"Single" Parenting

Today is Day 3 of my second week back at work. Today is also Day 3 of Joseph's first out-of-town business trip since Anna's birth. Joseph is the one who has been traveling, but I think Anna and I are the most tired. It is only 7:30 p.m. and she's been in bed asleep for at least 20 minutes...and I'm not far behind.

In lieu of actual writing, here are some cute pictures of Anna:

At the recommendation of the fine folks at Babies R Us, Anna is now the proud user of a Sassy Seat Doorway Jumper. She loves to jump (especially when cousin Alma is holding her), but she hasn't quite figured out that the Sassy Seat was made for jumpin'! She still has fun it it, though, and it is a good place to put her while I am running her bath.

Of all the towels I have for Anna, the homemade ones are my absolute favorite. (For one thing, they actually are plush enough to absorb water.) This one is, of course, an elephant and was given to Anna by our friend Michele. The towel has Anna's name embroidered down the back. Too cute. Anna likes to kick back and relax from the hard work that is bath time by snuggling in her plush towel.

The picture below cracks me up - Anna knew that I wanted her to be still and quit turning around so that I could dress her after her bath, but she just couldn't resist touching the wipes. I think she thought if she didn't turn around I wouldn't notice her arm reaching out behind her. Sneaky girl!

And just in case we didn't know - she is her daddy's girl. This one is ALL Joseph because I know that I never had a mischievous grin like that one. Oh, and that lamb she's holding - a gift from my kindergarten teacher to Anna (thanks, Ms. Weatherman!) - is the best baby distraction EVER. It winds up and plays "Jesus Loves Me" and its little head moves side to side. If you want Anna to move or roll over, just move the lamb. It is magic! I keep it on the changing table for diaper/clothes changing ease.

Sunday Morning

"...But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do
Sunday morning rain is falling and I’m calling out to you
Singing someday it’ll bring me back to you
Find a way to bring myself home to you..."

-Maroon 5


This past week was my first week back at work since Anna was born. My job, which I will not discuss on the Internet in any detail, is fabulous. I work with lovely folks who make it immensely easier to be away from Anna, plus the work that I do is (dare I say it?) fun.

This past week Anna stayed with a family friend and her girls for four days, and then Bebe kept her on Friday. This week, Anna starts "school." As hard as that is, I adore the ladies who own the daycare and I feel comfortable leaving Anna in their care. I'm supposed to prepare a detailed schedule of Anna's daily happenings for them...but I'm a bit perplexed because, as many of you know, Anna has no schedule. I'll make something up and see what happens.

Our lives around here are about to change some more because Anna is about to start crawling. Seriously. At six months. I thought that she'd have it down by the end of the day yesterday. She is THAT close. Right now, though, she can only go backwards. And then she longingly looks at the place she started from. She goes so slowly, too, that you don't even realize she is moving. I have a feeling that is going to change very soon.

It is getting harder and harder to get a picture of Anna that is in focus. She keeps moving! But, here is a cute one from this morning.

6 Month Stats

Joseph took our little Anna to the doctor this morning for her 6 month exam while I worked. He did a great job of dressing her and getting her to the appointment AND he complied with my requests to video the appointment and the doctor answering a set of previously drafted questions. A lessor man would not have humored me.

Our girl is growing up. Here are her 6 month stats:

Weight - 16 lbs., 11.2 oz. (62%)

Head circumference - 16 3/4 in. (51%)

Length - 26 in. (57%)

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Although I've worked since Anna was born, I haven't spent much time in an office or put in my 40 hours. That all changes on Monday. [Insert nervous twitch and excited grin.]

Several other changes are going to have to be made to facilitate that change, though. Like sleeping habits! Since having Anna, I can no longer sleep! And it's not like I can use my baby as an excuse since she sleeps the whole freakin' night. I am going to have to figure out a way to go to sleep early so that I can get up in the wee hours of the morning to get myself and Anna ready for our day. Suggestions?

I'd like to say more about my new job, but I won't - this is the internet after all and I don't want to be dooced before I even get started. Suffice it to say, though, that I am very excited at all the new and improved opportunities that this position will afford to Joseph, Anna and me. (And all my friends and family should be very, very excited that they will no longer have to hear about the woes of the job market. Thanks for listening by the way - I couldn't have done this without you.)

Overheard this AM

Daddy to Anna: "I'm so glad you came to live with us, Kiddo."

Anna [thinking]: "As if I had choice, Dad!"

Happy New Year!

Just imagine that these pictures are properly rotated, k?

Anna loves to sit now...she can't quite move herself into a sitting position, but once she is placed there, she can sit for at least 20 minutes at a time. I know this because that is how long it took me to do yoga this morning and Anna sat the whole time on her blanket right beside me.
She can stand, too! I'm not sure if we should be doing this with her, but she loves it. I think that she could stand while holding on for quite some time, but she always sees something that she wants in her hand so she lets go to reach for it - whatever it may be.
According to Nana and Aunt Brenda, Anna is teething. I have no idea. I can't tell what bumps in her mouth are gums and what bumps are budding teeth. Anna's 6 month checkup is soon, and I'm sure Dr. Stewart will give us a tooth update. All I really know now is that Anna wants EVERYTHING in her mouth. Who knew a crib looked so tasty???

Happy New Year, Everybody! (I started to write something prolific about 2007 coming to a close and all that had happened or didn't happen in it, but it went something like this - "I had Anna. I closed my business. I want to pay off my debt associated with said business. Anna is the greatest thing ever. Her daddy is pretty great, too. The End." Whew. That was much easier than trying to convey the same sentiments with $10 words.) I'm off to the grocery store to, like 8 million other Americans, buy healthy foods in an attempt to lose weight and kick my addiction to candy that manifested itself at Halloween. Wish me luck!