Bathtime

I realized last night that we don't have many, if any, pictures of Parker taking a bath.  One, it takes all hands to keep her from drowning and two, it used to be a get in, get out sort of thing.  Now, she's enjoying it a little bit.  We have a little bottle that sprays water and she smiles when it hits her belly.  She loves her head rubbed, so washing hair is ok by her.  She's pretty content until it's time to get out and then she gets cold.  Even with the space heater blowing on her her little fists shiver and she screams. 

She bathes every two days.  It's a nice event before she is fed and put to bed.  Part of her routine of sorts.  But it's only every other day.  We don't want her to get too dry and she typically smells ok for two full days.  By the second day her hair is four shades darker from the grease and she could be mistaken for an expired milk jug.

I was taking a few pictures when Christian reminded me that she was totally naked.  I'll have to get more pictures next time so the little fat thighs are visible. 

Week 10

Parker is turning into a person.  She's not just a blob of human anymore.  She's been smiling in response to things that we do and it has been incredible.  Her little smile makes everything perfect.  I didn't think life could get better than it was, but it did. 

Things Parker likes:
- Moving.  Don't stop or she'll let you know she doesn't like it.  She screeches in the car at red lights.
- Sleeping. Although she fights it constantly.
- Our bed
- Eating
- Being swaddled
- When we stick our tongue out at her

Things Parker doesn't like:
- Being stagnant
- Dirty diapers
- Her pack and play (where she was sleeping at night)
- Being put down

Birthdays and Crashes

A million years ago I bought some memory sticks for my computer. I only have 1mb of memory right now. I bought the max amount my computer can hold. This week I tried to modify my computer. I was nervous about this from the get go. It's the reason it took a million years for me to install. The memory install went off without a hitch. Then I was going to install the newest operating system. This computer was going to be kick ass! Then, my computer crashed. There were tears, lots. Christian said that me sitting at my desk, with my head in my hands, sobbing was the saddest image. I called my computer guy. I tried some things, didn't work. I called computer guy again and made him come over. He gave me a list of things to do and left. I had a backup on my external hard drive. I had no idea if it was viable though or what I had backed up. This was Wednesday. Thursday was my birthday. I was NOT going to try to restore from my backup on my birthday. I didn't to want to be depressed. Christian wanted to be home too just in case I needed to be talked off a ledge. I had a great day. I hung out with my Wee Baby Seamus and Christian came home early from work. She had a present! Hello iPad!!!!!!! I was shocked. We talked about me getting a new lens for my camera, not an iPad! I love it. I'm on it now. I can watch tv and blog. Yay. Tonight was the moment of truth. Did I save the right things? It took two hours to upload. I held my breath and opened it up. My photos were alive and well! I was so relieved. Crisis averted. Only problem now is I can't connect to the internet. Good thing I have my new iPad.

2 Month Checkup

Yesterday was Parker's two month birthday.  Time has FLOWN by.  I think that may be what lack of sleep and my cow like abilities have done to me.

Today we went to see her doctor.  It was our first appointment since signing up for the vaccine trial.  Essentially the trial has an option of getting one less shot than normal for her vaccines.  There is some extra paperwork to do to see how she responds to the vaccines for 5 days after the shots and a few blood draws.  Other than that, we get priority appointment times, have our pediatrician's pager (who has a pager, it's 2012) number and each appointment we get a $35 Target gift card.  Now, i'm not sacrificing my daughter for Target gift cards, it's just an added perk.  To be honest, I don't know why we are doing the study.  I suppose to make life better for children down the line.  Who knows.  There weren't any drawbacks and we like to help people.

So, today, Ms. Parker had a blood draw.  Normally they prick her heel and squeeze the ever loving life from her leg to get little drops of blood.  Today, they put a little tourniquet on her little arm and found a vein for drawing the blood.  I don't know if it was the pain from the needle or having her arm restricted that caused the most damage.  There were tears. From her, not me.  It was incredibly heart wrenching to see her so upset.  The study nurse had asked if we were ready when she walked in.  I figured "sure, what's there to be ready for."  I figured it out...

She then had to get three shots.  She was randomized and ended up getting the three instead of two.  Normally kids get three, so this wasn't anything out of the ordinary.  So with her cotton ball taped to her right arm, she has two round band-aids on her left thigh and one on her right thigh.  Poor thing went through the ringer.  She is sleeping soundly, all snuggled up on our bed.

The good news of the day is our little nugget is growing and growing fast!  She weighs 9lbs 10oz & has grown another two inches making her 21 in. long now.  Dr. Nauert, the pediatrician, said that she will be in the lower percentiles because she is a tiny little kid.  Some babies are born at 9lbs.

She's slowly growing out of her newborn clothes.  The pants are now capri's and the onesies accentuate her round little belly and are difficult to get over her noggin.  She's also finally grown out of her newborn diapers.

The last few days she's started smiling much more.  She's cooing and much more alert.  She can ride in the car without falling asleep (sometimes).

She hates being bored and stagnant.  If she is tired, she wants to be walked around and bounced.  It's my workout for the day. 

Watching her grow is fascinating.  It will be more fascinating when I have proper sleep in, oh, 17 years and 10 months...

Thud

I love owls. I think they're fascinating. I often do not express my love of owls, but it's rooted somewhere deep down.

I was sitting at my desk this morning, while our nugget slept, and heard a loud thud. My first thought was that someone was attempting to break into our house because I watch too many 48 hours and that's my first thought, ALWAYS! I cautiously walked out of my room and was going through my head what I was going to do. I had a baby to protect, who knows what mama bear instincts would kick in. Methodically, room by room I looked at every window. After I checked the dog room I walked out and noticed something in a mass on our grilling patio. I felt bad for the pigeon...hoped it'd live and walked away. As I walked away I realized that it wasn't a pigeon. Pigeons aren't fluffy and don't have fluffy little legs. Upon further evaluation it was an owl! At this point I was sad for this owl. His wing was outstretched to one side and he looked as though he wasn't alive. I slowly made my way out the door. I said hello to him and thought if he was going to die, I wanted him to be warm. So I went and got a towel to wrap around him. As the towel touched him he pulled his wing in and sat up. At this point the woman who's face was mauled off by a chimp started running through my head. Was my face going to be mauled by this cute little owl I was trying to help?

I called wildlife rescue. They said to leave him alone and in 3-4 hours he would snap out of his concussion. So I did what any other curious person would do and walked outside again. I started to talking to him. His eyes started to close and I started to yell at him to stay awake! He had a concussion and wasn't dying on my watch.

Then he looked right at me. His pupils dilated and I saw his sharp little beak peeking out of his fluffy, cuddly feathers. Woman, chimp, me, went inside.

I talked to him through the window and he turned his 180 degree head and looked right at me. With the glass between us, I continued the conversation. Then, as fast as he slammed into our window, he was gone. He took a nice poop on the patio as he flew away. I think of it as a thank you poop. A memento to remember him by.

He flew into the tree next to our house. 

 

Parker Love

Since mom left I have been trying to get a schedule. Trying to get back to the normal things that I did throughout my life. I went and got a haircut, saw my therapist & have been trying to get back into scheduling dinners for the week. That's my next step. Tomorrow, I hit the grocery store. Ugh...

Now, the real reason you are all here...

Is it wrong to love her sweet sad face?

An Aunt and her Neice

Tummy time is not for wimps

You Need A Leash For That Dog

Yesterday we all piled up and headed out for a walk. Just the two dogs, baby and us. Christian was walking Lola off-leash and pushing the stroller. I had Maggie and was trying (read failing) at working with Maggie and her collar. We were on our way back home when we heard some little yappy dogs. Their owner was sitting on the driveway with them. It looked like a kid sitting there. As we got closer I realized it was just a little old lady. There were two dogs. Maggie started throwing a fit barking because that's what she does now. I think she's acting out because of the baby. But that could just be an excuse for her horrific/annoying behavior.

The woman looked at Christian and yelled at her that Lola should be on a leash. Now, when you think about her yelling at Christian, who was CONTROLLING, her off-leash dog, this woman is being pulled down her driveway by her two little dogs. These dogs maybe weighed 10 pounds a piece. And they were ON leash. So, tell me, what good is a leash if you can't control the dogs on the end of it? It was ridiculous. Christian looked back at her after the woman had scolded her and said "my dog is more under control and listens better than your two dogs on the leash." It was so true.

Things I've Learned in 7 Weeks

I thought I knew a lot. Being around kids for a great majority of my life and all. Having my own baby was going to be a piece of cake.

I have learned the following:
1. Our daughter burps and farts like a middle aged man.
2. It takes approximately 5 diapers for her to complete a good poop.
3. We have gone through about 90,000 diapers due to above number 2. (Ha, no pun intended.)
4. A human can feel close to a cow and have doubts about drinking milk.
5. Daily tasks, such as using the restroom, are impossible.
6. Sleep...wait, what is sleep again?
7. You can love something more than you ever thought possible, the very second you meet her.

There are some more, I'm sure, but she's stirring and that marks the end of "me" time.

8. There is no "me" time.

New Year

To say that i've slacked on this blog is a bit of an understatement. I would like to use the excuse that I have a 7 week old that is spoiled rotten and doesn't ever get put down. I can also say that typing causes my already knotted up shoulder to act up even more.

Parker is fantastic. Her neck is getting really strong. I'm pretty certain that she's trying to launch herself out of my arms sometimes. The sheer force she exudes is amazing for such a little munchkin.

Christmas went off without a hitch. It was wonderful having Jill, Mom and Dad here for Christmas. We all got dressed up on Christmas Day to go take a big family picture. All of the photographers we know were either busy or have moved away. So, we used the timer. It was humorous to say the least. Also, as a side note, 10 seconds is quite a long time to wait for a picture to be taken.

Family Portrait

Parker loved her Aunt Jill and found her most comfortable spot ever to sleep.

Christmas Dress