Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Halloween Fashion Show!

Begin with your basic orange FuzziBunz...

Add one Daddy's Lil' Ghoul Halloween onesie with starry Baby Legs...

Don't forget your "My First Halloween" bib...


Go for the gusto with your Ohio State cheerleader's uniform!
(Thanks Grampy Dan!)


Or just fall back on your old staple...the worm!


Happy Halloween everyone!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Nablopomo?

Anyone know who jumps out of the computer and punches me in the face if I do not, in fact, post a blog everyday? Just wondering...

In other news (Ok, you got me, that wasn't news at all. I'm too lazy to think of a good segue...)

This little pumpkin is not so little anymore.


Say hello to 12 pounds. Oy!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Two Months


My Sofie-bean, you are two months old today. Right now you are sleeping soundly on my chest. You fell asleep while we slow danced to some ancient Cranberries songs, and the sweetness of the moment made me tear up. You’ve made my life so vibrant!

Somewhere around six weeks you suddenly morphed from a slightly needy, often cranky infant into such a pleasant, happy little imp. You are talking up a storm, especially after your bath each night. You hold fifteen minute chats with us, and your eyes light up like Christmas trees. I know we’re going to have some fantastic conversations some day! Your smiles and coos make us giggle like children, and I’m just so excited to see what you’ll come up with next.

About a week ago your daddy was cutting your fingernails while you nursed, and he accidentally cut your thumb with the clippers. You screamed like we’ve never heard you scream before, and I’ve never seen Ben look so heartbroken. Something about that moment kicked him into super-daddy mode, and he has been your number one fan ever since. I am eating up seeing him so delighted in you.

Now that I think we’re beyond the threat, I’ll tell you that nursing has come within an inch of ending probably four times or so over the last two months. It hasn’t been a treat for me at all. In the beginning you wanted to nurse constantly and it was very limiting physically. To the point that I felt like a bit of an invalid, constantly asking people to fetch things for me. It was also painful…I’m still working on clearing up the last bits of a yeast infection (I didn’t even know you could get those in your boob!). Now, returning to work, it’s challenging in a different sort of way. Finding a comfortable place and the time to pump is such a pain. I sit and write reports to try to catch up…to feel like I’m pulling my weight. It makes me feel rushed and agitated all day long, and even though everyone has been overly accommodating I still feel some resentment/disgust in the air. Keeping up with the amount of milk you demand while I’m away is also a bit of a challenge. I’ve been doing ok so far, but it’s something I’m always just a little worried about. The point behind all this complaining is to tell you that I’m so glad I didn’t quit. There’s nothing like coming home after a long day of work and having you snuggle up with me to nurse. It’s such a wonderful deep breath at the end of my day. Sometimes when you’re finished, you hang out a little while longer, squirming and goofing around. When I’ve had enough I pull you away, and you make the most pathetic squeak and your pouty-lip face. I must be an awful, mean mama, because it makes me crack up every time!

Returning to work has been difficult. I feel stretched beyond what I can handle gracefully. I feel like I’m making silly mistakes I wouldn’t normally make, and I’m not nearly as patient with you as I wish I could be. I’ve grown slightly numb to the clutter that is piling up around the house (thank goodness for grandma, who at least keeps things clean!) and I have a mad case of mama-guilt. I want to be so perfect for you. I don’t want you ever to remember a time when I wasn’t there for you when you needed me, or a time that I snapped at you for something silly. At the same time, I’ve never felt so fulfilled. It’s a wonderful thing to have the luxury to pursue a career that leaves you feeling spent, but happy at the end of the day. And coming home to you…what more could I possibly ask for?

My scrunchy munchkin, mama loves you more than she ever thought it was possible to love someone. Thank you for lighting up my life!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Our Little Pumpkin Head

The weekend before I headed back to work we took a trip out to Mapleside Farms to pick out a pumpkin...




It had been sitting lonesome-ly in our kitchen for a couple of weeks, terribly neglected with all the frenzy of getting used to a new routine, until tonight...




Please don't report us to Children's Services!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Chewbacca Daddy

What?

What's that you say?

You want to see more Sofie smiles you say?

Oh! Well, no problem, we've got plenty...

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Back to Work

Headed back to work this morning. Anyone know of a good cure for a broken heart?

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Ten pounds and ten ounces at six weeks old, and mama has lost 29 of the 49 I gained! The past couple of weeks have been full. I've been running around like a mad-woman trying to prepare myself to head back to work next week. Three weeks ago, the mere thought of returning to work sent me into hysterical crying, but as the time has passed I've begun to feel more ready. There will never be anything more important to me than you, Sofie, and you need to understand that going to work, finishing school, it's something that I have to do for you right now.

You are growing so fast. These days you'll rest your head on my shoulder if you're especially tired, and I just love the way your fuzzy hair feels in the crook of my neck. You are full of grunts and squeals, and now coos are emerging and you are so proud of yourself each time you "talk" to us and we talk back. Your smiles are ridiculously adorable, and we love them so much that we've even identified the face that you make when you're getting ready to give us smiles. You smile with your whole face, with your mouth open and your eyes scrunched and twinkling. Every once in awhile you'll even throw in a wink. Mama loves the winks.

I try so hard to remember you...ingrain your face in my mind. You've been sleeping well in your swing for awhile now, but sometimes in the wee hours of the morning when you wake up to eat I'm sleepy and I fall asleep nursing you. It's always so wonderful to wake up with your little body lying next to me, all sprawled out, queen of the bed. I stare at your face and note the tiny veins on your eyelids and the curve of your little chin. I love every little bit of you, even your crusty morning milk mustache. You've changed my life and brought me so much joy in just six short weeks. I can't even imagine how much you'll continue to affect my life well into the future. What a lucky mama I am!