I'm Back, Baby!

I haven't logged on and blogged in what feels like ages. Many of my faithful readers have been a little disappointed with me and are always asking when I'm going to quit being lazy and get back on the horse. Well... I believe the time has come.

I won't be blogging in the same way, but I intend to use this blog simply as a journal so that I can remember stuff. That whole concept of "pregnancy brain" stays with you even after baby arrives (that, as well as the need to pee often). And I never got one of those baby books to record all of Caroline's milestones, so I thought I would resurrect the blog and use this in its place.

Caroline is now 4 1/2 months old and so much happens every single day that I just don't want to forget all the little funny things she does and how rapidly she changes. So without further ado....

Here's what Caroline has been up to the past 4 1/2 months:

Three days old and not exactly being the sweetheart her onesie claims she is.

Two weeks old. I loved that she always slept with her little hand to her cheek. Doesn't do that anymore. And man, do I look tired. All of you who told me I looked great are such liars!

Three weeks old. Professional shot by Mel of Worthington Photography.

About 6 weeks old. Now we're starting to have some fun... at least in the fashion department. Thank you Ryan and Jeremy!

Baby's first Halloween. BOO!

This is a couple weeks after Halloween. Caroline is wearing silly cow pjs that were loaned to her from her friend Sydney (check out Laura's blog for more on Syd.)

Mid-November in Duck, NC with friends Claire Kapinos and Brayden VandeSand. Her first trip across state lines!


First headband. Even at 4 1/2 months, sistah still doesn't have enough hair for a bow. But headbands, we love!


After postnatal yoga sporting her funny "I Stroll New York" onesie. Thank you Miss Noa!

Playing with Gramps the day before Thanksgiving.


More Thanksgiving pics


Playing with Gramps on his visit to Richmond.

Caroline letting us know she no longer needs her sleep-positioner.

Wearing ridiculous tights for her first Christmas.


Caroline's first trip to Charlottesville, posing on the steps of the Rotunda with Mimi and Poppi. Will our little girl be a 'hoo???


Pictures from earlier this week!



December 12, 2009-- Caroline rolls over!

We were at the cardiologist for Caroline's check-up and as we were getting her undressed, she rolled over (tummy to back) for the first time! Corey and I were both shocked. We'd been seeing her twist and contort herself for weeks, getting almost over but never quite making it to her back. And then, like it was no biggie, she rolled right over... twice!

January 21, 2009--Caroline laughs... unprompted!

Caroline has been smiling and laughing for some time, yet we always have to do silly things to get her to do it. Today, though, she found something funny, all on her own, and let loose that adorable chuckle that is just music to my ears.

Caroline was sitting in her Bumbo seat in her room while I was cleaning up her toys and getting her room ready for bedtime when Luci the dog entered. Luci is not really allowed in Caroline's room, nor is she allowed to lick or get too close to Caroline-- sorry, but I'm a little neurotic when it comes to contact with the dog. But Luci wormed her way in and right in front of Caroline, proceeded to do her "doggie breakdancing" routine where she wiggles and rolls all over the place, belly up, I think in an effort to scratch her back, but who really knows. Caroline found this absolutely hysterical! Girl could not stop laughing. Even I was in hysterics just watching the whole scene unfold. Hopefully, Luci will have an itchy back again real soon.

January 22, 2009--Being a Mom Rocks!

Caroline, my sweet Caroline! Also known as The Bird, Chicken, Boo, Chicken-boo, Chicky-Booby, Boobs, Buddha, Bubba, Bubba-cakes, C-line. We're probably going to have some issues with this child recognizing her name. She'll likely respond to Buddha before Caroline. Just the beginning of my screwing her up...

At 4 and 1/2 months, I can say without a doubt that I am truly in love with Caroline. I love spending my days just watching Caroline grow and discover the world. Everyday, it seems, Caroline notices something new and reaches that perfect little hand towards it--the phone, the fake plant on our console table, my blue spatula. It's all so cool. Wonder what it will be today??

I love being a mom. In fact, I think I scare Corey a little when I tell him that I want lots of kids. What exactly do you mean by "lots?" he always asks me. "Two, three... MORE than three???"

And I'm pretty surprised. Babies were never my thing. I never wanted to hold someone's baby or made a fuss over a baby. They were just bald blobs that did nothing but made unwanted noise and bad smells. But now that I have a baby of my own, my whole world has changed.

Example...I went to get my nails done today and this woman had her infant with her, who happened to be fussing as soon as I walked in. Mind you, a year ago, I would have been pissed that someone had the nerve to take their crying brat into a place whose sole purpose is for pampering, tranquility, relaxation and beautification. How on earth can I enjoy my mani with all that racket?!

But today, I ignored the little Asian woman who was desperate for me to "pick my color" so she could get on with the long line of customers, and instead went over to the new mom and asked if there was anything I could do. I wasn't in a rush and I wouldn't have minded holding and rocking her little boy if it meant she could actually enjoy her foot massage, I told her. She shook her head and gave me the look I know all too well. The look that says, "Oh, no. He's just a little fussy. It's totally normal. And I have it all together. This is no big deal." Despite the brush off, you could tell she was beginning to get a little embarrassed at the increasingly loud cries. So, I stuck my head in the infant carrier and made goofy faces, danced a little and cooed at him for a few minutes, and he settled right down. When I stood up, she thanked me and I just winked.

HELLO!?! Was that really me?? My mom... now that's something she would have done. Maybe I am just turning into Lois. But no, really, when I stop and think about it, it's something any mom would do. The world is just different now.

Like any new job, it takes a while to get the hang of things, to get into a routine and to feel like you know what you're doing. Same goes for mommyhood. I used to dread the morning feedings, but now I so look forward to being the first person Caroline sees in the morning. Poop doesn't faze me anymore either, and sistah has some blow-outs. Now I find myself cheering when she does a "good poopy!"

So yes, I am severely deranged but I love this child more than I thought I could love anything. It's unexplainable. Just wonderful.

I realized I completely reverted back to the old me. I ignored what I just said about how I was going to use this new phase of my blog, and instead, unleashed my inner-monologue yet again. I'll do my best to keep things rather short and sweet and all about Caroline in the future. But hopefully, you all enjoyed the recap on everything. I look forward to updating you on our next adventure! Ciao for now!