weekend updates and happy 5 month bday!

Happy 5 month birthday Alessia!! Wow, I can't believe it's been 5 months since I heard the doctor say "it's a girl!" after 32 hours of labor. It has flown by so fast! Look at my big girl!

Since I'm so bad at posting, here are all my updates:
Alessia still has that funky rash, so she's off to the dr. tomorrow. But I have a meeting after school, so daddy will be taking her. Can't wait to see what transpires. It doesn't seem to bother her at all, just looks nasty.

She's still talking up a storm, but now she's even doing it while eating. That's been fun. She makes these crazy grunting sounds then moves on to her cooing and gurgling, with milk sputtering out of her mouth. I guess it can be cute sometimes (it would be cuter with a bottle).

She had a growth spurt over the past week or so and all of a sudden none of her clothes fit. The pants are all too short and her shirts are turning into belly shirts. Mamma has to go shopping!

We've been reading to her forever, and she usually sits and stares at the pages as we read. Her favorites at the moment are Where's Spot? (flip up book) and Good Morning, Good Night (a touch and feel bedtime book). This week she just started getting interested in the flaps in Where's Spot? Thursday she spent about 20 minutes lifting the flaps and turning the pages.
At bedtime, when we read Good Morning, Good Night, we have to stay on the last page for about 10 minutes so she can play with the little fleece blanket that covers the little girl sleeping in her bed. She's too cute!

Friday night we went out to dinner with my parents and sister as a sort of "goodbye" to her before she leaves for New Zealand. Well technically she already left - her flight was supposed to leave around 3:30 today but got delayed, I wonder if she's in the air yet? I'm surprisingly really upset over all this. For those of you who don't know, my sister has decided to go backpacking around New Zealand for the next 7 months. She got a work/holiday visa. It's really really cool, and I'm so proud of her for doing it. She planning on doing some WWOOFing (willingly working on organic farms) and just traveling around working odd jobs to cover her expenses. Then she's off to Thailand to do some volunteer work. She's amazing. But I'm still her big sister and am worried to hell. She just has too much faith in humanity and trusts people too easily - though she does have a good head on her shoulders. I just worry and share my mom's fear that we'll never see her again. I know it's awful, but it's the truth. At least she has started a blog so we can follow her. She just better keep it updated and remember to call home.

Yesterday, after a horrible car ride and detour through Manhattan, we got to visit some family in Queens. Alessia had a blast playing with her cousins. They were all so cute together! Alessia kept grabbing Ava's arm and "petting" her. She didn't even care when Ava grabbed her face and stuck her thumb in her eye. She was just in heaven playing with fellow little people. I'm so excited for Christmas this year because I can already see they're going to have so much fun together. But god help us when the get older!cousins Ava (in grey) and Olivia.

Ava and Alessia

This week I get Tuesday off for the holiday and am so excited to spend the day with Alessia. Big plans: go for a morning walk with Danielle and Eliza, do some shopping, and just hang out with my bebe. Can't wait!

Another round of shots

No that those kinds of shots! I'm talking about vaccines. For those of you that have been following and paying attention to my rambles, at last month's checkup I refused two of Alessia's vaccines so she wouldn't get 4 at a time. So I had to go back this month to get them. Although I always dread these visits and feel sick to my stomach when it's time for them to "shoot 'er up", I figured it wouldn't be that bad. They weren't giving her another checkup with the dr., just a visit with the nurse (since they do all the "work" at the visits anyway). I figured, how long could it possibly take? AN HOUR. Yes, that's right, we waited in the waiting room for an hour before they called our name. While we did make friends with a cute 9 year old girl who even mopped up Alessia's drool for her while she was making her laugh, we did not enjoy it. Alessia started to get real cranky - she missed a nap and a feeding during that time. So she was already screaming before they even pricked her. Oh and the best part, they didn't even put us in a room for the shots. They just called us over to the nurse's station, had me expose her thighs (aka take off her pants) and sit her on my lap as they gave her the shots. Last time, I was able to sit in the room for a few minutes after to nurse her to help soothe and calm her after, but not this time. I was, and still am, so pissed. Next month I'm calling ahead to ask how their schedule is running. If they're running late, they can call me at home when they're ready! I'm not sitting in the waiting room for an hour again. Oh and did I mention the attitude they had when I asked (crying baby in hand) how much longer it would take?
Are all doctor's offices like this? Or am I the only lucky one?

Oh and she's been fine since the shots - no fever or irritability. Yay! Though she does have some kind of a rash, totally unrelated, that I can't figure out. She has ubersensitive skin and I think it may be eczema, but it's on her upper thigh/butt cheek. I dunno. I'll call the dr if it's still there at the end of the week. Wonder how long I'll have to sit in the waiting room for that one.

how fast time flies by...

I just can't seem to get the hang of my new schedule and find time to post and comment on the blogs I follow (I'm still reading, just can't comment from work!) Time just keeps whizzing by.
Speaking of time...last night was Mark's and my 10 year high school reunion. Man did that creep up on us quickly! We technically didn't go to the reunion, but showed up for the after party. Alessia is teething again and has been real fussy at night and I didn't want to leave my mom with that. So we headed out after she finally went to bed. It was a good time, though I'm paying for the late night today. As conceided as it sounds, one of the best parts for me was hearing how good people thought I looked after having a baby...All those morning walks with Danielle really paid off! I may feel like sh*t, but at least I apparently don't look it! Yay!
Not only was it weird to think how much time had passed by since I had seen most of these people, but then when we were playing "catch up" and I talked about Alessia, it was so weird to say that she was just about 5 months. Where did that time go??!! She's getting so big and so is her personality. When I look at what she can do now and how she interacts with us, it just amazes me and I can't believe how fast it's all going. Her newest things are this funky gurgling sound she makes nonstop and she finally got her foot in her mouth.
I would put a picture here, but still haven't had time to load any onto the new computer. Maybe I'll get a chance tomorrow. Instead I'm off to finish some laundry and pass out before round 2 of putting her back to bed.

long time no post

So sorry I haven't been posting - I know some of you family peeps (especially those that have moved to another country for the next few months) check up for info on Alessia, but I have been exhausted!!! Actually I don't think that word even does it justice...I am waaaay beyond exhausted at this point. But let's not dwell. Here are some Alessia updates:
She's having another bout of teething this past week and was CRANKY at the end of the weekend/beginning of the week. The drooly monster has returned. But today she was back to her smiles and giggles, so we forgive her.
She's been "talking" up a storm. I think she's going to be just like her mamma - a big mouth! Her new sounds are funny gurgles and sounds she makes while sucking air in through her mouth. She gets a kick out of it. The gurgly sounds probably feel funny. And she looks at you like "you know what I mean?" I just immitate her or talk back and we both crack up.
Saturday night we finally made the big move: Alessia slept in her crib in her own room. She loved it, but I had a hard time. I kept going in there to check on her. She was sleeping so soundly, I couldn't tell if she was breathing and startled her a few times when I checked. She's still in there. I guess we all sleep better like that, although I do miss having her sleep snuggled up next to me in the bed sometimes. She still wakes up at least twice during the night, but Mark has been a big help and going to get her and bring her to me to eat, then I put her back.
Lately, she's been seriously eyeing our food, drooling like crazy when she watches us eat and has tried to grab food from my hands on occasion. But our dr. says it's best to wait until 6 months before introducing any food, so she's got a little over a month to go. Poor baby! You should see her when she watches her friend Eliza eat.

Um...I think that's it for now. Sorry there's no pics. We finally set up a new office and switched computers, so I haven't moved my files yet or had time to load any new pics on this comp. I promise to have some soon.
Now it's off to bed with my sorry ass so I'm not a complete zombie at back-to-school night tomorrow (my second one this week - oh the pleasures of teaching both 7th and 8th grade).

week 2

We've almost made it through week 2 of being back at work...just 1 more day to go. It's been getting better and easier to leave her each day. Last week, when I would pick her up from my mom's she wanted nothing to do with me and was crabby all evening, which made me feel like crap. But this week she's been all smiles and giggles when she sees me walk through the door. Her new thing now is to wake up when I get in the shower and she just wants to play with us. Not cranky or anything - she saves that for my mom - but really freakin cute. She wakes up with a huge smile as soon as she sees me and starts giggling. It's almost like she misses us during the day and just wants some more time with us. Unfortunately for her, I don't have time so she goes in her swing or the bouncy in whichever room I'm in at the time. She has been crabby at night though, fighting sleep and getting up more often during the night and wanting to nurse. So I've just been keeping her in bed with me so I don't really have to wake up so much. I don't mind, in fact I think I sleep better when she's curled up next to me.

As far as actual work goes, I'm freakin exhausted! The extra class is killing me more this year than last year when I was pregnant, mostly because I don't have the luxury of staying after school to get stuff done. The kids are pretty good, except for a group in one of my classes - I can already tell it's going to be a looong year with them. I found myself giving the "I'm not a babysitter" speech already. Oh well. Oh and then there's the pumping. I had covered up the windows looking into my classroom so I could stay in there and do it during my prep, which my principal was aware of. Then the state came in on Tues for a walk-through inspection and told us we couldn't cover them (I'm not the only one). When I asked my principal where I could go she curtly instructed me to use the faculty bathroom within the girls bathroom. I freaked. It's basically a broom closet turned bathroom stall with a locking door. No outlet, nowhere to put the pump, and nast dirty. How disgusting! So I was a wreck, until I ran into a couple of fellow mom colleagues who were just as incredulous as I was by her directions and one of them (the school psychologist) offered me her office to use everyday. So that's working out well. She lets me use her computer to get some work done while I'm in there. Thank god there's some decent people in this world.
So, bottom line, we're surviving for now. Oh, I forgot - the cops think they caught the asshole that tried to break into my car. Yay.

Surviving the first week back

We did it! We survived my first week back at work. It definitely wasn't easy, but it got better towards the end of the week. I was a little down though, because she was so fussy in the evenings and I began to feel like I'd never see her smile again! (Silly I know) But we just had the best weekend ever, and it makes it a little easier to go back to work tomorrow. Yesterday we just hung out inside - the weather was absolutely disgusting and we missed our morning walk - and played and played and played all day long. We got tons of belly laughs out of Alessia and she put up with all the kisses from mommy the kissie monster. She took one decent nap and I snuck out to get a pedicure with Danielle, which was much needed and enjoyed by us both. This morning the in-laws came down for brunch at the diner. Since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to walk there. I put Alessia in my batik ringsling, and hoofed it. She was great at the diner - actually stayed awake and cheerful (until she was hungry of course) and had some fun with nonnie and pop-pop. She's usually sleeping or in one of her cranky "I want mommy" moods when they see her, so this was a nice treat. I may not have gotten everything on my "to-do list" done, but I don't care. Alessia seemed so happy to stay home with us all weekend, I just had to eat it up.

Back to work in the morning and the exhaustion will set in again. But before we start the complaining again, here's a cute pic of my little "flashdancer" sporting her babylegs (a gift from Danielle and Eliza)
I'm a maniac, maniac on the floor. And I'm dancing like I've never danced before!

Day 2

We survived another day. Today went much better since Mark took Alessia to my mom's. I can deal with giving her a hug and kiss goodbye then putting her in daddy's car. I can get her off my mind a bit while I"m driving by myself to work. And she's having a blast at my mom's. Today she rolled over from back to tummy in front of a witness for the first time. We know she's done it during the night, but could never catch her in the act. That was cool, though I did feel a little sad that I had missed it. But it's okay, I've been there for every other first so far.
Update on the car: it's officially ghetto-fab. The door handle fell off in my hand this morning when I went to open the door. Apparently the piece the asshole took also keeps the handle from snapping off. Then when I got to my mom's in the afternoon, what was left of the lock chamber fell out onto the ground when I slammed the door. Wonderful. Mark's taking it to the insurance adjuster tomorrow then we can finally get it fixed and I don't have to feel like a hoodrat driving it around and parking it at work.
I'm freakin exhausted. Have I mentioned what time I get up in the morning?? Alessia has been waking up for a second feeding between 3:30 and 4 and my alarm goes off at 4:30. Fun. It's starting to catch up to me. But alas, I still can't go to sleep yet - I have to prep for tomorrow's fun fun lessons. Those kids better enjoy it!

WTF????!!!!!

I'll make this short, because I'm exhausted and going to head off to bed shortly. We survived my first day back at work, but not without some drama and a major WTF moment. Alessia woke up at 4:15 to eat, then my alarm went off 15 min later - oh what a joy it is to wake up so early :o( Everything went smoothly - I'll spare you the details of my new morning routine - and my little sticky notes throughout the house helped out. At 6:05, I went up to wake up my pupa and get her into Mark's car. No prob. She was happy and smiley and curious as to what was going on. I gave her a kiss and was proud that I had broken down again. Then I go to open my car door - here's the WTF moment - the door handle looked a little odd. It took me a moment to realize what was wrong. The keyhole cover-thingy (yes that's the technical term) was gone and the lock was exposed. Someone tried to break into my car during the night. Right outside the front door of my building. And I don't even live in a crappy area! And my car isn't even the nicest or most expensive in our development or even our lot! I didn't have anything valuable in there except maybe my EZPass. The creep didn't succeed in getting in and taking anything, but damaged my door while trying to bump the lock. What kind of asshole would break into a car with 2 carseats in the back?! Why??!! And why today of all days??!! Words can't expressed how freakin pissed off and upset I was. Mark stayed behind to call the cops to file a report and I had to take his car and drop Alessia off at my mom's. And that was horrible. I was an emotional wreck, and she just kept crying. My parents met me in the driveway to take her out of the car, because I just couldn't do it. Of course I started balling, called Mark and cried that I didn't want to go back to work. I cried about half of the way there, until Mark changed the subject to my car. Then I spent the rest of the time cursing out the MFer for messing with my car and making me feel violated.
Work went fine - I still have a ton to do tomorrow morning before my students arrive. Alessia had a great time with my mom and didn't seem to miss me at all (as my father so nicely pointed out to me). At least she's dealing with this well. I hope I get better at it.
Okay, off to bed to dream about sweet revenge if I ever find that creep that ruined my morning and my car.
So much for a short post.

Bye bye baby

I've been dreading writing this post, but at the same time needing to do it. Tomorrow I go back to work. I've already broken down twice today just at the thought of leaving my baby and not being able to spend all my time with her. Can't wait to see what I do tomorrow. I know it would be even harder if I was leaving Alessia at a daycare or with someone I didn't know. I'm lucky my mom's watching her. But it's still freakin hard.
It's so funny how you change after having a baby. I always used to say that I give SAHMs a lot of credit because I couldn't do it. I thought I would be bored out of my mind, because that's what my summers were like when after I got married and was home alone. But after being home for the past 4 months with my beautiful girl, I can't imagine going back to work. Who would of thought?! I guess I've really changed since being a mom. I never thought I would breastfeed her, then when I started I figured it would only last until the end of the summer, but here I am with my pump all packed and ready to go to work with me. I envy my friend Danielle who left her job to stay home with her daughter. I wish our summer routine of morning walks and fun daytrips with the girls could go on forever.
I was always so into my work. I would stay in my classroom 2 hours after the end of the day to grade papers, prep, etc just to not have to bring work home with me. And the crazy thing was, I loved it! All I ever thought about was work and my students. This year I haven't even gone to my classroom to set it up. Usually I've already been there 3 or 4 times and the room is done. That's definitely adding to my anxiety about tomorrow. I have to cram into one day what I would usually do over the course of 4 days, and I know my heart just won't be in it and I'll be thinking about Alessia. *Sigh* I can't think about this anymore. I should just go to bed, because with my luck, she'll choose tonight to wake up every 2 hours and I'll be a zombie when my alarm goes off at 4:30 (I have to leave my house at 6 every morning because of the lovely traffic).
I give working moms a lot of credit...I just don't want to be one.