Insult to Injury

Since I'm gearing up to go back to work next week, I got all my old clothes out of storage today.

Um, why did I bother?!

NOTHING FITS!

I had no idea how big my "twins" had gotten until I started trying on my loosest blouses only to find they looked obscenely tight, with the buttons straining and threatening to pop off at any moment.

And none of my bottoms fit either. Apparently I have quite a ways to go before I regain my former glory, such as it was.

So, in the interest of saving money, I dug out a pair of black maternity slacks that I loved wearing when I was preggo. They're super comfy and still fit post-partum. Don't judge--you know you'd do it too! Right? I can't be the only one...?

I know, I know. I'm sliding down a slippery slope that can only end in scrunchies and mom jeans.

193-195, Tue-Thu: Your Future's So Bright

You have to wear shades!


We finally got you some baby shades. And might I say, you look retro-tastic! When you're all decked out in your stroller gear--hat, shades, pacifier, blanket--you look like quite the eccentric recluse, something straight out of Willy Wonka or a Gaga video.


Actually, I'm have really mixed feelings about our immediate future. I'm going back to work part-time next week and I feel sooooooooooooooooo sad and super guilty to leave you. But on the other hand, I'm looking forward to getting a little break from you. We've been attached at the hip since you were born and I think it would be nice to get a little breather. But being away from you for 7 hours is perhaps too much of a breather. We've never been more than 2 hours apart since you were born! Okay, writing this is making me seriously re-think my decision to go back to work...*sniff, sniff* Kleenex please. I'm such a wimp.

Well, at least I know that you'll be in the best of hands when I'm gone. Your dad's sis will be living with us and taking care of you while I'm away. I can't ask for a more loving, caring, and competent nanny for you. Nothing beats family!


Also, speaking of futures, we're looking forward to your cousin being born in June! You can't really see the bump in this pic, but you are indeed sitting next to your future boy couz. The two of you are going to have so much fun together!

191-192, Sat-Mon

You've become quite the scholar these days. One of your favorite books is "That's Not My Monster!"


On Sunday you got a new girlfriend, the angelic Baby Julia. Seriously, this baby was out and about from 11am to nearly 3pm and I never ONCE heard her cry, or even fuss! She slept sweetly in her carrier and hung out in there without making a peep.


I was dying to get my hands on her, since she's such a sweet angel. Holding her was like heaven. Her mom and me joked that we should switch babies. Except I wasn't joking!


Just kidding. You know I'd never want to miss out on all this pudge!

188-190, Wed-Fri: Tea for Two

On Wed you had a great play date with Baby Ryan who's just 3 days younger than you! It's so fun to hang out and compare notes with Ryan and his mommy since you guys are basically the exact same age.

You guys are both teething, loving your solids, and learning to nap on your own. We love reading Ryan's blog too.

You guys had a lot of fun playing "tea time" with Ryan's stacking cups.



I don't know what you guys were thinking, but the drool was freely flowing between the two of you. No small amount of saliva was exchanged.


I have to say, Ryan was a much better smiler than you! That guy loves the camera and the camera loves him. Seriously one of the most social and adorable babies I've ever met. You, on the other hand--I could barely get you to look in my direction!


And then you both had a weird foot fetish. You took turns discovering each others' feet, but then I think you went a little too far.







I love how in this pic, Ryan's like--"Dude, stop grabbing my foot already."


"Seriously, stop it."


Fun times!

186, 187--Mon, Tue: Future Obese Kid

I cannot believe what a crazy eater you've become lately. Just yesterday you decided that eating from a spoon was not good enough for you--you need to dump the contents of the entire bowl into your mouth!

I got a video of you eating like a starving madman. Mind you, this is your THIRD bowl, so it's not like you were going on an empty stomach by any means!

185--Sunday: Happy Half-Birthday!

Sunday was your 6 month birthday! Here's a pic of you on your half-birthday:


I'm so proud of us for making it this far. Things were pretty rough at the beginning, but ever since you finished your "4th trimester" and got sleep-trained, our lives became a whole lot more livable.

You've always been a "slower" baby in your development. You didn't start smiling until a couple weeks after all the books said you would. You didn't look at your mobile until a month after all the books said you would. You didn't reach for objects until 2 months after. And you still can't roll over, though the books say you should've been doing that over a month ago.

But one thing you've always excelled at--eating (aka, being really heavy)! I used to lament to anyone who would listen that we were doubly cursed. Not only were you extremely heavy for your age, you were extremely under-developed so you didn't "help" us carry your weight around by having decent muscle control over your little body.

Anyway, it's okay. The weeks and months roll by so quickly it doesn't really matter. You are an excellent eater with a voracious appetite (in fact we can't eat in front of you anymore because you get downright pissed if we don't share our food with you). You are a great napper in your crib, and a good sleeper at night.

In six more short months you will look more like a child and less like a baby. You'll be taking your first steps and will probably be fully weaned. And you'll be exhibiting more of your personality and independent will. I can't wait to see more of who you are!

As for me, my brain is in such a fog I still haven't been able to process this whole weird parenthood thing. Yes, I'm still stunned that I'm a mom! Usually I'm just treading water trying to keep you clean, fed, napped, and happy (this is really hard since you fuss quite a bit) and keep the house from looking completely disheveled.

But even in my blurry state, one thing at least is clear--I love you. I can't believe how lucky and blessed I am to have you. And I'm really going to miss you, my baby, when you're all grown up in a few months.

180-184, Tue-Sat

Lately you've been a lot fussier than usual and you always want to chew on something hard. I guess you're teething?

So I've been giving you lots of "teething toys", like your Sophie.


And toast, although this got soggy real fast.


And one that works particularly well, a carrot!


You chew on your teething carrot all day long.



Saturday you had your first girl-play date! You were uncharacteristically shy and didn't attempt to grope her the way you normally do other babies.


But you did venture a finger onto her soothie toy.


She shot you a look like--I don't think so squirt. Hands off my toy.

You didn't try that again. I guess you know when you're out-matched!

178, 179--Sun, Mon

Well, we finally did it. We went on a real vacation. Okay, so we kind of wimped out and only went to Carmel Valley for one day, but honestly, we were terrified that even such a small trip would throw you off your routine and rhythms.


In the end, I wouldn't say it was "relaxing." But the new mantra your dad and I have is "A change is as good as a rest," and frankly, I'm afraid we're never going to get a real rest ever again (until maybe you're 18?) so we might as well be happy with just a change.

Our first day we went to the incomparably beautiful Point Lobos. You tolerated your fancy sports stroller for only 10 min. I was pretty upset about that and wanted to force you to "like" it.


But your dad wouldn't leave you to cry in the stroller so he carried you along the trails.



Here's a pit stop you took in the woods.


And here's me enjoying the view as I nurse you.


Then we checked into our hotel and they had a crib waiting for you.


We relaxed on the patio for a moment. You munching on their complimentary crackers, and me imbibing their delicious sauvignon blanc.



You got into your pajamas (thanks Peg!) and went to sleep pretty easily, despite it being the first time you've ever slept away from home.


Because you sleep so early, your dad and me had to tiptoe around for the rest of the night, which included having dinner in the bathroom!


We made the best of it and watched a DVD on our laptop--The Kids Are All Right. It was pretty good. I especially love that it takes place in our backyard--SF/East Bay.

Later, dad did some reading...in the tub. Man do we go to great lengths for you to sleep undisturbed!


All this effort didn't really pay off though. You basically cried all through the night starting around midnight. I brought you in bed with us for part of the night, but after awhile even that wasn't consoling to you. By 2am you were wide awake and I was at my wit's end.

Your dad and I basically took turns holding and comforting you through the night. No wonder he was exhausted when day broke. Here's you playing while he catches up on sleep.


Despite the lack of sleep, we schlepped off to Point Lobos again to hike our favorite Cypress Grove Trail.




Here you are drinking in the deep blue Pacific for the first time. Do you feel (especially) small when you look at the ocean?


We asked someone to take our pic, but sadly that didn't turn out too well.


Anyway, a couple hours of more driving and nursing in the car and we were home sweet home.


We were beyond exhausted, but still glad we went since a change is as good as a rest.