Tornadoes in January?

We live in tornado alley, but tornadoes in January are (obviously) very uncommon. In the not so distant past, tornadoes touched down not far from where I live and flattened homes. I've never worried about tornadoes because they don't really freak me out, but the other day, I had a brief moment of panic when Sidekick and I were separated during a tornado warning.  I was sitting in my home office watching the storm roll in.  I had the TV on in the background and was listening for updates.  The news had informed us of a tornado warning in the county where Sidekick goes to school (we live right on the edge of two counties).  I called his school to find out what they were doing and to tell them I was going to pick him up early.  I was quickly told that the sirens were going off, he was in an interior bathroom, and they will not let me take him out of the school when the sirens are going off.  I sat in my home glued to the TV waiting for the warning to end, so I could pick him up.  It was only about 30 minutes, but I didn't like being separated from my little Sidekick during that moment.  I definitely felt helpless, and it sucked.  Of course when I picked up Sidekick, he had no idea any of that was going on.  If anything, he enjoyed being shoved in a crib with his buddies and being rolled into a cold, tiled room that echoes when babies scream or cry. Thank goodness for safe bathrooms and tornadoes that didn't hit.  Phew! 

Halfway Through Sidekick's First Year of Life

It's hard to believe that around this time last year I had just announced I was pregnant to my colleagues and Facebook friends (I waited until about 16 weeks to let the cat out of the bag), and now my little guy is able to sit up on his own! I am just amazed at how much he has changed in just 6 1/2 short months. He brings me so much happiness, and while being a single mom can be a challenge at times (primarily when it comes to laundry and cleaning), my little Sidekick just blends into my life.  I don't feel like he has disrupted my life at all.  I still go out to dinner, go shopping, go for four mile walks (now with him), sleep great (better than before I was even pregnant), and enjoy life (more).  He has added to my life and made it so much more fulfilling.

I want a second baby.  Yep, I do.  I've wanted one for a while.  Part of it is because I love being a mom and can handle being a single mom, and the other part is because Sidekick is such an incredibly good baby. He would make anyone want to have a baby.  Unfortunately, because of finances, I can only afford one.  Daycare is really expensive, and if I hadn't started saving long before I started trying to get pregnant, I'd be strapped.  I jokingly asked the owner of his daycare if she would give me a "two for one".  While she completely supports what I have done, she won't do that, but she did say that she'd give me a great discount. So it appears that if I can't find a great guy to marry and have another baby, it'll just be me and my Sidekick, and I am a-ok with that!

Since I've resigned to the fact that I'll only have one baby, I have started selling his baby equipment that he is not using and putting the money into his college fund.  There's no sense in keeping any of it for the possibility or hope that I'll get married and have another baby.  If I do, then I'll just start all over with my husband. In the meantime, it's time to get rid of the old stuff and make room for the new stuff in my little, cramped condo.

Life is great with my Sidekick. We never know where life will take us, but I believe that what's meant to be is meant to be.  I thought that each and every time I had my eight IUIs. It had to be the "right" egg and the "right" sperm to get my perfect baby, and if it wasn't meant to be then I would not have Sidekick.  Before my eighth try to get pregnant I had decided that was going to be my last because I was emotionally and physically drained.  I was originally going to try six times, but for some reason I forged ahead, and I have Sidekick to show for it. It's funny how things work out...

It's Been Such a Long Time!

I try to keep Sidekick's journal and baby book updated, and while that's difficult, this blog seems to be on the back burner.  Here's a recap of the past six months:

1.  He has always been a great sleeper!  He started sleeping eight hours at four weeks old and 12 hours at nine weeks old. 
2.  He has always been a happy, easy, funny baby.
3. He started school at 13 weeks old, and he is and always has been one of the favorites (of course I love this!)
4.  He's a tiny little guy and while he's long at 27 inches, he is not quite 16 pounds (six month appt).
5.  He loves our dog-- especially when she licks his fingers.  He laughs so hard!
6.  His favorite song has always been "Wheels on the Bus" (especially when I make up new "sounds" that are on the bus).
7.  He has plagiocephaly (bad flat spot on the back of his head).  While it was recommended he get a helmet, I requested one month to make a positive change with his measurements with repositioning.  We made great progress, and I now have one more month to get him in the "normal" range.  Phew!
8.  He loves every food he has tried! He has yet to spit out, gag, have problems swallowing, etc.
9.  He loves reading books!  He already has favorite ones and others he isn't interested.
10.  He can roll over front to back and back to front, but he's lazy when it comes to back to front.
11.  He can sit up on his own for longer than 30 seconds.
12.  He went under water at 5 1/2 months old and loved it.  I can't wait to get him in swim lessons.
13.  He took his first plane ride to Florida for Christmas, and he was great! 
14.  He loves long walks, and when the weather is nice, he'll sit in his stroller for up to 4 1/2 miles. 
15.  I never knew how much I could love someone immediately and unconditionally.  

I'll try to get better about writing. Being a single mom can be really hard, but despite how tired I am, how much laundry I have to do, and how much cleaning I have to do, it doesn't matter because it's all worth it, and I love this little guy more than anything!  It doesn't hurt that I truly have the perfect baby.  We "get" each other, we are in sync with one another, and we are very, very happy!  There were times when I was pregnant that I wondered if I was making the right decision.  Without a doubt, this is the best thing I have ever done!