Weekend Bliss

Today was Smacky's first full day at the Daycare of Granny and Grandpa. It was a rousing success!

Granny made Smacky a little nest on her bed, where the sniffling, sneezing baby had several naps. (Kindercare yielded not only new human friends but new germ friends, too.)

Smacky and Granny went on a stroller ride, played on the davenport, produced and wiped up copious amounts of snot, and generally had a Good Time.

10 hours after I dropped her off, I returned (~insert choir of angels singing here~) and we all had dinner together. At least the grownups did- garlic mashed potatoes, fried shrimp, and green salad. Smacky thought Granny's mashed potatoes looked mighty tasty and she stared at them as long as they were visible.

Then Smacky fell asleep in my arms and we went home for two full days of being alone together, just like the Olden Days. What a relief. This being apart business isn't much fun.

Twinkletoes

Here is Smacky enjoying a cozy morning last week. She had her Big Dogs grey hoodie and her striped legwarmers on- such a stylish baby!

Her foot is blurry because she's kicking so fast- practicing for swimming in the bathtub, no doubt.

First Day of Work

Well, my first day at work was a great success in some ways, somewhat sucky in other ways.

Smacky and I woke up together at 6:30 with smiles on her part and grogginess on mine. I deposited her with her daddy and got ready for work, then left around 7:30 with them still snuggling in bed.

My coworkers decorated my desk with many "Welcome Back, Katy!" signs, photos of Smacky hanging from curling ribbon from the ceiling, some really funny Chuck Norris photos (see 2nd and 3rd phots), and my stuffed animal toys spread out on my desk, waiting to greet me. What a happy surprise! People greeted me with warmth all day and I went to lunch with one of my best work friends. Yay!

After a dark and rainy drive home at 5 o'clock, I arrived at a warm house, an offer of dinner and a happy, babbling baby. She became slightly cranky as I removed her from the swing to hold her, and fell asleep after about 10 minutes of being in my arms. At least we get to sleep together tonight.

Gary said she had three naps today, which is a record (way to go, Gary!), and it was very nice not to have her melt down like she does when she hasn't slept enough.

The upside is that I have extra time to blog tonight!

On sadder note, my ex mother-in-law's beloved dog Ching-Ching passed away this week. She will be dearly missed by Linda and Jim and their remaining dog Sheba. Read about it and see Ching-Ching's photograph at Dusty Angels (link to the right). Rest in Peace, Ching-Ching.

First Day at Daycare

Tomorrow I go back to work, and Smacky will have lots of time with Granny, Gary, and her new friends at Kindercare.

Monday Smacky and I did a dry run to Kindercare. She stayed there for several hours, getting to know the teachers and conversing with the stuffed lion attached to one of the chairs. I did see some tear tracks when I picked her up, but they said she had a great day and even took two naps, which is much more than she does at home. I think the day was harder for me than it was for her, but who really knows?

Here is a photo of Gary and Smacky getting ready to start the day. Aren't they cute?

Going Pro

What a genial baby.
I think we should use this as Aurora's professional acting/ singing/ tapdancing headshot.

Fun with Mirrors

Smacky and I were at my parents' the other day, and my dad suggested that we take the baby to the bathroom mirror and see if she liked her reflection.

Once Smacky started smiling, she couldn't stop smiling since the other baby was so smiley, too.

It was a vicious cycle of smiling!

Cutest Penguin Ever

Happy Halloween, everyone!