Teeth not tooth

We realized yesterday that we're getting the two-for-one deal with the teething -- Madeline's got two bottom teeth coming in, not just one. Josh and I can feel them, but we haven't yet been able to see them because someone's tongue keeps covering them up. And in staying true to going against conventional wisdom (like she's done with almost every other milestone), Madeline has no interest in chewing on anything (cold or otherwise) and her drooling has actually decreased. Go figure.

Back from the Doctor

This looks way more traumatic than it was.
Separation anxiety can be rough.

weight: 19lbs 13.8oz (75th percentile)
length (height?): 29in (90th percentile)

Just in time

Through my volunteer work for Kappa Alpha Theta, I attend a leadership conference each February with the Duke chapter's executive officers. After lots of weather-related drama this year, I ended up spending a very short weekend in DC with the Theta girls. This was my first overnight, baby-free trip and I was really looking forward to luxuriating in the heavenly Marriott bed. I only wish I had been able to spend more than 6 hrs sleeping!

Josh did the single dad thing while I was gone this weekend and had fun celebrating with his family at a birthday party for our nephew Dawson.

At the party with Grandma L

It was an exhausting weekend for both of us, but Sunday night ended with some spectacular developments. At long last, Madeline is finally getting her first tooth! And she doubly surprised us by suddenly crawling like a pro -- with her interest in walking, we figured she was going to skip the crawling phase! With tomorrow being her 9 month check-up, I guess she decided to mark a few more milestones off the list before seeing the pediatrician.

9 months

Madeline's favorite activities at 9 months: emptying bookshelves, clearing off any horizontal surfaces within her reach, pulling up on furniture and walking while holding on a big person's fingers.

Big grins after emptying a bookshelf.

Spring is Springing

We've had some beautiful weather lately and with spring in the air last weekend, we did a little spring cleaning. What started off as Josh adding more RAM to the desktop computer ended up as a complete cleaning and rearranging of the office. It's amazing how changing the layout of a few pieces of furniture can completely change your perception of the size of a room.

The visual signs of spring are beginning to pop up everywhere around here. The first green nibs from the daffodils that we planted in the fall are starting to emerge through the pine straw. The daylilies are also starting to peek out of the ground. The warm temps we had a couple of weeks ago have really helped things along. Of course, we got a little dusting of snow last night just to keep us from breaking out the warm weather clothes too quickly. In true North Carolina fashion, however, the snow didn't last very long once the morning sun shone on it.

we heart you

    happy     ♥     valentine's     ♥     day!    

pray for us

Josh has the flu. Not just the run-of-the-mill, i-feel-achy-but-will-be-better-in-a-day-or-two flu but the one that sucks so bad that the doctor prescribes you Tamiflu, then says it may not do anything to help, and gives you a note to take to work that excuses your extended absence because it's going to take you at least 5 days to get better.

Dear God, don't let Madeline or me get this ick. Give me the fortitude and superhuman strength to keep my baby at my side at all times to keep her away from her infected father. And please, please give me unending patience and understanding so that I will not smother my husband when he asks for something else to drink because water doesn't taste good anymore, wants me to make him food other than what I had to eat or the leftovers in the fridge, or because he turned our bedroom into the sickroom leaving me to sleep on the futon in the office. Amen.

Progress

It's only lunchtime and it's already been a banner day. First, the little sweetie finally said dadada -- for almost two minutes straight! She's been saying mamama for weeks now (yes, that is completely opposite what every book says will happen - go figure). Even though I know that she's just babbling with whatever consonant felt awesome at the moment, I still was having guilt since Josh couldn't experience that swell of pride when she seems to be talking to you. Hopefully she'll do a repeat performance when Josh gets home tonight. Her other new trick is that she is putting food in her own mouth. Seems like a simple concept, right? Up 'til now, she's just grabbed food and held it in her hands and then opened her mouth so we would feed her. The hand-mouth connection was made today and now she's shoving in the sweet potato puffs two at a time. Cute and concerning, all at the same time.

Hooray for the New York Football Giants

Last night, we went to Kelly & Kalonji's annual Superbowl Bash and had a great time watching some smashmouth football. Whether it was by choice or by force (Kelly did threaten to kick anyone out if they cheered for the Pats), the entire crowd was backing Eli and the Giants. We cut out part way through halftime so that we could get the little one to bed at a relatively decent hour. For me, the highlight of the festivities was the singalong to Free Fallin' during the halftime show. At first no one wanted to admit that they knew Tom Petty songs, but when Free Fallin' came on, everyone chimed in. Awesome.