The Ups and Downs...

Yesterday, Blue had her 4 month checkup. She got her shots, and she's healthy and growing. Then, I took Blue to Early Childhood and Family Education. We went to the mixed-age lunch bunch class (the infant class was canceled), and she was the youngest. She watched all the other little kids, ranging in age from 10 months to 2 1/2 years, and seemed to enjoy the interaction. Everyone thought she was beautiful. I got her signed up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (fantastic program, if you have it in your area!). I met some other stay at home mothers and found out about a stay at home mothers club that has activities every week. I checked out some of the parenting literature ECFE has to offer. I felt like SuperMom.

Today, I got out of the shower at 1:30. I could not get Blue to nap anywhere but in my arms. Each time I tried to put her in bed, she woke up immediately and cried. She wanted to suck her thumb rather than eat. I didn't get the bed made until just before the Nieces came home from school. I feel like I am doing nothing, and doing nothing well.

*Sigh*

Cabin Fever

It was ridiculously cold earlier this week. Several days it didn't get above zero. I didn't leave the house for 3 days because it seemed like it was too cold for a casual trip with the baby. But on Thursday, we left the house, cold weather be damned!

I went to the mall. I know, the mall. But they have lovely family bathrooms and nursing rooms with gliders and ottomans! It makes it so convenient to go out with an infant.

Anyway, I was positively giddy! I was as manic as Britney Spears! I saw people! I walked around! And I got a pair of sassy pants and a completely impractical satin shirt, all on sale big time. It made me feel so good. Blue thought it was hilarious the way my head would pop out of the neck of whatever top I tried on. A good time was had by all.

I also had a big pretzel.

It's good to get out.

Why are all the neighborhood dogs barking?

Blue has discovered a new vocal range. It's just a touch lower in pitch than those dog whistles, so we humans get to enjoy it, too. She's been using it whenever she's not absolutely perfectly happy. My right ear is ringing right now from the last 20 minutes of her listing her discontents. That, and sometimes she's enjoyed experimenting with it when she's happy, too.

All phases go quickly at this age... here's hoping this one will do the same...

Toast me with an advil, won't you?

Hotdish

Most places it's called a casserole. This is one of the ways I know I'm back in the Midwest...

tonight- we had hotdish. Tater-tot hotdish, to be exact.

I haven't been much of a fan of the hotdish, because they're so often composed mostly of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup. Sometimes they have cheese, or green beans, or noodles, but they ALWAYS have ground beef and cream of mushroom soup. I grew up with a lot of ground beef, and I think I grew tired of it.

The hotdish has been the one yankification of my southern mother. When Blue was born, she came out and made us several different casseroles, one of which was tater-tot hotdish. The other had chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese. And there was a pan of lasagna, too.

Mmmmm... lasagna. It can have ground beef in it and it's served in a casserole dish, but it is most definitely NOT a hotdish. Too fancy. Midwestern hotdishes are humble. You find prime examples of hotdish in the basements of Lutheran churches in Minnesota. Just as Garrison Keillor.

Tonight's hotdish was pretty good. I'm not usually a tater-tot hotdish fan... but since I've become a mother, I love anything I haven't cooked myself.

I may not cook it for myself in the future, but for now, I eat hotdish. Because I am home.

A belated happy new year!

So behind... so behind. I finally caught up on reading what all of you have been up to since September. Now I can keep up with my imaginary friends on a more regular basis. The 40+ posts that would come up in my bloglines was a little intimidating...
Last year my new year's resolutions were
1. Have a baby
2. Move back to Minnesota
3. Continue to not smoke*
4. Knit the Enid Cardigan

I accomplished 1-3, and failed miserably on 4. Who knew knitting would make me nauseous in my first trimester? I did eventually cast on, and I've got a sassy 4 inch band knitted so far. I think Enid will make my 2008 list of resolutions, too. Which leads me to...

2008 New Year's Resolutions
1. Be the best mother I know how to be to my little Blue
2. Move out of the in-laws' basement (by June at the absolute latest!)
3. Continue not to smoke*
4. Finish the Enid Cardigan
5. Work on my photography

So that was purely for me... you don't care, but it helps me to have it written down someplace, especially someplace public so I feel a little pressure. Good pressure. You know, like a massage.

Guess what else!? Little Cindy Lou Blue is 4 months old today!

*3 years ago on New Year's Eve I nearly set my head on fire having a casual party cigarette. I had a lock of hair that stood straight up for about 4 months while it grew back. I took it as a sign that even the casual party cigarette isn't for me any longer.