Can't sleep....

So I thought I would update my poor, forgotten blog. I rarely have free time these days, and am really wishing for high speed internet so I could update without having to set aside an afternoon to do so.

Above is Adeline striking a diva pose. This child has way more attitude/personality than I ever even thought about having. It's funny to watch her becoming very particular about certain things, like, she has to carry a couple of stuffed animals or dolls just about everywhere. I've GOT to take a picture of her in the high chair at meal-time. She has the chair so stuffed with animals that there's barely room for her to sit in there! And at bedtime, same story, we have to take a few to lay down with us. It's cute, and so much fun to watch.

Speaking of fun, we seem to know lots of you who are expecting right now! I won't out you on the blog, because I don't know if you want the info to be THAT public, but we are so excited about our friends who are joining us in parenthood! I've been thinking lately about how Pregnancy: Round Two is different from the first go round:

1. You're not dying to tell every stranger in line at Wal-Mart that you are expecting - because you know these are the same people who will (at seven months) ask if you're "due any day now." They can wait to find out.

2. You try to stay out of maternity clothes AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. (This time, I wore regular size 10 clothes up until about six months - whether they really fit or not).

3. You DO NOT subscribe to the "I'm eating for two!" theory. I found out all that makes you is FAT. And it gets you in trouble with the doctor.

4. Not as much fluid retention with baby #2! That is the most welcome change. With Adeline, my rings didn't fit by the six month mark and my face looked big and puffy. Not so this time - thank goodness!

5. Contractions (the Braxton-Hicks kind) start much earlier, like around 5 months, and are much more intense. My doctor is especially concerned with these. He has questioned me, in-depth, at my last two appointments. I haven't thought much about them until he asked.

6. You also are certain about feeling the baby move at a much earlier point. I could feel this baby moving at around 14 weeks, with Adeline, it was closer to 20-something before I really realized what was happening.

7. Labor is not such a scary thing. One word: epidural.

8. YOU ARE SO TIRED. For the first four months or so at least. This was much worse than when I was pregnant with Adeline. I'm sure it has something to do with having to chase her! But I really thought on some days that the exhaustion was going to kill me!

9. You know carrying the baby in your belly is not the hard part. Bringing baby home and realizing you are responsible for a little life is.

10. You know that however difficult the day -or week- is, it is all absolutely worth it - because you've seen how the little one gets cuter and sweeter every day!