tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9922198174115232212024-02-18T23:18:00.997-05:00White Hot InspirationCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-15546242275084704002014-01-27T21:11:00.000-05:002014-01-27T21:11:15.819-05:00Mama's Got a Brand New BlogHi!<br />
<br />
In case you ever check in here these days, I wanted to let you know I have a new site: <a href="http://athomewithcassie.com/">At Home with Cassie</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWho81XrgTIFYno3VIglqc0pm6bb1KAk3gGAfF7yFyXB6Z_5bAjCT3XvjGq9IZZeTGqw4EJ2lS78XYDBX7-TsESxjGyw1DKEX-s8ae5cSV7U37dTnCRR5k41nBKbphDlXl7wjGrq0a9Bq/s1600/Blog+Header_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWho81XrgTIFYno3VIglqc0pm6bb1KAk3gGAfF7yFyXB6Z_5bAjCT3XvjGq9IZZeTGqw4EJ2lS78XYDBX7-TsESxjGyw1DKEX-s8ae5cSV7U37dTnCRR5k41nBKbphDlXl7wjGrq0a9Bq/s1600/Blog+Header_4.jpg" height="81" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you'll visit me there and follow along!Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-53836622059758813032013-01-30T10:29:00.000-05:002013-01-30T13:11:03.628-05:00I See Her Everywhere.<div style="text-align: justify;">
When you're pregnant, approximately forty-eight times per day people will tell you some version of, "You cannot imagine the love you are going to feel." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And you will probably smile sweetly, maybe give your little belly a pat, daydream about that moment. But you feel like you kind of do know. You love that baby so much already. The majority of your thoughts are wrapped up in getting ready for her, meeting her, raising her. You think that you couldn't love her more. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
And then, that baby is born. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And you realize you had no clue how much you could love someone. You think, why didn't someone tell me about this crazy love?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The moment Hugh placed Penelope in my arms, I understood that instantaneous, unconditional love that is being a Mama. I understood what it felt like to know you would do <i>anything</i>, would die in an instant, for another person. To know that there is nothing she could ever do to make you not love her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To call motherhood the most intense experience of my life would be putting it mildly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is rewiring that occurs when you give birth to your first child. Becoming Penelope's Mama has so completely changed every part of me - my marriage, my priorities, my focus, every single relationship I have, my body, what I want out of my career - the list is long. From the moment she was born to sometime around the end of her sixth month, I was in the thick of figuring out who I was now and how to exist in my old life as a different person.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What I really wish someone had told me instead when they were giving the vague You-Don't-Know-How-Much-You-Can-Love comment, is this:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the moment she is born, you will see her everywhere. In every decision you make, every time you leave the house, every piece of news you read, every book you pick up, she will be there. She will be there when you see light and when you see dark in the world. She will be there so prevalently in your mind, you will see her even when you are apart. Sometimes in the forefront, sometimes in the very corner of your periphery, but always there. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You will want to hold on. To stop time. To keep her just as she is. You will begin to understand that motherhood is an exercise in letting go. Your heart will be in your throat as you watch her become
mobile and start to careen into the world as her own person. You will
feel the cleaving begins much too soon. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your life will be a constant paradox of strength and vulnerability. Becoming a mother will make you realize how strong you are in a way that nothing else can. But there will be a vulnerability so powerful it can suck the air straight from your lungs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You will stop watching the news. You will make Hugh stop telling you hospital stories. You will worry. Oh, you will worry. You will wake up in the middle of the night with a desire to be near her that is so powerful, the only way to quiet it is to get her out of her crib and rock her and smell her and feel the weight of her sleeping body on your chest. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cliches are all true. You will stare at her for hours, memorizing her face, her hair, her perfect hands. You will be tired. You will cry - proud tears, happy tears, bittersweet tears. You will be able to recite the words to every children's book you own. You will be happy. You will be sad. You will be happysad. It goes by fast. So damn fast. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She will be your greatest joy, your proudest accomplishment. You will love her. You will love her. You will love her. It is true, you will love her in a way you cannot begin to fathom. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You will be forever changed. You will be so grateful for that change.<br />
<br />
You will see her everywhere.</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-52231081855947655982013-01-08T06:11:00.001-05:002013-01-08T06:11:16.838-05:00Happy New Year!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frinternets!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps some of you are still out there after three months? Yes? I hope so. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hugh left in mid-October for an away rotation in Birmingham. For a month. And then he interviewed for residency all over the Southeast for four weeks. And he took our personal computer (the one with all our pictures) with him. Hence the blog silence. But, like time with a growing baby seems to do, it mostly flew by in a quick little blink, and five days before Christmas he was home. Thank goodness. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When last we spoke, my Penelope was a five-month-old rolling, sitting-up, 16lb, bundle of joy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now she's eight months old, clocking in at 20lbs, army crawling, waving, high-fiving, and I am fairly certain is going to say her first word any day now (my vote is on <i>mama</i>, but we've also got <i>hi</i>, <i>more</i>, <i>dada</i>, and <i>milk</i> in the mix). Oh, and she's sporting two teeth now, too:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwjA2VZsRHRnopec2Mz44eDuThsHB7CFODvh0zXXJzRmpyPhCgGLyG48E_6od4ImYichWoMG0IZ7fgLR0y1BfTbmFtwFlcOUJNRbjHj3RRlvdhBhn9q3IouFtNxBdLAnxzh9-pADwX4GE/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwjA2VZsRHRnopec2Mz44eDuThsHB7CFODvh0zXXJzRmpyPhCgGLyG48E_6od4ImYichWoMG0IZ7fgLR0y1BfTbmFtwFlcOUJNRbjHj3RRlvdhBhn9q3IouFtNxBdLAnxzh9-pADwX4GE/s320/IMG_0386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The happiest</span>. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We had a lovely holiday season. Pip celebrated Halloween as the cutest pumpkin of all time, we hosted both of our families for baby's first Thanksgiving, saw <a href="http://www.mattmandymitch.blogspot.com/">one-third</a> of our Savannah family for a little pre-holiday celebration, had a quiet Christmas at home and loved every minute, visited <a href="http://babybeasley.blogspot.com/2013/01/welcoming-2013.html">these favorites</a> for a birthday surprise, and rang in the New Year by eating <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2013/01/korean-bibimbap-party-menu.html">this deliciousness</a> and going to sleep at 10:15pm. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
There are huge changes ahead for our little family in 2013. First and foremost, the handsome med student of our house will be graduating and becoming a real live doctor.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And our girlie will be turning one (!), we'll most likely be moving, I will be leaving my current job (see: moving), and Hugh will start residency. It's exciting and overwhelming all at once. For now, we're enjoying a couple of quiet months. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, with that, you are caught up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What's new with you?</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-36554532132498677542012-10-16T05:46:00.000-04:002012-10-16T05:46:39.895-04:00Month Five<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope Catherine,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You are five months old! I know I have said it every month, but, impossibly, you keep getting more and more fun, and my love for you continues to grow. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h9_RUr95lhKR7v2YwS_i8FKr5RV6w4O1rRDINZ02WS-3OKI1N8pRIQHuFhZ-Wi_nrP6-1UqO0-iobPiRYLWNRXMEBJyJZfA2d5Ib7ljslFLJIHuqyJ3zHgW6eRAmYawbRix8EP5haIuG/s1600/IMG_2678.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h9_RUr95lhKR7v2YwS_i8FKr5RV6w4O1rRDINZ02WS-3OKI1N8pRIQHuFhZ-Wi_nrP6-1UqO0-iobPiRYLWNRXMEBJyJZfA2d5Ib7ljslFLJIHuqyJ3zHgW6eRAmYawbRix8EP5haIuG/s400/IMG_2678.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This month was a little respite from travel and visitors; as much as we love seeing our friends and family, it was nice to have some quiet time at home, just the three of us. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD42upRoAzTVYa1JvzODy8puU9iZLxDqDV1EFMfg6Gw14OJLwPOjL3k_buu_WRHhNoGD7muK9JpzkedHBqBOG62z1qGeL_4uxau45G1JmuIQLvIGuL_Fyg79HVxyXawEtJnZknPvs8y93U/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD42upRoAzTVYa1JvzODy8puU9iZLxDqDV1EFMfg6Gw14OJLwPOjL3k_buu_WRHhNoGD7muK9JpzkedHBqBOG62z1qGeL_4uxau45G1JmuIQLvIGuL_Fyg79HVxyXawEtJnZknPvs8y93U/s400/IMG_2175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your eating is still great - 6 times per day, ten minutes per time. You did have a few days at the end of the month which had you waking up to eat at night and eating more during the day. I was pretty sure that you were having a growth spurt, and then it was confirmed by the fact that you gained 1.5lbs in 20 days! You are a poster child for a fat, happy, breastfed baby. You are still getting a dreamfeed around 9:30pm each night, though at
this point it is really more for me. I know I could wean you off it, but
I love those final minutes of the day with you nursing sleepily and
then snuggling up against my shoulder, fully content. It's going by so quickly, and I am reticent to let this last little piece of your newborn days go. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uNWhl0BUc5I4Ozu3ZBPESGU9JIbMI8jXtp7GD7a2hKOK7gp_EAhqwdbrupRIcbQGW8XiV6g5em7hOf3Be1bs2Fq2_cLf77Gz7zhbVtV4PJMBoCocAim-zqC_c0fHIn32Yze30e67f7Fz/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uNWhl0BUc5I4Ozu3ZBPESGU9JIbMI8jXtp7GD7a2hKOK7gp_EAhqwdbrupRIcbQGW8XiV6g5em7hOf3Be1bs2Fq2_cLf77Gz7zhbVtV4PJMBoCocAim-zqC_c0fHIn32Yze30e67f7Fz/s400/IMG_1076.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You had your first cold this month, and, while it was nothing serious (low grade fever, stuffy nose), it was so pitiful to see you not feeling like your normal self. All you wanted to do was nurse and be held, which I was happy to oblige. It took you a full week until you were feeling great again. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF56IOUMcK5alMDwbsuzb6SE2up5Ii03lJQFB8IyXj_wMLMmCMAaCLQooWqY-sHcFwRJt4rOWm0TUk4gmYULoCgyViUwuFz3REFEvjJX-1hWEIXnruYTaL1jCOvbOqsZQZTMZrVqgfEJaf/s1600/IMG_2100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF56IOUMcK5alMDwbsuzb6SE2up5Ii03lJQFB8IyXj_wMLMmCMAaCLQooWqY-sHcFwRJt4rOWm0TUk4gmYULoCgyViUwuFz3REFEvjJX-1hWEIXnruYTaL1jCOvbOqsZQZTMZrVqgfEJaf/s400/IMG_2100.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, an update on your sleep. Oh, your sleep. At the very beginning of this month (August 28th) you slept through the
night without even needing the pacifier. We thought it was a fluke, but it
was like a switch flipped and from that night on you have been sleeping
from 6:30pm until anywhere between 6:30 - 7:30am without so much as a
peep. Which is lovely, because your day sleep has really gone to hell in
a handbasket.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To be honest, I was kind of expecting it with everything I
read about month four/five sleep being hard. Between your mastery of rolling
over, your want to be with mama all the time,
and us trying to figure out if you are ready to be weaned off the
swaddle (spoiler alert: no, no you are not), it's no wonder you've had a hard time staying asleep during the
day. Basically, I have been calling your Aunt Sarah on a daily basis making
her promise me that this is just a phase. I have just started to assume you will nap for 30 minutes, so that way those (rare) 1.5 hour naps are just a lovely surprise. We are slowly weaning you off the swaddle; right now you are still swaddled for naps and nighttime with one arm out to give you access to your thumb.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlLi5TV0r_bXmiV4imKr5xnD82j7wdbsfX320Cr3RtNx-iCMmM2Gpa1MNo6cHbgtDxTjVznvXjm9LH-EmW47CfNCBqjv6df-60j7p3YB6Kspl7wdEYqlz0HMX93YpnK9kcMSeSAHcT2DL/s1600/IMG_2045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlLi5TV0r_bXmiV4imKr5xnD82j7wdbsfX320Cr3RtNx-iCMmM2Gpa1MNo6cHbgtDxTjVznvXjm9LH-EmW47CfNCBqjv6df-60j7p3YB6Kspl7wdEYqlz0HMX93YpnK9kcMSeSAHcT2DL/s400/IMG_2045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This month you have become a Mama's girl. It sets my heart on fire to see you light up when I come into the room - you smile and kick your legs and reach out for me, and then when I pick you up you will grab onto me so tightly and bury your face in my neck. You also started babbling "ma ma ma," and though I know it is just babbling and not intentional, you do manage to implement it at very opportune moments, like when you want me to get you out of your crib. Clever girl. I started carrying you on my hip this month, which made you seem that much more grown up - no cradle hold for this big girl! You are happy to be toted around like my little baby sidekick for hours on end. Of course, you still love your Daddy and can't take your eyes off of him when he is anywhere in your line of sight. When we are in the bed and you are nursing, you will frequently fling your arm behind you to pat him and make sure he is right there beside you. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfQxVekbTYxZNA2FS8fHCSii3QmJhMFqtL3PXGgauBYXoAnTa58jo0zw6V5a9ENo4ozhnumECXLhH78LwGYbU0jJQfcdsVVe9zLrPdYkBUJjC-BZ2n7stAQJDcxupSlt9UdmUm5a1jkdn/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfQxVekbTYxZNA2FS8fHCSii3QmJhMFqtL3PXGgauBYXoAnTa58jo0zw6V5a9ENo4ozhnumECXLhH78LwGYbU0jJQfcdsVVe9zLrPdYkBUJjC-BZ2n7stAQJDcxupSlt9UdmUm5a1jkdn/s400/IMG_3078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Month five has been a huge one for you developmentally. You are laughing and rolling across the room and starting to babble sounds and almost sitting up on your own and reaching for us when you want to be picked up. When you do something that makes your Daddy and I laugh, you get so proud of yourself and start smiling your biggest smile and kicking your legs and looking back and forth between us to make sure we are still watching you. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When you see something you want, you will barrel roll across the room to get it. I lost you momentarily under the coffee table when I turned around to get my coffee. You want so badly to be able to scoot, but right now you just balance on your belly and kick your legs and wave your arms. Soon enough, sweet girl. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTEkWHV8c6fPVttDJizvOLC2ymnPMz-H_0z8DVnRAkhemCvPqv1pY7cZYYbbFKQDL0YC5FJEjlzJIDYH-jlP1OY3A3NhVIrU59v-pEvoY43nnjD1KU3v-149aXeAs8B1sPS79xhvYLuWI/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTEkWHV8c6fPVttDJizvOLC2ymnPMz-H_0z8DVnRAkhemCvPqv1pY7cZYYbbFKQDL0YC5FJEjlzJIDYH-jlP1OY3A3NhVIrU59v-pEvoY43nnjD1KU3v-149aXeAs8B1sPS79xhvYLuWI/s400/IMG_2196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You have started showing more stranger anxiety this month. You are happy and outgoing with people you know, but it takes you some time to warm up to anyone new. You scrutinize new people with a stone-faced stare until you decide that are worthy of your silly baby antics, and then you will smile and chatter away. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You have weaned yourself completely off the pacifier and now only use it as a chew toy. When you are done chewing on it, you will fling it across the room. You suck your thumb to soothe yourself, but only when you are falling asleep or when you are very tired. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MgYSPjKooDiMP4pzbWCKwjyC03PPNwQeiXYZDEr3KJBZuFOJqenhpOHoVEDycTa_H5KOS9O5VMdWlP4K0nmV_tqVcoGbN8nHpx-NbnEP_D2ruP0orb9gzHgTq0Ms0tXaLsn0tC2dYLXF/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MgYSPjKooDiMP4pzbWCKwjyC03PPNwQeiXYZDEr3KJBZuFOJqenhpOHoVEDycTa_H5KOS9O5VMdWlP4K0nmV_tqVcoGbN8nHpx-NbnEP_D2ruP0orb9gzHgTq0Ms0tXaLsn0tC2dYLXF/s400/IMG_2073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope, as these months are ticking by and you are becoming more and more like a little person, I spend so much time thinking about the dreams I have for you and how to help you grow to be everything you want to be. And though my list of hopes for you is long and the list of ways I want to try to be your best Mama is endless, I think both can be summed up in this: I hope you know that you are loved. That your Daddy and I love you with a depth and breadth that you cannot begin to understand. That there is nothing you can ever do that will rock the steadfastness of that love. I hope that our love seeps into every fiber of your being and gives both courage and comfort for your whole life.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtyPYYbCrUaJmNIg56GwDhX6z9zMmOBi1Y7MLkl6YeuYbrZJ9FqkeJiExKSTN1LsmM4Y0DjQBIyfRxTvNfmR4SroscYiouhUHWO2F6H0yaifKV7DVD5W7ptr-mQuzub_T1zZM41AHpniW/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtyPYYbCrUaJmNIg56GwDhX6z9zMmOBi1Y7MLkl6YeuYbrZJ9FqkeJiExKSTN1LsmM4Y0DjQBIyfRxTvNfmR4SroscYiouhUHWO2F6H0yaifKV7DVD5W7ptr-mQuzub_T1zZM41AHpniW/s400/IMG_3084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every lovely thing you are so wildly eclipses even my loftiest dreams, but none of those are the reasons I love you. I love you simply because you are here and you are mine. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy five months, my baby girl. </div>
<br />
Love,<br />
Mama<br />
<br />
<br />
Five Month Stats
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Weight: 16lbs, 5oz (81st percentile)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Clothing: 6 month, a few 3 - 6 month dresses</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Diapers: 2 snaps open in the middle during the day, 3 snaps open in the middle at night</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eating: 6 times per day, 10 minutes per time</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you love: Bathtime, Mama, playing on the floor, playing outside, going for walks in the stroller, when Daddy walks in the door, Fletcher, playing in your high chair. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you don't love: Naps, long trips in the car. <br />
Slept through the night without pacifier: August 28</div>
Babbling "ma ma ma": September 8<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Milestones: Sitting up unassisted for short bursts, rolling everywhere, reaching to be picked up, babbling "ma ma."</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-28158106737639950502012-10-04T08:35:00.000-04:002012-10-05T10:19:28.169-04:00Month Four<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope Catherine, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Month four has come and gone in a quick little flash. This month we had some bumps in the road (see: time for me to go back to work), but you have continued to be a joy. You are truly the highlight of every single day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mama was back to work this month, which meant your first (and subsequently, your last) day of daycare and my first night away from you. I could write a few thousand words on how hard it was, and still is, for me to leave you. But I will just give you the summary: there is nowhere I'd rather been than at home with you. Though I had originally planned to take you to Savannah with me and have you in daycare there, I realized 6 hours into my first day of this plan that it was not the right decision for either of us. Over the course of this month I cut back my travel schedule and we found a nanny (Abby, whom we all adore) to stay with you while I am gone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGOYduBFB8rMQerfk0sMcEtydTjhOtX605lZgBCUC2Y0wo03Xj0FQjL5mBrWAxoAsvgBRLrNu8SzRW4dCgYdsenMVuL0tQXMB-ONUFuvuY9c6kNQ3F5uwjDemNnpYs0dfk4xRTBZyHUu-/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGOYduBFB8rMQerfk0sMcEtydTjhOtX605lZgBCUC2Y0wo03Xj0FQjL5mBrWAxoAsvgBRLrNu8SzRW4dCgYdsenMVuL0tQXMB-ONUFuvuY9c6kNQ3F5uwjDemNnpYs0dfk4xRTBZyHUu-/s400/IMG_1913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After we decided to take you out of daycare, we were left in a bit of a lurch until we found someone to watch you. Grandmother to the rescue! She came to stay with us for a few days while I was at work and Daddy was studying. She loves you more than words can say and took such great care of you while I was gone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You went on your first real roadtrip. We took you to Pensacola and you got to meet so many people who already love you (Uncle William, Great Aunt Connie, Great Aunt Maggie, Aunt Sarah, Nenny, and Pops, to name a few) and to see your Grandpa again. Grandmother rode with us on the way there, and the two of you had so much fun playing in the backseat. We stopped halfway there and you had your first hotel stay. You were your happy and easygoing self the whole time we were traveling. Grandmother had a room all set-up for you at her house, complete with white noise, blackout shades, and a replica crib. While we were there, we spent a lot of time in the pool with you. No surprise at all considering your love for the bath, you took to it like a fish and made good use of the five bathing suits Grandmother got you while I was pregnant. You couldn't have been more relaxed in your baby float:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhFzd8YB_NBBOqnWf5C3_KMHnHfmmpE1KYMgJhU-IezrkktFUM0fEWWhjzUx5Ci8COxDIG9iA3DdHz6mDOt48brzboUccTfbjJlbAssUi4R1B_KTO_DsKnTew-k3FqfV8CdTHjcZgCFF1/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhFzd8YB_NBBOqnWf5C3_KMHnHfmmpE1KYMgJhU-IezrkktFUM0fEWWhjzUx5Ci8COxDIG9iA3DdHz6mDOt48brzboUccTfbjJlbAssUi4R1B_KTO_DsKnTew-k3FqfV8CdTHjcZgCFF1/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, on our way back home, we made a pit stop to see Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Lofton, and Reese. They hadn't seen you since the day after you were born, so it was fun to have a quick visit and exciting for you to finally meet Reese. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You attended your first birthday celebration this month (well, other than being present on your own birth day) - Mama turned twenty-nine! The day was a relaxed one, and holding you in my lap while I blew out my candles left me with nothing more to wish for. My dreams have come true with this little family of ours. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVAfxBt_0O9Y2aWLstIBuM5RX7NtMQbY8oWzIqYhXn6D_5e18XMbLpeVytLUJuwq3kYKL2g7XII_4IoLfRRE1sIUbNAjdXBSxbbkicgPW6D-UU3tMj8AXCX1fwf3nW4_OYmZUBg4msio3/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjubpeBoQWou83AK3js2yNapRcotGhHEEDO8E_gOk99xDAwKkzMWRVPlZIIsOBim-1lkjZbqJuH7MIWNqYP2PiUGDG9cj_LhOQ0nYjlr9XIZOUn0iV0qZorvVdeT4GRM5gKSqeuErzvGU/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjubpeBoQWou83AK3js2yNapRcotGhHEEDO8E_gOk99xDAwKkzMWRVPlZIIsOBim-1lkjZbqJuH7MIWNqYP2PiUGDG9cj_LhOQ0nYjlr9XIZOUn0iV0qZorvVdeT4GRM5gKSqeuErzvGU/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your sleeping and eating continue to be consistently great. You are nursing six times a day. You are still taking four naps a day - a couple of 1 - 2 hour naps and a couple of shorter 30 minute - 1 hour naps. Your night sleep is unchanged, too. Still down around 6:30, dreamfeed around 10pm, and then snoozing away until 6:30 or 7:00am. We are still going in to give you the pacifier a few times each night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-dWwKYp1Wcep6fKOKYW2c64caRINQowfcibVym2x9hwXbhBZ4tHpKIW4C20YVUuKg7oNjXOK_EJZdmE2-bFAa57Trc2FMtyedrFBRx3oYh-YsgphFH_o3okPEj6_OySi_DIKJ_EXpaU8/s1600/IMG_1863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-dWwKYp1Wcep6fKOKYW2c64caRINQowfcibVym2x9hwXbhBZ4tHpKIW4C20YVUuKg7oNjXOK_EJZdmE2-bFAa57Trc2FMtyedrFBRx3oYh-YsgphFH_o3okPEj6_OySi_DIKJ_EXpaU8/s400/IMG_1863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This month, you outgrew your swing and your bouncy seat. We put your jumparoo together and you are starting to figure it out. You love to look at the toys and are slowly figuring out how to use your legs to bounce, though you need a pillow under your feet so you can reach the floor. We also got you a highchair. We won't start you on solids until you are six months old, but we wanted to have another area for you to play. You love the highchair and are content to sit there in the kitchen or at the table with us, playing with your toys and being part of the action. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3LVzcdBj9b4YUowVxXCQy9B2RH0JtyiM4V6VnAoxebvJHmkHWIKeFy8wes5qutXFqVfI2EUda9baabVQYz4EyvVwyrpCf84qkAshjtE1aa4mZhvBsKcxukA_WucBhvEFy-o9MJGFYw_X/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3LVzcdBj9b4YUowVxXCQy9B2RH0JtyiM4V6VnAoxebvJHmkHWIKeFy8wes5qutXFqVfI2EUda9baabVQYz4EyvVwyrpCf84qkAshjtE1aa4mZhvBsKcxukA_WucBhvEFy-o9MJGFYw_X/s400/IMG_1982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You have mastered reaching and grabbing this month. We joke that you have a process: see something, reach for it, grab it, put it in your mouth, repeat all day long. You also rolled over the other direction (back to tummy) this month. Your Daddy and I were both sitting there watching you, and when we realized you were about to roll over, we jumped up and hovered over you with bated breath while you rocked back and forth. There was much cheering when you made it to your belly. As soon as you realized we were cheering for you, you started grinning your biggest grins at us. This is also the first month you started really noticing Fletcher (which is surprising, considering his favorite activity is to lick your face); you watch his every move.<br />
<br />
You are so beautiful to us; I study you all day long, taking in your perfect little features. Your eyes are still blue, for now. You hair is just growing longer and longer, and this month was long enough for your Daddy to put in a little ponytail! It has been lightening up since you were born, just like Mama's did when she was a baby. You also have a cowlick right on the crown of your head, and, though it may give you fits when you are old enough to do your own hair, it makes your hair flop over in the sweetest little curl. Although you are definitely a combination of your Daddy and me, people think you look most like me. Daddy likes to call you little Mama. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKQ6zB1HYy34WzhC-pmQuClsd5dqhr9UPmbxOzyr_E7aXoO2mPtPQmXDmdby9AtzU4yYlnmcyhlUK_rd-A8Zl-bO3R7QT-zpufaqPwN_rrmBOuu19OVks599ZMXMw2uX8ezwWep8aW0WI/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKQ6zB1HYy34WzhC-pmQuClsd5dqhr9UPmbxOzyr_E7aXoO2mPtPQmXDmdby9AtzU4yYlnmcyhlUK_rd-A8Zl-bO3R7QT-zpufaqPwN_rrmBOuu19OVks599ZMXMw2uX8ezwWep8aW0WI/s400/IMG_1967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">First ponytail.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To no surprise to us, you found your thumb this month. During every ultrasound we had, you were always sucking your thumb or your fingers, so we knew it was only a matter of time. I must say, you make quite an adorable thumb-sucker.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Bathtime continues to be a favorite for both you and Daddy. I can hear you two chatting away with each other. In general, you are a little chatterbox; if you are awake, you are usually talking and cooing and squealing and laughing. You are the happiest baby. We also started taking you out in the jogging stroller facing forward like a big girl (sigh.) and you love it. You are content to ride for as long as we will push you, so our family walks have become a near-daily activity again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7hKN9XTl62a4SbG8Vopj3D-tWh_Ly10S1uTKPHOLWtUshPuPdDwpuvV-clDCdK4KmoiB2AkRLWCcdOWFJxaW49RoK8NDICWq9S_g55hX8-rahBHKyJ7EjImRJyAuK85cOFjd1XGf2wIC/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7hKN9XTl62a4SbG8Vopj3D-tWh_Ly10S1uTKPHOLWtUshPuPdDwpuvV-clDCdK4KmoiB2AkRLWCcdOWFJxaW49RoK8NDICWq9S_g55hX8-rahBHKyJ7EjImRJyAuK85cOFjd1XGf2wIC/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVAfxBt_0O9Y2aWLstIBuM5RX7NtMQbY8oWzIqYhXn6D_5e18XMbLpeVytLUJuwq3kYKL2g7XII_4IoLfRRE1sIUbNAjdXBSxbbkicgPW6D-UU3tMj8AXCX1fwf3nW4_OYmZUBg4msio3/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7TztU1keyu-URAVjkf1njc6ZicOOqRZ8arPBwGliQEA9BvLPqUn3GVEJbOmF74BDljzV5Y04Lji424MQPOeJbj8sGNhXz8DJ-I-51JTSjjqcvluXPT2RX_aJYszIo3X81V1YidkhcGRI/s1600/IMG_0981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7TztU1keyu-URAVjkf1njc6ZicOOqRZ8arPBwGliQEA9BvLPqUn3GVEJbOmF74BDljzV5Y04Lji424MQPOeJbj8sGNhXz8DJ-I-51JTSjjqcvluXPT2RX_aJYszIo3X81V1YidkhcGRI/s400/IMG_0981.jpg" width="298" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope, month four marks the point where I can no longer really remember what my life was like before you. Of course, I remember all the happy days and months and years your Daddy and I shared before your arrival, but it seems like so long ago and so strange now to imagine our days without you. You are already growing up so quickly; when I look back at pictures of your first weeks, you don't even look like the same baby. And though I know I will always find you growing up to be bittersweet, I feel so lucky to get to be the witness to your life.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVAfxBt_0O9Y2aWLstIBuM5RX7NtMQbY8oWzIqYhXn6D_5e18XMbLpeVytLUJuwq3kYKL2g7XII_4IoLfRRE1sIUbNAjdXBSxbbkicgPW6D-UU3tMj8AXCX1fwf3nW4_OYmZUBg4msio3/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVAfxBt_0O9Y2aWLstIBuM5RX7NtMQbY8oWzIqYhXn6D_5e18XMbLpeVytLUJuwq3kYKL2g7XII_4IoLfRRE1sIUbNAjdXBSxbbkicgPW6D-UU3tMj8AXCX1fwf3nW4_OYmZUBg4msio3/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To be your Mama - to wake-up with you every morning, to nurse you and play on the floor with you, to teach you and watch you learn, to comfort you when you're sad, to hold you and rock you and kiss you and smell you, to see your smile and hear your laughing squeals, to sing to you each night - is the joy of my lifetime. Your Daddy and I tell you over and over again each day how much we love you, not because you are sweet or smart or beautiful or silly, though you are all of those things, but because you are ours. As our favorite bedtime story says, there has never been anyone like you, ever in this world. You are one-of-a-kind, my darling girl. Lucky, lucky me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love you,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mama</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Four Month Stats</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Weight: 14lbs, 12oz (70th percentile)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Height: 24" (40th percentile)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Head: 16 1/2" (75th percentile)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Clothing 3 - 6 month, 6 month depending on brand</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Diapers 2 snaps open in the middle during the day, 3 snaps open in the middle at night</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eating 6 times per day, 15 minutes per time</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you love: Riding in the stroller, bathtime, swimming, sucking your thumb.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First overnight trip: August 8 <br />
First swim in the pool: August 9</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Found thumb: August 20<br />
First ponytail: August 23 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First giggle: August 25</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rolled over (back to front): August 26</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Slept through the night without needing pacifier: August 28 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Milestones: Rolling both directions now, sitting up for a few seconds unassisted, imitating us smacking our lips, reaching and grasping with accuracy.</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-88389474073815411242012-09-18T05:30:00.000-04:002012-09-18T05:47:47.924-04:00Revival Donuts.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes a donut is more than a donut.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it is a reminder to your post-baby self that your pre-baby self is still alive deep down in there somewhere, that you still have a little kitchen badass inside who wakes up on Saturday morning (at 7:45am! bless that sweet child of mine) and announces, "I'm making donuts," and then marches into the kitchen and does just that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which is not to say that this recipe is at all complicated. Only a delicious and impressive party trick to surprise your family or weekend guests. You can be all, oh, it was nothing, I just <i>made some donuts from scratch</i>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then you will feel awesome. Even if later that night, you feed your husband Five Guys for dinner. And by feed, I mean, beg him to go pick-up. In the pouring rain*. But it's okay, because remember when you made donuts this morning?!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPa69qL1EmtzFn6bdhAebv2TVFYvp6BfRyb2Kr8oqMtPvDDa1rVA4JYZ7SyMXST5tX9BkzJ5t9t-uK-Yteci3jC8KJjvhjwplVAjOT29MOx8lWSSkDTQI4qIz21vvET1NbfxRCeGWD8Cn/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPa69qL1EmtzFn6bdhAebv2TVFYvp6BfRyb2Kr8oqMtPvDDa1rVA4JYZ7SyMXST5tX9BkzJ5t9t-uK-Yteci3jC8KJjvhjwplVAjOT29MOx8lWSSkDTQI4qIz21vvET1NbfxRCeGWD8Cn/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
French Breakfast Donuts<br />
adapted from <a href="http://camillestyles.com/food-2/the-perfect-bite-french-breakfast-donuts/#more-27111">Camille Styles </a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>makes 6 donuts</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5 tablespoons butter, room temperature</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1/2 cup sugar </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 egg, room temperature</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 1/2 cups flour</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1/4 teaspoon cinammon</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1/2 cup half-and-half </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1/4 cup sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 teaspoon cinnamon</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 tablespoons butter, melted</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Preheat oven to 350. Spray donut pan with cooking spray. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, beat until completely mixed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a medium bowl, whisk flour and next four ingredients, through salt. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Beat flour mixture into butter in two batches, alternating with milk. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Scoop batter in a gallon-sized ziploc, cut small corner off ziploc, pipe batter into donut pan.<br />
<br />
Bake 18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.<br />
<br />
Remove from pan immediately.<br />
<br />
Mix remaining 1/4 sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. <br />
<br />
Dunk hot donuts in melted butter and then into cinnamon-sugar mixture. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eat them up!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sidenote: These donuts require a donut pan, though I'd venture to guess you could also make them in a muffin tin. On principal, I am opposed to single-function kitchen items (which is to say, instead of owning an apple-corer and an avocado pitter and a garlic-chopper, I own a knife). But, if baked donuts are your jam, you're going to need a donut pan. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-6-Count-Nonstick-Donut-Pan/dp/B0002KZSSC">This</a> is the one we have. Cheap, works great, and doesn't take up a lot of cabinet space. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimnHoJxRz9CV_utcVVg8ae5KcxUQo9yPALVHB00L38XdMVQXnuYiC10xRe5zrRL_CU-KPskL7fzO9OMUUMOSATaE1oyz7rMUUEb0Be30qIVtrS-qCySUea5Hh2bkGObqYxbk_AihU9mir/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
* Since it was raining when Hugh went to get dinner, he got a raincoat out of the hall closet. He came in to tell me goodbye and I realized he was wearing my raincoat from college. Which has my sorority embroidered on the chest.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cassie: You know, that is a woman's raincoat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hugh: No, I think it's unisex.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
C: Um, it has the name of a sorority embroidered on it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
H: Right, but other than that, it's unisex.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
C: You know sororities are only for women, right?<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Upon return fifteen minutes later.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
C: So, did everyone at Five Guys love your lady jacket?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
H: Well, the woman in front of me had a plastic bag tied over her hair that was emblazoned with "Big Lots Paper Plates", so I don't think many people were critiquing my fashion choice. </div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-59811902728954428322012-09-14T09:05:00.000-04:002012-09-14T09:05:34.419-04:00What We're Doing. And Eating.<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know those weeks where you are just on your game? Your dinners are delicious and vegetable-laden, your work to do list is completely checked off, your thank you notes are written, your child is napping like a champ, and you aren't sitting around still in your pajamas and with a stain of questionable origin on your shirt at 11:30am. Yep, not one of those weeks around here. <br /><br />I was trying to remember what we have eaten in the last six days so I could share it with you. Here's what I've got:</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>The rest of our cheese from our date-night-in order from <a href="https://www.murrayscheese.com/">Murray's Cheese Shop</a>. </li>
<li>Five Guys. </li>
<li>A truly mediocre baked eggplant pasta dish from a website that had never before disappointed me with its recipe deliciousness. </li>
<li>Honey Nut Cheerios. I mean, really. At least there was a banana in there.</li>
<li><a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/12/because-sometimes-you-just-need-little.html">Carbonara</a>. Still in love. The only upside from the fact that Hugh didn't get home until after 11pm was that I got to have my favorite dinner. </li>
<li>Takeout Mexican. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Awesome. You win some, you lose some, I suppose. Next week, I'll aim for a dinner recap that looks more like <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-were-doing-and-eating.html">this</a>. You know, a few meals that are not entirely composed of cheese.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did manage to clean the house in 40 minutes (!) last night while Hugh was giving Pen a bath and getting her ready for bed. So, there's that. Because even if the rest of my life seems a little bit messy, at least my house is clean. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In other news, we are still over the moon for that baby of ours. One of her parents is more excited than the other about her latest babbling:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GdQwJlnibqQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I realize that she is just making sounds and not intentionally calling me mama, but I would be a big liar if I didn't admit that it still makes my heart feel like it's going to explode. I think this is officially the most you can love a person, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Check back next week for a homemade donut recipe (alternately named: sometimes I still feel like a kitchen badass), some motherhood musings, and, hopefully, a few dinners that are not going to make you fail a cholesterol check. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy weekend, frinternets!</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-10085159236785683132012-09-07T09:52:00.001-04:002012-09-07T17:22:15.748-04:00Everything's New.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although it's still officially Summer for two more weeks (and it's still hot as blazes in Georgia), there is no denying that fall is right around the corner (especially if you are a Pinterest user, I mean goodness gracious are people on there excited about wreaths and chili and scarves). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
As much as I love the change of seasons and, especially, the arrival of Fall, I am finding it bittersweet this year. I could swear to you that it was just last week that on the most perfect Spring day of all time we were <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/05/and-then-we-were-three.html">meeting our Penelope</a>. And it couldn't be more than three days ago that my garden was in full bloom and the tomatoes were ripe and <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/07/month-two.html">she was smiling her first smile</a>. But, somehow, here we are surrounded by Halloween costumes and cinnamon brooms and recipes for pumpkin bread. With a four-month old.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's just going by so quickly. I told Hugh last week that I am so deeply rooted in and in love with the right-this-minute that I don't do a lot of looking ahead to the future right now*. Not because I'm not excited about it, but because if I try to process how much I love now <i>and</i> how much I'm going to love what's ahead, well, I would explode. And also, the future is going to be here in a quick little blink, so there's no point in rushing it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I can so freshly recall when this child was an hours-old newborn that it seems impossible she's four months old:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFOkh5h0k7ZUDKCdoEbnxxjfWhbrRWu9WO3YmljhkmgGkVEAtl7iAL5qt5r6yt3vzxud-t8G6xsFFMDTgCuLM1me-UYTfG9nQ2Uvke4ga_a2aakBNSOIYSaKgWndFQx2MD7scSRFjF5w8/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFOkh5h0k7ZUDKCdoEbnxxjfWhbrRWu9WO3YmljhkmgGkVEAtl7iAL5qt5r6yt3vzxud-t8G6xsFFMDTgCuLM1me-UYTfG9nQ2Uvke4ga_a2aakBNSOIYSaKgWndFQx2MD7scSRFjF5w8/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Oh, Penelope. Tugging my heartstrings every minute of the day. </i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But, as this busy little bee reminds me hourly with her rolling, laughing, squealing, trying-to-sit-up antics, she is going to grow up. And I am going to celebrate each minute and milestone and first. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As people love to tell you a hundred times a week when you are pregnant, a baby changes everything. What they don't say is that the change is magic. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It makes everything brand new. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*Which would explain why my child's wardrobe virtually stops at the end of summer. I started to unpack her 9 month clothes last weekend and I realized that this mama has some shopping to do, or P will be spending these last months of the year in a diaper and my rockin' baby-sized snowsuit from 1983.</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-57837237186134712952012-08-31T12:26:00.000-04:002012-08-31T12:27:08.300-04:00Just In the Nick of Time.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last night, Hugh and I were sitting on the couch chatting and I asked him if he felt like we were wasting the long weekend by not having visitors or taking a trip. Before I could even finish my question, he said, "No, absolutely not. We need a weekend where we don't have anything to worry about. No car trips, no company, no one getting ready to go back to work, no trying to find a nanny, no studying."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, alright then. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Suffice to say, the last six weeks have been a little high on the stress around this place. Luckily, everything seems to have settled back down as of this week. Also, luckily, I seem to have given birth to a baby who has the innate ability to roll with the punches. Or, as her nanny put it, she's just the world's happiest baby girl. We'll take it. </div>
<br />
A couple of things that make me smile:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>She laughs! Don't mind the wonky angle. The child goes stone-faced if she sees the camera, so I have to be stealthy:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFeKmA6RuLPtUOg2TlK22BtX8eyXJEE6WcTYaxEk0_d2Z7Q8ySUyMyg4dHlE1QSZVFT-q6-CleDwMNCLctxCnYLnMParUmh-RTzbCzNQXPTmQ3Pf7joxtvw07Dm2A9aH8d0B30oSzNIzX/s1600/IMG_2008.mov" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D78efcac8790d8c5d%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1349021950%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D59D0A08CFB14A827AA0440209EBA253A8FD31204.94D8BA00D18FAD05844A344CB531C32FBCCC27BF%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D78efcac8790d8c5d%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1349021950%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D59D0A08CFB14A827AA0440209EBA253A8FD31204.94D8BA00D18FAD05844A344CB531C32FBCCC27BF%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Mama got a new lens: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySTobB03hPkUmh7OpzhNOPWCaIzBSl5FrNzIohRsMASMWZ9X3VGGnzBHeVVv3vijkUEaucc3x3ewki3HqIsvSAjcO3No3fwD2Ux1WHtnvRXlZiFN_2oUa2MWK00NSrTo25eA-M-zgWJMH/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySTobB03hPkUmh7OpzhNOPWCaIzBSl5FrNzIohRsMASMWZ9X3VGGnzBHeVVv3vijkUEaucc3x3ewki3HqIsvSAjcO3No3fwD2Ux1WHtnvRXlZiFN_2oUa2MWK00NSrTo25eA-M-zgWJMH/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cheeky.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our long weekend looks to be full of grilling, a trip to the farmer's market, and coffee in bed with our girlie. Hope yours is the peachiest, friends. Check you Tuesday. </div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-62213895871322171272012-08-20T08:40:00.000-04:002012-08-20T12:34:00.724-04:00Month Three<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope Catherine, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am pretty sure, in a total motherhood cliche, that I am going to declare each of your months my favorite. Your personality has surfaced even more these last four weeks. You are such a joy - smiling and chattering away all day long. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI37l1FpQxKJyaHt4_AYc2VwhVmok-z0zHcdPzqYorYXgA56dUv5IFp6KhD2n0JOsWPy_gO1Qv1DlQtGgQxyVuGp7jLV53ejYUOdeqQwWcQ5NFHhK6ps__RRlJE2SfpFGFko5wsDy6wvZ/s1600/IMG_1944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI37l1FpQxKJyaHt4_AYc2VwhVmok-z0zHcdPzqYorYXgA56dUv5IFp6KhD2n0JOsWPy_gO1Qv1DlQtGgQxyVuGp7jLV53ejYUOdeqQwWcQ5NFHhK6ps__RRlJE2SfpFGFko5wsDy6wvZ/s1600/IMG_1944.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFpL1egSzU7MwuI20Vfk5zs51v9y6JcWEsW-rXWpBNmHOMQmFNcFmgzwV_hyphenhyphennm2A0hJEADspO7geoI5WdO_xkdbZ_vbSyCWQrF5k17hIM2KiNYbRb7RohfwuFBPSvIwkaVRuzlCuKne2q/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Month three was calmer and quieter than your first two months. Although we still had visitors, this month it felt like things really settled down and we had a chance to adjust to our new normal as a family of three (or five, if you ask your brothers). Our life seems both very much the same and completely different with you here. Your Dad and I were such a unit before you were born, and you have just squeezed right in like you were here all along.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Speaking of visitors, Aunt Mandy, Uncle Matt, and Charlie came to visit for our third annual Fourth of July celebration. Not having spent a lot of time around babies, you were fascinated by Charlie and spent much of our visit watching his every move. Your Dad and I joke that every time you see another baby you seem a little bit surprised that more than one of you exists in this world. Such is the life of a first-born child, I suppose. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFpL1egSzU7MwuI20Vfk5zs51v9y6JcWEsW-rXWpBNmHOMQmFNcFmgzwV_hyphenhyphennm2A0hJEADspO7geoI5WdO_xkdbZ_vbSyCWQrF5k17hIM2KiNYbRb7RohfwuFBPSvIwkaVRuzlCuKne2q/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFpL1egSzU7MwuI20Vfk5zs51v9y6JcWEsW-rXWpBNmHOMQmFNcFmgzwV_hyphenhyphennm2A0hJEADspO7geoI5WdO_xkdbZ_vbSyCWQrF5k17hIM2KiNYbRb7RohfwuFBPSvIwkaVRuzlCuKne2q/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the beginning of the month, you had your two month well-baby visit. You were a little model baby the whole time, cooing and smiling and charming the whole office. Dr. H answered all my neurotic, first-time Mama questions (which your Daddy had already answered) and assured me that you were doing great (which your Daddy had already done). You got your first round of shots at this visit; they seemed to knock you off your feet a little, and you spent the whole next day sleeping, waking only to nurse. As sad as it made me to see you not feeling like yourself, I did enjoy lots of this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6q5k_Y5LFkRlTF1jGIUjPWqHBPw45Pi6UAg59jthA1kYv5v6ewHhk_HXRpdYIp9GLcNCEyt60WhKeR0tsdxkipJRxWt2EPz-51POAIhQjheTDhl2uyJVC7BWu3Ys-Sr7bcCotV2_tIXP/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDGmcugWbWVscW8Uc04gMqmxhDMerEj5bYUnsWBHwtUSRcANgLavQFTMNIVc6UANsLo48qhyphenhyphenPI8Iz5POJCq9jMgf_LubF8NQqERumk6rbz-4zLXlVETqIWrAdEsvHPAqrY9IJjx8vEk_-/s1600/IMG_1569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDGmcugWbWVscW8Uc04gMqmxhDMerEj5bYUnsWBHwtUSRcANgLavQFTMNIVc6UANsLo48qhyphenhyphenPI8Iz5POJCq9jMgf_LubF8NQqERumk6rbz-4zLXlVETqIWrAdEsvHPAqrY9IJjx8vEk_-/s1600/IMG_1569.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No real changes this month in the eating and sleeping categories. So far, you are just a great nurser and a great sleeper, and have, I'm sure, hopelessly spoiled us as parents. You eat six times per day for about fifteen minutes each time. I so love these moments with you; you hold my finger with your tiny hand and become completely relaxed and, toward the end, you give me such sweet and contented smiles and sighs. You are awake for about 1.5 - 2 hours at a time now and typically take two long morning naps (1.5 - 2 hours) and then two short afternoon naps (30 minutes - 1 hour). You're down for the night around 7pm, get a dreamfeed around 10pm, and sleep until 7am the next morning. We are still going in a couple of times per night most nights to find your pacifier for you if you start to stir. You are still being swaddled in the Miracle Blanket to sleep. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6q5k_Y5LFkRlTF1jGIUjPWqHBPw45Pi6UAg59jthA1kYv5v6ewHhk_HXRpdYIp9GLcNCEyt60WhKeR0tsdxkipJRxWt2EPz-51POAIhQjheTDhl2uyJVC7BWu3Ys-Sr7bcCotV2_tIXP/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6q5k_Y5LFkRlTF1jGIUjPWqHBPw45Pi6UAg59jthA1kYv5v6ewHhk_HXRpdYIp9GLcNCEyt60WhKeR0tsdxkipJRxWt2EPz-51POAIhQjheTDhl2uyJVC7BWu3Ys-Sr7bcCotV2_tIXP/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In development news, you rolled over this month! The day after your two month birthday, you rolled over from your
stomach to your back. I was sitting at the table pumping and your Daddy
had just laid you on the floor for tummy time when, within five
seconds, you gave a push with your arm and rolled right over! In my
surprise and excitement, I yelled out and scared you a bit. It took you a
few days to do it again, but I was armed with the video camera during
all of your tummy times, so I was able to capture it the second time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You also started smiling without prompting, squealing, and talking even more, which entertains us to no end. When you wake up, we hear you over the monitor immediately start talking away to yourself, and then it's a race which one of us can get to your room first to soak up the sweetness. You have the biggest grin that stretches across your face and crinkles up the corners of your eyes. We make fools of ourselves to see that smile. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlggK8ztNhVzVbtEGqCvRwSzpktH0Plsfbjrk4xDxSh2_D4ebKiJCROkidaqC154hind-TqGoZUCYxagpUJnNh-zzfDJO_mNHPTvRepbvh_C7I7Ti7a_VevSOSqqNM0VNV3SLMJH7KBqQ/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8Do7kFk13iaZfTo7yfTTtYjZxRYLu8SvcWkStxcU44WoNTRxn5IA4-mShStxscmoHIusAHQa9U5Kn1vBJGwWZB4X3ts-t1K1m35gyTrCLTst47wExS6NJN8r7OKQdyj_Bh4ghwzw8ory/s1600/IMG_1702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8Do7kFk13iaZfTo7yfTTtYjZxRYLu8SvcWkStxcU44WoNTRxn5IA4-mShStxscmoHIusAHQa9U5Kn1vBJGwWZB4X3ts-t1K1m35gyTrCLTst47wExS6NJN8r7OKQdyj_Bh4ghwzw8ory/s1600/IMG_1702.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You also started intentionally reaching for things this month and sometimes even grasping what you're reaching for. You aren't quite able to get your hands to go just where you want them to yet, but it fascinates me to watch you learning and figuring it out more and more each day. I can literally see your little mind working as you get a look of deep concentration on your face.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sweetness of your personality is coming through, too. You will hang on to us tightly when we hold you, and snuggle in close when you're sleepy, burying your face against our chests. It seems you already know you are the apple of our eyes, and you are at your happiest when you have both of us in front of you, giving you all of our attention. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSyhMhk_hs6QNEyLda3MniYE8aTLjPCLh6be75HKQaRas11Zpa93KPzmTMnxayjBStdrX6l5a-9bW2yJIK-ln1KrYU8TGE1d0jMjQqB2uBeVi38jBxvfioFGM8faIeKyTC_4DM5CkkfhE/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSyhMhk_hs6QNEyLda3MniYE8aTLjPCLh6be75HKQaRas11Zpa93KPzmTMnxayjBStdrX6l5a-9bW2yJIK-ln1KrYU8TGE1d0jMjQqB2uBeVi38jBxvfioFGM8faIeKyTC_4DM5CkkfhE/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Without question, bathtime is your favorite part of the day. You splash and kick and wriggle all around, squealing as loud as you can. And you love lying on the changing table and talking to us for as long
as we will stand there (spoiler alert: we will stand there talking to
you for a very long time). This month, you have finally started to like being in the carrier (Moby, Bjorn, Ergo), and have been going for lots of walks with us in the Baby Bjorn. You are no longer content to be held in a cradle hold very often or to ride in a carrier facing in. You want to be facing forward, staring out at the world all the time and checking out what's going on around you. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-amZlBkDKYnkkv6_7tXI9JHBEjQ0wZoN4pI3MLROkU9vhUPBfmi2joFeVnkAEchtZmYgp0cGvs6C4dA83gIFgi1QaUH_0bqd1XK7g9zqIrDqiHWa6jghlFE5v3KQi7LKldWVfOlXYU5Oo/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-amZlBkDKYnkkv6_7tXI9JHBEjQ0wZoN4pI3MLROkU9vhUPBfmi2joFeVnkAEchtZmYgp0cGvs6C4dA83gIFgi1QaUH_0bqd1XK7g9zqIrDqiHWa6jghlFE5v3KQi7LKldWVfOlXYU5Oo/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of this month, I had my first day back in the office. I was dreading being away from you all day. Thankfully, Daddy was able to stay home with you and we both did just fine. And, it made me feel even more grateful than I already was that I get to be home with for the majority of each week. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4l4rNccJ0BT-7_2dfC7dRPS78JuffEPG8AguxoLqOoK_TeJtzOA2MgIqa8KD78SZ77Lm1LPp1kAT6nQO9KbdVY54z1shueEczBAM_ML54VUQbNU1zAYsQ6nhxgZDC0qPc3cpuv0jvo6v/s1600/IMG_1544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4l4rNccJ0BT-7_2dfC7dRPS78JuffEPG8AguxoLqOoK_TeJtzOA2MgIqa8KD78SZ77Lm1LPp1kAT6nQO9KbdVY54z1shueEczBAM_ML54VUQbNU1zAYsQ6nhxgZDC0qPc3cpuv0jvo6v/s1600/IMG_1544.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My darling girl, I blink, blink, blink, some days and think you are growing up right before my eyes. You are changing every day; learning new tricks, making new sounds, and looking a little bit taller and less and less like my newborn baby. I spend most all of your waking moments just trying to soak you in. I tell your Daddy that I stare at you so much because I want to memorize every part of the baby girl you are right this very minute - all round, rosy cheeks and long, straight eyelashes, roll upon roll of baby chub and drunken milk face - you are utterly perfect to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlggK8ztNhVzVbtEGqCvRwSzpktH0Plsfbjrk4xDxSh2_D4ebKiJCROkidaqC154hind-TqGoZUCYxagpUJnNh-zzfDJO_mNHPTvRepbvh_C7I7Ti7a_VevSOSqqNM0VNV3SLMJH7KBqQ/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlggK8ztNhVzVbtEGqCvRwSzpktH0Plsfbjrk4xDxSh2_D4ebKiJCROkidaqC154hind-TqGoZUCYxagpUJnNh-zzfDJO_mNHPTvRepbvh_C7I7Ti7a_VevSOSqqNM0VNV3SLMJH7KBqQ/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I ask my own Momma on a weekly basis if it is possible to love you any more than I do right this moment. She always laughs a little bit and tells me to just wait. It is hard for me to believe our time with you can be happier than it is right now, but it makes me look forward to every new day I get to wake up and be your Mama all over again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The moment you were born, the song "The Luckiest" was playing in our hospital room. I couldn't have chosen more appropriate words to be sung as you entered my life, because you have made me feel every day since then that I am the luckiest in the world. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love you,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mama</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Three Month Stats
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Weight: 13lbs (estimated)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Clothing: Depends on brand, but mostly 3 month and 3 - 6 month. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Diapers: Cloth - 2 middle snaps open</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eating: 6 times per day, 15 - 20 minutes per time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you love this month: Riding in the Baby Bjorn facing forward, bathtime, playing in your pack-and-play, talking to us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you don't love: The end of bathtime.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rolled Over (Front to back): June 29<br />
First shots (and, correspondingly, first fever and tylenol): July 5<br />
First morning in the garden with Mama (in the baby bjorn): July 9<br />
First day away from Mama: July 24<br />
Milestones: rolling over
tummy to back in both directions, smiling without prompting (at toys,
mobile, Fletcher, etc.), clasping hands at midline, reaching for objects, grasping
objects (still with pretty low accuracy), squealing. </div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-2421017785638330562012-08-03T09:47:00.001-04:002012-08-03T09:51:54.083-04:00Everything I Ever Wanted.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, motherhood. Such a humbling process, foiling my well-laid plans. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has not been a good week, my friends. Not good, as in I ugly-cried not once or twice but three times on Wednesday. Thank goodness for Hugh and my mom and their endlessly patient listening ears. And thank goodness for my sweet girl; she is a trooper. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fortunately, next week promises to be a happier one. Not least of all because my birthday is on Monday; the big 2-9! And, as you probably know by now, birthdays <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-were-doing.html">are</a> <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/10/partys-over.html">my</a> <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/08/well-hello-there-late-twenties.html">jam</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the last two weeks, Hugh has been asking me for a list of things I might want, and I've been hemming and hawing and not really giving him any guidance. Finally, he asked me why I was having such a hard time coming up with a birthday list this year. And I realized it's because I have everything I ever wanted already. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi_kQQwkyU-UPA1dEf82vueNS23cF3gkvINkzrBp3ecJBjlJHT33T73oFdGxH9e29yIc4od17Nohc-_WydnHjHlvAI1q4NLhEbQj8Ws1MgKR55lWd_FFCRmwJp6jK2zUi1JmjXDk_GmHy/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My little White Hot cup runneth over:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwGntBk9hWzt-oSEQCspCj09HTlywaQ-j3i9XEtsMNtx3-rYLVRkOt073oRQlc3rN5rCQBnzWV7vF9WHWLigUgSpsENIJem7-zoe-ABfUp5giBtuTNI7WOxpvMCRAsFs9gqATWjvpXtQS/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwGntBk9hWzt-oSEQCspCj09HTlywaQ-j3i9XEtsMNtx3-rYLVRkOt073oRQlc3rN5rCQBnzWV7vF9WHWLigUgSpsENIJem7-zoe-ABfUp5giBtuTNI7WOxpvMCRAsFs9gqATWjvpXtQS/s400/IMG_1616.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Favorites.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-TK2yezJG2hdlgWYpSXI82wX7nXGFEmaoGXcCB1R3eaK3gD37PytXcPwWLFMxq59ntLWlEtGXgiAZOrDiq_WJV_CUDXeVzoHRYG00IZozUs7nUWmjYu3n9nJmXOi0_IpmHy6qWApiA1r/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-TK2yezJG2hdlgWYpSXI82wX7nXGFEmaoGXcCB1R3eaK3gD37PytXcPwWLFMxq59ntLWlEtGXgiAZOrDiq_WJV_CUDXeVzoHRYG00IZozUs7nUWmjYu3n9nJmXOi0_IpmHy6qWApiA1r/s400/IMG_1830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JWCQ4Rcn-JmAWDRZOnuIPF5GtG3rhTCPe_XURxYmDNVoSfVz-X15ykuOIZbcSiCEmD6Wdcoi-eysAD0UHeR2xmvYbQbQQaFkJKGjzS-2s8JZ83McpqAgj8rupOPDNm-JavZa2AeXKIrK/s1600/IMG_1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JWCQ4Rcn-JmAWDRZOnuIPF5GtG3rhTCPe_XURxYmDNVoSfVz-X15ykuOIZbcSiCEmD6Wdcoi-eysAD0UHeR2xmvYbQbQQaFkJKGjzS-2s8JZ83McpqAgj8rupOPDNm-JavZa2AeXKIrK/s400/IMG_1836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi_kQQwkyU-UPA1dEf82vueNS23cF3gkvINkzrBp3ecJBjlJHT33T73oFdGxH9e29yIc4od17Nohc-_WydnHjHlvAI1q4NLhEbQj8Ws1MgKR55lWd_FFCRmwJp6jK2zUi1JmjXDk_GmHy/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi_kQQwkyU-UPA1dEf82vueNS23cF3gkvINkzrBp3ecJBjlJHT33T73oFdGxH9e29yIc4od17Nohc-_WydnHjHlvAI1q4NLhEbQj8Ws1MgKR55lWd_FFCRmwJp6jK2zUi1JmjXDk_GmHy/s400/IMG_1329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoacYDDpcCADlKWBpwwBUwfap1IBgkQRBlMJOg7lAxtLyGSRhyphenhyphenbf3A1r1DZVwbgPqUcDfvjIFv7gNpG82G3i5Bll0bXUnZTc9-8KUnJ0eNSin-7hd-JlbFK_CHH5_HOlknA2ZrHkFwQj7/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoacYDDpcCADlKWBpwwBUwfap1IBgkQRBlMJOg7lAxtLyGSRhyphenhyphenbf3A1r1DZVwbgPqUcDfvjIFv7gNpG82G3i5Bll0bXUnZTc9-8KUnJ0eNSin-7hd-JlbFK_CHH5_HOlknA2ZrHkFwQj7/s400/IMG_1405.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the agenda for the next three days: balloons, birthday cake, a family walk, and a champagne cocktail or three. Hope your weekend is just peachy. </div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-84961111983954448352012-07-27T10:05:00.001-04:002012-07-27T15:12:53.155-04:00What We're Doing. And Eating.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, I just feel like we are best friends this week with all this hanging out together we've been doing. Don't you? Here's what our little family has been up to the last seven days:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Learning new skills to pay the bills:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F6Ohq4ePSUlZwlacQmlNe0MaIChkEMCGvgekgTWgtXmaZi73XAGYMKorgoarC18yvHFduXQp5n1vgpeGSqosyTrE50auOgPtJ1ulyTkzNY2WnwE5QdCa4RR2B62PQpPr2sGE2PIzb2Rx/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F6Ohq4ePSUlZwlacQmlNe0MaIChkEMCGvgekgTWgtXmaZi73XAGYMKorgoarC18yvHFduXQp5n1vgpeGSqosyTrE50auOgPtJ1ulyTkzNY2WnwE5QdCa4RR2B62PQpPr2sGE2PIzb2Rx/s400/IMG_1765.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>New skill not pictured: yelling. Further proof that we are a mess over this child: we can't get enough of her, even when she is literally yelling at us. Yesterday, Penelope was not having a banner nap day. After waking up early from her third nap, I went in to get her and, while she was stretching, she was looking up at me with a furrowed brow, just yelling away. Then Hugh walked in the room and poked his head over the crib. Wouldn't you know, she broke out in a huge smile and started cooing. I reminded her that I am the one who grew and birthed her (in all her 97th percentile at birth glory) and am now acting as her sole source of sustenance. Isn't it too early to pick a favorite parent? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Oh, you want to see another picture of her cuteness? Twist my arm...</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroenL_kZaNAupnQBnNbuAmxieDD5RiBPX0Gb3PeUa3QpKt2XjUyjc7XQASLuw11JHNZssxlS4jCgtsAPdyCT61z2tcatxDobPMvKQLDcD6Ldn-9HhPUZlK0ZhrgFXBUbOA5WNR1Sl5UP9/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroenL_kZaNAupnQBnNbuAmxieDD5RiBPX0Gb3PeUa3QpKt2XjUyjc7XQASLuw11JHNZssxlS4jCgtsAPdyCT61z2tcatxDobPMvKQLDcD6Ldn-9HhPUZlK0ZhrgFXBUbOA5WNR1Sl5UP9/s400/IMG_1753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Studying. No big surprise, Hugh is a studying machine, up at 5am to get through his material while the rest of us are still asleep. We're very excited for August 24th to come and go around this place. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>I'm working on post for next week about new mama style. It could alternately be titled What To Do When You Wake Up and Hate Everything In Your Closet. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>In other fashion-related updates (seeing as I am blogging while wearing four-year-old yoga pants and a t-shirt I bought for $1.99 that Hugh calls my "on sale for a reason t-shirt", clearly you are coming here to read about fashion), apparently my feet grew while I was pregnant. Awesomely, I realized this the night before I had to go to work when I started trying on my shoes and they were all too small. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Had to order some supplies for daycare. Made myself feel less sad about it by ordering darling girl some new books: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJJyyLyZJk6XzergQplIaNXqHc1iWMe5GiIqMGO41airK9oCIIs3fDGLti6RU0d9eYi6hemybu0H2OGkPELhe659mSUF8NloPdOcu-XXHePqP7E3atmRtFejaHZJTR9gm4u10c7af1e8C/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJJyyLyZJk6XzergQplIaNXqHc1iWMe5GiIqMGO41airK9oCIIs3fDGLti6RU0d9eYi6hemybu0H2OGkPELhe659mSUF8NloPdOcu-XXHePqP7E3atmRtFejaHZJTR9gm4u10c7af1e8C/s400/IMG_2118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Falling asleep with toys in our mouths: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv2bF1Gm44tTMkgBC-Smgwo_njZtMVcvy_SzoZ__0npon77sw9Ht0WKuwC6LQN3_suNZ2y0Ml8RaflZvBSBgq8m_3JI03rhPBJKq5OSaKKaa6T77XgTmi8rnAgHUsziWgE16sn_90bC8d/s1600/IMG_2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv2bF1Gm44tTMkgBC-Smgwo_njZtMVcvy_SzoZ__0npon77sw9Ht0WKuwC6LQN3_suNZ2y0Ml8RaflZvBSBgq8m_3JI03rhPBJKq5OSaKKaa6T77XgTmi8rnAgHUsziWgE16sn_90bC8d/s400/IMG_2187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The day we picked Fletcher up from the breeder, she brought him out (and he was <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-fletchiversary-america.html">so freaking cute</a>) and commented that she had never seen a puppy who loved toys like he did. Three years later and not much has changed. </i></span></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Cooking up a storm. This week, I was kind of a rockstar of making dinner. See evidence below. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's what we're eating: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/911342/thin-burger">Thin Burgers</a> - I could not bring myself to use 70/30 ground beef. I think I used 85/15, and these were still delicious. If I had one in the fridge, I would be eating a hamburger for breakfast. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinl_zPymV8xHu8motFilNEzrBrB31kunbik_WfoZQu492ti7C1d20ttHPwwLfANeL7P5PmPw-Eyfs6uVUXXuFeOloy_NB8ep6mEAMgnBDoFeT-axiepx1i2SKzh4bWvNPw9nBDLbhl3Nb/s1600/IMG_2022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinl_zPymV8xHu8motFilNEzrBrB31kunbik_WfoZQu492ti7C1d20ttHPwwLfANeL7P5PmPw-Eyfs6uVUXXuFeOloy_NB8ep6mEAMgnBDoFeT-axiepx1i2SKzh4bWvNPw9nBDLbhl3Nb/s400/IMG_2022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Reese's Peanut Butter Brownie Cups - Easy. Tasty. Prep box of brownie mix according to package directions. Divide batter into 12 muffin cups lined with paper liners. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Press a mini Reese's cup into each brownie. Bake until brownie cups are cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Makes 12. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLogOGycNt4REJW4relDbtqPV39IdXvVxdNWQUu-Ox58GcjeQiapNdroYChm1M_75yPHTz1I2wOVgHoVlmbhm3g1ZBQnvwJ4NapxqzjJgnGAKIopziF3a72mlP2T9-q7ErpVzoglvV0Yk/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLogOGycNt4REJW4relDbtqPV39IdXvVxdNWQUu-Ox58GcjeQiapNdroYChm1M_75yPHTz1I2wOVgHoVlmbhm3g1ZBQnvwJ4NapxqzjJgnGAKIopziF3a72mlP2T9-q7ErpVzoglvV0Yk/s400/IMG_2057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/coconut-banana-bread-with-lime-glaze-10000001654705/">Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze</a> - Eat it up. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPYpVXDXLjDxu2iTk4o19O1sR8WwG2hhzi_j_zS38miCqfuDuT9fFeaNfPC-pv0x9CACpXgR8dxs6UlLo_oOZj6ykm9E7gBfnLhYg-Qm3Scfa5vZwpVyu9qWpb5S1LGcpV1Y2ChZF2_xo/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPYpVXDXLjDxu2iTk4o19O1sR8WwG2hhzi_j_zS38miCqfuDuT9fFeaNfPC-pv0x9CACpXgR8dxs6UlLo_oOZj6ykm9E7gBfnLhYg-Qm3Scfa5vZwpVyu9qWpb5S1LGcpV1Y2ChZF2_xo/s400/IMG_2028.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Bagel topped with cream cheese, lox, red onion, capers, arugula, and a squeeze of lemon - Yum. Also, came home and, while I was toasting a bagel, realized Hugh ate the rest of the lox while I was at work. Cried. Hugh told me it was a little ridiculous to be crying over food when I wasn't pregnant (see: Hugh ate the last cheese danish when I was pregnant and I sat on the floor in the kitchen and cried and then didn't speak to him for six hours.). Realized he was right. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKOXliGnQVV7d3ZZ1vGZwRjwkfvcm5ekbtoORl-KYiHzDMNvKddwZl7bKwqXI3HWXwRoNXYffThmk2zCq9JpZtehGACO4PYdM9_84JZWEvKLbdzUPGOOABLkZH1KQMZ8uSVcvym_hO8QV/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKOXliGnQVV7d3ZZ1vGZwRjwkfvcm5ekbtoORl-KYiHzDMNvKddwZl7bKwqXI3HWXwRoNXYffThmk2zCq9JpZtehGACO4PYdM9_84JZWEvKLbdzUPGOOABLkZH1KQMZ8uSVcvym_hO8QV/s400/IMG_1980.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li> Annie's Frozen Burrito - A working lunch. Hugh would, in particular, like you to note my work phone in this photo. He calls it the world's oldest Blackberry. When I am getting ready for a call, he inevitably makes a joke about needing to manually crank up the phone first. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ub9xLAONiZGGBp2x57k7U9UdVFEmyjx-CvRTCZbYSkeSRmGYNAnjguptWyySL9m2_lscRLLAfMeWDtSmnwHJt0LYNvCimtvUmil8hiz1HqIDZcwmsUeMMB-gxIsGlGsnT_oMAnys2oi4/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ub9xLAONiZGGBp2x57k7U9UdVFEmyjx-CvRTCZbYSkeSRmGYNAnjguptWyySL9m2_lscRLLAfMeWDtSmnwHJt0LYNvCimtvUmil8hiz1HqIDZcwmsUeMMB-gxIsGlGsnT_oMAnys2oi4/s400/IMG_2055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/thai-steak-salad-50400000121374/">Thai Steak Salad</a> - So, so good. Served over rice noodles. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrtC04PfJHIEjaSmmtVx8OMkCiOrB0XSm_y05b2zMzg4dOiHWUnos_LQCrm070ZckX5kdM3z8BbXPBlt9NLSngK2Wbv-_PsfRZZaZZ_uJhzQIr9ptrcnkvl39OCHZuZgzldl_LDfq-en-/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrtC04PfJHIEjaSmmtVx8OMkCiOrB0XSm_y05b2zMzg4dOiHWUnos_LQCrm070ZckX5kdM3z8BbXPBlt9NLSngK2Wbv-_PsfRZZaZZ_uJhzQIr9ptrcnkvl39OCHZuZgzldl_LDfq-en-/s400/IMG_2060.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="http://www.dinneralovestory.com/tag/kale-salad/">Kale Salad</a> - The other half of this meal was gross. You win some, you throw some in the trash. So I ate Kale Salad for dinner. And had another glass of wine. A balanced meal, if you ask me.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt15_tWiW2CBkcGL2RU9s4czw2Nkwzn4rXA_UOr7SLmGs7gpeUsyU0-JEiw39Iuo-bgLv6412QofhlIGyzFnAoNRCF6RpaQlenEhAMOkg-dS-NNZbbVuyIIsVTBkNQXaIOiWY3zZbKo0ah/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt15_tWiW2CBkcGL2RU9s4czw2Nkwzn4rXA_UOr7SLmGs7gpeUsyU0-JEiw39Iuo-bgLv6412QofhlIGyzFnAoNRCF6RpaQlenEhAMOkg-dS-NNZbbVuyIIsVTBkNQXaIOiWY3zZbKo0ah/s400/IMG_2181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope your weekend is full of good food and sassy babies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Post Script: Tried to write a whole post without using the word cute. Failed. Should have birthed an uglier baby, I guess.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-25510931991848577622012-07-26T14:39:00.002-04:002012-07-26T14:56:00.476-04:00Dear Self.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Three months ago today was Penelope's due date. <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/05/and-then-we-were-three.html">Obviously</a>, that day came and went and she stayed snug as a bug in my (gigantic) belly. This is how we looked on April 26th:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WSEh2ZEtlRzE34tGdSs5mmAnyLSs047rVt-y7A4xY-m7r7fpdjxg5FVbwoYD-p0-BlggsrXJBmZea9cxvnY2erQOoq8ExyrPhIL-I5ewgmbFXJbN-zugQEh03sA1Rv8i_PBFJp4vJZEF/s1600/IMG_0507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WSEh2ZEtlRzE34tGdSs5mmAnyLSs047rVt-y7A4xY-m7r7fpdjxg5FVbwoYD-p0-BlggsrXJBmZea9cxvnY2erQOoq8ExyrPhIL-I5ewgmbFXJbN-zugQEh03sA1Rv8i_PBFJp4vJZEF/s400/IMG_0507.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Three months ago, I was equal parts impatience, anxiety, and excitement those final days. I truly felt like she was never going to get here and I was going to be pregnant for the rest of my life. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's what I'd like to tell my 40-weeks-pregnant self:</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Relax! She's coming, I promise. In 48 hours, almost to the minute from the time this photo was taken, she'll be out of your (gigantic) belly and into your arms. </li>
<li>Your birth plan is going to go to hell in a handbasket. But, turns out, you are pretty good at giving birth, even without your plan. You will surprise yourself and, halfway through pushing you'll be thinking, Holy shit, I am <i>doing</i> this.</li>
<li>Your house is not going to go to hell in a handbasket after she is born. I know you are really concerned about that right now. Which is why Hugh found you attempting to dust the blades of the ceiling fan while standing on a chair yesterday. </li>
<li>Remember last month when you got a Charlie horse in your calf in the middle of the night that was so bad your calf was sore for three days? And remember how you told yourself that that was probably only a fraction of what labor was going to feel like? You are right. That Charlie horse was approximately 1/1000 of what labor is going to feel like. But you'll survive.</li>
<li>All your stress over breastfeeding? You are wasting your time. Turns out you and Penelope are pretty good at that, too. </li>
<li>Go get a pedicure. I know, you just got one yesterday. Get another one. And get a manicure, too. Then go walk around Target for five hours by yourself. Alone time is about to become a precious commodity. </li>
<li>You love being a mom more than you even hoped you would. Which is saying a lot, given the crazy high expectations you have right now.</li>
<li>Food has never tasted as good as it will one hour after you give birth. You will eat a hamburger, a baked potato, a granola bar, two glasses of apple juice, a salad, a bowl of pineapple, a brownie, and a carton of milk. You will still be hungry. </li>
<li>You think you love Hugh right now. Oh, you just wait, my friend. You are going to be February 2005 falling-in-love giddy over that husband of yours all over again in about two days. </li>
<li>Your Momma makes it just in time to see you become a Mama yourself. Right now, you don't realize how important this is. You will get it about ten seconds after you lay eyes on your own daughter for the first time.</li>
<li>You're going to cry for a solid two weeks after she's born, for happy reasons and sad reasons and no reasons at all. You will think you are the only person who has ever felt like this, until you call Sarah after one week and she tells you it's totally normal. </li>
<li>Oh, what was that you said? You're tired? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. </li>
<li>This is how we look now:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYi_ko0WMVNiPZd87_3RbO443ScmyugafQCYhqfWe-w7GQGX_9uB6fgXMF5TgaSWx1HUnH_UPK0blo7-CnMGJT2ZNa8f2PHmfteau16Vv-mp6CyE9vB-fcIxNxoNzHXBb1IDmzn3Diz5H/s1600/IMG_1718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYi_ko0WMVNiPZd87_3RbO443ScmyugafQCYhqfWe-w7GQGX_9uB6fgXMF5TgaSWx1HUnH_UPK0blo7-CnMGJT2ZNa8f2PHmfteau16Vv-mp6CyE9vB-fcIxNxoNzHXBb1IDmzn3Diz5H/s400/IMG_1718.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Spoiler alert: she's pretty cute. </li>
<li>Oh, and that thing everyone keeps telling you about how you just can't imagine the love you are going to feel? They are correct. You will be changed in an instant. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Love,<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The-Carbonara-and-Turkey-Sandwich-Eating, Stomach-Sleeping, Wine-Drinking, Able-to-Go-More-Than-Five-Minutes-Without-Peeing, Looking-At-Her-Own-Toes-While-Standing-Up-Right-Now, Mama-Version of Yourself. </div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-74418017422241093642012-07-25T09:40:00.002-04:002012-07-25T09:46:15.258-04:00We Survived.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whew! Like most things that keep me up at night with worry, I can say that my first day away from Penelope was not as bad as I thought it would be. Of course, I would have rather been with her than not for those twelve hours, but we survived, and, really, the day kind of flew by.<br />
<br />
I managed to make it through the day without any major melting down. There were tears when I said goodbye in the morning and near-tears when I was digging through my bag for a pen and pulled out a pacifier in the middle of a meeting, but, considering I'm a big crier when I'm not leaving my firstborn child for the first time, I was pretty proud of myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was nice to have some adult interaction in the middle of the day and to do a little thinking that wasn't about nap schedules and what comes after the looking glass in Penelope's favorite lullaby. And it was nice for Hugh to get a whole day with our girlie all to himself. I realized halfway through the day that, as much as I had thought about Pen all morning, I hadn't worried about her for one second. Good work marrying the world's best dad, Catherine.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also got to spend my five hours of commuting catching up with some of my very favorite people. Life with a baby doesn't leave you much time for talking on the phone, so it was nice to chat away those hours.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sure it doesn't hurt I knew I only had to be away from her for one day this week or that she was at home with Hugh and not at daycare. We'll see how she and I fare with that experience next week. For now, I'm off to do a lot more of this:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKEIZjfq-09e4wxVXchzxDAjGD-7Wxl88IYsPtz73jOJF5swY-9aWpJpb2mexsrLaj7qMGoIPZM0VOD_RlSXfTQtMHnaybCn-IWoMkg7XRZTTa1FO2tXZxiWArjgku2RYau4ctGDmdWZp/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKEIZjfq-09e4wxVXchzxDAjGD-7Wxl88IYsPtz73jOJF5swY-9aWpJpb2mexsrLaj7qMGoIPZM0VOD_RlSXfTQtMHnaybCn-IWoMkg7XRZTTa1FO2tXZxiWArjgku2RYau4ctGDmdWZp/s400/IMG_1970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hope your Wednesday is the peachiest.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-11265109015079986902012-07-23T08:42:00.002-04:002012-07-23T08:56:36.456-04:00The Weekend In Photos (and Also, Words).<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, that 48 hours between Friday and Monday went by in a quick little blink, didn't it? This is what ours looked like:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Friday started with my standing coffee/milk in bed date with this happy girl:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlFswtPKoZXReMGYFNl2auzVwrBR2zZXMTafUGihQBf3xGiTEybU7PMmxHTN38CU5AWwUkZqnTygD21s3aQH7ZDxwPj-o5q_B28UAeAjLZjgmRoDjVvT7zmHp8i6WdHfeERXlrHqlsjhd/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlFswtPKoZXReMGYFNl2auzVwrBR2zZXMTafUGihQBf3xGiTEybU7PMmxHTN38CU5AWwUkZqnTygD21s3aQH7ZDxwPj-o5q_B28UAeAjLZjgmRoDjVvT7zmHp8i6WdHfeERXlrHqlsjhd/s400/IMG_1701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hugh got home at lunch time. Penelope was asleep. After he greeted me and the boys, who coming running to the front of the house as soon as they hear his key in the door, he went to "change clothes." Ten seconds later, I heard his voice on the monitor, chatting away with the baby. Apparently Hugh hasn't heard the saying "never wake a sleeping baby." Really though, I get it. I spend about half of each of her naps convincing myself I need to leave her in her crib and let her sleep. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS-FhkjYn3bVVI6pmosh3oNr9Zuq_SjrW-ERyez2f_RoqOixOjGY3WBck3nLjJaE68j2sZmvc0Qd4rKEGUrMSk9s3Z3Ao3jZZXxfrtvs1pwD4g3qkwIuZVhKJq9SjUQ40bKtXn3eMmyYw/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto5SDQQI0ByooZTzqeEqEQsMebwvYo2RTEXWD2f0ObYXlJBwSU4338Vpbf4-enqgMnfuQcShWwxikaQRcEFfA3128k64W8ADEYy_55NqDAE88CTfWZIVt7mF9y-SzPqR_1B6Ln56dYBXs/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto5SDQQI0ByooZTzqeEqEQsMebwvYo2RTEXWD2f0ObYXlJBwSU4338Vpbf4-enqgMnfuQcShWwxikaQRcEFfA3128k64W8ADEYy_55NqDAE88CTfWZIVt7mF9y-SzPqR_1B6Ln56dYBXs/s400/IMG_1724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Waking up. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Family walks. Also, picture my heart almost exploding from the cuteness:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdwQde979GikZyH689TV3QggbEWIMAurVvEjCa7O3VaNCpznymZtTd6CqarKAL2xoBLN7EtvEmDtGdzzC0Rb6VPO622EuLEaipjskQVbDnQNNhHNsAUyHc1JHAHZ1K0XDQC_hB_yNHn7r/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdwQde979GikZyH689TV3QggbEWIMAurVvEjCa7O3VaNCpznymZtTd6CqarKAL2xoBLN7EtvEmDtGdzzC0Rb6VPO622EuLEaipjskQVbDnQNNhHNsAUyHc1JHAHZ1K0XDQC_hB_yNHn7r/s400/IMG_1733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just imagine another photo of carbonara right here. Because that's what I ate for dinner on Friday. I keep waiting to be sick of it. No dice so far, much to Hugh's dismay. Because he was sick of it approximately two years ago. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday was studying for Hugh, general lazing around reading cookbooks and playing with Pen for me, and eating some requisite summer cheeseburgers:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWP3IVvym45g9wKKRrzmX_IlzGDIs3QRfMNLu95xn0E8TI9VQG-kmA-fWkRPP8OtxUz5eBNTlPiJL6opXpEs0t8Lt_zQuNPf20Ju-4bxVRo1RIOtoongJwPEc3jJbXeYu0FWk1zaPtgl57/s1600/IMG_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWP3IVvym45g9wKKRrzmX_IlzGDIs3QRfMNLu95xn0E8TI9VQG-kmA-fWkRPP8OtxUz5eBNTlPiJL6opXpEs0t8Lt_zQuNPf20Ju-4bxVRo1RIOtoongJwPEc3jJbXeYu0FWk1zaPtgl57/s400/IMG_2026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sunday was breakfast with our favorite baby:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto5SDQQI0ByooZTzqeEqEQsMebwvYo2RTEXWD2f0ObYXlJBwSU4338Vpbf4-enqgMnfuQcShWwxikaQRcEFfA3128k64W8ADEYy_55NqDAE88CTfWZIVt7mF9y-SzPqR_1B6Ln56dYBXs/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS-FhkjYn3bVVI6pmosh3oNr9Zuq_SjrW-ERyez2f_RoqOixOjGY3WBck3nLjJaE68j2sZmvc0Qd4rKEGUrMSk9s3Z3Ao3jZZXxfrtvs1pwD4g3qkwIuZVhKJq9SjUQ40bKtXn3eMmyYw/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS-FhkjYn3bVVI6pmosh3oNr9Zuq_SjrW-ERyez2f_RoqOixOjGY3WBck3nLjJaE68j2sZmvc0Qd4rKEGUrMSk9s3Z3Ao3jZZXxfrtvs1pwD4g3qkwIuZVhKJq9SjUQ40bKtXn3eMmyYw/s400/IMG_1983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkJggQgDUK1I8p7no2I7mL8hyphenhyphenvF-Z8XZEZhFAhbBAdO-Uj3tvz284mLo4TeSQMX47eKnSuW1CbRkoJ4hyi7udfIMURVo6ImETZrylCAeRog_iwCLXR28HXjPHDW5UussVCblsU-O_DvQ3/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Followed my general admiring of said baby*:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HVjls6Rg5RQ9fB8Z8CJPMRv8QYh1oFbiw9RzlDQu-D9f-FO2J3etzfoGMw9vhHK33i9pkAEfedtPLyWb2UvgXQCpC1oR7xBhY_9p8Wl1mruLxmurKg2s0MTRs2FuIYAPq7sGm3CE93LL/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HVjls6Rg5RQ9fB8Z8CJPMRv8QYh1oFbiw9RzlDQu-D9f-FO2J3etzfoGMw9vhHK33i9pkAEfedtPLyWb2UvgXQCpC1oR7xBhY_9p8Wl1mruLxmurKg2s0MTRs2FuIYAPq7sGm3CE93LL/s400/IMG_1994.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Followed by a little baking:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vNuNpT_-dLRwR63-4JoJpQ-vXOkvZJj7r17Ddbaaj7VUgM4ymsT8DpbmSPj11bBRSKf34mlu-rMjC494qPJSNL1Ok1mj-x2eYFS0kRWe4V_o-04Se9ipm2eL1WGFYzU2tTjuVPqCDtb5/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vNuNpT_-dLRwR63-4JoJpQ-vXOkvZJj7r17Ddbaaj7VUgM4ymsT8DpbmSPj11bBRSKf34mlu-rMjC494qPJSNL1Ok1mj-x2eYFS0kRWe4V_o-04Se9ipm2eL1WGFYzU2tTjuVPqCDtb5/s400/IMG_2017.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Awesome banana bread. Less awesome photo.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then we took an afternoon road trip that mostly involved us driving and talking, since all of the shops and restaurants we were going to see were closed. Fortunately, we do our best talking in the car, so it was a lovely afternoon with Penelope chiming in from the backseat with her thoughts. Happy and chatty in the car? I think she'll fit in just fine in this little family. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After we put Penelope down for the night and ate dinner, the Sunday blues hit me full force. It's back to Savannah tomorrow. And, while I am very grateful to have a job to go back to, especially one that gives me the flexibility that mine does, my heart is in my throat thinking about being away from my girlie. But, as Hugh keeps reminding me, we are all going to be just fine. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fingers crossed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdwQde979GikZyH689TV3QggbEWIMAurVvEjCa7O3VaNCpznymZtTd6CqarKAL2xoBLN7EtvEmDtGdzzC0Rb6VPO622EuLEaipjskQVbDnQNNhHNsAUyHc1JHAHZ1K0XDQC_hB_yNHn7r/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*I know you think I am so over the top with the baby love. Honestly, I work hard to tone it down for the blog, and, really, in general to people who are not Hugh or my mom. If you want to know what our weekends really look like, imagine Hugh and I staring at the baby for all of her waking hours, and then spending her sleeping hours discussing how she is the cutest/smartest/snuggliest/funniest/sweetest baby there ever was and how in the world did we get so lucky. That would be more accurate. Ridiculous. But accurate. </div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-54507614781155015392012-07-20T12:30:00.000-04:002012-07-20T13:16:18.560-04:00What We're Doing. And Eating.<div style="text-align: justify;">
TGIF! Brace yourself for a post that is only fifty percent about my child. Baby steps, my frinternets, baby steps. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's what we're doing at the White Hot household these days:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Riding in the stroller like a big girl. I simultaneously love and hate it: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPPXqrmJfmzn5veSV-7LV9-elhxfoFELdBGkzkC4DwSRWcwIsPY_sSeRqUuQpKfsNlcBA-rd8yo41bsqSNFfEsLNn2PW81gynowt9XCzTILx_qMqG36Q1TyybVnxC7TrF4dbFsJQ_Mltz/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPPXqrmJfmzn5veSV-7LV9-elhxfoFELdBGkzkC4DwSRWcwIsPY_sSeRqUuQpKfsNlcBA-rd8yo41bsqSNFfEsLNn2PW81gynowt9XCzTILx_qMqG36Q1TyybVnxC7TrF4dbFsJQ_Mltz/s400/IMG_1631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Growing plants. In March, when I was getting close to being the most pregnant a human has ever been in the history of the world, my Mom came to visit and plant my garden for me, because I was not in much of a state to be hauling bags of dirt and bending over pots for hours on end. And also because she is the best Mom ever. I was surprised by all the naysayers who told me over and over again that I wouldn't have time to garden once the baby was here. So, because I am a little bit stubborn, I was determined to keep the garden alive past the end of April even if it was by sheer force of will. Fortunately, my girlie likes hanging out with me while I water, so the garden is still growing strong: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr_JHDCUN6yAbPMS4iBK5E29Av0MqsAZb-wfewj4HLY_RI9MtNshkeFMGK5j82JVvg-GjZV4915OPpixcjm89svwThx01WbKQE2VJq74WSF0MnTmZgXKrLCNvRub6tu8cwVPMsMN-T4_J/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr_JHDCUN6yAbPMS4iBK5E29Av0MqsAZb-wfewj4HLY_RI9MtNshkeFMGK5j82JVvg-GjZV4915OPpixcjm89svwThx01WbKQE2VJq74WSF0MnTmZgXKrLCNvRub6tu8cwVPMsMN-T4_J/s400/IMG_0643.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">First garden tomato. Nothing better. </span></i></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Watching these two become friends: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9054xOnfyKv5wTFB3IRteRITwt2m_pobxIqvobKhl9RrYXYqF9Q26Z_Rsxo9b_cOoPoi6qUK9My11LccDDprDkbS9DSsgYjvhRCUPOlpaBlqvdJ7FGsOkj0WNs3tSMqV524nPPsfmLg/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9054xOnfyKv5wTFB3IRteRITwt2m_pobxIqvobKhl9RrYXYqF9Q26Z_Rsxo9b_cOoPoi6qUK9My11LccDDprDkbS9DSsgYjvhRCUPOlpaBlqvdJ7FGsOkj0WNs3tSMqV524nPPsfmLg/s400/IMG_1601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes my Mama heart happy.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Watching my two favorite people together. When Hugh is giving Pen her nightly bath, I stand outside the door for a few minutes and listen to them; it never fails to make me tear up. I am much, much luckier than I ever deserved to be. Also, this baby owns Hugh, heart and soul: </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QC18V3t-r5d5OR9JwoIv9_32DLiQvY0gDyVcKEnos_8xoTaRd_dHGjErBryubkE8M0VvBw4oyrvnKm0ctVWq_VZWkYvSH0ul92h4RT2GBxZW3vZx4-1q-ZekGGGEIu446FOpFTQ6gj1F/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QC18V3t-r5d5OR9JwoIv9_32DLiQvY0gDyVcKEnos_8xoTaRd_dHGjErBryubkE8M0VvBw4oyrvnKm0ctVWq_VZWkYvSH0ul92h4RT2GBxZW3vZx4-1q-ZekGGGEIu446FOpFTQ6gj1F/s400/IMG_1610.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Getting ready to start traveling again for work next week. Also known as The Event Of Which We Do Not Speak. No photos of that, because photos of me pumping and/or crying are probably less than appropriate for the old blog. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now, about the eating. Much like it did before this darling girl entered our lives, the cooking inspiration and, more to the point, motivation, ebb and flow around here. If I can get it together to make a meal plan of fast and easy dinners <i>and</i> go to the grocery before Monday morning, we are eating home-cooked meals all week long (note: this has happened for a total of exactly two of the last twelve weeks). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If not, well, it's every man for himself. Because our super sleeper is down for the night between 6:30 and 7pm every night. And the hour before that is spent bathing/nursing/snuggling/reading to the sweet baby. And, since I am not 75 years old, I refuse to go out to dinner at 4:30pm. Let's be honest, usually I'm still eating my afternoon snack at that time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, our days of eating dinner out two or three times a week are on hold, for now. This means if I don't get to the grocery store, we're eating some combination of takeout/sandwiches/something from the freezer/leftovers/cereal. I know this is just a phase in our lives, and for once, I'm doing a pretty good job of not worrying about it. I'll be back to the kitchen every night again one day. <br />
<br />
Here are some standouts that have come out of our kitchen lately:</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://inthewabe.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/oven-hot-dogs/">Oven Hot Dogs</a> - Awesome. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsBgAG-S6V4KUQ_xCJ9rGGF5vLa6pJaKGEH8spaVAZLwXE44H3InY4szKEzsA6yJEEhRK7uGth5U8AAQD44xiJCNkK9HG1ZYFXJBYkTh7C6B6RZgb-YK4u2_mxB8BSKPbfLOjhup-ekdh/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsBgAG-S6V4KUQ_xCJ9rGGF5vLa6pJaKGEH8spaVAZLwXE44H3InY4szKEzsA6yJEEhRK7uGth5U8AAQD44xiJCNkK9HG1ZYFXJBYkTh7C6B6RZgb-YK4u2_mxB8BSKPbfLOjhup-ekdh/s400/IMG_0632.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig60H4ycVIJc003-IRy2nMB2pnvGsek4QGLc9RJvmVXAb6nuNmROiZNEmlaGXkxkHv2fZySXva1im2OILr-7sKB1WOo-p-l3N2j3EtFPpn31A3aDmS4h3Nak4O7e22e52iwmYtu2MHxXcy/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Tomato Sandwiches - Because what else would you do with perfect homegrown tomato?</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig60H4ycVIJc003-IRy2nMB2pnvGsek4QGLc9RJvmVXAb6nuNmROiZNEmlaGXkxkHv2fZySXva1im2OILr-7sKB1WOo-p-l3N2j3EtFPpn31A3aDmS4h3Nak4O7e22e52iwmYtu2MHxXcy/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig60H4ycVIJc003-IRy2nMB2pnvGsek4QGLc9RJvmVXAb6nuNmROiZNEmlaGXkxkHv2fZySXva1im2OILr-7sKB1WOo-p-l3N2j3EtFPpn31A3aDmS4h3Nak4O7e22e52iwmYtu2MHxXcy/s400/IMG_0645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/12/because-sometimes-you-just-need-little.html">Carbonara</a> - Making up for lost time by eating this once a week. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMwN_5axooTyu6dwRY5xZVU7ybTpNZSzMQp-7b0mC-CnI3_M3USdjmWK68lGWb8V3CBMitP5uel0sGjaDEqZZiRZZ_KysZa3KOE93jyN-85NWK4vmusg4DTh0pgl5G5Xmscj3ljrcG2tx/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMwN_5axooTyu6dwRY5xZVU7ybTpNZSzMQp-7b0mC-CnI3_M3USdjmWK68lGWb8V3CBMitP5uel0sGjaDEqZZiRZZ_KysZa3KOE93jyN-85NWK4vmusg4DTh0pgl5G5Xmscj3ljrcG2tx/s400/IMG_0368.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Lots and lots of pizza. Apparently that was less of a pregnancy thing and more of a pizza is delicious and I want to eat it every day thing. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, looking back at these meals, I feel like I should call this post God Bless Breastfeeding and All Its Calorie-Burning Glory. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
On that note, I'm off to clean up the kitchen before my favorite baby wakes up and my favorite husband gets home (before 1pm - woo hoo fourth year of med school, we love you!).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have a happy weekend, my happy friends. Maybe I'll even see you on Monday!</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-32331008893819920812012-07-16T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-16T15:18:36.293-04:00Perspective.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6005598594294489" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My struggle to get pregnant changed me. It made me a kinder person, armed with a new understanding that you can never fully know what burdens a person may be carrying. And now, with my daughter here, I know that I am different as a mother than I would have been - slower to get frustrated with the lack of sleep or to lament the loss of freedom and quicker to appreciate the tiny details - because I can remember the endless nights of lying in bed wondering if I would ever get to hear a baby crying down the hall. Those months taught me that these phases in life, both the happy parts and the hard parts, are only seasons. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6005598594294489" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As hard as that season of my life was, I managed to stay in (mostly) good spirits, trucking right along, taking the disappointment in stride. And then there was July.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Last July was the lowest point of those seventeen months. I briefly mentioned it </span><a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-were-doing-and-eating.html" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. Below is how I really felt. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">August 2, 2011</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Last month was the month I started the newest miracle medicine, so I felt
automatically hopeful at the beginning of the cycle. I'd read so much about
the importance of being in the best state, both physically and mentally.
As my "get yourself pregnant" book says, healthy bodies get pregnant. And
relaxation was an important part of that. So I relaxed and took care of
myself like it was my job. I took a week off of work with Hugh for a
little staycation. I slept ten hours a night. I ate well and drank water
and took all my vitamins. I learned yoga stretches and did them daily. I
took long walks with Fletcher. I came up with a plan to start
deep-breathing exercises every time I felt a surge of anxiety about this
cycle, and I did. I deep-breathed my way right through the month. My
body has never been so well-oxygenated. I kept telling Hugh and myself
that I wasn't going to get too excited, but really, that ship sailed
pretty much immediately.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And
then, 48 hours after ovulation I started the hormone supplements,
which I was supposed to take for twelve days and then take a pregnancy
test. Never having taken them before, I didn't really know what to expect
or how they would make me feel. Well, now I can tell you how they make you
feel. They make you feel pregnant. I was emotional and exhausted and
nauseated all the time. I made myself read the list of side effects over
and over and over again, trying to remind my brain that all of this
could be caused by the medicine. But I was just so hopeful.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
went down the rabbit hole of looking up due dates and timelines. And
then, what felt like one thousand years later, it was test day.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
woke up on July 14th in a foul mood, as if I knew somehow deep down that it wasn't the month. I dipped my test, turned it over on the counter, and
waited. Three minutes later, I flipped it over, already fearing what I
would see. One line. One single line. Again.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And,
this month, unlike every other month where I have felt a little blue
but then moved on, I lost it. The fear and grief and anxiety
and repeated disappointment and worrying and waiting and hoping of the
last sixteen months overwhelmed me. I called Hugh at the hospital, which I have done exactly zero times. I cried so hard on the phone, that I started hyperventilating and he
suggested he leave his rotation to come home at 11 o'clock in the morning. I
cried all day long. I cried while I worked. I cried while I talked to my
Mom. I cried while I cancelled my lunch date. I cried when I got back
in bed at 1pm with a stack of magazines for distraction. I cried while I tried to cheer
myself up by vacuuming. I couldn't believe that it hadn't worked. I
literally did everything right. My mind was in the right place. My body
was in the right place. My cycle was textbook perfect. And it still
didn't work.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
would love to tell you I woke up the next day and felt fine and dandy
and positive. But that would be a lie. It took me a full week to
recover. My heart felt tender and bruised. I, partially thanks to the
crazy surge of hormones, cried for no reason at least twice a day for a
full week.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hugh
was, as always, the perfect husband. Letting me cry it out or vent or be mad when I
needed to, but somehow knowing when I needed to be loaded up in the car
and taken on a drive and told funny stories.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The only thing that made me snap out of it was Hugh telling
me again and again, with total assurance, that we would get there.
That this wasn't the month, but one month it was going to be. It was
going to be our month. I was going to turn that test over and see two
pink lines. I was going to get to cry happy tears instead of
disappointed ones. We were going to get there. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I realized in July, more
than ever, the importance of choosing wisely. Of choosing someone
well-suited for you. Of choosing someone who wants the same things you
want. Of choosing someone who really sees you and knows you and loves
you deep down from that place that makes them tell you the same thing
over and over and over again, until they just will you to believe it's
true.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some
people daydream about the nursery or the clothes or the names. I lost
myself in thoughts of the joy I knew we would feel when I finally got to
tell Hugh we had gotten there.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One
by one, every single person I know who has talked about having a child has gotten
pregnant. Except me. And the only thing I can do is to keep on going and trying and waiting. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is no way to go but through it."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to hug that heartbroken girl, to tell her to hold on for just a little bit longer, because everything is about to change. To tell her that Hugh is right. To tell her that thirteen days after she writes that, there will finally be two lines instead of one. And next July, instead of mornings filled with hormone supplements and temperature monitoring and negative tests, her mornings will be spent having coffee in bed with her perfect baby. To tell her that the wait is worth it:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZocXGMSnMsWaxhABGPNtF7UqiQNjz5H3GTwcCOjksYdFS_IZLArMAo241QSDz9s3Q8vCyElHHpBtPAS-j5wsfJXsjSx3YeEH7nHTJY4aJD-rkDFd_pN-2GYrPWOjDq0YTWXBvXubIiIK/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZocXGMSnMsWaxhABGPNtF7UqiQNjz5H3GTwcCOjksYdFS_IZLArMAo241QSDz9s3Q8vCyElHHpBtPAS-j5wsfJXsjSx3YeEH7nHTJY4aJD-rkDFd_pN-2GYrPWOjDq0YTWXBvXubIiIK/s320/IMG_1681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">So very worth it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Time changes everything. </span> </span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-88562015835886850812012-07-10T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-10T07:41:08.216-04:00Month Two.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember at the end of <a href="http://whitehotinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/05/month-one.html">month one</a> when I said I knew I'd be
writing this post in a blink? Well, here we are. In what I'm certain was
less than a blink. More like a half blink. Or that half-closed then jerk open thing
your eyes do when you are so exhausted but trying not to fall asleep
(not that we know anything about that).<br />
<br />
I was pretty sure that at the end of last month I had maxed out on
love. I would like
to go back to that Mama of a one-month-old and laugh. I think my heart
grew three sizes during these last thirty days. Let's do it, month two:<br />
<br />
Penelope Catherine,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
As much as we loved our first four weeks with you, somehow your
second month was even better. It brought your first smiles, the
discovery of your sweet voice, a longer period of alertness between
naps, moving to your crib at night, the start of cloth diapers, and a wonderful
little thing we like to call sleeping through the night (and the angels
sang and your mama rejoiced). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWzmK0ZAAYf6A8b_dP_pJGvO1cxP6Pj4K34SQXTm_GuB-sOdPgZxucJsnXb7qGAdPierIiTrn6w_mMa6yokQTy739FUcOAg05_SlHJ7jgL2z7fz2gqWxMwd5IFsFId0mMvTV-_nkt18Gu/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWzmK0ZAAYf6A8b_dP_pJGvO1cxP6Pj4K34SQXTm_GuB-sOdPgZxucJsnXb7qGAdPierIiTrn6w_mMa6yokQTy739FUcOAg05_SlHJ7jgL2z7fz2gqWxMwd5IFsFId0mMvTV-_nkt18Gu/s400/IMG_1812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Around week 5.5, you and I started really hitting our stride. We
settled into a (fairly) predictable routine and started getting out of
the house more. This is also around the time your grandmother came to
visit for a few days. It was good for my mama self-confidence to have
her here, telling me I was doing a good job, reminding me that you and I
are both new to this being-a-mom and being-a-baby thing, and it's okay
that it takes a little time to figure it out. Even a mama needs her momma sometimes. I was hesitant to take you
out to run errands, afraid you would meltdown as soon as we walked into
the store, but, as your wise grandmother reminded me, the only way to
start feeling comfortable with something is to practice, so out and
about we went. <br />
<br />
She also kept you by herself for a couple of hours so I could run
some not baby-friendly errands (see: post office, office of vital
records, and the beverage store). This was the first time I left you
with anyone but your Dad. The two of you were fine. I was a nervous
wreck. Although, I did only call twice to check in and I refrained from
instructing her in how to dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency during
my absence.<br />
<br />
This month was a little quieter on the visitor front. Grandmother
was here for a few days in the middle of a week. You bring her so much joy. And then Aunt Maria,
Uncle John, and cousin Gianna came to visit for a long weekend. It was
so sweet to see you and your cousin together and made our hearts happy
to introduce you to people who have been so excited about your arrival.
Your Dad and I also took you on your first road trip to Savannah to meet
your daycare teachers, see Mama's work friends, and have lunch with Aunt Mandy, Uncle Matt, and cousin Charlie. You were a champ in the car both ways, save for the
mid-nap wake-up you got when Mama got pulled over halfway there. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kH8hcBLxozEZs2gvaGQnwyUpKnsRusZingZ47ReJab17D16puILggPkPzMjFkOqo5aUkizNDni3Et1Sr_5WHhE2C-6XtTRLS6ZQNySJ5rzFVa5LxYOpx61jaoL8mYSEZMLNfqjxaAWlZ/s1600/IMG_1340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kH8hcBLxozEZs2gvaGQnwyUpKnsRusZingZ47ReJab17D16puILggPkPzMjFkOqo5aUkizNDni3Et1Sr_5WHhE2C-6XtTRLS6ZQNySJ5rzFVa5LxYOpx61jaoL8mYSEZMLNfqjxaAWlZ/s400/IMG_1340.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We also made a visit to see my second favorite doctor for a postpartum check-up.
The office was so excited to meet you, and you were a little dream baby
in your carrier, sleeping away. I had to hold back my
tears many times during that visit. There were so many hard and sad and
scary moments in that office over the last two years, but in the end we
were lucky. Despite the struggle to conceive you and the worry about
keeping you in until you were fullterm and the trauma of your delivery,
I got to sit in that waiting room with you beside me, healthy, happy,
perfect - worth every single second of the previous twenty-five months.
You are just a miracle to me. When we were leaving, Dr. McD gave me a
hug and congratulated us again on your arrival. My tears finally spilled
over then; he will never know the depth of our
gratitude and how he changed our life. <br />
<br />
At your two month check-up, you weighed 12lbs, 2oz. Obviously, you are
still a serious eater. You eat 6 times a day now, for about 15 minutes
each time. You have started telling me when you are done nursing by taking a huge mouthful of milk and spitting it onto my shirt while you smile your giant open-mouth grin at me.
Changing my shirt five times a day seems to me a small price to pay to
see those big smiles of yours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NBenB320QUpx7VD-MJjbluy631mCtdsQep0HLJc15zjzSsrZA3AirvqFxeulZBoQ4TkXJOaJWAt26MUaw-lkQv7i8tC6qOn7J0tVLk1yZ0v9GloY9bMxKDuFOgkVI0Uto_aUx0OG8tP0/s1600/IMG_1852.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NBenB320QUpx7VD-MJjbluy631mCtdsQep0HLJc15zjzSsrZA3AirvqFxeulZBoQ4TkXJOaJWAt26MUaw-lkQv7i8tC6qOn7J0tVLk1yZ0v9GloY9bMxKDuFOgkVI0Uto_aUx0OG8tP0/s400/IMG_1852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWzmK0ZAAYf6A8b_dP_pJGvO1cxP6Pj4K34SQXTm_GuB-sOdPgZxucJsnXb7qGAdPierIiTrn6w_mMa6yokQTy739FUcOAg05_SlHJ7jgL2z7fz2gqWxMwd5IFsFId0mMvTV-_nkt18Gu/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kH8hcBLxozEZs2gvaGQnwyUpKnsRusZingZ47ReJab17D16puILggPkPzMjFkOqo5aUkizNDni3Et1Sr_5WHhE2C-6XtTRLS6ZQNySJ5rzFVa5LxYOpx61jaoL8mYSEZMLNfqjxaAWlZ/s1600/IMG_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
You continue to be a pretty champion sleeper. I attribute it 50% to
your overall baby amazingness and 50% to some hard work on my part getting
you into a routine and then preserving that routine with a very special
level of compulsiveness. I asked your pediatrician at your two month check-up if you were sleeping too much. He laughed at me. You are sleeping in your crib now for all your
naps (unless we're on the go) and at night. You are still being swaddled
in the Miracle Blanket (you little Houdini, you) to sleep, and you go down awake and put yourself to sleep. <br />
<br />
You typically take four naps a day - two 1.5 - 2 hour naps and two 45+
minute naps. You are awake for longer periods now, but you still max out
around 1 - 1.5 hours and let us know you're ready to sleep. This month
we implemented a bedtime routine: starting around 5:45, you get a bath
with Dad, then you nurse, then we have family reading time, and then
it's lights out between 6:30 - 7pm. I sneak back in before bed to feed
you one last time between 10 - 10:30pm. You are pretty much asleep
through this feeding, but I tried to drop it and you let me know you still
needed to eat by waking up at 1:00am for five days in a row. Message received. So, a dream
feed before bed it is. You will usually sleep until about 5am, and then
one of us sneaks in your room with ninja-like stealth to pop the
pacifier back in your mouth, and you will go back to sleep until 6:30 -
7am. All in all, we are a pretty well-rested bunch for the time being. I
know this may change at some point, so for now I am just considering
myself very lucky. And, I did feel hopeful when your most recent weekly development update had
this to say about baby sleep: "Whether your baby is a night owl or a
morning lark, a long sleeper or
short sleeper, that pattern will probably stay the same throughout
childhood." Fingers crossed, little one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIl0VmyG7WGmc1hJSmA8L1_yYHM7YovEzdT1PPb-BLOayYxllhbEA2Igidowa-BEl3bJkJwpbts9azW3lzMV69PeenwBwCKEtSa5ZDy0QH5xbeipu0TYihkklrQ7mMhw1sy2I_S1x7LWt/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIl0VmyG7WGmc1hJSmA8L1_yYHM7YovEzdT1PPb-BLOayYxllhbEA2Igidowa-BEl3bJkJwpbts9azW3lzMV69PeenwBwCKEtSa5ZDy0QH5xbeipu0TYihkklrQ7mMhw1sy2I_S1x7LWt/s400/IMG_1125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Developmentally, you were on fire this month. It seems like
every day you were more alert and more vocal. I would put you down in
your pack-and-play with your activity center so I could get something
done, but would inevitably end up standing there, watching you and
listening to you - growing and changing right before my eyes. You smiled
your first smile on May 31st while you were on the changing pad and I
was chatting with you. It took me so by surprise that I wasn't positive
that you were actually smiling on purpose. I moved out of your line of sight and
you stopped. Then I moved back over to you and you immediately broke into a
huge smile. I, of course, burst into tears. My heart wasn't ready for
that crazy rush of love and pride. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NBenB320QUpx7VD-MJjbluy631mCtdsQep0HLJc15zjzSsrZA3AirvqFxeulZBoQ4TkXJOaJWAt26MUaw-lkQv7i8tC6qOn7J0tVLk1yZ0v9GloY9bMxKDuFOgkVI0Uto_aUx0OG8tP0/s1600/IMG_1852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff7KFq5fVXyzdhYiOqtT5Df6NweI8JPj3vAr5uc62ykD7ONxGk920egz-U0WVcVRUZqWdRbQlYyceiGXxZPN2rPWK4CLfCGMaNDe4JhVPqHMZFp_akJojr-scPa5Z1ePbQYUGgf4QcfOp/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff7KFq5fVXyzdhYiOqtT5Df6NweI8JPj3vAr5uc62ykD7ONxGk920egz-U0WVcVRUZqWdRbQlYyceiGXxZPN2rPWK4CLfCGMaNDe4JhVPqHMZFp_akJojr-scPa5Z1ePbQYUGgf4QcfOp/s400/IMG_1307.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Your personality is coming through more and more. You are just a happy,
chatty, silly girl. You spend the majority of your awake time "talking" - to
us, to yourself, to your mobile, to Fletcher - in the sweetest little
cooing, girly voice I could imagine. I should also mention that it seems
I have birthed a bonafide Daddy's girl. Already. I'm not surprised, but I thought I would be
number one at least as long as you were breastfed, but, alas. Anytime
you hear his voice, you stop whatever your are doing and start looking
around frantically until your eyes find him. This also contributes to my daily shirt-changing, as Daddy loves to come and talk to you while you are
eating. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOjvILlIW9WyOruS9cZxu8WOvuSDINd6lbFlJ4sJ9_Hrm5ornOdR_t7PcD3uhNJnMOdMZjEg9m_GjGlypb9ZhiPBroB3BzY05gmo_85ffwEfh-iLeqsL48aN0W9bENCsVbVce9JTpVvLp/s1600/IMG_1460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOjvILlIW9WyOruS9cZxu8WOvuSDINd6lbFlJ4sJ9_Hrm5ornOdR_t7PcD3uhNJnMOdMZjEg9m_GjGlypb9ZhiPBroB3BzY05gmo_85ffwEfh-iLeqsL48aN0W9bENCsVbVce9JTpVvLp/s320/IMG_1460.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NBenB320QUpx7VD-MJjbluy631mCtdsQep0HLJc15zjzSsrZA3AirvqFxeulZBoQ4TkXJOaJWAt26MUaw-lkQv7i8tC6qOn7J0tVLk1yZ0v9GloY9bMxKDuFOgkVI0Uto_aUx0OG8tP0/s1600/IMG_1852.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As I said last month, this month has been the most wonderful, and
perhaps the fastest, of my life. Becoming your Mama has changed in me
the happiest, hardest, most wonderful way. I've started using the
term happy-sad to describe our life right now. Happy because I am so
proud of you and excited for you and so very grateful that you are here
and you are ours. Sad because the days feel like they are passing in
some kind of light year speed and, as elated as I am to watch you grow,
I wish it wasn't happening so quickly. Since I can't change time, I
will keeping enjoying my
minutes with you and storing these halcyon days in my mind to be recalled down the road. <br />
<br />
I am so lucky you are mine. <br />
<br />
I love you,<br />
Mama<br />
<br />
Post Script: The hair? Still totally awesome. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two Month Stats
<br />
<div>
Weight: 12lbs, 2oz (85%)<br />
Length: 22 3/8" (50%)<br />
Head Size: 15 5/8" (75%)</div>
<div>
Clothing: Depending on the brand, some 3 month, some 3 - 6 month, and a few 0 - 3month dresses.</div>
<div>
Diapers: Cloth - 2 middle snaps open; Paper - size 1.</div>
<div>
Eating: Nursing 6 times per day, 15 minutes per time. </div>
<div>
Things you love this month: Hanging out in your pack-and-play with the
activity center, bath time with Dad (complete with a musical education
and test driving new hairstyles), chatting with us (particularly when
you are on the changing pad or when we're hanging out in bed and having
coffee), sucking on your hands/dress/collar, nursing. </div>
<div>
Things you don't love: There isn't much you don't like this month. You are our happy girl.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First smile - May 31<br />
Slept through night - June 10<br />
First night in crib - June 20<br />
First road trip (to SAV) - June 28<br />
Milestones
- holding head and chest up during tummy time (5+ minutes), social smiling,
cooing (non-stop - lots of goo, gah, oh, and a few squeals).</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-74865164556868488852012-06-21T07:00:00.000-04:002012-06-21T10:36:32.298-04:00We Wake Up Happy.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, frinternets. I was emailing one of my favorite mamas recently and, in mentioning my very quiet blog, I wrote that I have one million thoughts in my head and yet, when I sit down to write, the words just escape me. And, though this little blog can be all over the place, it has previously been mostly about food, because that was what occupied my mind most of the time. But right now, my mind is occupied completely by my sweet baby. And if I don't write about these days, I'm afraid the details will slip away. So, I hope you will humor me for the time being. We'll get back to dinner, eventually...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Motherhood bowls me over one hundred times a day. It is happier and harder and easier and more exhausting and more fulfilling than anyone or any book could have prepared me for. At night, after I fall into bed so ready for sleep, my head hits the pillow and I get a few moments to relive the day again in my mind. And then, without fail, I find myself hanging my head over the edge of the pack and play that is nestled snugly against my side of the bed, shining the light from my phone onto my sleeping girl, stealing more time with her and trying to take it in, to wrap my head around this love that makes my heart ache.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then, before I know it, a new day is here - blink, blink, blink,
they are flying by - and we get to wake up and do it all over
again. Good morning, indeed: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqtZBy6AMqxdNsMV6Z0mQvULil2uYvrMN9Sgf3O-Am4ZrMtgP3gPWhVYKk2y0laCJKPQzN_gXTJfJ4JF4kivUVJYGzzLqucfn8ZkU3O-coU_iCevKOXH-lUOjaxVuujj9t8pCDg6ZFISG/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqtZBy6AMqxdNsMV6Z0mQvULil2uYvrMN9Sgf3O-Am4ZrMtgP3gPWhVYKk2y0laCJKPQzN_gXTJfJ4JF4kivUVJYGzzLqucfn8ZkU3O-coU_iCevKOXH-lUOjaxVuujj9t8pCDg6ZFISG/s400/IMG_1127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2gCRJoxuOPyMc4cZrni_R9DZhm1oFVNhNsjavfBwp1y9UmTBQEtker-kzM1-SJraYKQEqCTwSWNIR5QwdH2ZvKKRX30FlPs-YRMSmE4ERt6tvwSToRu5qLknytqSQtLPE2NL3-Ntc_Ok/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2gCRJoxuOPyMc4cZrni_R9DZhm1oFVNhNsjavfBwp1y9UmTBQEtker-kzM1-SJraYKQEqCTwSWNIR5QwdH2ZvKKRX30FlPs-YRMSmE4ERt6tvwSToRu5qLknytqSQtLPE2NL3-Ntc_Ok/s400/IMG_1128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6W1F2Khbe_ChTXhcsDyHNzc9dvcC8JOHM67beB5iEhSehaZDipCFsjAJjR4Cn9bg2-ogVoILcotbhZEtU3ljxnP9JKDxb2gfgP75CQ5dC3qUDF-9DecEShcGW2ZDEOb89siVbYo5TzKL/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6W1F2Khbe_ChTXhcsDyHNzc9dvcC8JOHM67beB5iEhSehaZDipCFsjAJjR4Cn9bg2-ogVoILcotbhZEtU3ljxnP9JKDxb2gfgP75CQ5dC3qUDF-9DecEShcGW2ZDEOb89siVbYo5TzKL/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-46160126538347366942012-05-30T13:37:00.000-04:002012-05-30T18:59:43.035-04:00Month One<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope turned one month old on Monday, and Hugh and I celebrated the best thirty-one days of our lives. And then I cried and asked him to stop time, because I'm certain that we brought her home from the hospital and then I blinked and it was the end of May. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a4LyvA-B4XWer7AQbSu3T8f6QEe7LRW_yPBoafttm1tkDnZjqzGiwD7J2BzA2ADITakci5wGowBqxJQNGf9xCdX3fjeth-W_xM9mBSA7pARY7nj87ii_YGvsVTGRSk8QkGZb5hl-kmzf/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No surprise, really, as I have cried at least once a day since April 28th - happy tears, overwhelmed tears, exhausted tears, am-I-doing-this-all-wrong tears, how-can-she-be-so-beautiful tears - but mainly just very happy tears. They come mostly during our late night nursing session while I watch her in disbelief that I get to keep her forever. From the second Hugh placed our daughter in my arms, my heart has felt like it would burst with love.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDKCFMoguBX9s5TJyyWz622EktSRcC7_-RUaJmrE-rhW3togZif9vCDtB5KThP9u_FjOv7nr1vkjIzQwpnvW792pUAsDWov74MkdrY-6MMSlRGdJxc11cpQlB8hvITGcFbQVAC-1TiuX-/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDKCFMoguBX9s5TJyyWz622EktSRcC7_-RUaJmrE-rhW3togZif9vCDtB5KThP9u_FjOv7nr1vkjIzQwpnvW792pUAsDWov74MkdrY-6MMSlRGdJxc11cpQlB8hvITGcFbQVAC-1TiuX-/s400/IMG_0011.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know I am biased, but I am fairly sure we've created baby perfection with this one. Here's what she's been up to this month*:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your first month has been a busy one. You were born, all 9lbs, 5oz of you, very dramatically, but everything turned out just fine and you are healthy as can be. Because you were so big and, in the end, had to come out very quickly, you had significant bruising on your head and face and hemorrhages in your eyes, but by the end of week two, it all cleared up and you looked perfect. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXNinWum2YwIXT75HnHiplgDgVcQtWJeXe0ziLQLwqQGHqFjdNnw3mL34AEQALim_rmW2nUyw5nvZtqXMqZhX_zeu66sK4CQZzQcUCtuS4ip3kVtEyXVpXMdI8Xtd-1AbnghUt-WnoslR/s1600/IMG_9547.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXNinWum2YwIXT75HnHiplgDgVcQtWJeXe0ziLQLwqQGHqFjdNnw3mL34AEQALim_rmW2nUyw5nvZtqXMqZhX_zeu66sK4CQZzQcUCtuS4ip3kVtEyXVpXMdI8Xtd-1AbnghUt-WnoslR/s400/IMG_9547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Two hours old. Bruised, swollen, and still the most beautiful thing we had ever seen. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, your hair. I would be remiss not to mention that crazy, beautiful head of hair. During your ultrasounds, it was the subject of much speculation, as the techs could see it billowing around your head. After you were born, people were stopping by the nursery to get a peak at it. And when you meet someone new, it is always the first thing they comment on. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love every single wild strand of it on your head.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a4LyvA-B4XWer7AQbSu3T8f6QEe7LRW_yPBoafttm1tkDnZjqzGiwD7J2BzA2ADITakci5wGowBqxJQNGf9xCdX3fjeth-W_xM9mBSA7pARY7nj87ii_YGvsVTGRSk8QkGZb5hl-kmzf/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a4LyvA-B4XWer7AQbSu3T8f6QEe7LRW_yPBoafttm1tkDnZjqzGiwD7J2BzA2ADITakci5wGowBqxJQNGf9xCdX3fjeth-W_xM9mBSA7pARY7nj87ii_YGvsVTGRSk8QkGZb5hl-kmzf/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
You have been entertaining visitors since day one - your Grandmother, Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Lofton, Cory and Cara, Sheena, and Aunt Mandy, Uncle Matt, and cousin Charlie while we were still in the hospital, and then your Great Aunt Chris, sweet Sheena and Addie, your Grandmother (again - she can't get enough of you) and Grandpa, and your Grammy and Poppi since we've been home. You've made me proud with your hostess skills and been such a cheerful girl with our company, even when you are off your schedule. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
At your two week check-up, you weighed 10lbs, 5oz - a full pound over your birth weight! I'd guess you are about 11.5lbs now, mainly because you are a super eater and have outgrown all your newborn clothes (as of day 10). You are serious when it's time to eat and don't waste a second- you nurse seven times a day for 7 - 10 minutes each time - all business and then you're done. I was worried at first you weren't eating for long enough, but your last check-up showed you were gaining about an ounce a day, so now I am trusting that you will eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. We think you have a touch of reflux, which your daddy and my baby books assure me is totally normal. Fortunately, it seems to be nothing 10 minutes of upright time and a few rounds of burping can't fix.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNW8uO0M8gv2wDy-AUYCGilCvV2ZletbHqSfot7WN62ppvEByEOsBFHU9faazXeUe4EOaGLSxQU36WjDwBjfOmBpmIbf44_rgMoUB2pv_JluaqDrqPJ3xGEp1ZsUEpo7SmoFJo4PQGxYG/s1600/IMG_0182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNW8uO0M8gv2wDy-AUYCGilCvV2ZletbHqSfot7WN62ppvEByEOsBFHU9faazXeUe4EOaGLSxQU36WjDwBjfOmBpmIbf44_rgMoUB2pv_JluaqDrqPJ3xGEp1ZsUEpo7SmoFJo4PQGxYG/s400/IMG_0182.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For all of your sleeping, naps and nighttime, you go down swaddled and drowsy but awake and, for the most part, put yourself to sleep. After two really rough nights at the hospital during which you didn't sleep a wink (being born is very confusing), you turned into a champion nighttime sleeper. You have gone from 2.5 hour stretches of sleep at night on day 3 to a solid 5 hours followed by another 3 - 4.5 hours. We have even had a few stretches of 6+ hours, which cause me to jerk awake in a panic and throw my hand on your chest to make sure you're still breathing. You are still in the pack and play in our room at night. I suspect you would sleep better and longer in your crib, but it just seems so far away from us right now. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your daytime sleep started off great, took a downturn around week three, and is now getting better every day, thanks to the help of your Aunt Maria and some re-reading of my baby sleep books. You take four solid naps a day lasting from 1.5 - 2.5 hours. At least two of these are in your crib. The other two are sometimes in mama's lap (because I know you're only going to be a newborn for a little blip in time) or in the car seat if we are out and about. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCYW45jT5RfG4Z96GE_2h0xIZM5tfOzeBXM-LMAA4lGEhbrxGb7Xu7u8pbEI_LlJkDRh5igziqRyFh3goohW-hD8B-Y1ksc7EUO_gicqtVjPnzfhbM6chDhWkzEj6z6tnh98ZsOCdcvMH/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCYW45jT5RfG4Z96GE_2h0xIZM5tfOzeBXM-LMAA4lGEhbrxGb7Xu7u8pbEI_LlJkDRh5igziqRyFh3goohW-hD8B-Y1ksc7EUO_gicqtVjPnzfhbM6chDhWkzEj6z6tnh98ZsOCdcvMH/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYPcr36juv81SluVlV-IqEpb7OMijhrTCi8h7LCwd_jCm7KqcOt01r0NW4fYymc9-8kQ_JykM3DSFVYgi6UT2Nkr5S22J-7CDDr6725NdTGoJw0wNuGFR9Oatj4G5mwhDKxs_l_X3_WM7/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> You are most epic stretcher of all time. Watching you wake up is endlessly entertaining.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Speaking of out and about, we've been mostly hanging out at home this first month, per your pediatrician's orders, but you have ventured out to a few of our favorite restaurants. These are the places we ate once or twice a week while you were growing away in my belly, so you have been greeted like a little ten pound celebrity whenever we walk in - everyone is so happy to see you on the outside!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCYW45jT5RfG4Z96GE_2h0xIZM5tfOzeBXM-LMAA4lGEhbrxGb7Xu7u8pbEI_LlJkDRh5igziqRyFh3goohW-hD8B-Y1ksc7EUO_gicqtVjPnzfhbM6chDhWkzEj6z6tnh98ZsOCdcvMH/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi8aGjFUdD4QXSTh6Qaw_EpMzsOBwPw4TEq42y89xDDX30G4TgcOTcXyixtcaUWB5WBcaUnfA9zZ47W3aZunfzmXT42F2Sd1IP4bRBOPSkSHnSYf-Z1tk9Kg_jIOo2rC-3DGivZ5PtbF4/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi8aGjFUdD4QXSTh6Qaw_EpMzsOBwPw4TEq42y89xDDX30G4TgcOTcXyixtcaUWB5WBcaUnfA9zZ47W3aZunfzmXT42F2Sd1IP4bRBOPSkSHnSYf-Z1tk9Kg_jIOo2rC-3DGivZ5PtbF4/s400/IMG_0360.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">First dinner out!</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Developmentally, you are changing so much every day. You have been strong from day one, which we mainly attribute to your size. You have great head control and are holding up your head on your own for 20+ seconds during tummy time. You are also bearing weight on your chubby little legs. You are tracking everything within your sight range (18 inches) as of week three - mama, daddy, your rattle, Fletcher - it's so fun to feel like you are starting to see us. This morning you noticed your feet for the first time, and spent three minutes staring at them perplexedly. In the last week you have started cooing, especially during your morning awake times. Your voice is the sweetest sound to our ears. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYPcr36juv81SluVlV-IqEpb7OMijhrTCi8h7LCwd_jCm7KqcOt01r0NW4fYymc9-8kQ_JykM3DSFVYgi6UT2Nkr5S22J-7CDDr6725NdTGoJw0wNuGFR9Oatj4G5mwhDKxs_l_X3_WM7/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYPcr36juv81SluVlV-IqEpb7OMijhrTCi8h7LCwd_jCm7KqcOt01r0NW4fYymc9-8kQ_JykM3DSFVYgi6UT2Nkr5S22J-7CDDr6725NdTGoJw0wNuGFR9Oatj4G5mwhDKxs_l_X3_WM7/s400/IMG_0384.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This month has been the most wonderful of my life. Becoming your mom and seeing your Daddy with you have so far eclipsed my loftiest expectations. Watching you grow is bittersweet for me; I am excited to see what you will do next, but I so love you exactly as you are right now. I'm doing my best to just soak in every second, because I know we'll be celebrating your next month in another blink. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I thank my lucky stars that all of our waiting ended with you, Pen. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love you,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mama </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One Month Stats</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Weight: 11.5lbs, estimated </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Clothing: 0 - 3 months </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Diapers: Size 1</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eating: Nursing 7 - 8 times per day, 7 - 15 minutes </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you love this month: Miracle Blanket, MAM pacifier, bouncy seat, neighborhood walks in the stroller, bath time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things you don't love: Being buckled into the car seat, getting out of the bathtub, 6:30pm (your fussy time), </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First tub bath - May 21st</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First outing - May 12th, Rooster's Beak for dinner</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Milestones - holding head up, tracking objects and people, bearing weight on legs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*This is mainly for my own record, so my apologies if you aren't interested in the developmental milestones of my kiddo. But seeing that I was recently talking on my phone while frantically searching the house for said phone, I felt it would be best to jot this down somewhere tangible.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-1754390840686556692012-05-11T11:11:00.001-04:002012-05-11T11:13:46.328-04:00On Mother's Day.<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last two years, Mother's Day has been a hard one - a reminder of the baby we were hoping for. But this year, everything is different. Wonderfully different. While it may be a Hallmark holiday, to us it's a chance to celebrate this dream come true:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCXvT6s9ORunUC4yynALuyYPHN0W0wN86EOEPss86XqvssBqiTXnSdVflKIGKcoB4JPxa5zJV8geUOPoEFcKlItXcmNcDybwUY-IuQmmd_kmLfRZxQESLPbKoLUQrBMhR3Eql9-rTlVLo/s1600/IMG_9861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCXvT6s9ORunUC4yynALuyYPHN0W0wN86EOEPss86XqvssBqiTXnSdVflKIGKcoB4JPxa5zJV8geUOPoEFcKlItXcmNcDybwUY-IuQmmd_kmLfRZxQESLPbKoLUQrBMhR3Eql9-rTlVLo/s400/IMG_9861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Our little family, five days old.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To my darling girl, you were worth every second of the wait. I just can't believe I get to be your Mama forever. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAj79S8LR2dLRE2nGVcdgKRyO8wTyrRzTw-ltR6uUemDHTuk0gMfMd0s8qazHgkx60-BQL9kxc3CIASF8vjl7k8HJOHOPBJBQJQ-Fa7v1YSBC6vrsUsN6YVLUXNxK2Pir-z4PEp_soLhK/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAj79S8LR2dLRE2nGVcdgKRyO8wTyrRzTw-ltR6uUemDHTuk0gMfMd0s8qazHgkx60-BQL9kxc3CIASF8vjl7k8HJOHOPBJBQJQ-Fa7v1YSBC6vrsUsN6YVLUXNxK2Pir-z4PEp_soLhK/s400/IMG_0167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, a happy, happy day to my own Momma. Having this baby has made me want to call you a hundred times a day to thank you for loving me. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ysVHbYeJJQSgoaBMkc6s8o0nY9ruiWV7UUC-u9HbBcmrJ_xHU3hh_D5tJTIEWZA2ctmAHIxSQWbxnPIm90sQPbtbG4BF4-Oh0_7uqs7r-0EAS3EQ5PFGtvAIWMn8NMeqIeJtI-4-fHCc/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ysVHbYeJJQSgoaBMkc6s8o0nY9ruiWV7UUC-u9HbBcmrJ_xHU3hh_D5tJTIEWZA2ctmAHIxSQWbxnPIm90sQPbtbG4BF4-Oh0_7uqs7r-0EAS3EQ5PFGtvAIWMn8NMeqIeJtI-4-fHCc/s400/IMG_9528.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Three generations.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<br />
I hope your weekend is peachy, my friends.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-45653453674621863082012-05-07T12:21:00.001-04:002012-05-07T12:21:17.544-04:00Daddy's Girl.<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope to be back later this week to tell you all about Penelope's birth and the perfect little bubble of love that was our first week home with her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But today our favorite guy is back to work and our house is feeling a little lonely. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRafTzpgW7tTESa3w2BruaF95NTsJpwk6yWTqNRKdCBWNsaq7SiPpLnl3vT_CN90Xuh2YeYxhc8NzrSIbcPRsSfIEsa_makVXlpYgvo5mxxRFthQ8Y6rFikkeiSNx8L6jovIxrXEqSllnM/s1600/IMG_9660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRafTzpgW7tTESa3w2BruaF95NTsJpwk6yWTqNRKdCBWNsaq7SiPpLnl3vT_CN90Xuh2YeYxhc8NzrSIbcPRsSfIEsa_makVXlpYgvo5mxxRFthQ8Y6rFikkeiSNx8L6jovIxrXEqSllnM/s400/IMG_9660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We miss him already. Tick tock, tick tock...</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-59813760868617783022012-05-03T10:23:00.001-04:002012-05-03T10:23:57.610-04:00And Then We Were Three.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_420408719"></span><span id="goog_420408720"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5hbWgNF41TThNnS-Q-_f5cFIdtXZe-ZYb2PrCtIORncT3txW832tlrS23sTlnQ28RME1ueTC9_7FBwL3cH5O380Zswvos8Hoou09xmYx57hX3LHZf0RrwPVq-FIthjshIvXsVbewEgiK/s1600/IMG_9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5hbWgNF41TThNnS-Q-_f5cFIdtXZe-ZYb2PrCtIORncT3txW832tlrS23sTlnQ28RME1ueTC9_7FBwL3cH5O380Zswvos8Hoou09xmYx57hX3LHZf0RrwPVq-FIthjshIvXsVbewEgiK/s400/IMG_9652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Penelope Catherine was born at 4:23pm on April 28, 2012. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
9lbs 5oz, 21.5 inches.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perfect in every way. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our hearts are hers. </div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-84659003136569198622012-04-25T06:09:00.001-04:002012-04-25T10:02:27.361-04:0032 Weeks Ago.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Still here. Still pregnant. Still going a little bit out of my mind with the anticipation of meeting this baby girl any day now. In the meantime, here's a little flashback from my pregnancy journal to one of my all-time favorite moments: our first ultrasound. </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7327866279198427" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7 weeks, 1 day. September 9, 2011</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9:45am</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
morning is our first ultrasound. I will be leaving the house in
approximately one hour to meet Hugh at the doctor's office. To say I am a
bundle of nerves would be an understatement. I have been tossing
and turning and waking up at the crack of dawn for the last three nights.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hugh
has reassured me at least ten times per day that
everything will be fine. After all of the waiting and hoping for this baby, I can't help but worry that we're going to go in and find out it was all just a dream.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">More
this afternoon, but for now I am deep breathing and willing myself to
feel at peace and hoping with every fiber of my being that we get to
hear the whoosh of a tiny baby heartbeat this morning.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2:15pm</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh my goodness sakes alive! There is really a baby in there!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
was a nervous wreck at the doctor's office. My anxiety coupled with the 55
minute wait made me a real basket case by the time the tech finally called
us back.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once we got into the room and got situated, I felt like I was either going to faint or vomit. Hugh was perfectly calm, as he has been for the last three weeks. I was lying back on the table and Hugh was
standing up by my head looking at the screen with my clammy hand clasped between his cool palms. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our tech started the ultrasound and I couldn't look for
fear that something would be wrong or there wouldn't be a baby there at all. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
decided I would just look at Hugh's face instead. Seconds ticked by, he stared at the screen, and I stared at him with my stomach in my throat. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All of the sudden he
broke into the biggest smile. A split second later, the tech proclaimed, "There's your baby!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I burst into tears,
looked over at the screen and, sure enough, a baby indeed. A teeny,
tiny baby with two arms and two legs flitting all around. Lots of happy crying and disbelieving laughter and hand squeezing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
ultrasound was quick, considering I could have stayed there
all day staring at that sweet babe. She did all of her checking and
measuring and said everything looks great. She also told us there was only
one baby in there, which disappointed the baby's daddy a bit. He was hoping for
twins. I was not.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
the ultrasound we met with my nurse and doctor. Here is one upside to
infertility: everyone at the office is really freaking excited when you
finally get pregnant. There was lots of hugging and handshaking and
congratulating from the people who know it has been a long road getting here.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All
in all, everything looks great and we are right on track to have a
baby sometime around April 26th. The perfect, springtime baby we have been waiting for all this time. </span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992219817411523221.post-71109777755355730812012-04-19T12:40:00.000-04:002012-04-19T12:40:40.325-04:00I Still Hear Wedding Bells.<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote style="font-family: lucida grande;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span>"We
talked and talked and talked. Maybe love comes in at the eyes, but not
nearly as much as it comes in at the ears, at least in my experience. As
we talked, lights flickered on inside my head; by the end of the night I
was a planetarium."</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Four years in and there is no one else in the world I'd rather spend my hours talking to: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCX9JOzv8IJafhipYvMoeajKwK2DzhvchQTn8gTtMoR3j12oYcsK9n4ftOMFqf-DKTI30VmDDHVMY5YzmbgGD50FNoxnbjvl9PaBaM67Dk_uxaB_G06civK06865t5pAM9hVYj8WctVuB/s1600/267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCX9JOzv8IJafhipYvMoeajKwK2DzhvchQTn8gTtMoR3j12oYcsK9n4ftOMFqf-DKTI30VmDDHVMY5YzmbgGD50FNoxnbjvl9PaBaM67Dk_uxaB_G06civK06865t5pAM9hVYj8WctVuB/s400/267.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.geoffsphotos.com/home.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Geoff L Johnson Photography</i></span></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And though we have had some pretty lovely adventures since we tied the knot, I'm particularly looking forward to our newest endeavor, scheduled to begin any day now:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmADu65t13xGcjXDk1JLRHg6Tyq1WKS4ccd1kV-N0D3ruA-PN8rvC4dlDOFJ1WCTXNKGaDUu6AKbbh1PUsSTkbh4TNyTDRH5_YcTvAsX4u0L9xgXS5kLAX0FDL-Y2oAP8VeHakmjGFQTa/s1600/IMG_8856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmADu65t13xGcjXDk1JLRHg6Tyq1WKS4ccd1kV-N0D3ruA-PN8rvC4dlDOFJ1WCTXNKGaDUu6AKbbh1PUsSTkbh4TNyTDRH5_YcTvAsX4u0L9xgXS5kLAX0FDL-Y2oAP8VeHakmjGFQTa/s400/IMG_8856.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://jennhopkinsphotography.com/">Jenn Hopkins Photography</a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy anniversary, h. I have loved every dinner, every handwritten note, every conversation, every single day we have shared. </div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05705273335821311743noreply@blogger.com3