Laughing like an alien

Latest "new parent who thinks everything they do is cute but actually all babies do these things and it is not really that unique" update:

She has started laughing. It is part dove coo and part something I can't describe. While she does this she makes this movement of her head during it that could be described as like a baby bird sticking out of its nest looking for worms. It also could be described to be similar to that huge asteroid worm in the Empire Strikes Back (or was it Jedi?) that is chasing the Millennium Falcon that had just flown out of its gut. With her head being so large in proportion to her body, she also reminds me of E.T. the extra-terrestrial.

Transitions

 
Today was take my daughter to work day, and also my last day in this career for the time being and my first day as an Official SAHM (Stay-at-home-mom), which brings on much sadness, ambivalence, relief, and gratitude. I have worked for Waverly Children's Home in a variety of capacities for five years, and while one constant was the headache of working in community mental health, with its excessive caseloads and meager funding, the other was the worthy (and sometimes almost impossible) challenge of providing good services within those parameters. Waverly was a good place to accept that challenge, I think. I learned a lot and went from green as grass to fairly seasoned in children's mental health. I obtained my license and worked with wonderful colleagues.

Now I'm green as grass in the field of motherhood. The challenges are different, yet similar. I was musing to my boss (who is expecting a baby in September) that during Anneke's naps I often feel like I have a multiple choice test for what to do next: a)clean the house b)fold the laundry c)put my feet up d)dink around on the computer. She laughed and said it's just like when you have a no-show at work. At any rate you have to make the most of your time. Lately I'm realizing the best way to do that is to take the advice from so many more seasoned parents: drink it in, because it goes by fast.

I love my career and look forward to returning to the field, but am so grateful for this interlude. Still,my stomach was in knots today as I drove out to show Anneke to my co-workers; I didn't really want to face the reality of saying goodbye. Once I got there it felt like I had never left. I picked up where I left off twelve weeks ago, and then packed up my things and moved out of my office. Whatever the next phase is, I'm so glad to have spent the last one where I did.

June 1...

 
 

...and it's cool and drizzly. But I have inherited mommy's tendency to dress the way she wishes the weather was. Mommy would like to stress that these are not my official 12-week photos, as they are a bit out-of-focus, and Daddy was not there to help take these. He was out cleaning the pool. In the rain.

Good Baby

 
 

Anneke and I go to Mamalates (Mom and Baby Pilates) and I must say she is a good student. For the most part, this is what she does while mommy works on her abs. She resists peer pressure to join the contagion of fussing that starts when the babies collectively decide that a particular exercise is LAME.

The other picture is included because how adorable is this?

uh oh--gotta go. Baby has decided that being in the bouncer is LAME.

11 weeks

We can now get her to smile at our will. Poor little baby.

Arkansas, Arkansas

 
 
 
 
Anneke's first trip to Arkansas: where do I even start? First I guess with a thank you to my family for being so hospitable, kind, and fun. We got to do all the things I love about going home, which for the most part involves eating: Mamo and mom's cooking (ham/scallopped potatos/butter beans); dinner at Mustin Lake (grilled burgers and Daddy's fabulous baked beans); lunch at Wood's Place (catfish and sweet tea, of course); dinner at our house (turkey and dressing--Christmas in May!); and last but not least: the Steak Cookoff at the Magnolia Blossom Festival!

Here's how it works: you gitchyer ticket, and you get in line. A really long line. You wait for about an hour, and then at 6:00 sharp you're off--corralled through an assembly line where you gitchyer baked potato, roll, salad, and tea. Then you run (like hell, in this instance, thanks to my dad)to your favorite booth to get your steak--there are tons of booths from all over the country, all cooking the same cut of meat their way. Unfortunately our pick ran out despite the sprint. I wish we had chosen LSU's booth (hi, Amy and Lindsey!) since they offered a lagniappe helping of jambalaya. But anyway. The best thing about the steak cookoff (my steak was a bit fatty) was the time spent with my Aunt and Uncle, cousins, and their many children under the magnolia trees on the courthouse lawn. We grew up an hour away from each other and used to meet up in Waldo, Arkansas at our Meme and Granddaddy's house. We don't see each other often enough, and despite the heat and (to borrow from the Britney Spears dictionary) hecticity, it was great fun.

I guess I could go on for pages about our time back home. I always leave feeling like I didn't spend quite enough time in my parents' back yard, or just with my parents and grandmother and aunt and uncle and cousin from Texarkana. I was thrilled to dress Anneke up in her Sunday best--an adorable Feltman Bros number from mom's friend Mrs. M.--and take her to First Presbyterian. I was honored to sit down for a visit with three of my fourth-grade teachers who showered us with children's books and admonished me to start reading to Anneke NOW (done). I had a glass of wine and a lovely visit with my friend Matt, who went to Yale Divinity and is the organist at the Episcopal Church. They Reynolds let us borrow the family cradle, which is 100 years old and has rocked several generations of Reynolds babies--this confirmed by Mrs. Dooley, nee Reynolds, after church.

And don't get me started on my sister and her daughter, Juliette. She blogged a fitting tribute to our family when she got home; ditto to her.

Anneke Grace, you come from good people, and I can't wait for you to continue getting to know and love them like I do.

Week 9 Smiles

Mom beat me to posting the Mother's day photos, so now I have to be quick. Just took this minutes ago.


I know it is a special thing for every new parent when their child responds to them with a smile. For the first time you know you are making them happy and they have transformed from a needy little human into someone who at least knows you are there.

And here is a movie of the same.

Tomorrow we are sending mom and baby to Arkansas for a 1 week visit. See you in a week little girl.