MushMush

That’s the nickname my dad has lovingly given Rose. We do a little thing called The MushMush Pic of The Day — which is just me sending them a smattering of Rose pictures. I get to take pictures, they get to see Rose; it’s a win-win.

He just texted me, “We need an MMPOTD!”

Because I couldn’t decide on just one, I’ll just go ahead and share them all here:

1. Giraffe feet are pretty cute. (Thanks Erin!!)
2. She loves her mobile.
3. Almost strong enough for the Bumbo.
4. Every new experience calls for big smiles.
5. Giraffes everywhere!
6. She loves her pacifier. It’s quite the security blanket.
7. The Bear Suit kills me. Those ears!

Although her colic still rages most days, we still manage to get quite a few smiles out of her. She’s holding her head up and bobbling less and less, and it’s hard to believe how much she’s grown in two short months.

I’m going back to work in a week. My world is very quickly going to stop 100% revolving around Rose (who am I kidding… we all know that’s a lie) and hopefully for you that means I’ll return to house-related shenanigans. There are so many spring-related items that I’m dying to get started on! 

Once the weather turns to warmth once and for all we’ll be working on our landscaping. Pair that with some back deck upgrades and we’ll hopefully have some nice little blog posts to share.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Enjoy the MMPOTDs.

Glorious Weather

Being at home on maternity leave during the winter is a mixed bag. It’s partly awesome because, well, I get to be at home. It’s also partly soul-crushing because it’s winter and I’m trapped in my house. For someone who’s claustrophobic, winter + maternity leave = OH MY GOD GET ME OUT OF HERE.

The last few days have been hovering around the 70° mark and it makes me feel like my heart is going to explode out of my chest with happiness.

I’ve been wearing Rose in the Moby Wrap for walks to keep her warm, but it’s finally warm enough out (and she’s finally big enough) to be strapped into her stroller.

 

If I’m not too traumatized by this whole baby experience to actually have a second child, we need to try and time the baby-making for a spring birth. This whole baby-in-the-winter thing is for the birds.

Sunshine! And blooms! And warm weather! Things are looking up.

 

An Update: Two Months of Cuteness

And crying. (Her, not me. Usually.)

And lots of wine.

And actually, lots of smiles between the tears.

Whenever she’s not crying she’s smiling. Which makes me scratch my head because I’m never too sure what kind of mood she’s in. It can go from I’M THE HAPPIEST BABY EVER to I HATE EVERYTHING in a nanosecond.

It makes me think that if she didn’t have the gas / pain / indigestion that was causing her pain, she’d be smiling ALL THE TIME. At the very least that’s what I’m telling myself. Because when she screams my brain goes haywire, my wires cross, and suddenly I can smell sounds and hear colors.

BIRD CHIRPS SMELL LIKE PEACHES.

She has the longest legs on this side of the Mississippi. They match her ridiculously lush eyelashes. Steve is already dreading that moment when the first boy knocks on our door. We don’t own a gun so I’m thinking he’ll just have to be intimidating with his hammer and power drill. He’ll threaten to build a coffee table or something.

Even though she looks like my mini-me, her personality is a lot like Steve’s: Gassy and happy! She also sleeps just like her papa…

Ok, ok. And like me. Steve and I are an attractive couple when we sleep. We are evolving into a race of mouth breathers. That’s my excuse.

She also has an appreciation for delicious beer, just like her dad:

Look at those chunky legs! I WANT TO EAT THEM!

Over the weekend we ventured on our first road trip back to Columbus so Rose could meet all of our friends and family. Aside from the EXPLOSIVE poop on our way into town, (Seriously. There was poop in her belly button.) our first road trip was a success!

We managed this photo of four generations, beginning in 1919:

It’s sorta mind blowing to think about how much the world has changed in almost 100 years. Grandma definitely isn’t tweeting pictures of her great-granddaughter. We Skyped once and I’m pretty sure it melted her mind.

Last but not least, I’m sharing this video. (Please excuse my baby talk and silly noises — you do what you gotta do to get a reaction from your baby. Even if it means coming off as a total wanker. I’m British now.)

I suggest watching with the sound on only so you can truly appreciate Olive’s complete and total confusion:

She’s a special dog. A special, special dog. Rose is finally starting to notice her when she goes in for a kiss, so that makes my heart explode with love. I can’t wait ’til those two are thick as thieves.

The last two months have been a total blur. I can’t believe how big she is already! Rose’s third month of life will include a trip back to Cleveland to meet Steve’s side of the family, the end of my maternity leave <insert shortness of breath here>, and hopefully a lot more smiles and a lot less tears!

And maybe I’ll return to home renovations? One can hope.

Cheeeeeese

Just popping in to say hello!

Hello.

Someone learned how to smile:

 

What a little ham!

The First of Many Adjustments

I am fully aware that our house isn’t baby proof. In fact, if I had given birth to a toddler — first of all OUCH — and second of all we’d have all kinds of child protective service cars over here.

I’m going to have to start figuring out how to make our house more kid-friendly. I know I have to eventually figure out what to do with all of the houseplants. I’ll need to make sure none of them are toxic, and the ones that are within reach are going to have to either be super glued or removed or else I’m going to have dirt all over the carpet and a toddler who’s extremely proud of herself.

Until that day comes — we still have, what? like a year? — I’ve started making small adjustments. A small, but necessary one, was simply switching the two end tables by the love seat to accommodate the GINORMOUS baby swing.

 

That big lamp looks a little strange on that small stool, but I didn’t want to move the light source. That would’ve thrown my mojo outta whack and I would’ve been even more off-kilter than I normally am. I realized that I love the large table by the green chair, so I’m probably going to get a glass round top for the ceramic stool, when things get switched back.

Another non-baby-related change was just simplifying things. I think my OCD is starting to slightly heighten because of all the baby supplies that are strewn around the room. I wanted less “stuff” out. I obviously can’t get rid of the baby junk, so I simplified the credenza and the fireplace mantel.

 

I know, I got rid of the awesome twinkly lights on the mantel, but you know what? The little monster inside my head named Obsessive Compulsive Phil (yeah, I just named him. So what.) is quiet now. Removing all the extra decor was like giving O.C. Phil a shot of Jack and a little hammock. He’s just minding his own business now.

I know, I know. All you moms are laughing your little demonic laugh right now, armed with the knowledge that the toy situation is going to get 10x worse before it gets any better.

The secret (not-so-secret) plan is to make a wooden drawer that will slide under the credenza to corral toys. More on that later! It’s in the works. And by “works” I mean Steve and I have had a single discussion about it. We’re hoping to really get started on it soon.

I hope you people are enjoying Spring. Tie up those snow boots extra tight!

The “C” Word

No. Not that one. Who do you think I am? I’m a mother now, I’ll have you know.

I’m talking about the other dreaded “C” word.

COLIC. 

Cue dramatic music.

To be completely honest I have to warn you that I’m not entirely sure what I’m typing right now. Do you know why? Because I’m more sleep deprived than I was in college when I was partying all the time studying for exams and doing all my homework.

Rose cries at least 3 hours every day. Cries? It’s really more like a scream. I thought things had gotten better once we had her all hopped up on her reflux meds, but no such luck. (And please. Spare me your ideology on newborns and medication. Unless, of course, you’re offering your babysitting services!!!) She’s spitting up a lot less and is generally eating better. But the crying? Yeah. There’s still lots of that.

Exhibit A:

That. For three hours. Always in the evenings when we’re both the most tired and just want to go to sleep ourselves. A few times we’ve had to put her in her crib and just shut the door for 10 minutes to regain our strength. AND THAT’S OK. If you’re a mom, and your baby has colic, you do what you gotta do to not Google “How do I sell my baby on the Black Market?”

Don’t check my browsing history.

This is my punishment for my textbook delivery. It was too easy. I knew it was going to come back and bite me. Karma is, what do they say? A bitch. Yes. She is a horrible, horrible, bitch.

So life is kinda stressful right now. But every once in a while the clouds part, the sun shines through, and we see a magnificent rainbow.

Exhibit B:

I MEAN COME ON. Mother Nature had to make babies cute for at least 3% of the time. I’m pretty sure humans don’t eat their offspring and this has GOTTA be why.

She melts my heart. One smile like that, with her looking directly into my eyes, whisks me away to a place where babies don’t cry and everything is soft and warm and fuzzy. And booze pours from golden fountains. And a shirtless Ryan Gosling gives me foot massages.

All this to say: If you’re a mom, and you’re reading this blog, and your baby cries ALL THE TIME… you are not alone, my friend. It’s okay to be scared, and mad, and frustrated, and worried all at the same time. From what I hear it gets better. I’ll report back. If I’m not back in 2 monts — send for help.

Crap. Did I just turn into a Mommy Blogger?

The Perfect Room

I’ve been following Emily Henderson’s blog for awhile now — her style is right up my alley and I sort of have a girl crush on her.

A few days ago she highlighted one of her recent projects and my jaw dropped. It dropped so hard I thought it was going disconnect from my face, fall through the earth, circle back around because of the pull of gravity, and then land right back on my face.

If you wanted to know my idea of a “perfect room”, well, here it is.

 

I encourage you to click through and check out her write up about the room and to see the rest of the pictures. She’s a genius. A decorating genius. And she’s adorable, so there’s that.

If anyone wants to buy me a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (yes, I capitalized it because it’s that important) I would be obliged. I think they’re only like $200. So, no biggie. I’ll send you my address.

 

 

Dump

Not as in, you know, a dirty diaper kind of dump… but more of a picture dump. These are from the last few weeks.

She loves her Wubbanub pacifier. It’s never more than a reach away. 

Olive loves the boppy and the baby. 

Our protective guard dog just doin’ her job.

Our first walk! It’s been cold, but sunny, so I can’t complain.
The Moby Wrap has been a lifesaver. 

Brown Eyed Girl.

Sleeping on Grandma. These two are inseparable. 

She loves the water. We’re hoping it continues!

Her inconsolable screaming fits are all but forgotten once she smiles back at us.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! We’re cooking up a small house-related project right now. Once it comes to fruition I can’t wait to share it!