Friday, October 27, 2006
Getting Ready for Our Big Trip!
Today Paprika and I are packing up for our big trip tomorrow. It will be Paprika's first plane ride! It's very exciting! Tonight we are watching The Charlie Brown Pumpkin Special and (hopefully) getting some rest before our big day. :-)
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Birth Certificate- Yea!
Mr. Mustard made my whole day great today by going to get Paprika's birth certificate (she can't travel without it). He had to drive all the way to Norwalk (which is so far away I don't even know where it is) to the County Records Office and wait in a big long line for it- and pay $17 per copy! But, now we have TWO copies and it's done. I am so happy. I was worried about not having it on the day of travel, which would mean Paprika wouldn't be able to get past security. So, now she's officially official. Yea!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Meltdown
Yesterday was a bit challenging! After a fantastic morning of playing and cuddling, I decided to get out of the apartment with Paprika and go to a Mommy & Me Yoga Class. Paprika is an awesome baby, yet she has issues when she's in the car! The second she is in the car, she cries until we get to our destination. It's heartbreaking because the cries get more desperate the further we get. Ugh!
She started crying the second I turned the engine on, and did not stop until we got to Golden Bridge (the yoga studio). Then, once we were there, she was so exhausted from crying, she slept through the whole class (except I had to HOLD her during the whole class because she was so freaked out that if I laid her down, she would start crying again). So, neither one of us got to do any yoga.
Then, on the way home I got stuck in traffic and she cried for an hour on the way home. If I stop the car half-way to feed her or try to calm her, she starts right back up once we get moving. So, I guess I'm stuck in the house from now on, unless I walk somewhere or have Mr. Mustard around to drive us (Paprika has no problem being quiet and content as long as someone is in the backseat with her). There are two malls within about 20 minutes of me, so if I want to endure 20 minutes each way of crying, I can do that, I guess. Target is about 40 minutes away, so that's out of the question. I've tried putting toys back there, putting the pacifier in her mouth at stoplights, using a mirror- everything! Nothing works. I even rock her carseat while we're stopped at stoplights, all to no avail.
So, it was rough. I know it will get better and for right now I just need to be content being a homebody with her. We have wonderful times walking through our neighborhood and hanging out around the house. She loves the interaction from meeting other babies, which is why I was bringing her to the class. It's frustrating because I thought I was doing a good thing by bringing her to the Mommy & Me class. She really does love it there, I just don't think we can handle the car trip anymore. :-(
I love her so much and it hurts me to see her so upset and crying. Tomorrow will be a better (and car-free) day!
She started crying the second I turned the engine on, and did not stop until we got to Golden Bridge (the yoga studio). Then, once we were there, she was so exhausted from crying, she slept through the whole class (except I had to HOLD her during the whole class because she was so freaked out that if I laid her down, she would start crying again). So, neither one of us got to do any yoga.
Then, on the way home I got stuck in traffic and she cried for an hour on the way home. If I stop the car half-way to feed her or try to calm her, she starts right back up once we get moving. So, I guess I'm stuck in the house from now on, unless I walk somewhere or have Mr. Mustard around to drive us (Paprika has no problem being quiet and content as long as someone is in the backseat with her). There are two malls within about 20 minutes of me, so if I want to endure 20 minutes each way of crying, I can do that, I guess. Target is about 40 minutes away, so that's out of the question. I've tried putting toys back there, putting the pacifier in her mouth at stoplights, using a mirror- everything! Nothing works. I even rock her carseat while we're stopped at stoplights, all to no avail.
So, it was rough. I know it will get better and for right now I just need to be content being a homebody with her. We have wonderful times walking through our neighborhood and hanging out around the house. She loves the interaction from meeting other babies, which is why I was bringing her to the class. It's frustrating because I thought I was doing a good thing by bringing her to the Mommy & Me class. She really does love it there, I just don't think we can handle the car trip anymore. :-(
I love her so much and it hurts me to see her so upset and crying. Tomorrow will be a better (and car-free) day!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Two Month Doctor Visit
We made it to the doctor this morning for Paprika's two month check-up! Paprika is 26 inches long and weighs 14 pounds! She is "off the charts" in BOTH weight and height- 99th percentile for both! The doctors and nurses commented on what a healthy, happy, and strong baby she is. So, basically, I think we either have a future WNBA player, a supermodel, or both on our hands!
Halloween Party
Last night Jacey and Dan had a The First Annual Pumpkin Carving Halloween Party. We brought Paprika and she had a wonderful time! I suspect that Jacey and Dan actually hosted the party because of Paprika, and will make it a yearly event as we all add more children to our circle of friends. Lauren and Don were there, too! It was great! We ordered healthy Chinese food, and we all had a good time carving pumpkins and watching Paprika.
Paprika tolerated her Halloween costume for a few minutes, but then she got sort of fussy- I think because she was getting overheated. I got the costume to tolerate the cool outdoor weather in Indiana for Halloween, so I think it will be perfect for Paprika's first trick-or-treat outing, which is a week from tomorrow!
Paprika tolerated her Halloween costume for a few minutes, but then she got sort of fussy- I think because she was getting overheated. I got the costume to tolerate the cool outdoor weather in Indiana for Halloween, so I think it will be perfect for Paprika's first trick-or-treat outing, which is a week from tomorrow!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Relaxing Weekend
We've been taking it easy this weekend. Yesterday we went to Larchmont Village, which is a cute little area just south of Hollywood. We went to our favorite French Restaurant- Cafe Du Village. We are becoming regulars there, I guess! Mr. Mustard had the Eggs Benedict and I had my favorite Brie and Apple sandwich.
We walked around and went to a shoe store called "Kicks" where Mr. Mustard got his new super-snazzy New Balance sneakers. We went to the shoe store about a week ago and Mr. Mustard saw the shoes he wanted, but of course, wanted to look online to find them for a better price. They are green, brown, and tan and are very rare, I guess, because we couldn't find them online. So, we went back to the shoe store and found out that we couldn't find them online because they are only sold in Great Britain. So, Mr. Mustard bought them! They are really cool, as far as sneakers go!
Then we came home and took Hauser for a long walk together as a family. He has been so good with Paprika, it's really amazing. He's not jealous at all and, in fact, is actually really protective of her. He's super-careful around her. We're really lucky at how well Meg and Hauser are accepting her into our family. Afterwards we all made dinner and just hung out for the evening.
This morning we made a trip to Target. It's funny because in LA, it seems that the only people who go to Target right when they open on Sunday morning are people with young kids. It's one of the few times during the week that Target isn't teeming with people. Target already had their Christmas decorations out! Unbelievable.
Paprika continues to be on this dreamy sleep schedule. She put herself to sleep at 10:30 last night and woke up at 8:30 this morning. I'm loving that. I am worried about how she'll adjust to the time change in Indiana. I am really holding my breath that travelling won't mess up her sleep schedule too much. But, she'll adjust just fine, I'm sure!
We walked around and went to a shoe store called "Kicks" where Mr. Mustard got his new super-snazzy New Balance sneakers. We went to the shoe store about a week ago and Mr. Mustard saw the shoes he wanted, but of course, wanted to look online to find them for a better price. They are green, brown, and tan and are very rare, I guess, because we couldn't find them online. So, we went back to the shoe store and found out that we couldn't find them online because they are only sold in Great Britain. So, Mr. Mustard bought them! They are really cool, as far as sneakers go!
Then we came home and took Hauser for a long walk together as a family. He has been so good with Paprika, it's really amazing. He's not jealous at all and, in fact, is actually really protective of her. He's super-careful around her. We're really lucky at how well Meg and Hauser are accepting her into our family. Afterwards we all made dinner and just hung out for the evening.
This morning we made a trip to Target. It's funny because in LA, it seems that the only people who go to Target right when they open on Sunday morning are people with young kids. It's one of the few times during the week that Target isn't teeming with people. Target already had their Christmas decorations out! Unbelievable.
Paprika continues to be on this dreamy sleep schedule. She put herself to sleep at 10:30 last night and woke up at 8:30 this morning. I'm loving that. I am worried about how she'll adjust to the time change in Indiana. I am really holding my breath that travelling won't mess up her sleep schedule too much. But, she'll adjust just fine, I'm sure!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Glorious Sleep!
Yesterday was just about the most perfect day. Paprika and I went on two wonderful walks with Hauser. The weather was perfect- breezy, in the high 70s, and sunny. Paprika loves looking up at the leaves on the trees and is so curious about the world around her. She napped throughout the day, didn't cry one bit, and loves laughing and smiling. How lucky are we?!
She wanted to fall asleep around 8:30 last night, but I tried to keep her awake a little longer so she would sleep through the night. She fell asleep around 11pm and woke up at 8am this morning. It's just wonderful, really!!!
Paprika is trying to talk- well, she has been trying to for the past two weeks. She mimics Mr. Mustard when he says "Hello" and trys to talk back to him. She's especially good at making an "oooo" sound. She's discovering her voice and seems surprised when sounds come out of her mouth.
We weighed Paprika last night on the bathroom scale and she weighs 14 pounds now! We accomplished this by weighing me first, then having me hold her on the scale and subtracting the weights. 14 pounds is the size of an average 18 week old baby (she is just now 9 weeks old), so basically, she' s the size of an average baby TWICE her age! She is very strong and perfectly proportional. Oh, I just love her to death and should really stop bragging, but I can't!!!
She wanted to fall asleep around 8:30 last night, but I tried to keep her awake a little longer so she would sleep through the night. She fell asleep around 11pm and woke up at 8am this morning. It's just wonderful, really!!!
Paprika is trying to talk- well, she has been trying to for the past two weeks. She mimics Mr. Mustard when he says "Hello" and trys to talk back to him. She's especially good at making an "oooo" sound. She's discovering her voice and seems surprised when sounds come out of her mouth.
We weighed Paprika last night on the bathroom scale and she weighs 14 pounds now! We accomplished this by weighing me first, then having me hold her on the scale and subtracting the weights. 14 pounds is the size of an average 18 week old baby (she is just now 9 weeks old), so basically, she' s the size of an average baby TWICE her age! She is very strong and perfectly proportional. Oh, I just love her to death and should really stop bragging, but I can't!!!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Missed Doctor's Appointment
So much for my plans to take Paprika to the doctor's office. I could have sworn my appointment was at 3:45, but in fact, it was at 3:15. I showed up at 3:30 (which I thought was 15 minutes early), only to find out that I'd missed the appointment and would have to reschedule. Even though I was only 15 minutes late they told me they couldn't work us in. I was really bummed. I rescheduled for next Monday and hopefully I'll get it right next time!
In preparation for our trip to Indy, I checked with the airline to see what type of identification Paprika needs to board the plane. It turns out she needs a birth certificate, which we don't have since California doesn't mail it to you until over 4 months after the birth (and that's if you request it by mail and send in a fee). The only way to get it sooner is to go to the County Records Office and apply for it in person. We live very close to the Beverly Hills courthouse- but no, they don't issue birth certificates. So, we have to go all the way across Los Angeles into downtown and make a day of going to the County Records office. We would have had to do it anyway in order to travel over Christmas, so I guess it's better to get it done sooner rather than later. It's still a hassle, though. Once we have her birth certificate, I can apply for her passport, which is very exciting! Infants must have a passport to travel outside the country. The passport lasts for 5 years and has to have a picture. How cute will that be? When she's four years old, she'll still be travelling using her baby picture. I bet she won't like that! :-)
In preparation for our trip to Indy, I checked with the airline to see what type of identification Paprika needs to board the plane. It turns out she needs a birth certificate, which we don't have since California doesn't mail it to you until over 4 months after the birth (and that's if you request it by mail and send in a fee). The only way to get it sooner is to go to the County Records Office and apply for it in person. We live very close to the Beverly Hills courthouse- but no, they don't issue birth certificates. So, we have to go all the way across Los Angeles into downtown and make a day of going to the County Records office. We would have had to do it anyway in order to travel over Christmas, so I guess it's better to get it done sooner rather than later. It's still a hassle, though. Once we have her birth certificate, I can apply for her passport, which is very exciting! Infants must have a passport to travel outside the country. The passport lasts for 5 years and has to have a picture. How cute will that be? When she's four years old, she'll still be travelling using her baby picture. I bet she won't like that! :-)
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
2 Month Check-Up
Today Paprika goes in for her 2 month doctor's visit. I am interested to see how much she weighs now and how long she is. I bought some 6-12 month clothes for her last weekend and they are fitting really well, except that the arms are a little long (which I actually prefer since it makes it harder for her to scratch her face).
The past two nights have been filled with glorious sleep for us all. Paprika fell asleep around 10pm last night and slept until 7:30am! The night before, she fell asleep at 9:30pm and slept until 6:30am. She is such a champ!
She has been smiling a lot and the other night when Mr. Mustard was rocking her, she giggled during her sleep twice. She is becoming such a happy baby. I love it!
We went out for dinner last night to Quizno's since we had no groceries in the fridge and she was great! Afterwards, the three of us went to the grocery store and shopped together. It was her first trip to the grocery store and she didn't seem all that impressed, but was generally very happy to be with us anyway.
Paprika is growing more comfortable with being in her bouncy seat and swing during the day. Gone are the days when she would only quiet down when I was holding her. She's growing up too fast! It makes me want to have another one all over again (but of course we won't be having another one anytime soon). She is such a joy and it keeps getting better!
The past two nights have been filled with glorious sleep for us all. Paprika fell asleep around 10pm last night and slept until 7:30am! The night before, she fell asleep at 9:30pm and slept until 6:30am. She is such a champ!
She has been smiling a lot and the other night when Mr. Mustard was rocking her, she giggled during her sleep twice. She is becoming such a happy baby. I love it!
We went out for dinner last night to Quizno's since we had no groceries in the fridge and she was great! Afterwards, the three of us went to the grocery store and shopped together. It was her first trip to the grocery store and she didn't seem all that impressed, but was generally very happy to be with us anyway.
Paprika is growing more comfortable with being in her bouncy seat and swing during the day. Gone are the days when she would only quiet down when I was holding her. She's growing up too fast! It makes me want to have another one all over again (but of course we won't be having another one anytime soon). She is such a joy and it keeps getting better!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
2 Months Old
Tomorrow (Monday, October 16th), Paprika will be exactly 2 months old! It's unbelievable how quickly time is flying. She's starting to get settled into her own routine. She likes to go to sleep around 8:30 at night, and then wake up at around 3:30am. Then she's up for an hour or two and then will sleep until 6 or 7 am. She isn't taking many naps during the day, unfortunately! She is too interested in the world around her to take naps!
Paprika likes to get out during the daytime- she gets so bored when we stay home which leads to crankiness. Last week we had a pretty full social calendar. On Thursday we met up with my friend Lauren for lunch and then went to the mall. On Friday, we went to another Mommy & Me yoga class and then swung by Mr. Mustard's work to go out to lunch as a family. We went to a great French restaurant in Larchmont Village, which is a hip area just south of Hollywood. Paprika was perfect while we dined on our Brie and Apple sandwiches.
On Saturday, we ran a lot of errands as a family and sold a bunch of stuff on Craigslist. We ended up selling our exercise bike because it was taking up way too much living space! So, instead of using that I guess I'll just have to go outside to exercise. Luckily the weather in Los Angeles is almost always pretty perfect, so I have no excuse not to get moving! Paprika loves going for walks.
Paprika is very alert and curious about the world around her. She likes to make sounds and even imitates us when we say "hello" to her. It sounds like she's really saying "hello" sometimes!
Paprika likes to get out during the daytime- she gets so bored when we stay home which leads to crankiness. Last week we had a pretty full social calendar. On Thursday we met up with my friend Lauren for lunch and then went to the mall. On Friday, we went to another Mommy & Me yoga class and then swung by Mr. Mustard's work to go out to lunch as a family. We went to a great French restaurant in Larchmont Village, which is a hip area just south of Hollywood. Paprika was perfect while we dined on our Brie and Apple sandwiches.
On Saturday, we ran a lot of errands as a family and sold a bunch of stuff on Craigslist. We ended up selling our exercise bike because it was taking up way too much living space! So, instead of using that I guess I'll just have to go outside to exercise. Luckily the weather in Los Angeles is almost always pretty perfect, so I have no excuse not to get moving! Paprika loves going for walks.
Paprika is very alert and curious about the world around her. She likes to make sounds and even imitates us when we say "hello" to her. It sounds like she's really saying "hello" sometimes!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Today Paprika and I had our second Mommy & Me yoga class- it was GREAT! She really really likes it, and it forces me to get out of the house. She is enchanted with the music and the other babies, and it's so nice meeting other people with young babies. I thought we were going to be late, so I almost didn't go, but then I figured I'd go anyway and I'm so glad that I did! I only regret that I didn't go when my mom was in town because I know my mom would have loved to go to the class with me and Paprika, but Paprika was too young then- so maybe we'll all go together on her next visit out to Los Angeles!
I've decided to come out to Indiana at the end of October. It'll be my mom's birthday and we'll also celebrate Paprika's first Halloween. I'm excited for Paprika to meet her Grandpa Dave, Aunt Laura, Uncle Robbie, Grandpa Eric, and her honorary Aunt Ann! We're going to go trick-or-treating with Ann and her two sons, Benjamin (age 3.5), and Cameron (5 months). It's going to be a lot of fun!
I've decided to come out to Indiana at the end of October. It'll be my mom's birthday and we'll also celebrate Paprika's first Halloween. I'm excited for Paprika to meet her Grandpa Dave, Aunt Laura, Uncle Robbie, Grandpa Eric, and her honorary Aunt Ann! We're going to go trick-or-treating with Ann and her two sons, Benjamin (age 3.5), and Cameron (5 months). It's going to be a lot of fun!
Monday, October 9, 2006
Organization Frenzy
Wow- what an exhausting weekend we had, but good nonetheless. Mr. Mustard and I embarked on our massive apartment organizational project. Well, really it was my idea and I sort coerced Mr. Mustard into helping me. I went through my clothes, the closets, and every nook and cranny and came out with 12 bags of stuff to donate to Goodwill. I also filled about 7 garbage bags of stuff for either recycling or the discard bin. I am selling a lot of books on Amazon, which is also clearing out shelfspace. Mostly it's only worth it to sell law school or film school books, since regular books and paperbacks will fetch such a paltry price.
Last night I cleaned out the cabinets and threw away expired medicine (some of it was almost 10 years old!)- and really prioritized our stuff. I put things in banker boxes with labels like "vintage computer parts" and "Paprika Baby Clothes"- I can't believe at 7 weeks old she is already too big for some of her clothes and I've had to put them into storage.
To be continuted (Paprika just woke up)...
Last night I cleaned out the cabinets and threw away expired medicine (some of it was almost 10 years old!)- and really prioritized our stuff. I put things in banker boxes with labels like "vintage computer parts" and "Paprika Baby Clothes"- I can't believe at 7 weeks old she is already too big for some of her clothes and I've had to put them into storage.
To be continuted (Paprika just woke up)...
Friday, October 6, 2006
Mommy & Me!
Today I took Paprika to her first Mommy & Me Yoga class- we had a lot of fun! Paprika was enthralled with all of the other babies. I didn't get to do too much yoga because she wanted to be held the whole time, but that was okay. The class is for babies 6 weeks to 3 years old, so there were all different ages of kids there. I even met some young moms, which was nice- at 29, I am a young mom in Los Angeles, believe it or not!
Yesterday I had my 6 week doctor check-up (even though it had really been 7 weeks)! Mr. Mustard stayed home with Paprika while I went- and I realized that it's basically the first time since she was born that I have been alone. I'm either with her, Mr. Mustard, or both. It was very strange driving in the car totally alone. It seemed so much easier to get to the doctor's office than it used to- I guess because now whenever I go somewhere I have a little baby to take with me, so being on my own makes it seem so much easier to maneuver- something I took for granted before Paprika's birth.
I realize in little ways how sleep deprivation is affecting me. At the doctor's office, the first thing you do is give a urine sample. Well- they gave me the cup and I went into the bathroom. I didn't even have to "go", but I "went"- all the while forgetting that the whole point of being in the bathroom was to get the urine sample. I came out of the bathroom with an empty cup- looked at it, and it dawned on me that I had completely forgotten that it was the reason I had gone into the bathroom in the first place! Ugh! It's little things like that. :-)
I am starting on a massive organizational project at our apartment. I never had the "nesting" instinct while I was pregnant- I guess because I was too busy with the Bar and Pre-Eclampsia. I've started going through all the closets, getting rid of lots of stuff- basically, to make our apartment rock! I was inspired by Jessica and Matt's place, and now I can't get it out of my head that a one-bedroom could be really cool if I could clear out all the clutter. So, I'm doing it slowly but surely. Yesterday I got rid of my law school casebooks that are collecting dust on the shelves. I checked to see if I could sell them on Amazon, and some of them were only going for $1! I figure if I ever need to look at them again, I can buy them on Amazon for $1. In the meantime, I'm so glad to have the shelfspace.
Paprika is napping right now- ahh, peace! So, with this time, I should probably get back to my massive cleaning effort before she wakes up and my hands are tied!
Yesterday I had my 6 week doctor check-up (even though it had really been 7 weeks)! Mr. Mustard stayed home with Paprika while I went- and I realized that it's basically the first time since she was born that I have been alone. I'm either with her, Mr. Mustard, or both. It was very strange driving in the car totally alone. It seemed so much easier to get to the doctor's office than it used to- I guess because now whenever I go somewhere I have a little baby to take with me, so being on my own makes it seem so much easier to maneuver- something I took for granted before Paprika's birth.
I realize in little ways how sleep deprivation is affecting me. At the doctor's office, the first thing you do is give a urine sample. Well- they gave me the cup and I went into the bathroom. I didn't even have to "go", but I "went"- all the while forgetting that the whole point of being in the bathroom was to get the urine sample. I came out of the bathroom with an empty cup- looked at it, and it dawned on me that I had completely forgotten that it was the reason I had gone into the bathroom in the first place! Ugh! It's little things like that. :-)
I am starting on a massive organizational project at our apartment. I never had the "nesting" instinct while I was pregnant- I guess because I was too busy with the Bar and Pre-Eclampsia. I've started going through all the closets, getting rid of lots of stuff- basically, to make our apartment rock! I was inspired by Jessica and Matt's place, and now I can't get it out of my head that a one-bedroom could be really cool if I could clear out all the clutter. So, I'm doing it slowly but surely. Yesterday I got rid of my law school casebooks that are collecting dust on the shelves. I checked to see if I could sell them on Amazon, and some of them were only going for $1! I figure if I ever need to look at them again, I can buy them on Amazon for $1. In the meantime, I'm so glad to have the shelfspace.
Paprika is napping right now- ahh, peace! So, with this time, I should probably get back to my massive cleaning effort before she wakes up and my hands are tied!
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Whirlwind Social Weekend
Whew! This weekend went by so quickly and we did so much! Friday night Jessica and Matt had us over to their new apartment for dinner. Paprika decided on Friday not to nap at all-all day, so by the time we got to Jess and Matt's, she was so tired but she still didn't want to sleep. She stayed up until 2:30am before finally falling asleep.
On Saturday, we went to Santa Barbara because Mr. Mustard's mom's friend, Jane, threw us a baby shower and invited all of Mr. Mustard's mom's close friends. We had a very nice time and it was such a special and memorable afternoon. It was also great to get out of Los Angeles for a day. On Sunday, we drove back down to Los Angeles and went to a wedding in Malibu. It was a beautiful wedding- on the beach. Paprika came along and was SO well behaved. She made it through her first wedding and reception at 6 weeks old. :-) I was glad she didn't cry at all- I was nervous going to the wedding with her, but she was so good that she barely made a peep!
Yesterday, I saw Jacey in the afternoon and then Mr. Mustard and I (and Paprika) had dinner with Lauren and Don. It feels like things are starting to get back to "normal"- even though I know things won't ever go back to how they were before Paprika was born (and I wouldn't want them to)- I feel like we're getting more comfortable in our roles in taking care of her and incorporating Paprika into our family. She's becoming more expressive every day and it's so wonderful to see her personality really emerging. :-)
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