Catching Up

Dear Baby Princess,

I can't believe it's been two months since I've written.

Well, actually I can.  Things have been a little crazy lately and there simply hasn't been time for anything extraneous .  .  . it's not just you, sweet girl.  In fact, spending actual time with you is one of the few things that has remained a priority.  I know I'm not going to be able to tell you every single thing that's happened in the last couple of months, but let's see if I can hit the highlights.

First, a word of explanation, which comes with some wonderful news.  Mommy has a baby in her belly!  At this point we're about 16 weeks in and very excited.  The only issue has been that I have been feeling very sick.  I am tired of hearing myself complain about it -- especially because I wouldn't trade this time for anything -- but it has obviously affected all of us.  The sickness tends to get worse throughout the day, so by the time I get home during the week (which is the only hour each day I get to spend with you) I'm in pretty bad shape.  I've generally been getting in bed when you do, which is why I haven't had time to do anything else (e.g write a blog, make a phone call, see a friend, etc.).  Poor Daddy has essentially been a single parent for the last few months, since he is already responsible for the whole morning routine and  taking you to and from daycare .  .  . now he can't even count on me at night.  He can certainly handle it, but I will be grateful if I start feeling a little better and can reclaim my life.

Since I last wrote, you have gotten in a good amount of extended family time - with the promise of more to come!  Thanksgiving in Birmingham was really nice, and as always you especially enjoyed following around your cousin R.  We also had a lovely brunch at J's house with J and B and all their families.

Just a few weeks after that, cousins R and Z and their parents came to Atlanta to visit us!  Despite a complete trouncing of the Giants by the Falcons, it was a great weekend and so nice to spend time with family outside of New York (which always involves so much running around).  We really took it easy for most of the weekend, and I had a lovely birthday dinner at home.  (It pleases me to no end that a month later, you still periodically say "Happy Birthday, Mommy!").

We were looking forward to a nice, quiet holiday break when unfortunately, Grandpa D had a very scary episode with his heart and we ended up taking a last-minute trip to New York.  Fortunately, he is doing much better and at this point is home.  (Though that may or may not be a good thing, since this week their home is flooded.)  While most of the week was really spent either waiting around at the hospital or waiting around at Uncle D's parents' house (they were sweet enough to let us use their house as a home base since it is close to the hospital), you did get to see some family and friends.  You were a champ as always, since of course we didn't stick with any sort of normal schedule for you and you still managed to take it all in stride.  You did enjoy really enjoy the few outings we did: one to the local JCC for a family fun day on Christmas with cousin J and company, and one to a planetarium for a Sesame Street show with cousin R and Great Aunt R.  You also had some very exciting visitors from Brooklyn, who I just learned are coming to Atlanta to see you again next month!

Finally, we had one more great visitor since returning home: my cousin J (which I believe makes her your first cousin, once removed).  This was the first time you had met her, and the first time in many years that I had real quality time to catch up with her.  It was a short visit but a great one, and I'm really hoping we can get out to the west coast to see her again soon.

This is becoming a very long post, but I can't close without telling you how amazing your speaking has been lately.  It seems like practically overnight -- while we were in New York, actually -- you suddenly started using real sentences.  I'll never forget you perching on the step in Uncle D's old room and saying "I sit right here, Mommy."  Since then you've been unstoppable .  .  . using new words every day, repeating everything you hear (including a few choice phrases that apparently we can't use in front of you anymore) and generally just speaking like a real person.  You've been doing a great job of saying "please" and "thank you" and we think it's adorable when you say "no please."  You like to narrate everything you do and of course, you want to do everything yourself as you assert your independence.  Though I will say there are still times you insist "need help." 

Oh, and last thing, I promise .  .  . a couple of weeks ago, when Daddy put you in your crib for a time out, you somehow climbed out.  So, I guess we're at that stage now.  You haven't done it since -- probably, in part, because you slept in a brace until a week ago -- but apparently you are truly growing up.  It makes me happy and sad all at once.

All right, Baby Princess, I'll leave it there for now.  I'll try not to let so much time lapse before I write again, especially because I don't want to miss recording the moments with you that are so special every single day with you.  I hope you are having a great nap .  .  . I may try to fit in a quick one before you wake up.  I love you, sweet girl!

Love,

Mommy

P.S. I almost forgot to say Happy Birthday Aunt B!  We all love you!