To SLEEP and perchance to dream . . .

What the heck was I thinking?! I can't believe I actually thought I would have the time to update the blog more often. I mean who the hell was I kidding?! I hardly have time to watch the Nightly News these days ( I miss you Brian Williams!). I guess I forgot how much work a tiny baby is. Although our tiny baby is not so tiny anymore. Tomorrow Dexter will be eight weeks old and he weighs 12lbs now. Can you believe it?! He definately doesn't have any problems eating, except he likes it a little too much (the doctor had us cut back a bit). He is so different from Bella. I call him my grumpy elf (he has pointed ears). He is pretty fussy and he does not wake up in a friendly mood. It's like poking a sleeping bear with a sharp stick. Although once he's up he's much more friendly. We are all really enjoying him, especially during the day. Most nights are, well, difficult. My fantasy is eight hours of quiet, non-interrupted sleep. It is just a fantasy for now at least. Most of Dexter's smiles come in his sleep and when he's awake he tries desparately to catch his very elusive thumb. That damn thumb just won't cooperate, and he get incredible frustrated. He also LOVES his bath. During his first bath he actually fell asleep. His hair wants to stick up all the time so I just make a mohawk out of it with a little water. All he needs now is a Ramones or Sex Pistols T-shirt and he'll be my little punk rocker elf. I did recently discover that John Denver can soothe him within seconds (he has inheirited my great taste in music). Needless to say we have been listening to a lot of John Denver. I am loving it, it really relaxes me too and I know ALL the lyrics!

Isabella has had a great start to the school year. She lost a second tooth and loves 1st grade, especially math. We got a great report from her teacher, Mrs. Hoffman, at conferences. She told us how cooperative Bella is and what a hard worker and good friend she is. We are so proud of her. This year Bella is taking a cooking class and and Irish step dancing class after school once a week. She enjoys both, but really loves the cooking class. Isabella is a fantastic big sister. She never complains and seems to really enjoy Dexter. She talks to him, sings to him, likes to watch him and occasionally mother him. Then when she's done she goes off and does her own thing, like her life hasn't changed a bit.

Poor Dexter has sooo many Mama's, no wonder he's grumpy. He has me, Bella and much to our surprise, Daisy. At first she was a little too excited about him and was fiercely protective. If Seamus even thought about going near him she would growl and snap at him. Poor Seamus, he loves babies and is soooo good with them, he can't even enjoy his own. She has calmed down a lot and now seems satisfied to watch over him and alert me to his every whimper. She also puts her paws on the side of the pack n play and crib and sticks her head in to check on him and to supervise diaper changes. Seamus is now allowed to sniff him briefly.

We had a busy September and October adjusting to life with Dexter. My mom was here for two weeks to help and it was GREAT having her. Isabella really enjoyed having her Grandma for such an extended visit. She was a huge help to me and it helped me recover more quickly. Dexter's delivery and my recovery was more difficult than with Isabella, but we are through it and I am feeling more like myself everyday. I have not been released to run yet, hopefully tomorrow. The doctor thought a pain I had been having since last Novemer ( remember that groin injury I mentioned way back when) was an hernia. So I had an ultra sound this week. It was negative, but Dr. McCaul has to sign off on it first. I can't wait! I only have one pair of jeans that fit, so I have to get to work. Plus, I really miss my me time and releasing all that stress. I have been walking and I can do yoga now (YEEAAHH!!!) The main issue now will be finding the time. The things we mothers scarifice (mostly our sanity).

In October my Dad came to see his grandbabies for 5 days. We had a really nice time with him. Again Bella was thrilled and loved Grandpa's spoiling. Dad, Bella and I went to the pumpkin farm, picked out pumpkins (even if NY pumpkins are too small by my Dad's standards) and explored the giant corn maze. Bella lead us through so its amazing were found our way out! Right before Dad got here we had the Invisible Fence installed for Daisy. At first it was hard for me. I didn't like the idea of shocking her. I won't put a shocker collar on one of my human kids ( I might daydream about it, but I wouldn't do it !) I quickly got over my apprehension after we saw the estimates and plans from the regular fence guy. It was so crazy expensive and they were going to have to cut our yard in half because of the huge easement. So we went with the invisible fence and it is AWESOME!!! I tested the collar to see what the shock was like, not too bad. It only took a few times and Daisy was a quick learner. She is so much happier and much better behaved in the house because she can get rid of her energy outside. Currently she is patrolling for a squirrel and chipmunk that have been harvesting and burying nuts in the yard and under our porch. She loves watching Bella walk to the bus stop and greeting her when she gets home. I love not having to watch and worry.

We were just beginning to find our new routine when Isabella was struck by the flu bug. The doctor's are going on the assumption is H1N1 because she had her seasonal flu shot in the beginning of September and it is going around the community. Hurrah! What little sleep we were getting is now a faded memory. I am surprised I am even coherent. At least I hope I am?! I haven't proofread yet. The doctor gave her Tamiflu, because of Dexter and it has really done an amazing job. We are watching Dexter closely and so far so good. Isabella has been quarantined to her room as the docter said they have to be kept apart. That was easy until yesterday morning when she informed me that she was," absolutely fine" and "was feeling perfect" so could she go Trick or Treating? After much debate we took her out only on our street and then home to bed. She has been 36 hours fever free and feels fine, with only a nasty lingering cough. Hopefully she can go back to school tomorrow and we are done with the swine flu! Our Halloween was pretty much a bust. We were too busy tending children and exhausted to decorate the outside or even carve our pumpkins. Oh well, there is always next year. We did manage to dress up Dexter in his costume (thanks to Grandma) for a few pics.

We will probably have a quiet Thanksgiving this year (fine by me!). Baba and Diado will be arriving Dec 17th. This will be our first Chirstmas with them and we are looking forward to sharing our traditions with them. Hopefully I will be back here with more pics in a month. Happy November!

Shenanigan's quote board:

"There was never a child so lovely, but his mother was glad to get him asleep."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Kids. They're not easy. But there has to be some penalty for sex."

- Bill Maher

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