Placating fussy babies

Carina has been fussing continuously for the last 2 weeks. I think she misses M, who has been working 18+ hour days to finish his thesis. I know she isn't hungry, doesn't need a diaper change, and isn't tired. When cuddling and toys fail, what to do?

Sad sad baby

First, abandon all sense of dignity and pride.

Second, take tongue and insert it through grates of plastic baby jail.

SERIOUSLY

Last, watch as baby squeals in delight as she pokes at your tongue OVER and OVER again.

Bonus, she just might do it back. If she does, you will definitely want to watch, and grab the camera.





I cannot believe how hilarious my kid is.

Unfortunately as soon as I stopped flashing her my tongue, the screaming began again. Le sigh.

My Grossness Threshold

How gross is too gross? Do I even have a threshold anymore? I'm thinking I would probably disgust my pre-baby self...

If Carina has a stuffy nose and is struggling with a booger, I usually break out the big guns (aka the Nosefrida). However, if I can't find the snotsucker, or if said boogie is already half-way out of her honker, I just reach in and swipe it.  I swear at almost 9 months old she must already know of the social impropriety of my actions, because she just stares at me with this, "did you seriously just do that, Mom?" look on her face.

What, you got a problem with my boogers?

Grossed out yet? If not, you will be after this next one, I promise you.

On mornings when Carina wakes up at the ungodly hour of 5 AM, I feed her and then bring her into our bed in the {sometimes vain} hope that she will fall asleep again. I put her right in between M and I, usually on a baby blanket. One successful morning, I picked her up after her nap and soon realized that she had bathed her clothes in a lovely dusting of #2. I looked down at the baby blanket. Yep. Another victim. I threw it directly in the hamper.

That night, as I was heading to bed I noticed some discoloration on the bed sheet. After examining it closely, it became clear that little miss dumpy had not only soaked through her pajamas and the baby blanket -  her turds had stained the bed sheets as well. At this point I was so exhausted, I wasn't going to let a little bit of dried poop get in my way, so I climbed into bed and fell asleep. I assured my self I would take care of it the next morning.

The next day I forgot. Then the next; I was too tired. Then it escaped my mind, and so on...6 days later, that poo was still starting me right in the face. Finally, I peeled off the sheet and made haste for the laundry room, feeling gross and embarrassed.

Sleeping in 6 day-old baby droppings and digging for infant nose-gold; just another day in the G household...

Why do I just not care? Please tell me you do some gross stuff, too? Or go ahead and tell me I'm a vile and repulsive creature. Up to you.

That's all folks

After working or being in school for my entire life (save a summer vacation here and there), my last day of work is today.  It's safe to say that I have mixed feelings about this.

99% of me is completely relieved and elated.  I get to spend all day every day with my amazing little peanut.  We can go to the pool, the zoo, downtown, and I can nap when she naps!  Or get other things done, of course ;)  I've felt so spread thin lately, I am really looking forward to having more time.

What's that, Mom?  We can spend every day together?!?

The other 1% of me is worried about not getting adult interaction, possibly getting bored, and I hate to admit this, but I'm afraid of what people will think.  To those who have insinuated it (yes, there have been some) - No: I will not be wasting my brain by staying home with my daughter.  It's reactions like this that make me fear telling everyone.

A number of you have asked me why I am choosing to stop working.  The truth is, I've always known that if I had the ability, I would stay home for at least a few years.  My Mom did and M's Mom did - I guess you could say it is what we're used to.  I love working and I know that I will return to the workforce in the future, but right now I want to stay home with Carina and feel so fortunate that I am able to.

So, here's to 4+ great years at my company!  I will be sad to go, but am very eager to embrace my new job...stay-at-home Mom.

Goodbye, work!  Half of my building

The other half (yes - that is a drawbridge with a moat underneath)

 

Back to Work

I've been working full time for a little over a week now.  I'm so conflicted as to how I feel about it.  Part of me really enjoys being able to exercise my brain, but the rest of me feels like I left my heart at home with the Nanny.

I have the Nanny text me updates about how Carina is doing during the day.  I know what you're thinking...that I'm an awful neglectful Mommy.  The truth is, I'm afraid to speak to her on the phone because if I happened to hear Carina squealing (she has been exercising her voice a lot lately!) or crying I think I would lose it.  I probably wouldn't be able to focus for the rest of the day.  I'm having difficulty in that department enough, as it is.

On my way home from work I find myself tailgating slowpokes and cursing the heartless traffic lights as they turn red when I approach them.  Every minute I sit in traffic is a minute lost with my little peanut.  I get anxious while turning into the driveway at home and then run walk inside (as briskly as possible).

I can't help but feel a little crazy.  Is this normal?  Have I lost it?  Just so this post isn't a complete downer...here is what I have to look forward to when I get home :)

I found my toes!

Linking up to jenni from the blog's Your 3 Words blog hop.  Can you think of 3 words to describe your week?

Headbands and bows! (and a couple other things)

This is the first time I am participating in Jenni @ jenni from the blog's Your 3 Words blog hop. The idea is to sum up your week in just 3 words.


This week I have spent quite a bit of time experimenting with headbands and bows on Carina. She is still patheticly bald and I wanted to find a way to make her look more like a cute little girl. Cue spending way too much money on adorable things at Etsy...


Which is your favorite?










There are a few more -with flowers! on the way, too.Please pardon the cell phone pics.

And now for a few other things...

Top Baby Blogs just reset, so I lost all of my votes. First, thank you so much for voting for me! Would you please help me get back in the rankings? Just one little click below is all it takes. You can vote daily, too! :)



Second, I just created a Facebook page for Growing Up Geeky! If you'd like to see updates about new posts on your News Feed, just click the "Like" button over to your right, and/or visit the page!

Happy Friday :)