#1 vs #2

My first pregnancy was a journey of amazement carefully calculated into to a blog as I embraced each little change as the weeks went by. Second time around, heh.
1.  Holy crap you grow sooo much faster. I swear my belly button has been sticking out since week 9 and I look about a month further along versus last time's pictures.
2. I was meticulous with my bi monthly photo shoot of the belly, I've taken one so far.
3.  On the same ticket, I got my maternity clothes out at 14ish weeks, compared to 17 last time.
4. How far along are you? I am usually in a 2 week range of guessing the number, but I have to rely on the OB to give me the exact number of weeks.
5.  I found out super early, at 3 weeks along.  So I had to stop imbibing in adult beverages much sooner than before.
6. I felt super sick at 6 weeks, but that is all.  Other than being tired, I had no other major indications of being pregnant early on, which terrified me.
7. Forbidden foods.  What are they? I have been eating the heck out of lunch meat, feta cheese, and even licked a batter bowl clean the other day.
8.  Coffee.  I have a 18 month old to chase around, I ain't giving that up this time. ( I only drink a cup anyway, so it really isn't a big deal.)
9.  Running and exercising.  I ran a half marathon at 11 weeks, ran a 8:38 mile last week, still do push ups and jumping jacks. I will do all of these activities until I feel like my baby will fall out.
10.  I knew that was the baby moving at 14 weeks, not just gas!

Harness the Power

My husband and I are avid runners. We love to tie on the running shoes, trot out the door, and spend upwards of 2 hours pounding the pavement.  Should I have expected my child to be ANY different?? 
Well, there is a difference in our adult 'controlled' running, and the frantic bolting towards whatever shiny object catches my son's interest at the time.  Last week, the ocean, a frigid 60 some odd degrees, and my son plowing head first into the frothy water.  The other day, the park, my sprinter took off towards the tennis courts, meandering precariously close to the busy street. Yesterday, the store, off like a shot, with visions of kidnappers and such flashing in my mind, THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!  I have tried making a game of it for him to chase me, calling his name increasingly louder, running after him, snatching him up, and giving him a 'mommy's not very happy' face, and even ignoring him, in safe areas only.  Some work, most often they do not.  Where do I turn? My ever insightful Internet google.  We are going through a phase, (no shit) and it will pass as long as I am consistent about hand holding, streets are dangerous, etc. (another no shit).  Alternative method: the harness.  They may work for some of you, but not for me.  Leashes are for my dog, and I don't even use that all the time anyway.  I am not here to offend you leash users, but there is something about those harness contraptions that scream I cannot control my child, and I'd rather have a little one protesting loudly from a stroller than to strap on a fuzzy dog backpack and a leash to my child. In the meantime, my mantra for the next few years will remain, "this is just a phase".....     

Bolting towards the sea.

Role Reversal

If I could physically stand to take a week's vacation alone, I desperately need it. Yet we know that could never happen due to fundage, logic, and the sheer thought of not seeing my little guy for even one day is nuts. In my mind however, I would love to see how my husband would fare while I was away.  I must reassure you that he is still an awesome husband; who is great and loving with our son, helps out around the house, and puts up with my ever-changing demeanor.  However, I feel that we are developing a persona of good and bad cop here. Luckily, my spouse is not deployable at this time, and is actually home more than he ever has been in the 10 years we have been together, which is a true blessing, especially knowing so many other gals whose hubbys have been gone for so long. But I am still gonna rant here, cause that's what wives do. 
By the time my husband gets home in the late afternoon, my child has usually hit his "totally over it all" phase of the day and we are both pretty sick of one another. In swoops super dad.  Who comes in and steals all the giggles, undoes my entire day's worth of teaching our son to pick up his toys and feed himself, and ruins dinner by giving him a unnecessary snack or 3.  Lord knows I don't want to be a nag, but I get a bit frustrated with the role of the spoiler he gets to take on, while I am the mean mommy who is trying to keep the routine intact. What if he had been the one at home all day, chasing a child to change his diaper, coaxing him to eat properly, and picking up the trail of destruction for the millionth time that afternoon?  All the while still trying to clean up the dishes from last night's dinner, avoid the sticky milk spots on the floor, load the washer one more time, and remember to eat.  Mother's day does come but once a year, but I feel that all mothers should get a few days off so that the spouse could truly take over and feel how much of an impact that we have on the smooth running of the house.  

Remember This When You Aren't a Young Parent Anymore

This is a note to myself in the distant future; when the fear of airports, groceries, Dr. offices, and even just lines in general is not an everyday burden or thought as to when (not if) my child will melt down.  I have recently come to notice the kindness of folks who have been in the trenches before me, it may have been 20 or more years since they had a child as young as mine, but they must recall how terrifying it is to have you child act up when the grocery line is longer than the cup of cereal that you brought. On a solo plane trip last month, a feat on its own with a toddler, I sat next to the nicest man, who immediately reacted as a distractor when my son became bored with the 2 hour flight.  By the end of it, my little charmer was in this guy's lap, sharing his prepackaged flight food and gazing out the window.  Last week at the commissary, the line was going to be at least 20 minutes (NEVER go the Friday before a holiday, duh), and we were due for lunch and a nap during this wait time.  The man in line behind me and the lady in front, tag teamed as additional entertainment, when the snack cup was repeatedly thrown at my head and I was contemplating putting the frozen items away and jetting off. I know we live in a world of 'stranger danger' and lord knows my child has none the slightest fear of strangers, both of which should terrify me. Yet, I find that the kindness of these folks is a blessing, where I know they were once in my shoes or can possibly smell the fear emanating off of me as they choose to help out.  I just can't say that I find these folks as scary or annoying, just a godsend in a time when we are at our most harried. This I want to pay forward.  

Here We Go Again

How we dropped the bomb

3 tests and 14 weeks in, I suppose I can actually embrace the fact that I am going to be the mom of 2! The initial, "What the hell was I Thinking?!" of having 2 under the age of 2.5 is starting to fade as I am convincing myself that the second time around HAS to be easier, right?.  Ask me again in September, if I am coherent.