Baby Steps

I love watching Adele learn, grow and change every day. She seems to have a new skill mastered or at least practiced more all the time.Sweet little coos surprise both me and Adele, and she loves to smile when Mommy is acting goofy. It all reminds me of how awesome life truly is.

Adele waiting patiently at the doctor's office.

Fred and I took Adele to her two-month checkup just the other day. She currently weighs in at 13 lbs. 3 oz. and measured 22.5 inches tall. It's hard to believe she's the same baby who looked like she was drowning in some newborn clothes when we brought her home from the hospital. Adele is happy and healthy.

Besides growing like a weed, Adele is exploring the world of toys more and more. Her bouncy seat is not only relaxing now but also entertaining. I watched her for a bit tonight as she gazed intently at a Winnie the Pooh rattle hanging above her. She kept her eyes focused on it and I could tell the gears were turning in her little head. "How do I get that thing?" she seemed to be asking herself. It was a mere few inches in front of her, but she only got as far as raising her arm before she went back to simply looking at Pooh Bear. Those few inches must be like 100 miles to Adele. She is bound and determined to make that journey and many others. They all begin with one little step.

Artist, Naturalist and Political Humorist | Flathead Beacon

Artist, Naturalist and Political Humorist Flathead Beacon

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Adele and I look a lot alike, but thankfully she also looks like her Daddy and big sisters. So many people have told me that she has my lips. I think she has my eyes and hair too. I am happy she has her Daddy's ears and she might have his nose. It's weird to know that I have a mini-me. The fact that we look so much alike is not surprising though. Years ago some elementary school friends of mine saw a photo of my maternal great grandmother and thought it was my maternal grandmother they looked so much alike. I see my mom, as she gets older, looking more and more like her mom. Some days I look in the mirror and I see my mom's face staring back at me. Heck, I was even called Mini-Sue by some coworkers in high school. I know what I will look like in 30 years and I know what Adele will look like in 20 years. She's so beautiful. I hope she remains a beautiful person both inside and out. I know I will do my best to help her.

The F Word

When I mention "the F word" you probably think of one thing. Shame on you. Your mother should wash your mouth out with soap!

After a discussion with another mom the other day the F word means something new to me. Formula. It can be a dirty and bad word to some moms who are almost militant about breastfeeding and its benefits. Let me say that if I could exclusively breastfeed and/or give Adele pumped breastmilk I would, but it just wasn't in the cards for us. Therefore, I have been feeding her formula after each nursing session since I am not producing enough to satisfy my growing little girl's appetite and have not had time to pump as a temporary single mom. When faced with deciding between eating, napping, showering, doing small chores around the house, or pumping during my "free time" (what's that?!) I tend to try to sleep or eat before anything else.

I heard talk about how some moms can guilt others into feeling bad about certain things, but thought nothing of it until Adele arrived. I did get a taste of this wonderful habit of other parents while I was pregnant. Heck, even some non-parents gave me advice regarding pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. I am trying to ask for advice and help from other parents now, but at the same time ignore the negative and seemingly judgemental advice and comments. Not everyone has the perfect situation where they have help 24-7, can pump at the necessary times, have one parent stay at home fulltime, or actually make dinner and eat something more substantial than crackers and applesauce.

Adele is growing like a weed and changing every day it seems and we are establishing a pretty good routine and schedule so I have a few more F words for you. Faith, Adele and Fred are frickin' fantastic.