I’m six weeks into my maternity leave, and we have six weeks left to go. (Ohmygod, how are we already halfway through? I can’t think about it without wanting to cry.)
The first several weeks, it seemed that Nora didn’t require much… entertainment. When she was awake (which wasn’t very often), she mostly just wanted to eat, or be changed, or be held.
Now, however, I’m starting to feel like I’m boring the crap out of my baby. See?
Totally bored. (But she does have amazing head control! At least I’ve fostered good muscle development!)
Nora will sometimes have long stretches (2-3 hours) of awake time these days, and well, I just don’t know what to do with her. Sure, I can play the “so big” game a few times; I can talk in a high-pitched voice; I can read a couple of books and sing a couple of songs. But um, OK… that occupies like 30 minutes.
The rest of the time, I sit here and feel guilty about how I’m sure there is something that I’m supposed to be doing to stimulate her. Something that I’m supposed to be doing to make sure she doesn’t end up as a third grader who picks her nose and doesn’t know her ABCs. Right? Surely I’m already screwing her up?
As the next six weeks go by, she’s only going to become more and more alert. So moms, teachers, developmental psychologists… I’m sending out an S.O.S. I need ideas here. What am I supposed to be doing to occupy a wide awake six week old?
Before Nora was born, I had all these grand plans about how I’d do these elaborate photo sessions with my baby, and have so many cute “pro” pics to choose from without the cost associated with professional photographers. I imagined we’d quickly have photos framed all over the house, and maybe even a canvas. I thought I’d get birth announcements out right away, and I’d come up with a special, unique design for them.
Well, we did the newborn photo shoot, but you know what? I’ve had time to edit exactly ONE of the photos from it. And that’s only because I had to force myself to do it just so we’d get her birth announcements out prior to our Christmas cards! We’ll see how the future “milestone” photo sessions go (next one would be three months), but if I keep going with this trend, we might actually have to *gasp* hire someone eventually. I honestly don’t know how mom photogs do it.
Anyway, for those who may be curious, here is the birth announcement we sent out for Nora. I cannot take credit for designing the template, because damn, I just did not have time for that. But the photo is mine, and as I mentioned, it’s the only newborn photo I have to show you (at least thus far).
What is it they say about the shoemakers’ kids? ;)
For the last week or so (maybe a little longer), I’ve been getting what I would call “starter smiles” out of Nora. They aren’t yet full-blown baby smiles, but they are getting there. I’d say we’re getting closer every day…
(Please excuse my baby talk. Hopefully it’s not TOO obnoxious!)
Knocking out another one of the blog activities…
This one goes hand-in-hand with the last.
Blog Activity, Day Eight
Three Turn Ons
1. Interest in children and babies. I don’t know if there is anything sexier than a man holding and enjoying a baby, or playing with a small child. HOT.
2. Sense of humor. I’m sarcastic, and my whole family is sarcastic. We live and breathe sarcasm. I love when someone is able to laugh with me and join in on the fun.
3. Passion. I think we all know that I can get passionate about things. Some would maybe say I’m “opinionated.” I enjoy it when someone has strong feelings about something. It doesn’t really matter what it is, and it doesn’t always matter that our opinions are the same. In my mind, just the fact that someone cares enough to be passionate about something is a good thing.
Another installment of this blogging activity…
Blogging Activity, Day Seven
Four Turn Offs
1. Smoking. It may be judgey-judgerson of me to say so, but it’s true. My dad was a smoker when I was growing up and I truly just cannot stand the smell. I can’t imagine trying to cozy up to or kiss someone who smells like smoke, so it’s just a huge turn-off for me.
2. Lack of motivation. I’m a do-er, and I don’t like to be around people who would rather sit around and do nothing. I like to go places, I like to do things, and I like to look forward to the future. I couldn’t be with someone who didn’t have any goals in life.
3. Rudeness. There are people who are just inconsiderate of everyone around them. They don’t hold doors open for people, they are unnecessarily mean to customer service workers, they may have an attitude that they are “above” everyone else. I can’t stand that. You can learn a lot about someone by watching how they treat others.
4. Being cheap. Listen, I am as frugal as they come, and I would even describe myself as a “penny pincher.” But damn, if you ever tell me I owe you $1, or you break down the restaurant check by the nickel… c’mon now.
About
I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
