From the depths of despair, or one big fat whine

I have been too miserable to write as of late because we have decided, for better or worse, to work on potty training with Mr. Mizz. I think the only stage of parenting that was worse was when Mizz spent a great deal of time gagging himself. Right now even labor and childbirth seems easier--at least there is a presumable ending point to that whole affair and a pretty substantial reward. To say that Mizz has been wildly inconsistent in his efforts is an understatement. I basically spend the better part of the day talking him through pottying, worrying that he is gonna have an accident, and cleaning up the accidents. The last two parts are actually not that bad, but corralling him to the potty every thirty minutes and then providing the entertainment while he goes or not goes is getting oh so old. And then to have him pee on the floor minutes later sorta makes it all seem, um, fruitless. Because, what truly makes this whole ordeal hard, is the worry that maybe he isn't ready, maybe it is a bad time because of all the stress and imminent changes, and basically are we psychologically damaging him forever? Will he hear timers go off and see candy and get nervous with an unexplained urge to urinate as an adult? Who knows? I am going to just have faith that he is enormously resilient and what the heck, we all end up with issues in the end anyway. And, I suppose, more to the point, this is only day four, I need to remember that it might take some time and not be swayed by all those stories of it magically happening overnight.

Back from the Island

Whidbey Island to be exact. We had a great long weekend visiting family and enjoying the spectacular scenery right out the window. Max did his part to raise sea levels by throwing hundreds of rocks into the water on a couple of trips to the beach. He had a blast with his cousins and I think will be asking to see them again, oh, probably nonstop for the next few days. Alas, it's gonna be a couple of months at least. I also really enjoyed the chance to talk shop with my two pregnant sister in laws. Let's just say that there was probably more boob, poop, and food talk than at your usual family gathering all interspersed with "hey feel this!". My little man is moving around so much these days. Mizz and I just visited the fetal exhibit at the OMSI this morning and holy cow, it appears that I've got a real baby in there! I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, this has seemed like the slowest pregnancy on the planet. Yet, now at 30 weeks I am starting to realize that I am really close to the end and am starting to freak out a little bit. We have got to get organized in a serious way.

Anna says it better than I can

This article nicely sums up the issue that I have always had with Hillary's press and public treatment both past and current. It is why I am still torn about whom I want to support even though I acknowledge that Barack will easily be the more unifying and thus probably, more effective candidate and president. Part of me can't help but wonder what Hillary would be like if she hadn't always been so ruthlessly scrutinized and attacked, thereby lessening her need for defensive measures and "calculating" tactics. Frankly, I am pretty disgusted by this country's talk of democracy and equal opportunity when there continues to be so much emphasis and yet, at the same time, easy dismissal, of how one's race, gender, socioeconomic status affects their chances of success at anything. Hey did you know that if Elliot Spitzer resigns, America will have it's first blind governor! Wow! But shouldn't we wonder if his lack of eyesight might somehow affect his ability to think and lead? OK, my sarcasm isn't all that great and I should be in bed resting my sinuses so I will end my political rant now.

I'm Pregnant!

I don't quite understand how it happened but I went from barely feeling pregnant yesterday to feeling really pregnant today. In fact I spent most of today thinking/worrying about what the next two months are going to feel like. If I could walk more and spend less time bending down, I think things would be better. To rally myself up, I took my slow walking self to the toy store to spend the gift cards I have been hoarding and bought some really thoughtful, hopefully Mizz captivating toys and activities. I got an ABC stamp kit, some really cool floor puzzles, small wooden blocks, a beading kit, and a small set of lincoln logs. But really it is the warmer, sunnier weather that is going to save me. I can't wait for when it is warm enough to spend the majority of our mornings at the park and the zoo. And despite a fair amount of trepidation about the sleepless nights looming ahead, I am getting really excited and slightly impatient about meeting this new little boy.

Dress Up

Mizz got very interested in animals with whiskers at the zoo yesterday. When he got home he made sure to tell Dave that he had a real kitty cat and pretend kitty cat in his room. When I offered to get some face paint to draw some whiskers on him he asked for red whiskers to go with his red pajamas (he has been claiming for a while that red and white are his favorite colors, which is not surprising given our house). In any case, when I asked him what Daddy should dress up as he said a black bird with yellow wings, and as for me, I get to be an alligator with yellow wings. I am one special animal. All this talk though makes me think that I need to get cracking on finding/repurposing some clothes for dress up because while he won't sit very often and play with his animals or dolls, he may be really into pretending we are animals and doctors and firefighters and babies.

School Applications

I completed Mizz's first school application for him yesterday. It was a very well crafted essay on why he and our family are a good fit for a local co-op preschool. I am pretty excited about the possiblility although if he doesn't get in (due to any number of reasons), I will not be crushed. I am a little terrifed about the idea of having to get me and two kids out the door four days a week. Not that many parents don't do just that, but it is a great unknown to me and frankly suiting up and getting out the door is already the least enjoyable part of my day with just the Mizz. Still the schol has a fantastic yard and is very into creative play both of which are really important to me at this point. Not to mention, it is cheap, close, and has a really cool communal feel about it that I dig. I suppose I should get on some waiting lists for back up options...

No joke

So I will fully admit that even though I teach parenting classes two days a week there is not much that I say that could be applied to every child and situation. But I am fairly sure that no matter what, you should NOT have your child learn about the fact that you are getting a divorce by bringing them to a class about divorce and letting the teachers surprise them with the information. Yikes. That's one to tell and tell again in a therapist chair.