Timelies. I just changed the most heinous, toxic diaper ever. Blech.

Is it bad that I'm currently feeling wary and reluctant to even try breastfeeding if we have another kid?

Do not feel bad about this. You don't have to nurse. But you can always try it again, if you feel strongly about it, and if it doesn't work, you know you can switch to formula. I tried with Jake, couldn't do it, tried with Ben, same, and with Sara I never even attempted it. I am so over the guilt. My kids are happy and healthy, and I was much more relaxed.

Stephanie, would it be possible to nurse the baby during the exam? Will they allow you to step out for that? If you had to do it in situ, I think it might be tough, but I wasn't a breastfeeding mom, so I could be really wrong.

Gud, the window gate does sound like a good idea. Our Ben once pitched himself out of a very low-set first-story window with one of those pop-in screens in his mad rush to see the garbage truck. Out he went, into the bushes, about eighteen months old, dressed in nothing but a diaper and a T-shirt. Stephen said he'd never been so terrified and also laughing so hard at the same time. (Ben was fine, if a little befuddled.)

Robin, I don't think there's any immediate danger in being late. Don't sweat it.

a little more reality based experience and whole lot less guilt

Definitely this. I'm still not 100% sure I want a second child, and I'm certainly not ready for one yet (if nothing else, I want us in a bigger house with our finances in better order), but I'd kinda like to see what early parenting is like without the overwhelming terror that I'll ruin the child if I don't do everything just right!

Y'know, I think I'll always have high expectations for myself, but if the first year of parenting taught me nothing else, it's to give myself a fucking break already, and accept that things are usually OK even when they're not perfect.

It sounds normal to me, Perkins. My experience was increasing variation timing and amount.

Maybe we'll get a window gate, I like that one. It's sort of trade off of being able to have windows open now and just waiting until he is old enough not to do stuff like that (maybe 2 years).

re: older Bitching. (heh)

I don't even look at the calendar anymore. I go by the twinges my body's sending off as to when things are going to start (glares at body that is twinging right now). Once you hit the 40s, most doctors are just going to say, "Well, you're getting older, these things happen. Call us if it continues to be irregular and you're worried."

In the past year I've fluctated from six weeks between to three weeks between. I'm 44 and can't wait for the whole works to permanently hang the Closed for the Season sign.

This made me laugh, and thought it might bring a smile to someone else, too. My brother sent an email yesterday entitled Happy Boobie Day. Now he addressed mother's day and my sister's birthday, and then he ended with an explanation of the title.

(about the subject, it's also Breast Cancer Awareness Day. So far I haven't found any cancer but I'll keep looking)

So belated happy boobie day to those who have them, and those who just enjoy looking.

I'm excited about tomorrow. I'm taking the day off so I can watch the kids while my wife is out all day at a semi-chrisitan motivational thingy. But the kids are going to preschool for 5 hours. That will be the most time I've had alone in the house since....I can't remember. I'm going to work on the spaceship project and do some cleaning.

And thank the gods for Dr. D, the breast surgeon whom even the people at the hospital would trust their breasts to, and that my mother got the talents of. His mom should be very proud.

It sounds normal to me, Perkins.

I think you meant Robin there, Ginger, though I am tickled by the thinking I am Robin part.