The Neal Family

So, in addition to the tie-dye, the one other aspect of life where I'm feeling more and more hippie is in my newfound love and obsession with slings and other forms of "babywearing." For the uninitiated, a good overview of this whole subject can be found at this site. With Patrick we had your basic Snugli which was useful for a few months, and then we bought the Premaxx Sling from JJ Cole when he was about 8 months old. Loved it, and still use it to this day. The kid is still freaked about the vaccumn cleaner and loves the chance to ride in the hip carry for twenty minutes.
The interesting thing is that as I consider adding a new baby to our lives, I'm becoming more and more obsessed with types of slings and other soft carriers. In fact, every time I hold Mallory's little Carson for more than a few minutes, I have to fight the urge to find a sling to pop him in--I want to hold and snuggle him for a long time, but I also need the ability to deal with Patrick's little things and take care of business.
So, this is my dilemma. We like our JJ Cole sling a lot. However, it's a padded sling with a "mattress bed" and it can be very hot to wear in summer weather. Wouldn't have been a problem with a newborn in the fall, but a new arrival in spring is a different issue. I have a great friend here in the ward who is awesome at making "ring slings," which are a lighter, unpadded alternative. Her's are similar to Mayawraps in their use, although she usually uses pastel or white seersucker as the fabric. I also love the slings at this site, just cause the fabric is so gorgeous. However, I know some folks prefer the pouch type sling, like Hotslings and others. Still others have me sort of sold on the idea of a mei tai wrap, like this Ellaroo style. So the question is: what types of slings have you loved using, if any? Where did you buy them, or did you make them? And how many slings are too many?:) I have to make a good choice, cause I can probably only afford one new one, and even then, I'll be searching for a deal. Babywearing looks expensive! Fortunately, it's the only new gear we'll really need, right?

This morning, Sean, being the loving and wonderful husband that he is, took Patrick to the park so I could sleep in. On his way home, pulling into the apartment complex, he sees a series of brightly colored signs leading to the "D-VORCE Sale!" He couldn't resist checking it out and about dies laughing when he drives over and sees this 20-something chick out on the lawn selling all her ex's toys; i.e. snowboard, kayaks, pontoons, guns, etc. Freaking awesome. Steph, feel free to tell everyone about the boat fund as well. Guys should know these things can happen.

It's amazing what'll happen when you toss out a bit of news and then ignore your blog for a week or so! :) Thanks for all the words of congratulations. We are really happy and excited, although I have to say that being early pregnant the second time around is totally different for me from the first time. The first time I was beside myself with giddiness. This time I feel more quietly happy, as though I have to remind myself of what it is that's making me feel happy. I think it's just that I know this time around that nine months is a LONG TIME, and that pregnancy is not always fun, and that my delivery should be interesting at best--basically that there's a lot of hurdles to cross before we actually meet a new little member of the family and hold him or her in our arms.
To answer a few questions, I feel fine. I feel odd and pregnant but not too bad so far. Mind you, I'm just a "little bit pregnant" so that could change. As far as gender of the baby, yes, we would like a girl, but would be thrilled with a brother for Patrick was well. One of the main reasons I'd like a girl next is so that the third baby would be a decision all it's own, not just "trying for a girl." I hope that makes sense. A boy would definately be cheaper but it would be fun to have one of each. And finally, my official due date is April 26th. However, if we go ahead with a scheduled c-section, the baby could come as early as two weeks ahead of that.
Patrick will be almost exactly 2 and a 1/2 which more and more seems just about right to me. Hopefully he'll love a sibling as much as he loves everyone elses babies.
So that's the full story. In the meantime, I'm keeping myself busy tutoring online and running around with my mom friends during this last week before the kids go back to school. Sorry to be so absentee from my blog--I still check all of yours, I promise!

I love to have things to look forward to. The only time I really feel listless and sad is when I can't see anything fun on the horizon to look forward too. Here are a few of the things we're looking forward to right now:

1. Crazy 8 store/website opening. As mentioned, Gymboree is creating a lower end version of itself, kind of an Old Navy to it's Gap. I'm excited to see what they'll have to offer and if they will still have the great sales and clearance sections I'm so very fond of.

2. Reno Children's Discovery Museum. Supposedly opening in spring of 2008. I can't wait to have such a great resource nearby. I love these places, in fact, we even went to the Exploratorium in San Francisco on our honeymoon.

3. October Disneyland Trip. Can't wait to take our friends there and have fun together. I'm also excited to see the place all decked out for fall and Halloween. Also, Patrick will wear his Tigger costume and photo ops will abound.

4. The Office Season Premiere. I cannot wait to see what happens this season. I didn't really get into this show until this past season but I'm all caught up and ready to go now. Actually I'm excited for any TV that's not in reruns.

5. Baby Neal, due April 08. Yeah, we're pretty excited about this little piece of news as well. We just found out a few days ago, but as I am just one who cannot keep secrets, you get to know too! We've been hoping to add on to the family for several months now, so we're pretty happy!

Woohoo! Patrick and I are heading over to Heidi's shortly to get ready for our HSM2 party. Because we're all ten year old girls deep down. Several of us moms and kids are getting together for the 5 PM showing (EST). We're going to do funky rock-princess hair to any girl who can hold a ponytail, make school lunch foods for dinner (corn dogs and PB/Choc bars...) and watch the movie. And there will be singing along, since we've all learned the sounds track. Anyone else planning to watch?

The other day, Patrick was sticking some small object (probably a sippy cup valve) into his mouth and then laughing and running off. I was busy and not really paying attention but finally called him to me and said, quite firmly, " Patrick! What is in your mouth?" He looked me dead in the eye and from around the plastic said, "Nuffing, Mom. Nuffing." And then I did one finger swipe, pulled out the offending plastic, and we had a good laugh together. Followed by a short talk about why we don't tell lies to mommy.

Read it, finished it, loved it! I really did like it, although I have to say, I still have one foot in Camp Edward and one foot in Camp Jacob. Maybe Bella has an excuse for being such a whiner...

My camera just got back from the Canon service center. 127 smackers later, it's all fixed up from it's little sand incident. Oops. So glad to have it back! I feel naked going out without it.

Sean has been gone since Monday, to Woodbadge. It's like camp for leaders. He won't be back until midday tomorrow. He totally owes me. Have I mentioned how much I dislike single parenting?

Outside my window there is MAJOR road construction going on. It makes the entire apartment building shake every ten minutes or so. There's also a huge trench just perfect for toddlers to commint hari kari in. Yay.

I'm midway through Eclipse. I decided to take this one slowly since I regretted reading Harry Potter so quickly. I'm liking the story so far, although that Bella is getting to be a little whiny.

Have made slow progress on finding out what the district's attitude is towards job sharing. They keep telling me that it "does happen." Long Pauses always follow. Basically, it seems that it's easier if it's two teachers already working full time at the same school that transtion to sharing. Huh. Have to get around that one.

Tonight we're going to Hot August Nights. It's like a classic car show all week. Our friends, the Jorgensen's have a 50's Model T Ford that they take down there and go cruising. Patrick will be in his little rolled jeans and popped collar white polo. And no carseat. You only go about 5 mph, so it should be ok.

Patrick is taking his first nap in the Big Bed in his room. I'm not planning on moving him there permanently anytime soon, but the bed has always been in his room and today he begged to lay down there and actually went to sleep. He looks so tiny suddenly.

Since I value y'alls opinions, I wanted to take a little opinion poll on a new idea that's been kicked around as of late. My friend Mallory is about to graduate from BYU with an Elementary Ed degree. She also just had a baby, cute little Carson. As you know, I also hold an El Ed degree and have a cute bigger baby. The other day we were talking about things and started wondering about the idea of sharing a classroom i.e. a job share, and taking care of each other's kid/kids on the flip side. For example, one of us would work mornings while the other had both kids, then at lunch we would switch spots. We could even alternate who did mornings and who did afternoons every other week, or every other track . Probably the most likely place to get such a job would be the school Mallory student taught at this spring, which is a year round school, which might be even cooler. Each track is in session for about 9 weeks and then off for about a month, sprinkled with other holidays as well.
Anyway, I'm considering it. Most likely it wouldn't be able to happen until next July at the start of the year round system's school year, which gives us plenty of time to mull things over and think about the idea.
The main cool things I can see so far are:

• the obvious extra half a salary would be lovely. Hopefully we could save and save and save and pray to someday own a house in this ridiculous market we're living in.
• no more paying ridiculous spouse premiums for insurance (although I'd probably pay part of the premium through the new policy since it'd be half contract)
• no child care costs to either of us
• Patrick would still get me half the day and a like me substitute in our homes for the other half of the day
• I'd get out every day and do something productive (in addition to the productive business of raising a kid) and hopefully be happier and more well rounded for it. Or maybe not. I don't know.
• It would just a temporary arrangement, maybe a few years, since neither of our husband's will work here in Reno indefinitely. Somehow that makes it better in my head.

Of course, there's a part of me that thinks this is me selling out to the man, and abandoning my stay-at-home mom aspirations, but there's another part of me that wonders if this is the best of both worlds and would solve a lot of issues for us. What do you guys think? Would you consider such thing if it were an option, or are you appalled by the very thought? Tell me the truth--I really do want any ideas, insights, and/or forwarded articles about the value of being a SAHM. Whatever you got. I'm just interested in thinking about this.