Where do I begin? Updates

Where the hell have I been? In bed, mostly, with a cold, for two and a half fracking weeks. I honestly did not think it was possible to be this sick this often without an underlying primary condition. Of course, duh, pregnancy, but damn, does it have to put you down like a lame horse? It’s been a really phlegmy snotty thing that’s left me coughing up crap (and I throw up at least once a day, whee) and sinusy and we don’t have to mention the stress incontinence, do we? Do me a favor and assume it’s there and it’s bad. But the goo is turning the right color and I am making a little less of it, and the combination of OTC meds gets me through the days if not the nights. None of them are technically okay, but I was coughing myself into some very organized Braxton-Hicks contractions. So I looked down at my belly and said to T/M, “sorry, kiddo, no magnet school for you”, and started sucking down Sudafed.

Things that have occurred in the meantime:

• Seamus has appeared to have gotten some massive developmental clue that he is a PART of things, and not merely THE thing in our universe. It’s still a little rough, but I’m so stoked at the possibility of him developing some awareness that I’m ready to rustle all the livestock from one of the local educational farms and sacrifice them to some pagan gods.
• The cats have integrated themselves nicely into the household, despite Inky’s desire to be indoor/outdoor. All three pets worm and flea-free and healthy. Inky escaped on Monday and we were so damn overloaded from my being sick and the house being filthy that we decided to let her come back on her own. Which she did, five hours later, and aside from being a bit more affectionate, has carried on like nothing happened. Her bullying days are coming to an end, however. Remember how I thought Aggie’s growth was stunted, perhaps due to having litters too young? I take it back. Big-framed cat has filled out her big frame and weighs about 11 pounds now. Inky growls at her, and Aggie just stares her down, sans drama. Faolan is fine with the cats provided they don’t graze from her bowl. Poor old girl, we really need to spoil her a bit more. I’ve been trying to have time with her on the floor with petting and treats, which she loves.
• Patrick has been freaking amazing during this illness crapola (my words, not his, he takes it seriously). He’s taken Seamus to work on non-school days, he’s taken time off to help at home, and he keeps reminding me that I’m pregnant, I’m sick, and it’s okay to focus on not being sick anymore. He’s also been a fantastic hand-washing task-master with the marauder. He may move on geologic time for most things, but during the last nine weeks (seriously, how does one get sick for nine fucking weeks?), I’ve had nothing to nag about.
• Seamus’ last day at his preschool will be in May, so he graduates with his classmates (they become butterflies and get their wings), but doesn’t succumb to the boredom that may have played a part in last summer’s suckfest. We enrolled him in three sessions of science camp totalling four weeks, we’ll possibly join the local pool association but keep his more structured lessons ongoing, and perhaps find a couple more camps or another class. Then I plan to fill in the gaps with field trips, hikes, some service days through Save the Bay, I think, and whatever comes up, including playing at home, feeding the jays, warblers, and woodpeckers that visit. We’ll go fruit picking like last year, and depending on how T/M handles the carseat, we’ll go further afield. We’ll keep working on reading and early math as he shows interest. I still think at this age that treating the whole project like potty training is important. Offer and praise the effort, don’t push.
• We’re still in the effing goat rodeo. Waiting to hear back on our Montessori options, and our local public school info night is tonight. Since it has been determined that I am not going to be the PTA parent, Patrick’s attending that one. I’m quietly marshalling my home education plans should Patrick not like the place.

That’s the bulk of it. How are all of you?