TWO for the show

A big happy birthday to SCC today...to sweet, full of life, slightly stubborn, finally now asleep in her bed SCC.

We had a fun celebrating birthday number 2. RVC and TLC (with some help from Dad) had wrapped and set out the presents last night. TEC woke up early and did some work from home so he could enjoy a birthday breakfast of blueberry muffins. SCC was the last one awake--as it should be on one's birthday. When I finally heard her talking to herself downstairs, I went down and wished her a happy birthday.

"Thank you!" she said, echoing my cheerful intonation. Then, much more true to the age she was turning today, she began what would be the first of some quality tantrums. All of a sudden, it was NOT her birthday. She did NOT want to go upstairs to see her presents. NO blueberry muffins, thank you very much.

We did enjoy breakfast--eventually all the kids were satisfied with their color of cup, plate, etc.--and only one cup of orange juice was spilled during the opening of presents. SCC received a baby doll, a blanket, some clothes, and a specially-made pirate ship (from RVC and TLC).

SCC also received a special birthday greeting this morning over the phone from Grams, Holly and Olsen cousins. "That's for me!" she kept saying as we listened to them sing "Happy Birthday to You."

We were glad to be over our fevers from the weekend so we could have some fun today. The kids wore themselves out swimming at Grandma's pool with Val's kids--probably our longest time at the pool ever. RVC received some swimming tips from her cousin and even floated on her back all by herself for the first time.

Back at home, the kids did a great job entertaining themselves while I fixed dinner and tried to salvage a disastrous stuck-to-the-pan chocolate cake. We dined on salmon, corn, potatoes, and some more 2-year-old drama (the worn out 3 and 5 year-old contributed to the dining experience as well). Then we enjoyed a fun evening with grandparents--more presents, singing, and cake and ice cream.

This mom is tired and grateful for some down time tonight. I love my kids--even the countless 2-year-old moments from today somehow made me smile--but it is very nice to finally reach bedtime and turn off a few switches until tomorrow.

Last night I felt the baby moving like crazy--kicks and turns against my bladder, my spine--more movement than I've ever felt. It made me worry. In fact, I woke up TEC to tell him about it, even though there wasn't much to tell since I wasn't having any contractions (which is probably why TEC had no trouble falling back asleep two seconds after I told him, lucky guy). I, on the other hand, lay awake worrying about all the things that could be wrong. And about how much I did not want to have this baby on SCC's birthday. And about all the things I still haven't done to get ready... Finally I got back to sleep. This morning TEC asked me if the baby was still rolling around and it hit me that I hadn't noticed. In fact, I had to finally stop and lie down at my mom's before we went swimming so I could assure myself that the baby was still moving in there...which I eventually did feel, but not without more worry. I'm not sure what was going on last night, but I'm glad we didn't have any additional excitement on this already full day.