Monday, August 11, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Trust issues
When Alice was first born I marveled that I could stroke her eyelid without her flinching. She had never experienced something unpleasant touching her naked eye and it seemed a symbol of her unblemished trust in me and the world at large. I wondered at the time how long this particular innocence could last.
Of course seven weeks of life have taught Alice the useful skill of shying away from potentially pokey face grooming. Particularly the nasal aspirator, she can smack that thing out of Mommy's hands. Right now the kid has baby acne and cradle cap on her ears (but not her head oddly enough) so bathtime requires extra frustrating steps.
My Alice has traded some of her unknowing trust for some worldly patience.
Of course seven weeks of life have taught Alice the useful skill of shying away from potentially pokey face grooming. Particularly the nasal aspirator, she can smack that thing out of Mommy's hands. Right now the kid has baby acne and cradle cap on her ears (but not her head oddly enough) so bathtime requires extra frustrating steps.
My Alice has traded some of her unknowing trust for some worldly patience.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Carry me away
I have been searching for a baby carrier solution since before Alice was born. The Ergo is supposed to be the greatest baby tool in creation but the infant insert just pins her to my chest like the filling in a taco. So it is useless to us until she is six months old. We have the ole' snuggli from 1978 that is great but growing a little tight on Alice's bum, and it is hard on my neck. Here is Alice in her first snuggli jaunt with daddy:
So recently we have moved on to the Bjorn.
Today was a banner Bjorn-y day. I figured out how (with the help of a borrowed Baby Bjorn- Thanks Cathleen!) to negotiate a laptop with my feet, catch a falling binky and re-inserting it without looking, and eat "lunch" with one hand while simultaneously playing stick with the cat using the other. This was the first time in almost two months since I have played with the cat. I was so thrilled by my new skill set that I played stick for over an hour and the kitty actually got tired of me and abandoned the game in disgust.
However, I caught the kitty snuggling with his stick later in the afternoon so I think he was secretly pleased by the attention. The above photo looks like it was staged but I swear it is candid.
So the Bjorn was great for streamlining my day and lulling Alice to sleep. You know what I like to do after Alice is lulled to sleep? Put her down in the crib. However, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to dislodge myself without waking the baby. Alice is especially sensitive to the sound of snaps unsnapping and the best I could do was wiggle free and set her down gently. This was not conductive to actual sleeping, as you can see.
So recently we have moved on to the Bjorn.
Today was a banner Bjorn-y day. I figured out how (with the help of a borrowed Baby Bjorn- Thanks Cathleen!) to negotiate a laptop with my feet, catch a falling binky and re-inserting it without looking, and eat "lunch" with one hand while simultaneously playing stick with the cat using the other. This was the first time in almost two months since I have played with the cat. I was so thrilled by my new skill set that I played stick for over an hour and the kitty actually got tired of me and abandoned the game in disgust.
However, I caught the kitty snuggling with his stick later in the afternoon so I think he was secretly pleased by the attention. The above photo looks like it was staged but I swear it is candid.
So the Bjorn was great for streamlining my day and lulling Alice to sleep. You know what I like to do after Alice is lulled to sleep? Put her down in the crib. However, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to dislodge myself without waking the baby. Alice is especially sensitive to the sound of snaps unsnapping and the best I could do was wiggle free and set her down gently. This was not conductive to actual sleeping, as you can see.
I knew it.
This article at babycenter.com supports my theory that coco butter does crap-all for preventing stretch marks. The complete blanketing of my stomach was proof enough for me, but this sweet validation isn't bad:
Monday, August 4, 2008
The poo is on the Other Parent
Tony and I have decided to institute a once a month free day for each of us. Basically one person takes over total Alice patrol for the day and the other skips off into the wilderness. Being a gentleman Tony let me go first. He suggested I go buy myself something pretty or see a movie. However, I chose to take three non-consecutive naps, take out the garbage, clean the kitchen, take a shower, and do the weekly grocery shopping. Ahhh Freedom!
While I was out Tony experienced a diaper explosion the likes of which neither of us had ever witnessed before. Now I am the only parent who has ever been projectile vomited on and I have been on the receiving end of many an overloaded diaper before, but apparently Alice believes in parity. Though I have been marked often Tony has been marked worse.
I came home with an armload of groceries to Tony in his bathrobe and Alice drained of energy (and everything else) in her cradle. All he said to me was: "I have to go clean out the tub." Yikes.
Tony totally deserves to go see Batman on his day off.
FYI: Check out this fantastic poem about Batman
While I was out Tony experienced a diaper explosion the likes of which neither of us had ever witnessed before. Now I am the only parent who has ever been projectile vomited on and I have been on the receiving end of many an overloaded diaper before, but apparently Alice believes in parity. Though I have been marked often Tony has been marked worse.
I came home with an armload of groceries to Tony in his bathrobe and Alice drained of energy (and everything else) in her cradle. All he said to me was: "I have to go clean out the tub." Yikes.
Tony totally deserves to go see Batman on his day off.
FYI: Check out this fantastic poem about Batman
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Alice n' Joe
Today we were visited by our great friends Joe, Tom, and their lovely Mother. This is a most excellent family. I recommend them highly.
Alice was delighted by Joe's beard. At first she just stared at his furry visage but then she suddenly dove in and franticly rubbed her face all over his chin. Joe accepted the mauling with great serenity.
Friday, August 1, 2008
4 soiled onsies, 3 vomits, 2 sobbing fits, 1 glass of wine
Today was my six week check up with the lovely Dr. Hart. Today is the first time I have held a baby during a pelvic exam.
It was quite a feat trying to figure out how to go through the whole Dr.'s office process with a fussy newborn. Alice usually feeds and then naps around 9am and she was grumpy about the change of venue. We were ok feeding and burping in the exam room during the lull waiting for Dr. Hart. However as soon as I changed into my exam gown and put Alice in her car seat we hit trouble.
My girl hates her being in her car seat post feeding (it constricts her tummy) and Alice regestered her displeasure by giving me a series of warning screams and then vomiting down my cleavage. So when Dr. Hart came into the exam room I was in a disposable gown, covered in vomit, and holding a sniffling baby.
Hence the suggestion that I just hang onto Alice during the exam. It worked out fine. Alice even calmed down enough to have her picture taken with Dr. Hart.
On the way home Alice fell asleep. I was so grateful for this lull in baby peeps that I indulged in a drive-through cup of iced tea. An iced tea that I have since come to regret...
See the kid was already off her schedule and desperately needed a nap but for the life of me I couldn't get her to stay asleep! This is how it would go:
Step #1: Lull Alice to sleep with motherly affection and various baby devices (binky, vibrating chair, NPR, rocking chair, prayer)
Step #2: 10 minuets pass, Alice awakes with a sudden bloodcurdling shriek
Step #3: Alice's big blue eyes dart around like she is speed reading and her limbs flail all over the place.
Step #4: Alice dissolves into exhausted sobbing
Step #5: Diaper fills way past capacity and another onsie goes the way of it's brethren, into the poopy bag.
Step #6: Alice begins furious wailing at indignity of being changed.
(Repeat Step #1...cycle continues)
We had an especially insane instance of Step #5 around noon which led to our first Mother/Baby shower.
I was almost fully dressed and she was covered in poo. It was pretty crazy holding onto a slippery angry baby (with the help of many baby towels) and negotiating a safe water temperature with my feet, but we got the job done. Also Alice expressed no faith in my ability to keep her safe during the bathing procedure. I like to think that I put some of her fears to rest by not dropping her or scalding her once, but I doubt it.
It wasn't really an unpleasant day for me because an unhappy Alice is still very sweet. But I feel for the kid. I don't know if the caffeine was really to blame but I am going to steer clear of mocha lattes for a wee bit just in case.
Interesting side note. As soon as Tony got home Alice was passed out and sleeping like an angel. Tony hunkered down right next to her for a nap. The two of them are so alike it blows my mind.
Case in point:
It was quite a feat trying to figure out how to go through the whole Dr.'s office process with a fussy newborn. Alice usually feeds and then naps around 9am and she was grumpy about the change of venue. We were ok feeding and burping in the exam room during the lull waiting for Dr. Hart. However as soon as I changed into my exam gown and put Alice in her car seat we hit trouble.
My girl hates her being in her car seat post feeding (it constricts her tummy) and Alice regestered her displeasure by giving me a series of warning screams and then vomiting down my cleavage. So when Dr. Hart came into the exam room I was in a disposable gown, covered in vomit, and holding a sniffling baby.
Hence the suggestion that I just hang onto Alice during the exam. It worked out fine. Alice even calmed down enough to have her picture taken with Dr. Hart.
On the way home Alice fell asleep. I was so grateful for this lull in baby peeps that I indulged in a drive-through cup of iced tea. An iced tea that I have since come to regret...
See the kid was already off her schedule and desperately needed a nap but for the life of me I couldn't get her to stay asleep! This is how it would go:
Step #1: Lull Alice to sleep with motherly affection and various baby devices (binky, vibrating chair, NPR, rocking chair, prayer)
Step #2: 10 minuets pass, Alice awakes with a sudden bloodcurdling shriek
Step #3: Alice's big blue eyes dart around like she is speed reading and her limbs flail all over the place.
Step #4: Alice dissolves into exhausted sobbing
Step #5: Diaper fills way past capacity and another onsie goes the way of it's brethren, into the poopy bag.
Step #6: Alice begins furious wailing at indignity of being changed.
(Repeat Step #1...cycle continues)
We had an especially insane instance of Step #5 around noon which led to our first Mother/Baby shower.
I was almost fully dressed and she was covered in poo. It was pretty crazy holding onto a slippery angry baby (with the help of many baby towels) and negotiating a safe water temperature with my feet, but we got the job done. Also Alice expressed no faith in my ability to keep her safe during the bathing procedure. I like to think that I put some of her fears to rest by not dropping her or scalding her once, but I doubt it.
It wasn't really an unpleasant day for me because an unhappy Alice is still very sweet. But I feel for the kid. I don't know if the caffeine was really to blame but I am going to steer clear of mocha lattes for a wee bit just in case.
Interesting side note. As soon as Tony got home Alice was passed out and sleeping like an angel. Tony hunkered down right next to her for a nap. The two of them are so alike it blows my mind.
Case in point:
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