Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Smart Baby and a Fall
A few new things have happened in the past few days.
Marley is more mobile. She has pretty much figured out now that if she wants something, she can just get her little butt up and crawl over to it. It's fascinating to watch her sit there for a second a whimper at me and then all the sudden just figure out she can go for it. She has also been trying to pull up on everything. It has to be just the right height for her to stand up, but once she does, she can hold on for a good three minutes or so. Last night we had a laundry basket sitting next to the couch. She pulled up on the couch and then switched her hands to the basket. Then switched back. She is getting so strong!
She has started to feed me. I gave her a cracker yesterday and asked her if I could have a bite. I only had to show her what I meant one time, and then she was trying to give me a bite every 15 seconds. Of course, then I have to actually bite the cracker to satisfy her, but it's so cool! She is actually doing something that I ask her to do and it only took one try to learn!
We have started a little game where I start tapping my fingers against her lips and then she starts saying "aaaaahhh." It ends up sounds like the Indians in the movies when they are chanting, "ah ah ah ah ah ah." Know what I mean? She loves the sound it makes! She will do it for a few seconds, burst out laughing, and then do it again!
There are a lot of exclamation points in here, but I guess that just conveys how exciting it is. Asa and I were both realizing how much more smart, attentive, and responsive she is. I almost feel like she understands everything we are saying and is joining in the conversations with us. She's really a part of the family! Not that we didn't consider her a part of it before, but it seems different all the sudden. I guess she's growing up!
In unrelated news, I have a scary/sad/gross/maybe-funny-tomorrow story. I was walking with Marley today at work to put up some keys, when I slipped in the hallway and fell. I screamed and Marley started screaming. I don't think she was hurt, I just startled her when I yelled. I landed in the splits in the middle of the hallway and yelled for Carrie to come help me. My skirt, shirt and undies were soaked. Carrie took Marley and tried to calm her down. I lift up my hand to smell it and figure out what happened.
Pee. Dog pee.
Marley is okay, but I have a pulled muscle in my arm and a "stretched tendon" (diagnosed by Dr. Asa) in my ankle. But, falling with Marley is like one of my worst fears. I always day dream about doing it somewhere and no one helping me and both me and Marley being hurt and I can't help her because I'm hurt. It's always scary in my imagination. This was scary while it was happening, but at least we are okay.
Marley is more mobile. She has pretty much figured out now that if she wants something, she can just get her little butt up and crawl over to it. It's fascinating to watch her sit there for a second a whimper at me and then all the sudden just figure out she can go for it. She has also been trying to pull up on everything. It has to be just the right height for her to stand up, but once she does, she can hold on for a good three minutes or so. Last night we had a laundry basket sitting next to the couch. She pulled up on the couch and then switched her hands to the basket. Then switched back. She is getting so strong!
She has started to feed me. I gave her a cracker yesterday and asked her if I could have a bite. I only had to show her what I meant one time, and then she was trying to give me a bite every 15 seconds. Of course, then I have to actually bite the cracker to satisfy her, but it's so cool! She is actually doing something that I ask her to do and it only took one try to learn!
We have started a little game where I start tapping my fingers against her lips and then she starts saying "aaaaahhh." It ends up sounds like the Indians in the movies when they are chanting, "ah ah ah ah ah ah." Know what I mean? She loves the sound it makes! She will do it for a few seconds, burst out laughing, and then do it again!
There are a lot of exclamation points in here, but I guess that just conveys how exciting it is. Asa and I were both realizing how much more smart, attentive, and responsive she is. I almost feel like she understands everything we are saying and is joining in the conversations with us. She's really a part of the family! Not that we didn't consider her a part of it before, but it seems different all the sudden. I guess she's growing up!
In unrelated news, I have a scary/sad/gross/maybe-funny-tomorrow story. I was walking with Marley today at work to put up some keys, when I slipped in the hallway and fell. I screamed and Marley started screaming. I don't think she was hurt, I just startled her when I yelled. I landed in the splits in the middle of the hallway and yelled for Carrie to come help me. My skirt, shirt and undies were soaked. Carrie took Marley and tried to calm her down. I lift up my hand to smell it and figure out what happened.
Pee. Dog pee.
Marley is okay, but I have a pulled muscle in my arm and a "stretched tendon" (diagnosed by Dr. Asa) in my ankle. But, falling with Marley is like one of my worst fears. I always day dream about doing it somewhere and no one helping me and both me and Marley being hurt and I can't help her because I'm hurt. It's always scary in my imagination. This was scary while it was happening, but at least we are okay.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Mommyhood
Well, they are okay with Asa going back to part-time. I am so relieved and excited. This past weekend we did all sorts of thing to our apartment. We installed a new light fixture in the dining room and kitchen, built cabinet doors for the bookcase, bought a carpet cleaner, and did some organizing. This weekend, I want to make a little garden outside. Hopefully it will be nice outside for that.
The next couple of days are going to be busy for me. I have an assignment due tomorrow, and another one due on Wednesday, a presentation to do tomorrow night about health, and advising Wednesday morning. It will be like 2 days of stress.
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I was wondering today when I became such a mom. I know that it was technically 8 months and 6 days ago that I became a mother. But then I think about how much I have changed since having Marley and I feel like a completely different person. In a completely good way. I feel stronger, more responsible, more out-spoken, and self confident. I feel like I have someone to fight for and stand up for. I notice all these cute little things about the way she holds her fingers in funny ways or the way her hair is getting long enough to blow in the wind. And she's smart too! She knows what my signs mean and she gets all excited when I do them.
I know it's all normal "mom stuff" but isn't it funny that it happens without us doing it on purpose. We just turn into this person who wants to brag about the little human that we love. You really do get to see the world through their eyes. When Marley realizes something for the first time or is surprised about something, I experience it with her. I get excited just as much as she does. It's amazing.
I am so glad we are raising her the way we are. She is happy, loved, secure, and smart. I wouldn't change any of it.
The next couple of days are going to be busy for me. I have an assignment due tomorrow, and another one due on Wednesday, a presentation to do tomorrow night about health, and advising Wednesday morning. It will be like 2 days of stress.
------------------------
I was wondering today when I became such a mom. I know that it was technically 8 months and 6 days ago that I became a mother. But then I think about how much I have changed since having Marley and I feel like a completely different person. In a completely good way. I feel stronger, more responsible, more out-spoken, and self confident. I feel like I have someone to fight for and stand up for. I notice all these cute little things about the way she holds her fingers in funny ways or the way her hair is getting long enough to blow in the wind. And she's smart too! She knows what my signs mean and she gets all excited when I do them.
I know it's all normal "mom stuff" but isn't it funny that it happens without us doing it on purpose. We just turn into this person who wants to brag about the little human that we love. You really do get to see the world through their eyes. When Marley realizes something for the first time or is surprised about something, I experience it with her. I get excited just as much as she does. It's amazing.
I am so glad we are raising her the way we are. She is happy, loved, secure, and smart. I wouldn't change any of it.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
We started Easter out with just us. I went with my mom last night to get things for Marley's Easter basket and filled it up when I got home. Here is what she got:
She really liked the shoes and the spatula. I decided that instead of getting "real" toys from the Easter Bunny, Marley needed to get non-toys. (She is totally uninterested in any of the "real" toys she has at home...) So, she got a spatula and strainer along with her other items. I found those cute sunglasses at Wal-Mart and had to get them for her. I couldn't keep them on her long enough to get a good picture, but Kima sure liked them. Or maybe she didn't like them... but I made her wear them.
After her morning nap, we went to Asa's dad's house. We didn't get any pictures unfortunately, but we had lunch and a little Easter Egg Hunt. Actually, Bonnie hid all the Easter eggs at one point before Malachi could see what was going on. Then, when we couldn't find him a little while later, we saw him outside with a bag full of Easter eggs. He couldn't even wait to tell us what he was doing!
Around 3 we headed to my mom's house. They had also prepared a ton of food, so we ate again. Marley got a little nap in while we were there, but not much. We took tons of Easter pictures outside by the garden and even Joel got away from the golf tournament to come outside for a few!
Then we made her "hunt" for Easter eggs. My mom had even filled them with M&Ms so that they made noise and were more appealing. I really just put them in the hallway and she crawled to them. I knew we couldn't handle more than that. She was a great sport and made it to about three of them before she got tired. Crawling is hard work.
Then, my mom presented Marley with her second Easter basket and she got to play with all the goodies in there. My brother, sister, and I always get underwear and socks from the Easter bunny. Our bunny is into the essentials. But Marley doesn't wear underwear, and diapers are a little too much. So, she got socks, measuring spoons, measuring cups, a bowl, and a plate. This girl is going to be cooking our dinner tomorrow with all the kitchen items she got!
After that it was time to go home. She was worn out and needed to get a tiny nap in before it got too late. Unfortunately, that didn't happen anyway... but we survived.
She had a great first Easter and I am really glad we made it kind of a big deal even though she would have never known. It was worth it!
She really liked the shoes and the spatula. I decided that instead of getting "real" toys from the Easter Bunny, Marley needed to get non-toys. (She is totally uninterested in any of the "real" toys she has at home...) So, she got a spatula and strainer along with her other items. I found those cute sunglasses at Wal-Mart and had to get them for her. I couldn't keep them on her long enough to get a good picture, but Kima sure liked them. Or maybe she didn't like them... but I made her wear them.
After her morning nap, we went to Asa's dad's house. We didn't get any pictures unfortunately, but we had lunch and a little Easter Egg Hunt. Actually, Bonnie hid all the Easter eggs at one point before Malachi could see what was going on. Then, when we couldn't find him a little while later, we saw him outside with a bag full of Easter eggs. He couldn't even wait to tell us what he was doing!
Around 3 we headed to my mom's house. They had also prepared a ton of food, so we ate again. Marley got a little nap in while we were there, but not much. We took tons of Easter pictures outside by the garden and even Joel got away from the golf tournament to come outside for a few!
Then we made her "hunt" for Easter eggs. My mom had even filled them with M&Ms so that they made noise and were more appealing. I really just put them in the hallway and she crawled to them. I knew we couldn't handle more than that. She was a great sport and made it to about three of them before she got tired. Crawling is hard work.
Then, my mom presented Marley with her second Easter basket and she got to play with all the goodies in there. My brother, sister, and I always get underwear and socks from the Easter bunny. Our bunny is into the essentials. But Marley doesn't wear underwear, and diapers are a little too much. So, she got socks, measuring spoons, measuring cups, a bowl, and a plate. This girl is going to be cooking our dinner tomorrow with all the kitchen items she got!
After that it was time to go home. She was worn out and needed to get a tiny nap in before it got too late. Unfortunately, that didn't happen anyway... but we survived.
She had a great first Easter and I am really glad we made it kind of a big deal even though she would have never known. It was worth it!
Coffee With Hunter and Leigh
Marley and I met Hunter and Leigh yesterday morning at Java Jacks. It was so good to see them and Marley was pretty excited too. We planned Marley's artist future and what schools she was going to. I don't know if she could understand, but she sure seemed happy about it!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Strangers are Weird
You know what is really awkward? When complete strangers want to stand and talk/smile/sing to your child in the middle of a store/restaurant and you have no idea who they are. So, the parent that is holding the baby has two choices: look at the baby or look at the stranger.
If you look at the stranger, it's completely awkward. You are watching this stranger stare at your baby and talk to her like she going to get an answer. And the stranger isn't looking at you, so it's awkward.
If you look at your baby, you are not looking at the stranger, so you have no idea what they are doing. And then you are just smiling at your baby, (thinking, just hang on a second, she'll go away) who is looking at the crazy old lady, (thinking, what the heck is wrong with her) who is then about to reach her hand and touch your baby's face (thinking, oh that baby is so cute). But you didn't see it coming, so she is successful! Then, your baby looks at you like, WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HER?
Then, it gets even worse if there is nothing being said. There is awkward silence, with them just looking at Marley and I feel like I need to say something. So, random things just come out of my mouth. Half the time I don't even know what I'm saying. I will blurt out things like "Yep... she's 8 months old..." or "She just started crawling!" or "Oh, she's tired..." It probably makes it even more awkward that I am saying these things, but I can't help it. It literally just comes out, whatever I can think of.
It's just all-together awkward. Then, they either call your little girl a little boy or talk about how we need to take good care of her. What do I say to that? Nothing. I walk away. I don't like awkward.
If you look at the stranger, it's completely awkward. You are watching this stranger stare at your baby and talk to her like she going to get an answer. And the stranger isn't looking at you, so it's awkward.
If you look at your baby, you are not looking at the stranger, so you have no idea what they are doing. And then you are just smiling at your baby, (thinking, just hang on a second, she'll go away) who is looking at the crazy old lady, (thinking, what the heck is wrong with her) who is then about to reach her hand and touch your baby's face (thinking, oh that baby is so cute). But you didn't see it coming, so she is successful! Then, your baby looks at you like, WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HER?
Then, it gets even worse if there is nothing being said. There is awkward silence, with them just looking at Marley and I feel like I need to say something. So, random things just come out of my mouth. Half the time I don't even know what I'm saying. I will blurt out things like "Yep... she's 8 months old..." or "She just started crawling!" or "Oh, she's tired..." It probably makes it even more awkward that I am saying these things, but I can't help it. It literally just comes out, whatever I can think of.
It's just all-together awkward. Then, they either call your little girl a little boy or talk about how we need to take good care of her. What do I say to that? Nothing. I walk away. I don't like awkward.
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