You're cramping my style

If there is one thing for sure, I'm confident that BabyMc 2 has an oppinion.  The puzzled expression on your face makes me realize I have to clarify myself.  I know this becuase as I sit just about any where and whether I sit cross-legged or take a more manly posture, BabyMc 2 doesn't like when I cramp its style.

2.5 years and I still cried leaving him at "school"

Today....Eli is the new kid at school.  We decided to start him at a "school" (a fancy word for day care) because it was time that Eli be around 1.  other kids and 2. be in a more structured environment.  This has been the plan for 2.5 years now, but when it came right down to it....I cried like a baby when I left the parking lot.  I actually teared up before getting into my car.  This has to be a good primer for when he starts Kindergarten or goes to high school or prom or college or moves out or has his own kids or, well you get the idea.  Right?

You can blame it on the wildly raging hormones that are pouring through my veins right now, but I don't think my reaction is far off.  My perspective has changed since having one baby and I find myself wondering if anything is good enough and will he be "OK" mentally after he goes through our upbringing.  After all, the choices that Scott and I make today somehow impact him later. 

I guess my main concern, other than did we make a right decision, is whether or not the School/Day Care will like him?  Will he be expelled because he snatched a toy or pushed another child?  Will the teachers describe him to co-workers as a pain or a brat.  Clearly, I don't think either of those awful nicknames would fit him.  I'm biased though.  I would, however, describe him as confident, loving, a leader, a charmer, someone who is learning and willing to negotiate, a protester, a person who is quick to "get over it", a funny little guy and many more positive things that reflect my child in the best possible way.  (Huh...I read some of these attributes and I think of Scott and I....how strange).  I would rather have these attributes than some others that I'll leave out of this article for fear of offending and also bringing abuse to myself.

There isn't much I can do to control others oppinions of my kids, or even myself.  But I'd be a bit peeved if someone didn't like him.  He is, after all, perfect.  And ONLY Scott or I can point out his faults.  His grandparents are quick to defend him.

Week two is not going as smoothly.  Monday drop off came and he started crying when I pulled in the driveway.  I cried as I pulled out of the driveway.

He is our boy (maybe not the only one we have...we shall soon find out) and no one can ever explain your love for your own child.  I guess this entire lesson has made me think and reflect on our decisions and how they impact him.  Tough job!

Now taking wagers! Boy or Girl?

So the 7 months of suspense are just about killing me.  What is Baby McEnaney?  Another rugged young boy who will antagonize his older and tough brother?  OR is a girl destined for our home and will grace us with her rugged style and athleticism of her mother?  Overwhelmingly, the verbal guesses are GIRL!  But will the masses be shocked with a boy? 

Mom's Instincts:  In summary...I just don't have a clue!  Lets just give you a few scenarios to consider:

1. Scott and I had a girls name thought up before this baby was conceived.  And to me, it brings tears and happiness to my eyes and a smile to Scott's face.  The first and middle name mean something special to both of us.  With this special name being established before conception, it might have sent a false expectation of what a new baby might be.  To this day, it still makes me smile and jittery with excitement.  I will say that it was Scott's suggestion and I QUICKLY agreed it was perfect.
2. A boys name was thought up...a few months ago upon my suggestion and Scott QUICKLY agreed that it was as equally as special to both of us and both first and middle names are in the family.  It makes me smile and excited to have this person running around.
3. Each week, my mind changes as to what this baby is.  I can't decide.  Upon comparison with Eli's pregnancy....after nine months of waiting to meet him...I would have been shocked if Eli was a girl.  I just new I was going to have a boy.  Something about mom's intuition.
4. The final factor for me in this mystery is that I've said well before my babies came into the picture that I would be surrounded by boy's all my life.  As a young girl in Cumberland, RI, I recall VIVIDLY playing with the family up the street, "The Whites", and my older brother.  I also recall them vividly trying to ditch my butt and go be boys.  Despite the attempted ditching, I appreciate them beyond belief.  They are my older brothers and we've all managed to keep in touch and be each others extended family.  So there is a strong tolerance, acceptance, and appreciation for having boys in my life. 

Dad's Instincts: He is as equally muddled in is prediction of what this baby is going to be.  Predictions vary week to week and I usually have to push him to make a prediction.  Scott is famous for saying to me "I don't speculate."  My response to him...."Go Crazy!  Speculate for me!"

In the end, I don't have a preference either way.  Honestly, I don't.  From a practical point of view, I guess it would be easier to have a boy because we have lots of boy hand me downs.  But, to me...it doesn't really matter.  Navy turtlenecks are a good for a girl or a boy.  My final thought on this mysterious topic is as follows....I'm happy to not know what this baby is.  It is a sweet and delicious mystery of life that joys us regardless.  There is nothing so describable for me, as a mom, than the moment you find out what you had.  It makes labor and delivery all worth it for sure and takes any pain or discomfort away, at least at that moment.

In closing, I'm trying to be patient, but man am I really eager to know what this baby is!  3 months seems like a long time right now.

I'll be done being a mom when they turn 18, right?

I've been mulling on this topic for a while now. And seeing as I'm home sick for the past two days and have called my mom and Betty for council on getting better and managing my own kid, I can confidently say...NO...I won't be done being a mom at 18.

Every once in a while I have this thought that I'll stop worrying or mothering when Eli and the new babe turn 18. I'll go back to being just me and Scott. This isn't so. After these McEnaney kids turn 18 I will start to worry about their safety outside of my home. What are they eating for dinner? Is there new friend really appreciating them for who they are? When they marry are they doing it for the right reasons? Are they contributing to a 401k so they have fun after they retire? Are they happy?

All these stupid things that go through my head....and Eli put a cereal box on his head the other night ant the other little McEnaney isn't even born yet. I must be crazy. Well not really because I'm sure this is kind of normal and many parents want nothing but a good life for their kids right.

I also think that my worries are somewhat miss directed. Call me a bit paranoid but maybe I should worry more about the world and the choices our leaders are making that will impact my kids. The two strings of thought are definitely important. And to make things even more fun...I haven't a clue what tondo about either other than to raise my kiddie to the best ability I can and vote and write my leaders when I think that some thing should be different. Well I'm doing two of the three that I just mentioned. I'll tell you what though...the third one isn't something that I'm going to do today....I'm just going to get better and call my mom if things don't improve.