To go, please

It has become increasingly difficult to make Abbie stay put in one place -- even for a short time -- let alone during feeding times. Now that she is mobile and (in her mind) totally independent, she squirms, moves, fidgets, rolls over, grabs her feet, all while I am trying to keep the bottle in her mouth. I am no contortionist, but I have invented new moves and distorted positions that even an able acrobat would envy just so I can keep up with her. Which is, come to think of it, a good thing: whatever might happen, I have a future in the Circus. But let's not digress: when it's time to hit the bottle, Abbie seems recharged with new energy which cannot be contained. I have explored all different scenarios and tried some good'ole deus ex machinae, to no avail: give her a toy, talk to her, engage her in some stationary game, sing to her, make funny faces... the list goes on.

Abigail will drink one ounce and then fuss to get free from the bottle chore and zip away. She eventually comes back, but after 1/2 ounce of sucking, something will inevitably grab her attention and she *has* to go check it out. Anyone who has formula-fed their babies (not my primary choice, in my case) knows that the life-span of prepared formula is an hour. After those 60 minutes are up, the formula goes down -- the drain. I have been lucky enough, anyway, because even though Abigail will never eat the entire bottle, now, she will at least eat most of it within the fateful hour. Believe me, she is not suffering from lack of nutrition. But the whole duodrama is funny.

Someone should invent something useful for when babies want their meals to go.

A Day in Middleburg

We all went to Middleburg today, and Abbie had a few new experiences.  First of all, she was so excited about the flowers that were blooming all over the place!  She wanted to grab them, eat them, smell them, and was able to actually touch a few, briefly, without pulling them off. Abbie was fascinated by the Dogwoods, and the Peonies (which happen to be one of my favorite flowers). She then had her very first experience with grass...  and did not like it!  I expected for her to be thrilled, and instead she cried: I guess that she did notexpect the prickly feeling, and did not much care for it.  It was funny to see her expression when we first sat her down: as if saying "what the in the world?!?". Eventually, though, Abigail's curiosity took over for a few minutes, and she started exploring the new element. She grabbed the grass between her little fingers, and sort of caressed it. But she also made it clear that she was not enjoying herself, not truly.

We then took her over to some trees, and she really liked touching their trunks and leaves, and was happy when I sat her down on a lower branch. I think that being up there gave Abbie a different perspective of the world. She was looking all around her, then up, then down. But she was totally comfortable!  We took a lot of pictures, and we could not have asked for a better setting.  The weather was splendid, and everything was perfect.  We really enjoyed our family outing today, and are looking forward for a few more this summer!

Merrifield Gardens and Uncle Sean

Abbie had another terrific day: in the afternoon we went to Merrifield Gardens, where we walked around flowers, shrubberies and trees for a long time.  Abbie was mesmerized by the colors and textures of everything she saw.  She ate a Sage leaf and Stevia leaf (not at the same time, yuck) and picked a few more flowers for her little garden, including a Bouganvillea, which she was *really* excited about.  We had so much fun!  Abigail just loves the outdoors, which pleases me to no end, since I do too.  I am looking forward to more days in the sun.  

In the afternoon, her honorary Uncle Sean came over to visit.  It was so good to see him again, but of course there is a sad note since he is here getting everything set up for the move to Colorado: it makes it all so final... It seems so hard to believe that another chapter of life is ending.  So many people come and go, it's hard to say goodbye...  Abbie took an immediate liking to Sean, she voluntarily crawled over to him to check him out and be picked up by him. And of course, Sean was absolutely adorable with her -- he is really good with babies -- and got along famously with the little one.  They played, he helped her to get on her feet (which is sure to win immediate approval), talked to her, and she chirped away.  It had been a long time since she last saw him, so she definitely did not remember him.  How time flies!  I am really hoping that we will get another chance to spend some more time with Sean this week before he takes off for good.  And Abbie would love to see him again too, I know.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotted Mind

Two things I have been reflecting on lately. One, Life is Truly Bizarre.  And, two, Life is Truly Amazing. For the Bizarre part (and yes, I meant to capitalize The B), Abigail, the unknown variable, had the greatest of days today.  Just as I was expecting another Day in Limbo, she woke up all smiles and cuteness. Iaidada, Ahta' and Abbie spent part of the day in Fairfax Corner, I got a latte, walked around, took pictures.  Unknown Variable was totally affable, quiet and playful. Where did yesterday's little monster go?  I had no sooner told my husband what a pain in the neck she was than she decides she is going to get back in my good graces with her smiles and her loveliness, slobbery kisses and sweet babbles.  In all fairness, she never did fall from grace: she heaves up my existence.

I have loved many people in my life, some with ferocious intensity and depth.  Some of these people are long gone and only a memory in my spotted mind.  Some are still here by my side.  But nothing ever does compare to the love I feel for my Abigail, my one eternal sunshine. She makes it all worth it: the worries, the sleepless nights, the fatigue, the sacrifices  -- they are absolutely nothing compared to her somewhat clumsy caresses and loud pitch chirping: a good day with my little babe.

Yup.  Life is Truly Amazing.

Freaky Friday

Another day in Limbo. Abbie was not in a good mood today, mostly due to her lack of sleep from last night (guess who was playing wakey-wakey!). Of course, when I say that Abbie did not have much sleep last night, I am implying that Christopher and I did not get to enjoy much shut-eye, either. So, C dragged himself to the office this morning, and I dragged myself to my motherly duties. While Abbie vented her frustration all morning long and made my life miserable, I just endured the trouble and tribulation that inevitably come with the **** sleep regression. I called my mother to vent, but of course she sided with Abigail, which is not surprising, and that's fine, too, I still adore the little bugger. At any rate, after a two hour nap this afternoon, Abbie was a little bit better for the remainder of the day.

We'll see what tonight and tomorrow will bring... I am already dreading it. It's a crapshoot.

A Day in Washington D.C.

Yesterday we went to Washington, D.C. to have lunch with my good friend Demaris.  We had a very enjoyable afternoon, and Abbie was finally introduced to my friend Shanda, and was able to see her "Godless Mother", Nancy, for a few minutes. They all were so sweet to her :-)  At first, she exhibited the now common "stranger anxiety" symptoms: cried when picked up by any of them, or when away from me for more that second.  But as the day progressed, she became more comfortable, and even let Demaris hold her and play with her!

She made new friends at the restaurant: one of the waitresses just fell in love with her on our way to the bathroom, and came to see Abbie once again while we were eating.  The people sitting next to us befriended her, and when they left they talked to her for a few minutes and said "goodbye", and she waved to them.  She also had her first experience on a restaurant high-chair (yes, I don't get to go out a lot...).  She seemed totally comfortable.  She looked at everything and everyone while we walked around: she is certainly not accustomed to all the chaotic coming and going of people and cars.

 

I was so glad to see Demaris and for her and my daughter to meet.  Demaris was so sweet to Abigail, and I realized how much I have missed her calm ways, and her sweetness.  She is such a lovely person and always had such a calming effect on me.  We will get together sometime soon, so that Abbie can meet and play with Dali and Miki.  I can't wait!!!

Another Sleep Regression Cycle

We have officially entered the 8th/9th month Sleep Regression cycle.  It's 8 pm, and by this time usually Abigail has been asleep for over an hour.  Instead, as I type, she is crying and fighting sleep.  I have already been to her room once.  I picked her up, and she kicked and screamed even louder.  I put her down, sushed her, pet her little head for a few minutes.  She cried on and off, but nothing calms her down, except for maybe letting her do whatever she pleases.  But, we are tired.  I have been running after her all day, I am pooped.  

I keep telling myself: "This too shall pass," but while you are smack in the middle of it, you just furiously count the days you will have to put up with this and it only makes you madder.  I am not mad at Abbie, of course.  She is leaping forward, learning to be mobile, exploring her world. She has no time to waste on sleep.  And I totally understand it.  On top of it, she has six teeth coming in at the same time...  Still, it's hard.  It took me so long to train her to sleep well, and she did become such a good little sleeper. Used to go down wide awake for her nap, not a peep from her, and sleep for an hour and a half, twice a day.  Now, it's a constant battle.

My goal is to make it through this without relapsing in bad habits, and keeping her schedule.  I am going to have to go through re-training her, and she will have to go through it just as much.  It makes me mad.  The poor kid has enough on her plate, why couldn't nature design this better?  More physical exercise = being more tired = welcoming sleep.  Simple, right?  My little 38 weeks old sweet pea...  I feel so sorry for her, I only wish I could make it better.  But I am confronted with the worst part of my new reality: that I won't always be able to...

. . . And Then There Were Six!

Wow!  The front-upper incisor (right one) has finally cut through, after weeks of making fun of us!  So Abbie has got 4 little teeth on the lower gum, and two on the upper one, with two more heading out...  Her teeth-brushing sessions are getting longer, now.  Luckily for us, she loves having her teeth brushed!

Stay tuned for more!

"AhTa'!" and "Iaidada"

We have recently found out what our new names are: I am "Ahta'!" (emphasis on the "ta'!"), and Christopher is "Iaidada". That's what Abigail calls us, two distinctive names for the two people in her life. She has been calling us that way for a few months, but we only recently made the connection.
Abbie has explanded her vocabulary so much: she has been pronouncing different "words", different sounds, and very complicated strings of syllables and vocals. I am trying to decipher what she means. I have isolated a few things, but I am still very far away from a total comprehension of her vocabulary. I noticed  that she is able to understand many words, too. She knows thwhat "your daddy is home" means: she immediately turns toward the stairs, gets really still, staring in anticipation. It's serious business, for her, when her daddy gets home after so many hours of absence. She knows "food", and "nap" (*sigh*), she knows all the normal phrases of our day-to-day activities: "change our diaper", "stay put" (she doesn't anyway), "no, let it go", "open up (your mouth)", "take a bath", "go bye bye" (go out), "hi", "bye", "you want more?", and so forth.

She talks *a lot*. Ahem, ok, she babbles. A lot. She loves to experiment with her voice, and see what range of pitch she can get to... ohhh, and she *can* be loud. "That's ok, Abbie, I didn't need that ear", her daddy told her a few days ago. And she laughed. Here we are, going deaf by the day, and she thinks it's funny!
Well, actually, it really is :-)

More Abbie and Daddy Games

Daddy and Abbie have a fun time creating games together.  First came the "PiggyPiggyPiggy"  game which she still loves. Now it's the "KissyRazzberry" game.  While I hold Abbie, she will open her mouth wide and latch onto my cheek.  Then she'll blow a fat razzberry.  Naturally this makes me laugh, which in turn makes her laugh.  Then I latch onto her little cheek and blow a razzberry back.  We'll go back and forth like this for a couple of minutes until she gets tired or it. But it's wonderfully silly in it's simplicity.  
Another game she's come up with is the "ShakyHead"  She'll look at you for a minute, then with  get a big grin on her face, she'll shake her head back and forth.  Then she'll stop, like she's waiting for your reaction.  So I'll shake my head back and forth, and she grins even more.  Then I'll stop and she'll pick it up.  Abbie loves to tease her Daddy big-time!  She's an inventive little bugger. I like to think I'm directing her, but I really think she's teasing me to see what she can make me do. She's got me wrapped around her tiny itty bitty fingers.

They call me "The Crawling Monster", but I am actually "The Walking Type"

Well, slicing my thumb off my hand (almost) has stopped me from getting everyone updated on Abbie's progresses in life-research.
She is now crawling *BIG TIME*. She has started to go around and getting herself in all sorts of trouble! I am having a hard-time keeping up, you'll understand: I am no spring chicken. The little one is making me bite her dust alright! It is so funny to see her zip around, sometimes she still will creepy-crawl on her tummy: when she is worn out but still wants to go places. We had to childproof the electrical outlets in a fury, because that's the first thing she will go for. She has been opening the drawers in her room, getting her toy boxes out of the bookshelf. I often find her sitting up with both legs sticking out of the crib: somehow, even the bumpers can't keep her confined. I suspect she is trying to get out. She is still not able to get out of the crib, thanks heavens, so maybe she is trying to squeeze out. Fat chance, chubby baby!
Not only that, but since she has been pulling herself on a standing position, she has been trying to walk. When we play, she uses whatever part of me is handy (nose, ears, hair, knees) to get up, then she tries to move a few wobbly steps. I grabbed her by the hands, yesterday, and she moved several steps forward, and then started chirping oh so excited! She had the biggest smile on her face, and looked at me as if saying: "Did you JUST SEE THAT?!" She was just so proud of herself, and rightly so!
I am looking forward to all developments in the saga, but for now suffice to say that Miss Birdie is having the time of her life, so much so that naps are, again, drama time. She is shedding her morning nap already, they get shorter and shorter, and sooner or later they will just disappear. *Sigh*. I will miss that 1 1/2 hour of me-time, said the selfish mother.So, I am watching my little baby grow and soon she will be a "toddler". How did we get so far ahead in such a short time?!?

Standing up and The Affair of the Crawling

Life is unpredictable. Yesterday evening I was talking with my friend Katy about our kids, and she informed me that Little Miss Julia has been pulling herself to a standing position for a few days. While I though that was totally remarkable, I also felt that I am not ready for Abbie to do that, just yet... Don't ask me why. So, I felt relieved that I still don't have to worry about this phase. Visions of bumping heads, chewing on crib rails, pulling on shelves for support, and other unpleasant images popped in my head for a second, but quickly vanished together with my sigh of relief.
This morning, Little Miss Abigail decided to show me who's running the show, to dissipate any confusion. While we were playing on the big bed, she put her hands on me and got herself on a standing position! Just like that! I was aghast! I jumped up, grabbed her, and hugged her really tight! My little girl is standing up on her itty bitty self. She had the biggest grin on her face, and blew raspberries until she run out of steam. Today she held on to everything she could find, and got herself up. Over and over. When we were in the nursery, I had the radio on, and she started dancing while standing up and holding on to the chair! How cute!!!!
Also, I have noticed that when Abbie gets on her four to crawl, she sticks out one of her legs, to the side, and starts to push up, as if she were trying to get on her feet... She did it many times today, and while she hasn't figured out how it works, she has the basics down. She *almost* got herself up, once, but her little body is not strong enough yet. My goodness, I can't believe how fast she is growing. She will be nine months in 11 days, and in the same amount on time that she spent in my tummy, she has already developed into an independent, adventurous, curious, unstoppable little munchkin! She has changed so much! I miss the days when she was just this grunting, babbling little thing. But I am enjoying every step of the way, and how could I not: I'm in love!

Abigail, the index finger, and the piggypiggypiggy game!

Abbie is the funniest thing. For the last few weeks (about three), she has been fascinated by her little index fingers. She looks at them with a very serious expression on her little face, she touches their fingertips together, points to things with them, and laughs. She has taken to tracing objects with them. When we read, she will point to something on the book, or she will trace the edges of the book, sometimes even the images. When she plays, she will often pause to touch the toy with her index finger, ever so delicately. Abbie'd also do that with my me: she'll touch my eyebrows, my lips, my chin, my ears, whatever she is close to. It's so sweet. She even did that with the phone: pushed the buttons with her little index... The power of imitation? Who knows! But it's cute :-)  She seems to be pondering her big world so hard. Abigail and her daddy have been playing "piggypiggypiggy" for the last few days: he will say piggypiggypiggy in a funny voice and touch her nose with the tip of his finger. She loves that! It makes her laugh, or at the very least she blows raspberries the way she normally does when she is excited or happy. So, piggypiggypiggy, daddy touches her nose, and she will reciprocate and touch the tip of his. With her index finger, of course!

 

... And Then There Were Five!

Wide load coming through!!! It turns out that there are two more teeth poking out! The top left incisor, and the fourth bottom incisor. I felt them today as I was feeding little Abbie a piece of soft cheese! Stay tuned for more discoveries!!!

... And Then There Were Three

This is a mystery the likes of which not even Agatha Christie could have written about. Abbie now has three teeth! Three! And not the ones we were expecting and have been watching for: the superior front incisors. Although they are "there", very visible under her upper gums, ready to pop... Abbie has a third lower incisor! Right there, finally in the open! It was so funny when I saw it: I was feeding her, and this sharp thingy was just... there. I looked closer, and the realization just floored me. Christopher and I have been watching closely her top gums and taking bets as to when the front incisors would finally make their grand entrance. Oh well. It explains the crankiness of the last few days, and also why, when she "kissed" me today on the chin it hurt so bad. That thing is sharp!

Sitting up! -- And other alluring situations.

Sweet little Abbie gave me the most wonderful Mother's Day gift: she is getting herself to a sitting position from lying down all by her itty bitty self! She has been trying for the last couple of weeks and was actually successful (amid various grunts) even before today, many times... But this morning it was perfect! Effortless, gracious, just like second nature, one swift motion (or two). She is able to get herself in a sitting position from laying on her back as well as her tummy. Yay!! My fault entirely, that it has taken her so long: every single time I saw her trying, I would mindlessly help her and lift her up. I had to force myself in the last couple of days to *let her do her thing*! Sure enough, she pulled it off in a jiffy.
Then, the creepy-crawling is seriously getting out of control. I don't know *why*, exactly, I am still in denial about the fact that the little munchkin is able to get herself places... Just because she is not crawling a mile a second, doesn't mean that she is *not* crawling, right? She is going all over the house, I just cannot keep her confined anymore. Yesterday, she happily arrived to the electric outlets in her room, and today she started exploring the ones downstairs. I turn my head for a second, and she is already half way across the living room. Time for the stair gates, the electric outlet kiddie-proof plugs, and whatever else we need to safeguard Miss Curiosity. On top of it all, we have to lower the crib (should have already done it, really!!), since she has been trying to climb out of it. More often than not, when I go pick her up, her head is bobbing over the railing: she uses the bumpers to climb up, even though she cannot stand up yet. She also tries to climb out the bathing tub and the kiddie pool... Whew... Lots to do, things to buy, places to go, right, Abbie?
Yes, she definitely agrees.

A rose for Abigail

Abigail and I went flower shopping today. We had so much fun! We went to Merrifield Gardens here in Fairfax, and I carried her in her Baby Bjorn while I walked all over the nursery. She was so excited, the sun was high in the sky and it was nice and warm, the perfect temperature! As usual, Abbie received a lot of compliments from people, including an old couple who talked to her for a while, and she just giggled and clapped the whole time.
We looked at flowers to plant in our little balcony as I do every year, and picked out the most amazingly colored Geraniums, which she seemed very excited about: she tried to grab the flowers, and of course, eat them. Then I took her to see the roses. Does she like roses! She could not stop fidgeting the way she does when she is excited, she stretched to touch them, and when I got her close to a rose to smell it, she just had the biggest, brightest smile on that cute face of hers. So I thought: let's get you your very own rose plant! And I told her, "choose the one you like the most" as I went about the plants. I picked out a light pink colored rose plant which she seemed to like: she got *really* fidgety when she saw it. I though it was perfect: a pink rose for Abbie. We planted it once we got home, with her dad. Abigail's rose! A beautiful flower for my beautiful girl.

Grouchy Abbie

Boy, what a day we had today. Abbie was a total GROUCH all day!!! She had the most incomprehensible crying fits: she'd cry for a few seconds, then would be just fine for a few more, then she'd start crying again and so forth. I have to admit, it was tough.
She slept poorly too. Only 2 half-hour naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, which did not help matters.
After a whole day of this, I was happy when her daddy got home. I outstretched my arms to him while holding her, and said "here you go!".
I love my little bug, but she was a pest today!!!! What I find interesting, though, is that in the afternoon she got on her fours, and held the pose for a while. Now, she has been... creeping around, not quite crawling. Oh, she is able to go places alright, scooting on her butt or on her tummy, but has never officially crawled, even though she has been trying hard. Today was the first time that she got herself up as if revving her engines, ready to go! It was exciting! I am sure that's the reason why she did not sleep well and was so unbearable. My little baby is working things out, and getting a firmer grasp on the things that she wants to do. As paradoxical as that might sound, it makes perfect sense for a baby: their world is ever changing, ever forming, and Abbie is just getting herself ready to discover even more! And I will be here, waiting for it to happen, and applauding her and cheering for her every step of the way. Even when she is a grouch.

Abbie in Tilghman Island & St. Michaels Island

We came to Denice and Nancy's house yesterday, and since then Abigail is having the time of her life.  She had her first bar experience in St. Michaels today! While I drank a Mojito and her Daddy had an Ice Tea (reversed roles, for once), Abigail had fun smacking the bar table with her hand and requesting drinks (it seemed) when I did not let her have a sip of mine.  She made friends with the bartender, a nice, welcoming lady who kept coming over to talk to her, paid compliments to her and gave her some applesauce (she even offered to babysit!)  We spoke seriously with Abbie about underage drinking and how we would never put up with it, and she laughed at us with a mischievous look in her eyes.  Then she had even more fun when we sat in her in the kiddie pool we just bought. She never had sooooo much fun in the water! 
There was so much of it, outside in the sunshine, and Abigail just laughed and splashed and thought the world is just peachy.  Tomorrow we will do it again, and this time Daddy will get in the water with her (today, I did, and I admit I had a lot of fun myself!) This is a great weekend, Abbie could not have a better time than she is able to enjoy right now.  It seems as though we might have to buy a house out here after all!