What's different this time around?

It's Baby #4 and there's not much that's new or different in the world of pregnancies and waiting for the baby's arrival. Aside from the more snazzier strollers with a more expensive price tag, and a video baby monitor, there's not much new in the world of babies. It still take 9.5 months for the baby to cook to term before it makes its appearance (hopefully, Aisling's early arrival notwithstanding), they still come out naked and yelling, they still need to be potty-trained at some point in the future, and their major interests in the early months are sleeping and feeding. With respect to the gestational period, the miracle still hasn't occurred whereby the make partner can carry the fetus, so it's still us women who get big and clumsy over a period of time and then bring forth the child.
So is there anything different about this pregnancy for me? The excitement of Baby #4's siblings as they eagerly await the season of snow, Santa Claus and baby's arrival. When we were expecting Ceilidh, Devlin was only two years old. He really had no concept of what was happening other than Mummy's belly was getting bigger. Although we tried to explain the pending arrival with books and visits with other families with little babies, it was lost on him.  Then one day, he awoke to find Halmuhnee and Habagee in the kitchen and Mommy and Daddy gone to the hospital.  When he was introduced to the new baby, he was less than enthralled and asked to return to the hospital lobby to look at the birds and fish.

He soon learned this small bundle was going to wreak havoc on his life though. There was more sharing of Mommy's attention and time, and the house became noisier. Quickly, he became Daddy's little shadow.

Aisling's early arrival threw us all for a loop.  For one, Mommy was on modified bed rest before Aisling was born. That meant Mommy could no longer lift or carry Ceilidh or Devlin. There were also some days Mommy had to spend at the hospital. So evenings were spent sitting on the hospital bed watching Treehouse. Then once Aisling arrived, she didn't come home with Mommy right away. Aisling had to spend an extra week at the hospital so both Devlin and Ceilidh met and bonded with their new sister in the special care nursery, surrounded by other tiny babies. When Aisling finally arrived home, she was greeted with such delight.

This time, Devlin and Ceilidh are well aware of Mommy's pregnancy and the impending arrival of Baby #4. Even Aisling is excited, although she is impatient at the thought of waiting until winter to meet the baby. While Ceilidh has voiced her desire for a puppy, she has more or less resigned herself to the idea of a new baby instead. All three are rooting for a brother. The ultrasound picture was pored over by all three who wanted to know when, when, when was the baby coming? In the evenings, both Devlin and Aisling enjoy rubbing my belly. Aisling is always asking where the baby's face is so she can kiss that portion of the tummy. She is also very intrigued with my "outie" belly button and tries to push it back in. The other night, Devlin felt the baby's kick against his hand, and his eyes went round with wonderment.
When asked what she will do when the baby comes out, Aisling has declared she will push the stroller. None of the monkeys have volunteered to assist with diaper changes but would like the baby to sleep in the bunk bed with them. While Ceilidh had her heart set on a puppy, I know she will be the one most interested in rocking and singing to the baby since she tends to be a nurturer. Aisling, I fear, will likely rouse the baby with her high volume lullabies.
The discomforts of pregnancy are the same for this baby as they've been for all the others. The stretch marks are appearing and will probably never fade. Every day, I feel a little bit more awkward in my gait. I still hate the diabetic diet I'm on, and lust for freshly baked white bread. But I am enjoying this last pregnancy, revelling in every kick and poke Baby #4 delivers. While I can't wait for this baby to makes its appearance, I am trying to savour this last time I will carry another life inside of me (at least that's the plan). Mostly, I am enjoying watching my other monkeys eagerly anticipate the arrival of their new sibling. I am trying my best to dodge the questions of how baby #4 will come out of me, and how Mommy knew she was having another baby, and instead diverting their attention to another somersault by the baby.

Back to Work Blues

I've been on vacation for two and half weeks. It was hectic and relaxing at the same time.


Now I'm back at work, and not enjoying it at all.

I spent last week getting the kids back into the routine of school. Getting up earlier, packing their lunches, getting the kids out of bed earlier, re-instituting the after-school routines of homework, piano practice, small snack, dinner, playtime, and going to bed earlier. I also spent some time packing away outgrown summer clothing and shoes, purchasing bigger items for the growing munchkins, preparing baked goodies for lunches and mentally preparing myself for the return to work.

I should have known it was a wasted effort when Aisling began to stir at 6a.m. and not letting me leave her side for a work out. I sneaked out of bed at 6:30 to exercise. Twenty minutes later, I heard the not-so-gentle pitter patter of two pairs of feet scrambling around upstairs. After my work out, I entered the living room to witness Ceilidh and Aisling grappling over a Barbie doll, and using their legs to lick and push each other off the couch. There are a gazillion Barbie dolls in the house, and yet both girls had to lay claims to the same one. The whining ensued. Ceilidh was given her standard 3 count warning. She ended up in a time-out before 7:15 am - a record in our household. While she whined and griped even more, I prepared the lunches. Daddy took over the time-out so I could get ready for work. I tried to rouse Devlin before I hit the shower. He was NOT happy. By the time I was getting dressed, I could hear Devlin crying about not going to school. Daddy left, after having no success at calming him down.
I was in the middle of pouring coffee when Aisling decided to start crying. Clinging to my leg, she demanded I stay home. Devlin added to the chorus. Ceilidh, meanwhile having had her attitude adjusted, was eating her breakfast calmly.
It took me an extra seven minutes to soothe Aisling enough so I could detach myself from her, and another 5 minutes to reason with Devlin.
Traffic wasn't too bad. The only positive to my morning.
Then I got to work. It took 25 minutes to clear out the emails. Then I confronted my court list. It's 4:30pm and we're on our afternoon recess. I don't think I'm making it home before 6pm. The girls have gymnastics tonight. There's a pile of laundry to be done.
At least dinner was going to be easy - pizza muffins that Daddy can prepare. I've road-mapped out where the ingredients can be located.
I'm NOT enjoying my first day back at work.