Birthday

Happy 10th Birthday, my sweet Case!

 I admit, this one was a blur.  I know I brought cupcakes to school, but I can't begin to remember how I got them there.

 I also don't know why you are wearing your Link costume.  Was it costume day at school?  (Side note: thank you for wanting to wear your Link costume for a third year, because getting pants on every day is still a big deal for me and I know I could never have come up with something new.)

The penguin run did delight you.  I cursed the Amazon reviews that failed to mention the incessant squeaking. 

 It has been a very different couple weeks, with too much change and too many electronic babysitters making you crazy.  But you seem happy and we love you.

Sleepy

So I've been busy of late

Still overwhelmed beyond descriptions punctuation grammar.  Facts are easier.  Arrived at the hospital at 0500.  People in surgical waiting room asked when I was due, and we joyfully answered Today!  They celebrated with us and promised to listen for your song.

 0759 on October 11th.  Had intended to watch the surgery but was very nauseous.  Crazy yanking and pulling then incredible pressure and they held up a round red dark-haired little girl up over the drape.

 They played Twinkle Little Star just for you over the hospital loudspeakers and I laughed on the surgical table when they came back announced your weight 10 pounds 2.7 oz. 

The required minimum 48 hours and we all but ran home.  I'm so glad you are here.

Sail!

We took our second sailing lesson.  The wind was a little calmer and we slightly knew what we were doing, making this trip out easier.  Marc is terrific (and handsome) as captain.

I was an awkward and ungainly first mate, and was unable to find a life jacket to encompass my 36 week girth.  It sat on top of my belly, standing up around my neck and nearly covering my ears.  So no good belly pictures of me on the boat, you will have to make do with this one of me swimming afterwards:

Patriot

Case loves a good parade, flags (someone kindly gave him two for maximum waving powers), and the Star Spangled Banner, so the September 11th parade is his kind of morning.  I am touched by how much joy, hope and love these kids show. 

Misirlou

 Kind of an old picture (January) but every time it comes up on my slideshow it cracks me up.  It looks like he's ready to play bass for Dick Dale. 

I'm on a boat!

After a busy summer full of exercise after exercise, Marc is finally home and took this last week off of work.  It was terrific.  We celebrated by dropping the boy off at school and taking a sailing lesson.  Thank you government sponsored child care; I can not possibly take care of that lunatic every single second. 

 Our ship was a Rhodes 19, a fun little boat full of yar and other nautical terms.  I was unprepared for how very very complicated sailing is.  Ropes everywhere.  You turn one way to go the other.  If you are nervous about something there is no good way to do it really slowly.  And I was only in charge of the jib. 

But it was a lot of fun, even if the life vest does fit me rather bizarrely.  It was beautiful and blue.  You are constantly creating a breeze, so it's never too hot.  There were lots of turtles out, and in a sail boat you sometimes sneak up on them causing a terrific startle reaction.  Our next lesson is in a couple weeks.  Hopefully we will maintain our zero collision rating.

Bowling

  Our latest bowling trip had Case practicing with actually throwing the ball instead of using the ramp.  It was . . a little rough.

I'm glad we are not using pristine lanes. 

Did you ever see Uncle Buck?  Images from the movie, with the ball creeping down the lane to kiss gently against the pin and stop, played through my head continually.

I think he had a good time :)

30 Weeks

I'm not too puffy yet, but I am hot ALL the time.  I am in desperate need of a haircut because my hair is growing like crazy.  Little girl is swimming and swishing around all the time, but has mostly stopped laying sideways.  I bump into everything and yoga has become ridiculous.  No more walking to school for me; too many contractions.  When we are playing I remind Case to be gentle, and he sagely responds "be nice to baby sister."

10 more weeks seems impossibly long; and disturbingly close.

First day of school

My giant 3rd grader!  He went back to school today, which really wasn't that big a stretch due to summer school running for all but a few weeks.  He has a sharp new haircut, new uniforms with the seams glued down to (hopefully) prevent anxiety picking, and new shoes that fit two weeks ago when we bought them and already need replacing within another couple weeks (no jokes, he can't get them on by himself anymore.)  He is 54 1/2 inches tall and will probably be taller than that by the time I hit "publish."

We are very lucky to have the same skills trainer, Mr. Mike, and the same special needs teacher joining us again this year.  That will certainly ease the transition.  New mainstream class, but a lot of the same students from last year.  He has worked so hard this summer, I hope it shows.

Tidepools

 Tidepools again this weekend.  The weather was perfect, a deceiving lull before the horrors that awaited us the next day with Tropical Storm Flossie.

 Case experimented with what it was like to be a hermit crab after carefully feeling the bottom of a few divots to make sure they were nice and smooth.

Beach

Wish you were here.

Tooth

 Why so triumphant?

 He has been trying to get rid of this tooth for the longest time.

But it was very small and hard to get to, and mom is USELESS about this sort of thing.

Workout

 What happens when you are a jerk at school and your crossfit enthusiast mom hears all about it from your one on one?

 You go home and suffer.  Especially when your parents just acquired a fancy-pants new squat rack. 

That warm glow of accomplishment sure feels great though.  Or maybe that is the heat stroke.

Independence Day

Independence Day WOD: 10 rounds for time of 45m sprint (to end of the alley), 45m walking lunges, then 90m farmers walk (90lbs.)

 Feel free to scale the weight, or wear a helmet. Also take a walk with mom in the middle if you need a break.

Finish up with some OT if Mom thinks you need it.

We followed this with a trip to the practically empty zoo (followed by nap).

And that evening, lots and lots of fireworks, accompanied by delicious bbq plate lunch.

Case thought this was wonderful.  As you can see, he has been really excited about the fireworks, enough to write about it at school.

Ziggy Stardust

(Personally, I prefer the Thin White Duke period from a few years later.)