A glimpse behind the scenes at the local post office while we waited for processing.

But that’s not the point of this post. Scott and I have been discussing our future lately. Ways in which we can incorporate extended travel and international cultures into our regular life—something we, perhaps, should have considered more thoroughly before digging ourselves into the pit that is law school student loans. We’ve done a bit of travel in our marriage. A month in southeast Asia before moving to Ohio and a trip across Europe after graduation have only whetted our appetite for more, rather than soothe the itch of wanderlust.

We wonder what’s best for our girls. What sort of life we want to give them. What sort of life we want to give ourselves. Isn’t this what all parents do? It seems we aren’t willing to settle down and live the life expected of us. Only problem? We’re not entirely sure what life it is we want to live. Thus, lots of discussion…

All I know is that there seem to be a few things in my life I can’t live without. Too long without reading something for pleasure and I turn into a grump. I often put off opening the next book on my shelf, justifying the delay with housewifely and motherly duties that need to be completed before I can indulge in something frivolous. Only, it appears that reading isn’t frivolous to me; it keeps me sane and makes me happy, both of which make for a better wife and mother. Luckily, books come freely from the public library, take up little space, can be picked up and put down without much fuss and never run out of batteries. They are easy to include on a regular basis.

Along with reading, I can’t go too long without creating something. Since Lucy’s birth, I have had minimal time to delve into any creative endeavor. What short childless hours I have are consumed with catching up on missing sleep. Lucy takes nearly all of her naps in my office/craft room. Getting out any project only to be sidetracked by nursing or crying babes doesn’t seem worth the effort. Yet, I have managed to redecorate the lampshade in Amelia’s room. A quite afternoon together, in which Amelia made a collage of fabric scraps and I worked on the shade presented me with a much needed sigh of relief. While crafting seems to often be pushed to the back burner and I think harder about my willingness to tackle a project, I find that it’s still necessary to carve out some room for creative outlets.

Along with these, I’ve found that traveling must also find a space in my life. Long, extended, slow-moving, soak-up-the-culture-and-the-experience traveling makes me happy. I like plane flights. I enjoy the research required to plan and organize a trip. I love seeing new places and exploring new countries. While it might seem superfluous, spoiled, or outside the realm of possibility, I’m determined to make it happen. I dare to dream big and dare to aim high. With any luck, those dreams will become a reality. Luckily, I have Scott by my side and I believe he shares some of the same dreams.

While none of this will happen anytime in the near future, I have hope. For now we start small. We spent the morning at the post office last week. I renewed my passport and Lucy will soon have one of her own (nothing like holding a newborn up for a passport photo, it’s her best image to date!). We don’t have any exotic destination in mind, but our frequent trips to Mexico require one. For now it’s a small start. But, I find myself with a newly blank passport—missing the stamps I’ve acquired over the past ten years–this makes me sad. I wonder what stamps the next ten will bring.

Here you are, two months already! Our bathroom scales says you weigh twelve pounds and you certainly have grown over the last month. You are much stronger at holding your head up and will look around with bright eyes during your awake times.

After putting you on some medicine for reflux you are a much, much happier baby. Although we’ve had a number of fussy episodes, they’ve been more sporadic and seem to be more normal infant behavior, rather than screaming in pain. This makes everyone happy.

As a result of feeling better, you’ve also become a much better sleeper. For the most part, you put yourself to sleep after about five minutes of crying and sleep well for your naps. Just the night after your two-month birthday you slept for eleven hours straight! We were amazed, as the most you’ve done previously is just seven and a half. Your dad and I are hoping that this trend continues. We certainly could use the nighttime sleep.

You’ve started giving us smiles, but are incredibly reticent to showcase them for the camera. They are pretty cute though, when they do emerge. Along with your smiles you gurgle and coo and make all sorts of happy baby sounds. Your big sister claims you are singing and gets all excited any time it happens.

Your hair is somewhat chameleon-like, in some lights it looks red, at times it is brown, but usually it’s mostly blond. I remember Amelia’s being the same way at this age, so we’ll have to see if yours grows in just as blond as hers. Your eyes are a beautiful dark blue, lighter around your irises and nearly navy around the edges. I have a feeling they will change color as you get older, but they are so beautiful now, I’m hopeful you’ll have them for life.

Everyone’s been debating about who you look most like. Grandma Honey says you look just like your dad when he was a baby. Most agree that you and Amelia are quite different—her face was round as a button, yours is more oval. I think you have your dad’s chin. I guess we’ll just have to wait to see as you grow up. I’m sure excited for that.

You’ve had the chance to meet lots of family in just your short life. You’ve spent evenings with Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Garth while Mom and Dad go out for the night. Grandma Honey has rocked you to sleep on numerous fussy occasions. You always like a good snuggle from your Aunt Raquel. Hopefully, before too much longer you can meet even more aunts and uncles.

You’ve become the center of our little family’s life. You often find yourself poked while eating and knocked in the head by your big sister. Toys are often strewn over and around you. You’ll swing in peaceful oblivion as we eat dinner next to you. All of this you handle with good grace.

Adapting to life outside the womb has seemed to be a bit of a challenge for you, but you’re handling it well and are growing up to be an easier and happier baby. I can’t wait to see what the next month brings. Thanks for being part of our lives, LucyBug.

Love,

Mom

and keep me going on days like today when…

…Lucy cries all morning long, especially during Amelia’s class.

… I can’t seem to be able to run three little errands without wanting to blow my brains out by the end of the morning.

…Amelia refuses to take an afternoon nap. Again. Instead she pounds on her bedroom door, screams, and flails about on the floor—all in a vain attempt to prove to me how much she doesn’t need to actually sleep.

…Lucy cries for a good long time in the swing before finally passing out in sheer exhaustion.

…my head pounds and all I want to is curl up and take a nap but can’t because of Daughter #1 pounding on bedroom door and Daughter #2 crying in swing. Instead I let myself outside in the 90 degree heat (in April!) to take a deep breath and read blogs for ten minutes. I reenter the house to merciful peace and quiet.

…only to find that Amelia has thoroughly pooped her pants while being locked in her bedroom and I escaped to the back patio. Yeah, not such a good Mom moment.

But, this blog is supposed to be about the good. Here’s what makes me laugh:

Amelia eagerly awaits the completion of any nursing session so that she can “play dress-ups with LucyBug.” It doesn’t matter that there’s only about five minutes after the completion of nursing and diaper changing before Lucy is requesting her next nap, Amelia wants to cram in as much playtime as she can get. I have to say, cat ears and a leopard print purse are a good look for Lucy.

We are nearly home when Amelia informs us that she has to “Go Potty!” from the backseat of the car. I respond with a “We’re almost home, just hold it for a minute.” Amelia thinks for a second and wonders, “but I don’t have anything to hold!”

We read Amelia Bedelia (better known as “Minah Dila” in these parts) books around here. In one, Amelia Bedelia has to “draw the drapes” when the sun comes in. Rather than close the curtains, Amelia Bedelia gets out a pen and paper to illustrate the family room. Ten minutes after reading this, my Amelia comes in requesting crayons so she can draw our drapes, “like those over there, Mom” as she points to our window.

The completed masterpiece.

There is constant singing going on around here. Any coo or gurgle Lucy makes is “singing” according to Amelia. Amelia will sing–head thrown back, full of enthusiasm, in a very off pitch random way–made-up songs about whatever we are currently doing. Example? “Chaaaa—nge diiiii—aaaper” She will follow this lovely rendition with, “You know that song, mom? You sing it.”

Dancing requires nothing more than spinning in dizzy-making circles with flapping arms.

I’m constantly summoned with a “come on, mom” and a backwards hand flap.

Amelia has mastered the “Charlie Brown” pout. She puffs out her lower lip, lowers chin to chest, and mopes with the best of them. Among other times, this happens anytime we ask her to smile for a picture.

The Charlie Brown on display.

But what really makes me smile? I call Scott at work, complain about how I might just go crazy, and he comes home from work early. That’s the best.

A week ago I returned to the doctor. After watching Lucy scream in pain for hours multiple days in a row, I decided to return once more and see if something could be done. He prescribed some Zantac with the warning that it might not produce the results we were hoping for.

A week later, I can definitely say that we have seen some significant improvement, which I’m attributing to the medicine. Lucy has turned into a (mostly) peaceful baby and we’ve managed to spot and coax a few smiles from her during her short (usually only thirty minute) wake times. After weeks of pacing, cuddling, rocking, patting and sshhing, we’re trying to help her become a more independent sleeper. She’s learning well and slept last night for her longest stretch to date—six and a half hours.

Life is starting to settle into a bit more of a routine and I’m hopeful that things will continue to improve. I’m certainly grateful that Lucy seems to be doing so much better.

Our baskets were certainly full this Easter. I keep telling Scott that if we continue to live around so much family our girls are going to grow up spoiled, thinking everyone participates in multiple, redundant holiday celebrations. As it is, we attended two (super yummy!) Easter dinners, three egg hunts, and Amelia received three Easter baskets. A bit over kill perhaps, but she certainly loved the holiday; we loved getting to spend quality time with family. We’ve been playing “egg hunt” ever since.

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