Second Pregnancy Syndrome

I am tired. So tired that last week I fell asleep while watching a Red Sox game-in Fenway Park. I fell asleep standing up in the shower. I felt similarly exhausted during my first trimester, however that was expected. Now I am well into my second trimester-a time of supposed abundant energy and vigor. If I'm this tired now with 16 or so weeks left, how will I ever stay awake through my third trimester? Maybe I'll sleep through the entire end of my pregnancy and wake up when the new baby arrives.

I thought something was wrong with me. Maybe I am dehydrated. Maybe I do not eat enough iron. Maybe ice cream contains tryptophan. I shared my concerns with Midwife Suzy at my 24 week appointment on Monday. While Midwife Suzy said my exhaustion could be due to any number of things-low iron, dehydration, heat and humidity-she said most likely I suffer from a very common, yet widely unknown condition called Second Pregnancy Syndrome.

I am not alone. Millions of women, usually after an extra glass of pinot noir or two, willingly, some with great diligence and determination, actually try to get pregnant for a second time. Suckers like us forget how physically and emotionally challenging pregnancy was the first time around. We actually had time to care for ourselves and we only had to care for ourselves and not worry about a little tot running around underfoot.

When I was pregnant with Caitlin, I took a nap almost every day during my first and third trimesters. I slept hard. I drooled. During one afternoon nap, a giant oak tree fell down on my street and landed on my neighbor's car, taking with it a telephone pole and power lines, and knocking out power to the entire neighborhood. My street was illuminated by the flashing lights of emergency vehicles and flashes from nosy neighbor's cameras. I slept through the entire thing.

Being pregnant with a toddler, I do not have the luxury of taking drool-inducing three hour afternoon naps. Sure, I could nap when Caitlin naps, but when would I do laundry, clean my house, pay bills, watch Bravo, or write this blog? And now that Caitlin only naps once a day for about two hours, I spend most of my day chasing her from various place to place. She would rather play "Hide from Monster" or visit the playground, than play "Let's Watch the Inside of Mom's Eyelids and See What Happens."

All of this toddler chasing and lack of rest led to my diagnosis of Second Pregnancy Syndrome. The primary symptom of SPS is sheer, utter, mother effing exhaustion. The secondary symptoms of SPS are simultaneous sneezing and pants pissing, as well as borderline precarious caffeine consumption. Midwife Suzy recommends trying to rest as much as possible, knowing that in reality this will probably equal five extra minutes of rest per day. There is no cure.

I'm afraid Second Pregnancy Syndrome prepares second time moms for the chronic condition known as, Second Child Sleep Extinction, which transforms once semi-rested, content mothers of one, into night walking zombie mamas with gaping black holes where their eyes once sparkled. They may or may not eat their young, especially if it will buy them some extra shut eye.

I am also afraid SPS will initiate my downward spiral toward Crappy Parenting. Many days, I feel too exhausted to give parenting all of the energy it deserves. While I want to run in the park with my daughter, my body wants to lay down on the couch and turn on Sesame Street. I fear I am often too tired to put forth my best effort and my child will suffer the consequences of my fatigue.

My diagnosis of Second Pregnancy Syndrome leaves me frustrated and fearful, however whining and complaining will not remedy my situation. The only remedy is to make a concerted effort to get more rest. I began my course of treatment today and enjoyed a delicious afternoon nap. I may even go to bed before 10:00 tonight. If you see me night walking around the Boston suburbs, please send me straight to bed. Good night.

A Morning at the Capron Park Zoo

Last week, I took Caitlin to the Capron Park Zoo. The Zoo is located in Attleboro, minutes from the highway. The Capron Park Zoo provides toddlers, preschoolers, and their families an educational, fun, and affordable outing. First, the zoo is small, which means Caitlin could walk through the entire zoo without tiring and whining, "Up, up." If you arrive close to opening, the zoo is not crowded. This afforded Caitlin a prime view of the African lions, snow leopard, and red kangaroos on display. While many animals were napping in the sun or hiding, we were able to witness red kangaroos hopping alongside their mamas, sloth bears wrestling, and a Visayan warty pig playing with a basketball.

There are also two different feeding areas at Capron Park. In one area, children are able to feed goats and llamas. Walk across the bridge over the pond and there is another spot where children can feed ducks. Animal food costs a quarter, so if you visit the Capron Park Zoo bring change or ask for change in the visitor center.

After children see the animals, they can play on the splash pad located right near the zoo entry. Outside of the zoo there is a large playground with distinct areas for older children and toddlers. The Capron Park Zoo is located within a larger park, so there are plenty of tables and grassy spots for a picnic.

Admission prices are highly affordable. Children under three are free. Admission for children ages three to twelve costs $5.50. Adults pay only $7.00. If you happen to be an Attleboro resident, admission costs even less. There is a concession stand and eating area inside of the zoo, in addition to the picnic areas outside the zoo gates. Wagons are available for rent, which gives tired tykes a chance to rest and watch the animals.

The Capron Park Zoo gets high praise from this mama. If you are looking for something fun and affordable to do this summer, definitely pay them a visit!

http://www.capronparkzoo.com/

Trucks are for Girls

During our recent Maine vacation, I took Caitlin to Reny's, a self-proclaimed "Maine Adventure." Reny's sells items such as, plastic lawn flamingos in various heights and colors, boogie boards, Crocs, last season's Oshkosh Bogosh fashions, hunting supplies, and wicker furniture. Reny's also boasts an impressive toy section, complete with a variety of beautiful, wooden Melissa and Doug toys.

I took Caitlin to Reny's to buy necessities for the condo and pick out a new toy. After eight days in Maine, the five toys I packed in my L.L. Bean tote no longer cut the mustard. As we entered the toy department, Caitlin made a beeline to the truck section. My little girl loves trucks. She also loves airplanes, trains, bicycles, sailboats, vans, cars, motorcycles, helicopters, hovercrafts, and all other things that go. Despite an affinity for all modes of transportation, trucks truly captured Caitlin's heart. Since we did not have trucks at home, I encouraged her to choose a roaring, enormous, shiny truck to call her own.

As Caitlin inspected truck after truck, a little girl about three or four years old wandered over to us. Thinking she may love trucks as well, Caitlin handed a green dump truck to the little girl. Rather than accepting Caitlin's generosity, the little girl said to me, "The girl toys are down this aisle." I followed her finger to an aisle exploding with glittering tiaras, plastic cases filled with Barbies, princesses, and ponies, dress-up purple feather boas with matching purple high heels, costume earrings and necklaces, and pink, pink, and more pink. "Thank you," I responded to the little girl, "But my daughter likes trucks." Miss Informative shrugged and walked back to her parents. As they walked into the Pink Plastic Tunnel of Princesses and Fairies, Caitlin found a new red fire truck with a ladder that moves up and down to capture her attention. She showed no interest in the pink aisle and I did not encourage her to move.

My conversation with the little girl at Reny's made me wonder, when do children begin to notice the difference between "girl toys" and "boy toys?" What happens to the little girl who loves playing with trucks, rather than playing with dolls? When do children begin to tease the little boy who loves Barbies and playing dress up?

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a construction worker more than anything, despite my mom's "how 'bout an architect?" suggestions. I loved building with blocks. I wore a yellow Tonka hard hat, evidenced in many of my childhood photos. It wasn't until I was in second or third grade that I showed any interest in Barbies, My Little Ponies, and other toys deemed girly. Much like Caitlin, I had interests that lay outside of typical gender expectations. Sure, I had dolls and stuffed animals, but my heart belonged to the blocks.

Caitlin's heart belongs to the trucks. I hope she will stay true to herself. When she grows older, I hope Caitlin will continue to follow her interests regardless of what others think. I love that she plays with both baby dolls and trucks. I love that she doesn't show much interest in the Pink Plastic Tunnel of Princesses, at least for now. However, if one day Caitlin wants to walk down the Pink Aisle I will encourage her choices just as heartily. I will just miss listening to her make little "Vroom, vroom" sounds as she steers her dump truck across the hardwoods.