June 23, 2006
This and That
I worked again for my dad this afternoon (I'm working part-time doing accounting for his business). My mom just loves this time because she watches Olivia while I work! Have I mentioned that my mom has seen Olivia EVERY SINGLE DAY since she was born? I love it. My mom is such a good grandma to her. I know how blessed we are to have my parents here. I love going to my mom's every day (I work at their house). It's better than staying home all day and I get to still be with Olivia. Perfect.
Yesterday, my friend Rebecca, who I taught school with, dropped off a scrapbook she made of advice and letters from my students. It's filled with pictures and the cutest advice-- stuff like "don't lick your finger and wipe the baby's face" and "don't forget to change her or she could get a rash". It meant so much to me that Rebecca took the time. I cried as I looked through it. What a memory! The nice thing is, my mom actually will be teaching at the school I left, so I can visit her and Rebecca next year. Sadly, though, B got transfered to a rough school and he's really bummed. I feel badly for him.
Tonight, I got to cook again. I made chicken and rice as well as tapioca for us to eat later. Then, we went to look at some stuff James wants for his b-day next week and we stopped by Starbucks for Chai Frappacinnos. Yum!
When we got back, Olivia was all smiles. She loves to have her diaper changed. It puts her in a good mood almost every time. I think she likes to lay on her back and have me leaning over her, talking to her in my sweetest voice and smiling at her. She always kicks her legs and makes the loudest noises. We carry on these long conversations that mean nothing but "I love you" and "I'm glad you're here." At least that's what I say, and I think she thinks those things too. Her latest fascination is her hands. She discovered them a few weeks back and sucks on them all the time. Today she gagged herself and threw up. She is also starting to reach for things, but isn't quite sure how to grasp objects. She has a few times though!
Tomorrow, I am going to do the thing new moms always dread. I am leaving Olivia with my parents so James and I can have a date. I trust them 150% percent, but all I can think about it Olivia when we are out. It's easier for James because he goes to work every day, but I am never away from her, and as healthy as it is, I don't want to be.
I don't really believe in jinxes, so I am going to come out and say that Olivia is napping better. But only when she's swaddled. And if she has her sleep positioner. And I sing first. And if she has a pacifier. And if she stops napping, I'll know it's because I told you.
Posted by Hannah at June 23, 2006 10:48 PMI also don't want to jinx myself, but I'll tell you that Lila is also napping better...but only when I swaddle her top...she didn't want to be swaddled for the longest time, but now she likes it as long as her legs are free...and she has to have the positioner too...and her paci :).
Good luck to your friend going to the "rough school". I've been in a rough school, my first teaching job...and it's...well, it's rough.
Posted by: Chas at June 23, 2006 11:50 PMHurray for naps! Hope the date went well.
Posted by: Amy at June 24, 2006 08:38 AMShe's so cute, glad she's napping better for you. I still can't get Ava to nap well in the day, but she does sleep all night, Yayyyy.
The book sounds cute! Have a great date.
Posted by: Emmakirsten at June 24, 2006 08:49 AMYay for dates and good sleep! I'm also reading the baby book now... I like Dr. Sears. It does warn against swaddling, saying it impairs hip development, which freaks me out b/c we have swaddled her EVERY SINGLE NIGHT since she was born, sometimes for 8-9 hours at a time! Eek! Oh well. Amelia loves her hands too... she usually sucks her thumb but is also happy with her hands. She hasn't mastered the grabbing for objects though.
You owe me an email, Missy! :)
xoxo!
Have fun on your date!
What sweet students you have, making that scrapbook for you.
All I can say is pacifiers (we call them 'dummies') ROCK! My mom gave me some advice right at the start - saying "Sometimes babies just want to 'suck' it's comforting to them - like satisfying a survival instinct." I can understand that - and since he can't suck on a bottle or boob all day - it makes sense to me to give him his dummy. He loves it - but is not so attached to it that I can't take it away. I now give it to him if he gets very fussy and we're out - and when he goes down for a nap. I've started calling it his 'off switch' :)
Posted by: Valkyrie at June 25, 2006 03:49 PMThat scrapbook is *so* neat! How thoughtful and kind of Rebecca to put together! What an awesome keepsake that will be! That's an adorable photo of Olivia. She's growing so fast! You sound like you are *so* very happy, and I'm glad to hear it. It's *really* hard for us sometimes having our families *so* far away. :(
Posted by: Lisanne at June 25, 2006 04:35 PMOoooohhhhh!!!! She's looking more and more like you with every picture, she is such a cutie-patootie!!!! Makes me want to have one myself, and that's saying something when it comes from me!!!! How proud you and your hubby must be!!!
And what a thoughtful gift from Rebekah with that scrapbook. I bet that was a great surprise!!!
Well have a nice day!!!!
Posted by: susan at June 26, 2006 10:33 AMCute picture - don't you just love their cute little smiles? Makes all of the other yucky stuff and crying times all worth it! :)
Posted by: Mel at June 27, 2006 09:30 PM