Archive for February, 2010

I want my happy baby back. Seriously. Like STAT. I miss her soooo much. She has been terribly sick for nearly a month of her 4-month life and it’s breaking her mama’s (that’s me!) heart.

It started as a cough, went into a double ear infection, then she was healed (Hallelujah!) for a few days (damnit) and then got a really bad cough, the ear infection is STILL present – WTH? – and snot is running freely. Why? Why God? Why?

And to top it off . . . we’re flying to Wisconsin (where the high is 21 degrees) tomorrow.

The only saving grace is that Rob isn’t sick. If I had a sick husband AND baby . . . man, life wouldn’t be pleasant.

But we’re all ready for the trip. Packed. Yay. And in case you’re wondering, yes, you can spend over $100 on travel-sized baby supplies at CVS. Who knew? We have baby vapor rub, diaper cream, baby Tylenol, baby gas relief, her antibiotic, numbing ear drops, you get the picture. And, yes, it did total just over $100. Whatever. I need to feel prepared. And you know how people say knowledge is power? Well, for me those little bottles are my power. Power to the mama!

Wish us luck!

I’ll be traveling soon with Tessa into brrrrrrrrr-cold Wisconsin and I’ll just admit it – it’s stressing me out. Mostly I’ve been stressed because she’s recovering from a double ear infection and I really didn’t want her to be sick while traveling and in more pain because of the air pressure in the plane. However, I think she’ll be fully recovered before we leave.

That being said, I have still sought advice from my mommy friends and pediatrician (who had some great suggestions). But this is my solicitation to all of you. What are your most helpful hints with traveling with an infant, particularly into cold weather?

Thank you!

BTW – This is Tessa in my baby bunting from when I lived in Wisconsin . . .a long time ago. Precious!

The decision to baptize Tessa was and wasn’t harder than I thought. There have been times in my life when I figured “of course I’ll baptize my kid” and times when I rebelled against the machine and would be horrified to do such a thing – I mean who was I to make such a big decision on behalf of another human being?!

So the decision forced me to reflect on my own experiences as a baptized Catholic. What did it mean to me? Was it necessary?

Like many people, there have been times in my life when my faith brought me much-needed comfort and other times when life’s troubles made me question faith altogether. I’ve also questioned religion in general because of the overwhelming death and devastation it has created.

But at the same time, I – always – come – back.

I always end up returning to my faith. My only guess is that is because it’s part of my foundation – and that’s due partly to having been baptized.

When I thought of Tessa’s reaction in the future when she asks if she was baptized and we say “no,” it made me think: would she feel lost? Would she feel like she didn’t have a foundation in faith? Like she didn’t have a spiritual relationship if she wanted one? I didn’t want any of those things.

And maybe because there were times when I drew so much comfort from my faith – even if that faith at times was solely meditation and daily yoga practice – I wanted the same for her. I don’t care what that looks like – and it is bound to grow, evolve and morph but I want her to have this in her core and, yes, as part of her foundation.

Sure, Tessa could rage against the machine someday. That doesn’t bother me. But I don’t want her to feel lost . . . and I do want to offer any and every avenue for comfort that’s available.

So we baptized Tessa on Valentine’s Day. It was full of love, joy . . . and faith. And Tessa was a true angel; I swear I could see wings on the cute cute cherub. And at the end of the day, she was tiiiiired.

Lying

Tessa is learning to lie – in the cutest way possible (obviously). The other day, I went to work leaving behind a sleeping Rob and Tessa. When Tessa woke up and wanted some snuggle-cuddle-loving-eske attention so, naturally, started CRYING, Rob ran upstairs to find her giggling. This video is what transpired. I absolutely love it: both for Tessa’s amazing cheeks as she smiles but also Rob’s adorable voice while he teases her about lying. Be still my heart – I love my little family.