Two-month well visit with pediatrician:
10 pounds, 10 ounces (50 percentile)
23.5 inches long (90 percentile)
Forgot the head circumference (75 percentile)
Vaccinated against DTP and Pneumococcal (no side effects felt by any of us)
Mama has a double life:
Because Bob was on Spring Break last week, I worked from 8 to 5PM, Monday to Friday. As I quietly whispered sweet nothings to Bob and Sequoia as I headed out the door last Monday morning, I wept. And I continued to weep the entire car ride to the University. I guess I was weeping for a lose that only existed in my head, because as soon as I walked into my office, the tears dried up and I got to work editing grant proposals, managing research projects, analyzing data, attending meetings. And to my great surprise, I felt at peace in this environment-of-old. I was stimulated and felt creative (not "again", because I also feel this way at home with Sequoia, but it's just different) and was happy to experience that side of me again (what a surprise that was to me!). And although I should feel guilt when admitting this, there were even moments when I forgot that I was a mama too in my other Life. I felt balanced. (note: I am sure that I would not have felt this way had it not been for Bob staying at home with Sequoia and the fact that I was only working full-time for this week only)
Every day, I returned home at noon to feed Sequoia and relieve Bob.
Upon my return home each day, I asked Bob for a minute-by-minute replay of the day:
Monday: "She never stopped fussing. I haven't been able to s**t at all! How do you manage to eat lunch when you're with her? I thought you said she takes naps throughout the day!"
Tuesday: "A little better today. She slept for 45 minutes. I even found time to check my email quickly. I still don't know how you did this for the past 8 weeks." (He says this as I sweep Sequoia up in my loving arms, tuck her adoringly into the wrap and begin doing laundry, washing dishes, picking up the house, and preparing dinner.)
Wednesday: "We had such a great day today. She played in the bouncy chair for 45 minutes as I read to her (she sat in "what"?!?). We even took a nap together in bed (and she didn't wake up after you laid her down?!?). She barely fussed, and she ate 2 full bottles (that's more than my breasts allowed me to pump!). Yes, she was very sweet today". (Relief).
Thursday: "Oh my, we had so much fun together! Did you know that she loves it when we do so and so? And she just figured out how to do this with her arms! And I got that one toy out from the basement and she just loved it. And I never noticed how doing this really soothes her." (At this point I'm trying my hardest to grab her from him. He only lets her go reluctantly.)
Friday: "Another awesome day! She was just so happy, and never fussed. And we've definitely developed this routine whereby she... ... And she's really responding to me by doing this. Have you ever seen her do...? I've had the best Spring Break ever! We really bonded together this week!" (One great big happy family)
Plus a new turning point for Sequoia (well, for all of us):
We don't know what brought it on but it's definitely apparent to both of us. And because of it,
our family unit is so much happier, bonded, in love. We can't help but just be happy and all smiles. It's all about the three of us, that's for sure! And it's Sequoia. Ever since probably thursday, she has been the happiest baby on the block (and I swear, we haven't even read the book!). No fussy hour in the evening. Will sleep during the day without being held. No tears upon getting out of the bathtub. Likes alone/quiet time. Experienced her first out-of-town trip without a hitch (2.5 hours in a car seat and not a peep!). She's all giggles and coo's and smiles and oh my! She just loves us, that much we know. And still Bob and I look at one another in amazement, like "wow, this just got easier and more fun!" (not like it wasn't before, but this is a whole new ballgame!)
And this morning she definitely discovered that her hand is attached to her arm, and that her arm is HER'S!
Poor Bob. He's back in school. But yay for me, I get to continue my double life by working 1.5 days per week. Perfect.
10 pounds, 10 ounces (50 percentile)
23.5 inches long (90 percentile)
Forgot the head circumference (75 percentile)
Vaccinated against DTP and Pneumococcal (no side effects felt by any of us)
Mama has a double life:
Because Bob was on Spring Break last week, I worked from 8 to 5PM, Monday to Friday. As I quietly whispered sweet nothings to Bob and Sequoia as I headed out the door last Monday morning, I wept. And I continued to weep the entire car ride to the University. I guess I was weeping for a lose that only existed in my head, because as soon as I walked into my office, the tears dried up and I got to work editing grant proposals, managing research projects, analyzing data, attending meetings. And to my great surprise, I felt at peace in this environment-of-old. I was stimulated and felt creative (not "again", because I also feel this way at home with Sequoia, but it's just different) and was happy to experience that side of me again (what a surprise that was to me!). And although I should feel guilt when admitting this, there were even moments when I forgot that I was a mama too in my other Life. I felt balanced. (note: I am sure that I would not have felt this way had it not been for Bob staying at home with Sequoia and the fact that I was only working full-time for this week only)
Every day, I returned home at noon to feed Sequoia and relieve Bob.
Upon my return home each day, I asked Bob for a minute-by-minute replay of the day:
Monday: "She never stopped fussing. I haven't been able to s**t at all! How do you manage to eat lunch when you're with her? I thought you said she takes naps throughout the day!"
Tuesday: "A little better today. She slept for 45 minutes. I even found time to check my email quickly. I still don't know how you did this for the past 8 weeks." (He says this as I sweep Sequoia up in my loving arms, tuck her adoringly into the wrap and begin doing laundry, washing dishes, picking up the house, and preparing dinner.)
Wednesday: "We had such a great day today. She played in the bouncy chair for 45 minutes as I read to her (she sat in "what"?!?). We even took a nap together in bed (and she didn't wake up after you laid her down?!?). She barely fussed, and she ate 2 full bottles (that's more than my breasts allowed me to pump!). Yes, she was very sweet today". (Relief).
Thursday: "Oh my, we had so much fun together! Did you know that she loves it when we do so and so? And she just figured out how to do this with her arms! And I got that one toy out from the basement and she just loved it. And I never noticed how doing this really soothes her." (At this point I'm trying my hardest to grab her from him. He only lets her go reluctantly.)
Friday: "Another awesome day! She was just so happy, and never fussed. And we've definitely developed this routine whereby she... ... And she's really responding to me by doing this. Have you ever seen her do...? I've had the best Spring Break ever! We really bonded together this week!" (One great big happy family)
Plus a new turning point for Sequoia (well, for all of us):
We don't know what brought it on but it's definitely apparent to both of us. And because of it,
our family unit is so much happier, bonded, in love. We can't help but just be happy and all smiles. It's all about the three of us, that's for sure! And it's Sequoia. Ever since probably thursday, she has been the happiest baby on the block (and I swear, we haven't even read the book!). No fussy hour in the evening. Will sleep during the day without being held. No tears upon getting out of the bathtub. Likes alone/quiet time. Experienced her first out-of-town trip without a hitch (2.5 hours in a car seat and not a peep!). She's all giggles and coo's and smiles and oh my! She just loves us, that much we know. And still Bob and I look at one another in amazement, like "wow, this just got easier and more fun!" (not like it wasn't before, but this is a whole new ballgame!)
And this morning she definitely discovered that her hand is attached to her arm, and that her arm is HER'S!
Poor Bob. He's back in school. But yay for me, I get to continue my double life by working 1.5 days per week. Perfect.
Nani, you should never feel guilty. I too enjoy both my lives, with my children, and time when i'm without them too. So I do understand sweetie pie. I'm LOL about Bob's replay. That is so funny. I loved envisioning the whole scene. I promise I won't say "it always gets easier before it gets harder." Or visa-versa. BTW, I'm thinking of you now that we hit March. I won't say anymore. ;) P.S. I seriously hope that was a typo about her being 2 weeks visit 10 pound. Wow, and she is so TALL. Definitely gets that from the Ippel side, no? Anyway, loved reading all of this. You three are the sweetest. All this falling in love, again and agains. :)
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