Finally - Life is slowing down. Much to my displeasure, it isn't slowing down enough to keep Savannah a teeny baby, but it's slowing down at least enough for me to enjoy her ever-changing personality. My responsibilities at work are back to manageable, and this week is Spring Break for WVU. Of course, there are 75 tests sitting at home, waiting to be graded...but I have until Monday.
This week is filled with lots of little tasks, and big events. The car shopping mania has begun. We test drove a Hyundai Tucson, expecting to love it based on reviews, but surprisingly we weren't that impressed. There were some small issues we weren't thrilled with, and it seemed a bit small. I had a hard time imagining three car seats/boosters in the backseat. So then we decided to try the Hyundai Santa Fe. Yet another surprise - we loved it. The ride was smooth, I felt very safe, the blind spots were smaller, and the amount of space was refreshing. When in the driver's seat (but not actually driving) I looked back into the backseat and could easily imagine 3 little ones sitting back there hitting each other. Ahh - the dreams of a mom. We plan on visiting a Honda dealership tonight, and then hopefully, picking out the winner for purchase by Wednesday.
Friday is finally a wonderful day off of work! Carl and I both will be home, so I get to treat myself (after surviving the crazy month of March) to a trip to the spalon - Carl will watch Savannah for an hour Friday morning while I get styled and pampered. We also will do our grocery shopping, including food for Easter Brunch. We plan to start a family tradition we've been looking forward to for quite a while...coloring Easter Eggs! Last year, our house was Easter Egg-less since Savannah was born on Good Friday, but this year we will get to watch Savannah attempt to figure out how the eggs change color!
Saturday will be full of Easter Egg hunts! That morning we will be attending the Avery UMC egghunt, I'm really excited for her first official egghunt. Then, shortly after the egghunt we are off to Savannah's best friend's 1st birthday party! Alana will be 1 this Thursday, and her party is in PA on Saturday. We are really excited for the party too! I think it will be a lot of fun, and I'm excited to see Savannah experience a birthday party.
Sunday will be the traditional Easter. We'll go to the sunrise service, and the 8:30 service at the church, and then hopefully enjoy a yummy brunch at our house. We will probably hide a few eggs for Savannah to find at home...hopefully the grass will be dry enough that she can crawl around in search of eggs too. I think Easter is one of my favorite holidays to photograph...the spring colors are so refreshing, and the sun is supposed to be out in all its glory this weekend. I am truly excited to spend time with my family and friends this weekend!
When looking at my weekend, it makes me think I really should start grading those 75 tests...I certainly don't want to be doing that on Easter!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
2 (Crazy Weeks) + 1 (Sick Baby) = 1 (Crazy Tired Mommy)
The past two weeks have flown by in a blur. I knew this was coming...the Ides of March and all. I keep thinking and dreaming of a neat graphic to put up on here as my main image...one of me standing in the middle of the world with 12 arms - one arm holding Savannah, one holding Carl's hand, one teaching Engineering Economy for WVU, one managing the Regional Science Fair, one managing the WV State Science Fair, one teaching an FE prep course, one planning a birthday party, one cleaning the house, one balancing the check book, one cooking dinner, one doing laundry, and maybe if I'm lucky, one reading a book. It would be amusing to see, that's for sure.
In the past two weeks I have worked 3 different jobs, earning money from three different places. I've dealt with a cranky (though justifiably so) baby with a cold-turned-ear-infection. I have directed one science fair (72 projects on the 13th) and prepared for another science fair (60 projects, we send the winner to CA for the Intel International Fair) to be held on the 27th. Last week I was in Fairmont on the 13th all day, then I was working until 6:15 on Monday and Wednesday at WVU. On Tuesday and Thursday I worked at FSU until 6pm, then 6-9pm I was teaching an FE prep course. Those nights were the hardest. I'd be driving home from Fairmont in the dark at 9pm, knowing I wouldn't be able to play with Savannah until the next morning, and then only for a few minutes before leaving for work again. This week has been just about as crazy. Monday and Wednesday I was at WVU in the evenings, and on Tuesday I was yet again teaching an FE prep course. The State Science Fair officially begins tomorrow, but is held all day on Saturday. But there is a light at the end of this crazy work tunnel. Next week is WVU's spring break, which means no long evenings at all!
In the middle of all this craziness, Savannah started showing signs of a cold on the 14th. She was miserable last week, and even woke up at night a lot. We finally got her in with the doctor on the 19th. She had started with a cold, but ended up with an ear infection. She's almost completely back to normal now...the usual, happy, healthy girl. While a cold isn't a big deal, it was for me. She hasn't ever been sick before...no fevers, no coughs, not even any sniffles really. We made it 48 weeks free of illness...which is an amazing feat. So when she did get sick, I was met with all the crazy-mommy worries for the first time...and I wasn't home to monitor like I would have liked. It was definitely a trying week. She is much better now though, back to eating us out of house and home, and sleeping her peaceful 12 hours. Last night when I got home she came crawling over at warp speed, and then she sat up on her knees with her arms in the air to be picked up. As soon as I set my purse/school bag down and picked her up she let out such a delighted squeal! I live for those tiny, precious moments.
On top of the craziness at my three jobs (which are now back down to 2, and will be back to one job at the end of the semester), we have had more craziness with Carl's car. Most people know my hatred of his car, but this weekend the check engine light came on, again. For some reason it decided to start stuttering, and really make me fear it would stall. So the rule is now that Savannah doesn't ride in it. But we really had hoped to pay off both cars (that lovely date was scheduled for the end of the year) before we had to buy another car...but now with his car just becoming not as reliable as we would like, we are on the fast track of car buying. We will be shopping in the evenings on Monday and Tuesday, and we hope to make a decision by Wednesday, as long as we can get a deal we're satisfied with. So my free week next week will turn into half car buying, and the other half will be Easter brunch/Easter egg coloring/Savannah birthday party planning. But we will have two reliable cars at the end of the week...and that will keep us sleeping soundly.
I keep promising myself that life will slow down soon. After Savannah's birthday (which is only 16 days away!!), my only real concerns will be to prepare for a giant yard sale (held sometime in May), and to plan and pack for a trip to Miami Beach in May. The Miami trip will be a delight, once we're there. Carl is going for business, so Savannah and I are tagging along for pleasure. It will be her first trip to the ocean, and in a beautiful hotel! His conference starts sometime on a Monday, so we are flying down early the Saturday before...so we'll get at least a day and a half to spend as a family, and then we'll be there until we come home on a Friday. It will be a delightful trip, I just fear the packing - and Savannah's first flight. I will leave those worries for after the 10th...I have enough on my "tired-worried-emotional-busy-mommy" to-do list as it is.
In the past two weeks I have worked 3 different jobs, earning money from three different places. I've dealt with a cranky (though justifiably so) baby with a cold-turned-ear-infection. I have directed one science fair (72 projects on the 13th) and prepared for another science fair (60 projects, we send the winner to CA for the Intel International Fair) to be held on the 27th. Last week I was in Fairmont on the 13th all day, then I was working until 6:15 on Monday and Wednesday at WVU. On Tuesday and Thursday I worked at FSU until 6pm, then 6-9pm I was teaching an FE prep course. Those nights were the hardest. I'd be driving home from Fairmont in the dark at 9pm, knowing I wouldn't be able to play with Savannah until the next morning, and then only for a few minutes before leaving for work again. This week has been just about as crazy. Monday and Wednesday I was at WVU in the evenings, and on Tuesday I was yet again teaching an FE prep course. The State Science Fair officially begins tomorrow, but is held all day on Saturday. But there is a light at the end of this crazy work tunnel. Next week is WVU's spring break, which means no long evenings at all!
In the middle of all this craziness, Savannah started showing signs of a cold on the 14th. She was miserable last week, and even woke up at night a lot. We finally got her in with the doctor on the 19th. She had started with a cold, but ended up with an ear infection. She's almost completely back to normal now...the usual, happy, healthy girl. While a cold isn't a big deal, it was for me. She hasn't ever been sick before...no fevers, no coughs, not even any sniffles really. We made it 48 weeks free of illness...which is an amazing feat. So when she did get sick, I was met with all the crazy-mommy worries for the first time...and I wasn't home to monitor like I would have liked. It was definitely a trying week. She is much better now though, back to eating us out of house and home, and sleeping her peaceful 12 hours. Last night when I got home she came crawling over at warp speed, and then she sat up on her knees with her arms in the air to be picked up. As soon as I set my purse/school bag down and picked her up she let out such a delighted squeal! I live for those tiny, precious moments.
On top of the craziness at my three jobs (which are now back down to 2, and will be back to one job at the end of the semester), we have had more craziness with Carl's car. Most people know my hatred of his car, but this weekend the check engine light came on, again. For some reason it decided to start stuttering, and really make me fear it would stall. So the rule is now that Savannah doesn't ride in it. But we really had hoped to pay off both cars (that lovely date was scheduled for the end of the year) before we had to buy another car...but now with his car just becoming not as reliable as we would like, we are on the fast track of car buying. We will be shopping in the evenings on Monday and Tuesday, and we hope to make a decision by Wednesday, as long as we can get a deal we're satisfied with. So my free week next week will turn into half car buying, and the other half will be Easter brunch/Easter egg coloring/Savannah birthday party planning. But we will have two reliable cars at the end of the week...and that will keep us sleeping soundly.
I keep promising myself that life will slow down soon. After Savannah's birthday (which is only 16 days away!!), my only real concerns will be to prepare for a giant yard sale (held sometime in May), and to plan and pack for a trip to Miami Beach in May. The Miami trip will be a delight, once we're there. Carl is going for business, so Savannah and I are tagging along for pleasure. It will be her first trip to the ocean, and in a beautiful hotel! His conference starts sometime on a Monday, so we are flying down early the Saturday before...so we'll get at least a day and a half to spend as a family, and then we'll be there until we come home on a Friday. It will be a delightful trip, I just fear the packing - and Savannah's first flight. I will leave those worries for after the 10th...I have enough on my "tired-worried-emotional-busy-mommy" to-do list as it is.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bonding Time
Last night was one of those cherished nights with Savannah. On most nights, after she's done with her bottle, she will sit up, get her bink, and then will want to be put into her crib. She generally squirms when I try to hold her any longer...but not last night.
On her 11-month birthday (!!!) she finished her bottle, waited for her bink, and then just closed her eyes. I moved her onto my shoulder and sat back in the glider with her. As soon as I positioned her so she could stretch out across me, she grabbed my arm with her little hand, put her head on my shoulder, and just sighed such a deep, contented sigh. I, too, sighed and slouched into the glider. A little while later, she lifted her head, peered at me, and then smiled a giant smile (which I returned) and then she laid her head down again and fell right to sleep. I sat and rocked with her for a bit...as Carl put it, "Those are the moments we will sincerely miss when she's 15 and giving us headaches.". That is so true.
With her first birthday just around the corner, I cannot remember (or even imagine) my life without her. She has completely changed my outlook on life. I can't imagine a world in which Savannah didn't exist. I love her so very much. But here's the rub: in those first fifteen minutes of her life, when I was holding her, peering at her, I loved her, but not nearly at the intensity that I love her now.
Everyone always tells you about how much you will love your child, that it's a special love, an indescribable love...which is all very true. No one really ever says that it may not be instant. When I held Savannah for the first time, I remember thinking "I love her, she's a miracle, I'm amazed by her..." but I don't remember feeling this intense love that is so strong it could burst out of my heart at any moment. I don't really know when this feeling of intensity began, but I know it didn't start out that way.
Before Savannah was born, one of my mentors (who has several kids already) told me, "The first six weeks are hell.". I thought he was kidding, that I would be so excited to be a mom and get to do all the mom things - like I was finally going to be accepted into an elite club. The excitement probably wore off after one or two nights after we returned home from the hospital. While I (maybe) got 8 hours of sleep a day, they were not in consecutive order. I was eating whatever food people brought us, my passion for cooking quickly squashed by exhaustion. I had no routine, Savannah had no routine. I remember asking several mothers that had more than one child, "How in the world can you have more than one?! How do you feed them all and keep your house clean? How can it be done?!". This, always, amused the interviewee.
But on May 23rd, Savannah made it all worth it. She smiled at Carl and I. No longer did I feel like I was constantly feeding a poop machine that just cried at me. I'm not trying to say I didn't love her during those first few weeks - I wouldn't have traded anything for my healthy baby girl. I'm simply saying that the first weeks are hard...you sleep little, eat randomly, and receive no positive reinforcement from your charge. For that reason, I do agree, the first weeks are probably the hardest weeks of parenthood.
After her first smile, things began to get back on track too. I started back to work, building a routine for myself, Savannah fell into a routine around my work schedule, and she was beginning to sleep longer at night. I think once the craziness of having a new baby began to settle down is when I really was able to bond with her. She was awake more, crying less, and was able to interact with me.
Last night when she was snuggled up with me, I thought about those early weeks. She used to literally fit, all scrunched up, entirely on my shoulder. Last night her head was on my shoulder and her little legs were just hanging off either side of me. She is almost triple her birth weight, and almost a foot longer than when she was born. It's so hard to imagine her so tiny. When I look at some of my favorite outfits for her, that were newborn size, I can't fathom that she actually fit into them...and some of them were even big for her!
Now, months after thinking I could never raise two children, I feel like I could handle 10 more. I know that Savannah is a wonderful child...never sick, always happy, generally well-behaved...and I might not be as fortunate with future children, but I also know that I can do it. I can survive those first weeks, now that I know the rewards that will arrive further down the road.
On her 11-month birthday (!!!) she finished her bottle, waited for her bink, and then just closed her eyes. I moved her onto my shoulder and sat back in the glider with her. As soon as I positioned her so she could stretch out across me, she grabbed my arm with her little hand, put her head on my shoulder, and just sighed such a deep, contented sigh. I, too, sighed and slouched into the glider. A little while later, she lifted her head, peered at me, and then smiled a giant smile (which I returned) and then she laid her head down again and fell right to sleep. I sat and rocked with her for a bit...as Carl put it, "Those are the moments we will sincerely miss when she's 15 and giving us headaches.". That is so true.
With her first birthday just around the corner, I cannot remember (or even imagine) my life without her. She has completely changed my outlook on life. I can't imagine a world in which Savannah didn't exist. I love her so very much. But here's the rub: in those first fifteen minutes of her life, when I was holding her, peering at her, I loved her, but not nearly at the intensity that I love her now.
Everyone always tells you about how much you will love your child, that it's a special love, an indescribable love...which is all very true. No one really ever says that it may not be instant. When I held Savannah for the first time, I remember thinking "I love her, she's a miracle, I'm amazed by her..." but I don't remember feeling this intense love that is so strong it could burst out of my heart at any moment. I don't really know when this feeling of intensity began, but I know it didn't start out that way.
Before Savannah was born, one of my mentors (who has several kids already) told me, "The first six weeks are hell.". I thought he was kidding, that I would be so excited to be a mom and get to do all the mom things - like I was finally going to be accepted into an elite club. The excitement probably wore off after one or two nights after we returned home from the hospital. While I (maybe) got 8 hours of sleep a day, they were not in consecutive order. I was eating whatever food people brought us, my passion for cooking quickly squashed by exhaustion. I had no routine, Savannah had no routine. I remember asking several mothers that had more than one child, "How in the world can you have more than one?! How do you feed them all and keep your house clean? How can it be done?!". This, always, amused the interviewee.
But on May 23rd, Savannah made it all worth it. She smiled at Carl and I. No longer did I feel like I was constantly feeding a poop machine that just cried at me. I'm not trying to say I didn't love her during those first few weeks - I wouldn't have traded anything for my healthy baby girl. I'm simply saying that the first weeks are hard...you sleep little, eat randomly, and receive no positive reinforcement from your charge. For that reason, I do agree, the first weeks are probably the hardest weeks of parenthood.
After her first smile, things began to get back on track too. I started back to work, building a routine for myself, Savannah fell into a routine around my work schedule, and she was beginning to sleep longer at night. I think once the craziness of having a new baby began to settle down is when I really was able to bond with her. She was awake more, crying less, and was able to interact with me.
Last night when she was snuggled up with me, I thought about those early weeks. She used to literally fit, all scrunched up, entirely on my shoulder. Last night her head was on my shoulder and her little legs were just hanging off either side of me. She is almost triple her birth weight, and almost a foot longer than when she was born. It's so hard to imagine her so tiny. When I look at some of my favorite outfits for her, that were newborn size, I can't fathom that she actually fit into them...and some of them were even big for her!
Now, months after thinking I could never raise two children, I feel like I could handle 10 more. I know that Savannah is a wonderful child...never sick, always happy, generally well-behaved...and I might not be as fortunate with future children, but I also know that I can do it. I can survive those first weeks, now that I know the rewards that will arrive further down the road.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
T-Minus 31 Days...
Savannah is turning one year old in 31 days!! The panic that the previous sentence should bring hasn't quite set in. I keep telling myself that we have plenty of time before she turns one. But alas, I know that isn't true.
I have done some work for her birthday party, but I still have several decorations that need to be created. The cake is the most stressful of all, and I can't do anything to prepare for it until the night before her party. I'm sure over the next week I will get into party mode and go crazy making all the little details...so as for the actual party, I'm not stressed out or worried.
As for the whole "Savannah is going to be one" thing - that's another story. She has already changed so much just in the past month. She loves her swim class - she even does all the motions for the "Choosy" song we sing at the end of class. She also is getting closer to walking. She pulls up and stands up just about every opportunity she gets. We've even caught glimpses of her standing alone for brief periods...it will only be a short time before she is taking steps. She also stacked blocks on Saturday evening. We were playing in her nursery and I stacked up 5 blocks. She took the top one and put it on the floor next to my tower, then she took the next block and put it on top of the first. So most people don't really see the significance in this...but it is a huge milestone for a baby to stack things!
She also is learning rules. She isn't allowed to touch our DVD rack...so last night she crawls over to it and I tell her that it isn't for her. She sits and looks at me, then looks at it, then looks at me. Then she reaches her hand out and touches the foot of the base, waiting for my response. I've decided to compromise with her. She is allowed to touch the base - mainly because she can't hurt herself or anything in the rack when she touches the base. She is not allowed to touch the things on the shelves though, and this she knows. She is content to touch the base, and I'm happy that she leaves the other stuff alone then. She also knows that she isn't allowed to touch the barstools in the kitchen. She'll crawl over to them on occasion, look at them, then shake her head "no" and crawls away. If only she would remain on this path of self-discipline!
So my little girl is thinking and learning and growing...and turning one. Now I understand why some people have lots of kids...the early months and years are so rewarding and fun!
I have done some work for her birthday party, but I still have several decorations that need to be created. The cake is the most stressful of all, and I can't do anything to prepare for it until the night before her party. I'm sure over the next week I will get into party mode and go crazy making all the little details...so as for the actual party, I'm not stressed out or worried.
As for the whole "Savannah is going to be one" thing - that's another story. She has already changed so much just in the past month. She loves her swim class - she even does all the motions for the "Choosy" song we sing at the end of class. She also is getting closer to walking. She pulls up and stands up just about every opportunity she gets. We've even caught glimpses of her standing alone for brief periods...it will only be a short time before she is taking steps. She also stacked blocks on Saturday evening. We were playing in her nursery and I stacked up 5 blocks. She took the top one and put it on the floor next to my tower, then she took the next block and put it on top of the first. So most people don't really see the significance in this...but it is a huge milestone for a baby to stack things!
She also is learning rules. She isn't allowed to touch our DVD rack...so last night she crawls over to it and I tell her that it isn't for her. She sits and looks at me, then looks at it, then looks at me. Then she reaches her hand out and touches the foot of the base, waiting for my response. I've decided to compromise with her. She is allowed to touch the base - mainly because she can't hurt herself or anything in the rack when she touches the base. She is not allowed to touch the things on the shelves though, and this she knows. She is content to touch the base, and I'm happy that she leaves the other stuff alone then. She also knows that she isn't allowed to touch the barstools in the kitchen. She'll crawl over to them on occasion, look at them, then shake her head "no" and crawls away. If only she would remain on this path of self-discipline!
So my little girl is thinking and learning and growing...and turning one. Now I understand why some people have lots of kids...the early months and years are so rewarding and fun!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Ready, Set, Crawl!!
After quite the stressful Friday, Carl and I decided to get out of the house on Saturday. The Morgantown Mall was hosting the Health Fair, and we'd read about a baby crawl that afternoon, so we decided to see if Savannah would like to do that.
We had lunch at Chick-Fil-A, Savannah loves their fries. She was so busy looking at all the people (she's been trapped inside all winter too!) that she really didn't eat as much as normal, but was content. After lunch we strolled over to register Savannah for the Baby Crawl. She was #20.
We had to wait for the 4th heat before she could begin her crawl, so we spent some time watching the other babies. Savannah loved that! She couldn't keep her eyes off all the other kids and parents...it was wonderful for her.
Eventually it was her turn to crawl. I was the "catcher" and Carl decided to be the "starter". The rules started that no external objects could be used to encourage her crawling - so no Lovey! On the word "go" Carl put Savannah down. I started calling her name and making all kinds of silly faces. I've discovered the key to getting her to interact was almost laying down on the floor to her exact level. Once I did that she was instantly off in a crawl-run to come to me. She easily beat out the other crawlers. That's my girl!
For that win, we were given a nice bag with some goodies in it, and then waited for the crawl-off. At first Savannah just kind of watched others, and the first place crawler was off in a flash. The baby that was starting next to her took off, so she decided to go too. What a photo finish it was! The rules state that to be consider across the finish line the baby has to put his/her hand on the other side of the tape. Well, the baby next to Savannah crawled to the line, touched the tape, but didn't touch across the tape. Then here comes Savannah. She just kept crawling to me all smiles...she crawled right across and touched the floor across the tape. The judges then went into deliberation. I was just so proud that Savannah crossed the finish line. I kept hugging her and telling her how wonderful she was. Eventually the judges decided that we had won 3rd place! We were given another bag of goodies. In all, she received several books, tub toys, and toddler snacks.
In the end, I really don't think it mattered to Carl and I that she won 3rd place. The prize wasn't what we were there for. We were just so thrilled that Savannah did so well all on her own! I haven't felt that much pride for someone else's actions until Savannah finished the Baby Crawl. I know that moment will be just the first of many, but it is a truly amazing feeling.
I have decided I will be one of those moms. I will be a weeping mess when she graduates from high school, drives a car, and all of those special moments.
So even though some people feel a Baby Crawl is like entering your child in a duck race where your child is the duck, Savannah had a wonderful time, as did Carl and I.
We had lunch at Chick-Fil-A, Savannah loves their fries. She was so busy looking at all the people (she's been trapped inside all winter too!) that she really didn't eat as much as normal, but was content. After lunch we strolled over to register Savannah for the Baby Crawl. She was #20.
We had to wait for the 4th heat before she could begin her crawl, so we spent some time watching the other babies. Savannah loved that! She couldn't keep her eyes off all the other kids and parents...it was wonderful for her.
Eventually it was her turn to crawl. I was the "catcher" and Carl decided to be the "starter". The rules started that no external objects could be used to encourage her crawling - so no Lovey! On the word "go" Carl put Savannah down. I started calling her name and making all kinds of silly faces. I've discovered the key to getting her to interact was almost laying down on the floor to her exact level. Once I did that she was instantly off in a crawl-run to come to me. She easily beat out the other crawlers. That's my girl!
For that win, we were given a nice bag with some goodies in it, and then waited for the crawl-off. At first Savannah just kind of watched others, and the first place crawler was off in a flash. The baby that was starting next to her took off, so she decided to go too. What a photo finish it was! The rules state that to be consider across the finish line the baby has to put his/her hand on the other side of the tape. Well, the baby next to Savannah crawled to the line, touched the tape, but didn't touch across the tape. Then here comes Savannah. She just kept crawling to me all smiles...she crawled right across and touched the floor across the tape. The judges then went into deliberation. I was just so proud that Savannah crossed the finish line. I kept hugging her and telling her how wonderful she was. Eventually the judges decided that we had won 3rd place! We were given another bag of goodies. In all, she received several books, tub toys, and toddler snacks.
In the end, I really don't think it mattered to Carl and I that she won 3rd place. The prize wasn't what we were there for. We were just so thrilled that Savannah did so well all on her own! I haven't felt that much pride for someone else's actions until Savannah finished the Baby Crawl. I know that moment will be just the first of many, but it is a truly amazing feeling.
I have decided I will be one of those moms. I will be a weeping mess when she graduates from high school, drives a car, and all of those special moments.
So even though some people feel a Baby Crawl is like entering your child in a duck race where your child is the duck, Savannah had a wonderful time, as did Carl and I.
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