Archive for January, 2010

I love me some Sophie the giraffe. And it’s hard now to remember a time before her. Yet it was just six months ago at my baby shower when I opened a gift from my very dear friend and super momma Jessie . . . and saw HER. This little giraffe, looking kinda like a dog toy, staring back. She was so darn cute. Yet only my sister knew who she was. Sophie the giraffe. The cutest teething toy EVA (yes, EVA, slang for the not-as-much-fun “ever”).

Well, Tessa just started teething (for the love!) so Rob and I have been typical new parents in the situation: Google, ask friends, Google, give her Sophie, Google, help! Thankfully, this pattern resulted in some workable solutions, except for Sophie. Again, Sophie is the cutest thing EVA! Why was Tessa not biting her? Tessa stares, smiles and laughs at her – but no biting, dangit (my new mom way of cursing). I would sit with Tessa and bite Sophie myself, then give the giraffe to Tessa who would laugh at it. Sigh…

This was the situation until yesterday. Tessa and I were at brunch with a friend of mine and I was explaining this amazing Sophie toy (much to her dismay, I’m sure). I explained her French origins which is fun because Rob and I were married in Paris and have become collectors of anything with an Eiffel Tower on it (another story). Anyway, as we were running errands on my way to drop off my brunch-mate, little Tessa started shoving Sophie in her mouth. Yup, in her little gummy mouth. This breakthrough didn’t stop there. Tessa now clings to her Sophie: during naps, during stroller rides, and bites on that caramel and white rubber with pleasure. It’s the cutest thing EVA!

Tessa and I braved the hail (yes, it was hailing in Phoenix!) and went to Gymboree to use our Gymbucks. We got her a bathing suit which she’ll probably live in this summer – and a daddy outfit since I know Rob approves of any purchase that mentions him directly.

Reminder: Gymbucks expire Sunday!

I have five baby carriers. Seems like a lot especially given that I only had one stroller until recently when we bought THE BOB (yay!).  Oh, and I have one baby. But in my mind of justification, the different carriers serve different purposes. We’ve got the Moby wrap for around the house cuddling, the sling is super portable and puts Tessa to sleep, the Bjorn is great for walking around the neighborhood, the Ergo Baby can be used as a backpack and the hiking carrier is for trails. But recently I came across the Peekaru. It’s been referred to as the baby snuggie and is a fleece baby carrier. Looks super warm and though I live in the southwest, it’s getting cold out there and last night we even had a tornado – scary! Besides, it might be fun to kind of freak out the neighbors with a baby head coming out of my belly. Hmmm….justification enough for a sixth carrier?

I am convinced that I am responsible for anything my three-month old daughter does: laugh, cry, pee, pass gas, poop, you get the picture. If she laughs, I’m proud of how clever and humorous I am. If she cries, I lose sleep at night because I pinched her pinky in the car seat and it hurt B-A-D. If she passes gas, it’s because I ate something that doesn’t agree with her. If she pees and poops regularly, I’m proud of mommy’s awesome milk.

Basically, I stare at my daughter’s reactions for either validation of what a great mommy I am or to curse myself. This is okay because she smiles more often than she cries, which means that I’m mostly hysterical and nearly always charming.

I’m sure this measurement of how I’m doing as a mom won’t last forever. I mean when she’s a teenager and cursing at me, I’ll still be the same hysterical person . . . or will I be in hysterics? Huh. Regardless. Either way, I’ll demand to kiss those chubby cheeks!