Precious Sleep

Smacky and I haven't been sleeping well lately. Not well at all.

Whether due to the fact that she's back in daycare, or that she's adjusting to life after having two weeks at home, or just that I'm slower on the draw with the nighttime bottle, she has been up in the night fussing QUITE A BIT lately.


I made an executive decision to use disposable diapers in bed since I was changing her cloth diapers 3-5 times each night. This way I don't change her at all and she only eats when she wakes. I thought we would get more sleep this way but it feels like less!

Yesterday, her first day at Kindercare in a month, there were new/different caretakers, new screaming babies and screamingly bright fluorescent lights. Hence, Smacky only took three ten-minute naps.

Gary somehow enticed her into sleeping for two hours today, but apparently she's still sleepy, as evidenced by this photograph. She loves to rub her eyes when she's about to fall asleep, sometimes keeping herself awake with those tiny fingers.

Growth, Finally

Aurora has a new office- a highchair given to us from David York's son Joseph. (Thank you, David!)

The graphic on the chair looks like a little hat, doesn't it?

Now she can see OVER the table instead of rooting around at our feet like a common swine. Way to move up in the world, baby!

Play With ME, Not The Computer!

Due to heavy snows (and media hype, and me believing it), I worked from home for almost two straight weeks this month.

It was fine when I wasn't too busy, or when Gary was able to watch Aurora while I worked, but at times she had to be patient and play by herself with her toys. Luckily she's very self-directed.

After awhile, though, a baby runs out of patience, and it starts to show.

Exercise, Baby!

Just a little photo (since it's blurry) of Smacky in her new exersaucer.

She got the exersaucer and three small toys from Santa. Then we went to my parents' and she gave them each a present and received several in return.

Today she and I braved the slush and walked the half mile to Billy's to check on Sylvia Snapper. She had caught a Christmas mouse and left it as a token of affection for Billy and Colleen. So thoughtful!

Who Loves 38 Degree Weather?

Gary wondered if smacky likes the cold snap we're having, and then he saw her face.

Aw yeah.

Decorating with Chains

Gary and Arlo went out yesterday and brought home a sweet little tree for us, which we decorated mostly with homemade ornaments since Gary's were lost in his move and I only have three, having never had a tree of my own before.

I gave smacky part of a paper chain to play with and of course it went straight into her mouth. Isn't she festive in her new hat?

Hello, Friend

Several weeks ago, my mom and I took smacky on a thrift shopping extravaganza. We visited Value Village in Milwaukie, Red White and Blue in Gladstone, and somewhere else that slips my mind.

At that point, Smacky was just starting to be interested in toys and her hands were getting strong and wily enough to hold small items. I found several bags of good toys (mostly Sassy and Lamaze), one of which contained this strange alien-like bug with tiny, scrunchy wings and an accoutrement attached to each of his (her?) legs. Most of these toys have a hook or clip on the top, allowing them to be attached to her swing, bouncy seat, carseat, etc and they've provided her with HOURS of entertainment.

The only drawback is when we think she's having fun but she's actually getting bored. Then the toys get the brunt of her frustration as she yells and hollers at them. It's funny until we realize that she's starting to get upset.