Title still applicable

I sit here, enjoying the final hour of the James Bear’s afternoon nap, wondering if I will actually finish this blog entry.  I am coming up with nothing to write about, since my life is James-centered and anything I have to say about motherhood has probably already been said a bazillion times.  Originality is non-existent.  And yet, my baby boy is the only James Bear the world has ever known!

The difference in my days now that I’m at home is all-encompassing.  Gone are the long hours in front of the computer (unless this entry takes a really long time) and endless phone calls on the main line.  My alarm doesn’t go off at 7AM.  There are no more 10AM chai breaks or Tuesday afternoon staff meetings or making polite conversation with co-workers whose names you’re lucky to remember.  There is no more Fantasy Football with your office pool and pulling pranks in different cubicles.

Chai breaks are at 8AM now, because by that point I will have already been up for a few hours.  I don’t need an alarm clock because I am assured of safely waking up well before stores and offices open.  Staff meetings consist of plotting out a monthly date night or two with VWH and I would kill to have some polite conversation with anybody over the age of 21.  I can still play Fantasy Football online I suppose, but the extent of pulling the wool over somebody’s eyes is Peek-a-boo with small James.  J

My two closest friends live many states away.  We do a good job of keeping in touch, using Gmail chat and the phone to stay connected weekly.  But increasingly it’s becoming harder to feel like I’m being the best friend possible.  I think this probably can be attributed to the facts that:

1. Neither of them have kids.

2. We haven’t all been in the same location together in 2 years.

3. I am really out of practice in the art of good adult conversation. 

VWH and I were the trailblazers when it came to getting married and starting a family.  One or two of our closest college friends are married, and one of those couples just had their first child, but they live far away.  That’s not a huge problem for us and we’ve enjoyed having a few words of wisdom to pass along to those who have requested it.  But in this new season for me, it would be fantastic to have some other young mothers who are just as wrapped up in their little ones’ lives to converse with.  I could talk about babies all day…but I’m very aware that I didn’t really want to do that before I had one, so I try to steer clear of an overdose of it with others.  But James’ very existence means that he’s always present in my thoughts—I couldn’t get away from him if I wanted to (which I don’t).  It makes the way I communicate with others different, and I’m definitely still adjusting to it.  I don’t feel very good at it yet…

There are mothers out there who are willing to talk about babies---but most of them have older kids or are empty-nesters, so I end up being their audience for stories and advice.  I don’t mind small doses of that at all (it’s been quite helpful!) but where are the moms my age?  Where is the balance where two friends can talk equally about marriage and family without one foisting too much information on the other and/or boring her to death?  I am either Too Old or Too Young.

Feeling pretty insecure about all of this.

Volume 5: James D Bear and the Snow Day

Written by VWH

Illustrated by VWH & Yours Truly

Starring James D Bear

James D Bear lives in the nursery at 749 Washington Street.

One morning he awoke to SNOW outside his window.

“Brrrr!” said James D Bear, “It’s much too cold to play outside.”

“I wish for sunshine and playing outdoors.  I will pretend I am in Egypt.”

So James D Bear pretended he was Bearoah of all Egypt.

First he climbed aboard his royal barge.  

He asked Father Bear to pull his barge because Father had a snow day.

Then he sailed down the Nile.

He sailed past great pyramids.

He sailed past giraffes and seahorses and elephants.

He even thought he saw a crocodile hiding in the water.

But then James Bear felt sad.

“It is no fun anymore to be Bearoah of all Egypt,” said James D Bear, “Because my mother does not live in Egypt.  I’d much rather be at home with her.”

The Adventures of James D Bear...Volume 4: James D Bear Takes a Trip

James D Bear lives in the nursery at 749 Washington Street.  One day his mother told him, “James D Bear, today we are going to visit Grandma’s house!”

“Do you mean Nama’s house?  I love my Nama and Papa,” said James Bear.

“No James Bear,” said Mama, “Tonight we will visit your other grandparents who live far away over the mountains and down the river.”

“Oh my!” said James Bear, “That sounds far away!  Who else lives so far away?"

“Your Uncle Daniel and Aunt Emmy and Uncle Tim and great grandparents live there,” said Mama.

“Mother, how many uncles and aunts do I have?” asked James Bear.

Neither Mother or Father or James D Bear could count that high.

James D Bear helped his father with his rehearsal and then they climbed into the car.

When Father said the trip would take six hours James D Bear was very surprised.

James D Bear fell asleep and when he woke up his grandfather was holding him.

“James D Bear, we have missed you!” he said.  “We have not seen you since you were a tiny baby, but now you are big and strong.”

James Bear was glad to snuggle with his grandma and great-grandma.

And his aunt and uncles.

He told his father, “Father, I love Grandma’s house and Grandma and Grandpa’s snuggles.  I am glad we have visited!”

Do you know how many people love you, James D Bear?

So many!

The Adventures of James D Bear...Volume 3: A Birthday Party

James D Bear lives in the nursery at 749 Washington Street. One day his father woke him up and said, “James Bear, today we are going to a birthday party!”

“Yay, I love birthdays!” said James D Bear “Whose birthday is today?”

“Today is your cousin Hayden’s birthday,” said Father. “She is two years old.”

 

Cousin Hayden lives in Batavia and sleeps in her very own big girl bed. She is a monkey.

 

Mama and Father Bear packed up James D Bear in his seat, and drove to Batavia.

 

James D Bear fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes, it was a party! All of his aunts and uncles were there, and Nama and Papa Bear.

And even Great-Grandfather Bear.

And so was the birthday girl, his monkey cousin Hayden.

“James D Bear!” shouted Hayden, “I am so excited you came to my party!”

“Happy Birthday, cousin Hayden!” said James D Bear. “I brought you a present wrapped in green paper.”

“It is a game that we may play together. But first I will give you a hug, because I am glad you are my cousin.”

James D Bear loves his monkey cousin.