Circus Chimera

Last weekend we took Jack to Circus Chimera, a small one ring circus that seemed a good fit for an introduction to the world of crazy body contortions and freakishness that are under the big top. The first half went well and Jack was emboldened by the $10 scepter we bought him that lights up (and that only costs $.50 to make). We spent out intermission on the train ride outside and then went back in to the tent for the second half beginning with clowns coming out and playing brass horns during their funny act. In the middle of their act, one of the clowns comes to the front and begins playing Kenny G on his horn. Jack, previously happy and interested, suddenly gets his big lip indicating impending bawling and begins to cry. Nothing we could do would make him stop so we finally decided that half of the circus was enough and headed home.

Is anyone really surprised that Kenny G was the showstopper?

The holiday insanity

And so I realized the other day that the normal holiday insanity that comes along will be extra special holiday insanity this year. With a baby due either right before or after New Years (how did we ever end up with that date??) and Jack at his "I'm 2 and want to do it my way" stage, I'm spending some time now researching exactly what kind of steadfastness I can take in these final months.

Of course, we'll be staying in town for all of the holiday and grandparents have been most kind in making the trip to see us because of my condition (large and wobbly). We seem to just proceed day by day with the pregnancy since every day is a bit different from my moods to energy level. This week, Jack has kindly passe don his cold to me and so I sit here sniffling and sleep with my head raised and sniff salt water to clear everything out, which works for about 1 minute. Jack lets out the final coughs of this sickness but overall seems to be on the mend. Could this be "boot camp" training for the sleep deprivation that is to come?

Architect of the future

Jack has taken to building grand towers with his cardboard blocks. Check out some of the latest.

Blowing Past October

My, its been a busy few weeks. With Halloween activities and being 8 months pregnant, it seems like we always have just enough to do in the day before we collapse into bed. Oh, and did I mention in the past two months we have (1) built a new shed (by "we" I mean John) (2) painted the nursery (3) painted Jack's room (4) painted the TV room, (5) completely resurfaced the pool and (6) planted a vegetable garden

Anyone who thought John's "get it all done before the baby arrives" flurry hasn't kicked in has not been paying attention. Those of you close to us will recall John building an addition onto our house just before Jack arrived. Nothing like construction to make you get in the spirit of birthing.

I continue to be completely noncommital about almost everything, including fabric for the nursery curtains which my mother in law kindly keeps sending me samples,praying that one of them will finally hit a chord. And names? Don't even ask. I'm sure there is a new choice for the baby's name right around the corner that will come to me in a dream or something.

Ginger the dog has moved into hyper-protective anxiety mode. She can't decide whether to sleep next to Jack, pregnant mom, or under the bed to hide from it all. And since we are all sleeping in our bed, due to paint fumes, it makes things even more confusing. Ginger: "Are they going to pack up in the middle of the night and leave me? Maybe they're meeting to discuss whether to get rid of me. I better stay close."

And finally the small change into fall weather bringing slightly cooler temperatures has set off some inner maternal I-must-cook-comfort-food thing in me causing me to make loaves of zucchini bread dredged up from memories of my childhood and beef stew and gumbo. Meanwhile, 32 weeks of pregnancy has caused my pelvis to feel as if it will split apart at any moment.

Oh, was this supposed to be about Jack? Sorry. He's doing great.