Doctor's visit

The doctor's appointment went well -- 14 pounds 8 ounces and 27 inches. And she didn't cry too much when she got her shots. Two nurses did them at the same time, so they wouldn't have to stick her more than once. No more shots for six months. Yay! The doctor did say we should try to put Naomi to bed earlier. No more hanging out with us until 11 p.m. or midnight.

A collection of thoughs

Birthday. Tomorrow, which will be today by the time I'm finished writing this, Naomi will be a half year old. To celebrate, she will be getting another round of vaccinations. Fun, right?

Skin. Yesterday, Naomi came home with blood all over her face and clothes. She looked like she had gotten into a fight. If, I didn't know she was notorious for scratching her face (she has eczema) then I would have thought something had happened. Her face had been doing pretty well recently. But yesterday she got upset while riding in her car seat and I guess she decided to take her frustration out on her face. It is hard to see your child like that. I know it itches and I've tried all I know to do to help. I wish I could make it better for her. Next stop will likely be the dermatologist.

Daddy's home. My hubby is back. He went on a trip with his youth group. We missed him and are glad to have him home.

Pictures. I've been wanting to take Naomi to get another round of professional pictures (for Easter), but the weather keeps raining/snowing on my plans.

Solid food. This week, if I haven't already mentioned this, we are moving on to try other types of cereal. Naomi has mastered the rice. It's time to try oatmeal. Then, barley, then on to veggies ...

How sweet it is

Are you sleepy
Are you sleepy
Naomi
Naomi
Go to sleep right now
Wake up with a smile
Go to sleep
Go to sleep

How sweet, yet maddening, it is to have lullabies stuck in your head. The lyrics above are stuck in my head today. My mom was singing Naomi to sleep and this was her remix. But usually I have some variation of Ol' McDonald or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star stuck in my head. A simple song can put a lot of joy in your heart, if it doesn't drive you crazy first.

What's new

The latest developments: This week I've seen Naomi pass a toy from one hand to the other and she's pulling her feet toward her face. She is eating rice cereal very well. Once or twice a day. Next week, we are moving on to oatmeal or barley cereal. I keep forgetting which one comes first in the food hierarchy. Then, carrots and other orange veggies. Plus, we got her a Precious Planet Jumperoo. I think it is a hit. Though, she doesn't seem to know quite what to do yet or how to turn around.

When I grow up

Lately, I've become fascinated with all the possibilities in Naomi's future. Who will she be? What will she do? Will she become a beautiful ballerina, a photographer or an enteurpreneur, or all three? Maybe, she'll be the doctor who finds a cure for cancer? Will she love music? Maybe, she'll be a rapper like her daddy. Will she love math or will she be a history buff? Will she shun my yellow and brown nursery decor in favor of pink, frilly designs? Will she come to know the Lord and do great works for Him? I fantsy that she will do many wonderful things, and even if she never becomes the first ... whoever ... or the best ... whatever ... she will be wonderful just being herself.

Hooray for sunflowers

Something green for St. Patty's Day

I guess you could say I'm green when it comes to the green movement. I don't know if my emphasis translated properly, I intended to imply that I'm new to green consciousness and don't know a lot about it. To say the least, I'm shocked to find the number of recycled and upcycled products that are available. Upcyclying is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value. I didn't know what upcycled meant until recently, and it's not even in some dictionaries, so I figured I would explain. The products, such as the Mandala on Pink linen bag seen above, often are amazing beautiful despite their humble origins. I found it via HeySusy* at Envirosax. They sell designer reusable bags, one of which I've been considering getting to carry a small number of groceries, so that plastic bags don't end up stuffed in my cabinet waiting to be used as a trash bag and then tossed in a land field somewhere. They are as low at $8.50 on Envirosax, but I think I've seen $1, although plain, versions at drugstores.

Another amazing find that I'm craving right now: Pixiebell Elfinwear on Etsy. Seen below is the Slouch Hat in Apple Blossom. If only I had a reason to wear one in the warm, spring weather. Well, I guess I could have used it during last week's snowstorm. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

She's good with her hands

Dexterity: readiness and grace in phyical activity, espcially in usuing the hand.

Naomi tried to grab my brownie the other, a key indicator that she is ready to start more solid foods. But she is reaching for other things too: my glasses, my earrings and necklaces, bottles of water, books, and worse my nose and my skin, etc. I keep asking her, "What are you doing? You don't even know what that is." And she loving responds by grabbing for the object again -- "I know mommy. That's why I'm curious."

Occasionally I read What to Expect the First Year, so I can get an idea about Naomi's progress and what she should be doing from month to month. Right now, she is increasing her dexterity. She loves wrapping her little hands around things, shaking rattles, tossing Tweety, pulling on the legs of a certain polka-dotted puppy, and petting her horsey-giraffe (it's not quite a horse because it has those little things atop its head that giraffes have, but it's not quite a giraffe because its neck is too short.) What will she find next?

Not one, but two
By the way, I had planned to post pictures of Naomi's teeth, but they are on the bottom row and you can't see them unless she laughs or cries. Neither emotion allows me enough time to capture a picture. Plus, I'm worried about putting the camera that in her face. And it's two, not one.

Making an impact

I had fun at the banquet. Even though, I didn't get to wear my fabulous dress  and I almost didn't get to sit with my husband. The dress, which I bought online, was supposed to be knee length. I supposed if you are 5 foot 5 inches or less, it would have been, but it hit about two inches above the knew on me. We couldn't decide if it looked too short or not, so I opted to save it for another occasion. 

At the banquet, I was so moved by the videos of students and the student performance at the end. I don't think anyone saw the tears roll down my face, but it is so amazing to me to see the work that God, and only God, can do in people's lives. These children and their abilities are so amazing. And to hear former gang members and previously poor students speak about how their lives have changed and how they want to change is even more amazing. Thanks to all the youth ministers out there who are holding it down and IMPACTing students in the inner-city and beyond.

Why three hours of fun takes five hours of preparation

I'm off work today. I will be spending all day, likely, getting ready for a banquet. It takes forever for me to get ready for anything these days. If I want to be somewhere on time, it seems I have to start preparing three or four hours in advance because I have to get ready, I have to get Naomi ready, I have to get all her stuff ready (can you say luggage?), and I have to be mindful of Naomi's eating and sleeping schedule. She does have some what of one. Plus, I have to prepare for any quirks that might happen, i.e. dirty diapers, fevers, late husband, broken car, you know the usual. But I'm so super excited to see my friends and to go out somewhere. I wanted to post a picture of my blue china pattern dress, but even though I bought it last week, it appears that the website is no longer selling it. Odd. But china pattern, sounds cool, right? I am tired but a big day awaits and I must start getting ready. 

You would cry too

Naomi is getting her first tooth. We have known for weeks that she was likely teething because she has been drooling excessively and putting everything in sight in her mouth. But today, I can actually see the pearly white tooth starting to crown on the bottom row. As exciting as it might be for me to see her get her first tooth, it is not exciting for her. She has been very fussy the last few days. At times her cries seem inconsolable. But I would cry too, if there was a new tooth forcing its way through my gums, trying to make its debut to the world, yet I had no idea what was going on or why my mouth was hurting. I've been trying different things to soothe the pain: frozen teething ring, cold water, Tylenol. I'm not sure any of them are really working, at least not for extended periods of time, except for maybe the Tylenol (but I'm not a big fan of giving a lot of medicine to a baby.) I want to run to the store and get some teething gel to rub on her gums, but I haven't made it. Perhaps, tonight or tomorrow. That likely will help, but the best cure will be for the tooth to come in. No worries, though, because within the week (or two) I am certain my pretty baby will have a pretty new tooth.  Pictures to follow.

Crying it out

Robbie and I recently got into a discussion about "crying it out." He said that according to other parents we shouldn't pick up Naomi every time she cries. We could be spoiling her, she's not learning to comfort herself and we should let her cry it out, he said. We didn't come to a consensus on the subject, so we agreed to research it.

The Ferber method, better known as crying it out, was developed by pediatrician Richard Ferber. He is the author of Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems. Basically, Ferber recommends putting your child once she reaches 3 or 4 months to sleep following a warm, loving bedtime routine and then putting her in the crib awake. Then, you leave her, even if she cries. You let her cry for one minute before re-entering the room, gradually increasing the time increments to 10 minutes over seven days or longer. Parents can pat and comfort their child upon re-entering the room, but should not pick her up. This is what I read about on Baby Center.

I am not a fan of crying, period. I don't even like the sound of phones ringing. So, I guess some might say I'm bad about picking up Naomi when she cries. It just breaks my heart to see those tiny tears well up in her eyes. Not to mention the ear-piercing screams.

The Ferber method, from what I have read, is a technique to encourage your infant to soothe himself or herself to sleep. I didn't find anything that said we should try this in the daylight hours, which is what my husband seemed to suggest. I am trying not to pick up Naomi at the first whimper, instead I'm trying:

Talking to her without picking her up
Offering a new toy (she gets bored)
Patting her on the back
Getting on the floor and interacting with her

These are things I'm doing in the daytime because, honestly, she sleeps through most nights. She doesn't soothe herself to sleep. I rock and sing her to sleep. Sometimes I read to her. And I don't mind doing that. I just always have Twinkle Twinkle Little Star stuck in my head.