Thursday, February 28, 2013

February wrap up

It's seasonal slump time, where you just slog through and face each day with resignation. At some point it gets warm and the sidewalks are clear and life returns, but until that time autopilot is the name of the game. So, not too much to report on, or any plans for that to change soon. Henri and I did stop by Petsmart the other day to check out the fish, and I think that will become part of our routine as it was a huge hit. We've also been baking together a lot, and while the kitchen is a perpetual mess, she loves the sensory play (and adding salt to everything) and it's been a lot of fun. Sampling the finished goods isn't too bad, either :) I've finally started feeling better, just tired easily, so that's a relief. I still haven't gained a pound but lately I've been ravenous, so I expect that to change soon. There have been a few more babies born, and while my numbers are still low I'm starting to get a feel for things. Clinic days remain my favorite, and I'm going to really miss my clients when I move on.
On a fun note, Henri's imaginative play has kicked in to overdrive, and it's pretty funny to hear what she's thinking. Lately she's been all about dinosaurs (no idea where that came from) and last night she was pretending a piece of her chicken was a dino head that was eating the rest of her meal. Playing with your food is not something I'd normally encourage, but it keeps us very entertained. Nothing coming up that I'm aware of, so March will probably just be a lot of shift work.

Getting in to her work

She was absorbed for a solid hour

A bit of imported spring

We went to Maine for the night. Henri loved the big bed...

...to jump on. Vacation with children is not the same :)

Headed to the beach in the morning. Temp was in the teens and the wind was 40mph

H just buried her face in my shoulder and begged for the car. Not a great beach day
Washing the sand off

Coming back from our short-lived ocean trip

Her hair is usually up in "ponies" now

So, no weight gain, but the bump is a bit large. 17 weeks today.

A great package came from Aunt Carol and Uncle Tim. So cute!

How my morning started. Cream of Wheat spit all over the kitchen while H made her plane noises, and the bowl dumped on the floor when she decided to try flying with her arms. Note the very unrepentant look.
So, pretty typical winter weeks. Hope to have some outings to report soon so you're not totally bored reading this :)

Monday, February 11, 2013

Snow stuff and how we all survived

Greetings! As you might have heard, the weather man was right for the first time since I've moved to MA and we finally got some snow. Not quite the "blizzard from which we are all going to die and never recover" like they tried to make it seem, but snow enough to keep Steve busy shoveling for a day and Henri giddy with joy. I did not participate in any of the festivities, since I was at the hospital/birth center from Friday at noon until Sunday morning. During that time I had 2 births, triaged and managed an additional 4 labors, sat with a woman for literally 24 hours during her labor and birth, and got 4 hours of sleep total. I will not say I had the worst end of the bargain, but I will say that the highlight of my time was the french fries in the cafeteria and I'd left some amazing meals behind for the family.....Anyway, we all survived, Henri had a wonderful time with her dad, and she clearly didn't miss me too much because she was thrilled to head to school today and casually asked when I'd be headed to work (tonight for a 12, if you're curious as well).

The week before Henri and I made a quick trip to Vermont to see Dustin and Katie. (Side note: on the trip I mentioned we were now in VT and Henri made the connection that is where Papa lives. Ask her where Papa lives, her pronunciation of Vermont is almost as cute as her one of Massachusetts ("where does Daddy live?")). Henri is really a great traveling child. She doesn't like her new car seat too much, but she only complains when it's been a really long trip. She slept the first 2 hours, we stopped for a walk break, and then we sang and chatted the rest of the way home. She reads books to herself, tells me about her day or what she's seeing out the window....it's fun. And Dustin is adorable and  happy unless he's hungry or tired, in which case he just eats or sleeps and is happy again. Henri showed minimal interest in him, didn't care when I held him, and spent her time harassing Anna. I love the dynamic between the two of them. Anna's attitude towards H is very much what mine was towards her at that age; barely tolerant. Henri's is the same as Anna's was: entitled. So Henri spends her time assuming Anna will do as she wishes and Anna finds herself doing what Henri wants. It's nice payback, and a great break for me. Also very effective birth control for Anna should she ever have thoughts of wanting her own child :)

There's been little time in the past month for us as a family, and we all have a long weekend coming up with no obligations (that I'm aware of) scheduled. We haven't booked anything, but I think we might take a quick trip up to Maine for a night. I'm hoping for a heated pool, Henri would love some beach time (even if it's below zero) and a family time away from home responsibilities would be lovely. Maybe we'll just talk about it and get the fun from that without the financial commitment :)

He's already had one haircut :)

"Helping" her favorite person

Love all his expressions

Chatting with Aunt Anna

Something was funny


He's just a love bug

Henri taking over Anna's room; her phone, her music, her stuffed animals, her bed....

Snow starting to fall on Friday

Clearly not all the time was spent on shoveling....

Saturday morning

After some work and help from the neighbors snow blower

Lots of drifts
Bedtime stories

Toddler fashion

Biggest pregnancy craving so far. I bought this Thursday, and this was taken Sunday night after me being gone all weekend...I put it on everything and it helps with heartburn. Can't do yogurt because then I hurt, but hot sauce (and yes, I've drunk it straight from the bottle) is soothing. Kids do really weird things to you.
Not much else on tap for a bit. Just putting in a lot of time at the hospital, lots of projects that suddenly really need to get done now, the usual home stuff, finishing up a hat for a client, doctors appt tomorrow (I can feel my uterine fundus!, lol), perusing Pinterest for valentine's ideas for Henri's classmates.....Hope you all enjoyed the snow as much as we did, and that you're staying safe in this freezing rain we're getting now. :)