The Distractable Mommy

Dear Shepherd,

Last week you turned 16 months old. The further along we go, the closer these months seem to come together. This past month has been filled with fun. You constantly want to go outside and run around or play in the pool. Your energy has just shot through the roof, and you run at breakneck speeds across the yard, through the house, or wherever else your little feet will carry you. It’s hard for mommy to keep up with you, especially with the growing baby in mommy’s tummy.

You have learned a lot of new words this month, and you’re even better at communicating with us than ever before. When asked what mommy has in her belly, you make the sign for baby. We’re not sure you completely understand the concept of a baby in mommy’s belly, but you often will pat my belly and smile at me. This week wee pulled out a lot of old baby toys such as the swing and the bouncy chair, and you’ve had a blast playing with them. You’ll often grab a book and sit in your swing reading the book. So many changes are ahead of you as your little sister plans to make her grand entrance, and sometimes I worry about how you’ll adjust. I know you’ll love her, as you’re so good with other kids and other babies. I guess I’m most worried about how you’ll handle the change in attention you get. As much as I’m looking forward to your sister getting here, I’m also trying every moment to hold you close, and give you extra love, as I know the days of you being an only child are numbered.

This month you’ve really enjoyed the water. We’re very excited about this as it seemed for a while you were terrified of the water in your bathtub. With the introduction of your pool, the sprinkler, and the ocean, you have completely overcome your fear and now are totally enthralled with any type of water. You would spend hours in the pool if I let you, climbing in and out, and then back in again. You run through the sprinkler giggling and squeeling, hands up in the air trying to catch the water. The ocean, however, has proved to be your favorite. You absolutely love the sand and the waves, and you run through the water stomping your feet and splashing everyone around.

Shepherd, you continue to amaze me. Being with you every day is such a joy, it’s hard to imagine my life without you.

Your smile is so contagious, and your laugh, whoa boy, your laugh makes my heart just explode within my chest. You are constantly amazing us, and constantly changing. I love you so very much,

Happy 16 months, Doodlebug,

Love,
Mommy

Great… I’ve got the corniest, cheesiest dumb song stuck in my head. At the mall this morning, while checking e-mail and watching Shepherd run crazy around the play area (seriously folks, I’m in love with this play area) they played Hungry Eyes, and now I cannot get the song unstuck. Between that and this weekend’s movie rental, Children of Men, everything seems to get stuck in the quagmire of my mind. (That movie, by the way, one of the best I’ve seen in a long, LONG time)

My brain is just a bog right now, and forming intelligent thought requires so much mental energy (that I don’t have), I’m often reduced to sounding just like Gomer Pyle. In fact, I believe this post is the most intelligent thing I’ve said in the past 48 hours. As a result, I’ve been particularly down lately. With my brain fried and with Shepherd showing strong preference for other people when they’re around (he refuses to be held by me if daddy is home), I feel a tad useless around here. I know this will all change come September, and I’ll be needed around the clock by a tiny little newborn.

At least I have managed to do something productive. Last night, I sewed my own sling. I found the design online (Jan Andrea’s Sling Ring), ordered the proper safety rings, picked out some fabric at a local store, and made my own sling! I was quite proud of myself, especially when I was able to use it with Shepherd this morning. Makes me that much more excited about the baby coming. I may actually attempt to sew a few more slings, for extras or for friends, as it was nice to actually use my mind at something for a change.

Well, I need to get Shepherd home for a nap… hope you all are having a wonderful day!! (Hey, if you could, make sure your blogger profile allows e-mails, and if not, and you comment, let me know your e-mail addy so that I can respond to your comments).

Dear Crazy Lady,

You do realize that there are such things are rear view mirrors, right? And you realize that if those malfunction, you can glance over your shoulders to check behind you, right? I ask this, because it would seem you have no earthly idea how to drive. I was carrying my 16 month old toddler into Target (and 7 month belly), when you decided to grand prix out of your parking spot while I walked directly behind your car. I don’t know how you missed seeing me, as I’m the size of a cow right now, on top of the fact that I was hauling my toddler. But nonetheless, you continued to back out, despite my screaming, “HEY! HEY!” to you. I nearly fell backwards trying to get out of the way. I finally got out of your way, as you continued to back up, unaware that you’d almost killed me, my son, and my unborn child. I looked, and you were busy chatting on your cell phone, completely oblivious to your rearview mirrors and all. Then, you pulled back into your spot.

Crazy lady… you weren’t even LEAVING! You were just straightening up your car, which honestly, didn’t need to be straightened anyway. I looked around as I clutched my toddler in a death grip, and saw 10 witnesses, with mouths agape, so I know it wasn’t my fault. Maybe next time, slow down if you’re backing up and for the love of God, please use those rearview mirrors!!!

Sincerely,
The Big, Ol’ Pregnant lady you almost hit