Rugrats a-go-go

 
 
 
 
Saturday we had a few friends over for a "pool party." The reason people are in long sleeves instead of swimsuits is because it was 65 degrees outside. Dave made pulled pork and we offered a Kansas City, Arkansas, and Gresham option for bbq sauce. Strictly speaking, pulled pork is not really Arkansas or Kansas City style--not sure about Gresham. But man was it good! This get-together was a rugrat explosion! If only we could harness cuteness as an alternative energy source we would totally have it made in this crowd.

C is for carrots!

 

 

 

What should we feed her next? The winning respondent will get...to read about it on our blog.

Babysitters!

Today Grandma came to stay with Anneke all day while I went to a workshop on School Refusal. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated it. For one, Grandma got her to take a bottle. The lactation consultant told me to trust my instincts, and one of those intincts was that Grandma could make it happen. I reveled in the intellectual stimulation and opportunity to talk with colleagues. I REALLY needed it.

But this got me reflecting on how thankful I have been for Grandma, Darlin', Aunt Brenda, Emily, Mary, Ashleigh, Dana, and Sara, who have been Anneke's babysitters thus far. (and all the friends and Aunt Stephanie who haven't had their turn yet, but who have standing offers). When I leave her I don't worry for Anneke but just about burdening them with fussiness, etc. But these highly skilled women have all found ways to calm our baby in their own ways. She has lots of fun, and I get my hair done, my nails did, and my brain activated. It takes a village to keep me presentable and sane.

State of the Baby

 
 
 
Well, for grandparents and far-flung family and friends, here's an update:
Anneke is quite the little baby now. She has two teeth almost all the way in and two more getting ready to show up. She is getting more hair on her head and is exercising her will by refusing a bottle. She really enjoys the toys in her exersaucer. She laughs a LOT, especially at her daddy and the kitties. She smiles even more. She rolls over both ways now! She's vocalizing a lot--we know she's awake in the morning when we hear her contented "ehhhhhhhhs" over the monitor. She can hold her rattle and will put anything she can get into her mouth. She loves her rice cereal and will try carrots next week. When we go to pick her up she flails her arms towards us, and I take that very personally. When we read books she reaches for the pages, and I think she has taught herself to read. Her favorite show is Magnum P.I., which she watches with mommy during clothes-folding and mid-morning meal.

Staycation

 
 
 
 
Thursday through Sunday it was Arkansas hot--no less than 100 degrees in Portland. With no air conditioning and poor insulation a special kind of despair settled in about 48 hours into it as Anneke and I hid out in the darkened house.

So because it was too darned hot for anything else, and because I was already burned out before the heat wave, Dave declared this past weekend a Staycation. Actually, Anneke and I got a head start when our friend Heather and baby Sofia came over Friday afternoon bearing swimwear and a thermos of strawberry daquiris--yum yum!

Saturday Dave made chocolate waffles, then later on we filled our sport bottles with G&Ts and strolled the baby to the Hawthorne St. Fair and then the grocery store for bbq supplies. Anneke took extra long naps in the heat, affording mommy and daddy some pool time. After a delicious bbq we strolled over to a nearby park for an outdoor screening of the classic western Shane. All of our neighbors were there, and I must say I love our neighborhood, and how we could look around and imagine being friends with everyone there. As we left we walked past a brick building that absolutely radiated heat from the day. That night all three of us crowded onto our crappy futon in the basement for a fitful sleep--but much more comfortable than upstairs.

In the midst of this Anneke had her first taste of rice cereal after a few meals where she swatted longingly at our french fries and chocolate waffles!

By Sunday evening very few of our weekend chores were done, but I felt so refreshed and connected to my family. I need to remember this when I start to get that stay-at-home-mom tunnel vision; there's more to life than a clean house. Dave, do not quote me on that. Unless you're making chocolate waffles.

Nighty-night

I've been thinking about blogging about how much I love and appreciate my husband, but have been hesitant because I don't want to get too personal/gushy in the blog-o-sphere. So I won't.

One of my many neurotic fears is that when Dave is running late it's because he has had a massive stroke. Because, you know, he's a prime candidate. Really, it's just a residual fear from the accident--I don't really sweat it. Anyway, Dave puts the baby to bed at night--well, I nurse her to sleep, and he comforts her after she wakes up and cries (you know that last scene in Fatal Attraction where Glenn Close springs up out of the bathwater? it's kind of like that. only more developmentally appropriate). About five minutes ago I realized it had been a long time since he emerged haggard but victorious from the nursery. Said stroke fear crossed my mind as I opened the door and saw sleeping baby in crib but no Dave. I looked down and found him lying on the floor, snoring next to the crib.

I'm not sure if this illustrates my point well, but I don't know what I would do without him.

Five months old!

 

 

 

Mommy brain

I just want the world to know I made it from the grocery store to our house with a rotisserie chicken on top of the car.

Cousins

These are Anneke's cousins. They all love Baby Anneke! She loves them, too.

 

 

 

 

August 3...

...is Granddaddy's birthday (on mommy's side) and Grandma's birthday (on daddy's). What a lucky granddaughter. Belated happy birthday!