Home Stretch

Hunter's arrival is just days away; three days, to be more precise. Hooray! Knowing this, I've been trying to make the most of my last few days of being home with just Leah, as well as crossing off the final tasks on the to-do list. 

Time with Leah has been well-spent, but she's still a two-year-old (fun but exhausting; loving but disobedient). In the past two days, we've managed to bake two kinds of cookies (I'm surprised we managed to bake as many as we did, especially with a curious taste-tester with quick hands acting as my assistant); play in the water table; draw with shaving cream (funny that she initially wanted to wash her hands, but soon warmed up to the idea of playing in the foam, especially when she discovered how fun it was to smear it all over my arms and hands); draw with chalk; and watch Cinderella. The activities themselves have been enjoyable, and I'm so grateful for those moments with Leah. It's the "after" that's difficult. "After" as in, time to clean up. 

See, Leah's playful disposition lends itself to disobedience when it comes to listening to simple commands. Exhibit A: After munching on a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, Leah, a chocolatey mess, asked, "I be excuse me?" "Yes, you may. Now come over here so that Mommy can wash you up" (I was standing by the sink). What does that little bugger do? She runs into the dining room and living room, giggling all the way. (It's surprising how quickly I can move at 9 months pregnant.) She seems to think that "come here" is code for "let's play chase". Ahh, two-year-olds, right?

Based on some conversations with friends last week, I decided to complete some to-do list tasks earlier (last week) rather than later (this week). What a blessing that has been! By doing so, I've actually had some time to relax (just a bit) rather than worry about all that still needs to be done. How liberating! The few tasks left won't be too time-consuming (prep and freeze two meals, to be completed tonight and tomorrow night; finish packing my bag, to be done Thursday night; and get a mani/ pedi, the most relaxing/ least stressful task). And in the midst of all this, I've even had time to read, scrapbook, and play Bananagrams solitaire. (I'd have even more time to myself if a certain someone would just settle down for her nap.)

Guess I need to enjoy these moments while I can, especially since it might be awhile before I have some true time for myself again. Oh well. That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, especially since it means loving on my little boy.

Appearances

Those of you who see me on a regular basis know that I dress like a bum. Seriously. While many of my girlfriends look fabulous day after day, I choose to dress in workout clothes... like a bum. (At least the clothes aren't falling apart... well, except for today. Looks like I won't be wearing this t-shirt again.) There is some method to my madness, however; after all, if I'm dressed to workout, then I'm more likely to do so (but that doesn't happen until Leah is down for her nap). Plus, I don't see the point in getting dressed (make-up, decent clothes, do something with the hair) if Scott's only going to be home for dinner. And, if I'm not working out until later in the afternoon, when will I have a chance to shower and get dressed, especially if I have a long list of items on my to-do list?  See, so I can justify my less-than-stellar appearance.

BUT... recently I read something that made me re-think my laissez-faire attitude when it comes to my appearance. Because I'm a stay-at-home mom, I have the greatest influence on Leah, including her attitudes and outlooks and behaviors. This author argued that because of that, a SAHM should take pride in her appearance. After all, Leah's going to take her cues from me. If I can't be bothered to look decent most days of the week (rather than just on the weekends), then why should she? If I don't care about how I look, then why should she care about how she looks?  This doesn't mean I have to be as fashionable as many of my friends (they're still teaching me), but it does mean that I can do a bit more with my usual appearance than just throwing on workout shorts and a t-shirt.

So here's to trying to better dress the part. (Mind you, this won't happen until the baby is a few months old, especially since I'll be in survival mode for a while, but at least this is something I can strive for.) And if you see me out and about in bummy workout clothes consistently (in the fall), then feel free to give me a hard time. Somebody will have to since Leah and Hunter won't.

17 more days...

Hunter's arrival is just 17 days away. Yippee!! Ever since I found out I was pregnant back in October, I've been eagerly awaiting the little man's arrival, however, it wasn't until recently that I started feeling excited. Don't think that I haven't been thrilled; it's just that with his birth-day just around the corner, I'm finally anticipating him being here in my arms. Maybe the reality of the upcoming addition to the family has finally set in, heightening my excitement. 

Being the planner that I am, I have almost completed all the necessary baby preparations. Granted, there are a few more items on the to-do list that I've scheduled for the next couple of weeks. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they are "magically" completed before then. After all, if I have a few extra minutes, why not accomplish them sooner rather than later, and thus open up a bit more downtime before Hunter is born? 

One item not on the to-do list but in the back of my mind is spending as much time as possible with Leah. I know this seems like an easy thing to do, especially since I'm a stay-at-home mom. Any SAHM will tell you that all that time at home isn't always quality one-on-one with your child. Sometimes we're running errands. Other days, we might have a playdate. And sometimes, I need to complete some tasks while Leah is playing. Even as we near the due date, I haven't cleared my schedule of these other tasks. Rather, when Leah wants to cuddle with me for a few more minutes, or wishes to play tea party in room upon waking from her nap, I'm indulging her... and enjoying every minute of it. For as excited as I am about finally seeing Hunter face-to-face, I'm sad about losing all that solo time with my little princess, my shadow. I know that Hunter will bring a new and wonderful dynamic to the family, but I'll miss the dynamic of just me and my baby girl. 

I suppose all parents experience these mixed emotions. I guess that's part of beginnings and endings; as much as we look forward to a new beginning, it means saying good-bye to what was. 

But I refuse to dwell on this ending for long; after all, in 17 days, I'll have a daughter AND a son. Leah will have a brother to love on and adore. Scott will have a little boy to play hockey with. And our lives will be even happier than they are now.