..because she has a big house in Eugene and loves it when I come down there with Rachel. I gave Drew a baby-free day yesterday; he got his hair cut, his oil changed, finished installing shelves in the closet, did the grocery shopping -- and even had some time to hang out at Powell's. I headed to Eugene at 10:30, with an unexpected detour in Salem, then got to Molly's at 1:30.
She had a fire going in her "hearth room" where she has installed two couches she bought for a song on e-Bay. We spent most of the day inside talking while Marigold played nearby and Calvin and Camilla ran and yelled outside. Camilla, of course, was delighted to see Rachel. She kept hugging and kissing her and Rachel kept smiling at her and giggling. If only they would stay here for a couple of years, I think Camilla and Rachel would turn out to be really good friends.
Molly graciously called a babysitter to watch the kids after she asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner. The babysitter turned out to be two girls -- sisters, one 15 and one 12. They are certified Red Cross babysitters and have gotten training for watching infants and have watched Marigold since she was born. I felt a little nervous leaving Rachel with them, since we usually have Angela, the sister of Drew's friend Jack, babysit Rachel. Angela is 25 and pretty much raised her little brother (and can deal with crying) so we feel very comfortable.
Rachel cried as I was leaving, but Molly & I headed for the sushi place and talked and laughed -- it was like old times when she and I were single, 20-somethings in Minnesota. I called Lauren in the middle of dinner to suggest she feed Rachel and that the food was in the diaper bag. The conversation went like this:
Me: Is Rachel OK?
Lauren: Sure!
Me: You mean, she hasn't been crying all night?
Lauren: She hasn't been crying at all!
Me: Um, do you mind feeding her? Are you comfortable with that?
Lauren: Sure!
Me: Do you know where the diaper bag is?
Lauren: Sure!
Me: There should be food in there.
Lauren: OK! (subtext: I can't believe how worried this mom is!)
When we got back, Rachel was fast asleep on the couch, a stuffed rabbit near her elbow and a Bobby pillow at her head. She was covered with a soft knit blanket. Lauren said she was absolutely no trouble -- they spent the time on the couch laughing and reading books together.
Unfortunately I left Eugene way too late -- 8:30, with Rachel tucked into a pair of Marigold's pajamas that Molly graciously loaned me. I paid for it; Rachel awoke at 4 a.m. and wouldn't stop crying (screaming, really) after Drew tried to give her water and soothe her. Both he & I were so tense that we never truly got back to sleep. Rachel cried out in her sleep twice at 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Neither of us could sleep in, since Drew had to head to Seattle and I had a 9:15 a.m. breakfast meeting. Rachel, of course, slept until just before 9!
We are crossing our fingers that this is not a repeat of the wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night behavior she exhibited at 6-9 months. I've gotten used to getting enough sleep and I do NOT want to revert back to the bad old days.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dinner with Becky & Edwin
...was really marvelous! We went to Lucca, a lovely little place right down the street. (In a sign I really am getting Mommy Brain, I thought Drew was referring to a place called Lauro, in southeast Portland, as the place we should take them). Lucca was the last place I ate dinner before going to the hospital for an induced labor. We haven't been there since; I've been afraid to take Rachel anywhere that isn't specifically family-friendly (i.e., that has a play area and burgers on the menu).
Well. Our little girl was so well-behaved at dinner! She looked around at everything and even flirted with a waiter who is a foster dad and gave her his finger to grasp. She didn't whine or cry AT ALL. What a super baby!
Of course, it helped that the restaurant, as upscale as it is, welcomed Rachel by handing her a sippy cup of water without me even asking. And there was at least one other baby there, plus a couple that came in while we were ordering. The couple brought their 3-year-old and newborn and looked completely relaxed.
Later, Rachel even let Edwin hold her. By the end of the evening she was snuggling against his chest.
When we got home, we let watched Rachel play on the floor for a bit before I put her down to sleep and Drew drove Becky & Edwin back to their hotel. While we watched Rachel, I suddenly had a vision of Mom and Dad watching me/Daniella/Becky/and her brother, Joel, play on the floor while chatting with Becky and Joel's mom and dad. (Jack is Mom's brother; Kay is his wife). Funny to think how long ago that was, and how the scene is repeating itself with another generation.
Altogether, it was a very successful evening!
Well. Our little girl was so well-behaved at dinner! She looked around at everything and even flirted with a waiter who is a foster dad and gave her his finger to grasp. She didn't whine or cry AT ALL. What a super baby!
Of course, it helped that the restaurant, as upscale as it is, welcomed Rachel by handing her a sippy cup of water without me even asking. And there was at least one other baby there, plus a couple that came in while we were ordering. The couple brought their 3-year-old and newborn and looked completely relaxed.
Later, Rachel even let Edwin hold her. By the end of the evening she was snuggling against his chest.
When we got home, we let watched Rachel play on the floor for a bit before I put her down to sleep and Drew drove Becky & Edwin back to their hotel. While we watched Rachel, I suddenly had a vision of Mom and Dad watching me/Daniella/Becky/and her brother, Joel, play on the floor while chatting with Becky and Joel's mom and dad. (Jack is Mom's brother; Kay is his wife). Funny to think how long ago that was, and how the scene is repeating itself with another generation.
Altogether, it was a very successful evening!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Picking Rachel up from daycare
I did the honors last night, at Drew's request. When I arrived at 3 minutes before 6 at the entrance of St. James -- her new pickup place, since Toddler 1s are on the other side of the church -- she was sitting placidly on the floor like a little Buddha, staring out the glass door as the other parents and teachers milled around. (One nice thing about the move to Toddlers is they bring the kids and diaper bags down to the lobby to wait for the parents).
It took her a while to recognize mommy, probably because it was so dark outside. But as soon as I got her in my arms and started walking back to the car, she began pointing all over the place: At the oncoming headlights, the Portland Art Museum, other pedestrians, other kids.
Just for a moment, I saw the world through her eyes: Lots of bright lights, wet (it was drizzling) and people rushing everywhere. That's her view of life right now.
It took her a while to recognize mommy, probably because it was so dark outside. But as soon as I got her in my arms and started walking back to the car, she began pointing all over the place: At the oncoming headlights, the Portland Art Museum, other pedestrians, other kids.
Just for a moment, I saw the world through her eyes: Lots of bright lights, wet (it was drizzling) and people rushing everywhere. That's her view of life right now.
Busy weekend!
Today we're meeting with my cousin Becky and her husband, Edwin. They're in town for a conference and have never met Rachel, so we should have a fun time. We plan on going to a nice restaurant for dinner called Luca. Drew and I used to go there a lot pre-Rachel, and there is a wonderful dessert place across the street called Pix Patisserie. It will be interesting to see if Rachel behaves herself. Cross your fingers!
Then tomorrow I plan to drive to Eugene to hang out with our friend Molly and her three kids, leaving Drew at home to take care of some personal and house errands. I'm working unexpectedly on Monday and will probably take next Friday off.
I went to a going-away party for a colleague last night while Drew stayed home with The Little Girl. They had a great time laughing and playing together. She woke up once, around 10, but he was able to soothe her back to sleep. We don't know why she does that; it's an on-and-off thing these days.
At the party last night I had a long talk with Kathleen, a former editor of mine whose husband of 30 years died of cancer earlier this year. Her daughter has been having troubles and Kathleen, of course, is suffering the anxiety all of us are over the state of the newspaper industry. But she told me that she feels so fortunate that she had so many good years with Pat, her late husband, and that his illness really taught her to live in the moment. Look around you, she said, at the way the light reflects off the glasses, all the colleagues who were here tonight, etc.
I started crying, realizing how much I truly have. Yes, we really need to make more money and I am scared we won't be able to afford college for Rachel (and a sibling, if we are lucky enough to produce one) and a decent retirement. But my baby is healthy, my husband and I are employed and we live in a wonderful city with relatives close by. Really, life is good.
Then tomorrow I plan to drive to Eugene to hang out with our friend Molly and her three kids, leaving Drew at home to take care of some personal and house errands. I'm working unexpectedly on Monday and will probably take next Friday off.
I went to a going-away party for a colleague last night while Drew stayed home with The Little Girl. They had a great time laughing and playing together. She woke up once, around 10, but he was able to soothe her back to sleep. We don't know why she does that; it's an on-and-off thing these days.
At the party last night I had a long talk with Kathleen, a former editor of mine whose husband of 30 years died of cancer earlier this year. Her daughter has been having troubles and Kathleen, of course, is suffering the anxiety all of us are over the state of the newspaper industry. But she told me that she feels so fortunate that she had so many good years with Pat, her late husband, and that his illness really taught her to live in the moment. Look around you, she said, at the way the light reflects off the glasses, all the colleagues who were here tonight, etc.
I started crying, realizing how much I truly have. Yes, we really need to make more money and I am scared we won't be able to afford college for Rachel (and a sibling, if we are lucky enough to produce one) and a decent retirement. But my baby is healthy, my husband and I are employed and we live in a wonderful city with relatives close by. Really, life is good.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sweet 16!
No, you're not dreaming -- our little girl hasn't suddenly become a teenager. She was 16 months old yesterday and, as usual, mommy is just catching up.
Rachel is:
--walking, by inches, with more confidence. She has taken up to 12 steps all by herself.
--terrified of the toothbrush (see previous post).
--covering her eyes with her hands and playing peek-a-boo. She also covers her eyes after she watches mommy do so on Shabbat.
--enjoying her rubber duckies that our friend, Charon, gave to her for her 1st birthday. They're her bathtime companions, she clutches one of them while I rock her to sleep, takes them in the car to daycare. Otherwise, she seems to not be interested in dolls or stuffed animals right now. We will make a point of introducing them to her again.
--really enjoying stacking blocks and boxes. And, of course, knocking them down!
--turning off lights. Most of the lights are push-button ones, so they're pretty easy for her to turn off and on.
--jumping into the fray at daycare. She's right at home with the older kids, they tell us.
--really into books. She loves looking at them, loves the feel and heft. Right now they're her favorite playthings. The ones she loves us to read to her are: Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You See? and a book about dogs that I think is completely dumb but was Drew's favorite as a child. She likes it too!
--loving the game that mommy plays with her: When I go out of the room, sometimes I'll pop my head back around and growl, "RACHEL"! and give her a big smile. She can't get enough.
--looking like Drew, still.
--giggling crazily when we tickle her, which is very often. Her tickle spots are under her arms, her neck and her feet.
--throwing temper tantrums on the changing table. We have no idea why.
--kicking and stomping her feet when she wants to climb up somewhere (like the leather loveseat) or wants out of her car seat.
--pointing and saying, "wash shat?" with everything, it seems.
--still averse to trying new foods, alas. We seem to have settled on a no-meat diet of Gardenburgers, whole-wheat shells, eggs (yolk and all), cheese sticks, fruit, jarred vegetables and applesauce. Sigh. Does this mean she will be an unadventurous eater?
--merry and playful and real joy to come home to at night!
Rachel is:
--walking, by inches, with more confidence. She has taken up to 12 steps all by herself.
--terrified of the toothbrush (see previous post).
--covering her eyes with her hands and playing peek-a-boo. She also covers her eyes after she watches mommy do so on Shabbat.
--enjoying her rubber duckies that our friend, Charon, gave to her for her 1st birthday. They're her bathtime companions, she clutches one of them while I rock her to sleep, takes them in the car to daycare. Otherwise, she seems to not be interested in dolls or stuffed animals right now. We will make a point of introducing them to her again.
--really enjoying stacking blocks and boxes. And, of course, knocking them down!
--turning off lights. Most of the lights are push-button ones, so they're pretty easy for her to turn off and on.
--jumping into the fray at daycare. She's right at home with the older kids, they tell us.
--really into books. She loves looking at them, loves the feel and heft. Right now they're her favorite playthings. The ones she loves us to read to her are: Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You See? and a book about dogs that I think is completely dumb but was Drew's favorite as a child. She likes it too!
--loving the game that mommy plays with her: When I go out of the room, sometimes I'll pop my head back around and growl, "RACHEL"! and give her a big smile. She can't get enough.
--looking like Drew, still.
--giggling crazily when we tickle her, which is very often. Her tickle spots are under her arms, her neck and her feet.
--throwing temper tantrums on the changing table. We have no idea why.
--kicking and stomping her feet when she wants to climb up somewhere (like the leather loveseat) or wants out of her car seat.
--pointing and saying, "wash shat?" with everything, it seems.
--still averse to trying new foods, alas. We seem to have settled on a no-meat diet of Gardenburgers, whole-wheat shells, eggs (yolk and all), cheese sticks, fruit, jarred vegetables and applesauce. Sigh. Does this mean she will be an unadventurous eater?
--merry and playful and real joy to come home to at night!
Toothbrush terror
We have made lame attempts at trying to brush Rachels' teeth, to no avail. She screams and cries whenever we get the toothbrush near her mouth. You'd think we were trying to torture her, or something.
So, tonight we're going to grit our teeth and force the toothbrush in her mouth -- gently, of course -- and just do it. One of us will hold her and the other will put the brush in her mouth, after showing her that mommy and daddy brush their teeth, too.
"I'd rather go through this now than have her get baby cavities," Drew says.
So, tonight we're going to grit our teeth and force the toothbrush in her mouth -- gently, of course -- and just do it. One of us will hold her and the other will put the brush in her mouth, after showing her that mommy and daddy brush their teeth, too.
"I'd rather go through this now than have her get baby cavities," Drew says.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Cooperative baby
..that's what Drew told me to title the post today after Rachel very obligingly (and unusually) awoke at 7:15, just in time for me to feed her, dress her, take her to day care VERY early and get on the road for Hillsboro, about an hour west of Portland, to cover a hearing that began at 9 a.m. I was terrified of waking her up early, but Rachel opened her eyes as soon as I turned off the humidifier and rain tape we play every night. She gave me a big smile and only fussed a little when I got her on the changing table.
Bottom line: I got to the courthouse a half-hour early -- and, of course, the hearing didn't start until 9:15.
"We have a championship baby!" I told Drew by phone this morning. He is in Seattle until Wednesday, so I have an extra morning with Rachel. I plan to let her sleep because I'd like to take tomorrow off.
In other news: On her first day visiting Toddler 1s yesterday, we received this report: "Rachel made herself right at home in Toddler Ones. She loved looking at the books and enjoyed listening to songs being sung."
Way to go, Rachel! Perhaps the transition will be a tiny bit easier than mommy thought?
Bottom line: I got to the courthouse a half-hour early -- and, of course, the hearing didn't start until 9:15.
"We have a championship baby!" I told Drew by phone this morning. He is in Seattle until Wednesday, so I have an extra morning with Rachel. I plan to let her sleep because I'd like to take tomorrow off.
In other news: On her first day visiting Toddler 1s yesterday, we received this report: "Rachel made herself right at home in Toddler Ones. She loved looking at the books and enjoyed listening to songs being sung."
Way to go, Rachel! Perhaps the transition will be a tiny bit easier than mommy thought?
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