Maren is 5! Holy cow!

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random backyard dancing

Random backyard dancing! from Sally K Zimney on Vimeo.

it's big boy week

For months we've been waiting for the right time for so many little things that Luke needs to tackle... like giving up the nuk.... and finally tackling the whole potty training thing... and then there's the fact that he loves his crib and doesn't even know it can turn into a big boy bed....

So, for whatever reason in the last week Luke has:
1 - given up his nuk. We couldn't find it one night, and he slept just fine. No more nuk!

2 - transitioned to a big boy bed like it was nothing. He didn't even come out of his room 30 times like his big sister did!
3 - started potty training.... we haven't quite conquered this one, but I'm confident that's more our fault than his. I just can't keep my mind in one direction for more than about two minutes, so he just hasn't had our focus on it. But this morning, he happened to be naked (got him un-dressed and then got distracted by some other need by one of his siblings - see what I mean by can't keep my mind in one place for more than 2 minutes?!) and he just ran into the potty and went poop. HALLELUIA!!!!!!!!

The kid has the stinkiest poops, so this would make a significant difference in my daily life.

Big boy Luke!

bathtime!

Just a little peek at happy Harper in the sink bath:

Harper's Bathtime from Sally K Zimney on Vimeo.

Shmadden's

Oh, are we lucky ducks!

Last week we got to head up to the classic family resort, Madden's, to consort with the school counselors of Minnesota.  (Can I just say? - they know how to have a good time!)  We lugged all three kiddos, packed our mini-van FULL of kid-like things, and ventured north.  The weather was crappy (what else is new these days?) but we managed to have a wonderful time.  Harper even slept pretty well.  Amazing.

Lukey and Maren went fishing with Daddy... and caught many fish!  Big ones!  They ended up not being nearly as big as they were telling me.... fish tales... already!.... but still quite impressive.

It's a lovely place, Madden's.  A little resort city, with paths to explore, and stores with little nick-knacks, and a playground, and 5 pools, and a breakfast restuarant, a bar, candy for the kids every time they walked by the front desk... it's elegant without being snooty, and a retreat space without being aloof.  Loved it.  I even managed to relax a bit!.... ahhhh.....

Which was good, cause it's been total chaos since we got home!  FUN!

I'm baaaaaack...

So, there have been about a million things I've thought of writing in the last few months, but even though I'm not "working" I can't find time to actually get it up here. So, forgive me; I'm a mother of THREE! And if this blog is going to continue, it's going to have to come in little bits. That's about all my brain can process at any one time anyway.

So, little bit #1:

The other day Luke commented to me, "Mom! Your baby belly is gone! But it's still really squeezy!".... yes, son, it is, thanks for noticing.

Little bit #2:

I ran a 5K on Saturday! If you think I didn't intentionally put that right after my son commented about my squeezy belly, you're wrong.

Little bit #3:

My two big kids have seen more of me in the last 7 weeks than probably ever in their life, and they cannot stop climbing on, hugging, kissing, and hanging on me. Last night I just had to GET AWAY from their constant ON-ness. So, either I'm so amazing and they can't get enough of me, or I'm really horrible at this stay at home parent thing and even giving them all my time still doesn't do the trick.

Little bit #4:

Harper is a really sweet baby. She has the greatest smile.... sleeps well (most of the time) and loves, loves, loves to be held and snuggled. I am so glad she's here.

I am now, in fact, holding her and typing w 1 hand. So this is where i sign off.

hugs,

sally

I'm still pregnant

And so annoyed by that fact. Mostly because every day I leave work... or a social function... or wave at a neighbor... it's all, "Oh my gosh! The next time I see you!... you'll have a baby!".... and then I see them three days later, and I'M STILL FREAKING HERE. SANS BABY.

This is really all my fault. I have no idea why I never thought I'd get this far. Just because Luke came two weeks early does not mean that this baby will. Obviously. Except that it's not obvious! You never know. You never know. And clearly I DON'T KNOW.

So, tomorrow when I walk into work it starts to feel a little silly... like, "yeah, sorry I rushed you on all that work that I was sure I wouldn't be around to help you with... except that I am around." (insert sheepish grin)

As Andy so wisely (frustratingly) says.... "two kids does not a pattern make."

Uargh. Yeah.

a belated birthday video for my bugger-boo

Happy 3rd Birthday, Luke! from Sally K Zimney on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, Lukey Lou

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tempting fate: a valentine's day tradition

So, three years ago last night, Andy and I had our traditional Valentine's Day dinner... oh so yummy! Table top grill with all kinds of delicious veggies wrapped in prosciutto, dipped in Italian dressing... yum, yum, yum. It was a cozy meal, and because momma was so preggers, we headed straight for bed, and slept. (No funny business, no siree bob, not when you're that preggers, friends...) But before we went to sleep, we packed our bags for the hospital, because... well, I just KNEW Luke was coming early.

10pm: we crawl into bed and fall fast asleep after packing bags for the hospital

12am: sally's water breaks

12:3o pm the next day: Luke is born!

So last night - three years later - I'm very preggers - AGAIN. Luke and this baby share a due date, so we found ourselves re-living three years ago in such a strange way. We had our traditional and delicious Valentine's Day dinner... we cleaned up, and headed upstairs to zonk into bed. (Funny business is even less likely when you've already got two kiddos at home...) This time, I refused to pack the bags, for fear I would TEMPT FATE. But as we crawled into bed, it freaked me out a bit.... because the time on the clock was 10pm, and we were crawling into bed. I said to Andy, "we are tempting fate. This is freaking me out."

And then you know what happened?!

At 1am - I woke up to some hefty contractions. Hefty... not moaning/groaning contractions, but contractions that had me focusing a bit on my breathing... contractions that were more than just those undefinable braxton hicks... no, these were strong... getting closer together...FREAKING ME OUT!!!!

All I've wanted this entire pregnancy (well, not ALL I've wanted by a long shot, but you get my gist) is to NOT have this baby on Luke's birthday. There are many other days around this due date: pick one, baby #3! Pick one besides today!

I must have re-negotiated successfully, because finally at 4am I fell back asleep, contractions subsided, and voila, at 10pm the next night I'm still preggers and Luke can have his own birthday without sharing with little sibling.

Ahhhhhhh.....

Now, the real question is, do I pack my bags? Or, would that be tempting fate?

off the mat; into the world

If you've been reading this over the last few months you know that I've been doing prenatal yoga at Blooma. I really love it: it's challenging, and rewarding... there's nothing better than the 10 minutes of relaxation at the end of class that you just SINK into.... ahhhhh....

A few months back, Blooma was doing a fundraiser for a new birth center in Uganda--a place where survival for mother and baby are tragically rare; where they lack basic medical supplies, and where many women are left to fend for themselves. Sarah, the founder of Blooma, together with the Blooma community, raised over $20,000 to help build this birth center as a part of Off the Mat, Into the World (and along with a coalition of Yoga practitioners from North America who raised an additional $450,000). And now, Sarah is spending this month over in Uganda.

I wasn't sure what she was doing over there, actually, besides perhaps seeing this birth center come to partial fruition. But, then today I read this blog post and I realized that she's going over there to help women birth, if she can. Sarah's a doula, and an amazing-amazing yoga teacher... and this story just stopped my heart a bit. I thought it was worth sharing, because as I head off into my birth journey I know - am so thankful for the knowledge that- it will be so different... and yet, we are both birthing. Both mothers. Our bodies are doing the incredible work of it.

Here's a snippet, but if you want you can read the whole thing here.

Sarah handed me her scarf for wetting to wipe Margaret’s face as there were no towels. Margaret, still on all fours in the grass, writhed and cried.

Sarah and I, insisting that Margaret was near delivery, coaxed the attendants to re-examine her. They now agreed that it was time. I held Margaret closely as Sarah continued her coaching work.

Struggling to position her on the garbage bags, Sally held one leg, as I held the other, and together, we scooted Margaret in position. For an instant, I wonder how in the world I got here – in a hot room overwhelmed with the stank of body oder, defecation, urine and blood, assisting a woman who is most likely HIV-positive in childbirth. I silently thank God, we open her legs a little wider on the stirrup-less table, and see the emergence of the baby’s head. After two more big pushes, we joyfully witness Margaret’s baby boy enter the world, exercising great lungs, weighing in at 3 kilometers. Margaret sees her baby boy and smiles big.

a boost to my already wobbly 8-month pregger self-esteem

I walk into the kitchen in my jammies, which consist of blue yoga pants and a white tank top. Luke is sitting at the table, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, his regular morning treat. He looks up at me, grins, and says, "Mommy, you look just like Santa!"

enjoying winter in Minnesnowta

We finally got out to enjoy the beautiful sun today... chilly temperatures, but the sun had us adventuring at the Winter Carnival and then to Lake Phalen. It was a gorgeous and wonderful time!

Here, a brave (and somewhat new to ice skating himself) Daddy took on both kiddos on the ice, while pregger-mama watched, amused. The kids did great!

Isn't she growing up?! Sheesh.

ch-ch-ch-changes

This past week, our two kiddos have been struggling a bit. They've both been up at least once a night, every night... which is very unusual. I mean, I know everything's a phase... and sadly we are just coming out of a wonderful phase in which everyone was sleeping until past 7 every morning. Oh well. Talk about changes! It'll be MONTHS before that will happen again...

Two theories as to why this is happening:

1 - It's the full moon. Two other women at Yoga this week were talking about how their kids have been up all week, too. Hmmm. I have had other coincidences like that one where friends at work would lament THEIR kids sleeping habits at the same time I was... and it was always, uncannily, around the full moon. So who knows?! I'm not one to disregard the power of the mysterious, but it's not like this has been happening monthly. It's been a weird week.

2 - The other theory is that unconsciously, these poor kiddos know that their lives are about to change - and they're not sure how exactly, which can make them a bit... harried, clingy, temperamental, and generally out of sorts (a perfect description of them this week). This, of course, makes total sense, AND breaks my heart a bit. I'm not sure how to soothe them, since their lives WILL change.

I randomly told them the other day (with all of this in mind) that mommy and daddy love them both so much and that when the new baby comes there's just more love to give and that nothing can ever change how much we love them. They sort of looked at me, heads cocked to one side, and ran off to tackle something or other.

So, we're talking a lot about how to support them in the change... Sticking to some kind of routine, even tough there's another person in the house. Daddy's gonna take some time from work and focus on playing with them, our "nanny" (aka, Andy's sister) is still going to help some during the week to either give me a chance to give them attention or for her to hang with them... and the rest is just about digging in, and playing and goofing and dancing and coloring and listening and laughing... even when all I want to do is sleep.

Naivete is sooo..... five years ago.

I had a moment on the phone with my friend, Linda. I adore Linda. She is my neighbor. She's a school counselor, and I tell you, she's my own personal counselor, the poor woman. I don't even really like to talk on the phone all that much, but she always seems to know when to call to chat and when to pop over with a thoughtfully baked muffin or a request for a companion to Trader Joe's or what have you... she's just thoughtful like that... and she doesn't seem to mind when I talk her ear off. Have I mentioned that I love Linda?

Well, at the end of my 15-minute phone call with Linda, saying goodbye, I teared up. Hormones, obviously... crabby, raging, 'I have no idea why' kind of hormones... but then there's this other big thing that just sort of hit me. There is so much of what is about to happen (again) in our lives - that we chose! - that we're excited about! - that is so out of our control, and so challenging... And it's quite a different deal when you KNOW what you're walking into. It makes it much harder to be naive.

I want my naive 8 month-pregger self back! Yeah.... right.

this is brilliant... HINT, HINT

Check this out!

I am dropping hints big enough that even my darling hubby can't miss it. Friends and family...don't bother with cake and flowers (I mean, thanks... but...) - THIS SOUNDS AWESOME.

Restless (Leg Syndrome)

ARUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY LEGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY ARE BULGING AND GETTING ALL WATER-RETAINED AND GROSS!!!!!!!!

PLUS, AT 8PM EVERY NIGHT - EVERY NIGHT - EVERY NIGHT!!!! - THEY START GOING HAY-WIRE. I HATE THIS SO MUCH. AND IT BUGS THE SHIT OUT OF ANDY. WHO COULD BLAME HIM?!? IT BUGS THE SHIT OUT OF ME, TOO.

arugh. How much longer?

growing up

Maren has grown up so much this year. Her preschool experience has been exceptional, and she has blossomed under the magical tutelage of her teacher, Ms. Sue. One of the things that I've noticed, and appreciate so much, is her (sometimes) willingness to try new things. Doesn't sound like a big deal; but to Maren, it is.

So, the other day she announced that she wanted to take a shower instead of a bath. Halleluia! I can't tell you how much I've grown to hate bath time...it takes forever, there's usually fighting and splashing and howling when it comes to the actual washing of the hair... no fun for anyone. And, well, how does one do bathtime with THREE children?! I don't know. Luke splashing his way around an infant. Hmmm.

Saturday we tried the shower, and she giggled and laughed and loved every minute. She felt so grown up, and well, she is! And tonight she wanted to take one with mommy, and together we giggled and laughed and loved every minute. Especially when she started singing. I sighed happily to myself...

It's good when your kids are happy.

This is hilarious, and yet disturbing

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

crabby crabby-pants

Today I was an uber-crabby-pants. I am SO GLAD TODAY IS OVER. It was just one of those days where nothing quite went right. The thing is, nothing quite went all that WRONG, either, I just couldn't stay on the sunny side...

I woke up, crabby... and who knows why since my hubby let me sleep in. But already life wasn't quite right and I couldn't put my finger on why. So I imagine a morning at church, sensing that something needed to be re-balanced... some quiet reflection, inspiring music, a little mind-shift. But instead I got: 2.5 year old crawling all over me and in and around and on the surrounding chairs, a 4.5 year old who needed to go potty at the most in apropos time, and children who refused to do ANYTHING without me. I was in and out of the service three times in twenty minutes. Let's just say we left early.

So on the way home... crabby-pants... And Andy asks me, "What do you need to be happy today, Sally?"..... and guess what popped in my head? Doughnuts! YES! Fresh, bakery-baked doughnuts! I'm preggers, I can have a doughnut (or two!) Fantastic! I imagine happy children, happy Sally, a wonderful family moment... I immediately brighten up.

We drive up to our neighborhood bakery, and they're CLOSED. WHAT?! On a Sunday? That is SOOOO St. Paul, and SOOO in line with the day I'm having. Boo.

Oh well. I guess even my plans to be happy are getting foiled. Lesson learned. Just be crabby.