Thursday, November 29, 2012

Can we say OVERCOMMITED?

You all, I'm a little freaked out about EVERYTHING going on in the next month. I'm throwing a baby shower for Mo this weekend (so excited). I'm going to Chi-town with Momma T next weekend. Then there are two weekends before Christmas. That means shopping, decorating and enjoying the FIRST CHRISTMAS we have with our baby girl. I JUST started crocheting her stocking last night - you'd better believe my fingers were flying.

And if that isn't enough, 5 days after Christmas we are squeezing the whole family into our teeny-tiny house for Caroline's 1st birthday. That means after the hurricane of wrapping paper, food, travel and general merriment, I have to jump on major cleaning and party organizing.

Think I'm crazy yet? No? Well how about two days after her birthday, Husband and I leave for a 5 day vacation. That means we need to get the baby girl packed and ready to stay with my family. I haven't even thought about what a mess I'm going to be leaving her for that many days for the first time!!!

At this rate, I'm going to be lucky to remember to put my pants on in the morning. I want to post many things in the next month, but they might have to wait until January.

I want to show some of my recent crochet projects - including on special baby shower gift.
I want to post a couple pics of my baby girl through the year - she's grown so much.
I want to wish you all Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Just in case I forget any of the above, just pacify me and pretend I did it all with grace and style. Thanks!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

So tired.

6 AM has become my new 8 AM. You  know, the time your body wakes you up on the weekends because you are so used to getting up. The time that if you didn't have a baby, you'd ignore and snuggle back into bed.

That's 6 AM for me now , with the exception that I don't have the choice to ignore it on the weekends or on days off. That thought really made me sad as I was driving to work this morning. I really shouldn't have been thinking about anything though because I was too tired to drive AND think about something other than driving.

How many years before I can sleep in again? 5? 10!!!?

It shouldn't be a big deal to be introduced to a new wake up time. I get a lot done in the early morning hours, and Caroline is at her happiest. BUT a new wake up time means a new bed time, even on the weekends. We can get a sitter and go out with our friends, but alas, my eyes are drooping by 10:00 PM.

All of this is a plea to my friends, please don't leave me! I know, I know, my schedule is reminiscent of a 80 year old man. But I'm still here and ready to play. Let's just do it in the daytime, K?

Friday, November 9, 2012

Letter to my baby girl

Dear Caroline,


From the day I found out I was pregnant, everyone has been warning me how fast you would grow. For the first six months of your life, you did grow like a weed.  (Advice to my new mom or mom-to-be friends, don’t wait for a special occasion to put those cute clothes on them. They’ll only fit in them once or twice, or not at all if you wait). While the growth was fast, the changes and developments were at a suitible pace. A pace that felt like we had time to celebrate and document each milestone. 

From 6-10 months, you are still growing like we’re feeding you fertilizer (we are not, I promise). But what is AH-MAZING to me is how much you’ve developed and are learning. The first six months you started to interact, babble, and crawl. But when did you change from baby to toddler? You went from rolling over only with encouragement to cruising along the furniture, tackling the stairs, opening cabinets, chasing the cat, dancing with dad and telling us “bye, bye”.

In spite of your new found mobility, you still are happy on my hip. I’ve gotten pretty good at doing most things one-handed so you can watch intently and approve with a gentle pat on my shoulder when I’m making a bottle, lean back suddenly when you are ready to play ‘upside-down baby’ or smile knowingly as we climb the stairs to surprise a sleepy dad.

While you do get up at a ridiculous hour every morning, you are so happy I hardly mind. Sometimes you’ll even cuddle with me and go back to sleep.

You are a very good sleeper. I told Uncle Meg that sometimes your dad and I will sneak into your room at night and pick you up to snuggle with you. It’s better than chocolate. Uncle Meg thought I was CRAZY, because your cousin is not as sound a sleeper as you are.

We are fast approaching your first birthday and I can’t believe it. I’m incredibly sad that you are growing up, but at the same time I can’t wait to see what you’ll learn next. I remember when I was pregnant, I was worried that I would lose myself in parenting. The thing is, I don’t know why I was so worried because I did lose myself to you, and I’m loving every minute of it.