December 24, 2010

I'm sitting upstairs in the "west wing" of Mema and Boompa's house while you [Squishette and Squisherella] are downstairs with Daddy. I'm sick, I'm not avoiding you on purpose, I promise. But, being up here alone even if it has only been a mere 10 minutes has given me time to think. I've been thinking about why I haven't had time to write To My Squishette... over the last year of 2010 and I have come up with few reasons:

First of all I went back to work which is always tough for any mommy but especially me. The last thing I wanted to do when I came home was type on the computer after being surrounded by computers all day.

Secondly I was cooking up Squisherella. That took all the strength Mommy had and my 2nd pregnancy only added to my tiredness at night and the need to simply sit down and relax.

But - most of all - I wanted to spend every waking moment of Squishette's time awake with her. Even though that meant a lot of sitting near you while you played with Daddy on the floor it was still time together. I couldn't do a lot of carrying you while I was pregnant with Squisherella - my back was in poor condition and you aren't even two yet...therefore very squirmy which is difficult to manage when you have a very big belly in front of you!

I realize now, as I am preparing to welcome Santa tonight, that it is very important to document everything I can about your lives. Even if I set aside 5 minutes each evening after I have tucked you into bed [while Squishette chants "maaaaawmmy, daaaaaddy, miiiiilky!"] it is important to remember every little silly thing that you do.

I was never one for thinking up and keeping my New Year's Resolutions. The first of January always came by and I'd think to myself "oh right, I should come up with some resolution to commit to" and that would be as much thought as I would give it. But this year I am going to resolve to have a few resolutions...and one of them is to commit to writing To My Squishette... I won't promise how much...but I promise I will write and it will be memorable.

I love you my girls...

xoxo

Mommy

Countdown to Christmas 2010

To my Squishettes,

In Connecticut once again my loves. This time we are here for Christmas. Personally I can't wait. E is old enough to appreciate Santa...well E doesn't quite get the concept but I am sure the reaction she will have Christmas morning when she see all these presents under the tree will ignite her passion to remember the jolly man next year. L, you'll probably continue to be simply mesmerized by the tree for awhile. But that is good too...next year you will start crazy unwrapping the paper and pouncing on toys alongside your sister.

I can hear you now running around downstairs while Mommy has some time to herself on the computer. I miss you both and am getting a rumble in my tummy...I will probably join you soon. Love you girls!

xoxo

Mommy

Ah how time flies...

Oh my squishette - how sadly Mommy has fallen behind in her posts. So much has changed. Right now you are rolling around on the floor with Daddy in between walking (yes walking) the apartment circuit from your room, through the living room, into our bedroom. It is bedtime but you are clearly not interested in sleeping. In fact, I just got tagged by you as I am typing this and you have stuck your tongue out and are laughing after burying your face in my thigh.

Obviously - I have serious time to make up. I have taken notes on the big milestones in your first year. Unfortunately what with work and new family developments I haven't had time to write to you. But, hopefully I am taking steps towards a change. I am realizing that maybe writing to my squishette is just as important to maintaining my sanity as it is to record your journey growing up.

Speaking of, Daddy just had to play referee as you almost sat on Paisley. Paisley - the 3 lb Yorkie who is clearly no match for your 25lb tush as well meaning as it might be. Okay you just walked out of your bedroom carrying Jirafa your bedtime bud...so maybe the time to swoop you into your crib has come.

Sweet dreams,

xoxo

Mommy

Adam and Eve had many advantages but the principle one is that they escaped teething. - Mark Twain

Baby girl, my Squishette, Mommy has be sorely absent from writing you any messages. I am so sorry - but work has kept me very very very busy...and when I get home I like to squish you as opposed to write on the computer. Don't fret - I have notes of the messages I need to fill in on. Have no fear - I haven't forgotten anything...

BUT. Tonight I HAD to write because (...drum roll...) I felt your FIRST TOOTH!!! I KNOW IT IS AMAZING!!!

It is your bottom front right (when I face you it is front left) and a sharp little edge is sticking out bursting through those beautiful pink little gums. I can see, after probing through your mouth, that the bottom front left is also trying to come through...but he hasn't popped up yet. Maybe this is why you are so so so crabby lately. [Sorry Squishette, but you have been especially needy lately. You won't even let Daddy hold you because all you want is "ama" - which is your special name for Mommy. Don't worry...Daddy's feelings aren't hurt...he knows sometimes you just need your Mommy. You'll make it up to him in time I am sure.]

I am very excited. I am sure it is going to hurt, and we'll all have to live through the pain, but it is still very awesome! Congrats baby girl!!!

xoxo
Mommy

First Cereal Day!

Today you had your first "solid food." I use quotes because solid foods for a 6 month old is really mushy liquidy oatmealy stuff that we pass off with a spoon. I will admit...it is a different consistency than drinking breastmilk, and true true solid food sounds more appetizing than mushy stuff.

Working Mom

I recently read a blog posting where a mother wrote a letter to her daughter stating that for three months her daughter's life had consumed her.  And for those three months she had kept a secret from her daughter - the fact that she was a working mom.  She then went on to explain that she would be gone 8hrs a day and when home would even be occasionally distracted by a little square contraption - known as a blackberry.  She was happy to go back to work and hoped that some day her daughter would respect her for being a working mother with a career.

Well, my Squishette, I too am going to be a working mother.  Unfortunately, unlike the blog I read, I am not at all happy or upbeat about it.  To be honest I have cried about it every change I have gotten since you were born.  Why?  Well...if you think Mommy is a wuss just wait until you have your own little baby and we'll see how you feel too.  For the last 6 months I have been in denial - and finally the time has come.  I am starting work very soon.  And you will be going to daycare.  Luckily we are blessed because I will be working part time...so you are still stuck with me 3 days a week.  Ha.

Anyway - going back to work, or facing the prospect of doing so, has made me reflect on many things.  One of those things has been my relationship with Abuelala.  Looking back I have realized that Abuelala and I are very close...perhaps the reason we are close has to do with the fact that Abuelala always made an effort to sit us down and dissect our days when she got home from work.  I have distinct memories of sitting in her bathroom in the morning when she got ready for work and sitting in her bedroom when she came home and changed at night.  In fact we made a game out of it - and still do to this day - by starting each conversation with "I got on the bus..."  Hopefully by the time you can read this those words will make you smile because you will be familiar with the same tradition.

Bottom line?  I love you.  I would love nothing more than to stay home and be your full time playmate, caretaker, teacher, and official squisher.  But I must go to work so that you can grow up strong and healthy with a roof over your head and food on the table.  I hope you will understand.  That being said - I PROMISE that when I am home I will be with you...and I expect you to give me the dirt on your day starting from the very beginning when you got on the bus...

xoxo,

Mommy 

Trip to Connecticut

We visited Mema and Boompa this week in Connecticut. You had so much fun with the yelling Kai - who sounded so much like a crying baby that you started to cry yourself. We tried to have gelato but you slept through it, which was great for us because we really got to enjoy the gelato without juggling you at the same time so thank you baby girl - good timing!

Unfortunately we couldn't take you to the beach because it rained this trip. Hopefully next time we will be able to take you and see your reaction to the sand. Will you eat it???

xoxo

Mommy