Oh Happy Day!!

Jill has been released! I spoke with Katie this morning and she is jubilant, as am I. I am walking on air and am so thankful and happy for the Carroll family.

new tricks

As Daniel approaches the six-month mark, he has added lots of new tricks to his repertoire! Blowing raspberries has become his new favorite - successfully covering me with spit. It is hilarious, and he does it all of the time! He can also sit up now, with no support, for a decent period of time before falling over. He usually falls to the side or back. Today, I caught him by the head as he headed towards the floor. While Gigi and I browsed the aisles at ULTA, Daniel worked hard to pull off his sock, and then put it in his mouth for a good chew. When we got in the car, my mom took his other sock off and handed it to him for play, and Daniel cackled with glee. He laughs A LOT these days, and that sound alone will cheer up even the most stressed out mom with two mortgages!

Yesterday, my mom, sister, and I were lunching together at a not-to-be-named chain restaurant (very popular in Ohio), when we experienced our first round of discrimination for having a child! Our very unfriendly waitress, Paula, became testy with us because I requested a glass of warm water for Daniel's bottle and parked our stroller behind the table. We requested a move, and Rocky warmly served us and received a 50% tip from me and Jo.

Make Mine a Double

So, it's official. We own two homes. I never really thought it was possible without winning the lottery. I have been dreading it. I managed to make it through the closing without alcohol or tears. What is so wrong with our condo that we can't seem to sell it, I ask you? We have had lots of traffic. 100 flyers are GONE! We are going to have to lower the price. Sheesh. I REALLY want new windows in our new place. Not going to happen if we don't clear all of the closing costs. The current ones are ugly, and not double-paned so we are wasting energy. Won't the real estate gods side with me on matters that affect the environment?!?

zuchinni and mango

I am moving Daniel on from rice and fruit to veggies in the next week or so. Depends on how much I want to hear it from the pediatrician when we go for his six months check up on the 7th. I need to blog about pediatricians soon. I might wait until I get the "go" from her so I am stocking up. Today, I went to a grocery store by my in-laws and found zuchinni and mango baby food! How cool is that? It also has the Spanish words for the food on the label, so I am thinking these are foods to meet that market. I am glad I have them for the variety in Daniel's diet.

Gigi (a.k.a my mother) is coming for a week-long visit! She arrives tonight. The woman who HATES to fly, especially by herself, is on a plane right now sans my dad. It's amazing what happens when a grandchild appears. I will be giving my parents a hard time because I realized the other day that in the six and a half years I have lived here, up until October 7, 2005, they had visited me annually only. This will be their fourth visit in six months! Daniel is very lucky to have such jetsetters for grandparents. It is so fun for me to watch them with him.

Still have not sold the place. Real estate gods are NOT with me these days. My sister informed me that Mercury is in retrograde so decisionmaking will be slowed until this weekend. Maybe with the stars on my side, we'll finally get lucky.

A lot on my mind....

It's been a while, I know. I have a lot on my mind. One would think that all of the questions in my head would make it so easy to sit down and blog, but my mind is too cloudy to write.

That doesn't make sense. It's like there is so much in my head that I can't get my thoughts straight.

I am worried.
I am stressed.

I am worried about Jill, my new friend from Target, my condo on the market, and my body which seems to have many new ailments since giving birth.

I am stressed because we are moving in just under two weeks, will have two mortgages, and because nothing seems to be making Daniel happy this morning.

Aaahhhhh...adulthood. Here are some fun pics of Daniel that perk me up. The chin strap is for you, Nat.

Just Add Fruit...

Babies have taste buds and preferences!! I did not know that developmentally, Daniel would like and dislike certain things AND be able to communicate these to me at five months of age. Oh yes! He can!

The introduction of cereal to his diet did not go so well when we began a couple of weeks ago. He made awful faces as I shoved the rice cereal into his mouth. After about three bites, he began squirming in his seat, grunting in displeasure. So, I didn't push it. Scott's secretary and my mom said, "Add a little fruit." I was hesistant to do so - the pediatrician had advised me not to give him anything but formula until he was six months old! At 4 1/2 months the poor kid whined after an 8 oz bottle - that told me he wanted more. So against the pediatrician's advice, I was now going to give him cereal AND fruit?

He LOVES it. I mixed in a little fruit (bananas first) with the cereal, and it was a whole new experience. The first time, Daniel sucked it off of his lips! Now, 6 days later, he opens his mouth when he is ready for another bite and is a bit unhappy when I announce, "All gone!"
We've moved on to pears, and will probably try applesauce this weekend. I'll post a picture later when I feed him.

Mu Omicron Mu

Daniel is 5 months old today! It is hard to believe that exactly 5 months ago I had the most extreme day of my life. I think about labor and delivery regularly. I look at Daniel and cannot believe that he lived inside me and that I pushed him out. Delivery was seriously the most exhausting, painful, and exhilerating thing I have ever done....even with an epidural.

Ever since Daniel was born, I have noticed a new connection I seem to have with other mothers, even complete strangers. No matter their age, there is this understanding of sorts between us. In just five months, there are some events I can now say I've "been there" for - labor, delivery, NICU, blood tests and shots, pediatricians, colds, sleepless nights, sagging body parts, etc., and that shared experience, no matter how different the details, creates a link between us.

I am a fully initiated member of the mom sorority - Mu Omicron Mu. No matter the age, any woman with a child of her own is an initiate of this sorority. Fathers cannot join Mu Omicron Mu, and the reasons for that will be saved for a future blog.

Facts about Mu Omicron Mu:
Founded - Garden of Eden
Colors - Pastel Pink and Blue
Badge - Silver Diaper Pin with a Spit Up Glaze
Pledge Period - Pregnancy/Waiting for Adoption
Initiation - Labor and Delivery
Dues - Pledge Fee - Maternity Clothes, Initiation Fee - Stitches, Monthly Dues - Competitive Fellow Mothers Who Feel the Need to Tell You How Much Harder They Have It And How Much More They Accomplish On A Daily Basis (women are still women! Watch out if you join a mom's group!)

I recognized this link early on, but I have become more aware of my membership in Mu Omicron Mu in the past few weeks. I feel a connection with the patrons of Safeway, Starbucks, CVS, and the Metro who, like me, are tending to their offspring while trying to complete what used to be uncomplicated errands. I made a new friend in the baby food aisle at Target last week for Pete's sake!!! Mothers who were just social acquaintances before 10/7/05 are now women I go to for advice! I have an even deeper appreciation and respect for both of my parents.

I am impelled to reach out to the pledges of Mu Omicron Mu, i.e. pregnant women, while I am out and about. Smiles of encouragement and questions about their well being come flying out of my mouth! I do not, however, offer obnoxious, unsolicited advice to these women as so often happened to me as I waddled my way through D.C. and Annapolis last spring and summer. No need for hazing, pregnancy is bad enough at times!

Noreal need to wear "letters" or a pin because the food residue on my shirt, scent of Johnson's baby lotion on my hands, and bags under my eyes will tell anyone who notices I am a Mu Omicron Mu.

Daniel Update

I feel that I have strayed from my original purpose of creating this blog. The reason I began this blog was to record what is going on with Daniel in real time so that I do not forget. So, here's a list of Daniel memories for the recent week.

• Squeals - high pitched!
• Starting to blow raspberries with his tongue and will mimic Scott doing it.
• Consistently rolling to the right from stomach to back
• Grabbing for everything! He tipped over my cereal bowl this morning. Likes the sound of paper and plastic bags when he grabs them.
• Will play with just about anything and put it in his mouth.
• Right eye still "gooey" from his blocked tear duct and we have no idea what to do about it. The ointment seems to irritate the skin around it. He tears sometimes leave red, temporary, stains on his cheeks.
• Dirty diapers average one per day, usually before noon.
• Sleeping well! Is ready for bed about 7 these days - will melt down if you do not give him the bottle quick enough. Sleeps until 4-5 a.m. and then just needs the pacifier. He's been waking up between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.
• Will put himself to sleep! Lay him down, give him his pacifier and blankie (which he proceeds to pull up over his face) and he is out in just a few minutes.
• Loves having his clothes off! (see pic) Is not happy getting dressed!
• Can sit up with little support. Loves to stand and look around. Daniel is starting to squat and lean to reach the things he wants to pick up.
• Is not so in to the cereal. Makes funny faces when we feed him and manages to end up with most of it on his clothes and face.
• Smiles at just about anyone and laughs so hard he gives himself the hiccups!
• SWEET BABY