An Evening Out with Friends

Although I don't think I have gotten to mention it at any sort of length, Xavier and I (and Tom) have developed a lovely friendship with another couple (and their children, Maeve and Charlie) down the road from us (I mention Maeve very briefly here).  Their mother and I usually get together with the kids during the day and make trips to the bakery, or downtown, or just let them all play together.  They are perfectly spaced apart, as Maeve will be turning three, Charlie just turned one, and Xave, is right in between them at being two next month (ALREADY!).  So, when Joseph comes along, between the two of us, there will be little tiny stairsteps that go 0, 1, 2, 3...

It's charming, really, the amount of concern Xavier has for Charlie - whenever we pass by their house, or if we mention them in any regard he always asks about him first, and most frequently.  However, when it comes to actually playing or interacting, it's always Maeve he is drawn to.  It's really fascinating to see how their range of age and development effects how they interact with one another.  

(I should also take a moment to note that not only do our children get along beautifully, but we adults do as well...however, I think it is just part of the natural progression to want to discuss your children more than yourself...haha)

Yesterday, we all went to dinner together at Black Bear.  We arrived there a earlier than when the music was supposed to begin, as it is a local hangout for 25-30 somethings with young children, and gets PACKED.  We sat, ordered drinks and burrito's, and ate.  

However, when nearing time for the live music to start, things started to unravel a bit (as anyone with small children knows inevitably happens at a restaurant when they have sat just a little too long and been a little too patient).  Xavier, while sitting in a short chair, fell backwards, and --while he was fine and would have brushed it off--another gentleman from an adjacent table went to help him up.  Which was...a bad idea...  I am sure this individual either thought A) he was being helpful or more likely B) that I was a horrendous parent for not picking up my son (I did get the impression he gave me a few "I can't believe what she just did" glances), but regardless getting outside attention was just what Xavier needed to decide he could cry, and melt down, and receive sympathy from those around him.  It was interesting really, he was fine laying on his back, was about to get himself up, and as soon as the stranger stood him up, he looked at their table, and his face crinkled up to wail.  Let me also say, that this was the same child that only a few hours before hand had busted both his top and bottom lip on who knows what, and didn't even bother to mention it to me until I noticed he had smeared it on my white sheets.  (When I asked him what happened and if he was okay, he just said "ouch.  mouth.  okay!" and proceeded to go back to his kitchen to "cook dinner".)

Alright, so we're in crisis mode, I am shaken up because I don't quite know what to do with Xavier when he pitches a fit (because he so rarely does it), and then we see the musician setting up.  I look at Tom and think, well, we'll probably have to go soon, but tell him that we should hold off closing our tab until the music starts - maybe he'll be able to get another beer in, and if not, and this doesn't work out, he won't have to chug it.

So the music starts, and I swear, the man playing the guitar was the modern day Pied Piper of Hamlin.  The kids were mesmerized and so, another round of beer (well, for me a Saranac Black Cherry Cream Soda) was ordered.  Our husbands, seeing that our children were fairly placid, decided to go to the local beer garden (at our approval) and we hung out, and let the kids enjoy the music. 

Enjoying the show immensely. 

It really is an almost indescribable environment.  Kids are constantly underfoot and happily playing, parents with beers in hand discussing with one another various ideas, servers who are patient and willing to do what they can to help, with music that has just enough folk sound that allows it all to blend smoothly together.  It is in this somewhat chaotic, yet relaxing, retreat that I really appreciated where we were.  There was a part of me, before I had Xavier, that panicked me and thought that, after having children, we would be locked away into our home, and the only evenings out would be those with which our offspring were being supervised by individuals other than ourselves - never would I have dreamed that we would have found a relaxed parental oasis...in which our kids could enjoy themselves, but ourselves as well.

Up and about, playing with other kids.

I really don't get people who LOVE pregnancy.

Today, while at home, I worked my tail off on getting the house clean.  It felt both great and frustrating.  Great, in that "Hooray, my house is clean!" way, and frustrating in the aggravation that every little piece of plastic food I had to pick up required me to bend over and...well, pick it up.

I was discussing with a Xave's Godmother last night (who is expecting as well...she is a month ahead of me again!) that I should blog about how NOT FUN pregnancy is to remind myself in the future, that really...these last few months are awkward, uncomfortable, and full of insomnia, organ poking, back aches, and heartburn.  Don't read me wrong - I'm not regretting my pregnancy, I do not wish that I wasn't pregnant, or anything of that realm...I just don't...enjoy it like some women do.  I'm not even the kind of person who would say that I "hate" being pregnant.  I don't "revel" in pregnancy, nor do I feel radiant being the size and proportion of a bear cub.  I am short, this is uncomfortable, and the disgusting heat wave we recently had was just about the last straw.

Then again, I'm a means to an ends kind of girl (in certain situations), and the idea of holding another little baby in my arms and getting to nurse again is WELL WELL worth it.

Xave continues to increase his capacity in multiple ways that just floor me sometimes.  I feel confident enough that I would say that yes, he knows his colors (Yay!  I was shooting for this before two!  We made it!) and for the last week we have been wearing regular cotton briefs around the house.  The first day of underwear was 75/25 (meaning half the time he told me he had to go, the other half was he started to go but then stopped until we got to the toilet) and the past three or so days we have had zero accidents...including waking up dry from naps and bedtime (although we are wearing pull ups then, just in case).  I am very proud of Xavier, and am hesitant to take any credit for him being this potty trained at two - after all, all I did was follow his lead.  I didn't do treats or rewards and I certainly didn't push or pressure him to do it.  He was just ready, and I am just lucky.  (And don't worry, I don't have any false pretenses about this being done and over with - I have read plenty on regression occurring when the second child arrives.  I am just going to take it as it is...if we have to go back to wet diapers, so be it for a while...if we go back to poopy diapers...well...I just MIGHT start bribing with fruit snacks or something.)

Cognitively, Xavier can mimic about 75-85% of anything I say (within about 6 syllables) and is starting to form together very basic fragments and occasional sentences.  He even apologized to our dog Princess for slamming the door on her paw..albeit about 4 hours later (with a very random "I'm sorry Princess!!" while he was with Daddy on the bed...it took us a few minutes to figure out why he was so upset!!)

Regarding Joseph, I think the only things we really need to get now to prepare for his arrival are a crib and a baby monitor...then we'll be set!  :)

Kids Day 2011

I am actually at the Blue Moose getting ready to meet about work...but I thought I could sneak in a quick photo update from this Saturday - Kid's Day in Morgantown.  It was packed!!  Hopefully soon I will have a meaningful (in other words text heavy) update.  :)

Quick photo update:

 Xave and his friend Maeve from down the street.

Photos from the 4th of July Parade

...and another quick addendum

I forgot to mention that we went down to visit Tom's parents Saturday...in which a wasp flew up my dress, and nailed me right on the belly. (And then I couldn't get it out because I didn't particularly want to flash my inlaws...) It was my first wasp sting, and it was humorous only because I could imagine myself giving birth to a half bee baby, or completely deflating after I was stung...

I am hoping my children inherit my imagination.

A quick update:

So, I went for an OB appointment today and everything is turning out to be a textbook pregnancy. Nothing crazy and no worries. I was a little shocked that my appointments are going to no longer be monthly, but every two weeks now...ALREADY?!

I still need to buy a crib and a baby monitor, but that's really it. I should get on the ball about that...being that the baby will be here in oh...less than THREE MONTHS?!

Where did all of my time go?!

In other news, the 4th of July was great. We went to the parade and Xave had a fantastic time pointing and waving to fire trucks. We got stuck under the bridge in a downpour, and I realized that I might have made Xave a little too prissy...I decided since we were already wet, it was permissible for him to jump into a mud puddle...which he proceeded to do...only to go "ew....mud...shoes...mud! YUCK. YUCK!!!" ...what little boy doesn't like mud puddles?! Mine.

Xavier's interests seem to veer towards the culinary and the paternal, which are a-okay with me.

Oh, back to crib searching...*sigh*