Santa Baby

Today we took Miss C to get her picture taken with Santa. Look closely at the smiling baby and the fact that she is NOT sitting on Santa's lap. We are actually in the family restroom at the mall changing out of her dress and into more comfy close. She saved all her smiles for this part of our trip. There were no smiles for Santa. She didn't wail while sitting on his lap but she wasn't real happy about it either.

I need to scan the pictures to be able to post them and haven't done that yet. But seriously this is a way better picture.

Basement renovation

I didn't really take any pictures of the basement to record the renovation. I know somewhere I have a picture of the gas station bathroom but I can't find it at the moment.

I see you!

Things that go bump

There are many perks to Miss C's new independence and ever budding personality. She can hold her own bottle, feed herself an assortment of foods, get around on her own via super fast crawling, entertain herself, and communicate pretty clearly her likes and dislikes. While she is still dependent upon us for everything there is a lot she can do for herself which makes things a lot easier for us.

One of the drawbacks of her no longer being a tiny swaddled bundle with high levels of new mobility is that there are more opportunities for injury. In the last week we have experienced two such injuries.

The first involved an eye being smacked against her music stand while trying to sit down. We realized quickly that we had no baby ice pack and ended up putting a teether on her face to stop the swelling. The second involved blood and was slightly more tramatic. While dancing to Sesame Street in her crib when I was putting away her clothes Miss C got a little caught up in her dancing and ended up hitting her mouth on the railing of her crib cutting her gums. That definitely was not a fun time with the blood and the crying and the swollen lip. I don't think dealing with those types of things will ever get easier.

In other news we are FINALLY putting our tree up today and taking Miss C to see Santa this week. She's already been once with Mia and neither of them were too thrilled with the old guy. I am doubting the experience this week will be any different but we shall see.

Here's lookin' at you kid

We got Miss C this music station and she LOVES it. Now that she can pull herself up she holds on to it and bounces around to the songs it plays. This typically encourages her Dad and me to dance too.

There is just something innocent and precious about a sleeping baby...especially one that you helped create.

Miss C, my independent girl, is hell bent upon feeding herself every chance she can get so we just let her go to town. She loved it and I think some of it actually got in her mouth.

Looks pretty mischievous doesn't she?

Miss Amy came for a visit tonight and brough Miss C the cutest little poncho. Of course, she loved the paper and ribbon more but that's to be expected. Amy also took these amazingly beautiful pictures of Miss C for SP and I and gave them to us framed as gifts. I feel like an ass because our gift for her isn't done yet...but I am working on it.

Let it snow

Without a doubt Miss C loves the outdoors. She definitely doesn't shy away from the sun or the rain or the snow. Yes, the snow. Yesterday she got to see her first snow and she loved it. We were playing inside and big fat puffy flakes were flying outside and she just sat and watched. Then I let her look out the backdoor and she squealed with delight. She does that a lot, the squealing with delight, but moreso when outside. It's hilarious and I have visions of her hugging the Earth in her hiking boots and backpack.

SP and I got a little adult time last night going to a local comedy club and then out to see a band play. We were out until almost 2 which is quite impressive for us. Miss C was in Louisville with Nana and Papa who took her to church for the first time. They say she was blessed by the Bishop which I hope is close enough in god's book to baptism because we don't plan on getting her baptized and I need something to cleanse away the residue from that lingering Catholic guilt.

Tomorrow starts week 2 of day care. Miss C now has a snotty nose, which I totally expected but dislike nonetheless. I am starting to get a little rhythm in the mornings and figuring out the routine that works best for me when I drop her off.

There hasn't been any crying in the morning when I leave which is good. The crying comes in the afternoon when I pick her up. I think it's because she is exhausted and just wants me to take her home. She gets all excited when she sees me clapping and crawling towards me but as soon as I get out of her site she wails. Like I said, I think it's because she is so tired because she's getting up earlier, not napping there well and falls asleep immediately when we get in the car to drive home. I hope that gets better this week.

Just stomp on my heart why don'tcha?

Days 1 and 2 of day care have been uneventful. No one cried...including me. While naps and eating for Miss C are a little off, we got through the first days with relative ease.

Today, however, is another story. Miss C realized that I was going to be leaving and crawled up to my leg and grabbed ahold of my pants. Can you say HEARTBREAKING? I seriously had trouble leaving because the look on her face was like - why are you leaving me here Mommy? That little baby cries a lot and the other one is always snotty. Take me home. Please Mommy.

Granted, she was probably fine once I left but wow! that was not easy.

I miss Miss Amy.