Mood Swings

I'm an effective person about every other day. One day I'm gung ho, trying to find things to keep me busy so time will pass. The next day, I'm tired and frustrated that time is passing so slowly. Yesterday was my down day. I was a little depressed after coming home from my doctor's appointment. I picked up a book at the library on the way home and read the entire thing before the end of the day. I got a little feisty with the doctor, because she WOULD NOT admit that my baby was coming any second. She also made the mistake of saying I was only 35 and 6/7 weeks along. Excuse me, but I'm over 36 weeks. You have to give me every single day I've earned. Plus, I should technically be 37 weeks, because as you know, the ultrasound showed the baby was a week further along than we thought. Though you, my dear doctor, would not officially change the due date just to torture me. AND by belly has consistently been measuring one week bigger than my fake due date says it should. GRRRRR, why won't you just admit that I'm ready to give birth at any moment? I know if you would just admit it, Maxwell would decide to make his appearance. It's all your fault.

I left the doctor's office feeling bad that I had been grumpy (I didn't actually say all the things written above--but I was thinking them!), wondering why I had picked that doctor in the first place (I actually really like her), and discouraged thinking the baby will NEVER come (will he?).

Today is supposed to be my high energy day. I'm going to put on a smile, get some laundry done, wash some dishes, make bread, and actually have dinner on the table at 5:30. Yea! Let's kick it into gear!

Here's a little of what we've been up to on my good days:



Enjoying the good weather with my chickies.



Nabbing daddy from work for a quick picnic and trip to the park.






Painting. (Actually lying on the bed while Swen paints) :) We finally got the boy's room done after having them beg and beg and beg. It looks really good, but I haven't taken an after pic. yet.



This was taken on a really good day. Lincoln is wearing all of my hard work. Observe his shirt, schmeered with bits of samples from Costco. I stocked up on some great groceries for the week. While sporting a big, heavy bowling ball-like appendage at my middle, grocery shopping is no small feat. No sir. Once you load the cart with things you need, circle around the store several times to make sure the whining chickies don't miss the samples that weren't quite done at the first pass-by, load the groceries into the car, stop at 2 more stores to take advantage of good deals, pack the groceries inside, and put them away, a girl can be quite exhausted!

On Lincoln's pants, he is modeling freshly ground whole wheat flour, which he scooted around in while he was helping me make bread. His face demonstrates the chocolate chip cookies we made b/c mommy really needed chocolate. His smile reflects the happiness that comes when Joe is chasing 4 enthusiastically screaming girls in and out of the house playing hide-and-go seek, and Isaac is wrestling around with several neighbor boys. His hungry belly reminds us of the pots of beans I soaked, cooked, and divided into bags to freeze for future meals. His messy clothes illustrate the loads of laundry I washed, folded, and put away. Whew! It was a really good day.

I was actually on a natural high most of the day because I felt like such an effective person. During all of the chaos after the boys came home, I was full of joy reflecting on how much I love to be a mother. I love it when the neighbor kids know they can come to our house and enjoy hot bread and fresh cookies. It's great when our house is full of giggles and everyone feels welcome.

Now swing to the next day. I was completely annoyed when the neighbors asked for cookies, and told them we weren't going to eat cookies til after dinner. I made the kids play outside, and I didn't even know what I was going to make when dinner time arrived. Time to break out the good ol' tortillas and cheese. My poor family. They've probably started keeping track of which days they'll get the good mom and which days they'll get the lazy mom. I think it would be good if I started putting in a 50% effort every day instead of the 100%-0% swing. 50% isn't fabulous, but at least my family would be less confused by the whole pregnant mama business.

K. Well, I guess I'd better go practice being a half-way effective person today.