On a Scale of 1 to 10

Pictures:
Luke with the soother tucked in, and Megan and Luke visiting.

When I was in labor the nurses and doctors kept asking how my pain was on a scale of 1 to 10. I was so antsy and hurting that I couldn't imagine where I would be on a scale of 1 to 10, and I was frustrated that I couldn't answer their question. So I've been practicing-not quite a pro yet, but getting better.

We had a visitor on Saturday and I felt like the mouse in Cinderella “VIS-i-tor, VIS-i-tor!!!” Megan came over for a couple hours and we just visited (and then she went with me to the grocery store where the visiting continued). It’s amazing what adult conversation can do for my morale. I’ve felt closer to 10 than 5 all day today, just from visiting with Megan TWO DAYS ago.

Yesterday we went to the Show and Shine, motorcycle and car show at the Corn and Apple Festival in Morden. Harv and Helene were volunteering, helping with parking, so we thought we’d maybe run into them and say hi. It was a gorgeous day, we had a lovely tour around some VERY clean cars (and that’s about all I have to say on the car and bike subject…what do I know about cars? The fact that a car’s hood is up does nothing for me. I lean in, look around, nod, ask, “what sort of mileage does this thing get?” and that’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge…not that I’m not interested, I’ve just never pursued it is all). I’m pretty much impressed that they’ve polished anything under the hood…crazy car fanatics. Most of these cars tires were so clean that I’d rather eat my dinner after they’ve run over it a few times.

When we got home the weather was so nice, and 14th Street was paved last week, that we opened up all the windows and for the first time since we moved in enjoyed a breeze running through our house (I should explain the 14th St. comment. 14th Street runs behind the houses across the street from us and is a moderately high trafficked road. It has been a dirt road up until last week and the dust raised each time a car drives by at 90km/hr is enough to make an athsmatic shudder. I have enough cleaning to do with the dirt from all the construction in our neighborhood, so we have kept the windows mostly closed this summer). It truly felt like a Sunday afternoon with the windows open, especially when I took off my shoes and socks, put the baby down for a nap and stretched out on the couch. I was suddenly aware that that lovely sound I was hearing was birds and crickets. It felt like home, then.

Luke is settling into a routine and I’m realizing that I desperately want to protect his nap times. I always thought I’d be one of those moms who would drag her kid around everywhere and they would turn out to be real flexible, happy, well-adjusted kids. Yesterday when we were out and about during his nap time he was SO upset...screaming away. He actually reached a new decibel level. Then when we got home I stuck him in the crib and it was as if he was so happy he couldn't sleep. He lay there with his arms spread out as if he was hugging the bed, but was so stressed out from screaming that he didn't sleep, just lay there smiling drunkenly for an hour. I decided while he was screaming in his car seat that I would lay down in front of a runaway train before I disturbed nap time again. He can learn to be flexible later. I will put him down for a nap at noon! The baby is little, but he’s the boss.

Today I am going into Morris to see my friend Kathy for what may be our last Tuesday coffee before she and her family move to Bolivia for three years. You’re saying “Tuesday? Boy is she messed up! It’s Monday.” Yes, I know; but last year when Kathy and I were in California we had coffee every Tuesday. And when it happened that we had to change it to Thursdays we still called it Tuesday. Like, “So we’re going to meet for Tuesday coffee on Thursday for lunch, right?” And we rarely had coffee. It was usually tea, and more often than not there was a high-calorie muffin involved. So this afternoon I am certain to be back down closer to 0 than to 5 when coffee nears it’s end and I am looking at a forty-five minute drive back to Winkler during which I will contemplate my kindred spirit Kathy, that is, when I’m not trying to pacify a wailing child in the back seat with his back turned to me…
Which brings me to the topic of car seats. But perhaps I will tackle that tomorrow. Oh, and I’ve also gotta tell you about Elvis, but really it will have to wait.