Happy Halloween

Lilly's first Halloween! She went as a peapod - and it's a gender neutral costume so a lot of people thought she was a boy. But also a lot were like, "oh what a cute/sweet (insert your adjective here) baby" in the pea costume. We did a dry run of putting her in her costume this morning, to see that everything fit, and really just an excuse to put her in it and see how'd she look. It all went well, and around 5:30 we put her in the attire. And then we walked about 10 blocks to State Street, where the Police block off the streets to car traffic and about 300-400 kids come trick or treat. Mark's Great Uncle Albert and Aunt Linda live on State Street, so we brought Lilly over there to trick or treat and visit. It was a nice walk over, went Joseph up to St. Charles and then St. Charles over to State Street. It was still light out and you could see kids (and adults) coming out in their costumes.

On the way over, I told Mark I didn't feel like a real New Orleans parent because I didn't have my to go cup with my alcohol beverage inside. We didn't take the stroller, rather opted to carry her the distance, and Mark said had we had the stroller, with its cupholders, we would have had our drinks. And thus blended in with the others.

But Halloween was fun. I've always liked this holiday - and Mark can tell you every year I buy tons of candy though I can count on one hand the number of trick or treaters we've had over the past 4 years. But State Street is packed, tons of people out. Parties going on. Even one house does a haunted house. We opted to not take Lilly in it this year. And then on our way back we walked down Octavia, from St. Charles, and that street is also packed with families and kids and adults in costumes. It was great to get out and see the little ones in their garb, brings a smile to your face to see how excited they all are. Or in our case, Lilly fell asleep on our way home, while on State Street. Next year she'll be able to eat a bit of her candy ( we got butterfingers, a Milky Way, Caramel Junior Mints, and 1 Peanut M&M - it's all ours!). And fun to see it through her eyes, albeit they were closed but we were making the memories for her.

Friday

Yesterday was a good day. Nope, a really great day. And because of a prior commitment, Regina couldn't come Thursday so she came Friday. I went to Morris Jeff, saw my first graders. We did some math, played outside, and then ate lunch (square cheese pizza, green beans, syrupy pears, and animal crackers). I said good-bye to them, after lining them up for their Spanish class and hearing the myriad of costumes (Princess, Olivia the Pig, Spiderman, among others) that the students said they were going to be for Halloween. I then returned a candle to Saks and came home to eat and pump. And see Toots and Regina. And Toots was playing well. I told Regina that we had Lilly in the Bebe Pod Chair, and Regina wasn't sure if she was ready for the chair, as she didn't think Lilly could support her head. But when we put her in it, she did and could support her head, and Regina was just amazed with this child.

And I remember looking at her, and thinking, she's a little person. But she's our little person. And it's hard remembering that she is a little person in disguise, that even though she can't talk, she can still interact through her squeals, smiles, spit ups, and yes, even cries. It's a weird feeling but a complete one. After Lilly went down for her nap, Regina and I talked for a while before I went out and ran some more errands. I checked out the Children's Hospital Parenting Center (free class from Newborns to 6 months, every Tuesday from 10:30-12) and hope to go to some of the classes (also an infant massage class on Saturdays) and meet other parents.

And then I met Aunt Bitsy and saw her try on her wedding dress (she looks amazing!) and then we went for a drink and some tasty snacks (bruschetta and prosceutto) and then went to a new Children's Shop (Nola's Ark) where I found Lilly's Thanksgiving outfit. And why am I going on with my day? Because it was a good one. A full one. And I was still able to spend time with Lilly but able to get out and reclaim some of me without worrying ( I knew she was in capable and good hands with Regina!).

Even though Lilly had a huge meltdown ( I think half the people on Aunt Bitsy's block heard her screams and cries) when we went to Adam and Elizabeth's house for drinks last night, it was still awesome to get out. I felt awful, for her and for Adam, Bitsy, Aimee, and Mark, when she was going into full upset mode. Nothing would soothe her. It went on for quite a while. Even the dogs didn't know what to do with her. But finally she calmed down (Mark walked the length of their house, taking long strides and that seemed to calm her). And we were able to stay and drink and hang out. And it felt like it had been a while since we did that, just getting out, going over to someone's house and drinking. And Lilly was fine (minus the meltdown). She slept for a bit and I drank loads of good white wine.

So a really good, full day. A great day!

I'm a Wiggle Worm

Lilly's fingernails grow at such a fast rate. It seems that once they are cut, her nails need to be trimmed the next day. And so, as time passes, I've become more comfortable with the tiny nail scissors and feel ok about cutting her nails ( in the beginning I relied on other people (and mittens) to do the job for me). But just over the past couple of weeks, Lilly has turned into the biggest wiggle worm. She squirms on the mat, in your arms, in bed (slept last night with her arms extended in a big V) - you get the idea. And when she sleeps she has her thumb (sometimes fist) in her mouth, and so trying to cut fingernails has been difficult. They say to cut the nails while napping so the babies can't move around as much. But they sure didn't take into consideration the sucking of the thumb.

So the cutting has been delayed and Mark can tell you for a few days in a row, I kept saying, we need to cut her nails, and I just didn't do it. So today, I knew was the day. But she only napped for about 30 minutes during her first nap, and her right fingers were in her mouth, so no go. So after she fed for the second meal, I got the scissors and started to cut. But she's such a wiggle worm, that I would start on one finger and forget which ones I had done because she's constantly shifting (not to mention cooing/squealing). But my mom suggested to start from the pinky and go in. I had been starting with no finger in particular and trying to get the ones I could. But the thumb, no matter how you get to it, is quite hard, no matter how much she's shifting. It's a hard appendage to cut! But alas, her nails are trimmed (for now at least). We'll see how long the manicure lasts.

But she's also a wiggle worm when trying to feed her a bottle. If she can sense sound (especially from the tv) she twists her neck towards the noise. She's not keen on sitting up for the bottle, she likes to be splayed out. I'll try to get a bottle feeding on video so you can see her posture (lack thereof).

The First 100 Days

The first 100 days - so crucial in Congress that the President issues a report and the media comments on the performance for days leading up to and on the 100th day. And well, in the style of our government and in honor of the Senator's future profession (just getting her ready for Congress), I thought I would take a step back and comment on how we've done during the first 100 days and doing on the 101st day and beyond.

Lilly is a trip. Constantly wiggling and so badly wants to be on the go. She's 'scooting' on the mat, trying to get some traction and get herself to crawl. She'll become easily frustrated when she can't get moving. She'll roll from her back to stomach and vice versa. Sometimes she becomes hampered by an arm that she hasn't figured out what do with it yet but for the most part, she'll roll from side to side, lift her stomach and then try to start 'scooting' The socks have come off. The mat is slick enough without the accessories, so I figured its warm enough inside and out, and she can do without her socks, well at least for the time being. I did bring them down with me as I'll put them on when we leave the house.

She also like wearing skirts/dresses/onesies with a skirt as she enjoys bringing the dress part to her mouth. Or grabbing onto it tightly. Either one or both will do. Her thumb has become her new peace pipe. The pacifier will go with the clothes she is outgrowing, as she loves the thumb so much she doesn't need it. And quite frankly its nice, she can keep her thumb in and can put it back in her mouth, whereas she would cry once the peace pipe fell out. So now while she can (and does) take her thumb out, at least she can place it back in her mouth.

We're getting high pitch squeals. And lot's of spit up lately. And she's becoming regular again (pooped twice yesterday, twice already this morning). She's an exercise in patience. Reminding us to slow down and enjoy each day and not become frustrated when something doesn't go right (or on schedule). The stroller she does not so much enjoy but the Baby Bjorn is much better. Her hair, depending on the day and amount of light streaming into the room, is getting lighter, though the back of her head is still pretty much dark. Her eyes are still blue and her eyelashes are so long and beautiful. Perhaps before she runs for Congress she will be a mascara model.

Regina coming in two days a week is really working out. Lilly loves her and I feel so comfortable leaving her. Volunteering at Morris Jeff is really fun, the first graders are so sweet, and yesterday one asked if I could stay with her for forever. I'm helping them out with writing, some phonics and math. And then we play at recess and I sit with them at lunch. And then I come home, eat lunch (pump) and then hit the gym or run other errands or both. Like everything, somedays are easier than others. I have to remind myself to get out of the house, especially with her. And now that she's taken so much better to the Baby Bjorn, walking is fun and easy. But she's fun to listen to, the squeals are great (on my Vimeo page and Blog if you haven't heard them by now).

99 days of Lilly

We've had 99 fun-filled, memory making days with Lilly. Last night, as per Regina's suggestion, we put her down early. We gave her a bath at 7:45 and then gave her a bottle and she fell asleep by 8:30. It was glorious (just too bad Mad Men wasn't on!) and she slept until 7 this morning. Mark said she stirred around 5AM, but put herself back to sleep. He said we had a conversation about this at 5AM, but I have no recollection of these events. So we are hoping for a repeat of last night, though it looks like we won't be able to put her down too early. Just now about to eat dinner and it's 7:40PM.

High Pitch Video

This is video that I wanted to accompany the 'my new sounds' post but it wouldn't load last night, despite numerous attempts. But this morning it loads - go figure!

My new sounds

Lilly has discovered her high pitched singing/operatic voice. She can shriek! She can coo. And she can scream. All in these high pitched tones. They are cute but not so when squealed right into your ear. It's weird. But cool that she's getting her voice. I wonder what she's going to sound like. Will she have a combination of mine and Mark's voice? Or will it be something entirely her own?If its anything like the high pitched sounds, then I definitely think its all her.