Reunion with friends

Wednesday afternoon we met up with Mark's childhood friends and went to lunch at Johnny's Pizza - a delicious pizza place. We met with Pete, Dave and Cara ( they have one son, Grady) and Geoff and Robin (they have three kids, two girls and one boy, but the grandparents were watching them that day). Unfortunately Toots was not having any of it. She was overwhelmed by her new surroundings, the Monroe house, all the new peeps, new restaurant, etc. She really didn't nap that morning, if you count 30 minutes as one. So she wasn't in the greatest of moods. And boy did she let us know it. Luckily, we were able to get our pizza and salad, and trade off, and thank goodness for Robin, she held Lilly (that's her in the picture with Lilly) and bounced her, and tried to calm her as we wolfed down our lunch (which is something nutritionists would be angry with us! but its a necessity!). But she kept getting angrier and angrier. And tireder and tireder. We changed her diaper. Still unhappy. Tried to feed her. Still crying. So I took her outside and walked her around. We did this for the rest of lunch (got me away from the pizza, a good thing, I probably would have put 2 more slices away!) and she calmed down a bit. But really she needed rest. So while she got many compliments on her outfit and looks, she definitely wasn't winning anyone over with her cries. But hey, she was tired, in a new place and just overwhelmed. Unfortunately for us, a theme that would take us through the rest of the weekend. But the pizza and company was great. Can't beat Johnny's - they've got one opened in Baton Rouge. Just waiting for New Orleans now.

Our Thanksgiving, belatedly

It's after Thanksgiving. After Black Friday and at the end of Cyber Monday, and I'm just now updating. I took a break from the computer, albeit, we skyped with JJ once or twice, but other than that, didn't use it during the holiday. I hope everyone had a great one, we did. Lilly had a fabulous first Thanksgiving.

We left for Monroe last Tuesday night. We wanted to go after work, so it would be near her bedtime and she would sleep on the drive. It's anywhere between 4-5 hours, and we made it in just about 5. I fed her, we changed her into her nightgown (in retrospect, not a good move, yes good for the pjs, but not the gown. The carseat seat belt cut right up into it, bunching it. With pants it would have been just fine). I hate driving at night, especially long car rides, but Mark's a great driver, despite being legally blind in one eye. He was calm, cool, collected, sucking down the Diet Cokes and Mountain Dew.

We had no traffic, and once Lilly got into the car, she fell asleep. And she was good, she would awake every now and again. But it wasn't until we got to Vicksburg, MS, about an hour from Monroe, did she awake and not want to go back to sleep. She made do for about 20-30 miles until we stopped in Talluah (see pics from the Travel America truck stop parking lot - everyone needed a break, to stretch legs, use the facilities, eat (we tried to feed her, but she wasn't hungry. But I found a small package of Fig Newtons, delicious!). And then once we put her back in the seat, she fell back asleep and was good until we got to Mo and Mel's house. She went straight to bed in the pack and play. And after the long car ride, so did we!

More to come!

I win!

So I win! I was in the right range for her weight - 16 pounds, not 18 like Mark originally thought. Lilly had her 4 month check up today. SShe's up about a pound, from 14lbs, 14ozs, to 16lbs. 1.5ozs, which drops her to the 90th-95th percentile (down from straight 95th!). She gained an inch, and is now 25 inches, and in the 75th percentile. And her head is 42, which places her in the 75th percentile. She's smiling, and rolling over, cooing/squealing, standing (with assistance!) and enjoying life. She got a shot (purple bandaid on the thigh), and didn't even cry when the needle went in or out. She took it no problem. She's sleeping her much needed nap now. And we'll head back to see Dr. Gorman one month from now. We head out to Monroe tomorrow, where she will get to see (and meet some) family!

Last Infant Massage Class

Our last infant massage class was yesterday. We learned facial and back strokes. Lilly LOVED the back strokes - you move downward, not upward, as the instructor says, move down like the growth of hair. Move with the hair. She didn't mind being on her tummy as I was doing the back strokes. And she really didn't mind the facial strokes, mainly to help the sinuses. It was a weird sensation to her, I'm sure. But we saw Clair and Amalia, and the two babies, at one point, were on the stomachs, facing each other, and Lilly reached out to grab her. Not once, but twice. I'm wondering what was going on in her head. What was she thinking about Amalia?

But we also made a new friend in Kate and her daughter Emma. Kate goes to the Tuesday class, so we are going to exchange info, and hopefully meet up in the park. So we definitely had a good time in the class. I've got handouts if anyone is interested in learning the different strokes.

Addicted to Parenthood

Or at least that's what one author believes. (check out the article on Slate.com at http://www.slate.com/id/2274721/) That as much as people complain about parenthood, the exhaustion, the spit up, the crying, the frustration, that as soon as the child gives a smile, a hug, a kiss, a coo, etc, all bad is forgotten and only the good remains. Mark sent this article to me about a week ago. I read it, in between nap times, I might add, and it totally rings true. I can be so frustrated with her, for the smallest things, like why are you crying? I just fed you 6 ounces. Why are you not liking your car seat? It's an easy way to get around. And once she gives me a smile. All is forgotten and all is love. Take yesterday for example. I was feeding her a bottle of expressed breast milk. Because of the water restriction(power outage at the Sewage and Water Board Friday night, have to boil water to drink, eat, etc) we aren't able to wash the dishes, or we could but I am fearful of the minute risk that is entailed with the restriction so we aren't doing it until its lifted. Anyway, I digress. So I am done with one bottle (leftover 2 ounces) and about to move onto the other one (fresh 4 ounces) but I have to pour the 4 ounces into the leftover bottle. Well, she's hungry and all she wants is her food. So once its taken away from her, she goes crazy. She starts to cry. And then scream. And then cry louder. I know its because she's hungry. But its still not happy to hear. So once I transfer the liquid, the bottle goes back into her mouth and she's a happy camper.

I don't know why it made me so upset, but here I am, feeding her the 1:30PM bottle, and tears are in my eyes, I feel like I failed, and I am apologizing to her. And then later that day, as I am changing her into the PJ's (couldn't give her a bath, water restriction, they said not to shower if you have open cuts or wounds, just not going to chance it!), I have her on the changing pad. And she's happy but tired. And I am taking her clothes off, first the multicolored fleece hooded vest, then the magenta fleece pants, and as I at the brown longsleeved onesie, she gives me a big smile. All the while I am singing a silly song to her (I've taken Madonna's 'Who's that girl?" to the tune of "Who's that baby?" all along while butchering the lyrics too.) And then she laughs! And it's been a while since I've heard it. And it's the most glorious sound you've ever heard. And then she does it again! I yell down to Mark, and then she does it again. And again. Four times in a row. So awesome.

I want to hear it again, so I keep singing. But she's done for the night. If I'm an addict, all tears mostly forgotten, smiles remembered, then I'll keep on singing. Just don't tell me I'm tone deaf. I know. But she doesn't.

4 months and counting

Yesterday we celebrated Lilly's 4 month birthday. Crazy how the time has just flown by! But she's now 4 months and 1 day. I was at Slice yesterday, which is a pizza place, but also have delicious cupcakes. I couldn't decide which ones to get, they all looked so good, so I ended up getting four, one for each month. Two were called 'old school' which are like Hostess cupcakes, one was pumpkin maple (what I had last night) and the other was red velvet (what I will have today). Lilly was interested in the flame from the candle but I blew out her candles as we finished singing "Happy 4 month birthday to you" She's smiling, sleeping, observing, and just a lot of fun to be around. Regina has nicknamed her Fuzzy Wuzzy as her hair is starting to stick up on top. It's quite cute. But we go back to the doctor for two more shots and the 4 month check up Monday. Mark thinks she's 18 pounds I think she's definitely under it. My money is on 16 pounds. We'll see who does the buying Monday afternoon.

Sock Rattles

My friend Clair told me about sock rattles. They are exactly what they sound (no pun intended) like - rattles attached to socks. Clair said Amalia really liked hers and enjoyed the sounds. Another lady in the infant massage class said the same thing about the sock rattles, so I decided to give them a try. Last Saturday I ordered a pair off Amazon.com, and they arrived yesterday. I put them on her last night, and let her make noise. They were on her feet for about five minutes and she gave them a good whirl. I don't think she was too impressed, but they were really cute.

Today Regina let her play with them, and she didn't put them on her feet, rather, as she is doing with most items these days, the top part of the sock, the rattle, in her mouth. And she gummed it. And loved it. And it became all wet, but boy was she happy. So while she might not enjoy them on her feet, she has found a new toy to gum. And that right now is worth every penny!

Snuggles and Struggles

This morning Lilly and I went to the Snuggles and Struggles class at the Parenting Center. It's designed for mom's and dad's and newborns (0-6 months). And it's a discussion. Group setting. We got there at 10, as that's when I thought it started. But turns out it wasn't supposed to begin until 10:30. My bad. So I fed Lilly and then we talked to another mom who was in a different class, but also there early. It was really cool, being around other moms and dads, with their babies. It was great to have infants who are so close in age to Lilly and have either gone through or going through the same things, like taking/not taking a pacifier, drooling, pooping ( a popular topic!), etc. The facilitator had a doctor's appt, so she ran late, but the adults were talking to one another. I actually went with a friend, her daughter is 3 weeks, so it was really nice to know someone there. But, I did worry about our first impression. I worried over Lilly's outfit (silly, huh?) and mine, but in the end, everything turned out fine. It's a real low-key environment, the babies lay on the mat, like in infant massage, and adults sit around it. It's set up in a T formation. There were four moms from infant massage class there, which was cool to see a familiar face. So I think I am going to see if Regina can switch days, so we can start going on a regular basis. I'd been feeling lonely lately, and feel like things are going in a new direction, and hopefully will get to know the other moms and dads further.

Lilly didn't nap this morning, and she fell asleep on me for a little bit at the beginning of class. So when we got home, she went straight into the pack and play, and has been sleeping for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Almost time to get her up.

Lilly's 1st Po-Boy Festival

We took Lilly to the 4th Annual Po-Boy Festival on Oak Street. The festival has grown so much since 2007, when we lived on Oak, and could easily walk across Carrollton and get in and out with loads of food. But over the past four years, the festival has exploded in popularity and food booths, and it's a lot more difficult to maneuver. Now they extend the festival from Oak and Carrollton to Oak and River Road. So the merchants and restaurants all benefit from the increased exposure. Weather was overcast today, there was a chance of rain in the afternoon and the cool front moved in last night. So we were dressed (well, all except Lilly and Mark) in long sleeves and jeans. Mark, Lilly and I went with Lara and Cliff.

Uncle Cliff wanted to 'Bjorn' Lilly, so he strapped her in and carried her throughout the festival. She fell asleep pretty much as we got there, and stayed asleep for about an hour and a half. So we ran into cousin Glynn, as we sampled the sandwiches. Mark had BBQ shrimp from Manale's. And then we split a bowl of Collard Greens with pork from Coquette (delicious). Mark, Lara, and Cliff wanted to try the Fried Maine Lobster Po-Boy from GW Fins, so we got in line for that one. And boy was there a line. This turned out to be an extremely popular sandwich. We waited for about 45 minutes for it, but according to three, it was well worth it!

By then, Lilly awoke (she actually did when we all took turns using the Port-a-Potty, and was taken out of the Bjorn). And she was hungry. So after they ate the lobster sandwich, we went through the crowded street (thank goodness we didn't bring the stroller) before making our way to a side street (no crowds) and got Lilly her bottle. She ate, and then we made our way back to Oak and Carrollton and found the Boucherie booth. There they were in their purple food truck and were making a delicious pulled pork and cabbage Po-Boy and salted seasoned fries. We waited probably about 30-45 minutes for these sandwiches and fries. And Lilly did extremely well. She was looking all around. Even spit up some of her lunch. And she let us know when enough was enough not by crying but by insistently sucking on her thumb. So after our sandwiches we walked back to the car, and Lilly then fell asleep on the way home.

Second Infant Massage Class

We had our second infant massage class yesterday. She did much better, reacting to the other babies. She was definitely stimulated by the surroundings, especially five babies, but she only cried once in response to their cries! Much better than last week. She was particularly interested in our teacher, she kept tracking her as she moved us through the chest and arm strokes. Lilly did not enjoy the chest strokes as much. Luckily there were only two. Arm strokes were pretty much the same as the legs, so it was a good review, but even better to have an awake baby to practice on ( she was sound asleep last time, for pretty much 3/4 of the time. But yesterday was a good class. And then we went to lunch with Clair and Amalia. Lilly was so relaxed from the class, that when we got into the car at 11:17, she fell asleep. And stayed that way through lunch and into getting home. She had little under than a 2 hour nap. So I'm glad she's liking the infant massage. We've got one more class left - facial and back strokes.

Daylight Savings

Daylight savings has screwed with Lilly's sleeping. Well, it hasn't messed with her actual sleeping just the time of it. She's going to bed about 30 minutes earlier and waking up at 5:30AM instead of getting up between 6:30-7AM. This morning I tried to feed her with the lights out and not really saying anything to her, as I thought she might be fooled into going back to sleep. Nope. Not interested. She wanted to eat, get dressed, and play. So that's what we did. By 6:30AM, she was fed, dressed, and ready to go. More than I can say for Mark and myself. But she has been napping well (something I should be doing, getting up at 5:30 is not so fun!). This morning, after the second feeding, she was seated on our bed. And before I knew it she rolled over, found her thumb and started sucking away. Her eyelids started drooping, and she got comfortable on the bed. And off to sleepingland she went. Here's to hoping she'll stay up until about 8PM and get up at 6:30AM, not 5:30AM. But either way, I'll take a napper like her any day.

A nice little Saturday

This morning Lilly and I met my friend Clair and her daughter Amalia at the Parenting Center at Children's Hospital. Clair and I met in pre-natal yoga, took the Positive and Prepared Childbirth class the same weekend, and had Dr. Peeper deliver our babies (though not at the same time. Dr. Peeper had been her doctor all along. Amalia was born June 30). So we hung out during our maternity leaves and have been in contact since. Anyway, I digress. I went last Friday to check out the Parenting Center, on a recommendation from a friend. I got a tour of the facility, couple classrooms, indoor play area, kitchen, and library. It's really close to us, juts up to the edge of the park at Calhoun and Camp. So we can easily walk there (which we did yesterday, to meet a friend of a friend). And I digress again, but last Friday I found out that there was an infant massage class and sent the info to Clair. It is three Saturdays and sounded like a great class. So I signed up as did Clair.

So we got to the class this morning. The instructor told us to bring a blanket so the babies could lay on. Clair was already there when we got there, so we sat next to one another (it was really great to know someone in the class, to see a familiar face). Amalia had change so much since I last saw her, her hair is strawberry blonde and she was wearing super cute yellow pants. There were four other babies in the class. The instructor had us undress the babies down to their diapers and then put them on their individual blankets.

Well it was really funny because this was the first time Lilly was really interested in other babies. Perhaps because she was so close to them and could really see them. And here's something even funnier, the babies would set off like a chain reaction. One would start to cry, then another would hear it, and go, and then Lilly, poor Lilly, she would hear it, her lip would curl and she would startle and begin crying. This happened several times. Today we learned leg and stomach massage. Stomach strokes will ease gas and other stomach indigestion. But unfortunately I couldn't practice on my model, as she fell asleep 20 minutes into the class, after crying several times in response to the babies. But she had a nice nap on my shoulder. I saw the instructor practice on the doll and I do have pamphlets with the moves as well as some oil so we can practice. Amalia did great, she loved the massage. I'm hoping Lilly will like it, we go for two more Saturday sessions.

Then this afternoon I went to Harrah's Casino to audition for Wheel of Fortune. Unfortunately my name was not picked to play the game ( you have to fill out a form and then all the forms are put into a bin and 5 at a time are picked at random to play). I still have a chance to get on the show, slim though, as the fake host (no Pat or Vanna) said some spots would be reserved for those who came but were not picked. The show is coming to NOLA in April to film for three weeks worth of episodes. If anything else, I'd love to be in the studio audience. Perhaps we'll get tickets and go!

Anyway, we're in for the night. Mark's going to pick up dinner and after Toots goes down to bed, we've got a movie (Get Him to the Greek) to watch. I'm excited for some chilling and relaxing. I've scrubbed the casino stench off me, so I feel refreshed and good to go. And Toots is good too! Enjoying her mat. Perhaps I'll give her a leg massage! Got to show Mark the techniques.

Wheel of Fortune

So I guess a little bit of me is rubbing off onto Lilly. I love Wheel of Fortune (the Wheelmobile is coming to Harrah's Casino this weekend, so I am going to try out to be a contestant. Imagine! Me on Wheel of Fortune. Awesome). We always try to watch it on Fox 8 at 6:30. And Lilly has become more aware of the tv and the sound and can turn her head toward the television. While she likes HGTV, she loves football and Wheel of Fortune. She just becomes enraptured in it. And can zone out. It's probably not the best thing for her. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 hour of tv for two and three year olds. I asked Dr. Gorman about it, and she said not to worry about it now. Basically she said she doesn't want television to be a babysitter, and its not, it's background noise. But she loves it. I told Regina that perhaps she's getting all her tv watching out now. Regina said not likely. I'm probably hooking her to the tube. Well, perhaps one day she'll thank me when she spins the wheel and solves the puzzle.

Baby Einstein Musical Jumper

Lilly's got a new toy that will compete with her jungle gym mat. It's the Baby Einstein Musical Jumper, and it's intense! Loads of stimulation. Regina put it together last week, but said that she didn't think Lilly would be long enough for her feet to touch the ground. Yesterday we tried it out, and when standing upright, her feet don't even come close (box says it starts at 4 months) but when she leans forward to do the activities (so far she likes the lighted triangle, circle and square that play music when you press them) the tips of her toes skim the carpeted surface. The seat swivels 360 degrees and I guess when she's older she will be able to maneuver herself. So far either it's one of us to move her. But it's definitely going to provide lot's of fun! Check her out!

A giggle

Lilly laughed for the first time today. In all honesty, I had been worried because the books say that babies should have had their first giggle between months 2-3. And we passed the three month mark without any laughter sounds. But she smiles and coos, so it was a small worry on the edge of my mind.

But today, this afternoon, she gave out the sound. She had not been having a good day. She slept ok (about an hour) for her first nap. But not so great for the other ones. I tried to let her cry it out (8-10 minutes each time I lasted before they overwhelmed me. The cries are hard to hear. And it felt and sounded so loud) but that didn't work. She was hungry when she woke and was not on her three hour schedule. Twice, she fell asleep eating and when I put her down she lasted about 10-20 minutes before waking up crying. So the cycle would begin again.

By 1PM I was growing quite frustrated with her. The repetitive crying is hard to take. And we were supposed to meet a friend of a friend to go walking in the park. So by 2PM, she finally went down, and seemed to stay down, so at 2:30 I called my new walking buddy and asked for a raincheck (she has a 11 month old) as I wanted to let Lilly to sleep. She said no problem and as we were rescheduling Lilly awoke and her cries and screams reached the phone and I had to go. Needless to say I was a bit annoyed but also worried - what was going on with her?

I got her up. Checked her diaper. Not wet. She just ate. But she didn't want to play on her mat. So I held her. And held her. Until I felt a heaviness in her diaper. Sure enough, she was wet now. So I went to change her and while laying in her napper, and after seeing the new diaper, she gave me a little smile. We talked some more - ok, I did the talking, she just listened. And then before I knew it, she gave me a laugh. It was deep and a bit nasally sounding, but it was her laugh. Immediately I wanted to hear it again. I tried to tickle her. No go. Then I blew my mouth on her stomach and that got her laughing. It was awesome.

I called Mark and repeated the stomach manuever and she laughed. Such a cool sound. She only laughed one other time after that. She basically went back to her not sleeping. Crying. Eating. Until I gave her more than four ounces (thank goodness for the freezer door of breastmilk), and at the 5:30 feeding she wolfed down 7.5 ounces. So she must have been hungry all day. No wonder she didn't want to sleep.