When Derrick recently suggested I’m addicted to the Internet, there was little I could say in my own defense. I decided it was time to do something if want to get a fraction of my goals accomplished this summer–start exercising regularly, write my thesis, get this house to a civilized state again–in addition to feeding, diapering, rocking, entertaining, teaching, and singing silly songs to Liberty.
Making ice-cream with Dad
So yesterday I swore off Facebook and my blog reader–my biggest time drains–for a week. Email is essential to my productivity, so that’s still on, although Derrick thinks it’s a gateway drug. And since I would be living the ascetic life, it seemed like a fabulous idea to outline a schedule for the week.
Proverbs 31 Woman, watch out!
Of course, I didn’t consult Miss Liberty when I went on this reckless planning binge. She slept from 8-12, ate, then slept until 3:30, ate and slept until 5 when I caved and brought her to bed. And then I overslept an hour.
I could go on (and on and on) of course, but suffice it to say we made it to Liberty’s four-month well baby visit by 9:30. We were clothed and fed, but the living room rug was not vacuumed. (Which doesn’t sound like a big deal unless you actually saw just how deep it’s covered in the nameless flotsam and jetsam of life.)
My Dad's the BEST!
For the record, Liberty is now 15 lbs., 5 oz. and 26 inches long (in the 90th and 95th percentile, respectively). She’s generally on target developmentally–she rolls from front to back, her arms can support her upper body during tummy time, and she’s becoming more instrumental in picking up objects. She’s also paying more attention to her surroundings; she’s fascinated by anything red–a Coke machine, a folder at the doctor’s office, loves watching leaves move in the wind, and is very interested in cups and glasses that we use. (She’s been cleared for solids–let the food fights begin!) The underwater mobile on her bouncy seat can keep her occupied for long stretches of time–as can the tank of fish at one of the lounges on campus. Peek-a-boo is slightly funny these days–or maybe it’s just that crazy woman who keeps popping up out of nowhere.
My turn, Ma!
She was trying to sit up on her own for a while when we finally put her in her Bumbo seat. I’ll always be sorry I missed getting a shot of her exuberant smile when she realized she was sitting up “all by herself.”
Laughing at Derrick's dirty joke
Up until a week or two ago, Liberty only had two emotions: outrage or delirious joy. She’s finally found a middle ground to express mere disgruntlement. If we can catch her at this stage, she’s still redirectable. Liberty also loves to make friends and will beam her enchantment at anyone unless she’s hungry or tired. As valiantly as she can fight sleep, regular naps are essential to peace in the home, as Bertie Wooster would say. If baby aint’ happy, ain’t nobody happy.
In her favorite sleeping spot
My favorite of all her accomplishments is that she reaches for us when she wants to be picked up. And the way she closes her eyes and grins in delight when I lean over for kisses when she’s tucked into her crib.
At her last check up the doctor thought he heard a murmur so he referred us to a cardiologist who discovered that she has a hole in her heart. Fortunately, it has a flap that will probably close in time, but we’re going back for a check-up in six months. I may be naive, but it seems this condition is quite common and anyone who has heard Liberty’s lungs at full throttle would know her volume isn’t what you would hear from someone who is seriously ill.
When Liberty got her two-month shots, she was heartbroken. Today, with a broader range of emotions, Liberty was pissed. As before, I immediately put her to my breast which usually calms her very quickly. But today she pulled away every few seconds just to get her outrage out in the open and let me know how terrible it was!
When she's 15, she'll make me pay
She napped for a couple hours; she’s now awake and I think she’ll want a lot of holding this afternoon.
What was that about a schedule for the day? I have no idea.
But right now it's all good
