"Playing" with friends

Now that Isabelle is a little older, I am able to take her out more often to friends' houses on play-dates. It is interesting to watch her "play" with other children. I used to think that she could care less whether or not other children were in the room, but I came to realize that she enjoys being around them. The other day, we were visiting my friend "C" and her 14 month old son "L". Isabelle was making loud, whining noises every few moments. I thought, perhaps, she was fussing or tired, but when I paid closer attention it became clear that she would only make those noises when "L" walked away from her. It was her way of saying, "Hey you, come over here!". Keeping true to her demanding nature, Isabelle continued to whine at "L" until he finally came over and then she upped the ante and whined even louder until he gave her the toy he was holding. Looks like we have a diva on our hands!

It's pretty adorable how she interacts with other babies her age and younger. Recently, while hanging out with Pocklock and her daughter Lyla (Bean), Isabelle tried to hold her hand and touch her face. She even "helped" her learn how to roll over (this consisted of rolling over herself a few times and then laying there staring at Bean until she successfully figured it out). I am really looking forward to the next few months and years as Izzy starts to really "play" more with other children...although I have a sneaking suspicion that she'll be the kid who needs to have ALL the toys. Diva!

A short letter to my munchkin

Dear Isabelle,
You are almost there pumpkin. Getting up on your hand and knees and rocking back and forth is the pre-cursor to crawling. Now, put one hand and foot in front of the other and start exploring the world around you! You can do it! Stop whining when Mommy puts you on your belly and get your little tush in action! By the way - I love it when you smile and laugh at all my silly antics. I think you have the most beautiful smile in the whole world. You crack me up with your noises and you have an unhealthy obsession with my feet (what is up with that?). I promise that there will never be a shortage of Cheerios in the house...or hugs and kisses. It really makes my day when you get excited as Daddy walks in the door (it makes his day too). You are the light of our lives and we love you to bits. Keep working hard at the crawling thing and before you know it you'll be cruising around the house and I'll be chasing after you wishing you were still immobile under your playmat. I love you for eternity...Mommy.

My daughter...the crocodile

Poor little peanut...her beautiful, smooth, creamy skin has become scaly and dry as of this past week. I don't know why she has all of a sudden turned into a crocodile, but I think it has something to do with the weather, the heat in the house and maybe the detergent I use (of course I am switching to Dreft Detergent immediately to remedy that part of the issue). Izzy's doctor has recommended that I start to use Aquafor on her skin in the morning when she gets up and at night right after her bath. I am basically slathering my baby in this Vaseline-y type of "lotion" morning and night and I don't see much of a difference. I don't want to use a steroid eczema cream if I can use something else, but this poor kid has skin like an iguana. I'm going to give the Aquafor a few more days...and hopefully it will start to work.

In other news, Isabelle will be crawling any day now (see video for reference). Even though she gets frustrated when she's on her belly because she hasn't quite mastered this feat just yet, she still seems to have the basics and I can't wait for her to reach this milestone. I'm sure I'll be kicking myself for saying that after the first week of having to chase after her as she crawls toward something potentially dangerous, but I am looking forward to seeing her enter into this new phase of her life. I'll be keeping everyone posted of her progress and will be child-proofing the house in the meantime.

The Veggie-Fruit Fake Out Maneuver

I am certain that this is something that all mothers are very familiar with...the Veggie-Fruit Fake Out Manuever. This move is used when your lovely, sweet child (who used to LOVE her green veggies) suddenly decides that:

a) she no longer like them at all and will throw a minor fit if you try to get her to eat them

b) there are far better uses for them, such as make-up for you and new paint for the walls and

c) she ONLY wants fruit and will demand it in the most annoying way possible (see video for reference)



Isn't that just...AWESOME! Ugh! It is literally a battle to the death to get Izzy to eat her green veggies (or really anything other than fruit). Therefore I have learned, practiced and perfected the Veggie-Fruit Fake Out Maneuver and I'm here to share my expertise with all mothers.



There are a couple of ways to attempt this oh-so-important and useful manuever. The first fake-out move is to scoop some veggies onto the spoon with a small dollop of fruit on the tip. When your baby smells and maybe tastes a bit of that fruit on the front of the spoon, he or she will (hopefully) be more likely to open his or her mouth for the entire spoonful. This may not work more than once or twice because your baby is a smartie and will catch on quickly. This is why it is necessary to have an abundance of fruit because the next spoonful should be all fruit...this makes your baby think that more fruit will be coming and you can repeat step one again. It's all about the trickery.



The next move in the fake-out routine is mix, mix, mix! Green beans and sweet potatoes? Delish! Greens and apples...why not? Peas and Pears...if it works, go for it! I recommend a one-to-two ratio of greens to mixing-component until your baby has given in to the fact that he or she will be getting green veggies one way or another.



This not-yet patented Fake-Out Manuever has been working fastastically for me for the past week or two...and will hopefully continue to work until Isabelle decides that she no longer likes fruit and only wants bread. She certainly keeps me on my toes. :-)

I'm BAAACK

The holidays wreaked a bit of havoc on my blogging time and then, let's face it, I just got lazy. But now I'm back and in full swing mode...ready to blog away about Isabelle and all her funny (and sometimes annoying) antics.

MY TRIP TO MONTREAL
by: Isabelle

Let's start with a little tirade about the car ride...it was 6 hours long! Mommy and Daddy know that I hate the car seat for even 20 minutes, much less 6 whole hours. I know that Mommy tried to trick me into sleeping, but she doesn't seem to realize that I'm too much of a smart cookie for that maneuver and boy, did I let her know it. I gave her a piece of my mind for at least half of the trip and after all that, I really needed a beer...so Daddy let me try his (just kidding...don't get your knickers in a bunch. It was empty!).



Once we were out of the car, Grand-Papa showed me around so that I could get used to my new surroundings.

We relaxed and I had a nice cold coca-cola to refresh myself (just kidding again...I'm still a boob-chic who loves nursing all the time). I really loved spending some time with my Great Grand-Maman. It was the first time I was meeting her and she gave me TONS of kisses and hugs. She even cried a little when she hugged Mommy and Daddy and I think I heard her saying "Merci" a lot, which means "Thank You" for all you non-french speaking folks.

My cousin Frederick held me and played with me. I'm still trying to figure out how to say "You Rock" in sign language, but I probably need to gain better control of my hand movements first.

When I met my aunt Monique (Grand-Papa's sister), I was a little unsure of how to react, but then she and Grand-Maman started to dance around and sing. They looked so funny, I couldn't help but smile and have a good time.

By the way - for 84 years old...Grand-Maman is pretty strong. Her hugs are like vice-grips!

Mommy and I got dressed up for Christmas. I may have cried a little, but in my defense there were lots of people there and I got nervous...so sue me!

Daddy made everything okay though. He always makes me laugh.

I decided that before I went to bed, I would check Santa's pockets for any leftover gifts he may have forgotten to give me. I doubted he was holding out on me (I mean, I did get just about every toy in existence), but it never hurts just to check.

Hee hee...I found one more small gift, but I'm not telling what it is. It's my secret with Santa and since he just stands there and dances from side to side, I'm pretty certain he won't tell anyone.

The next day, I helped Grand-Maman bake a pie. I did most of the work, but she took all the credit!

As a reward for all my effort with the cooking, Daddy played my favorite game with me..."Find the Baby". That baby is just everywhere!

Not only did I cook, but I also helped to set the table. I am such an awesome little house guest.

Grand-Maman bought me a comfy, warm hat to thank me for helping her with all the holiday preparations.

Grand-Maman told me some really funny jokes and we laughed together for a long time.

I laughed so much I thought I may have had a little accident, so I took a moment to check. Luckily, Mommy was nearby to take care of the incident.

After all that partying, cooking and socializing, it was nice to be able to just take a quiet family walk with Grand-Maman, Grand-Papa and Daddy. But boy-oh-boy was it cold out there!

My first trip to Montreal was fantastic. I met lots of new people and family members and I can't wait to go back when I'm a little older so that I can join in the conversations more and play with everyone. Maybe I'll even be nicer to Mommy and Daddy during the car ride...probably not though. :-)

DON'T Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

I haven't seen this much snow in a long time. When I was living in the city, it would snow a lot, but hardly ever stick to the ground. If it did stick to the ground, it was beautifully white, making the city looking fresh and clean for about 30 minutes and then it was slushy, dirty and brown from all the cars and people. Up here in the 'burbs, everything is covered in a blanket (a very THICK blanket) of white, puffy snow...which obviously makes it difficult to do anything or go anywhere. I was supposed to pick up Marc from the train station. Not a hard task on most days, but today with the snow and the baby, this task was impossible. In pre-baby times, I would have gone outside, shoveled the driveway, warmed up the car, given myself PLENTY of time to get to the station and gone to pick up my hubby. But today, if my neighbor hadn't (luckily) been on the same train as Marc and offered to drive him home, I would have had to first make sure the baby was down for a nap so I could go outside to shovel, shovel as fast as possible before she woke up from her nap, feed her after she woke up just in case the trip to the station took forever, change her, bundle her up and get her into the car seat (unwillingly, on her part, of course), and then drive as slowly and carefully as possible to pick up Daddy. Meanwhile, I'm sure she would have been screaming the whole way because of her aversion to said car seat, which wouldn't have mixed well with the stress I would have felt driving in this weather and on top of that I would have been stuck in the traffic that I've been hearing about from my neighbors due to accidents and poor (or non-existent) plowing situations. Boy am I glad that we have nice neighbors (did I mention that one of them has already plowed my driveway since he was already doing his own and my other neighbor's father is going to come by later with his truck and do ours when he does his son's?). I wish that Marc hadn't gone to work today because since the first snowflake started to fall, my stomach has been in a knot that won't be untied until he safely walks through the door. This crazy weather has also put a damper on plans I had with my friends tonight...our annual instead-of-gifts dinner. Thankfully we were all able to reschedule for Monday. I would have been super pissed and sad if we couldn't have picked an alternate date.

As a kid, days like today mean a snow day, a snowball fight or a snowman, but as an adult it becomes shoveling, stressing and kinda sh*tty in general. I'll probably enjoy snowstorms more when Isabelle is able to play in the snow, but until then I'm perfectly happy with just a little flurry or, better yet, no snow at all.

Big Box O'Gifts!

Today, St. Nick visited our doorstep on behalf of Izzy's Great Aunt Karen. On our mini stoop was a huge box and inside it was filled with presents. We decided not to open any until next week before we leave for Montreal, but they were all from Aunt Karen and Henry. It's too bad that we live so far from them because AK truly has the touch. When Isabelle was really small, AK came to visit and when NO ONE else could get that baby to quiet down and sleep, in came AK to save the day. Perhaps it was because she once had a baby like Izzy (fussy, wailing, non-sleeping), perhaps it was because Isabelle sensed no fear with her (whereas with me she could smell it a mile away) or perhaps it was simply because AK had developed a patented swaying motion that the rest of us had yet to learn. All I know is, she is the only one that was able to get Isabelle to fall asleep in the car seat...and that is quite a feat. Makes me kinda wish she were free to travel with us next week. Isabelle loves her Great AK and you can hear her saying so in the bath time chatting video. I know that all some may hear is "Ba ba ba ba", but I know that she said, "I love my Great Aunt Karen"...I heard it when I played the video backwards (yes, my baby knows how to create subliminal messaging...didn't you know she's a genius?). Anyway - GAK (Great Aunt Karen), if you're reading this...thanks to you and Henry for the wonderful gifts that we plan to open next week and we can't wait to see you again!

What is is about holiday parties that make people lose their minds?

I went to my neighborhood holiday party last night. I didn't have to go far (literally right across the street) and I was excited to be out of the house past 7pm...that hasn't happened in a long time (7 months today actually). :-)

Marc and I were going to go to the party in shifts since we didn't have a babysitter for Isabelle (Mom is in Florida and Dad originally said he would babysit, only to snatch that nugget of hope away because he forgot he was going to be in Pennsylvania). For a moment, and it really was just a moment, I thought that maybe Marc and I could both go and just bring our little portable video monitor with us (since it gets pretty awesome reception). But then I realized, very quickly, that it was not the best idea and probably means that I'm a bad mommy for even thinking it. Sometimes you just get a little nutty at the thought of going out...know what I mean?

The party was great...lots of food, booze, music and nice people. After a little while, I called Marc to let him know that I would come home and he could have "his turn", but (and this is why I LOVE my husband) he told me to stay because he knew how much I wanted/needed a night out. I ended up bartending for most of the evening (because that's my comfort zone) and shooting the breeze with everyone until nearly 1:30am. During the party, people really just lost their minds. One of the girls hung Christmas tree ornaments (the balls) from her shirt in two "interesting" spots and wad dancing around, one of the guys ended up in a toga and I might have smushed cake on my neighbor's shirt (he dared me to and his wife said it was okay so what was I supposed to do?). I had a few drinks (which hit me like a ton of bricks since I haven't really had much alcohol in over a year) and overall had a blast. Last night, I was not a mommy...I was just a chic hanging out and having some drinks with friends.

Of course, as soon as I came home I was back in Mommy-Mode because the first thing I did was pump-and-dump so I wouldn't get my child drunk in the morning ("Mommy, is that screwdriver I taste?"). My lovely daughter reminded me, very loudly at 6am, that I am in fact a mom and not just a chic hanging out anymore. But the headache, puffy eyes and exhaustion today was well worth it. Yay for the holidays!

So much for that

Well, I tried. This was my first time doing the NaBloPoMo-post-every-day-in-December experience and I made it 9 days. I pikced the wrong month to try to think of something to write each day...what with Christmas shopping, visiting family and taking care of Isabelle, I just couldn't do it. We'll just have to try again next month.

On to recent goings-on...Grandma is off to Florida tomorrow for 2 weeks. Last night we had a mini fake Christmas, coupled with taco night, and Isabelle got even more gifts from Grandma (THANKS!). It's funny that as a child we can't wait for Christmas so that we can ask Santa (and relatives as we get into our teenage years) for the latest, greatest items on the market...and we have no shame in asking for LOTS of them. As an adult, you don't really get to do that anymore because it's considered to be uncouth. Then you become a parent and when your little one is too small to ask for things herself...you get to do it for her and it's like being a kid all over again. Only thing is you don't exactly get to enjoy the spoils, but it's still fun! Izzy has already gotten so many things from her Aunt Linda and Grandma Diane, not to mention the thousands of items Mommy has already been buying her since she was born (and claiming that they're Christmas gifts so Daddy won't get too mad at how much she's spending).

We're getting closer and closer to our trip to Montreal and the excitement is definitely building, as is the stress. I'm not stressed about seeing the family (I can't WAIT for that), but I am concerned about how the traveling and parties and events that are planned will affect Isabelle's sleeping patterns and overall mood. I am hoping that she will just be touched by the Christmas spirit and be an angel the whole trip, but I have a feeling that is one Christmas wish that is a bit of a stretch. :-)

Odd Happenings in Our Home

New mommies beware! Just when you think you've got your kid somewhat figured out, she/he will go and change things up on you so fast you won't know what hit you! For the past week or so, things with Izzy have been going along swimmingly...she's been a little crabby and had the whole "I can't poop" thing going on, but the sleep has been basically decent and the naps have been nice and regular. And then came today.

Naps...sucky. Evening playtime...crummy. Going to sleep....don't even ask me about it! There's no fever, I don't think she has a tummy-ache, she's been fed and yet, she has been having the worst time falling asleep tonight. It usually only takes her a few minutes...tonight we were up to 65 minutes of tossing, turning, whining, crying. I even went in to her (against the advice of CIO, which we've been doing successfully for a while now) and nursed her a little more. I thought she'd go down relatively easily after that, but no dice. Even in my arms she seemed miserable. She finally fell to sleep a full hour and 15 minutes after the time I originally put her down and now I'm just insanely worried about how she will fare tonight (and possible subsequent nights). Usually when she has "sleep disturbances" like the ones she's had today, they last over the course of a few days and then things get back to normal...or as normal as they'll ever get given the fact that she is a baby, hence unpredictable and the epitome of everything abnormal. Maybe this is all happening because she has been learning how to sit up almost completely unassisted over the past two days. They say ("they" being the all-knowing baby gods of the parenting magazines and websites) that when a baby achieves a milestone, such as sitting up or crawling, his or her mind and body go into over-drive with the new learning experience and they tend to have some changes in their sleeping habits as a cause of it. It sounds logical, even though it also sounds like the kind of thing you'd say with a lot of conviction in the hopes that people would believe you (kind of like when people tell you that it is good luck when a bird poops on you). Who knows...maybe it's true and maybe it's not, but all I can hope for is a good night's sleep for Isabelle, as well as for myself and Marc. Fingers crossed!