Our Friday!

Paprika and I had a lazy afternoon at the park today. I'm really cherishing this time of being able to really focus on her one on one. I know that in June, hopefully, our time together will be very different.



I had considered putting her in preschool soon, but I'm not going to do that. I really love spending time with her, and I figure there will be plenty of time for preschool later.



Right now I really enjoy the flexibility of our schedule, and being able to soak up every second with her. These next two months are the last time she'll have me all to herself, and I don't want to rush that.



Mr. Mustard finishes Dancing With The Stars on May 19th, which is just a breath away. I am hoping he'll be able to book some time at home after that, and we can all enjoy some lazy days together!

Indoor Playground Sans Vomit!

Mr. Mustard took Paprika to the indoor playground today- you know, the scene of Paprika's projectile vomitting episode.

We figured that if Mr. Mustard took Paprika, they'd be less likely to remember that Paprika threw up all over their toys and frightened the other kids away last month!

So, I got to hang out at home, catch up with my BFF, Ann, on the phone, talk to my Aunt Laura on the phone, and apply the heating pad to my back! Paprika got to have a fun day with her daddy, and Mr. Mustard got to spend an afternoon in the company of wild preschoolers on spring break. In all seriousness, I think Mr. Mustard had a pretty good time.

I encouraged Mr. Mustard to bring the camera with him to take pictures...and even made sure he had the camera packed and fully charged...but he forgot the camera in the car! Once you're inside the indoor playground, you can't leave. I mean, you can leave but you have to take your child with you, and Paprika didn't want to stop playing to go out to the car to get the silly old camera.

So, there are no pictures of their time at the playground today. Oh well. I've seen it enough times, I can imagine it!

In lieu of indoor playground pics, I dug up a picture from last week's Easter celebration of Mr. Mustard and Paprika building a princess castle. Doesn't Mr. Mustard look soooo excited?!

Children's Garden Wednesday!

Oh, My Aching Back!

Pregnancy Status as of 29 weeks, 3 Days:

Well, my back pain has gotten so much worse! I am using a heating pad at night to help things along, but man, it is still so painful!

My placenta is anterior (in the front), so there is no cushion between the baby and my spine. In a normal pregnancy, the placenta can be in the front, on the side, or in the back (it's usually in the back)- but for some reason, mine is always in the front! It's not a big deal except that it means I don't feel as much movement as I would if the placenta was in the back or on the side...and there is no cushioning barrier between the baby and my spine- which, ouch- is very painful especially as the baby grows!

Since the baby is also breech, it means that I have the full weight resting on my back. I think the baby may also be laying on a nerve because whenever I move, I get a sharp pain through my upper back.

Every 45 minutes or so, the baby kicks me really hard in the bladder, and it takes every ounce of my being not to lose control (if you know what I mean)!

So, we've been taking it easy around here the past few days. I brought out a bunch of Paprika's toys that she hadn't played with in ages. It's like she has a whole new toy stash! How exciting! I have been laying on the carpet playing with her, propping myself up with pillows. She's pretty agreeable to that, thank goodness! I'm hoping we can get out to the park once I'm feeling a little better.

Today at work, Mr. Mustard got to watch Rascal Flatts rehearse for their performance on DWTS. I was so mad he didn't tell me they were performing, otherwise I would have totally gone to the show to see them! They are pretty much my favorite band- or at least one of them! Even in my state of constant back pain, I could have made it down to the studio to watch them perform!

The baby is moving a lot more than even a few weeks ago. I think the baby is now about 3 1/2 or 4 pounds, and can kick really hard, so I can feel movement much more easily. I love feeling those kicks- but I don't want to feel them so much that I start to wonder, "What's going on in there? Is everything okay?"

I have my next appointment and ultrasound next Thursday. I always get pretty nervous on ultrasound days- it's so good to see the baby, but it also gets me stressed out that something will be wrong...like the heart won't be beating. I think this will be my last ultrasound for awhile (til right before the birth), so I'm going to stay positive and go in and enjoy it.

We are so excited about this baby and already feel so bonded. I told Mr. Mustard last night that if this baby doesn't make it, he can reserve a spot for me in the loony bin because I can't bear leaving the hospital with empty arms again. We are so in love with this little one, and can't wait for the day when we hold this much anticipated, much loved child in our arms for the first time!

Easter Day!

Paprika and I had a super-low-key Easter at the park by our house. It was just the two of us (there was no one else in the whole park), and we had a lot of fun! Mr. Mustard had to work until midnight, so we stayed at the park all afternoon until the sun started to sink on the horizon. Paprika brought her toy lions, and had a great time playing make believe with them.







So, it wasn't exactly a conventional Easter, but I enjoyed just being with my girl and appreciating the beauty of the day. I didn't want to fight the Easter crowds at our favorite spots. I knew that all of our usual haunts would be packed, and that just didn't seem like it would be much fun for either one of us. At least not as much fun as being together and doing our own thing!





Easter Sunday was the 9 month anniversary of Vivian and Annemarie's birth. It wasn't a day I really wanted to be around a lot of people, especially because Mr. Mustard had to work and I knew it would just be me, hugely pregnant, running after Paprika through throngs of people. No, these days we are taking things very slowly. I wanted to feel the stillness of the day, feel the warm sun on my skin, and take time to breathe and appreciate the true meaning of Easter- something that has been on my mind now more than ever.




So, we relaxed in the sun and made a paradise of this little, forgotten park by our house. All in all, it was the best place of worship I think we could have found on such a perfect, lovely day...





Paprika gifted me with lots of smiles, and lots of reasons to laugh out loud. Even in times of sorrow, I find that when I look at our little girl's face, I cannot help but feel my heart overflow with complete love, joy, and gratitude for the gifts we have been given and for our hopes for the future. Oh, how I treasure these moments!