Getting Baby's Attention

Hi Cuties,
How cute are these little finger puppets that our friends Susie and John brought us when they came to visit last weekend?  (although I'll admit the mouse fell out onto the couch when I picked up the baby's blanket the other night and I almost had a heart attack.) The mister and I were especially excited because we are constantly on the lookout for cute and fun ways to entertain a BABY. I'll clue you in on a little secret.  Babies are hard to entertain, at least ours is.  Charlie can get pretty fussy (unless we have company, then he is on his best behavior:) and when he's not crying it can be challenging to engage his attention.  He seems much more content to stare at the pictures on the wall or suck on his hands.  This has led to Erik and I coming up with fun names, accents, and complicated back stories for all of Charlie's stuffed animals in a desperate attempt to entertain him and ourselves.  You know when an actor is given just one line and tries to really understand the complexity of their "character" and it is kind of sad to watch?  That is Erik and I with our new "friends" around the apartment, including a deranged stuffed chick (actually one of those blanket/stuffed animals that only a baby could love) we've named Mr. Chickers.  Funny?  Yes.  Funny to anyone but us? no.  Entertaining to Charlie?  Not quite yet. (also see Charlie's twitter account, @littlemrcharlie with its vast following.)


But, Charlie turned a whopping two months old this week and the two month mark has brought some exciting new milestones.  He is much more focused on mommy's face and has started initiating little conversations throughout the day.  He seems as happy to talk to his mobile as me but I think our conversations are more intellectually stimulating for him.  Slightly.  An example of a Charlie conversation goes something like this:  
Mommy:  What does Charlie have to say today?? (in extremely exaggerated baby voice)  
Charlie:  gaaah  
Mommy:  Really?  Is that right Charlie? Is that right?  
Charlie:   gaaaah, grunt, hint of smile.
I can't tell you how thrilling these conversations are for me and I'm not even being sarcastic.  I can tell he is really into them too.  He seems so pleased with himself when he gets something out.  And if he gets too overexcited he opens his mouth so wide and you can just tell he is trying to "squeal in delight" at any moment and I LOVE it.  


Now, I'm not going to lie, the first two months have brought a lot of challenges, usually accompanied by tears all around, but as of yesterday's  2 month doctor's appointment, the mister and I have decided to take back the night.  We are attempting to limit any nighttime feedings to one in the early morning.  The doctor told us Charlie can go 8 hours without eating at night, and we could really, really use the sleep.  Until now we have been "spoiling the baby" as the books say, but I'm ready to take back a little control.  Charlie doesn't seem particularly happy being spoiled anyway and I think a little bit of structure is just what the doctor ordered.  


Lots of luck to us!


xo,
C

Daycare Blues

Today has been kind of killer, I'm not going to lie.  Charlie hasn't exactly mastered the art of sleeping, so please consider that a heavy veil of exhaustion hangs over all the little tests we face throughout the day.  Today we went to look at the daycare where we are leaving Charlie when I get back to work.  We hadn't been since I was pregnant so went in to sign the contract and introduce the daycare providers to Charlie.  Erik could only stay for a few minutes so he left while I was reviewing paperwork with the woman who runs the daycare, Celina.  Charlie started fussing in his stroller and Celina picked him up and next thing you know he had pooped all over her.  Now, we've had a few accidents here, within the confines of our apartment, but nothing major, and this was MAJOR.  There was poop everywhere, all over him and definitely all over her.  It was like he wasn't even wearing a diaper.  Now I know that you are supposed to carry a change of clothes in the diaper bag and I have been, at first.  But somehow we must have gotten a bit lazy about it (maybe it's one of those things that you really need to be burned by to adopt whole-heartedly.)  So, of course, I didn't have a change of clothes for him.  While Celina went to change her outfit, I tried to change Charlie who let out the biggest (and today's only) smile when I set him down on the changing table.  Once I started trying to navigate his squirmy body out of a poop covered onesie that smile quickly disappeared.  Since I couldn't bring him home naked, we had to borrow some clothes from the daycare.  So there's that.  That little gem of an experience, just a lowlight in a day of lowlights, let me assure you.  The good news is everyone at the daycare reacted quite well and even better thought it was kind of funny.  Thank god, or we would be back to square one.  Even still, I am dreading the day when I have to leave my little baby, and am terrified of trying to balance work and being a mom.  I know, I know that millions of women do it everyday, but when I think back to what our jobs were like before Charlie, it still feels like it will be very challenging. Here's to making it work, and with smiles on both of our faces...
xo,
C

DeKalb Market

On Sunday, we had friends in town so we decided to check out the new Dekalb Market in Fort Greene.  It was really cool, a totally different vibe than the Brooklyn Flea, maybe because the masses have yet to discover it.  Their was a great assortment of vendors (many of them Etsy vendors) selling really cute stuff.  I'm not particularly into the standard flea market. I think I've mentioned before but it just feels like shopping in the basement and my fear of becoming a hoarder takes over any desire to shop.  Dekalb market had a dj and tons of good food and adult beverages, plus lots of seating, and their vendors seemed to be very carefully selected (quality over quantity).  Hoping to head back this weekend with Lyss to spend a little more time there.
xo,
C

the shops are made of old shipping crates.  so clever!

plenty of stroller room

cutest bathing suit shop EVER.  thinking about getting this suit as a little motivation for the summer.

Brooklyn Wanderings

Hi Cuties,
The three of us enjoyed a lovely weekend at home.  We checked out a few flea markets, visited with friends, and even went out to dinner on Saturday night with the babe!  Unfortunately, today, Charlie has been extremely fussy all day and we can't figure out why to save our lives.  We got no sleep last night and it's shaping up to be another long night.  I know we are approaching sleep training time, but truthfully, we don't even know where to start.  Hoping to get some good advice at Charlie's two month checkup this week.  I want my baby smiles!
xo,
C

look who fits into his hat! 

hot dogs!

the mister surprised me with a new iphone case!

Scenes from the Day

Charlie and I walked over to the park for lunch. 

too tired for tummy time today.

oops, and then he spit up all over himself and the blanket.  that's why it's called supervised tummy time.

mesmerized by the gorgeous views out the window.

gorgeous

we bought some flowers on the way home.

lots of cozy naps today.  who knows what tonight will bring.

Hi Cuties,
The days around here are flying by.  I can't believe it is already Friday.  This weekend the mister and I are interviewing a potential nanny and getting lunch with some friends that are visiting Brooklyn.  Charlie does something new every day and we love showing him off.  Evening is his fussy time though, so I can barely string a sentence together at the moment.  Hope you all enjoy the weekend.
xo,
C

Losing Baby Weight

As is Easter tradition, Lyss and I took advantage of the sunshine for a little photo shoot.  Hard to believe how much has changed since last year.  I thought I looked pretty cute until I revisited last year's photos.  Boo, having a baby takes its toll.  I'm feeling relatively inspired to get back into pre-baby shape over here.  My mind wants me to really make a go of it right now but being home all day isn't very conducive to non-eating plus nursing has made me RAVENOUS while providing an excuse to eat anything and everything in sight.  Not a good combination.  The only solution that is helping is to not have anything in sight at all which makes me pretty cranky and provokes me to do things like scavenge through the bottom of my suitcase for old jelly beans.  I thought nursing was supposed to burn thousands of extra calories a day.  Hmm, if that's happening I am in big trouble when I stop.  Anyway, maybe I should try to make myself accountable some way, like on the blog, or I don't know, blah who cares, I just want to stop wearing leggings.
xo,
C

Easter Feaster 2012

Hi Cuties,
We had the most delightful Easter weekend, hope you all did as well.   Charlie has been struggling with his cold for two weeks and it seems like a dose of Grandpop was all he needed to put him on the mend.  This kid was an absolute angel the whole weekend.  Smiling, cooing, staring wide-eyed at everyone, not crying, it was a real treat!  He sure knows how to turn on the charm for company.  The mister and I had a great time hanging out with my family and it was great to get some help.  We also put together a killer Easter basket for Charlie with lots of toys that only a two month old could love.  We may have gone just a little crazy in Target but, aagh, it was his first Easter, so exciting!  
Missing the weekend already and wish we could spend more time with our family.  I wish we could have six people to help with Charlie all the time.  It takes a village, people.  
xo,
C

aunt lyss got to spend a lot of quality time with Charlie and even took care of him one night so we could get some rest! 

Grandpop bought Charlie a new bouncy seat, with a ton of flashing lights and music. Charlie was up in 'da club all weekend and LOVED it.  He is missing that monkey seat big time. 

This little lamb reminds me of my little lamb, I'm not sure why.  But every time I look at it my heart melts.

Embracing Baby Wearing

Charlie and I have been testing out his new sling and I have to say, so far we LOVE it.  As long as I don't stop moving, he's happy, which I suppose is the point.  It really does feel like being pregnant again so I can only imagine it feels similar for him.  Plus, it forces me to be active and covers my belly fat, so it is a win win across the board!  In true shopaholic fashion, I think I'll order one in every color.  Seriously.  Our is a lulu wrap and while, it is quite simple (don't let the twelve step instructions throw you off) it works really well.  (look at all the colors! http://www.ellemnopshop.com/) 
Today we are doing laundry in preparation for a weekend trip to my parents' house for Easter, so the sling has been a lifesaver.  I am so excited for the weekend and I think it will feel so weird to walk into my dad's house with a baby.  Granted, it's not the house I grew up in which would be even stranger, but being home with Charlie will be a totally different dynamic.  
Poor Charlie has had a cold all week and it is killing us.  He is so tiny and every cough is like a knife in my heart.  Hopefully, all this time attached to mommy will make him feel better in time for tomorrow's car ride!


xo,
C

Surprise Tuesday

Today was the best day.  The mister unexpectedly got to stay home and he let me sleep in until 10:30 (don't get too excited with your outrage, the baby keeps us up all night.)  Then we went OUT TO LUNCH with Charlie and the mister took him home while I got my hair cut.  I couldn't remember the last time I got a haircut but my hair was pretty much down to my butt, so it must have been a while.  The stylist was kind enough to let me know that my long hair wasn't working for me as long hair really works best for taller women, or younger women, or very thin women.  So there's that.  But otherwise, it was a miracle day, and out of the blue, a mid-week oasis.  
xo,
C

Priorities

Hi Cuties,
Yeah, it's been a little while.  Still figuring out the dreaded mom word over here, "balance."  So far, "balance" has meant devoting all my time to Charlie and prioritizing the rest.  Lest you think I am turning into some sort of mom martyr, you'll note that the priority list squarely puts me at #2 versus housework or some other necessary evil. The daily list goes something like this (note: these tasks are accomplished with varying degrees of success depending on how long Charlie will let me put him down throughout the day.  Some days we make it through the list.  Most days we make it through task #3.):


1.  Eat yogurt and my Eggos.  If this task can't be accomplished by 11AM, #1 ain't happening for momma today.  I never ate breakfast before I got pregnant anyway, so maybe I should give up the dream.
2.  Throw in some laundry.  
3.  Take a shower.
4.  Eat lunch.  
5.  Get dressed and "do hair and makeup."  Don't get any grand illusions here - it's not pretty.
6.  Other Stuff.  Other stuff includes straightening up around the house, returning emails, returning phone calls, etc.  It doesn't really matter what Other Stuff actually includes because I never get to it anyway.  Yet. We're still getting the hang of things over here.


Now, cuties, you may be saying, what about TV Time?  C, have you given up TV, your most precious pastime for the devotion to your child?  Wrong!  TV Time coincides with Charlie Time and can be fit in during Breast Time or Sleeping On Mommy's Breast Time.  In fact, never have I been so caught up on TV as I am now.  I've had to resort to the dreaded On Demand and occasionally watching live TV, the horror.  Sidenote:  are you all watching Celebrity Apprentice?  How wonderful is Arsenio Hall? (editor's note: scratch that, just finished tonight's episode. Spoiler alert: Arsenio is a little cray cray. 110%.)  And how dumb is our good old Teresa?  Painfully dumb, right? And for anyone who's CONCERNED, while I do value the importance of exposing Charlie to "reality" at an early age, I currently reserve TV Time to moments while he is sleeping or "otherwise engaged."  Mostly.


xo,
C