Kleinville: May 2005

I am not a stay-at-home mom

I am not a stay-at-home mom. On Mondays we go to the Mission Valley Library for story hour in English and Spanish. On Tuesdays we go to a playgroup at friend’s homes, on Wednesdays we either go to the zoo or to a South/North Park playgroup in the park in the afternoon, on Thursday mornings we go to a Continuing Ed class called “Parenting the Infant” that meets at different parks in San Diego, and on Fridays we try to go for a long walk in a fun location. In addition to all that, I try to find time to shop, cook and swiffer up all the dog hair that has accumulated all week. Oh yeah, and take Katy for walks. And do yoga.

I thought I’d have more time to do projects – like Ella’s scrapbook and various sewing projects that have been piling up. (I got a new machine for my birthday.) Boy, was I wrong. The best time to attempt to start these types of projects is after Ella’s gone to bed and by that time, all I want to do is curl up on the couch with Jason and The Donald. Kendra is so going to win tonight.

7 months and counting

Dear Ella,

This has been a big month for you. You started “scooting” around on your belly – Watch out, Katy! And watch out dog hair – anyone know where we can buy a Swiffer sleepsuit? (AKA sweepsuit?) You started eating “solid” food – although it’s really more like mushy food. Sweet potatoes and avocado are your favorites so far. While peas were not so well-liked -- but I don’t blame you, I don’t like peas either.

Your other big accomplishment this month was your first “word”! Now, you may notice that word is in quotes. I didn’t say spoken word… We’ve been doing baby sign language since you were about four months old and two weeks ago you signed “milk.” You were sitting on my lap facing away from me and when I didn’t get your first attempt at communicating your needs – arching your back and pushing your head back into me -- so you turned around, looked at me, and then squeezed your hand open and closed. (Yes, the sign for milk is like milking a cow). It was such a cool moment – I know babies eventually do learn to communicate in ways other than crying, but our only experience so far is with raising Katy and she hasn’t spoken yet…

Speaking of speaking, you say “ma-ma-ma” and “rah-rah-rah” a lot. (Your dad thinks you’re going to be a cheerleader when you grow up.) And your latest is “da-da-da” -- which pleases your father to no end.

This month also marked my first Mother’s Day as a mom. Thank you, Ella, for all the joy and happiness that you bring to me. (And for sleeping 8 hours in a row last night! Woo-hoo!)

I love you!
Mama

P.S. I just realized that I forgot to post your latest stats from your six-month well-baby check-up:

Height: 29" (95%)
Weight: 16 lbs. (30%)
Head: 90%

Happy (Belated) Half-Birthday!

Dear Ella,

You turned six months in Hawaii. You’ve spent 1/12th of your entire life there. Crazy, no? And I didn’t get to Hawaii until I was 26! (Apologies to your father for ditching him on our first Valentine’s Day to go to Maui with my mom – but it was Hawaii!)

The biggest news of your sixth month is the appearance of a sharp little bit of white in the bottom right portion of your gum. Yep, your first tooth appeared out of the blue on your sixth month birthday to the day. The teething – and not sleeping – happened in the days following the tooth, not preceding it as we expected. (And they say that babies will only bite mom once. Ha!)

Other milestones this month:

Sitting up for substantial amounts of time
Reaching your arms up when you want to be picked up. (Definitely a heart-warmer.)
Boogie-boarding (I believe it’s one of Grammy’s “firsts”, as well!)

You continue to do lots of “talking” which is now sounding more like growling. Grammy’s comment to me was “You were never this loud!” You, tell them, Ella!

The whole sleeping thing hasn’t been going well ever since we got back from Hawaii. I think two weeks of sleeping with mom and dad in the king-sized bed ruined the crib for you. So we’re fighting the battle of the bed and “re-establishing” a routine. We’re making progress, but it’s a slow road to Sleepville. Good thing you’re so darn cute…

Love you bunches,
Mama

Tales of a Teeny Wahine

Once upon a time there was a teeny wahine* who went to Hawaii. She went on 6 flights in total and only screamed for two minutes! Traveling must be in the blood.