Separation Anxiety Begins

For the first time, Hannah showed signs of being upset as I was leaving for work today. When I handed her off to the nanny and began putting my coat on, she began to whimper. I went to her for one last kiss goodbye, and she leaned into me to take her. I took, but couldn't help thinking what terrible timing for this stage to begin; I leave for Spain in six days.

I knew travel for work was inevitable and wouldn't be easy for me, but I wasn't expecting Hannah to already understand Mommy leaving. On the bright side, I will be gone just four days on this first trip, but I'm gone nonetheless.

When I arrive home this evening, Hannah was happy and happy to see me, but that was only because she was held most of the day due to her fussiness. This is not like my baby. I scooped Hannah up, but she wouldn't let me put her down without fussing for about a half hour.

I do have to admit, it's kinda sweet. She loves me.

All this leaves me wondering how the both of us are going to be when I leave. While this part may be difficult, saying goodbye, and being gone, aren't actually what I'm most worried about. I'm most worried about how she will respond to me when I return. Will she be excited? Or will she be reclusive?

In an effort to help soften both my worry and potential for a rude welcome home, I will be creating video messages for Seth to play for Hannah. I also hope to Skype while gone, and thankfully I'm gone over a weekend so the timing works out to connect.  

I'm sure going to miss you my sweet Hannah Rose (and Daddy too of course).

Seven Months

At seven months...

You're not the easiest model anymore, at least not lying down

Your're such a drooler.

You've become more of a cuddler.

You're so flexible. 

Yes, those are Hannah's feet just under her chin!

You love to "wag" your leg.

You still have not graduated to sleeping in a crib.

Watching Daddy clean the windows to get ready to show our condo.

Your favorite thing to do lately is sit and make yourself bounce.

We sometimes have to try so hard to get even just a little giggle, but...

You still never fail to give a smile when you get smiled at.

We're pretty sure you understand who "Mommy" is. 

Your new nickname is "Little Tornado," courtesy of Gladys. 

I also love to call you "Munch".
(Short for munchkin)

You know what "all done" means. 

(You relax when Daddy says it after putting ointment in your left eye.)

You finally flipped over from your back to your tummy. Finally. Once.

You mostly move in circles on your belly, but you just started moving backwards.

You started at the PJ's. Got stuck at the chair.

You love cell phones and my orange Camelback.

You eat like a trooper, and just cut a bottle feeding.

You pinch. Hard.

You like to grab and pull Mommy's hair, and eat her face.

Your right top tooth in! That makes three.

And you're already driving!

And just so you know...

On weekends, we tuck you in our bed with us after your 6:30 a.m. feeding so you'll fall back asleep and let us sleep until at least 9:00.

I scroll through pictures of you at work everyday. 
Because I truly think you are the cutest/most beautiful baby in the world. 

Hannah's 1st Easter

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:24 - Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

Saturday night we attended the Easter service at church.

Outfits courtesy of Grandma P!

Sunday we enjoyed a leisurely morning and a late lunch with G&G P and Uncle Chris.

Hippity Hop Peekaboo from Nana & Papa!

Can't wait to start teaching you about Jesus, and of course watch you run around looking for Easter eggs and candy next year!

Lying

I recently watched a video blog entry of lies that moms tell their children. In a very effervescent and whimsical manner, the moms confessed lies about their ability to put new batteries in toys. That "in California, they don't make gum." "It's illegal to drive with balloons in the car." "We don't get that show" and "they're out of that food."

The video reminded me that for as long as I can remember, I have always told myself I am going to try to never lie to my children. 

Because like all lies, lying to our children is selfish. Should not our most paramount example be to our children? 

Train up a child in the way he should go.

Proverbs 22:6

Set an example for the believers in speech, 

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

1 Timothy 4:12

I know, I know. You probably have an argument for when it's okay to lie to your children, especially when it can escape a tantrum (think check out line at the grocery store) or avoid heartache: "Mommy, do dogs go to heaven when they die?" 

But I guess I view these as opportunities to mold fortitude, patience, understanding, empathy, honesty and trust. 

This doesn't mean I will tell my children everything. The answer may be: "Let's talk about this later."

Truthful lips endure forever, 

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 12:19

Why is it my goal to never lie to my children? 

Children are smart. Lies could risk eroding my child's trust in me. 

Lying teaches children lies are okay.

Lying is against God's commandments.

Do not lie.

Leviticus 19:11

And I'm not good at it.

So here is my promise to you Hannah Rose.

 I will do my best to always tell you the truth. 

Even when it's inconvenient, or you won't understand, or it could hurt your feelings. 

Because I want to set an example of truth and of trust.

 Instead, speaking the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15

Still up for debate: Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy.

Half-Year Hannah

What? Where have these six months gone? It doesn't seem like all that long ago that we welcomed Hannah into our lives, although the days of that petite little babe with the lowest and quietest cry you ever heard seem like a distant memory. Because these days, Hannah is full of giggles (she giggles at everything and nothing at all). And ohh the chunk. And now she reaches, pinches, grabs, screams with delight, sits for minutes on end unassisted, and now she eats!

Two weeks ago we officially started Hannah on solids. (Although I would be lying if I didn't say that we let her suck on the occasional Honey Comb cereal before that, and had a little frozen apple at Nate & Dana's.) 

Her first "official" experience was with avocado; and she loved it.

As for other foods...

Bananas: Loved
Sweet Potato: Hated
Green Apple: Nearly Hated
Pink Lady Apple: Getting Warmer

This past month I have really seen the protective mommy-in-me kick in. A minor incident at daycare had me leaving their facility in tears. Last week, I received a call early that day that a bottle of Hannah's had spilled. I had extra milk in their freezer, so the problem should have had an easy fix. When I arrived to pick up Hannah, however, I was informed that she was fed her spilled bottle at her first feeding, and her next two feedings were supplemented with an added three ounces. What? Not only did they not feed Hannah a full bottle first, they supplement not just one, but two of her next bottles with an added three ounces! Why they did not simply give her a bottle that didn't spill first, followed by bottles with the normal five ounces she receives at each feeding, I have no idea? Rather, Hannah didn't get a full bottle at her first feeding, and was fed an added three ounces to supplement not just her second feeding, but also her third. 

I politely gave the teacher, and later the facility director, my two cents, but that didn't change feeling bad that Hannah didn't receive a single proper feeding while I was away. First, she didn't receive a full bottle, then, her little tummy was filled so full. Never have I given her a eight ounces in a feeding. I was thinking, "poor full girl," (but maybe in reality is should have been more like, "lucky girl"). In any respect, the situation brought me to tears. Knowing full well Hannah is fine and in the scheme of, well, just about anything, this is no big deal. But what I felt is that Hannah didn't get the best care she could get that day. And I wish I could have been the one to handle the situation.

No, I'm not about to quit my job to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. This type of thing could have easily happened any other time Seth or I wasn't watching Hannah. Rather, it is a bit of a reminder to have a conversation about how Hannah is being cared for when hiccups come along, even when the solution seems like an obvious fix.

Coincidentally, Hannah is going down to one day a week at daycare starting this week. A friend of mine is just returning to work after maternity leave, and the two of us have hired a friend of hers to watch our two girls. So, Gladys will be coming to my place M/W/F. And as an added bonus, Hannah will soon be multilingual; Gladys is from Bolivia!

Hannah loves peek-a-boo!

Not So Happy Valentine's Day

I managed get a few minutes between Hannah's fussiness tonight by popping in a Baby Mozart video. Hannah is sick. And not just the little stuffiness she has had three times already this season. (Yes, she's sick for the FOURTH time.) This bout has really taken a hold of her. Her poor nose is constantly full, and raw from all the times we have sprayed, wiped, and suctioned it. Her sleep isn't so sound between coughing and sneezing. Poor girl.

Hannah started not feeling well Sunday. With just a little stuffiness and coughing, we still took her into daycare on Monday. Half way though the day I got a call about her not feeling well, and even after being with Grandma P on Tuesday, she was in no position to go to daycare Wednesday or Thursday. So Seth and I have each taken a day to stay home with her. I got today. Valentine's Day.

Little One, I am so sorry you don't feel well. But I hope you know that your mommy and daddy love you very much and would do anything for you. In honor of Valentine's Day, here are some of the things we love about you.

We love your SMILE! When you smile, you don't just grin. You give us a wide open mouth and smile with your whole body. Even when you're sick, we can still squeeze out smiles.

We love your giggles.

We love bath time with you. We love watching you love the water, and we love us a naked baby. That belly of yours kills us every time.

We love when you reach up and touch our face. It's so fun to interact with you. And we don't mind when you pinch and scratch.

We love when you are looking at us (mostly Daddy) from far away and smile when we look back at you.

We love how pretty you are. Sometimes we can't handle the cuteness. But it does make us worry about boys later on.

We (okay I) love your brown eyes. I was hoping they would be brown, because they remind me of Daddy.

We love talking to you. Probably because this is one of your favorite things.

We love falling asleep with you. You feel so good in our arms.

We love watching you roll over. We're seeing it more and more and you're getting pretty good at it.

We love that if we have to get ready for the day and you are awake, you are content to hang out in your bed and watch us get ready.

Hannah Rose, we love you not because of what you do, but because you are our daughter and a child of God. Al that said, it doesn't hurt that your also such a good baby. Thanks for being awesome.

Five Months

So what's new at five months?

Hannah has teeth! The bottom two have sprouted and now she loves sticking her tongue out to feel them.

Hannah reaches for everything. She's so good at picking things up.

Hannah loves "The Wheels on the Bus." She cracks up when I sing it to her.

Hannah must be far-sighed, or just likes to look at what's across the room. You can be holding her, and even talking to her, but she always seems more interested in someone or something else.

Hannah didn't see Mommy OR Daddy all day for the first time. Hannah was with the Pietrini grandparents this weekend while we attended the high school youth group retreat.



What's the same at five months?

Hannah just keeps getting chunkier. My favorite chunks are on her thighs, wrists, and cheeks!

Hannah is as drooly as ever - she practically spits!

Hannah is as smiley as ever. She'll shoot you a smile every time you smile at her. It's the giggles that are a challenge. 

Seth and I are still crazy in love with her. We miss her when she's away and we're always excited to see her.


Coming up next month: half way to one and starting on solids!