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

First Date

A couple of weeks ago I drove Lucy up to Athens so she could meet her boyfriend Haden.  He is a younger man (by 2 weeks), but they are the cutest couple.  She's girly and petite and he is manly and macho.  He also happens to be a snuggle bug!  They rode around Athens together in carseats side by side then they stopped at Starbucks to share an over priced iced coffee drink.  

You may be concerned that they are both too young to date, but since both of their mommies went with them on their date- there is nothing to worry about.  I just hope Lucy is as happy to have me along when she is 19!  What actually concerns me most is that they are way to young to be drinking caffeinated beverages!  I had to explain to Lucy that caffeine can stunt your growth and with her parents she just shouldn't risk any more stunting!

Happy Valentine's Day

Lucy got the most valentines in our house this year.  You can see her here with the valentine her Mimsy made for her.  It says "Lucy Rules Our World"- so true.  She loves it and will keep it forever as proof of her Mimsy and Grandad's eternal allegiance.  

She also got a valentine from her boyfriend Haden.  There were pictures from their first date enclosed and as soon as I figure out how to use the scanner I will post some and give you the juicy details about their date.  Don't worry- they were well chaperoned.

We hope all of you had a happy and got to spend time with someone you love!

Play Time

Lucy loves her playmat- especially the star on top.  She smiles at it and talks to it- and I haven't even put any batteries in it yet!  In this picture she started off dead center then managed to wriggle herself in a clockwise circle until she ended up here.  One of the dangling objects is a picture of a kitten.  Sometimes Lucy kicks at it with her feet and her Papa cheers and encourages this behavior.  He had to take our cats to the vet by himself a couple of weeks ago- and where there was once mild dislike and apathy there is now blinding hatred (even after the cats got prozac and xanax- it was not a good experience for anyone).  So Papa thinks "kick the kitty" is a fun game for Lucy to play.

Lucy also has tummy time on her playmat.  She only tolerates this for a little while, but we force her to have tummy time at least a little everyday so develop her muscles for crawling.  She grunts and moans like it is the hardest work in the world (and I guess it probably is for her).  She gets stronger everyday though and she'll thank me for making her put in the hard work when she can motor around the house on all fours in a couple of months.

I'm Going to Rule the World (Me and My Mullet)

From the day Lucy was born she's been looking deep into people's eyes and telepathically saying to them "I'm going to rule the world and you're going to help me."  In general, people seem to be fairly compliant with her demands.  I do think she'll be a benevolent leader.  Anyway, I'm posting two pictures with this blog.  One to display Lucy's official "Lucy Power" wave.  She has taken to holding up one fist pretty much 90% of her awake time these days.  We think it's a sign of solidarity and so we throw our fists in the air as well and shout "Lucy Power!" or "Plumpy Power!"  Or it could just be that she wants daps.  If that's the case then we've seriously had a breakdown in communication.  Come to think of it- maybe she's just been holding that fist up there until somebody gives her daps...

The other picture is of the mullet belonging to our future world leader.  The last post was primarily about the top and front of her head so I thought I'd spend a little time on the back this post.  She was born with the mullet.  The hair grows down past her collar, and covers up a strawberry birthmark at the base of her neck.  Her Papa has a similar birthmark on his neck.  I have also discovered that beneath the mullet, on the back of her neck, she keeps her sugar.  I guess when you're that sweet and have such a rich store of sugar you have to grow a mullet to protect it from poachers.  Alas, I have discovered it and poach quite frequently.

Transitional Hair

As you can see in this picture Lucy was born with a phenomenal natural mohawk.  No action was necessary to make it stand up in a perfect ridge.  It was totally wash and wear.  But as you know pride goeth before a fall.  In this case the fall is the laying down of the mohawk.  I noticed several days ago that the hawk did not have its usual pep.  The front pieces have gotten long enough that they lay down now.  This would be ok except that the pieces in the back and on the sides aren't quite there yet so they still stand resulting in what can only be termed "transitional" hair.  Yesterday after her bath- with vigorous combing- I was able to force the hawk, but I think we should all prepare ourselves for the day when the hawk will be no more because I believe it is coming soon. In the meantime I'm clipping bows in the hawk remains and pretending like I don't notice that anything is different. 

Back to Work

Lucy just found out that her mommy is for sure going back to work starting 2/25.  I am a little nervous about the whole prospect.  Mommy has gone to school for a long time and has a fancy degree and lots of information stored in her brain so it would really be a shame (and financially impossible due to the governments stubborn insistence that she pay back her student loans) to not use all that learning at work.  That said- my heart breaks at the thought of missing one smile or tear.

Lucy and Papa reassure me that all will be well, and my brain knows that it's true, but it's going to be tough on my heart.  Last night Lucy got expressed breast milk in a bottle from Papa for dinner- and it made me cry!  Silly mommy.  It was nice for Papa and Lucy to have that time together, but I was jealous.  Feeding is supposed to be my gig.  Lucy didn't seem to mind though, and Papa really liked it. We're all going to be ok.

Lucy's Sign

Let me be the first to say that I don't really buy into astrological sign stuff, but I do enjoy reading the placemats at certain chinese resturants and having a general idea about these things.  That said a friend of mine today pointed out that Lucy is a sagittarius- so I looked it up on google to see what that meant.  

According to some random website this means Lucy will be intellectually curious and enjoy travel.  She will also be a "natural conversationalist".  She is already showing signs of being a good conversationalist.  She coos and jabbers and blows bubbles all the time.  If you're talking to her and look away she will squeal to get your attention back.  As far as the intellectual curiosity and enjoying travel that figures given her parents.  The random website also stated that female sagittarius(es?) (sagittari?) make excellent mothers.  Overall- not too bad.

2 Month Check-up

Today Lucy had her 2 month doctor's appointment, which means she got vaccinations.  5 shots and 1 oral vaccine total.  She was an incredible trouper- tough as nails.  She fussed a little when they were sticking her, but she didn't carry on afterward.  In fact while I was putting her clothes back on her she shared a smile with me.  She weighs a healthy 9 lbs 12 oz and the doctor said she appears to be doing extremely well.  Yeah breastfeeding!  I know that she'd be doing well regardless, but I have been so anxious about making sure that she is a good weight and getting the nutrition she needs- it is nice to have solid doctor approved proof that she is thriving.  She is meeting all of her developmental milestones- smiling (she started that at 4 weeks- because her mom and papa are hilarious), cooing, holding her head up, etc.  She learns a new trick everyday.

I took her with me to vote after her appointment.  I showed her how much fun it is to exercise your right to vote.  I think it made an impression.  She was pretty cranky going into the polling place so I thought she would scream the entire time I was voting, but as soon as I started filling in the paperwork she settled down and enjoyed the process.  I brought her home after and we discussed why it is important to vote.

Eye Color Watch

Lucy currently has very dark blue eyes.  I have blue eyes and her Papa has brown.  Eye color can change up until around 6-9 months so there is an excellent chance hers will end up being brown.  I'll be sure to let you know if they change color.  In the mean time speculate all you want!

Introduction

Lucy was born on a Monday.  I keep meaning to look up what Monday's child is...

Since that Monday Lucy's Papa and I have been busy trying not to "kill the baby".  So far so good.  Despite us she is quite lovely.  She sleeps through the night (which for those of you who have never had the pleasure- in baby world this means she sleeps from midnight to 5am without interruption)  Yeah- I know- since when is that through the night, but if it says it in more than one book about babies I believe it.  As you can tell I fully expect this blog to be fairly stream of consciousness so if you have lots of hang ups about punctuation and grammar this is not the blog for you.  I'm looking forward to telling Lucy stories and posting photos (we have lots).  

I have invited Lucy's Papa to be an author as well so he may also post once in awhile.  Lucy grows and changes daily as babies do so there will be lots of material.