A growing family

Once Frank and I decided we are going to expand our family,  my head was full, so many thoughts, will we be good parents?  Will our children sit on some couch in 30 years talking about how we screwed up their lives? But in we dove.  The decision was the easiest part.

To start with I gained over 70 pounds when pregnant with Megan.  There were many reason for this I assume. I was a smoker and quit as soon as I found out I was pregnant.  I am sure I was a real hormonal piece of work  to be around while going through nicotine withdrawal.  I also decided that Megan liked Lemon water ice and mini chocolate donuts.  She NEEDED to have them!

At some point the pregnancy was deemed “high risk”.  I had placenta previa.  I would have to take a few days off from work each time and lay flat and not move.  I was sent for a “high risk”  ultrasound, which was code for way too long.   They  counted every limb, finger and even toe.  They searched for each organ and after almost 2 hours they determined that Megan was just fine.

I grew larger and larger, my due date came and went, I walked and grew and then walked some more.  I thought if I kept moving she would eventually drop out.  Once I was over 2 1/2 weeks late they finally induced labor and my giant 9 lb 6 oz baby girl arrived.  They quickly swept her away from me after determining that she was not breathing properly.  She stayed the next few days in the NICU. In the end, thankfully she was fine.

I loved being a mom.  We decided the Bailey clan needed another member.  My pregnancy with Madison was pretty uneventful.  Other than being huge massive and extremely uncomfortable, it went pretty smoothly.  Once Madison was born, my Megan seemed to be taken over by a very unhappy little person that I did not know.  There were some complications during delivery with Madison so they converted to an emergency C-section.  I ended up in the hospital for several days.  During visits Megan would not talk to me or sit with me and she wanted nothing to do with her sister!

Things are so much easier with the second child.  By the time I left the hospital, the nurses had already had Madi on a decent schedule.  She was such a pleasant baby.  Good eater, good sleeper and for the most part little fuss.  It did not take long for Megan to warm up to her sister.

Watching them together was and is wonderful.  They get along beautifully.  Of course they argue at times but they are the best of friends and think of each other always.  If either is away from the other and offered anything, they ask for one for the other.  They are my world.

Could there be room in the Bailey clan for more little ones?

Piano, soccer and homework, it must be the weekend!

I don’t know how people with 3+ children do it!  This weekend was the first of what we will call a normal weekend for the forseeable future.  Saturday Morning started with a 10:30 am piano lesson for Megan.  I took her to that because Madison had a soccer game at 11:30 and Frank is the assistant coach.  Megan and I planned to go right to the game until we received the panicked phone call from Frank that he had lost his wallet. I always love calls like that, I mean I did not have the wallet.  What made this loss more important than the normal “can’t find my wallet” dance is the fact that he had to drive to Washington DC Saturday night for a convention and needed photo ID to get in.

Funny, I can vote without photo ID but Frank was going to be unable to attend his convention without one.

Megan and I changed course after her lesson and headed home.  We were in the house under 5 minutes when I was able to locate the wallet..thankfully.  I don’t understand how this happens so often.  I place my purse and keys in the exact same spots every time I enter the house.  When I need them, I know exactly where to go.  At least once a week we search for something that belongs to my husband and after all of these years I guess that is something that will not change.

So back across town for Megan and I to catch Madison’s game.  We arrived just in time.  It was hot and humid.  The kids energy levels faded quickly due to the heat.  At Madison’s age they do not keep score, which is a good thing :-)!  They tried and we were all happy when the game was over.  They all looked like they had been swimming.

Back home for some lunch and preparation for Megan’s soccer game.  By late afternoon it was even hotter but there was at least a small breeze making it tolerable to sit in the full sun.  I need to buy a hat.  AFter the game back home for FRank to pack and head to Washington.

On Sunday Madison and I sat and completed her first school project.  It was an “All about me” poster.  The kids could draw pictures if they were not able to fill in the answers but Madison would have none of it.  She would answer the question and I would spell each word as she filled in the lines.  Then we colored it together.  This took a while to complete.  When we were finished, she was so pleased with herself…and I was very proud I must admit!

I am happy that the girls go back to school tomorrow, I need a day off!