Just sleep when the baby does . . .

I have decided that the admonition to sleep when the baby does is better in theory than in practice. It sounds so simple, but that simplicity is deceptive. The first problem is obvious - if I sleep whenever the baby does I will never do anything else. That is becoming somewhat less true as she gets old enough to play on her own a few times a day, but even so, I need some of those nap times to do other things - like errands and showering and eating and such. The second problem is probably not universal to all babies. I have heard magical stories of infants sleeping soundly in swings without any input or help from their mothers (or fathers or other caregivers, because this is the 21st century, after all). My baby, however, tends to either (1) not nap in her crib at all or (2) do something along the lines of the following (which is actually a huge improvement over 1): (a) fuss around for 20 minutes (sometimes more), requiring a pacifier reinsertion approximately every 3-5 minutes, not great napping intervals, (b) nap soundly for 20 minutes (but of course, during this time, I'm afraid we're still in a, so I can't nap), repeat (a), repeat (b). So, this nap is an active nap for me. I can't exactly leave her on her own, unless someone has invented a pacifier that magically reinserts and holds itself in a baby's mouth.

Today, however, was a new day. After waking up an hour and a half early (because of course, who needs sleep anyway - luckily Daddy thought she was charming with her smiling, winning ways; Mommy doesn't think those ways are very charming at certain hours of the morning), and then deigning to nap for only a very short amount of time while I ran, she actually napped long enough during the second (b) cycle for me to take a nap of more than 10 or 15 minutes. What is this . . . a feeling of being almost rested? I hardly know what to do with myself!

* * * * *

December 18 - Bumbo seat? Who needs a Bumbo seat?

December 18 - I think this must seriously be the cutest hat ever!

Final set of recent pictures

You may have noticed that the "picture every day" concept got a little waylaid the past month. 12.15 is missing below . . .

December 12 - I'm so excited to go to Macy's and see Santa (although you wouldn't be able to tell from the picture we took once there)

December 13

December 14 - Santa was much nicer when we saw him at the Old Westbury Mansion on Friday (Mommy is planning a return trip to see the gardens in the spring/summer. Anyone else wants to come?) It was almost as if he were a totally different guy. Strange, right? Maybe he just liked my candy cane dress.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday, Sweetheart. This is actually sort of a test. I will know when you have checked the blog when you say something about your final birthday present(s).

1. Twelve games of chess, when you want, wwith no complaints

2. Five games of Settlers, same conditions

3. Breakfast in bed, cooked, delivered and cleaned up by me (to be provided sometime after the holidays)

4. Belated birthday dinner at a restaurant of your choice (within reason), to make up for the fact that you made your own dinner tonight

5. And of course, the most important present of all . . .

Money - An Initial Conversation

Setting: This afternoon, after Evelyn's nap, before her dinner

Participants: Evelyn and Emma

Evelyn gives Mommy a look that clearly says: Oh, I have had a very stressful afternoon. First a nap, then some pooping, now I have to eat dinner. Sigh. It's so hard being a baby.

Emma: Evelyn, look at what Daddy is doing! He is giving you some money.

Evelyn gives Mommy a look that plainly asks: Money? What is money? I have not heard of this money before. What would I do with that?

Emma: You will use this money to go to college. At college, you will learn lots of things so you can take care of yourself.

Evelyn: Waaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently, the thought of taking care of oneself is not always particularly appealing.

Later, after dinner:

Evelyn smiles.

Emma: Well, Evelyn, it looks like maybe you are coming around to the idea of money and college after all.

Evelyn smiles again.

Emma: Does this mean you're thinking of all the cute boys you will meet in college?

Evelyn blows a milk bubble, which as every mother knows, clearly means yes.

* * * * *

December 1 - I am SO good looking!

December 2 - I am SO sleepy!

December 3

December 4

REDACTED DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT

December 5 - Superbaby to the rescue!

December 6 - Shots today = too sad for pictures (apparently, Evelyn is one of those babies that cries all day after her shots, not one of those babies who sleeps all day after her shots; a bit of a disappointment)

December 7 - I think I'm finally figuring out these toys. Have I mentioned that it's hard work being a baby?

December 8

December 9 - Christmas #1 (with Nana and Poppa)

December 10 - recovering from Christmas #1

December 11 - Don't you love my hairdo?

November 23

I knew one of the aunts or uncles would come through. Thank you Aunt Careen. Too bad this outfit was already too small when we tried it on. Guess someone else will have to step up and have a baby girl to wear it.

Pictures continued

11.21 - about to be a seasoned traveler (right before my first flight; loved all the commotion at the airport and slept through the entire flight)

11.22 - Happy Thanksgiving

11.23 - Mom does not have a picture :( I'm sure one of the aunts or uncles has one; if we find it, we'll update the post later, for posterity

11.24 - Nana's new kitchen is bee-you-ti-ful

11.25 - silly Poppa; no sleeping allowed!

11.26

11.27

11.28 - a baby AND a puppy? Lucky Nana!

11.29

11.30 - baby's eye view

Pictures

I have no time to actually write anything, of course, and no thoughts on what to write (obviously, since I can't even come up with a creative title), so pictures it is! More to follow (I was afraid 17 days of pictures in one post might completely overwhelm blogger . . . and frankly, me).

November 13 - books are fun

November 14 - baths are fun

November 15 - elephants are fun

November 16 - blue lips for birthdays (6 weeks) are fun (and gentian violet is quite vibrant)

November 17 - daddy is fun

November 18 - friends are fun

November 19 - snowsuits are fun . . . for mommies, that is; I hate mine (but it keeps her very warm, even her hands)

November 20 - toys are fun, or they will be once I learn that I can bat at them and make them move . . .

Happy Veteran's Day (observed)

For those lucky enough to get it. Which doesn't include John (or me, now that I think about it).

November 5

November 6 - this may be virtually the only time I sat in my swing without crying for long enough to take a picture; it has since been handed off to someone else, for free, since we're not even sure it really works correctly

November 7 - sometimes, eating is exhausting!

November 8 - does this picture make my butt look big?

November 9 - we love Grandma!

November 10 - the baby straightjacket (aka miracle blanket) may look cruel, but it's for my own good . . .

November 11

November 12 (hmm, I think Evelyn looks cuter without make-up than Mommy does)

First Smile?

I think I may count today as "first smile." She has smiled a few times already, mostly while falling asleep or while eating, but it never really seemed intentional. Today, after her afternoon nap, I gave her a big, sloppy kiss on her forehead, and while looking away from me, she broke out in a big grin. I did it two more times, and two more times, she smiled while looking away. A few minutes later, she smiled while looking right at me!

I have officially become one of THOSE mothers who thinks everything her infant/toddler/child does is amazing and talks about it ad nauseum. And I don't even care. Having a baby really does change everything, after all.

Another 13 days

Deserve another 13 (actually 14, I couldn't resist) pictures . . . and a pat on the back to Emma and Evelyn for surviving the first week minus both John and Nana! Actually, that pat really belongs on the backs of several women in my ward, who have been fantastically supportive. We love you!

October 23 - first car trip (hated it)

October 24

October 25

October 26 - last night with Nana

October 27 - all dressed for the ward Halloween party (with an OSU onesie underneath - Go Bucks!)

October 28 - so little!

October 29

October 30

October 31 - the real deal, but Mommy wouldn't let any of the nice strangers give me candy; maybe next time?

November 1 - I need a rest after all that Halloween excitement

November 2 - a new friend?

November 3

November 4

For all of you who have decided that a picture a day is too much, I think I'm going to have to disagree for now, subject to revision at any time according to my whims. My mom likes seeing all the pictures in any case (I think she prints them out for posterity or sends them to my grandpa or something). But I do pledge not to include too much witty commentary or too many amusing anecdotes among the daily pictures posts. That way, if you're not interested, you can easily skip them without missing any juicy details of life on the UES (okay, so I'm home with a newborn; there are no juicy details; don't rub it in).