Mom FAIL!

Ugh. So I guess it was bound to happen. Lindy got her first boo-boo this morning. Tragic for her but certainly more tragic for her mama. Let me set the scene. I am running around like a crazy lady trying to get ready to leave for the day [I interject here to mention I am ONE short month out from the bar exam so when I leave "for the day" its for the entiiiirrreee day, so it takes a lot of coordination]... Annnyywwaayyy, I put Lindy our carpeted bedroom floor, with some toys, while I do my makeup in the attached bathroom. I am literally 3 feet from her people. She was pretty quiet, I assumed she was entertained. Boy was she. Lil miss had pulled out one of the dresser drawers and when she tried to pull up on it (to stand I assume) it scooted back in and she fell face forward onto the drawer [I assume she fell onto one of the corners because she has a weeny bruise next to her eye, but by the time I got to her she was laid out on her back so I dont really know]. Anyway, she was screaming - I was freaking. Good times.

Lindy hardly ever cries real tears, but today they were just rolling down her cheeks. BROKE MY HEART. I scooped her up and 5 minutes later with a Ritz cracker in hand, she in my lap with her "moose", and I reading "Bubbles Bubbles" had her calm again.

Boy, times were tough for a while there. I now understand what it means to want take the hurt/sickness/pain away from your child and put it upon yourself.... I know it wont be the last time it happens, but I can only pray that any additional "boo-boos" are as easily remedied by a Ritz as this one was!


Sweet baby with her first bruise :(

But still all smiles....

Linden's Milestones (Updated)

Linden's Milestones

4 months - first foods - bananas, pears
4 months - rolling front to back
5 months - first trip to south africa; first plane ride (march 12-21)
5 months - rolling back to front
5.5 months - sitting unassisted
6 months - favorite foods: avocado! least favorite foods: green beans, mashed potatos
6.5 months - sleeping through the night (7:30 - 7:00)
7 months - reaching for mama and daddy
7.5 months - waving "bye-bye"; pulling up on elbows
8 months - first two teeth (bottom two); eating finger foods and "real" meals
8.5 months - scooting; army crawling; pulling herself up; pulling into sitting position; sitting up in crib
8.75 months - "da-da"; "ma-ma" [for the record she said da-da first. UGH.] proper crawling EVERYWHERE; playing "How Big is the Baby?" game


HOW BIG IS THE BABY??? SOOOOOOO BIG!!

Letters to Lindy: June 2011

My little Lindy girl,

It occurred to me the other day that you are growing up SO quickly! I realize that one day you will be able to R-E-A-D and I want you to be able to look back on your early years of life. I want you to be able to read about all the fun we all had with you, all the new things you accomplish, and all the joy you bring to my life each and every day. I guess I'll start off by reiterating that point - Linden Brooke you bring me joy EVERY.SINGLE.MOMENT. Whether I am with you and I get to experience that glorious smile, I am telling people about how sweet and GOOD you are, or in the quiet moments in my heart when it hurts I love you so much - you bring me joy. So, thank you.

You are almost 9 months old (July 5th) which is hard for mama to believe! Most of the time I wish time would stand still, I love you just the way you are now! I can't imagine a sweeter, more lovely little girl than you are in your 9 month self.

Let me tell you a little bit about what you've got going on. Just this week (June 19-4) you started saying "da-da" and (we think)"ma-ma" - you are VERY very articulate. You "talk" all the time and try to mimic what we say. I think you are pretty advanced in this area for your age. You also have GREAT hand-eye coordination and what is called the pincher grasp (you grab tiny things, like cherrios and its no problem for you). You use that great coordination to enjoy almost 100% "big people" food now (no purees) and your sippy cup. You love your sippy cup... and ICE. You are happy for hours playing with your ice (another example of how great your hand-eye coordination is). You have started crawling, and you are getting fast... you really started scooting at about 8 months and 1 week, you tolerate it. But I think you'd rather walk.

You have also learned two tricks... you know how to point to my (or lili's) nose.... and when asked "How BIG is the baby??" You throw your hands up like you are indicating a touchdown... very very very sweet. You love the water, love to swim. You swim every day at Lilis and you know how to "jump" in after we count 1, 2, 3... you also are not afraid to put your face in the water. Waterbug you are.

One of my favorite things about you (other than, oh EVERYTHING) is that you are a thinker. You like to try and understand things, how things work, what they mean. I know this is an early indication of how thoughtful you are going to be, and how strong-willed to support your convictions. This "thinker" mentality is best evidenced when it comes to books. Generally, you are a squiggle worm. You like to squirm all over mom and dad, all over the floor, all over everything. But when it comes to a good book, your attention is rapt. My favorite times are right before your nap when you are laying in my arms, and we are reading a book. I feel like you are really reading it... hanging on to every work, analyzing ever picture. Smart little girl you are.

Oh Lindy, I could go on and on. I say it all the time but honestly YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD BABY. Happy, sweet, intelligent, inquisitive, joyful, athletic, loving, even thoughtful... amazing all that in such a small package. Thank you bug. Thank you for being you!

Stunning girl, almost 9 months old

Its not easter, but you are still our little bunny....

Sweet bug.

The Big 3-0

Well, it is the night before my 30th birthday and as I say goodbye to my second decade I have to say, it has been an excellent one. I cannot believe all I accomplished in my 20s: graduated college, got married, got my masters degree, moved to DC, spent a month in Europe, moved home, started law school, had lovely Lindy, graduated law school.... WHEW! When I stop to wonder why time seems to fly, I guess I have my answer.

As I leave behind my 20s I am definitely sad, what a decade it was. But, I am happy too. As I get older every day I like more and more the person I am becoming. I appreciate more and more the people in my life. And I realize more and more how truly blessed and lucky I am. I find with age comes peace. Peace of mind, peace of self, peace for the future. Not to say I dont have a lot to work on, lordy. Namely, I want to focus more on living in the moment. I have been so focused on the future for so long, I often find I neglect the present. And you know what? The present is exactly where I want to be. So, deep breath, slow down. Live. That's the plan. "In my next 30 years, I'll have some fun, try to forget about all the crazy things I've done. I've conquered all my adolescent fears.... I'll do it better my next 30 years."...

Since who knows when Ill blog again gotta jot down some Lindy loo news. WELL, SHE IS AMAZING. I love that little pug (that is her dad and my nickname for her). She is just turning into the most lovely little girl. So smart so happy. Just a joy. Here are a few things shes done in May/June
- Feeding herself solids (egg yolk, chicken, turkey, beef, pancakes, crackers)
- Crawling - well at this point its more like scooting, but girl can MOVE!
- Sitting herself up, including IN THE CRIB at night. Last night she actually fell alseep sitting up, leaning against the bumper. QUITE precious I can assure you (but, even better, Ill post below so you can see).
- She know where the "nose" is and will point to it.
-Her dad swears she has said da-da but I am not quite convinced.
- She has two teeth - sooo sweet!!!!
- Baby is still sleeping like a dream. Honestly, I feel like we are SO lucky in this department. She takes 2 2 hour naps a day and sleeps 7:30 - 7:00 everu night. We literally have not had one set back. Glorious. She also goes down wide awake and puts herself to sleep. Again, glorious. She actually LIKES her crib, when she gets tired she will look longingly at it. Sweet.
- Finally, she is a finalist in a competition for a Parents Magazine cover... my georgous, georgous girl.

And then there were two (teeth, not babies, of course!)

L got her second tooth this week, she is suuuchhhh a cutie when she smiles so big and you can see the pearly whites peeping out at you. Problem is, having a hard time catching the toothy grin on camera.... In honor of her teeth we have introduced turkey, chicken and egg yolk this week. She even had some cous cous and mango with her chicken! She was a HUGE fan of the egg and turkey, not as much the chicken. Girl, dont you know you are from the South??! Finger licking chicken is a must (though if I can help it she wont be dining on that fried stuff!).

Lazy days of summer are here, and hours are spent swimming at the YMCA, swimming in LiLis pool, and swimming in the river pool - sensing a theme here? This babe is a water lover if Ive ever seen one. She even went under for the first time on June 2 - in LiLis pool. We HEARD (UGH! my mom did it without us!) she was a champ about it, looked stunned for just a second then just grinned and grinned.

Lord how I love this sweet child of mine. This was taken today -Lindy Loo 2 days before she turns 8 months....