Being a mom

I'm almost 5 months deep into this mama gig. Some reflections:

Her heart grew three sizes that day:

Yeah, that really does happen. The whole "I had no idea I could love something this much" thing. I mean, you just look at this little person that you baked inside you for the better part of a year and you melt. That first smile - holy crap. You want to shout from the roof tops "She likes me! She really likes me!" Because before that, you're really not sure. That smile seals the deal and you're like "Yeah, we are in this together, little lady."

Shifting priorities:

So I looked at my nails yesterday and fondly recalled the days of smooth, burgundy-hued, polished arcs that Grandma would have approved of. Instead we have shredded, ragged she-claws charmingly framed by slightly bloody hang nails.

The baby's little tub/washing station has been in my bathtub for 3 days. Know what that means? I haven't showered since then.

I used to hate that when you walked into people's houses, how if they had kids, you'd have to climb over the blocks, exersaucer and bouncy seat. I thought to myself...when I have kids...my children will have only a select few beautifully crafted, hand-carved wooden items that they cherish and will sit and play with for hours on end. None of this plastic jungle of primary colors invading our retro diner style vibe we having going on. Umm...yeah, let's just say we step over a lot of things in our house now and they are not handcrafted or made of wood. I would install a zip line to get from the kitchen to the living room to navigate the various baby apparatuses we have before I would get rid of them. She loves her exersaucer! I love anything that she loves!

Changing relationships:

Love my child or hit the road. I used to secretly dread that someone would bring their kid with them to do something with me - shopping, lunch, etc. Wellll...Sorry, but if you think babies are annoying or bothersome, you're off the list. Sure, I'll meet you for happy hour without the little one, but you should at least act a little bit disappointed that I'm not bringing her to see you.

Suddenly easily amused and amazed:

I used to think it was so ridiculous when parents raved about their babies and the latest "achievement." I mean, come on, we all started as babies and headed steadily toward adulthood, acquiring skills along the way. It like, umm, how it works. Fast forward a few months: My baby recently discovered how her hands work. She reaches out and grabs stuff like my husband's beard. It is both amazing and mind bogglingly cute. I nearly called the Post Gazette to insist they send out a reporter. I spend an obscene amount of time with a camera pointed at her saying "Oooh, do that again for mama! Cassidy! Cassidy, up here! Up here honey! Hey, hey you! Do that again so mama can take a picture to show Grammie!"

New hairstyle:

So I found this old clip thing that I think I stole from my friend Haley, accidentally and it has changed my life. I can put my hair up in about 4 seconds - it looks fabulous and allows me to go yet another day without water touching my head. Yes, there may be a few small critters that have taken up residence in my curly nest, but anything that gets me out the door 20 minutes faster is freakin' miracle.

Thanksgiving! And real food!

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So much to be thankful for. Especially this little peanut. She just gets cuter and cuter. She makes me lagh about 43 times a day. Please note oatmeal on face. Yay for eating!

The many boyfriends of Cassidy

There are quite a few potential suitors for the baby girl. J. Solar's little man, Sawyer is currently mama's first pick. But, Cassidy had her first date last weekend with Mr. Chase. He is an older man...4 months her senior, but we as we tell ourselves daily "She's very advanced." So, perhaps a May December romance, or more accurately, a March-July romance is in order. In any case, they have a lot in common already as they are both huge Steelers fans. We managed to capture a few intimate moments. See what you think...

Cool holiday gifts for those on your list

Here is a list and links to stuff I think is neat-o and would make nice gifts. I've already turned in my wish lists so these aren't necessarily things I personally would want - but they are all interesting and maybe will spark a good idea for those who are still idea shopping for those on their list.

This apron is amazing. I think it would make me a better cook just wearing it:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34691089&ref=sr_list_15&&ga_search_query=vintage+apron&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Keys with a "head" that is different/unusual - you can easily find your house key, work key, garage key, etc. I love this! http://www.statkeycompany.com/keyblank/icons/house-key

For the children - 10 games in one. And they're cool old school games like checkers, chess, chinese checkers and that game no one knows how to play...backgammon! http://www.johnlewis.com/230435637/Product.aspx?source=46387

Just for sillies - night vision goggles! http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/night-vision-goggles/index.html

Opportunity International is an interesting nonprofit organization. They provide banking services (loans, insurance, savings, training) to those in impoverished nations - example: for a very small amount of money in the form of a loan, a woman in a underdeveloped country can purchase materials orequipment to fund a small, simple business and become self-sustaining. They pay back the loan and the money is re-invested in others who aspire to become independent. You can purchase coffee here as a gift to a globally minded friend or relative and support this organization. www.opportunity.org/coffeeclub

Cassidy says she wants the biggest, most amazing, expensive, awesome, extravagent, organic, diamond encrusted, handcrafted, all-natural, exclusive, unusual, prestigious, trendy, hip, cool, special, celebrity-endorsed teething ring, ever.

On the subject of keepsakes...

So, I know a lot of people that are making stuff for their baby. Baby's first Christmas ornament, Baby's first blankie, a special toy, a rattle, etc. I am all for that kind of thing...well, within reason...there is a lot of weird stuff out there. I just don't really know how to make anything. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't like embellished, knit things, ugly photo frames, pillows with embroidery...pretty much anything embroidered. I do not like figurines (with one very small exception - I have a slightly soft spot in my heart for those Willow Creek things because my grandma got me one and so did my mom - however, I do not want a giant collection!!)

I want a cool idea. Something neat-o that would be interesting to look back at. I can tell you one thing, though. I really, really do not want this:



http://www.inhabitots.com/2009/10/01/doing-it-for-the-kids-design-exhibition-placenta-teddy-bear/

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Rollin' down the street smokin' indo, sippin' on gin and juice...

Ok, not really. But we ARE rolling.

While I was out with a friend, Cassidy rolled from her tummy to her back! Her daddy was there to see it and sent me a text informing me as such - nothing like mommy guilt! THen, when I was at grad school, Kevin put her on her back on the floor, walked into the bathroom to run her bath water, came back and she was on her tummy. We missed it!!! I am oddly proud that she did it by herself, though. I think that is kind of cool - she just decided to do it and she did. However, today, I saw her do it again. So I got to see the first witnessed back to tummy roll. Yay!!

She had a decent night of sleep last night. There was a significant amount of fussing for a while, but after midnight she settled down and was zonked out until 7am - at which point I brought her into bed for some snuggle time and we half-slept, half snuggled until 8. That is my absolute favorite part of life - early morning snuggles with a sleepy but happy baby.

How funny is this little pose?

Sleep regression, cuteness progression

Well, the little lady is not really into sleeping through the night. She likes to wake up approximately every hour or so and yell. Sometimes she's not even crying, it's just more of a general yelling. I think she just doesn't like to be alone. I can relate. I'm not good at being alone either.

new lives

In the beginning, there was Jessi and there was Kevin. And then there was Jessi and Kevin.


Our lives are so different with Cassidy in it. But, as I overheard Kevin saying to her the other day, it's hard to remember what life was like before her! I mean that - I am so used to her, it's hard to recall life BC (Before Cassidy.) We were happy before, but now it feels like we have a greater purpose. This little one just might change the world.