The Beat Goes On

L is getting into a routine of going to school, but I am seeing some changes in her. She is more tired during the day, but at the same time needs more exercise as she is getting antsy having to sit at a desk so much. The gym time is helping, but not completely. Most days we go to the park after school, and she spends some time on the playground, and lately she has also been very taken with skipping so that is helping too. Yesterday I let her go out by herself while I was making supper, and she skipped and drew with chalk for about an hour and a half before it was time to come in. She was in and out all that time, obviously feeling very important for being able to do so, and it really brought home how much she is growing up. I don't wish she wouldn't, but I do wish that maybe it was happening a little more slowly.

She's also a lot more irritable. The attitude has been ramping up as well. It was upsetting me at first, but then I realized that she is going through a pretty big series of changes right now and needs to be cut some slack. So we are just reminding her, when necessary, about the importance of staying calm and using words to express her feelings instead of shouting/stomping, etc., and generally trying to understand that this is a pretty huge time for her.

For us, too. We are adjusting, but it's been uphill. And I am getting more uncomfortable every day. This baby has a way of moving that is less about the joyfulness of new life than I would prefer, and s/he can stop kicking me in the bladder pretty much anytime. I am getting big, and I am getting kicked, and I am having all sorts of aches and pains and the days that are humid make my ankles slowly puff up like a foam mattress pad finally released from its cardboard box prison. I had a doctor's appointment the other day and everything seems to be going well, though. I have to have another ultrasound at 32 weeks to make certain everything is ok (more of the extra tests necessary because of my extreme decrepit age) and that should be fun as the baby will be much easier to see than on the last one. The doctor asked me if I have been having any cravings and I lied and said no. I didn't think he wanted to hear about my longings for junior chicken sandwiches and fries from McDonald's, even if I am not indulging them.

We have a lot of changes going on. Maybe I can be forgiven being cranky too.