An Apple A Day

Two month doc visit for a newborn.

Bad day for the two month old.

REALLY bad day for 2 month old's mother.


In fact, I am not certain that I can ever make her go to the doctor again. I am notorious for being a needle phob. When I was little, they had to bring in nurses to hold me down for a throat culture. A small army had to come in for a blood draw and the entire national guard for a shot. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten much better with age. While I have come to realize that it is quite unattractive to watch a 30ish (yes, ish...) year old make a complete fool of herself in the doc office over a shot, it still crosses my mind. I could take them all. Somewhere in my 20s however, I discovered that you could "decline" blood draws. So, I managed to go several years and through several annual check ups without blood work ups. Seems stupid to most, but I think that it is stupid to stick your arm out and willingly let someone prick through your skin with a sharp object-a FOREIGN object-that makes you bleed and bruise. SO THERE.

Needless to say, when it came time for HK's 2 month visit and vaccines, Justin went as well. They stuck that poor little peanut in the thighs with 3 shots-and the look of complete confusion, then realization, then PAIN....it was just awful. That little face turned a purple, red. The wide open mouth-no noise, silent scream.......then the high pitched shrieking wail. I am thinking "Breathe, Breathe." This mantra I keep repeating-for HK and myself. I hear myself saying at that moment in my head, "My poor little baby, you will NEVER have to go to the doctor again. Never ever ever." I am going to become Jenny McCarthy and swear off modern medicine.

I had to stop and buy her a little gift on the way home from the appointment-just to show her that I love her and did not let that mean nurse hurt her for no good reason. So, she did wind up with the cutest pink little jumper and a frilly white blouse. Now that we have had a few days to relax from this horrific event, I know that HK will return to the doctor's office and live to see another day. But good gracious-can't they just make all of those vaccines drinkable?

Smiley

Ahhh-first week back on the job.

Done.

Difficult-yes.

I knew that I would not be one of those moms who was completely distraught and lost when I have to leave my little baby with her grandparents, but I did not expect for it to be such a bummer for sure. I am constantly being surprised by this motherhood thing, and I am surprised that I like being a mom so much. I knew I would like having children, and I figured that I would like my children most of the time, but I did not expect to really LOVE being a mom as much as I do. That is a shocker to me. Again, she does not talk back yet, so remind me of this warm fuzziness in about 3 years.

I think that a huge difference between adopting and physically carrying a child comes with the moments of bonding. I am still amazed that HK can pick my face out of the several in front of her, lock in on me, and smile just for me. I am amazed when she turns to find me when she hears my voice. I LOVE IT. When you never get to feel a kick or the first butterflies of pregnancy, these are the first signs you have that you are someone's mom. It is just validation.

I know this seems like, duh...but it is really and truly in these moments of recognition in my little baby's face that I find such pure pleasure and happiness. I know that mom's everywhere understand. But, it is just these little things that make it all worthwhile.

I finally caught some of her first smiles on camera-this was for her dad. Enjoy!

The Newest Craze

I think I have it. By golly-I really think I have it!! The newest exercise rage...I am envisioning infomercials and all.

Yes-today I experienced the dreaded "Spanx" workout. Just trying to put them on burns over 1000 calories. It has to. And, if you are the faint of heart type, just stop reading right here. Just stop, because it does not get pretty. AT. ALL.

I am perpetually 10 minutes late. Always. And, I truly try to be on time. I really do. It is just not in me. 10 minutes late-it is my thing. So, over the weekend I am getting ready for the most lovely baby shower that was thrown for me and HK. I am running late. I am trying to get myself ready while running around like a chicken with my head cut off. See, HK is making an appearance at the conclusion of the shower. So, I am also barking out orders to poor hubby regarding HK's shoe selection and which ones match the dress I have laid out. Enter hubby-looking like his head is going to spin out of control with the words tights, white and pink crib shoes, and bloomers, rolling all around in it.

I am almost ready-just have to put the clothes on. I am one of those people who gets BURNING UP HOT while getting ready. The build up of hair dryers and flat irons just sends my body temp into the sweltering degree field. So, now I am barking orders to hubby to grab my dress that is hanging, take off the tags, grab my black pumps...and I am putting the first foot in the spanx. My heat, my fat, and my lotion that I just put on are completely fighting against the already unrelenting spandex fabric. Poor hubby just stops and stares. I can only imagine what he is thinking. Something like, "Huh, now I really understand what they mean by muffin top." But people, this is not a muffin top. This is every ounce of fat and skin I have being moved from my toes to my boobs. I am the human equivalent of an orange push up pop. Problem is, I am trying to gracefully put this contraption on and suck in at the same time so as to not completely scar the dear man for life. Not working. So, I have to suck it up-literally, and just ask for help.

So, I begin barking more commands, "Help me!! Help me!!!" He is aghast. He is horrified. I am flailing like a wet, sweaty fish. He grabs the waistband of the Spanx which have only made it to my mid thighs at this point and starts yanking up. I figure that the best way to help is to jump up and down and maybe between the two of us, I can get myself in the Spanx. I jumped, he pulled...we finally won the battle.

I was sweating even worse by the time it was over, but seriously-that was a workout. I could sell this. I might have to when my husband leaves me for a thin woman who has never heard of Spanx.

Foot Candy

Anyone who knows me knows that I love shoes. You don't even have to know me well. Let's be honest-they always fit. Even on a fat day, your shoes will not mock you. They will never split or cling to your thighs like cellophane. In fact, heels automatically make your legs look longer and make you "lose" 5 lbs. Good heels give you 8-10 lbs. So, keeping this ratio in mind, it makes complete sense to spend good money on shoes because the higher and better the heels, the thinner you look. Name one pair of pants that create the same illusion every time you put them on or make you feel better every time you are wearing them. I rest my case.

When I had my first baby shower, my aunt, uncle, and cousins bought HK a WHOLE BAG of shoes. I mean-red ones, white ones, tennis shoes, rain boots, UGGs, black ones....they are just phenomenal. I mean-really wonderful. I am beginning to plan HK's outfits based on shoes. This makes a lot of sense because she gets the most comments and compliments on her shoes already. For instance, this evening there was a chance for rain. So, HK put on her rain boots. People stopped us in the restaurant to get a gander at those beauties. Ahhh-shoes are the common denominator for all of mankind. Shoes make everyone happy. Shoes could end wars. ESPECIALLY if they are little itty bitty baby rain boots.

So, these little shoe gems needed a home-a place where they could proudly be displayed. So, I commissioned a shoe rack-with angled shelving and all. Thank goodness that her Papa raised me and realizes that I am a little serious about what goes on the feet. He lovingly made her shoe shelf without even much sighing and only asked once if I was serious. Here is a picture of the newest piece of art in her nursery:

Seriously-that is a masterpiece.

We are adding shoe candy daily! She just got a pair of brown mary jane's and a pair of Winnie the Pooh slippers! In fact, the newest potential addition that I am drooling over are little crib high heels from Heelarious. These are not meant to walk in - they are crib shoes that have a fabric, collapsable heel. I think they are funny. I know that other people will not get the joke and think that they are in ill taste.

These even go beyond MY imagination! Who would have ever thunk it? What a riot!!

Aha Moments

It is always a little bit of a strange experience for me when I go out with my new little bundle of joy. Since we are just rounding the corner into week 7 of her existence, we are just now making trips out into public more often. I am amazed how many people just come right up to you and start talking about your baby. AND that people want to touch on new little babies who are not theirs! Really people-get the grubby hands away.



The amazing part are the numbers of people who tell me that HK looks just like me. And I really do think that she has Justin's eyes. We have people tell us that we did a great job because she is absolutely beautiful. Don't get me wrong-she is. She is a gorgeous baby. But truly, we had nothing genetically to do with it. Happy baby? Ok-we can take some credit for that. Beautiful baby-got nothing to do with it.



I just think that things are starting to settle in a little more. For instance, it just REALLY hit me the other day that HK has 2 biological brothers. Yes, I have known this from day one, but for some reason it did not really occur to me until the other day. I was talking on the phone with my brother, and after we hung up, it just kind of clicked in my head.



Not only are we becoming parents and learning to figure out this little, complicated, 9 lb wonder, but we are kind of figuring out how we all connect and fit with one another. Things are still slowly revealing themselves to me. Small little realizations just pop up out of nowhere. The thing is though, they are not nearly as overwhelming as they had been. I am just kind of taking each new thought with a kind of "huh" mentality instead of feeling like I have to tackle my feelings and sort out how I want to file it away in my brain.



I continue to be amazed everyday by this little person, but mostly by the kindness of people, and the way that this little girl seems to bring out the best in people-strangers and friends. We are so lucky.

Pet Peeves

Things seem to be settling into quite a routine around here. I could do an infomercial for Babywise. I truly could.

HK is finally smiling-and I think that she is going to laugh soon-probably at me. But, God Love Her for bearing with me while I figured out that she needed lots of naps. She is very forgiving.

So, I have figured out some of my biggest pet peeves since becoming a parent. The same 'ol ones remain-like people who drive with their blinkers on, and people who use horrible grammar. I have new ones now too.

First of all-I know that I am a regular person and that just because I have a new baby does not mean that the seas should part for me and let me glide through in my chariot. However, if I am in a store and just trying to squeeze past you because you are taking up the entire walking aisle, please take pity. This carrier weighs 30 lbs, then there is the additional weight of the little baby in it, and I have a purse and diaper bag strapped to me. Please take pity-and move out of the way. Seriously, what happened to manners? We are in the South.

And, I never thought that I would have a big pet peeve with the mall-apparently hell has frozen over. When you are not stroller bound, you do not really notice things like ramps, elevators, etc. Well-ramps are poorly placed and you have to literally have a hound dog with you to sniff out the elevator locations. And-the ramps and elevators are narrow. Now, I do strap a lot of things to myself and the stroller, so I am quite wide. But, geez, cut a girl a little slack. One must be prepared for any emergency or potential situation. Lots of things are needed. I am going to open a baby friendly mall with lots of elevators and nice people there to press all of the buttons for you.

Another pet peeve-these weird Baby Einstein dvds. No matter how strange, we will watch them. I know that she will be entertained by them. But, I am sure that any parent who actually sat down and watched one of these can tell you that they are a little weird. Today, HK and I watched "Baby's First Sounds." Educational, yes. Colorful, yes. Confusing to an adult mind? A little bit-I have to admit. First of all-what in the heck are all of those languages they are speaking??

One day-HK will come up to me and say "good morning" in German. I will not know what she is saying, but I can thank Baby Einstein for it. So, we will keep watching. I just hope I am smart enough to figure out what she is saying to me one day.

New Mom Escapes

So, after being in my house for 6 days STRAIGHT, I finally escaped to the grocery store of all places. It was pure, packaged food bliss. In fact, I spent over 2 hours at the grocery. I hit every aisle twice. I spent over $300......Justin called me and asked if I was STILL at the grocery. I have to wonder where else he thinks I went-clubbing, a movie, to get a massage??? Plus, he saw me when I left-in what some would consider pjs and not showered. The deli staff at Kroger were the ONLY people who could be allowed to see me in this condition.

I know that I need an escape every once in a while, but I have been introduced to Babywise-it is the perfect idea for my type A, organized, scheduled self. I LOVE it. If HK does not take to it-too bad...she will have to learn to LOVE it as well. So, we have been going on schedule-eat, awake time, sleep, eat, awake time, sleep...bliss.

This whole Babywise phenom has taught me that newborns need to take actual forced naps. I know that you all think I am an idiot for not knowing this. I truly thought that she would just nap while being held, nap under her gymini, nap in her swing, nap while eating...nap whenever and wherever she wanted. I also thought that she would sleep better at night if she slept less during the day. As I am reading Babywise, it says that if you constantly cater to baby, you will wind up with a baby that you have to wear around, strapped to you in order to keep her quite and content. OMG...how did they know??? I had just ordered Justin to Franklin to pick up the Baby Bjorn carry thing on his way home because I thought that it would be a more comfortable carrier than my other one. I AM CREATING A MONSTER!!!!!!

Well-no more! She has slept almost 8 hours the past few nights since being introduced to her new schedule. I mean-she is THRIVING on her baby organization. There are no doubts that this baby was meant to be mine!!!!

Now, let's see how well it develops...more to come I am sure!!!