Denied

I am really looking forward to the summer.

I mean I am REALLY looking forward to the summer.

I cannot wait to have more time with Caitlin. I think about it all the time.

I am teaching drama for a four-week afternoon camp like last year, but even then my mornings are free.

The day care asks that kids be dropped off by 9am. They said that later drop off would be at the teacher's discretion. I have been coming in with baked goods every Monday. I haven't brought up the issue yet. I'm still bribing waiting.



I've started researching things to do. Library story times, play places, parks, programs...

Last weekend I read about a site where you can find local playgroups. We have lots of friends with babies, but all the babies are a year or more older than Caitlin. She is the youngest in the group and I thought it would be nice to try to find a group with younger babies.

It was free registration so I thought I would give it a try.

This is the e-mail I got back:
(Sort of...I removed the names and made up my own)

Your request to join **Name of Group Here** was declined.


The person who declined your request, **Name of spokesperson here**, said:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Jenny,
Thank you so much for your interest in **Playgroup Divas**. We are currently not accepting new members. We are a very small group of Moms and feel we have not had sufficient time to welcome and orientate the recent new additions. If anyone leaves the group we will be sure to check back with you.

Thank you for understanding,
**Three women not interested in meeting you**
----------------------------------------------------------------

I FAILED my playgroup application. Ouch!

Let's hope preschool isn't as tough...

PSF: Polka Dots at the Pool

During our second trip to the pool last weekend, we decided to try Caitlin out of her bright orange floating chair. As we expected, she spent the whole time splashing and staring at the water.

And finally a video for the grandparents:

For more PSF Visit:


Hosted by Cecilyand Debi

Bird Bath and Helping Haiti

I am teaching alliteration this week at school...can you tell?  It is an odd title, but that is how the post ended up. Trust me...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A friend gave us this bath long ago. She had not even used it with her boys, so it was still in the box. Caitlin is still wobbles a little, but she is sitting with less and less support and was rapidly outgrowing the other baby bath we were given.


The new tub was a hit. It is just the right size and gives the right support...and it quacks when you squeeze the beak. What more can you ask for?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had this post saved for a morning like this one. The pictures are from last week and I swear the baby has gotten bigger again this week!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night was our big grade level service learning project. It went extremely well. I'd hoped that we would raise $1,000 for Haitian Earthquake relief efforts. When the last of 6 quilts of student work was auctioned off at $600, I knew we'd surpassed that goal!

I made a sign yesterday that said, "This seat is reserved for the Irishman and Baby Caitlin." We had a quick turn around time. I had to pick the baby up from day care, swing by the house to change my clothes and refill the diaper bag and food containers, and then hand the baby off to the Irishman all in a 2 hour time period. He brought her into his office and fed her rice cereal and applesauce before meeting us at the event. Brave man!

For all my worries about it, she did well! She didn't sleep much, but she didn't scream or anything, so it worked. My students and co-workers were thrilled to see her. A quick bath in her duck tub and a top up feed when we got home and she was back on schedule.

As for me? I'm exhausted. We did it though and it was for a good cause. At the end of the night we raised a little over $2,200 for the American Red Cross International Response Fund. There was a buzz in the air...it was a great night!

WW: Florida Girl

Since Caitlin was born I've been keeping my pictures in folders by month. By May 2nd I had 70+ pictures in a brand new folder. Of all the pictures I took this weekend though, this is my favorite.



We'd gone back and forth between going to the pool and the beach. During our discussions, Caitlin played happily on the floor dressed for either outing.

We ended up at the pool...and it was a bit colder than we'd have liked but she loved it anyway! She's turning into a little Florida girl!
For more WW, visit Angie:

Daddy Does Nap Time, Part Two

Last weekend the Irishman was lamenting the fact that Caitlin is growing up so fast.

"Remember when she used to fall asleep on my chest? I miss that. Do you think she would still do that?"

 

We gave her the nap time pacifier and a blankie. It turned out to be a case of monkey see, monkey do...

I'm not sure who enjoyed the nap more!

Mommy and Me Monday #11

This weekend we made two trips to the pool. We have almost reached the turning point here in South Florida...the point where spring hot and muggy turns into unbearable summer hot and muggy. The calendar might only say May, but the weather says otherwise...

Of course as soon as we got to the pool the sun hid behind the clouds and there was a bit of a breeze. We went back and forth about whether or not to take the baby in the water.

She loved it! In typical fashion we took tons of pictures. In looking at them, she is not smiling in many. (Especially the ones with her mom and dad...) She was kicking her feet and giggling and have a great time though most of the pictures show wonder and amazement.

Or hair pulling....

Or general curiosity...

I think this one is the "How can I get my hands in the water?" look.

We enjoyed the time with her...and her many funny faces!

I think this was her "What do you mean it is time to get out?" look!

For more Mommy and Me Monday head here:

Hosted by Krystyn

Baby Food, Baby Food

I am a first time mommy. I research things. A lot. I had five different books about getting your baby to sleep. (I only last week decided that it was safe to post 3 of the five on Paperback Swap) I drove the Irishman crazy researching major purchases...the crib...the mattress...the stroller. My current research obsessions are baby gates and convertible car seats.

I knew solid food was coming up. I knew my plans for the first meal. I hadn't thought past that.
Saturday was great, but then I panicked. How much now? How often? What comes after rice cereal? I like the 4 day-rule for introducing new foods, but if we start mid-day then she will be trying new things at day care...and I don't like that either. Carrots are next on the list, but what was it I read about nitrates...

Breastfeeding is so much easier...not that I don't own three or four different books about that, too!

I've spent the week reading Save Our Sleep and Super Baby Food every chance I get. At school I announced that we would all spend the 15 minutes before lunch reading...no exceptions. The reading research suggests that students should view their teacher as a reader...even if it is frantically reading about baby food!

Saturday the Irishman and I made homemade organic apple puree during Caitlin's morning nap. He peeled the apples (I am beyond hopeless at that...) and we steamed and pureed them. We stored them in ice cube trays in the freezer so we would have single portions of apple for the week. At noon we were so pleased to share the meal with Caitlin.

She was less than impressed.



In fact the Irishman finished the apple puree himself. It was really tasty!

At dinner we decided to try mixing the apple with the rice cereal. I had forgotten to leave out a serving of our homemade apple puree, so I used a jar I'd bought to have on hand in case we needed it.

She wouldn't even let me have the spoon. She LOVED it. That is her FOOT kicking away my hand. I'm hoping it was the rice cereal that made the difference and not the fact that it came from a jar...

Let the fun begin!

Culture Vultures

Last weekend we went to a symphony concert in the park. The show was a tribute to Broadway...and it was lovely. The Irishman joked that we are starting the little one early....we are such culture vultures!



The show was after bedtime so we stopped at my grandparents' house on the way for Caitlin's bedtime feed....and to see GGB and GGB. I love their backyard, so we took time out for pictures before heading off. Caitlin was taken with the noise from the fountain and didn't want to look anywhere else!

The baby was great. We put her in the stroller hoping she'd sleep as we walked to the park. She played  with her lovie quietly in a semi-comatose state for a while before finally dozing as they began to play "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria." The concert was packed, but the Irishman was recognized by some girls from work and we were ushered into the VIP area, stroller and all.

It was our first time venturing out past bedtime, but it went very, very well. I have a big charity event at school Wednesday night...my students are putting on a play and auctioning off quilts of student artwork to raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The Irishman had a hand in securing the venue and such so we should both really be there, but we do not have a babysitter to ask. He has suggested bringing Caitlin along and feeding her there. The play starts at 6pm, so he would feed solids before and then a bottle during. The only other option is for him to stay home and miss it all together. It could go very well...or not. I'm not sure what to do yet. I'll think about it this weekend!