Hands

I took this picture of Jeff's hand with Bethie's, and I just had to share it.

Fussy Days and Wet Cribs

Bethie survived her shots, although we did have a pretty long, fussy week. I think more may have been going on than just the shots, as she was very clingy all week and I could hardly put her down. I read about something called "Wonder Weeks" in which babies at this age start making rapid strides in development, but it is confusing for them and so they become fussy and clingy. That pretty much summed up our week, but it could have also been a growth spurt or a little cold, or a thousand other things. In any case, she is much happier this week, and able to amuse herself for short periods of time so that I can get things done around here.

She woke up in the middle of the night the other night, something she hardly ever does anymore, and I fond her soaked through. The sheets were wet as well as the mattress pad, and I couldn't figure out what had happened. I went to change her, and discovered that she was not wearing a diaper!! Jeff had gotten her ready for bed that night and was playing with her on the changing table. He zipped her into her sleeper without realizing that he hadn't replaced the diaper, and so guess who was doing laundry at 3:30 am. :-) It was pretty funny, and this is the second time it has happened. The first time wasn't over night though, and she peed all over me before we realized she was missing a diaper. Hopefully we don't have "strike three", because I don't know how funny it will be next time!

Shots

Poor Bethie had to have her first round of baby shots today. It wouldn't have been so bad for her except that we ended up waiting so long for the doctor and then the shot tech. The nurse had me undress Bethie, we waited a good 20 - 30 minutes for the doctor, and then we had to wait another 15 minutes or so for the tech. Since we had waited in the waiting room for a good while before all of this, by the time the tech was ready for her, Bethie was cold, wet, and hungry. Add to that the utter injustice of having to have three shots and an oral vaccine, and she was not a happy little girl. We had to wait after the shots to see if she would have any reactions, so I got her changed, dressed, and wrapped in a warm blanket before I nursed her. By the time we got the okay to leave, Bethie was sound asleep. I have been giving her baby Tylenol every 4 hours so she has been sleeping for much of the day, but she cries if you touch her thighs so I know they hurt. We're going to try warm compresses when she wakes up to see if that helps, hopefully she will feel much better tomorrow.

My First Mother's Day

I am sure it will come as no surprise to hear that I have been fighting tears all day. First, I am celebrating a holiday that I never thought would be mine to celebrate, and second, Jeff and Bethie have been wonderful and making me feel very special.

Yesterday, Jeff came home with roses and chocolate, and then this morning I got some very thoughtful gifts. Not only did Bethie sign my card with her hand print (Jeff had quite a time with that one, I'm sure. The girl likes to flail her arms!), but I received a beautiful necklace that says "Mom". I also got a picture frame that says "Mommy and Me", into which I put my favorite picture of Bethie and I. After all of that, Jeff made me a huge breakfast which was delicious, and I got to take TWO naps today. It was a terrific day, and I am so grateful that I have a daughter and a husband with whom I can share these holidays.