Stir-it Up ... little darling

Kaylee has been choosing some favorites for songs lately. In Eric's car, she requests to hear "Stir-it" (stir-it-up by Bob Marley) and "People singing" (No woman no cry by Bob Marley). She's also been requesting that I "sing-along" with songs on the radio. I have to explain that I don't know the words to every song. Sometimes during music I think she's talking to me and turn it down, to realize she is attempting to sing along about 1-2 seconds behind the music repeating the lines of the songs. Then in protest to me turning it down, she says, "Want music. Turn it up!"

Yesterday we had all the neighbor girls over to swim. She is now swimming around independently *always under a watchful eye* with her life jacket on. She pushes away help and says, "I do it myself." She kicks her legs and moves along, but doesn't use her arms yet. She doesn't like to be splashed on purpose or by accident and protests that. She likes to wear goggles too, like her big-girl neighbors. She doesn't like bugs in the pool but has gotten used to them. She loves to migrate over to the ladder and climb in and out. We are always there to supervise this. She climbs up and down the steps in and out the pool by herself. She doesn't "jump-in" to someone without a lot of carrying/assistance going on, which is just fine by me! She continues to be cautious and predictable, both traits I like when dealing with the pool.

I had my 37 week appt last week. I all the sudden had all these question: "If my water broke first with Kaylee, will it do it again." (most likely) "Why did Kaylee get sick after birth?" (too much time between water breaking and delivery, ensuing an infection) "Do you think I'll be better at breastfeeding?" (yes) "Do you think I'll get close to my due date?" (yes) "I forgot how to breathe - what needs to be done?" (she practiced with me) "How long is a typical labor with 2nd child?" (8-9 hours typical.) I was satisfied by the answers but know that there's no guarantee that I can expect similar to what labor was with Kaylee, but she seemed to think it would be somewhat similar. She said I was measuring exactly 37 weeks. We talked about epidurals and pain medications - I said I would try to do natural again (I tried and failed last time) but would be flexible. All I really care about is that I keep my wits about me and that we both come out of it without a lot of side-effects. A common thing I've felt is that flexibility is required in labor, but ultimately I know what I want and I want to be heard. I was so upset last time when I told them to pass the baby to Eric while I was stitched. They wouldn't do it, no matter how hard I implored them to do it! I will be just as insistent and mindful of interventions as I was with Kaylee, but now understand that need to be flexible. Eric is my rock. He was really helpful with Kaylee, my focal point for sure. I take great relief in the fact that he will be there to support us. Just about 2-1/2 weeks to go!

It is hot here and I am so glad to be working in an air-conditioned environment! We have had our AC on the last couple of days and the pool has been really nice to have. I don't "plan" when to be pregnant but if I did, I would NOT plan to be pregnant in the summer. Being 9 months in March was so much better than being 9 months in August!

Someone at work today told me "You must be giving birth to a bungalow. You're as big as a house." One of many such comments from the same individual. Other comments, "You look like a weeble-wobble." "Man, are you pregnant!" "Wow you are going to pop!" I just laugh it off. This guy is known for these comments so I don't take offense. He consistently passes me at work saying "Hi Mama."

To end with, a cute thing Kaylee said: Eric and I were leaving a restuarant we had dinner at. Eric said she had to hold someone's hand in the parking lot since it's not safe. She said, "I hold my own hand Daddy" and then clasped her hands together.