My lovely lady lumps and other randomocity

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or so they say.  Pregnancy makes the lady forget that she has a blog, is what I say.

So, here is an update from the Binky Estate. 

• Round Two of child-making is wonderful and all, but slightly less endearing than the wonderment of womenhood that is the first pregnancy.  We've reached almost 24 weeks of baby growing.  My belly seems larger this time.  I don't spend every moment thinking about the baby, except when he mercilessly kicks and gives me the Heimlich manuever from the inside.  It's hard to ignore someone who controls your innards.  This one is a very active boy.  Did I mention that we're having another boy?  Sometimes I get all gooey when I think about who he is.  Does he look like Amos?  Will this one have curly hair like me?  Will the boys grow up to love each other and be just as incredible as their father? 

• I'm annoyed with the size of my boobs.  I have way more than anyone would ever need in a lifetime, no matter what Phil says.  At least porn stars make money with theirs.  I'm keenly aware of when I'm being ogled, by men and women alike.  I apologize to everyone that my cleavage seems to always make an appearance, no matter the cut of my shirt.  I think I'm going to look into Amish dress.  Amish maternity clothing must be quite something to behold. 

• Phil's dad passed away in early March.  It was a sad time for all of us, but I'm glad we were here.  Bill was surrounded by his children and his wife when he slipped away.  Phil delivered the eulogy for his dad, which was sweet, sad, and incredibly funny, just like he did for my own father's funeral.  Later in the month, we went through the second anniversary of my dad's passing.  March, I love ya and all, but I'm glad you are over.

• Pennsylvania in the winter is not something I enjoy.  Pennsylvania is the spring is a joyous place full of flowers and greenery. 

• Interesting observation about our new homeplace:  Phil and I notice that not only are people loud here, they are aggressive and angry.  Not all, mind you, but quite a large crew of them.  In fact, the town we live in felt the need to post signs on the main road that yell BEWARE OF AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS.  I'm not sure which came first:  the aggressive drivers on the stretch of road between these signs, or the signs that instigated people to think, "Hmm, well, if everyone is hellbent on destruction right here, I might as well be, too."  I tend to clutch parts of my seat and the window frame whenever we drive that stretch of Mad Max, PA.  Maybe I should shave my hair into a mohawk and wear my assless chaps to fit in.

• Along with the aggressive people, the animals are trying to keep up their attitude as well.  We've seen bird fights within a few feet of where we were sitting (resulting in an explosion of feathers on the ground) and the rare squirrel-on-bird fight to the death that "Wild America" could only dream of catching on film.  Sometimes, if we have the windows open at night, we are awakened around 5 to 6am by the loudest, most annoying bird chirping, nay, YELLING, that we're ever heard.  I guess it's when the birds wake up and have their coffee before they start the day.  Maybe they are planning the next rumble.  I call dibs on Ponyboy.

• Upon reflection, I seem to be grumbling a bit here.  There are plenty of positives in my life.  We are incredibly happy to have another child arriving soon (August 1 or so).  Amos has grown into the most interesting little human being I've ever witnessed, and we're pretty sure he's some kind of genius.  He's gentle and kind (well, mostly, but especially for a toddler), has manners (Please, sorry, and thank you?  Who IS this kid?!), and he seems to have an almost full command of the English language.  We looked up the various milestones for his age group, and while he may not have completely mastered potty training ("No!  I'm under the table and I poop in my diaper!"), he is above and beyond in his language skills.  The kid uses predicates, nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.  He doesn't have one sentence; rather, they go on into compound sentences and full-on paragraphs.  He wants to learn about plants, sidewalks (including the grout and how to say grout), cars, airplanes, birds, comedy, cooking, and especially, how to fix things.  I see this incredible need to learn inside of him, and I burst with pride.  This boy is a little nerd chip off the ol' block. 

• And you!  You look fabulous!  What is that garment you are wearing?  You are so fetching in its cut and shape.  Did you change your hair?  My, it's quite a sight.