D. Family Coffee Break

The pressures of parenthood are even more intense than I had ever imagined.  You spend your entire pregnancy worrying whether you're "prepared" to have a baby, not realizing that you'll never be prepared for the responsibility of raising a  decent human being.  In an attempt to prepare yourself, you spend nine months reading book after book. I look back now and of all the books I've read, the only baby book I choose to live by is the one written by the American Academy of Pediatrics- Caring for Your Baby and Young Child:  Birth to Age 5 .   According to it, there are two types of babies: 1- "The first infant is calm and quiet, happy to play by herself.  She watches everything that happens around her, but rarely demands attention herself.  Left on her own, she sleeps for long periods and eats infrequently." 2- "The second baby is fussy and startles easily.  She thrashes her arms and legs, moving almost constantly whether awak...

Leaving Bug to go back to work is the hardest thing I've probably had to go through (emotionally, anyway).  I changed my schedule so I could start at 7am and leave by 3:30pm, so I could spend less time in traffic after work and more time with Bug.  Since I start at 7am, I have to leave the house by 6:30am (at the latest). This tears me apart to leave so early because as well know, Bug is at her best early in the day- all smiles and giggles.  Week 2 of being back at work has officially begun and this morning, I was a wreck.  I got ready for work early and with 20 minutes left before I had to leave, I sat on the bed, hoping that Bug would wake up to say goodbye.  (It's pathetic, I know, but I've missed my mornings with Bug.)  I fully understand that I have to go back to work and that this is what's best for Bug and I'm leaving her with the best caretaker- Grandma!  Knowing all of this doesn't make it any easier to sit at work, looking at the clock a...

Bug has been socializing with all kinds of groups lately.  She's just a little social butter-Bug!  Last week, Aunt DeeDee was in the area and finally got to meet Bug for the very first time.  (Good timing, Aunt DeeDee.  You caught her in the A.M...otherwise known as her most awesome time of day!)     *Bonus Videos: Last Friday night, Grandma took care of Bug in the evening so that Wyatt and I could have a late anniversary dinner.  Can I just tell you how good it feels to put on a dress, some make-up, and have a glass of wine (or two)?   Grandma's been A LOT of help the last couple of weeks and we're SO THANKFUL.  (Sorry for all the crying, Grandma!  You're a trooper!) Grandma bought Bug a Baby Einstein book that Bug now LOVES.  So on Veteran's Day, Grandma and I were on a mission to find another book from the Baby Einstein collection just like it.  Sad times, Barnes and Noble...

I just wanted to give a short update.  It's day 3 of my first week back to work and I'm feeling good.  At the beginning of the week, I was a mess, mostly because I didn't want Grandma to be in tears when I came home from work.  (Bug's been adjusting to having someone new take care of her.)  Well, I've got some good news for ya'! Bug has had less and less tears and cries at home with Grandma every single day.  Yesterday I came home and Grandma gave me a great report card- no cries from Bug (outside of the usual cry for food or a wet diaper).  Yaaaay!  What a grown up!   I feel more and more at ease with leaving Bug at home with Grandma every day.  Now, how do we tackle day care in January?  Argh!  One day at a time, right? Grandma and Bug- purple princesses. :)   So random, but every time I take a picture of Bug, it looks like she doesn't have a neck.  Surprise! It's there! God Bless, Kat

We've made it, folks!  Bug officially hit her 3 month mark yesterday!   A wise lady once told me that every 3 months, I'll feel relieved and she was right.  Bug if officially sleeping anywhere from 7-10 hours every night.  Now, that doesn't mean she has a wake up call.  It just means that from the time we put her to bed, she will sleep 7-10 hours.  We have already made the mistake of putting her to bed too early and her wake up call was 4a.m.  (Our bad!)  We've learned our lesson and now know that we must "put her to bed" anywhere from 8:30p.m.-9p.m.  That way, Mommy and Daddy can catch some "zzzzz's" too.  :) Today, I'm back at work (and currently delaying opening 427 emails), to give you an update on Bug.  Last week, I (emotionally) prepared myself for my return to work by crying it all out.  (Sometimes there is just no other way to do it.)  Last night, I slept next to Bug's crib, listening to her br...

Halloween weekend, one of my good friends, Kathryn came from Washington D.C. to meet Bug.  Kathryn and I went to high school together, but afterwards, she returned to her roots and went back east.  (Sad times, I know.)  We had a fun-filled weekend and Bug got attached to Auntie Kathryn pretty quickly.  The day she left, I cried on the way to the airport, at the airport, and on the way home.  Sometimes you just don't realize how much you miss people until you see them again.  I am so lucky to have such an amazing friend. Bug and Auntie Kathryn's first official hello was in the bathroom at LAX.  Awesome. What can I say?  The girl LOVES being changed...even in a public restroom. Before fighting traffic on the 2 hour car ride home, we stopped to eat and feed Bug. A visit to Santa Monica  We are getting so good at this Baby Bjorn business.  (I still like the Ergo better, though.  Gotta save u...