First of all, thank you to Matt’s Aunt Marilyn for getting me back in this saddle again. I sat down last night (in between super-bowl commercials) and wrote a nice post. Hit some random button, and it was all gone! Frustrating, to say the least, but it got me going! I forgot how much I enjoy the writing, and thanks to Marilyn’s nudge I will hopefully have more posts to read as the days go by and I can remember what today feels like…’cause it’s great!!
So….here goes! When I sat down to write last night, I thought about writing a summary of all that’s happened between now and my last post. That seemed crazy daunting, so it went something like this instead…
In the better part of a year, we’ve been so busy having fun! It’s been nothing but blessings, starting with Sam’s second birthday, which he loved! He enjoyed saying “Happy Too” and lit up like a Christmas light when everyone sang. So much that we sang to him twice! We celebrated on the actual day with the annual birthday breakfast pancake at the Original Pancake House. Since then, I’ve had a wonderful school year and enjoyed trick-or-treating with my scarecrow (he was SOOOO cute!!). And the holidays were just pure magic. Sam enjoyed every last second and we enjoyed watching it all through his eyes. His language has exploded and he’s a stinking riot! Oh, yes, and we’ve potty trained, too. In many ways, since my last post, those last few glimpses of his babyhood are starting to fade. So bittersweet…
But there you have it, our life since July 2009. Let’s jump ahead to July 2010. Sam’s 3rd birthday! (WOW! He’s old enough to be one of my preschoolers!!) First of all, let me just say how much trouble he’s in for the next three years, being the age that mom’s an “expert” in! Second of all, I’m already hoping that he likes his big gift. Matt and I worked hard on this one, needing a lot of patience while we waited to make sure we could get it. I deeply feel that it’s the greatest gift I can ever give him. So, I hope he’s happy with…his sibling!!
Last night when I sat down to write this blog I thought I’d spend the rest of this entry talking about this pregnancy so far (we’re already 1/3 of the way there!!) But that’s not what happened, and I liked the direction that it went in, so I think I’ll stay on that track…more on my first trimester to come (I hope!).
Matt and I had to try longer than we hoped, and let me tell you, this tested my patience more than I’ve ever been tested before, not to mention that everyone I know was popping up pregnant while I waited and waited. When we found out we were pregnant we were ecstatic. Matt and I, and Sam, too, had been praying for this for some time. And here we were with a new little one due in July. July!?
Now, my Sam was due August 6 and born July 24th. And guess when little number two is due? Right smack dab in between…July 31st. Making things even more interesting, the doctor is planning another C-section, and doesn’t want me to go into labor. So, I’m thinking it’ll for sure be July, assuring me another ruby. :) Since I’m BFF with my OB (thanks to placenta #1), I also know that her surgery days are Tuesday. The Tuesday’s before July 31st are the 20th and the 27th. The experts (aka: grandmas) will tell you that it WILL be July 2oth, but either way, we’re talking DAYS apart from my Sam’s birthday. What can I say? I’m consistent! (Well, I guess Matt and I both are, but you don’t want to get into THAT!!)
So what do most people say when they realize how close these two birthdays will be!? Some notice my consistency, some point out how lucky I am that my maternity clothes are the right season (and this is true!), and, should we have another boy, those close are also the right season, too! But most are very happy to point out that I’ll only have to throw one birthday party! How did I feel when it first hit me that I’d have two July babies? I had to let it settle. In fact, it’s still settling. I’m grieving the yearly birthday party that I won’t get to throw. I LOVE birthdays, and these last two birthdays of Sam’s have taught me that I LOVE throwing KID birthday parties! With two kids, I was looking forward to double the parties. I suppose now we’ll have to have one party with double the fun!!
With that spin on things, I think I’ll be okay with it, but I must admit, the stress isn’t gone. My first thoughts were worry that these two would resent having to share their celebrations. Which I tell myself is silly. I mean, I’ve been sharing a birthday celebration with Matt since we started dating; but, then again, we were old enough to not care so much. Matt tells me he never minded sharing birthdays with Rachel. That’s just how it was. But then there’s the completely impractical side of me that thinks, well, what if these two have completely different interests!? Do I send one invitation with two different themes, because two seems silly!? Do I force them to agree, even if it means a party that neither one is particularly psyched about? Or do I hang up my party-planning hat and just go with generic birthday. One cake or two? Seriously…I think about these things!!
Then there’s how to take care of this year. If this baby IS born on the 20th via C-section, we’ll come home ON Sam’s 3rd birthday. I’m already planning on two balloon bouqets and signs (alas, the joint birthday celebrations begin!), and don’t put it past me…I may even try to sneak in a birthday pancake at the Original Pancake House! I worry about making sure that Sam feels special on this birthday, and these thoughts pop up pretty often (like during yesterday’s sermon). I think about how every July 24th I sit back and think back to 2007, about how big my baby boy is getting, and how quicky the time goes by. Do you think I’ll still think of July 2007, or will my thoughts automatially flee to July 2010 as I get the house ready for the annual joint birthay party? I want to have the time to feel nostalgic for both of my babies births. It’s my right as a mom! I suppose these are just some of the joys and stresses of being a parent of two…
Only time will tell, and as time goes by, the big July celebration will simply become tradition in our house. We’ll be adding a 2nd restauraunt each year, the same week as our trip to the Original Pancake House (which we’ll start out doing to ease mom’s guilt, I’m sure). Eventually, it’ll just be how we do it. Period. Maybe they can have separate small parties for their friends, with a big bash with family. Who knows!? What I do know is that every year when the end of July rolls around, I’ll have two amazing people to celebrate and be thankful for. Double the blessings, double the joy. And each year we’ll be sure to remind them that their big gift is still each other. And in thinking of that gift that we’re giving them, how can I feel anything but happy about the way things are working out!? It brings tears to my eyes. So, here’s hoping that Sam’s as thrilled with his big 3rd birthday present as I am to give it. If nothing else, it will be one to remember!
So, I suppose I’m coming around to the idea of two July birthdays. Be prepared for big parties with double the fun! (And I’ll be prepared with extra birth control come the end of October!)
Recent Comments