Thursday, September 22, 2011

Ten years, man! TEN!

Really only three months. THREE MONTHS, MAN! THREE MONTHS!

I cannot CANNOT fathom our life without Ada. I wouldn't want to. This little chicken is so much fun to be with (usually) and her smile is my favorite thing of all times.

Three months. She's drooling, talking, beating the shit out of her play bridge, and loves the sound of pages turning in books. She's working on laughing and shrieking. Her gas passing makes her upset. And amazingly, she's starting to reach for things, and when you hand them to her, she'll grab them and bring them to herself. Her face lights up when she sees Jeffrey and her favorite song right now is "You Are My Sunshine" and she even tries singing along. She's as tone deaf as Jeffrey and I!

We love you. Maybe not that shriek though. Dude, that is LOUD.

Ada, this morning, on her three month anniversary.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Jiggety, jig!

Ada and I successfully visited Cary! She's great little traveler.

We left on Thursday at 1:45 a.m. for the airport in Phoenix and Ada, although she didn't sleep the whole time (I could hear some telltale "I'm awake and I have my hand in my mouth!" sucking sounds. It sounds kind of like zombies eating brains...), she was quiet and happy in her carseat all the way from Prescott to Phoenix.

The ErgoBaby carrier we have was great for navigating the airport. Once in it, she would happily look around, lick the sides of it, and occasionally snooze as I hopped airport shuttles, found gates, got annoyed with the counter clerks, etc. She charmed just about every stranger she met with her chatting, smiling, and angelic little sleeping face. We only had a little wingeing in Charlotte on the in when the plane was delayed. Since other people were far more cranky about it, I thought she did pretty well!

Seeing family in NC was great. It was wonderful getting to see her hang out with my dad, sleep in Eric's arms, try on Lindsay's hair, and talk to my mom (the two of them were quite chatty while driving places). Ada also got to meet her great grandmother.

While there we did some shopping, went to watch a horse show, and went out to the barn to see Jack. Jack was pretty unsure about the little monster that had shown up, so we kept the two separated. Maybe next time she and Jack will be a little more comfortable with each other.

It was a great visit and it was amazing what a wonderful baby we have. She also slept well while we were there and there were a lot of loving arms willing to snuggle the baby so I had a lovely little vacation as well!

Maybe red would be a good look for her!

Manicures with Marc

Generation gap-- Edith's first visit with Ada

Ada sleeping in Susan's arms

Ada looking gorgeous in the hat Lindsay made for her.

Hanging at the barn

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

"Oh stewardess, I speak jive."

Very early Thursday morning, Ada and I take flight together for the first time. I've been preparing for our airplane trip to North Carolina since the day I bought the tickets.

Everyone has experienced screaming babies on planes. I've always felt bad for the parents on the plane with the inconsolable child. I've never felt like they weren't doing their best to calm them.

I hope I have nice people sitting next to me. Ada is generally a pretty calm customer, but when she gets overtired and overstimulated, there are only a few things (so far) that seem to help calm her down -- and those aren't guaranteed.

Who knows what I'll get? Honestly, I'm actually looking forward to the flight. There are few times during the day that I get to just sit with her and hang out peacefully -- no cell phones, work, dogs, or household chores waiting to be done. Just Ada and I camped out in our little seat wishing people wouldn't bring stinky food on planes.

The flight is from Phoenix to Charlotte and then a quick jump to Raleigh. That will give us a good chunk of time to just sit and hang out. I think it will be great. She'll get to sleep in the car ride down and though I anticipate the airport jaunts will probably be pretty cranky, once on the plane and settled, I'm guessing Ada will get bored, eat a bit, and then fall asleep to the soothing tones of the jet engines.

It's going to be an interesting trip!

Once we get to NC, Ada and my dad will finally meet in person! I'm pretty excited about that. We'll also get to see Edith and the rest of the relatives as well and a photo op is planned with Jack the Horse.

Looking forward to it! I hope my enthusiasm is enough to keep me resilient against crying babies, evil eyes, exhaustion and dirty diapers!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Hoping this isn't a trend

It is 5:30 a.m. and I've been up since 4 a.m. And every two-hour increment before that since 9 p.m. when we started this whole "sleeping" plan (we start the "go to bed" sequence around 8 p.m.)

I hope that we return to our regular schedule of sleeping until 2:30 a.m. in a chunk so that I don't die.

Mornings, well I guess I should write that "mornings" can be a bit tough anyway as Ada usually wakes up around 2:30 a.m. for a feeding, then again at 4 a.m.

It really wouldn't be so bad (it's particularly nice when Ada gives me big grins -- I love that part) except that The Dogs think that if I get up at 4 a.m. it is close enough to morning for them to be fed and be taken for their morning ablutions. I disagree with them. It is also too early for me to seek out Jeffrey for them to convince. I can usually push them until 5 a.m. but then their joy wakes up Ada and I've got two food-obsessed dogs and a cranky baby. This is usually when I have to knock Jeffrey out of his slumber to help.

Today I'm going to be tired and I don't really think a nap is going to be fit in to the day's schedule. This is particularly unfortunate because tonight Jeffrey and I are leaving Ada in the care of someone and are going to a fancy benefit gala with his law firm. I'm going to be gorgeous! Pass me that Benefit Erase Paste as I now need to coat my entire face in it ...

Of course all the 4 a.m. slap-happy dogs are now sleeping soundly again.

At least Ada has the good sense to be wide awake and playing in her gym to make me feel like I'm not just a dupe :)

Good morning!!!! *head desk*

EDIT: 5:50 a.m. Ada is now asleep again. I guess I'm going to sack out on the couch and try to catch a few winks ... *head couch*