Back to Work

Tuesday was my first teacher workday of the new school year. Returning to work has actually been surprisingly easy. I honestly think I was ready. Sometimes I feel like a bad mom, but I think I get tired of being home with Lily all day and appreciate her more when I can work during the day and then be home with her in the evenings and on the weekends. I know she is safe and happy at home with her Nanny Annie. Plus, I really like my job. I like the people I work with, and I love teaching. I always get a little giddy about the start of a new school year!

Lily's Dedication

Today was a very special day for my little duckling! Today she, along with six of her friends (our church is taking the "be fruitful and multiply" verse seriously :)) were dedicated. It was a touching service as Pastor CJ challenged us as parents to do our best to lead her down the right path while at the same time challenging the congregation to step along side of us in the journey.

As I looked around, I was blown away by how seriously my church family takes the "it takes a village" mentality. These are people who really have been our family, since family is far away. They brought dinner for two months when Lily was born (One even brought breakfast too!). Some stayed to hold and soothe her while we ate (which may have saved my sanity). There are times on Sunday I don't know who is holding Lily, but I know she is safe and there are ten mom's with eyes on her! In the last ten months, I have shared more lunches, dinners, coffees, and mothering discussions than I can count with many other moms. I know that I have a real fleet of people I can call at any time and with any need and they won't make me feel inadequate or ashamed. They will just be there. They love me, and they love Josh, and they love Lily.

I honestly don't know how people do it (by it I mean, parenthood, motherhood, marriage, life, everything) without community. I know that Josh and I are so blessed. So, to all of my community, Ekklesia and otherwise (because there are also quite a few of you out there that aren't Ekklesia, but still part of my "village"), Thank you and I love you, and I'm glad I have your help as I struggle to raise Lily the best way we know how!

**Case in point - Thanks to Nick Tripp for taking this picture when we didn't have enough hands to hold baby and camera!

The Beginning of the End, of Nursing That Is!

I just pulled the last of my frozen milk out of the freezer to thaw and feed Lily, and I can't help but be a little sad. I'm not totally giving up on nursing yet, but I'm past the pumping phase, which I know is the beginning of the end. When I start back to work next week, I'm not going to try to pump. I still plan to nurse morning and at bed time, but the rest of the day she will have formula until she is a year, then we'll transition to cow's milk.

There are several factors impacting the decision. One is that my pump is not working well. It fell in the back seat of my car and one of the prongs is bent which won't create good suction. Thus, when I'm pumping I'm not getting much. Another factor is just that she is getting older and eating a lot of food, so I know she is not as reliant on my milk. In fact, I'm not even sure about my supply and her satisfaction these days. I feel like when she does nurse (except at bed time) she only nurses for about five minutes on each side and then is done, then she still acts hungry. I've tried to get her to nurse longer, but she's just not super interested. :(

While knowing that this is the start of the end of nursing makes me sad, I also know it's a fact of her growing older. I'm sure this is the first of many leaps toward her independence, and a little piece of me is relieved not to have to worry as much about pumping, milk supply, and all that goes with that. Plus, it tempers the sadness to know that, come March, I'll have a new little one to nurse!

Little Sponge Brain!

Lily is definitely entering the "brain is a sponge" phase. She is constantly watching everything going on around her with they eye of a careful observer. And she's not just watching, she is learning! In just the last few weeks, I am finding myself constantly shocked by the things she can do that I didn't realize she could do.

Just to name a few, she can:
Stick out her tongue if asked (no demonstration needed)
Play patty cake
Brush her hair
Grab daddy's nose (and hold hers out to be "beeped")
Find and kiss her baby doll when asked
Kiss mommy or daddy when asked (if she wants to :)
Stand if holding onto any little thing (even a wall)
Climb the stairs (when daddy lets her)
Remove all the toys from her basket and climb in
Shake toys when asked
Say "bye" and "hey" like she knows what they mean
Regularly ask for "more" using sign language and saying "mo"
Say "nanana" for banana
Do sign language for milk and say "mi"
Say "dada" and "mama" regularly and with meaning
Eat almost anything cut into small pieces
Identify several toys by name

I still think I underestimate her sometimes and look at her as a little baby, but she is learning so much every day. I love all the learning, it is totally awesome! I have a feeling the next few months (and years) are going to be a blast!

Starting to Show & Telling People

So, we haven't totally gone public with Baby Hall #2 yet, but I think I'm starting to show! I know it's super early (I'm only almost 11 weeks), but if you knew me really well, you would notice. Most people, though, would probably just assume it's left over tummy from Lily. Perhaps in one way it is, but I still find that my roll of flab is turning into more of a round firm tummy. It's sort of exciting. It starts to make this pregnancy seem more real.

Since I'm starting to show some, it's going to be pretty much impossible to not tell people soon. Already most of our family and close friends know. Josh has told his work friends. I start back to work in a week and I'll tell my work friends then. I have to be honest. I'm a little nervous. I feel bad taking maternity leave twice in two years. I just pray the sub they find for me is better than the one from last year! I think that after next weeks twelve week check up we'll go "facebook" public!

Beach Baby (it's been a long time)

I know it has been a long time since I was on here. I had intentions of blogging about every adventure while we were at the beach last week, but ended up just not wanting to spend my time on the computer. This week, I've been busy with all the post-vacation stuff and enjoying my last few days before I go back to work.

We had a great week, despite Lily and I both having a cold. We didn't let it slow us down too much. We went to the beach every day and even took Lily Kayaking! She did great. She wasn't a huge fan of the big waves or of the sand, but she liked being on the beach with us. Luckily, because she didn't like the feel of the sand, she would stay on her blanket or in the pool. The inflatable pool which we filled with a bucket of sea water, was a huge hit. She would spend hours splashing in it. We ended up not even taking a pack n play to the beach for her.

The cabana we purchased got a bit of mixed reviews. It was really good to have the added shade, but it wasn't easy to put up, especially if it was windy. It took at least two people and at least five minutes. It was mostly too hot to actually be inside of it, but it was nice to put her pool and blanket in the shade of it for her to play. We used it several days, but also opted to leave it behind a few, especially since we mostly went to the beach late in the afternoon.

Other than the beach (where Josh caught lots of fish), a few trips around the village, and laying around the house, Kayaking was our only adventure. It was quite fun. We got a double Kayak and Josh did most of the paddling from the back seat. I sat in the front with Lily in the floor in front of me. She started out excited and talking, and ended up falling asleep. Adorable!

Overall it was a very fun and relaxing trip. I can't wait to do it again, but something tells me that, like most things, it will be very different as she gets older!

Ultrasound of Baby #2

Today we had our first ultrasound for Baby #2. I was excited about getting to see him or her for the first time and hear that precious heartbeat. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed. Not because anything was wrong. The "data" we got was all good. What made me leave there feeling down was the bedside manner of the ultrasound technician and the doctor. We decided to go to REX hospital instead of UNC because they could get us in a lot sooner, which was a mistake.

With Lily the people we saw always made us feel excited. At the first ultrasound, I remember them pointing out things and saying things like "listen to that strong heartbeat", or "look at those little leg buds". This technician, who wasn't even set up for an early ultrasound because she hadn't looked at my chart that closely, said absolutely nothing except to fuss at Josh who was trying to keep Lily happy. "Don't stand up, you might trip over that one electrical cord", "she can't eat cheerios in here", "I'm going to need you to be quiet", etc. She didn't even explain at all to me what she was doing (fortunately I've had an early, vaginal, ultrasound before or I'd have been really confused). She did play the heartbeat for maybe two seconds, but didn't say a word about it.

The doctor who came in introduced herself and said literally "It looks like you are about, um...how many weeks...oh eight...I mean seven." I honestly think that was all she was going to say, but I asked if everything looked good. Her response..."yes". Then I asked what the heart rate was. She looked at the technician who said "141". That was all...no more information was offered, so we left.

I was upset. I was sure, because of the way they made me feel, that something was wrong. But the reality is, as Josh helpfully pointed out on the way home, that all of the facts and details were good. There is a baby. It's in the right place. It's the right size. It has a heartbeat. All good. I was just feeling down because of the way their bedside manner influenced my perception of the facts. So, a word to all you medical professionals out there, know that how you treat your patients impacts their perception of their condition almost as much as the facts do!

The First Prenatal Visit - Take 2

Today we had our first prenatal visit for Baby Hall #2. It was pretty easy. They actually had a nurse call me last week and review my medical history so that part was already out of the way. The midwife (who was the same wonderful one who delivered Lily) remembered us and was very positive about seeing us again. I think that made us both a little more excited.

We reviewed the medical history and then did the physical part of the exam. Josh went with me, hoping they would either do a ultrasound or at least let us hear the heartbeat. Sadly, we weren't able to do either, but we do have an ultrasound scheduled for Friday. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing this little one.

A Tooth!

Horray! Lily has the start of a tooth. Yesterday, I was doing the feel of her gums that has become a regular part of our day, and I felt the start of a tooth! It is the lower right front. I called Josh right away and made him feel it as soon as he got home!

I was honestly starting to think she wasn't going to get any. Most of her friends, who are younger than her, have been getting teeth for a while. While she was chewing and drooling for a while, she didn't seem to be having actual teeth coming through.

The great news is that it doesn't seem to be bothering her much, if at all! I have lots of teething toys, but she doesn't seem to interested in any of them. Yesterday, she had her first teething biscuit. I'm not a hundred percent sold on those things. She did really enjoy it and it kept her quite and occupied for a while we were out to dinner. But, they aren't supposed to be able to get choke size pieces, but Lily did. They are also incredibly messy! I might just stick to hunks of bagel.

Lily and the Kitties

Since Lily has become mobile, her chief goal is to capture our two cats. If one of them comes within her sight, she lets out an excited little squeal and is off after them. The funny thing is that the two of them have responded very differently to her advances.

Mr. Sophie seems to enjoy the attention. He is incredibly tolerant. He will let her grab him and roll around on him without even hardly flinching. He could easily escape, but chooses to stick around and let her wallow him. It's sort of cute, but I sometimes feel bad for the poor cat and have to intervene.

Nutmeg, on the other hand, is trying to kill Lily. I'm pretty sure. She does not like being gotten, but she is tricky about her escape. She doen't just flee and hide somewhere. No, she tries to lure Lily to her death. If we are downstairs, she will stay just out of Lily's reach and go to the steps where she stops about four steps up and flicks her tail to lure Lily to try to climb after her. If we are upstairs, she does the same thing, only going about four stairs down. I am convinced she knows that Lily can't navigate the stairs and is trying to get rid of the little pest that keeps chasing her! :)

Yep...Definitely Pregnant

Today I think I really started to feel pregnant for the first time. For the last couple of weeks, I've feel pretty normal. In fact, I sometimes forget that I'm pregnant. Not today.

I'm not sure if it's the heat or just the fact that its week seven (which is when I started feeling yucky with Lily), but I have felt sort of crummy all day today. Not horrible, just not great. I woke up at 4am when Josh got up to take his brother to the airport and had to brush my teeth because the taste of my own mouth made me feel a little ill. That slightly ill feeling persisted all day.

By the afternoon, I was struggling. I could hardly stand to do the grocery shopping and the fact my house smelled like cookies made me slightly nauseous. How sad is that? A friend baked me cookies at my house, and I couldn't appreciate it. I had that slightly nauseous extremely exhausted feeling that I remember very well from when Lily was little. All I wanted to do was rest. That's a lot harder though, now that I have Lily to entertain.

Luckily, I got to nap while Lily napped, which helped some. Then my wonderful husband came home and cooked me dinner, and my precious baby played sweetly in the floor, while I laid on the couch, which helped a lot! Still, I am pretty sure the next few weeks might be a bit tough.

Beach Baby: Advice Needed

In two weeks we are headed to Ocracoke! I am super excited. If you haven't been to Ocracoke, you should go. It is by far our favorite beach. It's quite remote, you have to take a ferry to get there, and never very crowded. In fact, there is absolutely no development on the beach itself. All of the hotels and rental houses are in the roughly one square mile Ocracoke Village. There is beach access in walking distance, but we always preferred to drive down the island a few miles, park on the side of the road, and walk over the dunes to our own private beach access! It is heaven.

In years past, we had a good system. We took a cooler, two beach chairs, an umbrella, a book, and some fishing gear. There we would remain most of the day. Me with my feet in the water, a book in my hands, and a cool drink. Josh, with his feet in the water, a fishing rod in his hands, and a cool drink. It was heaven.

Something tells me that this year will be different. I need the help of those of you who have take your little ones to the beach! I'm not even sure exactly what to expect with a little one. I know that we will not be able to spend long stretches of time on the beach. I'm thinking about getting one of these tents for her to play in on the beach. Does anyone have experience with one (or one they would want to loan us!)? I also, at the suggestion of a friend, got a cheap inflatable pool we can put seawater in for her to play in on the beach. Does anyone have any other helpful hints from past experiences?

Ox and Rabbit Soda and Sundries

This afternoon Josh, Lily, and I headed to 9th Street in Durham for some lunch at Elmo's. After lunch we walked down 9th street to get some coffee. Along the way, we stumbled upon Ox and Rabbit Soda and Sundries. What a delightful little store! As the name suggests it's part soda fountain and part unique boutique. We were too full from lunch and coffee to try the soda, but spent quite a while perusing the boutique.

I was drawn in by a display of Baggu reusable shopping bags in the window. For a while I had been wanting some of these easily foldable bags. We have a lot of reusable shopping bags, but they are somewhat cumbersome and I never can seem to remember to put them back in the car after unloading them. It also always seems like a lot of work to carry them and Lily around the store while shopping. I got three Baggu bags that fold up very small and zip into a little pouch which will keep them handy in the diaper bag or my purse! Perfect!

However, I have to tell you that it was very hard to restrict myself to just that one small purchase. Ox and Rabbit had so many other cute things. Along with unique stationary and all sorts of home goods, they have a large variety of things for kids. The adorable sock puppets and a cool place mat for kids that they can draw on over and over again and easily erase were probably the two most tempting things for me, but Josh was drawn to a drawing of a banjo!

I'll admit that their prices are a bit high, but not exorbitant for such interesting finds. I'll definitely venture there again when I'm looking for a cute gift or wanting an old fashion soda!

Fantastic Finger Foods!

I am learning that Lily will eat almost anything that isn't on a baby spoon! She has recently been starting to reject more and more of the "baby food". I'm not sure if it is the texture or watered down flavors, or just that she wants the independence of feed herself, but she will not eat pureed peas from a spoon, but give her some as finger food and she goes to town!

Her meals today included finger food blueberries, Lima beans, strawberries, pea, zucchini, cheerios, and whole wheat bread. Over the weekend she had so many different things I'm not sure I even know about them all. I know she had re-fried beans, rice, guacamole, salsa, peach frozen yogurt, key lime pie, baked beans, and who knows what else my friends and family didn't tell me about. She chowed down on it all.

I have to admit that I was afraid it would make her tummy upset. I told Josh (after he was feeding her from his plate at a Mexican restaurant) that he was in charge of diapers for the next forty-eight hours. In reality, though, it didn't seem to impact her digestive system at all. It appears our little one has a tummy of steal!

All of this is good news. I would love to be able to just feed her what we are eating from the table! I realize, of course, that I do need to be careful about how much fat, salt, and sugar she is getting, but I should probably watch how much of that I'm eating as well! Anyone out there have good finger food suggestions?

Family Photo Fun!

A few weeks ago my friend, and very talented photographer, Star came to visit. She, Lily, and I headed up to Virginia to visit our families and take some pictures. The main goal was a photo shoot with Lily and my two year old nephew, her cousin, Jesse. It was a bit of an adventure, but the photos we got are worth it!

After much debate we decided that the best location was my grandparents farm over in Shiloh. It really is beautiful and has many nice backdrops (white farmhouse, porch swing, old fence, barn, goats, horse, and lots of green!). The only problem was that Jesse was not in a mood to have his picture taken.

In most of the shots on the farm he as a bit of a scowl on his face. Lily, ever the ham (and too young to really know better) is smiling away. We did manage to get a couple cute ones of them separate, and maybe two usable ones of them together before heading out to get lunches and naps and try the photo shoot again.

Later that night, after everyone slept and ate, we did have a bit more luck. We were able to get some really cute shots around my mom's house and the boat docks. These are some of my favorites! (*You can check out the rest on facebook by liking Lil Paperia Photo. They probably look better the way Star has them edited, but I think square really works best for blogging...sorry!)