Life

In the next few weeks, we are going to begin the adventure of solid foods. Yup. Not just breast milk anymore, this girl will eat something that doesn’t come out of my boobs. Hmmm…hadn’t actually thought of it that way before but – yeah – mama’s boobies are just part of the equation now. And part of me is relieved to begin the process of getting my body back and not having it sustain life for-ev-er.

To prepare for this new adventure, Rob and I went to Babies R Us and were overwhelmed like the day we went in to register for our baby shower. It was weird how we picked up some Medela products with ease and confidence knowing exactly what we needed. Then we headed to the baby spoons and plates (I guess that’s what they are – eating utensils – whatever, I have no idea what I’m talking about!) and we had no clue what to do. I swear part of the problem is that there are too many options. Rob wanted to get disposable spoons. Why? I don’t know. Are we going to be feeding Tessa on-the-go – at a strip club or bar maybe – and not want to bring home a filthy spoon filled with sweet potatoes?! Hell, I don’t know. But the metal spoons seem so brutal and like they would hurt her precious bitty mouth. So after much deliberation, we bought a plastic bowl and spoon. They look fine. I suppose. I don’t know! Ah!

We then went to the food aisle where the real meltdown began. Our pediatrician advised us to start Tessa on oatmeal rather than rice cereal (which most babies start with) because she only poops once every few days. So we looked at the oatmeal and – again – there are too many options. We finally narrowed it down to two options: should we get single grain or whole grain oatmeal? Rob and I just stared at each other, hoping the other person would feel strongly and make a decision. We then looked at the oatmeal boxes, neither of which spoke to us. We looked at Tessa who was falling asleep in the shopping cart. We read the ingredients. Rob guessed that whole grain might make her poop more which could be a good thing. But me – traumatized by Tessa’s recent diarrhea from her ear infection antibiotics – thought that was a bad thing. Alas, at a crossroads. We stared at each other. And again at the boxes. I nearly came to tears. “I don’t know!” This is going to be Tessa’s first food – her first taste of anything that hasn’t come from my boobs. I don’t know. I don’t know! I finally let out an audible but not confident “single grain!” And a decision was made. Rob was relieved and threw the box in the cart. I stared at Tessa. Does she know what a momentous decision that was?

I came home and stared at our one plastic bowl, one plastic spoon and one box of single-grain oatmeal . . . and felt overwhelmed. At least we have another few weeks before the fun begins.

I love personality assessments. They are usually insightful and always fun to ridicule.

This past week, one of the work teams that I’m part of did personality assessments using a comparative chart to see how we work with one another and as a team. My results were very . . . friendly. Apparently, I’m really nice. This isn’t altogether surprising as I’ve been accused by colleagues of being “sweet and accommodating.” This is okay, I guess. But part of me wants to be a rebel, bitchy and Angelina Jolie-eske. I want to kick ass! But, alas, I’m “unassuming, unselfish and have a genuine interest in other people and a strong, intuitive understanding of them. Outgoing and friendly, Lynsi enjoys working with others and is lively, warm company.” Hmmm . . . yet my two work BFFs are both “intensely proactive and aggressive in driving to reach their goals. Actively and boldly challenge the world, their business, and even others’ areas within their business. Resourceful and forceful in overcoming obstacles, they vigorously and directly attack problems; fights back hard when challenged.” They both are risk-takers while I follow rules and authority. I totally thought I was a rebel! Nope. I’m booooring. Which brings up: are the options boring or bitchy?

I swear though my core personality is friendly, outgoing and very team-oriented, I have become less tolerant and more aggressive since becoming a mom. One of my work BFFs who cited above is aggressive-when-challenged, swears she was nicer before she was a mom. Does becoming a mom change our personality? Or do we somehow turn into a momma bear of ass-kicking once we have a little one to protect?

I don’t know these answers but I do know I’ve become less tolerant of incompetency at work since returning from my maternity leave. I assumed it was because in my mind, if I’m going to spend nearly 12 hours away from my kid, the time better count and I have no patience for people who are wasting my time. And I do feel like I’ve become better at my job since being a mom. And maybe it’s because I’m learning how to be more aggressive and less tolerant while still being “a pleasant and extroverted person.” Maybe I’m learning to be a perfect blend. Yes, I’ll go with that. After all, I did give birth to absolute perfection.

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!

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.