At the Aquarium

At the Beach with Chloe and Cindy.

I’m a birthday girl!

Don’t anyone touch my cake!

Popularity: 13% [?]

I’m not great at keeping my mouth shut, I’m always telling people about things I think I know about.  I now look back at my layette list and have comments to share.  Since I currently have three pregnant friends, I’ll spare you personal (read: annoying) phone calls and post my opinions here.

         Um, be nice to the nipples, they make milk!

Disposable or Reusable Breast Pads

Nipple Shield

Waterproof Fabric cut into Rectangles

Nursing Bras

         I liked these, put them over outfits when I was nursing her as a catch for extra milk.  I used them MORE from about 3 months on when the teething drool began.              

         I LOVED these for Papaya.  It is like a tank top on the top, zipper up the front (starts at top ends at bottom – genius!) and a sleeping bag at the bottom.  Great for a cosleeping baby so you don’t have to use blankets which area  SIDS-related no-no. 

         The hat from the hospital worked well, and the ones I bought with ear flaps and Velcro under the chin.  I loved hats – had 4+ and did not regret them! 

The light ones from Target, etc. were great for swaddling, but it took two.  We used them as burp cloths and to layer over Papaya in the carseat.  They are also great for putting on the floor before laying baby down for tummy time.

Bath

Burp Cloths

Slings

Bumbo

Have a “babymoon” and spend a few days with only you, your husband and baby!  Recover carefully and treat yourself with love too.  Enjoy each moment you can, rest in the others.  Wear your baby in a sling, have a date with your husband!  Trust your instinct, it will come out!  Sign with your baby from early on, they sign back sooner than you think!  Make your own babyfood, it is easy and cheap.  As everyone tells you…it goes by fast and you will look back glad for every moment of housecleaning you put off to smell your baby’s hair.

Popularity: 15% [?]

It was awful. What you ask? BOTH driving home from the airport after dropping off Makenzie and Julie (Papaya woke up from her nap and cried) and then the whole 5 1/2 hour flight the next day.
The night before our flight, Papaya had a playdate. At least that is what she thought of her two hours being babysat by my friend Amy and her daughter Gracie. Papaya was enthralled by Gracie and only cried at the very end during the indignity of having her diaper changed. Adventure Dad and I had a date, Outback Steakhouse, and it was wonderful. We sat in a booth in the bar, because we could, and enjoyed talking mostly about things other than Papaya. At the end of the night all three of us cuddled into bed for our last night together in a few months. It was sweet, a big cuddle for us all, then before we knew it 3 a.m. came and Adventure Dad was off to work. We’ll see him in a few months, but I wil sure miss him and I think Papaya will too.
That morning Papaya and I awoke at seven and made it to the gym by eight. She played in daycare while I worked out with Chris, the trainer that Julie and I go to together. I think he enjoyed going even tougher on me without Julie there, he did the same for her once when I missed a meeting. After a shower wer were homeward bound. We took a morning nap and then Darcy arrived to take us to the airport.
We stopped in Tacoma for lunch at Chevy’s and Papaya enjoyed her beans and cheese. When we arrived and checked in I found we had great seats, lucky of course. We got into the terminal just fine then found a play zone! Papaya crawled over the clean carpet and rubber toys, played peek-a-boo with an 18 month old girl who was also there. There were changing tables and everything! I bought a meal for the plane at Dish D’lish (Grilled Panini with Chicken, Brie and Chutney) as well as Chips and a bottle of water. A man who worked there complimented my Hotsling saying that in Africa, where he was from, all women carried their babies this way. He said all the American babies seem to have so many buckles on their carriers that they seem uncomfortable. A babywearing compliment!!!!!!!
At the gate, we were offered a First Class Upgrade…and took it of course! I had Row 1 Seats C&D. For the first hour it was great, I sat in front of my seat and Papaya had the area in front of hers. She worked on the magazine rack and played with her drumstick. The stewardess seemed unhappy to have a baby in first class, but I did not care. Then, Papaya nursed and tried to fall asleep. She cried and cried, could not fall asleep. Two hours later, thats right TWO HOURS, she gave in. She slept for the end of the flight and as we loaded off I jokingly thanked the other passengers for not throwing us off the plane at 30,000 feet. I said nothing to the mean stewardess, Melony.
Papaya was happy once she woke, on the drive home and even as we went to bed. She slept from midnight to eight a.m. and we both woke up to a new day.
Last night we had a family party where she met more relatives then she knew what to do with. It was wonderful and fun, and the food was great. She is walking, up to ten steps at a time, so this trip should e full of adventure!

Popularity: 12% [?]

Papaya and I had a conversation about the birds this morning. No, I’m not crazy, I’m a signing Mama! She pointed out the window and we did the signs for bird, mama bird, dad bird, baby bird and music together. She sat on my lap, looking out the window over my shoulder with such joy. She would look back for my signs as I said “Mama bird sings (music sign) to baby bird!” even though she could hear me. Of course, I’m convinced she’s a genius.

I must note, that I’m not a Super Signer. I use what I remember of ASL, look up a few that I care about in signing books (bird came from Papaya’s love of her rubber duck and me wanting to sign about it) and do them on and off. She gets eat, milk, more, all done daily, but the other ones come and go when we get a chance. I’ve heard the signing is much better in children who are signed to from about four months on, but honestly I was not feeling very creative at that point. I was worried I’d have to catch up, but once I started it took a few weeks and Papaya learns new signs easily. Now, I just need to remember more so that I can expand her vocabulary and challenge her.

We missed the gym today, that is my nice way of noting that we slept in. Tomorrow is Cycle so we must go for the wonderful calorie burning power of that evil little bike. I’m also attempting to eat less carbs (I’m an addicted and I think that might have something to do with my large rear end) and eat every two hours. Today I ate; lowfat cottage cheese, curried chicken salad, char shu pork and a big green salad with avocado dressing and crab for dinner. Tomorrow is an fruit day in my new eating plan (Julie found it in a magazine, so it MUST be medically sound, right?) so I have Mango, Papaya, Orange, Apple, Banana, Pear, Green and Red Grapes and, um, I think that’s it.

Popularity: 12% [?]