"O" What a Ride: September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

4 months

September 30, 2009. Wow, 4 months. Where does the time go?

Weight – 13 lb. 50 percentile

Length – 25 inches. 85 percentile

Head – 16 1/4 inches. 55 percentile

A few Lily observations:

* You can roll both directions, from back to tummy, and from tummy to back.

* You love to hang out with Daddy in the Bjorn, and have even done a little yard work together.

* You love to talk, and are quite the jabberbox. And you have learned how to scream, which you think is hilarious.

* Your Nanny and Auntie M have spoiled you rotten by always riding in the backseat with you while I drive. So now you pretend to cry just to get my attention and hope someone will crawl back there to join you.

* You are getting settled in at daycare and taking good naps for Miss Lucy.

*(Dad typing right now)…you are still extremely gassy and love providing Dad the evidence with a tremendous amount of diapers every night and weekend

* You like hanging out in your Bumbo and love trying to sit up like a big girl

* You are constantly playing with your hands and feet, love to grab onto your toys, and put absolutely everything into your mouth.

* You have began to notice your doggies, and watch them walk back and forth begging for attention. You love to reach out and pull on Elhers’ hair while she gives you kisses (Mom doesn’t think this is quite as funny!).

* Your favorite day of the week is Saturday….it means Daddy and FOOTBALL. Go State!

We love you more than words. Happy Birthday Lily!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Hi Ho, it's back to work I go

I'm back to work and Monday was Lily's first day of daycare.

[Sob, sob, snivel, ugly cry, sob.]

I was nervous dropping her off, anxious that she would be unhappy or scared, or that she would think her mommy abandoned her. Drop off was uneventful, though I must admit, it's a weird feeling - hello stranger, here is my kid, please be nice to her, don't hurt her, I'll be back later. I know everyone goes through this and I'm perfectly comfortable with our day care choice, but it's still a bit traumatic.

I of course called during the day to check in and quiz poor daycare provider, Lucy, about how Lily was eating, sleeping, playing, etc. (Lucy probably thinks I'm an over paranoid first time mom who needs to stop harassing her with one million questions.) Lily did great and was a happy girl, though she did refuse to take one single nap (I will admit, it's kinda nice that someone else had to deal with the grouchy, tired baby for one day..ha!).

To put my anxiety as ease, this morning at drop-off, Lily took one look at Lucy and gave her a HUGE smile and giggle, and then proceeded to reach out and pat her face. The kid could have cared less that I was leaving her again today. My little traitor is gonna be just fine at daycare.

[Sob, sob, snivel, ugly cry, sob. My baby doesn't need me!]

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Artsy Fartsy

Lily went to her first Plaza Art Fair this weekend. It was a gorgeous evening and she loved being outside, watching all the people, and strolling about.

Chilling out before we left.

Hmmm, can I have a sip Daddy?

People watching

Parental cup-holders.

Totally obsessed with my tongue.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

What did you say?

Ryan just about lost his life last night.

He was finishing up Lily’s bath and drying her off with a towel, when he made the comment “oh cute, that’s just like your mom”. I glanced over and saw him looking at her fat rolls and cellulite thighs and butt.

And I just about killed him. He did not just say that I have chubby wrinkly thighs and a large dimply butt. No way. He did not. OMG, I’m gonna hurt that man.

Not exactly what a gal wants to hear her husband say. Let alone someone three months postpartum.

So, I did the only thing a mature woman could do in this situation. I glared at him and called him a jerk. Then I started storming out of the room.

Until he looked at me like I was crazy and tried to figure out why I was so furious….he said he was referring to the little blond hairs on her legs.

Maybe I’m a little sensitive?

Whatever….I’m not buying it.

Jerk.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Drama Queen

This past weekend was Lily’s baptism and she was in a ‘drama queen’ mode. Wonder who she gets that from?!?!?!

She was an absolute jewel during Mass….

…until the moment the baptism (following Mass) started. Then she FREAKED OUT and SCREAMED for a solid five minutes.

Aunt Soni, having four kids of her own, smartly made me a bottle and we shoved it into Lily’s mouth….peace was restored.

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Lily with her godparents

Family photos

Saturday night BBQ

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What a fun weekend. Thanks everyone for coming and sharing in her special day!

Monday, September 14, 2009

It ain’t easy

A good friend recently asked me if being a mom was harder or easier than I expected. I have to honestly say it’s been easier…not easy, but easier…than I thought. I was expecting the worst – absolutely no sleep, a baby who cried nonstop all day long, feelings of incompetency. However, we have been fortunate to have a laidback, calm baby and though I do not consider myself a ‘baby person’, I have been amazed at how naturally being a mom has come to me.

However, not everything is sunshine and roses around our house. The most difficult transition has been finding out how to mesh our roles as husband/wife and dad/mom. While on maternity leave, Lily and I have our own little routines during the day, and while we absolutely love having Dad home on the weekends, by Sunday night, a small part of me is relieved that Ryan will be heading back to work and that we can get back to our routine. And though we drag Lily just about anywhere, including movies, dinners, shopping, etc, it’s such a different lifestyle to plan around her feedings, diaper changes, bath and bedtimes. We’ve made the mistake of getting cocky and keeping her out too late a few nights and paid the consequences when she was up bright and early the next morning but sassy because she didn’t get her full nights sleep.

We’ve also had a few missteps when trying to understanding the other person’s daily routine. One Saturday Ryan was busy working in the yard, helping a friend move, and running errands. We got in a silly disagreement that evening, and he made the comment “every time I walk into the house, you are watching TV.” Not gonna argue with that, he was right. I was sitting on the couch watching Food Network whenever he came inside. However, he just happened to come inside every 2.5 to 3 hours, which coincided with Miss Lily’s lunch and snacks times. Umm, what else did you want me to do – strap her on and scrub the kitchen floors while feeding her? On the other side of the fence, there have been many nights when Ryan has gotten home, and I’ve immediately handed Lily off to him and gotten frustrated when he wanted to just sit and relax for 15 minutes (or change out of his work clothes) before he took over dad duties for the evening. I tend to forget that he has been working all day long, and then comes home for another couple hours of what must feel like a second job (though of course, he loves spending time with Lily and enjoys every minute with her).

We’re not perfect. And this parenting thing can be hard. But thus far, the most difficult part has been trying to understand the other spouse’s perspective, and coinciding frustrations.

And in less than two short weeks, we’ll add a whole new spin on life with Lily….I will be heading back to work . Quoting my all-time favorite book “I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.”