Wretched Week

I returned to work this week.  This is just one of several reasons that this week was wretched, but I have to say throughout it all I was able to see what amazing friends and neighbors I have been blessed with.  My babysitter had a family tragedy over the weekend leaving me with no childcare for the first two days of my return to work.  So in a matter of hours I had to assemble a childcare team.  People rearranged schedules and really came to our rescue.  Lucy made the rounds charming everyone she met recruiting them for her world domination plan.  Many many tears were shed this week- mostly by me, but we don't have to do it again til Monday and we did survive.  Lucy doesn't seem any worse for wear, but I may be scarred for life. 

Some fun things that made this wretched week somewhat less wretched- Lucy got a stuffed pheasant in the mail (pictured here) from her Uncle Andrew.  She loves the pheasant and its authentic pheasant sound.  She is also getting highly skilled at holding her head up as you can see in the pictures.  Her toys are getting much more interesting to her now.  I think she's really starting to be able to focus on things, and has started batting at them with her hands.  

On Wednesday night we got to keep our neighbor's little girl Garvey for awhile.  Garvey is 9 months old and she can crawl and almost walk!  She and Lucy enjoyed each other.  I will post a picture of them tomorrow.

So in conclusion- the jury is still out on this whole going back to work mess, but the week ended on a better note than it started and we all came out minimally traumatized.  I guess I'll go back again next week...

Uncle Drew

We spent a couple of days at Mimsy and Grand Dad's house so that we could bond with Uncle Drew, Aunt Kristin, and cousin Marissa.  Mission accomplished.  The two girls are getting to where they can spend a little time together not screaming.  Marissa is crawling around and so she taught Lucy how to flip over from her belly to her back.  Lucy has successfully flipped herself over a couple of times, but still isn't doing it with regularity.  It helps if you have someone who can show you how to do it.

It was great to see Drew with his family.  Kristin has done such a great job with Marissa while Drew's been in Iraq, but I know she was over the moon to have him home for a little while.  If only we could keep him home longer.  He's more than halfway through his deployment though so it won't be much longer until he's home for an extended period.

While we were at Mimsy's we also got to test the power of the MiracleBlanket.  It worked great- she took regular naps and putting her down was so easy! 

She even went to the courthouse one day to see her Granny who works there and after meeting all the prosecutors and defenders and bailiffs and secretaries Lucy was pretty tired so we wrapped her up and she napped in the halls of justice.  She's still trying to decide if she wants to be a prosecutor or defender or judge.  We will support her with whatever she chooses.

Meeting Andrew at the airport

Oh My! Don't Tell Papa!

The truth is I feel a little guilty posting these pictures together because I think the one of Lucy is actually really beautiful, but if I don't bring it up someone else will.  There appears to be a resemblance here...

The good news for Lucy I guess is that today after her bath vigorous combing did not illicit the mohawk- it laid down.  Her hair doesn't all lay down- have no fear- it's just not quite as hawkish anymore.  

So some happy news.  After almost 3 months of only short little 10-15 minute catnaps during the day Lucy has had 2 days in a row of several hour to an hour and a half naps during the day!  Yesterday she took 2 and today she is currently enjoying her third (which is what the books all say is just right).  I love it when we do things by the book!  What was the trick?  Well it was right under my nose the entire time.  I used to complain about her lack of napping to people and always started off by saying "She sleeps great at night, but.."  So what was I doing at night that I wasn't doing during the day?  Swaddling!  I was nervous that it would be too much swaddling, but her pediatrician said that it is more important that she get the sleep she needs so now she gets burrito time during the day as well.  Not only is she taking good naps, but she puts herself to sleep.  I change her diaper, swaddle her, nurse her, burp her, then put her down with a pacifier in her mouth while she is still awake and I leave and she just GOES TO SLEEP!  I can't believe that I've gone on about this for so long, but you do not understand how this changes our lives.  I did 2 loads of laundry today- washed, folded and PUT AWAY!  It used to take 1-5 weeks to get that all done.  I am going to be able to sit down and eat THREE MEALS today!  We are practically on our way to developing a ROUTINE!  Now when someone asks me for literally the one thousandth time if we're developing a routine I can honestly say YES! (I've just been telling a little white lie all of the 999 other times)  In conclusion I would like to put a plug in for a product that has helped with the swaddling.  It is called the MiracleBlanket- it is essentially a baby straight jacket, but she can't wiggle out of the swaddle.  It was recommended to me by other mothers and I am now a full supporter.  I am going to start giving them as baby gifts.

Tummy Time

Trip to Macon

Yesterday, Lucy went to Macon to visit her Aunt Mandie and Uncle Joel and their parents.  A great time was had by all.  Lucy loves to meet new people- especially people who are willing to hold her and walk around the whole time!  Uncle Joel has the magic touch for getting Lucy to nod off to sleep.  He holds her close, gives her a pacifier, and says shhhhhh, and she just passes right out.  She slept in his arms for about an hour yesterday.  

We're pretty sure that all the folks Lucy met yesterday are going to help her take over the world!

Too many pictures

A message to the papa-razzi