so big, so beautiful

When I say “So big! So beautiful!” to my girl, she puts her arms up and smiles.  I can’t believe she is SO big and SO beautiful.

It’s so absolutely true that even if your child was ugly, there is no way you could ever see it. Blinded by love is REAL. The glory behind it is that you don’t care what anyone thinks, you just go along blissfully KNOWING your child is so beautiful.

Paisley has most definitely gained some independence over the last month. She has made her mind up about what she wants and doesn’t want. If she wants something, watch out because she will do anything to get it. If she doesn’t want something, watch out because she will let you know.

Wants:

anything that clearly does not belong to her

anything that is not a toy (see #1)

anyplace that is dirty, unsafe, or off limits

fans, floor lamps, cords, outlets (see #2)

shoes (see #1, 2, 3)

Does NOT want:

diaper/clothes change

to be put down (see #1)

you to take your time preparing her meal

anything other than peas, sweet potatoes, or puffs

I've also been doing more singing and interaction games with her. We love "A bushel and a peck" (but want to learn the whole thing). I want to learn more of the lap games as well. We do Itsy-Bitsy Spider and Patty Cake, but that's usually all I can remember. I'll need to brush up on my skills here. We have the Classic Fairytales from this author, so maybe I'll look into getting the Nursery Rhymes book by him as well.

over the past few days…

We have identified one morning person and one er… not so morning person.

Paisley fake cried to get her way.

Mommy went crazy.

She helped me “unpack” the diaper bag.

And broke out with (another mysterious) rash.

Update: mysterious rash got worse. Found out it was this.

Then mommy went crazy.

She threw puffs on the floor and hollered from her high chair between every bite.

She started pulling herself up on everything [dangerous] that she could find.

And in a few moments of desperate entertainment, I taught her how to take a picture of herself.

Then mommy went crazy.

I'm ready for a vacation!



helping each other

On the weekends, as I’m trying to get my chores done, baby girl comes along to help. She sits nicely and takes out every diaper that mommy just put in to the bin. But I like it. I tell her "good job!" as she tries to mimic what I'm doing in the cutest, most innocent, clumsy way. I wasn't tasting them, so I'm not sure where she got that from. :)

Sometimes I tell her '”no” firmly.

She pauses.

Then does this.

We help her in many (many, many, many) ways all day long. Hello lounge chair, human jungle gym, butt wiper, do-er of all things at the same time with baby in tow. Her daddy lights her up when mommy is making her do the not-so-fun stuff like diaper changing, getting dressed, or getting her face washed. He comes up and makes goofy faces and her whiny cry turns into a little laugh. It’s just adorable.

She helps her mommy and daddy learn new patience, ways of doing things, and how to work together. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have that other ‘teammate’ with you when caring for our sweet girl. There’s something about having that person right there that always knows where to stand, how to read your odd hand signs, and knows the silent language that makes the magic work. Funny how quickly each of us understands from each other signs for bottle, rocking, bink, close the door, turn on the fan, fill the humidifier etc. etc. etc. He steps in when my eardrum can’t handle another scream, and I step in when a little tumble needs mama’s hugs only.

I had to hold up the front and the rear this weekend while daddy finished up his final exam (YAY, DADDY!). While hard, it made me appreciate and savor the good thing that we’ve got going by always being there to back each other up. Single mamas, military mamas, working hubby mamas, hell- even stay-at-home mamas- YOU ROCK. That’s some hard work there.

AND ALL COMPLETELY WORTH IT BECAUSE I GET TO SNIFF, BITE, AND KISS MY LITTLE CHUNKY LOVE EVERYDAY.



Shadow-chasing is a legitimate activity that takes tons of concentration.



***

Photography nerds: This was my first attempt at shooting backlit and exposing for the face. I like the glowy light that I got behind her. Any tips for shooting backlit? It's a nice result, just hard to get the right settings.



it's friday!

We will be hanging out with a lovely lady this weekend, getting dinners cooked by my cutie, and hanging out by the pool (okay, the kiddie pool, but nonetheless). Peace, love, and slobbery baby kisses.

        

delicate balance

I love being at home.

Home with my peeps. With my babes. It’s my comfort, my place, my safe spot.

I mean, Hello!

Lately, it’s taking more and more for this mama to pack up and get out. By packing up, I mean the 87 diapers, 93 wipes, 4 toys, a change of clothes, and partridge in a pear tree.

Finding balance between taking a baby places and still getting to do things you love vs. knowing when to stay indoors and be in the comfort of your home, stress  free is necessary. I usually choose home, where if I have a screaming baby, or mama is losing her shit, we can just let it out (Not to mention I like to wear my hair in one of those floppy-top-of-the-head ponytails and my best clothes). Speaking of screaming babies...my daughter has officially thrown her first few legitimate fits. Oh yeah, like turning red and clenching fists, which is immediately subsided by a change of state. That's when you can tell they are legit; they get over it WAY too fast.

After all, this is the BABY stage. we will have plenty of time in our lives to go out and not have to change diapers and pack an "overnight" (big ass) bag for a few hour outing. But then again, at what point do you just deal with it to have a little fun?

::Cue control freakishness::

I can't stand when people take their babies out all the time after hours for their own enjoyment; "Oh, they can sleep anywhere". Ever wonder why your child is a crabby brat and doesn’t want to wake up in the morning?! On the other hand, occasionally people need to do what works for THEM and change the schedule to suit their own family's needs. I also get that.

It's a delicate balance.

Needless to say we DID NOT party into the late night hours for 4th of July. In fact, I don't think I've "partied" or even stayed awake past midnight in a looong time. Thrilling, I know. Don’t you want to hang out with me? :)

On all this balance stuff, I've been thinking of going on a trip. One that requires a plane ride. With my baby. Is that crazy? Or will it be good to get out and do things and enjoy my time, while still having my little girl by my side? The truth is, I'm not as concerned about shit-losing on Paisley's side as much as I am about mama experiencing some shit-losing. Following me? Right. I even have a wonderful friend who wants to fly together (what?) and help me out. I know. Deal of a lifetime. We'll see what my mental state is happens.

in photos: bathtime

she laughs when I tell her no.

This week I learned that at daycare, my child crawls over to the table and waits next to it around lunchtime. She really is mine!

And yes, she laughs when I say "no".

She now says "mom", not mama, not ma, "mom" all the time. Too cute.

She also dances now when you dance, whether it be in her highchair or "standing" up.

Now is the time where I ask again if she will please be a newborn again, it's moving too fast.