As physical and always on the go as our Lily is, she certainly is a sensitive little soul. The most random things make her scared. Like the automatic rewind on the vacuum cleaner cord. (Though she LOVES the vacuum itself - go figure.) Or my parents automatic garage door. Or the automatic towel dispenser in the bathroom.
Hmm, I'm sensing a trend. Things that SEEM inanimate, yet tend to move on their own as if by magic...
Some things are understandable. A dog barking close by, for instance. Or Santa Claus. Other things are just so funny. Lily took one look up at my dad's massive umbrella and her lower lip started trembling before the tearful wailing began.
Tonight, while we were out to eat at our favorite little local place, one of the owners came by to say hi to Lily. He came right up to her, got down on her level, leaned on her high chair, and started talking to her. She took one look at me, then back at him, and the lip began to quiver. Uh-oh. Her poor little face got red, the poochie lip came out, and the crying started.
Moments before, she was having a ball making funny faces at our waitress from afar. I guess that was the difference. This stranger got right in her face, and she freaked out. Plus, she always was a little more leary of men than of women, and it was close to her bedtime so she might have been a little moody to begin with. But I haven't seen her afraid of another person in months, so it was a bit surprising.
We've helped her conquer several fears in the past. The first time I ever heard her scream in fear was when she crawled over to the basement door to investigate the strange scratching sound coming from behind it. She sat and watched as suddenly a cat's paw came shooting out from beneath the door at her. And Lily screamed! A lot of her reactions are delayed - like she has to process what she's just seen and then realizes it's scary (like tonight at dinner). But this was immediate. And so surprising, because I guess I never really thought about a baby's ability to scream with fright before. It caught me so off-guard I started to laugh, but then she burst into tears until I scooped her up and calmed her down.
But oh my goodness, I'll never forget that sound. Now she thinks the cat's paw shooting out under the door is funny, because we made a game out of it. Sometimes, I catch her sticking her hand under the door, an anticipatory grin on her face as she waits for a little furry something to come attack.
She was also very afraid of the Tickle-Me Cookie Monster she got for Christmas. I think it was a combination of it moving by itself (there's that fear of the seemingly inanimate again) and of Cookie Monster's really scary voice. Plus, she probably thought it was attacking her, as he lunged forward in laughter after she pushed his belly. But now she laughs and likes to watch as he throws himself around.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Lily's 15-Month Appointment
Today's pediatrician visit went better than expected. I didn't have to get into a long no-MMR confrontation like I had been anticipating. All I said was, "We're going to hold off on that for now," and she was all, "OK, then we'll hold off on the varicella (chicken pox vaccine), too, since I usually give those together."
And I was all, "Rock on." Though not in those exact words.
Lily lost weight in the last two months (we had her in for a suspected ear infection at 13 months and she weighed almost 22 lbs), weighing just under 21 lbs today. That was a little disappointing, since her forward-facing car seats are rated for 22+ lbs. She is in the 25th percentile for weight. But she grew three inches in the last three months! So now at 33" tall, she's in the 90th percentile for height. Tall and slim...must be Daddy's little girl.
Dr. Schluper said her i-teeth (incisors) will be coming in soon up top, so we have that teething to anticipate with glee. She also said the scar on her cheek will most likely go away in time, though there's a possibility it will just fade significantly. This is good to hear because she was scratched way back around New Year's, and the fact that it's still there - like a beacon on her sweet little cheek - really bothers me.
The Dr's only concern was with Lily not talking yet. She says 0 words. When you tell her, "Say 'Mama'," she proudly repeats it. But she never says it on her own and she never repeats anything else you tell her to say. So I have to call Early Intervention and set up and appointment for them to come to our home to evaluate our daughter.
But you know what? We're not worried. We both feel like she's a smart cookie and she'll start talking on her own time. Perhaps all the sign language we've been teaching her has hindered her need to vocalize her desires. Why bother talking when she can just sign and get what she wants instead? We'll see what the evaluation says. Until then, we're going to be vigilant in our efforts to get her to say SOMEthing on her own. We'll blow the socks off those Early Intervention people, just you wait.
And I was all, "Rock on." Though not in those exact words.
Lily lost weight in the last two months (we had her in for a suspected ear infection at 13 months and she weighed almost 22 lbs), weighing just under 21 lbs today. That was a little disappointing, since her forward-facing car seats are rated for 22+ lbs. She is in the 25th percentile for weight. But she grew three inches in the last three months! So now at 33" tall, she's in the 90th percentile for height. Tall and slim...must be Daddy's little girl.
Dr. Schluper said her i-teeth (incisors) will be coming in soon up top, so we have that teething to anticipate with glee. She also said the scar on her cheek will most likely go away in time, though there's a possibility it will just fade significantly. This is good to hear because she was scratched way back around New Year's, and the fact that it's still there - like a beacon on her sweet little cheek - really bothers me.
The Dr's only concern was with Lily not talking yet. She says 0 words. When you tell her, "Say 'Mama'," she proudly repeats it. But she never says it on her own and she never repeats anything else you tell her to say. So I have to call Early Intervention and set up and appointment for them to come to our home to evaluate our daughter.
But you know what? We're not worried. We both feel like she's a smart cookie and she'll start talking on her own time. Perhaps all the sign language we've been teaching her has hindered her need to vocalize her desires. Why bother talking when she can just sign and get what she wants instead? We'll see what the evaluation says. Until then, we're going to be vigilant in our efforts to get her to say SOMEthing on her own. We'll blow the socks off those Early Intervention people, just you wait.
Labels:
Pediatrician
Sewing Machine
For my birthday, Ryan bought me a sewing machine.
Now before you get all, "Woman, go sew me something and cook my food" on me, I want to mention that this was MY idea - I ASKED for a sewing machine. (It was on my garage sale list, remember?) And Ryan - happy to oblige - did TONS of research online before we hit a quilting shop to look at their machines with his parents, who actually know something about the subject firsthand. (Us? Not so much.)
[Brit, this place would have left you drooling for months. You seriously need to check it out next time you come east to visit family. It's an easy drive from AC.]
We ended up bringing home a Bernina. I have more details about the machine downstairs, but am too lazy to go down and get them right now. It's a beautiful machine with lots of fancy features that are a little overwhelming for the virtually novice sewer that I am.
But I have lots of ideas for things I want to make and for things that need to be fixed. I went online last night and found a homemade pattern for Boppy slipcovers and other baby goodies that I'm itching to try.
So what has inspired the newfound domestic diva in me? Am I nesting? Will this phase last long? We shall see...
Now before you get all, "Woman, go sew me something and cook my food" on me, I want to mention that this was MY idea - I ASKED for a sewing machine. (It was on my garage sale list, remember?) And Ryan - happy to oblige - did TONS of research online before we hit a quilting shop to look at their machines with his parents, who actually know something about the subject firsthand. (Us? Not so much.)
[Brit, this place would have left you drooling for months. You seriously need to check it out next time you come east to visit family. It's an easy drive from AC.]
We ended up bringing home a Bernina. I have more details about the machine downstairs, but am too lazy to go down and get them right now. It's a beautiful machine with lots of fancy features that are a little overwhelming for the virtually novice sewer that I am.
But I have lots of ideas for things I want to make and for things that need to be fixed. I went online last night and found a homemade pattern for Boppy slipcovers and other baby goodies that I'm itching to try.
So what has inspired the newfound domestic diva in me? Am I nesting? Will this phase last long? We shall see...
Labels:
Sewing
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Ryan Has His Dowry List Ready
The morning we left Virginia Beach, we had a chance to catch up with Brent and Abigail, who we met a LIFETIME ago at Campus Crusade at Rutgers. And I was thrilled to have the chance for Lily to meet their son Colin, whose escapades I read about frequently on his blog.
Our two little climbers had a great time in the outdoor play area at Chik-fil-A (seriously? we did not know they served breakfast). Lily got so tuckered out, she fell asleep in the car not long after we left, making for a wonderful relaxing start to our long drive home that day.
It is nearly impossible to get to little kiddies under age 2 to simultaneously pose for a picture. Here's the best shot:
Our two little climbers had a great time in the outdoor play area at Chik-fil-A (seriously? we did not know they served breakfast). Lily got so tuckered out, she fell asleep in the car not long after we left, making for a wonderful relaxing start to our long drive home that day.
It is nearly impossible to get to little kiddies under age 2 to simultaneously pose for a picture. Here's the best shot:
Labels:
Vacation
How I'm Feeling - Week 33
Let me start with my 30-week appt, which I forgot to mention back before vacation. I saw Allison and I was all set to ask her if I was still posterior, but when she measured my belly and said, "You're measuring a little big..." that posterior question flew right out the window. I'm measuring big? Me or the baby? "The baby. 32 weeks or maybe 31." 31 wouldn't be too bad, since that was technically two days away. But the thought of another big baby - or a BIGGER baby - got my head a-waggin'!
I had gained 2 pounds and was up to 159. Not bad. The baby's heartbeat was great and I don't remember her taking my blood pressure. Hmm.
My 33-week appt with Tina yesterday was much more reassuring (for some reason, they scheduled me for 33 instead of 32 weeks...oh well). She said my belly size was just right - measuring exactly 33 weeks. MUCH better. I asked her if I was still posterior and she looked at me like I was crazy. I told her I was at 28 weeks and just wanted to double check, and she said the baby is sideways, head down, butt on my left and legs on my right, just as it should be for now. Very glad to hear that.
She said, "Well, don't start worrying about being posterior. If you were able to deliver an OP [occiput posterior] baby last time, you won't have any trouble this time no matter how this baby comes out!"
That led me to recall my looooong labor and delivery with Allison for her. She said she was surprised I didn't have myself a heavy bout of post-partum depression following the birth. She said no sleep begets depression, and depression begets no sleep...hence the vicious cycle. So while I know I did not have PPD, maybe that was a little part of the problem I had building an attachment to Lily, the attachment that did not spontaneously appear like magic immediately following her birth, but that grew in the months to come.
I gained another 2 pounds. Not bad for 2.5 weeks. So now I'm at 161 for a total weight gain thus far of 21 pounds, which is - ironically - a couple pounds UNDER what my "Your Pregnancy: Week by Week" book says is normal. I'll take it. Whatever keeps me farther away from 40!
Physically, I'm still feeling great, don't have the constant pain in my left ribs like last time - VERY grateful for that - and every week that passes without a sign of PUPPPS sees much rejoicing. I told Ryan last night, "Know what? Sometime within the next 9 weeks, we're going to have a baby!" Crazy that it seems so close all of a sudden. Are we ready? Completely not! Were we last time? Not at all! And we made it somehow.
This is really starting to get exciting now. Not that it wasn't before, but it's becoming less "excitement about something far away that will happen sometime" and more "excitement about what's going to happen soon!" and I can't wait to snuggle my new little baby in my arms and rest her/his warm head against mine. I think my immediate reaction to this baby will be much different than last time. This time, I know how it feels to be a mom...to love a baby...to use that part of my heart that I had to discover over the first few months last time. At least that's what I keep telling myself ;)
I had gained 2 pounds and was up to 159. Not bad. The baby's heartbeat was great and I don't remember her taking my blood pressure. Hmm.
My 33-week appt with Tina yesterday was much more reassuring (for some reason, they scheduled me for 33 instead of 32 weeks...oh well). She said my belly size was just right - measuring exactly 33 weeks. MUCH better. I asked her if I was still posterior and she looked at me like I was crazy. I told her I was at 28 weeks and just wanted to double check, and she said the baby is sideways, head down, butt on my left and legs on my right, just as it should be for now. Very glad to hear that.
She said, "Well, don't start worrying about being posterior. If you were able to deliver an OP [occiput posterior] baby last time, you won't have any trouble this time no matter how this baby comes out!"
That led me to recall my looooong labor and delivery with Allison for her. She said she was surprised I didn't have myself a heavy bout of post-partum depression following the birth. She said no sleep begets depression, and depression begets no sleep...hence the vicious cycle. So while I know I did not have PPD, maybe that was a little part of the problem I had building an attachment to Lily, the attachment that did not spontaneously appear like magic immediately following her birth, but that grew in the months to come.
I gained another 2 pounds. Not bad for 2.5 weeks. So now I'm at 161 for a total weight gain thus far of 21 pounds, which is - ironically - a couple pounds UNDER what my "Your Pregnancy: Week by Week" book says is normal. I'll take it. Whatever keeps me farther away from 40!
Physically, I'm still feeling great, don't have the constant pain in my left ribs like last time - VERY grateful for that - and every week that passes without a sign of PUPPPS sees much rejoicing. I told Ryan last night, "Know what? Sometime within the next 9 weeks, we're going to have a baby!" Crazy that it seems so close all of a sudden. Are we ready? Completely not! Were we last time? Not at all! And we made it somehow.
This is really starting to get exciting now. Not that it wasn't before, but it's becoming less "excitement about something far away that will happen sometime" and more "excitement about what's going to happen soon!" and I can't wait to snuggle my new little baby in my arms and rest her/his warm head against mine. I think my immediate reaction to this baby will be much different than last time. This time, I know how it feels to be a mom...to love a baby...to use that part of my heart that I had to discover over the first few months last time. At least that's what I keep telling myself ;)
Labels:
How I'm Feeling
Monday, March 24, 2008
Williamsburg
One of our Virginia Beach daytrips was to Williamsburg. I don't know why I love that place, but I do. I am always ready to go back. And the weather was so nice the day we went, Lily was able to get out of her stroller and run around - jacket free - through the streets and the grass.
She had a ball.
Here's Ryan making shadow puppets that Lily was chasing.
In the stocks...I don't think she quite realized the severity of her situation.
Of course, her 2nd favorite way to travel (besides 2 pudgy little legs) was on Daddy's shoulders.
Puckered out after a long day of running around and exploring our nation's history (a.k.a. time for Mama to explore the gift shops!).
Here are a couple other favorite photos from the rest of our trip:
Peeking out onto the balcony early one morning, blanket in hand.
We've discovered Lily LOVES the slide!
But swimming...? Eh, still not too much.
She had a ball.
Here's Ryan making shadow puppets that Lily was chasing.
In the stocks...I don't think she quite realized the severity of her situation.
Of course, her 2nd favorite way to travel (besides 2 pudgy little legs) was on Daddy's shoulders.
Puckered out after a long day of running around and exploring our nation's history (a.k.a. time for Mama to explore the gift shops!).
Here are a couple other favorite photos from the rest of our trip:
Peeking out onto the balcony early one morning, blanket in hand.
We've discovered Lily LOVES the slide!
But swimming...? Eh, still not too much.
Labels:
Vacation
Monday, March 10, 2008
Virginia Beach
Ryan and I got to Virginia Beach this evening around 7:00 p.m. The weather is definitely warmer than at home - some spring trees are in bloom, daffodils are blooming, and pansies have been planted - and it is supposed to be in the high 50s or low 60s this week.
We went across the cape may ferry this morning (Lily made lots of friends on the boat and enjoyed pointing at the water, but was afraid of the friendly but very large dog on the deck after he barked "hello"), did some shopping at the outlets in Rehoboth Beach (Ryan got a whole bunch of work clothes in record time at Geoffrey Beene), and then came down to VA beach via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (making sure to stop at the pier to get our free soda and let Lily say "hi" to the MILLION seagulls).
Lily was definitely ready to get out the car when we got here! She investigated the hotel suite thoroughly in the small amount of time she had before going to bed - opened and closed cabinets and drawers, spent a lot of time on the phone (we disconnected it so she could call as many friends as she wanted), tried out the safe (not sure what lock combination she picked), shut herself in the bathroom and then banged on the door until we got her out ("Oh, hi guys"), pounded on the glass doors overlooking the ocean, and basically just ran from room to room, so happy to be out of the car.
We ended our evening with cable TV (not something we have at home) and Dominos Pizza (mmm DEFINITELY something we have at home...frequently). Looking forward to exploring the area and the hotel pool. I think Lily will get a kick out of the pool this year. Last year? Not so much.
We went across the cape may ferry this morning (Lily made lots of friends on the boat and enjoyed pointing at the water, but was afraid of the friendly but very large dog on the deck after he barked "hello"), did some shopping at the outlets in Rehoboth Beach (Ryan got a whole bunch of work clothes in record time at Geoffrey Beene), and then came down to VA beach via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (making sure to stop at the pier to get our free soda and let Lily say "hi" to the MILLION seagulls).
Lily was definitely ready to get out the car when we got here! She investigated the hotel suite thoroughly in the small amount of time she had before going to bed - opened and closed cabinets and drawers, spent a lot of time on the phone (we disconnected it so she could call as many friends as she wanted), tried out the safe (not sure what lock combination she picked), shut herself in the bathroom and then banged on the door until we got her out ("Oh, hi guys"), pounded on the glass doors overlooking the ocean, and basically just ran from room to room, so happy to be out of the car.
We ended our evening with cable TV (not something we have at home) and Dominos Pizza (mmm DEFINITELY something we have at home...frequently). Looking forward to exploring the area and the hotel pool. I think Lily will get a kick out of the pool this year. Last year? Not so much.
Labels:
Vacation
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Naptime
You know, Lily...it would be nice if you'd let me know how long you were planning on napping BEFORE you went to sleep, because then I would be able to plan what I was going to get done during your nap. Like take right now, for instance. You've been asleep for like 2 hours. During your morning nap. That hasn't happened since...never? I've been sitting around, not starting anything new, thinking you're going to wake up any second. But nooooo, you just continue lazing the day away, while Mama could have gotten so much more done.
We need to work on our communication skills.
We need to work on our communication skills.
Labels:
Sleeping
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