The Crib

Fiona is 5 months old...and its time for her to sleep in her own crib in her own room (which I am not sure I am totally on board with because I love snuggle time -- but everyone tells me this needs to happen). And, if I really put some thought into it, I know they are right. I mean it has to happen sometime - she cant very well sleep with us until she is a teenager..I mean even I know thats weird... and the switch to the big girl room only gets harder.

So last night was our first go at putting her to sleep in her crib, in her room. As you can imagine, I was an emo mess listening to her cry. And Matt fell asleep - on the couch - at 8.20pm. So, I was on my own (not bitter as you can likely tell). I put her down 8.15 - she wailed until 8.20. I wanted to throw up. I checked in on her and she she smiled. I left, and she cried from 8.25-8.30. I picked her up and fed her again. She cried from 8.35-8.40. I picked her up and cuddled her and she feel asleep. Put her down and she was golden until midnight -- not that I could sleep because I was on pins and needles looking at her monitor. Matt began to snore and I moved him up to bed too.

Then all he!L broke lose and Fiona cried every hour on the hour. I would snuggle/feed/comfort her back to sleep, and put her back in her crib. I STAYED strong, she stayed in her crib but it broke my heart.

So this morning at 5am -- I had enough and called Matt to duty. Fiona PRETENDED like she was ok...but once she got to daycare she turned on the water works and has refused to eat all day.

I know I am supposed to let her work this out herself, but its killing me. I have to try to remember that ... Sh!t I dont even know what I am supposed to remember...I just hate this.

So thats all for now....

Chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo

You know how everything is "harder" when you have a baby? From getting into the car and running errands to finding time shower? Well, for the most part this is true. Two things I wish I had thought of before Fiona and I got on a train to New Jersey without Matt this weekend: How is one supposed to pee, on a bumpy train ride, with an infant? And...after you wait on that long line in cafe car to a get microwaved burger, bottle of water and chips...how are you supposed to get back to your seat with the food and an infant in tow? Alas. We spent a lovely weekend with my family in New Jersey. Fiona was amazing on the train. Not a peep. People commented on how good she was...and i must say I was aglow with pride. What a bean!

Matt sent out some pics of the baby this weekend while we were out of town (i think he missed us). This one is from Fiona's first trip to the beach in New Port, RI - Labor Day 2008.

A Letter to Grandma A

Matt gets Fiona ready for daycare in the mornings and sent me this picture from his phone on Tuesday, Sept 9.

I have been meaning and meaning to write...but alas...anyway, I just wrote an email to Tara and realized it had lots of updates in it, so I thought I would paste it here...and have a bit more of a chronicle of Fiona's life to glance back on in the years to come. So here it is:

OMG Tara!

You are going to die when you see her next weekend. She has transformed from a new born into a little baby this week. She even has favorite toys! And you should see grab for things and put them in her mouth. Its so cute…it takes all of her concentration and she focus so hard her little arms and head shake.

When Matt comes in – and she hears his voice she LIGHTS UP and looks for him. And, then SMILES AND SMILES when he talks to her. I think she is turning into a Daddy’s girl.

Matt and I officially lost our first battle as parents: She is still refusing the bottle – so now she basically does not eat all day, and wakes me up at 4am to binge eat for 2 hours before I get in the shower. I wish she would take the bottle..but its whatever. I do not really mind. I mean it can only really last another 3-6 months and then she will be eating real food (though I am a little concerned about how we will get her to drink water…but I guess we will just figure it out when the time comes).

Things have been going really well lately…I have come to terms with working and really kind of feel like I have the best of both worlds and would not want it any other way. I get to be an adult at work and then really appreciate the time I have with her from 3 when I leave till 9 when she goes to bed. (The housekeeping as gone by the weigh side..but something had to slip and I would rather spend my afternoons bringing her to the park or something than cleaning)…but I will have to figure out how to juggle a little better, I guess it will come with time.

Anyway, you are just going to melt when see her play with Matt (don’t tell Matt but I think he might be her favorite parent at the moment…I LOVE IT!)

She is literally the best thing ever!

We cant wait to see you all (in our very messy house).

competitive mommies?

So a baby at my mommy and me and class learned to roll over. Fiona has no idea how. So begins the "my baby can do this, can yours?"

I shot back -- well Fiona knows where her hands are (which is almost true...she has begun to suck on them, but in order to accomplish this goal she must first wack herself in the eye and move her head up to meet her hand). Its super cute.

boobie juice

They say there is a chemical release in your body during labor that makes you fall madly in love with your baby the second she is born. I would say that's true, but what you are not prepared for is how much more you love your baby each day. You love your child with such umuff you think you might explode -and then the next day, you love her even more. It freaking crazy.

Anyway, thats not what I logged on to write about -

Matt, Fiona and I are going to a wedding on Sat. and i wanted to find out if I could squeeze my fat arse into a dress i already owned. (Conveniently enough, I gained a ton of weight just before I got preggo, so I have a cute, though be it large, dress in my closet). Anyway, it fit. I was excited. Then, just as I was taking it off, my boobs shot out about a half gallon of boobie milk all over it.

FIOLDED.

Fiona updates: The little bean is trying to sit up even though she is much too little. She ends up doing these little baby ab-crunches - struggling with all her might. Its soo cute, until she starts crying cause her belly muscles ache. Perhaps i would empathize a little more if i ever managed to try and do a sit up myself. Alas...

She also smiles like a champ.

Still no luck on getting the kid to take bottle -- though she is making some progress and does not cry when we show it to her. Baby steps!

The Grandmas and Grandpas (and even a great Aunt) have been visiting the last few weeks -- now that Fee and I are on own again, we really miss their compainsionship...

I will add some new pics once we download them (please lodge complaints with Matt).

Muah,
Ali

Gymborie!

Today Fiona and I went to a trial Gymborie class for infants. OMG it was so fun. The teacher was mighty impressed with Fiona's development - and she should know, she is a Gymborie teacher after all. I mean I am not sayin, I am just sayin.

But really, I always breathe a sigh of relieve when someone comments on Fee's development...I am like "phew...I have not f-ed her up yet! 6 weeks down - 17-odd years to go!"

While we were there, we played "tummy time" with a huge mirror. So basically they lay a big mirror on the floor and you play games with your little bean as they look at the reflections in the mirror.

Fiona is still too little to really hold her head and look into the mirror, so she had to lay on a little pillow that propped her up... as soon as she could gaze in the mirror she caught sight of an adorable 4-month old's reflection and went nuts trying to wiggle over to her (which of course she can't do yet), but it was really cute. I have not seen our baby express so much interest in anything else to date.

I think we may join Gymborie on a regular basis.

Lets see: the basics...Fiona is 11 pounds! The doctor says that's huge, but great!
She likes to be held 24-7 and loves anyone who will oblige her, so it was great to have my sister in town with her husband all weekend. We had a blast and they loved holding the baby -- which i also loved. I could shower whenever I wanted...it was amazing.

Matt and I have been soo lucky with friends and family all willing to drop everything and come out to MD to hang out with us and visit our kiddo. And yes everyone...I have figured out how to drink wine and breastfeed -- Steve F even hooked me up with these little test strips so I can test the boobie milk and ensure its booze-free before Fiona eats.

The Fur Ball is doing great, if feeling a little neglected. Poor Furry Murry.

Loves to you all...and I will try to write more -- its literally hard to find time. (The stunning, beautiful, amazing Miss Fiona can be a tad demanding).

Muah!

Week 2

I am actually leaning over a breast feeding baby to type. Normal.
Lets see -- my mom was here all last week (which was so great). She helped with everything - which was so amazing. From cleaning to cooking and running errands with me.
Fiona had a her 2 week check up...she gained a pound (sounds like her mama).
I went to the doc ( i lost 30 lbs and have 30 left to go...can you say Big Mama).

We celebrated our first Father's Day by driving down to the burg to hang out with Matt's side of family. Fiona was a dream in the car.Slept the whole way --both ways. She is basically the best baby in the world. She is 20 days old and has cried for no reason --- twice. Rumor has it that may be in part because i never put her down. (either me or someone else is always holding her) . At any rate, she gets cuter and cuter everyday and she loved hanging with the Armentrouts.

Fiona is super coordinated (the docs were impressed) and really strong. She can already lift her head and she plays with her hands (very advanced..she should not be able to do that until next month). With her great disposition and inclination towards intelligence, Matt and I can help but wonder if they gave us the wrong kid.

oh yea -- her little belly button thang fell off.

We settled on a daycare -- which basically sent me into a crying frenzy all week. I love and miss Edelman, but I do not think there is anything in the world that can prepare you for the thought of leaving your bean at a daycare...And well, I will just leave it at that.

I think she is developing a little personality already as well...and she may be a bit of a diva. Her little ass will explode with a poo and she demands her diaper get changed RIGHT AWAY...I mean she gives you two seconds to get that dirty old thing off her. I would not want poo in my pants either...but I mean..come on!

I am sure that she smiles and has coo-ed (at least 3 times :))

I cannot believe how many of you guys read this blog. Now that Matt got the computer fixed I promise we will write more. Thanks so much for all your comments.

Miss Fiona and I are off to get an oil change. Our big trip for the day. Incedently -- this is my first day 100% on my own. eeek...


Loves,
Ali

Stormy Stormy Night

We are obviously behind in updating the blog seeing as Fiona is already 8 days old. But I was so crazy today, I could not resist getting online to share it with you all.

There were MAJOR storms in the area tonight -- normally I love storms as I view it as time to be lazy, snuggle on the couch and drink copious amounts of red wine -- seems that has all changed since Fe got here.

So its raining and Matt comes home to work from here (whoohoo yay! -- or so I thought, he actually WORKED all day-- so he really only gets a 'yay!'). Anyway the power goes out and the house gets really hot -- too hot for Fee -- so we decide to get dinner OUT. But Fiona is too little go out in public. I start to freak out. We go in Noodles and Company and I start CRYING because i am concerned about the germs and other people's rug rats running around with boggies hanging out of their noises. I make Matt swear to forcefully remove anyone who comes to close to our babe.

I begin to plead and beg -- we need to leave, NOW, no he cannot finish his dinner, we need to go to a hotel -- but just then the radio guy says the tornado warning was just been upped to a tornado watch and recommends everyone go their basement. What a pediment! Matt comes up with a plan (genius!)...we will go home (were there are no germs), sleep in the basement (which is cool). He will run to Target and get lights and life will be ok. Confident in the man I married, I stop crying -- He brings me and Fiona home, sets us up w some flash lights -- And takes off to get supplies. What a guy.

Before he gets to the end of the road, I call him..tell him to come back..the power is on. And incidentaly -- the storm is pretty much over.

Murry however, did take advantage of us being out of the house and ripped all our garages apart That was cool.

So I will write more regularly moving forward (well as soon as I get a power cord for our lap top) but here are little highlights of Fee's life I do not want to forget:

Being Fiona's mom is the best best thing in the world -- everyone says there are no words to describe it -- but there really are none.

I am a hormonal basket case and cry at least 5 times a day -- namely because i am so happy to be Matt's wife and Fee's mom. Matt just looks at me like i have 6 heads when I tell him how happy I am. He recognizes I am still his crazy wife but seems to be confused that my "fiery" expressions of emotion are positive and not negative.

Matt is in love with Fiona...he is holding her right now and has said "babe..babe...look at her...look at her."at least 6 times

Fiona projectile pooded on Matt today.

Her doc said she is very "intact" which matt and i take to mean as "very advanced."
Our princess eats like a beast and farts louder than Matt -- but even that is exceptionaly cute on her.

Oh yah .. and labor...well that deserves a post of its own for sure...so i will write more later (lucky you Daves).

Thats all for now...Will try to upload some new photos tomorrow

Its not like Christmas morning around here....

I think one of things I want to remember most about this pregnancy (besides all the amazing fattening food I have stuffed in my mouth, and how nice random strangers are to preggo chicks) is how Matt has handled the last few days. He literally whines that he wants the baby NOW NOW NOW. I sorta feel like I am letting down - keeping the baby all to myself to spite him. Ha!

Every morning he asks me, "are you sure you should go to work today, babe? Maybe you should stay home and get some sleep...you know...in case the baby comes tonight, you want to be well rested...." Then he pauses and says, "Do you think maybe the baby will come tonight?"

I reply, "No, Matt -- I do not think so."

And, he just looks at me like I just ruined Christmas or something.

Its like he goes to bed every night hoping tomorrow will be the big day! And every morning he is a little more disappointed.

Awww...

We are going on another walk tonight...so I will let you know if anything happens.

Our Weekend Window Shopping Extravaganza

As many of you may know -- the docs encourage expectant moms to walk a lot -- apparently it helps bring on labor.

So last night, Matt and I (still 2 weeks shy of our due date) come to the totally un-substantiated, un-validated conclusion that I am in stage one labor. Obviously. But how can a couple encourage their bean to make her debut when its already late in the evening on a rainy Sunday night?

Well, we can't bring the Fur on a walk because its cold, and Murry hates the rain...And, for the matter, I hate the rain. FOILED.

Just then, my darling, involved, supportive, loving, problem solving husband gets an idea-- WE WILL WALK, YES WE WILL!! And, we did...we took marathon laps around a closed mall in White Flint on the coldest, darkest, rainiest day of the month.

THE RESULT!?!??!?!

Nadda.
No labor...no baby...did do some good window shopping however.
Oh well, Fiona is still sung as a bug in a rug.

:)

OMG

OMG I am blogging! WHOA.

Love,
Ali (and Steve...who is actually doing the "blogging" part of this...but at least he is teaching me).

One last thing before you leave.

Dear Alison,

Nine months ago when you stopped smoking, drinking, partying and going to the gym we were worried. Ever since we found out that "the bean" was the cause for your reformed ways, we've been reveling in your irreproachable behavior and preggers' glow.

From the first (alien-esque) sonogram to your (gigantic) baby shower, we have been lucky to be a part of the ripening of the bean.

Your stories never cease to spread wonder, amazement and often, knee-slapping laughter. Three months without you will inevitably be quieter, and a lot less fun.

To keep a little bit of you with us, and to start off a journal you'll be able to look back on years from now....

We present your blog, ...And The Bean Makes Four.

Here's to all the joy that Fiona will bring to your lives and ours.

Love Always,

Your Digital Public Affairs Team