Month 2

Two months in... hoo boy. I'd say time feels like it's flying but only when I look at the dates. It actually feels like it's craaaawling on a day to day basis. Things are going well here. Ed is super busy, working a ton. Health wise he's doing well, still getting treatments. We're both trying to carve out time to exercise but Elise likes to make that as challenging as possible. Someday... someday that will happen again! Oh, to go for a run. What I wouldn't give to workout to exhaustion again.

I'm holding up too. I'm enjoying this parenting gig so much more now. I'm more like the parent I thought I would be when I imaged having a family. The first month was horrible, and dammit, I'm allowed to say that. In fact, I feel like a better parent for having made it through. It's not suddenly a cakewalk or anything, but, I wake up looking forward to the day. I don't dread opening my eyes and feeling like I'm staring down another day of not having a clue or feeling helpless. It's a combination of the hormones getting better, of Elise growing and of just getting the hang of the day to day tasks.

Looking back over my last update on her, I feel like I really downplayed and glossed over how ridiculously hard the first month was... After reading some articles about how that helps no one, I just want to say that there were days I wasn't sure how I was going to pull through. And there was no fix for it either. It didn't help talking to most other moms because so few had the same experience or were willing to say how dark it could get. It just took time. Lots of time and putting one miserable foot in front of the other until magically, you hit a certain time (about 1 1/2 months for me, many months later for some others), and suddenly things don't seem so dire and you feel more love for yourself and your baby and your life. A month and a half may not seem very long, but when you're in it... it's scary. And to think for some it can be that way for months? Yeesh.

So for my friends who are expecting, if you have an easy go of it the first month, congratulations. I want to hear all about it. Boast and brag and share all the wonderful moments you have. But if you have a hard time? I want to hear that too. Complain, despair, vent, cry out and try to connect over the hardship as well. I'm a very open ear to anyone who needs it.

Now, onto the munchkin!

We're not in love with morning photo shoots...

What We Are Like:
Noisy and active. Our active hours are even more rambunctious, kicking and punching and squirming, but, she also sleeps so much more now and that is amazing. We still don't have a 'schedule' but, from what I've read, a lot of babies find that around 3 months. She's so much more a 'real baby,' responding and being interactive. It makes me miss home quite a bit. I know it'd be wonderful to share these moments with friends and family. Facetime will have to do! Soon I'll try taking her to the pool, it's getting hot enough here for sure.

We Like:
* Howling and meowing (that's the best way to describe the noises she makes). Ed will howl at her and she responds in kind. She's got quite the yell on her now and loves to use it, especially when Dad is still trying to sleep or Mom is on the phone.
* Mobiles! We're tracking the mobile in the crib and on the swing. It's pretty darn cute when she's gazing agape at the birdies and farm animals.
* Robbie Williams - I've mentioned she loves the most recent swing album he did but, now I've acquired the first swing album on vinyl. I'm pleased to report she loves it just as much.
* Being outside - I'll walk her around the patio after the sun goes down and help her reach out to touch all the leaves and flowers.
* Cloth diapers! Ok, so maybe she doesn't care about these one way or another, but she doesn't hate them and that is amazing.

We Don't Like:
* Tummy time. Does any baby like tummy time? That'd be nice if they did. Elise is decidedly against it. Squeaking face down on the floor.
* Waking up any other time other than 4am. That first wake up is so peaceful and cute. Every time after that? Full blown freakout. It's hard waking up when you're little. Hell, it's hard anytime I suppose.
* The movie Gravity - specifically the loud noise accompanying a dead body floating by. Poor baby. I didn't even jump but the noise was enough to scare the living daylights out of her.
* Car rides. On one hand, it'd be nice to have an additional way to soothe her. On the other, I'm glad it's not a good tool for her so I can save some gas and pollute less.


Not Sure About:
* Mom's singing... still hit or miss here. I'll just have to try to get all my singing in during my brief shower times. Womp womp.

And now a barrage of pictures! 

Rosie is a master gardener... if you sprinkle out some fresh catnip for motivation.

Just part of our cloth diaper stash. We've got prefolds out the wazoo! I'm really enjoying this so far.

For Mother's Day I was treated to a lovely french toast breakfast and a trip out to the city's rose garden. Excuse the ridiculous amount of flower pictures... I couldn't help myself!

Adorable girl doing her mother's hair