she is a pistol

In the big sister department, Scarlett is the tops. She looks at little Ens and just wants to hug and kiss him all the time. She often offers him her sippy cup or whatever delectable meal she is enjoying. She loves to help by throwing away diapers and pushing the stroller. She does not get jealous when storytime is interupted by his fervent "feed me" cry or when he gets carried and she has to walk. Ensley could not ask for a better big sister.
But she does seem to be needing me a bit more than she used to. I hear her crying out "Help peeeeeeze!" so frequently that today I couldn't even remember why I taught it to her. Sometimes I have to remind her that she can do it herself. She has discovered that when she does not get her way, she can do more than just scream (a favorite tactic) and has added in throwing her body prostrate and kicking her little feet. One of her new favorite phrases is "no Daddy" and I've caught her practicing her scowl in the mirror more than once. She knows what she wants and she has unyielding determination to accomplish her goals.
One day, I will admire those traits in her.
One day...

Twice the everything

Life has certainly changed these past few weeks! A few of my observations:

I am back to carrying a purse AND a diaper bag. And no, its not a small purse.
I will never be on time to anything ever again.
I can never rewear anything--everything either has poop, puke or applesauce on it.
I have no idea what is going on in the world, but I did notice the guy from Blue's Clues got a haircut.
Two children screaming at one time while I am making dinner makes waterboarding seem like a relaxing spa treatment.
I find myself spending alarming amounts of time pondering shades of poo.
I fantasize about sleeping. Just sleeping.
I can carry amazing amounts of things-babies, strollers, bags and kicking toddlers all at once.
I used to saok in the tub so long I would have to drain off some water to refill it with warmer water. While I no longer enjoy these leisurely soaks, I often have to drain and replace bathwater--for much more sinister reasons.

So many things have changed I have been feeling like I can hardly keep up with my own life! But when Scarlett says "hug mama" and wraps her arms around me or Ensley looks up at me and smiles so big he dribbles milk, I am grateful for every second. Life before kids may have been simpler at times, but I can not imagine doing anything more important than being Scarlett and Ensley's mom.
And in the really hard moments, this is my mantra:
“I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” - Psalm 92:4

He's here!

Three weeks ago today, Ensley Samuel Smith made his much-anticipated appearance! Life has not been the same for a single moment afterwards, and I am loving every minute of it. He is very handsome, and already has graced us with several smiles that might not be gas induced. He astounds me every day with just how precious he is. I feel like he is growing like a weed--he has actually outgrown an outfit! I am treasuring every second of this though, as I know understand how fast it truly is. Sometimes I just snuggle him in my arms and thank God for this miracle. Even on the days where I think about sleep more than I actually do it (he started off great, but has recently become nocturnal) and even when I find poop on my arm (his-not mine) and puke in my hair and he has again sprang a leak as soon as I open the diaper and hits his own face and Scarlett's shoes (has happened more than once) and even when he is fussing and I have to blog one-handed, even then, I know how blessed I am to be his Mommy. For more cute photos, check out my mom's handiwork.

Its a blow-out

Yes, still pregnant. One of the only good things about being overdue is the look of horror that crosses many faces when they ask me when I am due and I tell them last week. Especially men look at me nervously as if I might birth my child right there in front of them. Oh yeah, another big advantage is that Nate is still spoiling me...he has taken me out to two really nice dinners and last night took me out to hear the BSO perform the world premier of "The Dead Symphony no. 6." I never would have guessed how well Dead tunes translate to symphonic music! Not only was the music great, but it was a much more interesting crowd than the usual symphonies!
There are some downsides, don't get me wrong. If I am pregnant any longer, I might have to get mechanical help exiting the car. Also I can not call anyone anymore because they automatically assume I am calling to tell them I am in labor. Plus more than one person has begun to call me "Cankles" (you are cruel people). But we are managing...I think people are right about this guy realizing that it is too stinkin' hot to come out now! Just say a little prayer for us!

insomnia

Well, as it is just past midnight, I suppose I am officially overdue. The boy did not come today, as was expected, and for the moment he seems content to remain in utero. I am glad that someone is content.
Much to my husband's chagrin, I hate suspense and anticipation and suddenly I find myself mired in it. So much so that it is past midnight and I am blogging rather than getting much needed sleep. I have tried all of the stupid tricks that can sometimes cure my insomnia, but none have worked. Well except for the ones I can't try, like Theraflu...
Of course I don't fail to recognize the irony--one day very soon I will be so sleep deprived that I could fall asleep with my eyes open. But now sleep eludes me. I just can't wait to see his little face. I keep wondering, what will he look like? Will he look like his sister did? Will he look like me, or like his father? Will he be a good sleeper? Will he be easy-going and easily amused or will he require much cajoling and arranging?
More than anything, I just want things to happen. I just want to be finished waiting--even if that means plunging headfirst into chaos I am ready to start it up. Do you hear that little guy? Aren't you tired of being cooped up in there?
My powers of persuasion are lost on him.
And by the way, is it possible for feet to swell to the point that they burst like an over-inflated balloon, because I am starting to be concerned...

Hot as blazes!

It was another hot one today...
My parents and siblings came out to check out my new digs and we trecked all over to take in the sights. It was fun showing off the place and it was even better to relax and enjoy the day with them. My favorite part was when Scarlett mounted the shiny metal playground equipment and promptly reported to us "hot." We are no dummies, that's why we were sitting in the shade!
While Scarlett and I enjoyed out evening stroll, a little old lady chastised me for being pregnant in such heat. She let me know in no uncertain terms that in her day they had enough sense to stay in and keep their feet up. In her day they would not have accepted such foolishness. Just to be sure she had imparted every bit of wisdom she had, she also advised me that Scarlett needed her bangs trimmed.
Luckily for her, I get milder when the weather is this hot. The fiery side of me really wanted to advise her that her chin hairs were also in need of a trim. And that in my day we do not wear floral slippers as out-on-the-town wear.
Anyway Scarlett gave Mrs. Oldy McGuinty one of her dirtiest looks (and she's got some dirties) and I think that was message enough!
What is it about a pregnant belly that invites the advice of others anyway?

Its the little things

Well life has been a dizzying tumoult of change of recent!
There has been so much excitement and drama that I can honestly say that I have not been bored for a single moment in my recent memory.
We are in our new home and settling into the neighborhood. I am practicing becoming a real Baltimorian by calling everyone "Hon." I love that I can walk to just about anything I need and that I already know my neighbors. My little trellised oasis of roses in our back alley is one of my favorite places in the world now!
But it hasn't been exactly easy. Nate and I don't argue much. Or maybe I should say, we didn't argue much. Luckily we still love eachother as much--even when the other person is being crabby.
And six days after moving in, we had to put our kitchen remodel on hold (not before it was rendered unuseable of course...) because the bathroom floor had to be ripped out and replaced entirely. Luckily my handy husband and hardworking father-in-law dedicated their last two weekends to getting that problem fixed. I swore I wasn't going to complain, but after two weeks of being 8 months pregnant and having no flushing toilet in my home, I gave the "I've been a martyr" speech. Oh well, I tried.
But now there is a lovely new tile floor and fabulous flushing toilet. It is brand new and does not have any of the yucky-previous-owner germs. Plus, I did not crash through the floor while taking care of business in the bathroom, which was definitely going to happen if Nate had not taken care of the rotton floor problem.
All in all I have to say that I am a lucky girl!