Nine Months In, Nine Months Out

Today my baby was supposed to have her nine month appointment. I say "supposed to" because my son got hit in the mouth with a swing at school, which nearly knocked his front tooth out. This called for an emergency dental appointment, which called for me changing Alice's appointment until next week. Oh well. No sweat on that. When you have three kids, you get used to the rescheduling.

At any rate, though, Alice and I are both at our nine month mark. I had a lot I wanted to accomplish by this point, and I think I've done pretty well. For one thing, I'm still breastfeeding. I didn't really give myself a choice on that one--I was going to do it come hell or high water--but it still amazes me that I've been able to keep at it. Let me tell you, breastfeeding + working at a high school does not equal anything good. Kids are unpredictable, and so are their schedules. And thus so is my job. Finding time to pump and a place to pump and all of that is frustrating, and sometimes impossible. But I'm still at it. Alice is eating solids now (we are doing Baby Led Weaning to some degree--I have given her a bit of spoon fed foods like yogurt so she could get different textures and I think she likes that), so her milk consumption while I am at work has dropped quite a bit. However, she still consumes her normal feedings in the evenings and at night. Thus, we still have our time together. It is so nice to come home and take her in the bedroom after a long day at work and both of us to get comfy under a blanket and just have that time. I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world. And at six weeks, I never thought I would be typing those words.

I have also done AP to some degree, and have been happy with the results. Alice is calm, sleeps well and seems to be developing quickly (if not a bit quicker than my other two). My grandmother and mom do make comments about how much she is held or carried, but to me, the proof is in the pudding. Everyone says that she is the best baby they have ever seen, and yes, I know people just say that, but she really is pretty awesome. She is the perfect baby for our family because as long as I am paying attention to her needs and giving her myself as best I can, she can go and do whatever. For instance, she has attended every softball and t-ball game with me this season (we even have matching shirts--my shirts say "Sam's Mom" and "Gabby's Mom" and hers say "Sam's Sis" and "Gabby's Sis"), and has been perfectly pleased to sit on my lap and cheer. Developmentally, (and this may not be related at all to the AP) she has learned to crawl faster than my other two, and just has an awareness that is, I think, different from what I have observed previously. In short, she is swell.

As for myself, I have met my original weight goal that I made for myself way back when Alice was just a twinkle in my eye. I started as a size 14, and got down to a 12 before I got pregnant (although that first 30 pounds was definitely the hardest!). Then, post pregnancy, I have gone from a 12 to a 4/6. I am pleased with this--I wanted to be a size 6. The only thing that is odd is how I see myself. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of myself in a store window or something and I think, "Where is the rest of me? Is that really me?" and I am pleased. Other times, I think, "This is what I thought I looked like when I was a 12. Am I still a 12? Is it all just vanity sizing?" It is strange. I would really like to lose about 5-10 more pounds and tone up a bit. I have started running, and I really love it. Mostly because I go either with a group of girls in my town or with my Ipod. I need to restart on my abs and upper arms because I have exercises that I like for both, but I keep putting it off. There are not enough hours in the day.

As far as life issues go, things are going well there as well. I am considering going back to law school next semester. However, there are a few things that concern me about the school system where we live, so I am worried about getting myself further into the program before we decide what we do. I've got a couple of months to mull it over, so I will take advantage. If I take another year before going back, I want to get a different job. Nothing against this one--I would just like a change in pace. My position right now is paid for by a grant, so technically it is up next year anyway, although they would like to keep me around and have promised me another position if I am interested. I am currently deciding if I am or not.

And our family is complete. That is a nice feeling, ladies and gentlemen. There is just something about it. I don't know how to describe it. I feel like we have the perfect little team--a Party of Five if you will. Only without Neve Campbell. I never liked her anyway.