Birdie's Baptism

Meet one of the newest Catholics out there.  Birdie was baptized at an Arlington church a couple of weekends ago.  She was a perfect angel the whole time, barely even whimpering when the priest blessed her with oil and holy water.  She's wearing a string of pearls belonging to her great-aunt (we do not make a habit of baby jewelry and she was supervised the entire time it was worn) and a new christening gown that her aunt/godmother will be embroidering her initials and baptism date into.  We hope to share the gown with Birdie's future sibling and cousins.  

We were lucky to have so many family members and friends join us, both at the church at the party afterwards.  You can tell they really love us because her baptism was part of 8 am Mass.  To make up for it, we rewarded our loved ones with a brunch afterwards.  Birdie's godparents are amazing people and I'm not just saying that because I'm related to both of them.  Her godfather may still be young (a college student) but he's one of my most thoughtful and interesting cousins (though they are really all so interesting and funny - I love my family).  He's the third of four children but doesn't have any nieces or nephews yet so Birdie is lucky to get all of his child-focused attention for the next few years.  Bonus point: he was an altar boy so he'll actually be good at filling the "Catholic" role.  

Birdie's godmother is my sister, a woman who is already a wonderful aunt.  She learned to sew so that she could embroider a couple of bibs as a baptism gift - isn't that sweet?  I'm so glad that we're back in the States for these early years so that my sister, who is local, can really be a part of Birdie's life.  She's already our #1 babysitter!  

Several other aunts, uncles, and cousins made the trip down and were were touched and overwhelmed by their generosity and thoughtfulness.  I know others wished they could make it and we certainly missed them (my in-laws, especially) but they were with us in spirit.  This is why we had Birdie baptized.  We may not be the most observant Catholics but this religion is so ingrained in my memories and part of my shared family culture that I had to give her the easy option of joining in.    

A Good Cry?

I've been reading this book to Birdie two to three times a week for the past four months...but only at night.  Why nighttime?  I need to make sure I don't have to leave the house with mascara running down my cheeks.

I usually have to pause and catch my breath by the second page.  By the second to last, I'm basically choking out the words.  At first, I could blame it on 'new mommy' hormones but damn, that book still gets me every time.  Oh, I'll keep reading it though - I don't know if any of her other books more simply or articulately describe the immediate and overwhelming rush of love that comes the night a little one is born (or 8am, in our case).

Four Months!

Dear Birdie,

I'm beginning to write this post the day after your four month birthday.  Each month seems to creep up faster and faster but I wasn't able to start this yesterday because we were too busy torturing you getting you vaccinated at the doctor's.



So much has happened in the last month (I think I say that every month).  You are more and more like a real person every day.  You rolled from your belly to back last month but RIGHT before your four month birthday, you rolled from your back to your belly.  And promptly started crying because you got stuck.  You haven't seemed to have put the two movements together yet but I'm convinced that will come soon, along with sitting up.

You look at everything and are so friendly to new people.  If somebody smiles at you, especially if it's someone you know, you are quick with a grin in response.  Some babies are belly-laughing around this time but you mostly giggle though sometimes it does sound a little deeper.  You're still a shrimpette and wearing many of your 0-3 clothes.  Luckily, you also are fitting into some of your summery 6 month outfits so we can get a little use before the weather changes!  Your grandparents think you're teething but if you are, drooling seems to be the only symptom!  My oh my though, you do drool quite a bit!



You've been at school nearly all month and it's been going really well.  I was so sad to drop you off at first but you didn't shed a tear.  Your teachers, especially Miss Tasha and Miss Mina, love you and tell us that you're such a good baby.  They've taught you to sleep in your crib (sometimes) so we are trying to get you to do the same at home too.  You're one of the only girls in your class (and soon will be the only one) so we bought you all pink baby stuff so it doesn't get confused with the boys.  I guess you're making lots of new baby friends there but I miss our mommy & baby playdates from maternity leave (like the last one below).



Right around your baptism, your grandpop came for a visit.  He started singing the ABC song to you and that's how we found out you LOVE it.  My favorite is "You Are My Sunshine" but it never calms you (when you're upset) the way the ABC song or Skin-na-ma-rinkie-rinkie-dink do.  Your new favorite game is peek-a-boo, especially when daddy or I "hide" you in our shoulder and then "find" you high up in the air!  Your hand to mouth coordination skills are improving daily and you seem to be pretty fond of Sophie the Giraffe.  I miss you during the day and am always wondering what you're up to and if your teachers are going to be the first to see you sit up.  Even if they are fortunate enough to catch that moment, I know I'm still the luckiest one to cuddle you (even in the middle of the night) and have you forever.

Love,
Mama

This Time Last Year

A year ago today, I was recovering from gallbladder surgery and still felt a little weird.  I couldn't explain it but I knew I couldn't be pregnant.  I mean, before my surgery they'd given me a pregnancy test and it was negative!

We were leaving the apartment to head to some dear friends' wedding reception when I thought to myself "what the heck, just take the test again).  Two little lines later and I was crying over the sink.  I was so scared that the surgery had endangered the pregnancy but our little fighter had other plans.

We are so lucky to have a healthy, happy - and right now sleeping - baby today.

P.S. Call it my first bout of mother's instinct but I just knew something felt off...and I was only a couple weeks pregnant with none of the stereotypical symptoms!

Poor Baby, Sick Baby

Barely two weeks in to my new assignment and I'm calling in for a sick child.  My poor baby went for her four-month well-child check-up (wow, that's a lot of hyphens) and, as before, did not react well to her vaccinations.  She cried far far far less in the immediate aftermath (THANK GOD because it was so distressing last time) but ran a fever up through this morning.



So, I kept my baby home and have been working through some of her naps.  She's still feverish and keeps spitting out the Tylenol but her mood is good and for that, I'm glad.

I can't believe I'm writing about a four month old baby.  That letter is coming soon.

What else came from this doctor's visit?  Um, we got the green light to start solids but the doc was ok with waiting until 6 months as well.  We had thought to avoid cereals completely but the doctor said lots of babies hate iron supplements and it might be easier to give her fortified-cereal rather than the drops.  Either way, we don't really have to start until closer to her 6 month birthday so we'll see how it goes.

Her weight, which is 11 pounds, 9 ounces, dropped a few more percentile points (from 19% to 13%) but her head circumference and height keep growing (she's now 24 inches tall!)  We'll keep doing periodic weight checks either at the doctor's or at my breastfeeding support group but overall the doctor thinks we just have a skinny minnie and that if I keep offering larger bottles, that's about all we can do right now.  Birdie drinks 3.5oz bottles right now (3 of them during the typical workday) but I'll throw in a 4oz bottle every couple of days - she NEVER has finished it.

So, healthy Birdie, happy parents!

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, It's Off to Work I Go

Birdie started school last week and it's been surprisingly hard to handle.  Hard because I never imagined myself as a stay-at-home mom...until I spent my days with Birdie.  I still really don't see it for the long-term but a six-month maternity leave sounds just about perfect to me.

Oh well.  I'm very lucky to have had the 15 weeks I had, right?

Anyhow, we got into a great daycare near our home and I had Birdie do four half days before I went back to work (I went back on Wednesday).  The school did a great job of putting me at ease.  They welcomed me to stay as long as I wanted on each of the days and to drop by anytime.  Of course, I can't drop by now since I work downtown but their openness makes me so comfortable.

Birdie's Aunt Coco has started early with the princess/fairy gear.  The tutu is still a little big but Birdie kept a good grip on the wand!

Husband is doing the drop-offs and pick-ups.  He drives to work daily so it makes sense but I am secretly glad that I can leave before them and pretend that Birdie is just chilling at home all day.  He says she gives him a huge grin during pick-up time and I simultaneously love and hate that.  Love that we have such a sweet and happy baby, hate that she is so happy to see us...does that mean she misses us!?  Mommy guilt is a tough thing.

Buuuuuut.  I do really like my new assignment and I worked really hard to get it lined up before my maternity leave.  I'm kicking around the idea of extending for a third year - we love our house and daycare plus the reliable access to good food and first-rate medical care.  I have a few months to decide so we'll see and I've only been in this job for a couple days.

My cousin just had her first baby.  The squishy baby photos are adorable and really makes me realize how quickly Birdie has grown!  Just when I start to feel slightly jealous, I remember how those first weeks were.  Well, honestly, I can barely remember them but I'm convinced that this is a protective mechanism in my brain, intended to ensure that I will do my part to continue populating the earth.  Until then, we'll have a lot of fun playing with Birdie's second cousins (my dad looked it up, that's the official genealogy term for the children of two first cousins!)

My cute-pie.  She didn't cry at all during the baptism!

Lastly, we celebrating Birdie's baptism into the Catholic Church last weekend.  These photos are from that event, which we were so lucky to share with friends and extended family.  Birdie has awesome godparents (my sister and cousin) and we are once again happy to be at home when we had our baby!

(Birdie is 15 and a half weeks old)