That crazy lady with a baby....

My very good friend Caitlin asked a funny question recently that made me question my sanity. She asked, "Do you ever get tired of all the baby talk?" It completely caught me off guard, but the question kind of makes perfect sense. Caitlin is exactly who I was before Ava. She enjoys to go out, date, drink, work at a restaurant, shop, buy expensive clothes you don't have money for...you know, the usual twenty-something things to do. The things I used to do. Now I rarely go out, definitely don't date, limit myself to one drink once or twice a week, NEVER buy anything that isn't on sale...

NOW my life is consumed with all things BABY. Baby talk, baby clothes, baby shows, baby music, baby, baby, baby. And to be honest I am perfectly okay with it. But I can see where Caitlin was coming from with that question. I mean, for her baby talk doesn't exist anywhere but at my house. And it pretty much has taken over. I baby talk, my mom baby talks, even my crazy dad baby talks. I think it's absolutely charming.

Anyways, back to what this post was supposed to be about...Me, being the crazy lady with a baby. Why crazy? Well, because I realized I use Ava as the perfect excuse to talk to myself in public, in baby talk no less. Yes, I will be at Target or the grocery store, list in hand, baby in carrier in the cart, and I will be walking around "baby talking" my way through the store. Here is an example:

Using my baby talk voice.... "Oops, mama forgot the butter. Silly mama." And mostly likely I will be looking at Ava making a silly face or big eyes. "C'mon Ava, let's go check out."

Of course sometimes I catch myself and quickly shut up or lower my voice. But then I justify my actions by telling myself that I am simply communicating with my baby and teaching her how to talk early (the more she hears me speak, the better, right....?).

But in the end, to the average person passing me in the aisle I am simply that crazy lady with a baby...

4 months old!!!

Retail Therapy

What a day! I got so much done and even went to all my favorite thrift stores. I found so many gems to restock my shop. I only have 7 items in there right now! What a slacker... I can't wait to photograph everything. I found soooo many beautiful winter coats, classic blazers, and great leather bags. I also found a pair of Etienne Aigner boots, but my friend has already claimed those (they aren't my size). I even found a beautiful long coat that fits me like a glove. I can't decide if I should sell it or keep it.

Anyways, here are some cute photos of my sweet little Ava...

I love those big eyes!

And those sweet rolls!!

And that smile!

I can't believe she is 15 weeks old!

Sorry

Could I slack any more?? I don't think so....

Since coming home from our big Thanksgiving trip I have been doing nothing but snuggling and playing with my little Ava. She has been so happy and playful and talkative lately. We have entire conversations throughout the day. It's the best.

She also discovered cartoons on TV. I know, I know, TV is terrible and I swear I will not get her into the habit of depending on it for entertainment (I am guilty of this...) but if you watch her while she watches the cartoons you will understand why I allow a small amount everyday. Her eyes get so big and she smiles and laughs and talks to the TV. It's amazing. It happened overnight too. She just woke up one day and decided she was ready to communicate with everyone and everything. I'm totally smitten with her (obviously).

Anyways, I said I would give a recap of our little trip. SO here is the short version. Ava and I flew to DC to see her Dad. She was a champ on the plane. She slept the whole time (except for take off and landing when I made her wake up to suckle). I was so thankful for my sweet little baby after that flight and I thought the hardest part of my week was over. BUT then that night Ava had a crying fit. I don't know what caused it, but it scared me. You see, Ava cries like every other baby on the planet but I know that all I have to do is offer her my breast and she will quiet down and be okay, but not that night. That night she just cried and cried and cried and nothing could calm her down. To make matters worse the cries sounded like painful cries. Because I was out of my element and Ava was upset I also became upset and I started crying. To make matters worse Ava's dad had invited his friends over for a little dinner party. What a picture, right?? Eventually Ava calmed down, I calmed down and we emerged from our room and joined the party. Day one, not so great.

The rest of the trip was a little better, but still not easy. Ava must be very sensitive to her surroundings because for the rest of the trip she was very moody. This meant that when she was upset she immediately had to come to me so she could calm down and relax. I basically became the human pacifier, especially in the evening hours. It didn't help that we did even more traveling. We left from DC, drove to Boston, stayed for 2 nights then drove to Providence, RI, stayed for 3 nights, drove back to DC, stayed one night, and finally flew home. WHEW!! But we survived and Ava got to see her dad and meet his side of the family. It was pretty heartwarming to see her with her grandparents.

Unfortunately Ava's fussiness was often the topic of conversation. Everyone had an opinion from her being too dependent on me to constipation. These sorts of conversations can be very tiring for me. I often find myself defending my parenting decisions and explaining that I do what I do because it feels right, bottom line. It works for Ava and I and that is all that matters. But I know everyone meant well and it opened the doors for everyone to share their own experiences, which is always fun.

SO that is that. I am sure I could get into more details but I will spare you and this post is already too long.

I'll try to post more often, I promise.

Woah

It's been awhile...

Sorry for my absense, I have been out of town for the past 10 days. Ava and I went on a little East Coast trip so she could meet her dad's side of the family. I am so happy they got to see her at this precious age. But let me tell you, all that traveling (plane rides, long car trips, hotel rooms, lots of new faces) was very tiring for a little baby and her mama. So we are using today to relax and enjoy the smells of home. But I'll be back tomorrow to share my experiences. I have lots to tell.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!