Mommy missed the common sense bus today.

It's Saturday, Big Man worked last night, and although I didn't really NEED to go out and get formula (or reece's peanut butter hearts, or the 30 Day Shred video and weights, or mini frozen burgers) I did kind of need some rubbermaid-ish containers for baby clothes and maternity clothes.


So, I bundle Dani up in her cute little pink snowsuit, put her in the carseat and we are off! I really struggle to carry the carseat; really struggle. When I get done I am sore everywhere, particularly my back. I'm pretty short, don't work out, and have had two abdominal surgeries in the past 12 months, so I'm not exactly the best example of fitness. So, I snap the carseat into the stroller, and wheel on into Target. When I get inside I realize that stroller+cart+two hands=oops. So, I push the stroller with one hand and drag a cart with the other, which works when I am headed in a straight line, but is very difficult otherwise.


I end up pushing the stroller with two hands, hunched over so I can hook my elbow on the front of the cart and drag it kind of along side and behind me. (think Quasimodo without the limp)


As I was in the store, I noticed other mothers with the carseat in the top deck where bigger kids sit. I actually stopped a lady who gave me the "tsk tsk poor new mommy" look, and asked her about the carseat in the top deck, and she showed me it was pretty sturdy, even if the darn thing didn't snap in. (And then I got another look, kind of to say, "I hope your baby's daddy is smarter than you, as it is the only way your baby has a chance to grow up to be anything more than a busboy at a Waffle House") Suffice it to say, I won't be traveling with two things to push in the future, unless daddy's with me.


The saving grace was that Dani did not make a peep in the store; semi-slept the whole time, which is good because if I had had to pick her up, I would have had to abandon my cart and call it a day. Cleanup in aisle 9.........


Just a reminder, when Dani's not happy, ain't nobody happy!

I bought the video 30 Day Shred today and two 3 pound weights. I have lost a bunch of weight; 20 pounds less then when I got pregnant, but I'm feeling a little jiggly, well actually a lot jiggly. Losing 20 extra pounds means essentially that all of my work suits are big on me and loose, so every day I go to work wearing ill-fitting clothing, and it is obvious. Suits are expensive, y'all, so I won't be buying new ones until the old ones no longer stay up without suspenders; and then I will consider suspenders. So I decided I will make an effort (or, most likely not) to do the video in the morning when Dani's still asleep, in an attempt to look more shapely and less like a smaller version of my former stay-puf marshmellow man self.


Let's have a little contest--post a comment and guess how many days it will take before I open the DVD and actually do the video workout. Closest one wins a prize. Yeah, I know I never actually gave out a prize about the baby weight guessing--only Janine and Bill guessed, and I was way too tired to even remember I was supposed to reward them--don't even know who was closer. Anyway, I will do better this time, so take a guess. *Disclaimer--prize may have spitup on it, and also may be the 30 Day Shred video* Don't know who the lady on the video is but she has rockin' abs, and apparently subscribes to the theory that no muscle can be firm enough, but non-muscles should be pumped with silicone to make them bigger and jigglier and poutier. I will settle for less jiggly.

Maybe it's called 30 Day Shred because that's how long it is going to take for me to fish it out of the Target bag?

Mixing it up.

Hey, our kid can fit into some of the 3-6 month sleepers, so that means new pictures, with a different outfit! Woo hoo!

Dani got lots of sweet presents today, from Auntie Barbara and Great-Grandma, and our neighbors Cathy and Paul...outfits, savings bonds, a boo bunny, just a whole bunch of awesome stuff. Here, she's chilling in her play yard thingie trying to hit the hanging monkey:

Big Man was so excited about Dani tonight. He kept talking about her turning over, and was so proud and smiley. He also was telling me how you can see her starting to process things in her little head instead of acting on instinct. He is going to get to share so many of Dani's firsts because he is home with her during the day--such a lucky daddy!

Dani says, "Aren't I just the cutest thing???"

Breaking News!

This just in--

Big Man just called to let me know that during today's tummy time, Dani flipped over!

She generally hates tummy time--screams a LOT! Big Man propped her up on her arms (think baby pushups) and told her if she flipped over she could be done with tummy time. So, little Dani harnessed her rage, and flipped onto her back!

Daddy is very proud of his super strong baby! And, she's not quite 7 weeks old yet!

Isn't it ironic?

Ironic that Big Man is super sleep deprived, having worked a six day week with nearly no naps because Dani won't nap during the day, meaning he sleeps basically from 6:30pm-10pm nightly, and it's the last day of his work week, he is home, exhausted (overtired in parent-speak) and Dani sleeps like a charm ALL DAY, for at least a few hours at a time, and Big Man couldn't fall asleep!!! But he has three nights at home with me to get some solid sleep (when I'm not making him get up with her.) Anyway, here's a rare, recent, Dani-sleeping pic:
Sweet baby sleeping on Daddy's lap.

Magic sand.

Remember the magic sand you could buy when we were kids that would be magically dry when you scooped it out of the water?

My baby's poop is like magic sand at times, thank god.

Last night, Dani goes to sleep around 10:45pm. She starts to stir at 3:00am, and so I turn on the little light and give her a pacifier to try to stretch the sleepy time. She goes back to sleep until 4:45am!!! That's right. Six hours.

So, I change her (wet) and am giving her a bottle in my bed when the action begins. Commence the rooty-toot-toots, and I know I am going to have another, more interesting diaper to change.

Perhaps it was because she was sitting on my lap, and the poop had no where to go, that the poop was able to defy the laws of gravity and travel up. Because up it traveled.

Brought her to the changing table, and noticed, there was a little bit of leakage in the front, not a big deal. Lift up her little tiny feet and there was back leakage too. Like magic sand, the poop had instantly dried to her back (thank god) because it was all the way up her back and in between her shoulder blades! In the span of about 5 minutes (need to make sure she's done so there aren't changing table blowouts) the poop had dried to her body--it looked like she was at a spa having an algae-mud treatment. A case of wipes, a receiving blanket (to cover the poop that was all over the changing table cover) and several wet washcloths later, I was left with a semi-clean happy baby who went right back to sleep so mommy could powerwash the crud off her hands.

Fun times.

Bathtime!

Rubba dub dubby...


...Dani loves her tubby!

Blinded by Barack.

So, on the night of the inauguration, I was looking at the pics in the digital camera, and I noticed Big Man had taken these:

The conversation went like this:

B: "How cool, you took pictures of the inauguration for my blog."

Big Man: "No. I took pictures of your daughter during the inauguration because it's historic."

B: "Oh."

B: (Looks at camera again, notices Dani in pictures.)

B: "Man, I suck."

Very patient baby.

OK, I had the idea that I'm should do some fun pictures for the upcoming little holidays........like Valentines's day...

So, I went to JoAnn Fabric to get some stuff and did a test run with some props. Big Man apologized to the baby and told her it wasn't his doing. Suffice to say, Dani was quite patient with mommy's silliness. More, and hopefully better photos should be forthcoming. Clearly only mommy enjoyed this exercise. (Wait until she has to dress like a leprechaun!)

Visit from Big Man's family

A few weeks ago, Big Man's family came to meet Dani.

Grandma, Grandpa and cousins Jason and Justin:

Uncle Alan, Aunt Angie, Jason and Justin:

Everybody's a Bears fan!

Good wife.

Maybe with the right vitamins, I can start thriving on cooking and cleaning?

Couldn't resist.

Had to snap a couple photos of the Big Man and the kid watching the game. Too bad I can't show the Big Man...with his secret identity and all. He sure does make a cute baby!

A lull in the baby blogging.

I haven't been taking as many pictures of Dani lately, ergo fewer posts with pictures. I'm a little uninspired. This is because we keep putting her in the same clothes--the easiest snapping/wearing sleepers and all of the pictures look the same, well they probably would to you, as you might not notice the subtle differences in my baby's day-to-day appearance. And I'm way too tired to put her in actual outfits just to take her picture. This means, too, that there will be entire outfits, onesies, etc., that she will grow out of before she even wears. But anyway how many more pictures do I need of her in her purple stripey baby jailbird suit, or her Eeyore sleeper? I need to mix it up and put her in some new sleepers, I guess, so y'all don't think she's neglected and always in the same clothes. She has others, but they have annoying collars, or hard snaps or something that keeps them in the bottom of the drawer. And, since I don't mind doing laundry regularly, I've never had to get to the bottom of the drawer, but I'll start mixing it up for you faithful reader. Trust me when I say, my baby's still quite cute and huggable.

Also, I have a screamin' sore throat, and I'm hoping not to get her sick. I can't imagine what it will be like to have a screaming hell baby that actually has a legitimate reason to scream. Terrifying!

Anyway, today, I'm going to drink tea, and watch football with Big Man. I would like to see a Cardinals-Ravens superbowl. I'm picking the Cards because conventional wisdom and Cardinals management thought Warner was washed up, destined to be a back up, and he has lit it up this year. In a sport where a quarterback my age is over the hill, I have to cheer for that guy. Plus, they've never been to the superbowl. As for the Ravens, they got boned in their last game with the Steelers, and the Steelers just piss me off these days. So, there it is--fine logic, no?

Sound baby advice?

And cigarettes are good for you too...because it's all about fitting in!

Dads and Daughters.

Dads rule.
My dad, and of course my baby's daddy.

It has been my experience that there is such an amazing bond between father and daughter; a bond different than the one between mother and daughter. I have always been particularly close to my dad. Perhaps it is because my personality is similar to my mother's, and therefore quite compatible with his. Perhaps it is because he loves me so much and shows it so regularly.

I think that it's no secret that kids learn what to expect out of life from their parents. If they are like me, they grow up in a household where, from birth, there is never any question that the love you are receiving is limitless and unconditional. If they are like me, they grow up believing that they can do anything and achieve anything, as long as you work hard and believe in yourself. If they are like me, they grow up in a household where mom and dad are true partners, and best friends, and set an example of the loving reciprocity which makes for a solid marriage, so that you know what to look for and how to find a compatible mate and a healthy relationship.

When you are older, and an adult, you get to watch your dad and mom as grandparents, with your baby, and you see first-hand that love which created you and made you into the mom you are today.

Dad--happy birthday.
Thank you for helping make me into the person, wife, and mom that I am today.
I love you!

Dani update for you Dad--she slept from 10:15ish to 4:15am last night! Very nice! She wanted me to tell you, "Happy Birthday Grandpa!"

Mommy's last day.

Today's my last day at home, so we had some fun with the camera.

First, Dani decided to stick her tongue out at me!

Next, is that the beginning of a smile???

"This is my surprised face!"

Dani says, "OK mommy, I don't want to play this game anymore!" Big Man calls this the "Hulk Smash" face.

Chang rules.

Chang, my best guy pal, my dude of honor at my wedding, sent us the sweetest present today--a duckie pillow and a sweet baby bitty blanket stuffed animal, with her name on it.

Sweetest of all was the card, which read:

"May she want nothing, but never stop dreaming for everything."

Made me cry.

Love YOU Chang!

One month update!

I swear, this kid was smiling, and I took like 15 pictures, and she would stop the smile each time the thing snapped! But, darn it, ain't she precious???

We went to the doctor for the one month visit today:

Dani is 10lbs, 1/2 oz; 21 1/2" long

She has moved from the 50th percentile (1 week) to the 75% percentile in all categories, meaning she's bigger and stronger than 75% of babies her age--and she's moved proportionally in all categories, which is ideal--head circumference, height and weight all are 75% now (you don't want a tiny head and fat baby, etc....) so doc was happy. I have been having massive PAIN in my right (non-dominant) wrist, and told him--apparently common in women with babies, (who never use their thumbs on remote controls, video game joysticks or beating off) exacerbated by my new laptop with the thumb button in lieu of touch screen--some nerve gets really inflamed.............................................so he put a 2" needle into my wrist with steroids and lydocaine, the lydocaine so I could use the hand for awhile and the shot wouldn't hurt so damn bad. Doc said it would hurt a ton tonight when the numby stuff wore off. Home now and my wrist is angry--as is my baby who has screamed for the past hour (despite changing, and feeding, and loving, the vibrating chair. and burping--she is now making this adorably fake frowny face which is the cutest thing EVER--she's been held almost constantly for two weeks by very loving family members--sorry kid, time for the cold hard reality of your padded bassinet, what a mean mommy I am.

I go back to work full time Wednesday. Tonight will involve (a) possibly (hopefully?) drinking heavily, despite the fact that I will be regretting it at 2am; (b) being sad about going back to work; (c) more shizzle best left for another day.

About those Bears

While watching the final week of regular season football, Dani weighs in:

"Hey Dad, I've been thinking."

"These Bears, they just aren't so good this year. I even put on all my gear and they are STILL losing! I guess they aren't gonna make it to the playoffs."Welcome to the world of being a Bears fan, Dani.

Little Miss Fussy

Ms. Fussy,

I like you much better when you look like this:

Than when you look like this:

And you've looked like that all darn day. Mommy is really growing tired of all the yelling!

Really, Ms. Fussy, you must have read mommy's post yesterday and decided to help her want to go back to work by being the fussiest baby in the universe today! You are clean, fed, and changed (x3!) and even fuss when mommy holds you! I even assembled your bouncy vibrating chair (wish they made THOSE in mommy sizes!) and it's not working. Poor little Ms. Fussy. Mommy loves you anyway. But maybe settle down for a few so mommy can have a snack? You've had three bottles and all mommy's had was a ton of coffee and some reheated rice! No wonder mommy lost all the baby weight already--so I guess I should thank you for that!

You're even swaddled; if daddy were awake, I bet you'd be sleeping! Poor little Ms. Fussy.

Poor mommy.

I don't wanna.

I don't want to go back to work next Tuesday.

I don't want Big Man to go to work tonight. I just want want to hang out with my baby and teach her stuff, and not be so tired all the time.

We are going to try to wing the work thing with no formal child care. I say try, but as Yoda says, there is no try. We are going to make it work no matter what. Big Man works midnight to 8am, and my office is open from 9-5:30. I will head to work when Big Man gets home, and the baby might come to my office toward the end of the day so Big Man will get more sleep. This means no real dinner cooking or spending time together--just sleeping whenever we can when the other is at work so that we aren't total zombies. I don't want to (and sure couldn't afford to) put Dani in any type of structured care, as Big Man's schedule rotates, and his days off will most likely fall during the week.

Mostly it is just making me sad. Sad in kind of a selfish way because I feel like I'm not going to get to spend much time with Big Man when we aren't exhausted. Sad because I will probably miss out on a lot of neat things that Dani does during the day with Big Man, and just torn because I'm supposed to want to be a bitchin' lawyer with a great local practice, and if money didn't matter and I could still have some semblance of a career in a year or two, I would just say fuck it and stay home longer. But, I can't. I knew when I switched jobs that it would mean a short leave, but I didn't think I would care because Big Man would be home. And I didn't think that babies cried. so. much. for. no. reason.

Anyway, this post is incredibly whiny which is usually a sign that I'm overtired. And, generally I am not smart enough to nap. Dani's been sleeping for 5-6 hours at a clip, once per day, typically from around 9pm to 3am. She is due to wake up around 9:30pm to eat, and then I am going to go to sleep when she does, in hopes that she will sleep from like 10-4am and make mommy happy. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

My baby will be 4 weeks old tomorrow--already!

Grandma and Grandpa head home.

Grandma and Grandpa headed home this morning. What a great visit! It was so fun to watch them with Dani, and they had a blast. Can't wait until we can do it again! Grandpa is the awesome baby snuggler:

While Grandma, is the expert bath giver and lotion applier:

Dani misses them already.

This Thursday, she gets to meet Grandma and Grandpa Big Man.