Mom. I'm really busy right now

This is just one of the statements Jayden has made to me recently about why he can't do something.  Today, I was told he was really busy swimming so he couldn't say "hi" to his Daddy on the phone.  He had the time to say six words to me, and twice since I made him repeat it, but didn't have the time to say "Hi Daddy."  Sure.  Whatever makes sense in that little head.

I know, and Carmen knows, that Jayden's reticence to speak to him on the phone has to do with Jayden missing Carmen a lot.  It does make it hard when you're the absent parent, but you just have to remind yourself it will all be back to normal once you get back home again.  Carmen is so busy I don't think he has much time to dwell on it - and I don't know that he would dwell on it even if he did have time - but I guess it's better to be busy.

Carmen got home late Monday night.  Sunday night Jayden and I watched some of the pro bowl and colored at the same time.  We made signs.  One for Jayden, one for Daddy and one for Von:

They're nothing fancy, but Jayden was really excited about it.  And then refused to take a picture or hold the sign.  So I did the best I could and sent it to Carmen, who sent it to Von, who now has it on his phone.  :)

Tuesday night Von came over for dinner, which Jayden was really excited about.  He's definitely more excited about Daddy and Daddy's friends than ever before.  As soon as Von got here, of course Jayden refused to talk to him and kept asking me and Carmen to ask or tell Von things.  Poor Von clearly does not spend extensive time around toddlers because Jayden also wanted to show him things (for instance, how he can "play" the recorder) and Von didn't really catch on.  It's okay, I think Jayden still felt good about it, but it was a funny courtship to witness.  Wednesday morning Carmen took Jayden to Juju's and then left for the airport to head back to Arizona shortly thereafter.  This time he's only gone until late Sunday night (tomorrow - yay!), so not so bad.  Thank goodness the Super Bowl is in Arizona this year.  "Poor" Carmen has been going to at least three parties a day for the last few days - something many people in this country dream about.  Meanwhile, I've been going upstairs by 9 or 10 pm at the latest, and I still manage to be exhausted!

Gramma arrived Wednesday afternoon.  Jayden was very excited to see her, of course.  The first 24 hours or so are always hard on me, especially when I've been alone with Jayden for so long.  For 9+ days I am the only person in his life when we're home and suddenly, particularly with the initial excitement, Jayden barely notices I'm there.  I know why it happens, and I get it and I don't resent it, but it still can be difficult.  Especially because Mom visiting means I lose time with Jayden, which is what I feel most guilty about already.  I did take Thursday as a vacation day, and we got to go to the Santa Ana Zoo, which was quite a bit of fun.

First, we played with his cupcakes.  He loves pretending like it's someone's birthday (or everyone's birthday).  We sing happy birthday and then we all get to blow out the candles.  This time it was Jasmine's birthday and he actually sort of got her to blow out the candle.  He was pretty pleased, as you'll see.

Checking out the Macaws.

Riding the carousel by himself!
The nest even turned in circles, and he was totally fine being there by himself - and happily waved at us every time he passed us.  I was so proud.  It'll only be another 4 or 5 years until he gets on one of the animals that doesn't move, and then another 4 or 5 years after that before he gets on one of the moving animals.  So by the time he's 14 and too old to ride the carousel is about when he'll be able to do it.  

As usual we spent a lot of time playing at the playground - he looooves the slides at the zoo playground.  He got tired right on cue and passed out in the car on the way home.  We'd also gone on a walk that morning, and he'd walked the whole way, so he put in his miles on Thursday.

Jayden taking Gramma for a run, since I definitely still can't run and can only sort of walk quickly when I absolutely have to.  

Friday I had to go to work, so Jayden stayed home with Gramma.  From what I can tell, they played pretty much non-stop all day, including playing every sport imaginable (basketball, soccer, football, baseball, frisbee, etc.) in the afternoon.  When I came home they were in the backyard and I was required to run out and join them for a game of frisbee before I could start putting dinner together.

Today we had a normal Saturday.  Swim lessons and just general hanging out.

Hanging out in the pool after swim lessons.

Playing "Go Fish."

Our current favorite song is "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson.  I have to be really careful that he emphasizes the "n" in Funk so that it doesn't come out as "fu*k."  That would not be good.  I play the video for him and we dance and sing.  Thursday night I asked if he was going to dance, and this is what I got:

As a funny aside, after I uploaded this I got a notice from YouTube that because of copyright issues my video might not be able to be seen in certain countries - that's because they identified the song playing in the background and there could be copyright issues.  The U.S. outlying islands is one of those places, but not the 50 states, so I'm pretty sure you'll be able to see the video.  

Tonight we watched the video again and we got much better dancing, but of course I got none of it on video.  Oh well.  Someday I'll share the wonder that is Jayden really getting down on a random Thursday evening.

Tomorrow is soccer and SUPER BOWL, of course!  We're so excited to watch the Seahawks - we'll see how the game goes.  I really have no clue what to expect; I just hope it's a good game.  And we will be wearing our Seahawks gear, of course.  :)

In baby news, I am officially more than halfway done.  Twenty weeks was Friday.  I honestly can't believe I still have so far to go.  The kid is kicking way more, at random times so there's no way for me to predict it.  I think it's only a matter of time before people on the outside can feel it.

The kid weighs approximately 10-1/2 ounces and is 6-1/2 inches from head to bottom, and 10 inches from head to heel.  The kid is about the size of a banana.  From now on the kid will only be measured from head to heel, since it may be stretching its legs out more and it will be easier to measure it's full length, not just its head-to-rump length.

 It's weird to think that I have a banana in my belly.  :)  The kid is swallowing more and is producing a substance called meconium, which is a black sticky by-product of digestion.  Something to look forward to in the first few days of diaper changes.  I am also apparently transferring immunities to the kid, so hopefully my body is working hard at that to keep this kid healthy too - just like Jayden.  My update says the average pregnant woman has gained about 10 pounds by now, which is about what I've gained, counting from the lowest point I was during the pregnancy. From my actual pre-pregnancy weight I've gained about 7 or 8 pounds.  I feel a lot bigger than that, and am really rather uncomfortable - feeling mostly just overweight, not cute and pregnant yet.  And even more frustrated that I can't exercise in any way.  Not being able to exercise has a very negative affect on my mental health and affects all aspects of my life, which bothers me quite a bit.  I've tried doing a few yoga poses, and they have helped, but there really are only a few I'm comfortable doing so they're not that helpful.  From now on, my OB will measure my growth and the baby's growth by measuring the height of my uterus.  This is done by taking a tape measure and measuring my belly.  The measurement should correspond with the number of weeks that I am - so at my next doctor's appointment I should be about 20 centimeters.  

Jayden is still adamant that he is having a sister and that her name will be Molly.  I almost hope it's a boy so that we don't have to have the fight over the name.  I don't know that he's going to forget, even in 20 weeks, since my belly is going to be a constant reminder of the impending arrival of the baby.  

I hope everyone is having a good weekend - I'm going to get some beauty rest shortly so I can more fully cheer on the Seahawks tomorrow!  #GoHawks!