Month Three

You are a very curious child. Every morning I take you over to the fridge and as soon as you see the Periodic Table of Elements you laugh and laugh. Then you get very serious, because, after all, this is the Periodic Table of Elements. After about 5 seconds of heavy concentration you begin to babbling. I can only assume you're reading aloud about each element, giving me a blow by blow of what they are and their characteristics. Sometimes you get so into your discussion that you try to jump off of my shoulder and into the chart itself. Kind of like a science version of the scene from 'Mary Poppins' where everyone jumps into the painting on the sidewalk.

We have also noticed that you love the printed word. After a feeding I'll read you a book. Perhaps "Oh the THINKS You Can Think" by Dr. Seuss. You entertain my need to read you this childhood classic, all the while flailing your arms and legs about to show your impatience because I'm lingering on a page for way too long. Oddly enough, when I show you a non-picture book, such as "Eat, Pray, Love" you just stare at it for minutes at a time. There is no leg thrashing, or eyes diverting to other objects around you. No, you are captivated by these tiny black and white patterns.

As for the never-ending quest 'tummy time,' some progress has been made. I've learned that you don't have any problems lifting your head. What it all boils down to is whether you feel like putting forth the effort of lifting your head. We are successful if you're placed down during your happy time and on the blanket your Mimay made you (because the back side is a pink gingham pattern with fairy bears dancing around -- fun eye candy). As extra precaution, the parent who is monitoring tummy time must get on the floor and place their head directly in front of yours for encouragement. Once everything is set, you will lift that huge head of yours for about two minutes before you realize you're on your stomach and a meltdown occurs.

You have also discovered that you have thumbs. And why would this be so important? Because you are slowly learning that my nipples aren't binkies and if you want to suck on something while falling asleep at my breast you need to find an alternative. I'll remember when you realized that your thumb existed because you put it into your mouth as if it were a toothbrush. You went to town on scraping your gums clean while sucking poor thumb into a shriveled raisin. The look on your face was one of confusion, disgust and yet complete satisfaction.

Another milestone is the 'startled' phase. And it isn't that you get startled at a really loud sounds, it's as if all of life is startling you. Like "What the f*k did I get myself into?" There are days when I'm feeding you and I start to stare of into space. After a few moments I look down at you only to see you staring up at me. I do a double take because I didn't expect you to be staring at me and apparently that double take startles you because you get this look of horror-leading-into-another-meltdown look on your face. One time you got to startled you did end up crying. Then the other day your grandpa comes to visit and as he walks through the door he says the customary "Hello." I thought you were going to jump from my arms and cling to the ceiling. Why that startled you so much, I haven't a clue. I just hope this phase is a short one, otherwise you might start seeing a cardiologist at the ripe old age of one.

The last big change we've seen this past month is your sleep cycle. Unfortunately there are still nights where you only give mom a solid 3 hours of sleep before waking up because you managed to Houdini your way out of the swaddle... again. But luckily those nights are starting to melt into longer, calmer nights where you pass out for about 7 hours before needing a feeding. I *heart* those nights! Let's keep them coming.

As for nap time. We need a bumper sticker for your crib "Naps r 4 Suckas... SUCKA". Seriously child! What is wrong with taking a nice 2 hour nap during the day? Not only does mom need one occasionally, but mom also needs to get things done and since you haven't discovered the joy in toys and insist on being entertained, I don't get much "me" time to accomplish said tasks. This is where I am going to take a stand and encourage your afternoon naps. My mental, emotional and spiritual state require you take these naps before the men in white come to take me away.

I Have TWO Parents?!?!?!

I just went downstairs to ask hubby a question. While talking, baby-girl looks at me, then turns to look at dad, only to turn to look back at me, and then again back at dad.

*baby-girls mind*: "What? Is this true? Am I really seeing TWO PARENTS?? But I thought there was only one that changed form based on time of day? Wow! This is making me dizzy..."

She must have checked us both out for about 5 minutes. It looked like she was watching a tennis match with the most incredulous look on her face. And we were just beaming with pride (ok, beaming beneath the laughter) because she finally understands that mamma and dadda are indeed two different people.

I'm so proud of my baby-girls' developments.

I Didn't Think I Was Missed THAT Much

Received a "Please Come Back" mail from AAA. Apparently they really miss me because my name has been modified from Christine to Christ.

Wow. I'm flattered.

Dorks.

Going For The Gold

Well, not quite. But a "Yea! I've Finished" medal is received.

Back in December when I was about 4 months pregnant, I signed up for the Baltimore Half-Marathon in hopes that it will get me back in shape. When I told friends and family about it, I would get the universal eye-roll and a "Sure! OK." response. Because apparently when you have a baby you can't do anything that doesn't include said baby.

Well, all I can say is "Ppllllttthhhhhhhh" to you. Because, baby, I'M DOING IT!

For the past 1.5 months I have been working out for about an hour every morning. Then last week I decided to check my diastis recti issue and the separation is becoming less of one -- I'm only 2 finger widths apart instead of 4. On that good note, I started running with Ollie to his dog camp (a good 3 miles round trip).

Using Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training Guide, which I had used for my last half marathon, I know that I'll be able to run it without a problem. I was going to use the intermediate training, but decided to move down to novice. Since I hadn't been running in almost a year, I'm opting to complete the course in one piece, not speed through the course and come out broken. Of course the marathon is in 8 weeks and the guide is for 12 weeks. Eh... not a biggie. Again, another reason to train on the novice level. I can start at week 5 and not injure myself come Saturday's long run.

Holy cripes. I'm so excited I feel like taking a run now!

Oh no. Say It Ain't So

I'm in the car driving back from a very pleasant outing w/ baby-girl (meaning she slept the entire hour we were out). Flipping through the radio channels I stop on Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". Cool. Or perhaps not.

The song ends and I hear the station's advert "Lite FM". WHAT?!?!? Crap. Is it true? I thought only the likes of Neil Diamond and Sade and Lionel Richie were considered 'lite' music. Now Green Day?

A little piece of me just died.

Yay for Buttons and Zippers

Right now I'm wearing one of my pre-pregnancy jeans. Yes! That is correct. Granted it's my wide-leg pre-pregger jean from Express, but I don't care because IT HAS BUTTONS AND A ZIPPER!!

One down and 4 remain.

*Oh-oh. And my abs have gone from a 4.5 finger separation to little over a 3-finger separation. THE JOY!!!*