SS13 is scheduled to arrive in 3 weeks and he will be here for 4 weeks straight. While we are excited to see him, I am also dreading the visit. I always thought we would want more consecutive summer visitation if we could get it, but now that we have it and SS has become so difficult with age (thanks to BM and GF's influence), it makes me regret that want a bit. 

I am 10 weeks pregnant with Baby #2 and this pregnancy has been ANYTHING BUT EASY. I have been suffering from terrible morning sickness that has required medical intervention, extreme fatigue, and now high blood pressure (which they can't figure out because I have always historically had low BP). I went to my OB last week though and baby looks good. I go for routine blood work and gender testing blood work this week. DH has been a Godsent these last few weeks as I have almost been completely out of commission. He has done all the housework, all the cooking, and all the care for DD, on top of his normal full time job. He hasn't complained once, although I feel guilty for not being able to carry my weight in the household responsibilities. 

SS doesn't know about Baby #2 so that will likely be a stressful conversation when he arrives. SS always knew this would happen and we have been open with him about having one more baby, but I don't think he expected it yet. This baby will result in SS moving to our basement for his 6 weeks of visitation per year (which we are working to finish nicely), so I'm sure there will be mixed feelings about giving up his room, even though the basement will be way better with his own bathroom, kitchenette, and living space. We plan to take him shopping while he's here to pick out new bedding, a vanity for the bathroom, and some decor so he feels included in this transition. 

We still haven't heard anything further from BM or SS about therapy. DH plans to set aside money from his upcoming bonus to cover the expense, when the bill does come. He has been keeping tabs on the number of visits and his cost share. Otherwise, we are dropping it because BM won't tell us what's going on, SS won't/can't tell us (if he even knows why he is in therapy), and since confidentiality starts at 12, the therapist won't tell us either. BM has always blamed us for SS' issues, but like I told DH, without anyone telling us what's going on, we have no proof we are the problem and therefore we can be blissfully ignorant and go about our lives. If SS feels we are the problem and needs change from us, he better start speaking up, otherwise we are continuing life as normal. 

During a call with DH last week, SS mentioned that BM wanted to sign SS up for a community college course this summer (to be taken online) and that he may need a few evenings per week during our visit to complete it. He said he wants to take intro to financial advising. Mind you, SS is 13 and in 7th grade! SS told DH he isn't sure if it will work because he would need to take the ACT prior to registration (which even if he could, we don't think he would pass), which might be hard to do for summer semester. DH and I both agreed after the call that we aren't financially contributing to college courses for a 7th grader. BM hasn't brought it up to DH either, so I find it funny again that she is giving away DH's visitation without DH's consent or involvement. DH laughed when he hung up the phone, saying that BM took college courses at age 15 (because it was a status symbol for her), yet she still works an average job with median pay and turned out to be completely average despite her narcissistic self image. DH agrees that SS is smart, but he isn't that smart. 

DH and I both feel that SS needs a normal kid summer since he has been bogged down by BM's overscheduling of sports, working out, academics, extra foreign language studies, chores, etc., which we believe is the true cause of his anxiety. We told SS that maybe he should spend some time swimming, hanging out with friends, riding his bike, etc. when he is here and less time worrying about adult stuff like college courses, body image, and stressing out about becoming the next major athlete/Einstein. DH will also be limiting SS' phone use so BM and GF can't blow SS up with texts over the 4 weeks. They can text (and we know they will) but he won't have access to it 24/7. SS texting BM and GF = anxious SS and we don't need that stress in our house for all of June.