Summer Vacation and Silver Lining ... by Liimu

Ah....the honeymoon period. I am officially at the end of the 2nd trimester as I will be 13 weeks tomorrow. As a result, I have only the slightest lingering nausea and only the fatigue associated with having three small children and carrying around an extra 20 pounds. (Yep, you heard me...I gain a lot of weight when I'm preggo. What can I say?)

So, last week was our family vacation to Sea Isle. It was idyllic. We had gorgeous views of the ocean and bay and were renting a house right across from the beach. The kids had a fantastic time, especially the times we went to the boardwalk. I had remembered that there were certain rides you couldn't go on when pregnant. I hadn't realized it was pretty much ALL of them. In fact, here's a picture of the only ride I could go on without going against the posted warnings.

Despite my limitations, I had a great time. It was relaxing, the weather was hot and sunny, I had an adorable maternity bathing suit I got from Target right before we left, my family was getting along like something out of a Disney movie, and I didn't even have to work (...much). Then, my skin started breaking out. Bad. I was like, COME ON. I've already dealt with lost weekends where all I can do is eat and sleep (okay - that probably doesn't sound so bad to those of you who haven't experienced morning sickness before, but trust me - it's not the life of leisure it sounds like). I feel HUGE, even compared to women who are due in a month or two. Now I have to deal with this? Fortunately, I frequent the BabyCenter bulletin boards and I posted that I was having trouble. A couple women recommended a product you can get over the counter called Cetaphil and I bought it while I was down in Sea Isle. My skin cleared up almost overnight!!! I am in LOVE with this product. I'm still using it and intend to KEEP using it even after the baby comes. Hurrah!

So, all is well. There is always a silver lining in every dark cloud. I might not have gone on all the fantastic water rides if it hadn't been for the sucky amusement park situation. I might never have tried Cetaphil if my skin hadn't been going crazy. I am still trying to find the silver lining in my colossal weight gain, but I guess the nightly ice cream cones will have to suffice. Oh, and the beautiful baby I get at the end of this whole thing. Believe me, the miraculous blessing of this fourth child has not been lost on anyone in my family. My children kiss my belly goodnight every night and kiss it goodbye every day when they go off to school. We are all eagerly anticipating his/her arrival and I am really grateful to be able to share this part of his/her life with all of you.

Until next week, everyone....Happy Fall!!!

A Sandwich Generation Day: Cycles of Life

I have blogged on this subject before, and at the risk of being redundant, I feel the need to share my experiences of yesterday.

I am calling it a true "Sandwich Generation" Day. And, I wonder if you can relate. I'd love your feedback and to hear your experiences if you'd like to share.

Like many, I'm sorry to see summer come to an end. We had such a blast at our community pool, and I will really miss it.

Not only do I find the change of season a bit challenging, but yesterday, and this whole week, for that matter, I find myself in a somewhat conflicted emotional state.

Seth started Kindergarten today, and I took him to meet his teacher and to see the classroom and classmates. It feels surreal that he has hit this stage of his education. He loved the school, and got particularly thrilled when he asked the teacher if they go on class trips. She said yes, and the first trip is to a firehouse. Well...she couldn't have said anything better for Seth. Firehouses are his most favorite place in the world.

I am both excited for him and a little melancholy that he is growing up so fast. Part of me likes that there are more and different experiences we can have together, yet I like to cuddle with my little buddy.

It just gets me thinking about how fast time goes in general, and the cycles of life.

After returning from Seth's school, we met my dad at the diner for lunch. He was celebrating his 90th birthday! G-d bless him. I am so eternally grateful to have my dad in my life, despite his health challenges and not feeling up to par. I lost my mom 10 years ago, so his presence in my family's life is all the more treasured. And, my sister and I are planning a surprise birthday luncheon for him this Saturday, with family and friends. I want to savor our time together.

Such major milestones in the life of my son and dad this week!

Leaves me with a lot to think about. But, since I am the queen of overthinking, I'm keeping myself busy so I'm not too alone with my thoughts. The last thing I want to do is get teary eyed, though sometimes a good cry is the best release.

I am both sad and happy. I want to take note and rejoice in each upbeat moment and not let my emotions get the better of me.

Have you ever felt this way?

Baby's First...Second Bruise

I know that the more mobile she is getting, the more likely she'll get banged up and bruised. Baby's first bruise happened when she opened the bottom drawer on a heavy cabinet and her leg got trapped under it. The bruise was already coloring her thigh when I was able to extricate her leg.

This week, she was crawling around the fireplace, stood at the hearth and pow! She stumbled, tumbled and slammed the side of her face on the hard tiles. She did that breath-holding, red-faced grimace before she finally exhaled with a loud wail. I felt terrible because I was doing something in the kitchen and wasn't watching her when she was playing by the un-baby-proofed hearth.

She stopped crying in within a minute but still has a little shiner.

Baby also ate rocks and dirt this past weekend. Were that the only thing I was going to have to worry about with her...