Random Updates

I cannot believe how fast August is flying by. It's crazy. I remember when I was a kid my Dad telling me that time seems to go faster as you get older. I thought he was nuts. Man, it's so true. Pete's theory is that the perception of time is a parabola and that sometime around 70 or so it starts to slow down again. Wouldn't that be nice?

Elizabeth continues to be a ridiculously easy baby. I don't remember the last night she didn't have at least a 5-6 hour stretch. In fact, two nights this week she's slept for 8 hours straight, followed by a four hour stretch. It's amazing. I think Kate was 9 months old before she slept 8 straight hours. I put her down for naps drowsy, but awake, and she puts herself to sleep. She almost never cries, and smiles and coos like crazy. I know - I almost even hate myself. But I figure she owes me for all that puking.

We had her two month appointment last week. She's a big girl. She's off the charts for length (24 3/4") and 90-95% for weight (12lbs., 12 oz.). Not quite as big as Kate, who was off the charts for both. Still, that means I probably have a month or so before she outgrows her infant car seat. I don't quite know what I'm going to do if she's too big for that but too little to hold her head up consistently. I guess I'll have to hope I can snag a shopping cart with the built-in baby seat(and hope she's not too heavy for it).

Kate is doing great. She's been very into music lately, and even once last week demanded we go downstairs so I could play cello for her. She sings a lot - mostly songs she makes up. She has also recently decided that the English language doesn't have enough words in it, so she makes up new ones. Makes for some confusing conversations.

She's a very affectionate big sister and has to kiss & hug Lizzy often through the day. She's starting to show interest in dolls, now, too. Her favorite (whom she named "Poppy Seed") looks remarkably like Elizabeth. Kate will bring her on the sofa when I'm nursing, lift up her shirt, and put Poppy Seed's mouth on her belly button so she can "nurse" her baby, too. It cracks me up.

We also have another addition to the family - a new Honda Odyssey minivan. There are several moms in my neighborhood who eschew the minivan. To each their own, I guess, but I'm thrilled to have one. The automatic sliding doors, all the space, the rearview back-up camera... it's this mom's dream car (for now). So, if you know anyone interested in a 2002 Ford Explorer with a little body damage... what? what's so funny? why are you laughing?

This week is Pete's birthday. Since I got him the Wii for Father's Day, I'm probably not going to do the PS3 for Bday. I'll save that for Christmas. I'm debating between a digital TiVo and an XM radio. Decisions....

We got our RFPs for our house out a couple weeks ago. I've been crazy busy meeting with contractors who come out to ask some questions, measure, take pictures, etc. It looks like we'll get 7-8 bids altogether, and our deadline is next week. I'm looking forward to getting a handle on what this is going to cost us (and hope we don't regret buying that minivan).

Lastly, I have tried twice to start Weight Watchers, and quit both times because it killed my milk supply. This is seriously bumming me out. It's true what "they" say - it's tougher to lose it the second time. It just fell off after Kate, but this time I haven't lost a pound in 6 weeks. I am 35 lbs. above my prepregnancy weight (55 lbs. above my pre-trying-to-have-a-baby weight). And I can't diet and feed my baby at the same time. "Bugger" seems to sum it up pretty well.