm bubble baths, the kids had their turn. They loved the bunny, although I was somewhat fearful of my rough and tumble boy. El's much more of a hyper puppy pet owner than a trembling bunny kind of guy. Ana just sat and stroked, talking in a sweet voice to the thing, as I felt my eyes begin to swell shut and my breathing become contricted. Yes, those damn allergies (dust mites, dander et al) were raging suddenly. And while we haven't broken the news to Ana, she could read the writing on the wall.

I know this pet can't be ours. Our neighbor was giving it away because he wanted folks to give time to the animal, something he'd hoped our kids could do.

So if you think you might have the heart, and the immunity to take care of this realitively easy pet, please let me know.

Nesting 101

The home shuffling has begun!

With the news of a boy coming, we're making room for the little one.
Presumably, once the bebe moves from our bed, he'll share a room with Elliot.

Elliot's room was the smaller one, in need of a makeover. Ana's room had just received one...but we're switching them anyway.

So I'm in the process of looking at paint chips and fabrics (read, so we can diy curtains) to paint the kids' rooms. Ana wants a say so, but I have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. I just don't think I can cope with pink walls. Her current room has a pink ceiling, which I found acceptable, but I can't imagine really planning this with her, and her current rose-colored glasses. Is that so wrong?

We're also in the midst of painting over the new paint in the bathroom. I can't do the southwestern orange in that small room, so that whole side of the house will get a fresh coat of paint.

When this happens, I don't know. But I feel properly compelled to get the show on the road.

I'll post soon, with pics, hopefully.

Friend leaving NOLA, citing healthier, safer city and good schools

Sigh.

Wishing her all the best.

Trying to sweep away those seasonal doubts about life here.

Paradise, at last

It so helps when you are beyond exhaustion and go on vacation. I'm so thoroughly immersed this year, and right into the swing of things. What I'm loving:

• Nighlty crabbing by flashlight with my daring darling. She showed up 2 pre-teens, picking up their sand crabs by paper plate. Who needs a plate, when you have speed and a sense of adventure?
• Daily clamming by the shore, sitting for hours with a swimsuit bottom heavy with sand, watching the diversity and plentitude of colorful clams washed ashore, digging voraciously before being captured and put in our buckets of sand and water. We've learned quite a bit about clam-atomy, and have 3 new shell field guides to help our explorations.
• "I swim." It's a good thing that we have Elliot's football-style suit that allows him to independently move about the pool. He won't let ANYONE hold him while in the pool, and insists that "I swim" sans help.
• Stolen moments with mom and dad and Aunt Gigi. For each of us.
• Virgin Pina Colada's and O'Douls Amber. I've never been so drunk with happiness(-;
• Baby bump in the sand...burying a hole, and lying on my "stomach" with no pressure on baby. Should I say, Baby boy?
• Playing with names for baby
• Pineapple Salsa after hours in the pool
• Not rushing anywhere, or having anything to distract me from time with my children. A perfect mother's day.
• Hands to help.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no better family vacation with little ones than a week at the beach. They are completely content, there's minimal schleping, nap time has never been easier, and there's no attraction to see, other than the light in a child's eyes when they see a fish, discover something about the ocean, or snuggle in your lap under a beach towel. I'm in love with my family, and grateful for this time. It feels like such a luxury.

Another Son!

As soon as the gel was applied and the mechanism was on my abdomen, we saw our son's "area" flashing prominently between two glowing white thighs! All this before the doctor could even ask if we wanted the baby's gender revealed. I'm not usually good at ultrasound interpretation, but this was so gloriously obvious!

And yes, all is well with mama too. No pre-term labor, no dilation. Whew!

Despite pining over little girls' dresses of late, the news of another son, developing well and healthy is wonderful news, and I've spent the morning smiling to myself, knowing just a little bit more about this mysterious little person I'll share my life with.

I'm grateful for the gift of this baby, of knowing a mother's love.

Fear Factor

I wore myself a little thin yesterday, and last night, during post-coital cuddling, found myself experiencing what I could only describe as labor pains: intense cramping at regular intervals, disappating then dramatically knocking me out again.

After a midnight 'neath the bed search for Sears' Pregnancy Book, we resorted to an online search, and most of what was out there suggested pre-term labor, and calling the doctor with cramps lasting longer than an hour. So I did my best to drift off to sleep, but the physical pain, and the emotional fear of losing this baby kept me awake and frightened.

Somewhere in there I managed to sleep.

Later today, when on my way to a meeting, I felt another kind of wierd pain. This after my ob informed me to relax. That it was probably nothing. And that I could ask Dr. Maupin to check on my cervix at the 20wk ultrasound on Wednesday.

I walked to this meeting in near tears. How could I talk about other things? Things that are supposed to be important, but at this point felt meaningless compared to these odd signals implying my baby's health and well-being? A quick call to Kevin helped, then the relief that my friend (and a social worker) showed up first for the meeting. For whatever reason, anything I hold close and private, I share so easily with her. It was reasuring, and I found myself less anxious.

Later when the ob called back and I explained the second set of feelings (vaginal clenching?) she suggested I get off my feet, and try to relax for the next day or so, until Dr. Maupin could give me some diagnostic info. That with this 3rd pregnancy, the likelihood of pre-term labor is minimal. That I probably just wore myself out.

So I wait. I've been looking forward to this ultrasound to determine baby's sex, and it was so comforting for me to be able to anticipate what mom's of typical children expect to hear and see. I'd honestly left behind many of my What Ifs. But they are back now. What's happening to my body? Am I just that much more in tune and sensitive? A friend has told me: I've heard this can happen after sex. Does anyone have a source or experience?

And how do I do the ludicrous: Just relax. For me, in the face of so many possibilities, how can I?

Jazz Fest

Kevin and I are off to Jazz Fest this morning with Jim, back from Guinea. It's very exciting.

I've been struggling with whether or not to take Ana. I'd love to see her boogie down, and see the sights.

Why do I struggle so much with just doing something for myself? I've had this plan to go alone or with friends today since last week, but then saw pics and heard stories of my friends with their kids at the fest, and had this longing to share the whole thing with Ana and Elliot. Even though I KNOW how much their presence will alter how long we go, how long we can actually sit and listen to anything, and our general ability to relax. And just thinking of bringing only Ana unleashes a lot of guilt, but Elliot is so into everything, and is so fast, it's non-stop running to keep up with him. Kevin and I have actually talked about those terrible kid-leashes that I loathe...but that, these days, would seem like a godsend. I'm scared to think of what he'd do at the Fest. And no, we're not getting the leash thing.

I feel I need to justify--last week, we went to Zoo to Do. Now THAT was a fest for kids. And next week, we'll go to the beach, and honor their every whim. But honestly, that shouldn't matter.

Mama's gonna go to Jazz Fest alone today, ok kids? I promise not to have too much fun.

19 weeks

We had our monthly check up today.

Mother and baby are fine. Our stats:

• I gained 4 lbs since last month
• 157 beats per minute
• Fundus to top of uterus measuring 19.5/20. Makes me wonder if due date is wrong?
• Blood pressure 120/80

Good news: I've got my appetite back, am feeling more energetic, and am excited about the preganancy. Yay! Feeling normal, and enjoying all those kicks! There are lots of them.

Ana's nickname for baby: Weino.

One of our current favs: Lucy and Emile.

Next week, we're back to the perinatalogist for the ultrasound determining baby's sex.