Summer is coming to an end and SS hasn't done anything. SS went back to BM's house one month ago. BM has been emailing DH with frivolous updates since SS left, to which DH has responded "Thanks for the update." DH reduced his phone calls to SS from twice per week to once per week, which has been working better. SS seems a little more talkative only talking to DH once per week and it's giving us time back to focus on our family. DH has reached out to SS a few times each week via text, to which SS either didn't respond at all or sent an emoji. We are still unsure if SS will be visiting for Labor Day weekend or not as his football schedule has not been released by the team yet. That is unnerving because I feel we cannot plan since we don't know if he will be here or not. 

Last week, BM emailed DH to tell him that she took SS to the orthopedic because SS is struggling with wrist pain. It was the first time DH had heard anything about it (shocker). BM explained that the source of this wrist pain is due to behavioral/emotional issues that are causing SS to pull on his fingers due to anxiety. BM explained that it wouldn't impact SS' sports, a wrist brace was given, and they are monitoring for further treatment. The whole email seemed off, but again, everything with BM typically is. On Sunday, DH spoke to SS and asked how his wrist was doing. DH asked SS why he was pulling on his fingers and SS exploded. SS started yelling about how BM is trying to make this an emotional issue, but it's not, and that SS is totally fine emotionally. SS said he was playing sand volleyball with friends last week and on a spike, he slammed his fingers into the ball wrong, jamming them and his wrist. SS says it improved after a few days, but now he has some minimal pain while holding a ball. SS said that BM doesn't want anyone at football to know it's an injury, since they have try-outs in two weeks and BM insists that SS must be able to start. SS said that BM knows an injury will put him out, so she is telling everyone it's anxiety and emotional issues to prevent that from happening. SS continued to vent for a few minutes. DH and I were shocked as SS has NEVER gone against BM, nor shown any kind of frustration towards her. 

SS then went on to complain about how SS hasn't done anything fun since returning to BM's. They are working all day, every day, not taking any time off, so SS is sitting home alone, rotting. Prior to the start of summer break, they promised him several vacations and fun activities, but none of them have happened. Supposedly, SS called BM out on it recently and BM shifted blame to DH, stating that because DH had SS for 4 weeks this summer, it took up all of BM and GF's summer parenting time to take SS to do the fun stuff. SS seemed firm about it, like he believed that. Mind you, SS went back to BM's the third week in June, so our visit had no interference on their summer. DH rebutted that statement to SS and said DH will not take accountability for them not doing anything. DH explained that DH had SS for 4 weeks. DH explained that BM and GF will have SS for 5 weeks before football starts and could have absolutely done something with SS within those 5 weeks, so if they chose not to, that is on BM and GF, not DH. You could tell that SS knew that but was struggling to admit it. DH and I both have said that BM and GF's "perfect parents" facade is cracking (as we have noticed in recent months) and we are here for its downfall. 

I have felt much much better since SS left. I have made peace with our situation and I am not letting BM and GF's toxicity rock my mental health. I think also disengaging mostly from SS has helped, as I now see he is also part of the problem and not a full, poor, helpless victim in this. I processed our summer visit with my therapist and have reached a point where I feel well enough with this situation to suspend therapy until a later date when I feel I need it again. 

In other news, my second pregnancy has not been easy. I have now developed cardiac issues caused from the physical stress pregnancy has put on my body. My blood pressure is high and I have been experiencing heart palpitations. They reassured me that mental/emotional stress is not a concern (as I work a high stress job), rather it is an electrical issue in the heart caused from the extra body weight and baby's growing size putting pressure on organ systems. I am meeting with a cardiologist and high risk OB today. We had our 20 week scan of newDD last week and she is developing beautifully. I am hopeful that my pregnancy will continue somewhat smoothly through delivery and into postpartum. DD3 is so excited to meet her baby sister and talks about her daily.