Don't Call it a Comeback...

Especially since I can't promise how soon I'll be able to update again. Just popping in to let everyone know that things are going wonderfully. Tobin is 4 months old now and far more interactive than the last time I posted.

My days are spent singing, playing, reading, feeding, changing, and cleaning. In the breaks in between, I try to get some chores done, run the odd errand or catch up on my reading or shows I've DVR'd. Tobe really, really likes to stand and bounce right now. He does a good job of it on my or Daddy's lap and in the exersaucer, but I see a Johnny Jump Up in his near future. He also loves to hear himself talk and scream. His nurse at his 4 month checkup last week exclaimed that she'd never heard a baby his age talk so much and squeal so loud. That's something coming from a pediatric nurse who sees babies day in day out. He's rolling over, his coordination is improving, he's starting solid foods--I can't believe how fast it's going.

I can honestly say that I'm having the time of my life right now. For the last 4 months I've been doing the one thing I've wanted to do my whole life and it couldn't be better. I wake up every day to a gorgeous baby boy who's thrilled to see me and start our day together. Every smile and giggle I elicit throughout the day makes me feel like I'm really cut out for this Mommy gig.

That doesn't mean that every second is indescribable joy. Some days I'm just burnt out. Catering to a tiny dictator 24/7 can take its toll. On those days I hand him over to Daddy as soon as he gets home from work and head to the tub with whatever book I'm reading and a glass of wine. Two weekends ago the BFF and I ran off to Mohegan Sun for a girlie weekend while Ethan looked after Tobin full time. It was FANTASTIC! Booze, slots, food, shopping, having the bed to myself--bliss!

I must commend Ethan for the wonderful job he did looking after our son in my absence. I was nervous the first night, but when I woke up the next morning and everyone was fine (though sleep-deprived), I relaxed and was able to enjoy the rest of my weekend. Still, it was tough being away from my boys for even that short a time. I think Ethan and Tobin benefitted from 2 days of father/son bonding without Mom's interference, despite how tired everyone looked when I got home.

We spent this past weekend in PA visiting my folks. I love seeing Tobin interact with his grandparents. They clearly love him to pieces and he eats it up. He took a long nap on his Grandma after trying to pick the flowers off her shirt for many minutes. Last time I accused her of soaking her shirt in chloroform. This time I think she wore the shirt equivalent of the poppy field in The Wizard of Oz. Poor little guy didn't stand a chance.

I must take this opportunity to give major props to my husband for toughing it out at a less than fulfilling job right now so I can be home with Tobin. I know how tough it is to get up every day and go to a job you hate and I empathize with him and appreciate everything he does for our family. I hope the Job Fairy throws him a bone very soon, regardless how shitty the job market is right now.

I have nothing of real importance to post about right now--no current events or political musings. Just checking in to say I'm still alive and deliriously happy though crazy busy. I do waste a lot of time on Facebook, so feel free to friend me and check in with me there.

Checking In--Again

Just a quick update to let everyone know I'm still alive. Much like my BFF, I have recently been sucked into the Facebook vortex and find it difficult to wrest myself from its steely grip (man, I love mixed metaphors).

As you might suspect, the bulk of my time of late is spent looking after Tobin. He just turned 2 mos old last week. He did wonderfully at his checkup and is fit as a fiddle. He's changed so much since my last post. He smiles all the time now, laughs occasionally, stares at EVERYTHING as if he's memorizing it for future reference, and holds his head up full time without support.

I can put him down now at least twice a day for 20 to 30 mins while he amuses himself kicking, punching and cooing. Another recent development is that he seems content to sit in his chair while Daddy and I eat dinner so long as he can see us. That's a biggie! Until recently we'd take turns holding him so the other could eat. Now we feed him, plop him in his chair and chow down while watching that night's DVRed Bones rerun. Ahh, domesticity.

Hopefully these "independent" periods will increase over the next few weeks so I can get back to some semi-serious blogging about topical issues (and ointments). Count yourselves lucky that I've been too busy to blog. My brain has been absolute mush the past 2 mos and it's only recently begun to solidify once again. I actually passed up taking the online Jeopardy! qualifying test because I knew I wasn't my usual razor-sharp, trivia queen self and didn't want to blow it. I'll catch it next time around.

We had 2 lovely parties for friends and fam to meet Tobe--1 in NJ and 1 in PA. The Pennsylvania party was just yesterday. I'll post pics from both once I get the PA pics uploaded.

I think the biggest surprise the past 2 months have brought is just how normal this all feels. After enduring 5 years of horrific, horrific shit trying to create a family, I thought every single moment and milestone would seem monumental. I fully expected to be dropping to my knees every five minutes thanking the gods in heaven for finally blessing us with a happy, healthy child. I'm far too busy and distracted for that. When hit with the realization that I'm actually doing something I'd only previously dreamed about, I always expect to burst into tears. That was the case the first week or two, but now my reaction is more along the lines of "Oh, hey! Lookit that!" and then I get on with business.

I expect this, too, will fade over time until I (almost, not quite) begin to take it all for granted. That would be the ultimate blessing. There's still a little corner of my mind that's waiting for the other shoe to drop. I actually had a dream a few weeks ago that someone from the hospital came to take Tobin "back" like he was a library book we'd borrowed and was now overdue. As if life hasn't screwed with my psyche enough, my subconscious adds insult to injury. Typical me. I'm my own worst enemy.

Checking In

It's been a little while since I posted. Although there's been a fair amount of news to comment on, I haven't felt like commenting. I really don't wish to open up the can of worms in whoopass sauce that is the current Israel/Hamas situation. Being Jewish, I'm sure you can guess where I stand on that one, so I'll leave it at that. I will add that I don't always fully support the way Israel goes about dealing with these situations, but I don't have to go about my daily life wondering if my bus or the cafe I'm lunching in will blow up or if a Hamas rocket will come careening through my child's bedroom window in the middle of the night. Okay, so I kind of commented anyway. Sue me.

I was, however, tickled by this AP article this morning:

Minn. board expected to announce Al Franken winner

Do I think he'll be a good senator? No friggin' idea. Am I thrilled that he's winning simply because he's a democrat and will therefore increase the democratic majority in the senate? Sure. Besides, it's just a senate seat. It's not a real position of power like, say, mayor of Wasilla or some prestigious shit like that.

In familial news, things are chugging along chez Sincoff. Most days go fairly smoothly, though the baby does still have rough nights. He's changing so much day by day. His accidental smiles are now bigger and more frequent and less accidental. He doesn't scream bloody murder every time we change his diaper or outfit, just most times. He's acquired 3 different sounds that he employs often. One is a "monster sound," as I call it--sort of a growl. The second is a very piggy snort he makes when he gets all excited just before latching on or taking a bottle. The third is the cutest little high-pitched sigh I've ever heard. Sort of like "Hooo..." He makes that noise just before resting his head on my or his dad's chest and falling asleep. Can't wait to hear him laugh for the first time!

As if that's not enough, he turned 1 month old yesterday. Has it really been a month since he erupted from my uterus? Can't believe it. Here's a pic of my 1 month-old little devil after his bath yesterday.

I know I'm biased, but CHRIST!! Has there ever been a cuter kid? I think not.