What Would Your Favorite TV Mom Do?

In my case that would be Lorelai Gilmore, unfortunately my kid is not in high school, nor does she know how to talk, so 10 minutes of witty banter to solve all our problems is really not an option...yet! For now, Layla screams and I do my best to figure out what the problem is. I feel I have her mostly figured out, I know when she's hungry, needs a diaper change or is looking for comfort. Of course she has been known to throw me a curve ball here and there and no matter what I do she does not seem happy. Everyday is a learning experience for both of us. She is getting to know me just as much as I am getting to know her. I am having so much fun with her now that she has out-grown the "baby blob" stage. I find myself completely entertained trying to get smiles and giggles out of her. She is so adorable and it seems to be a consensus among everyone that has spent any time with her, that she smiles with her whole face and it is absolutely priceless. Alright, I've done enough gushing for now(though what parent doesn't gush?).

My poor Matthew is having a little trouble with our bundle of joy these days. She clearly loves him and has so much fun playing with him, but when it comes to being calmed down when she is upset, she does nothing but scream at him. She has apparently grown used to my comforting methods since we spend so much time together, so for now, that is what she wants. Though I must say I do take a slight amount of pride in the fact that our daughter has developed an attachment to me, that is where my enthusiasm ends. The simple fact is, sometimes Mommy needs a break to wash my face, brush my teeth...hell, go to the bathroom! I know it will be short-lived so I am trying enjoy it(without letting it show too much, sorry Hubby) since before long, she will be Daddy's little princess, anxiously awaiting his arrival home from work, just as I did with my Dad:)

I have always hoped to have a very close relationship with my daughter, similar to Lorelai and Rory's (minus the single mom status) on Gilmore Girls and I think we are well on our way to that. I know my relationship with my mom is freakishly close, but that's the way I like it and I look forward to the same with Layla. We'll be having conversations at top speed, filled with obscure pop culture references in no time!

Up next on our ever busy calendar is a visit from Uncle Bobby next week. I'm so excited to see him and I know Layla can't wait to make him hold her awkwardly!

The Magical Third Month

We have arrived! Layla is now three months old and according to everyone I know who has children, the third month should bring a reprieve from crying for no apparent reason and more importantly, SLEEP! This magical rule states that when a child reaches 3 months or 12 pounds (Layla is currently a hefty 13 pounds 3 oz) they should start getting a little easier to handle and sleep for longer stretches. Granted, Layla is a seemingly happier, more easy going baby these days...well, more so than before, she is full of smiles and squeals of delight. However, the sleep has not come as easily. She is more than happy to sleep for 3-5 hours at a time if she is next to me, but not more than 30 minutes on her own. I am beginning to think that Layla is going to do things her way regardless of what the books or other experienced parents say.

Layla is also talking up a storm these days, of course Matt and I are clueless as to what she is jabbering on about but that doesn't seem to matter to her. As long as we smile and talk back she's a happy camper. She is also incredibly active, she kicks and squirms and stands up with minimal support. I swear she is going to skip right over rolling, crawling and walking and go straight to running!

Layla's first Christmas was also a lot of fun! Matt and I celebrated here with her early and then flew home to Chicago to have Christmas with our families. For all of our nervousness about the flight, she was a perfect angel. When we touched down in Chicago the people in front of us even complimented us on our wonderful baby, they had no idea she was sitting behind them :) Go Layla! She is such a joy to us, and everyday seems to be a new adventure full of new discoveries for her. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Dear Santa, I Would Like Sleep for Christmas this Year.

It has been an amazing two months of lots of ups and downs and sometimes sideways. Though it is hard for me to believe, Layla is already coming up on 9 weeks old. Last week we went to her 2 month doctor appointment and learned that she is 10lbs 8oz! She has completely outgrown her newborn clothes(which of course required a new wardrobe) and I don't think she'll be in the 0-3 month clothes for long. According to the doctor she is looking great. She is in the 38th percentile for weight, which is a vast improvement over the 9th, which is where she was when she was born. Her height and head measurements are also very proportionate.

All of that good growing aside, she was also due for her very first vaccinations...4 to be exact...the first was oral, and you would think it would have been a piece of cake. Probably would have been too, had Layla not choked on it and stopped breathing briefly (btw, scariest moment of my life!). We had 3 nurses in the room and everyone panicked, luckily Matthew scooped her up and got her breathing again (way to go Dad!).

Then came the dreaded shots. My mom told me when I got pregnant that watching your baby in pain is the most heartbreaking thing you will ever endure and holy cow was she right!! Three shots right in a row and Layla was one unhappy camper. However, she was not alone, Matt and I were also lucky enough to get shots that day as well for the swine flu vaccination. I don't know about Matt, but that stuff just doesn't even phase me anymore after playing a pin cushion in the hospital, and every 2 weeks since for blood work. Speaking of which, I am still on blood thinners, hence the bi-weekly blood work, but I am feeling much better. I am totally off of pain medication, though I still have pain, I am able to get through it on my own.

Other than that, Matt and I have been completely on our own with Layla for over a week now and we are getting the hang of it. Sleep is tough because we found that she sleeps well in our bed but moving her once she is asleep is next to impossible. I'm sure we'll figure it out with time and we are looking forward to the 3 month mark when according to everyone with kids, it starts to get a bit easier.

Watching her grow and learn has been amazing and rewarding and a little sad at the same time. I so wish she would stay a tiny baby for so much longer because it just goes too fast. This is my only chance to do things this way and I want to cherish every moment! She is just the cutest little bug!!!