ste_noni

We left home at 3:50 this morning and headed to the airport. Overlooking the very early hour, the flight was awesome. JetBlue is my new favorite airline. There was free DirectTV, plenty of legroom, great snack options, we left and took off on time, and (this was just luck) the plane was practically empty. Ellie slept basically the entire flight to Orlando. From there, we switched over the Southwest which was no big deal because we had not luggage. The 2.5 hour layover was a bit of a pain with a two years old (2 accidents, which is rare; I got gum on my pants; the "fruit salad and yogurt" was about 1/8 of a cup of yogurt plus those orange and green melons with 1 bit of pineapple and 1 strawberry) but once we got on the plane, things were good. We sat next to an 80 year old woman who chose to sit by us, she said, because she thought I needed someone helpful to sit with. She totally bossed the flight attendants around (who were very sweet) and had them bringing me extra pillows, snacks, and water. Ellie spent the first 2 hours snacking and watching movies on her iPod. She was crabby for about 5 minutes and then napped for the past hour.

So, we are now at my parents' house. There is snow on the ground! Ellie had a great time playing with the snow already. She looks so cute in a jacket, pants, hat, and gloves!. I'm not used to seeing her with so many clothes on. Anyway, we made it and now vacation can begin! Baby can come any time he wants!

I'm at 34 weeks as of today and had my most recent appointment last Thursday.  I now weigh 212 lbs, which is a bit depressing, but within the range for where I started at.  The baby is growing and about the size he should be.  When Ellie heard the heartbeat, she said, "That Ellie's baby brother!" which was pretty cute.  I'm supposed to have another ultrasound next week just to be sure that the baby is properly positioned.  (This confuses me - the midwife says he still might change positions in the next few weeks, so I'm not sure what they are checking for, but no complaints here.)

I am totally counting down the days until I'm done working (about 20).  This week will be 3 days only, then a 4 day week, then two five day weeks.  I need to get moving on the dogs' flight to New Mexico as that date is coming very soon. 

I think I've decided to stay in New Mexico until the end of Feb and then come home.  I'll have just over 2 weeks at home which isn't a lot but I feel happy with that decision.

My parents are here until Thursday.  It's nice having them around and being done with all the festivities.  My mom helped me take down the tree today and put away all the Christmas decorations.  It's a bit sooner than normal but the tree was *very* dry and the trash men came today.  If not today, we would have had to wait an entire week to have the tree taken away.  Now I just have to find a place for all Ellie's presents.  I'm hoping to get my bags packed for New Mexico by Tuesday so my parents can take them with them.  Ellie's clothes are mostly already in New Mexico (they just stayed in October since the weather is so different here and there) so I just have to send the baby stuff, winter maternity stuff, and post-baby stuff.)

One cool thing about this stage of pregnancy with this baby.  It often feels like he's trying to push his way out the side or top or something.  He moves around a lot and I've really been able to feel distinct body parts this week.  Last night, I'm certain that I was putting my hand arund his little butt/back.  Very hard and way to big for an appendage.

Ellie and my dad are on a plane in Houston right now, waiting to take off and come back to Puerto Rico.  Overall, this trip has been a total success.  My parents loved having Ellie there, she apparently loved being there, and Joe and I really enjoyed the break from parenting.  Also, it seems that Ellie made excellent progress towards sleeping through the night without nursing and we are going to try very hard to maintain that once she gets home.  We have all joked that home will seem boring after visiting Grandma and Grandpa, but my mom also says Ellie is really looking forward to seeing us.

It's weird - I had major misgivings about going from "never spent a night away from mom" to a week away, but it did not appear to bother her at all.  According to my mother, there was no "adjustment" phase or any crying about missing us.  As for me, well,, leaving her at the airport was very hard, but this entire week, I was very happy to know that she was having fun and trying new things.  The first two days were the hardest, but then it got easier.

I think we will try to make this a bi-yearly event - although not next spring because we will be visiting my parents in February when the baby comes and then in May/June while Joe is in Washington.  Still, it's nice to have a small break and know with certainty that Ellie is enjoying herself and being well cared for.

I did have a few insights due to her absence.  First, I knew this, but having a child is the reason our house is always a mess.  It makes me feel better to know that I can still keep a house organized and clean, but that it is the little tornado living here that makes it impossible.  It's not just that she makes messes, but caring for her takes up that time that I might otherwise use to just straighten up.

Second, being pregnant is not what it wearing me down - it is being pregnant and caring for Ellie while working full time.  I think I could do two of the three just fine, but it's that third one that means I'm exhausted at the end of the day.

Third, I was always one of those people who thought of my dogs as kids.  I have no problem with people who refer to their dogs as their kids and I can see why they do it.  However, it really hit me this week, when we had just dogs and no kid, that dogs are about a thousand times easier than kids.  You walk them, feed them, and pet them occasionally, and they are happy.   And if you want to run out for dinner or to get coffee or something, they just stay at the house.

Finally, before Ellie left, she was nursing basically just at bedtime/naptime and if she woke in the night (which happened maybe 3 nights a week).  I was very sore from nursing while pregnant and there's no milk left.  Also, my brain knows that Ellie will like her baby brother better if she's not still nursing when he comes.  Despite all that, my heart is a little bit sad that I may have nursed her for the last time.  I guess I should focus on being glad that we got to nurse for two and a half years.  When we started, I had absolutely no idea how much it would mean to me.  I thought about it a lot the week before she left, so it's not like it's unexpected for me.  I didn't talk to Ellie about it, which I now regret, but I didn't think about it after she left.  Still, my mom said she didn't ask to nurse when I wasn't there and Joe is going to take over bedtime for a week or two here.  I'm hoping it's just me that will have to make the emotional adjustment and that Ellie is ready.  If she's just not ready, she can still nurse, but I'd like to avoid that. 

Well, my dad just called - the plane is due to take off in a few minutes.  Oh the coolest part of their return trip - because of my job, I have a airport ID badge that I've never used but it's supposed to let me in anywhere in the airport.  So, Joe and I are going to try to meet them at the gate.  I can't wait to see her!

[x-post with Ellie's blog because I'm lazy]

Highlights from our trip so far:

( The flight here )

( Our time in Denver/Boulder )

( The drive to New Mexico to see my parents )

( Our visit so far )

I could write an entire post about the weather here, but I will try to restrain myself. The sun has been warm, but not hot. The air has been crisp and clear. Yes, there has been rain, but it’s been a wonderful cold rain that was snow at high elevations. Everywhere I look, there are beautiful golden and red trees. Ellie and have both been wearing warm jackets and sweaters and it’s been wonderful.