a year

Last week Slane turned one. Every day, I can't help but find myself thinking, "a year ago, this was happening. Remember coming home from the hospital, and the stress that was Slane's first two months?" Slane was not gaining weight, and that was very scary. It seemed like we were not as worried as the doctors, and I was constantly questioning my ability to take care of my kid. I couldn't feed her enough, and it became more stressful because we could not afford formula or a breast pump, and I NEEDED to be able to breast feed her because it seemed like the only choice. We depended on piano lesson money, because that was our grocery money.

We couldn't afford a different place to live (still not sure what to do there, another subject for a different day), finding a car to fit us was not an option (though we aren't all about taking on car payments), and I did not get a maternity break (sometimes I feel like I missed out on valuable bonding time). We weren't sure what was next. Then, I got a full-time job (totally unexpected), and Slane gained weight and is very happy and healthy, and we are make the car situation work (though I was rethinking that last night when I was trying to get the jogging stroller in the trunk). We are looking for a rental house, but those are hard to come by in Grinnell. We are hopeful about that working out for us.

Things still feel up in the air, in spite of being in a better place financially. We are feeling restless, and are just waiting for the next step to show itself. It seems like we should be doing more with ourselves, and though we love being where we are, and most of our current situation, we are as wiggly as Slane is during church. So, now most of our decisions have been put on hold because we just don't know what to do with ourselves next.

In the meantime, we have a beautiful, robust, happy, smart little girl. She is almost walking, she has been working on her top teeth for a couple of weeks, and she is growing out of most of her winter clothes. She draws attention wherever she goes, and loves to play. She is a joy to be around.

A year ago we were getting to know our tiny baby, and living in our pajamas. Now, we are getting to know our almost toddler, and not living in our pajamas (we wear actual clothes to work, our coworkers would find the pajamas a bit strange).

eating with the angels

This morning I saw a beautiful sunrise. Yesterday, I saw an even better one. The sun was shining through the fog, and it was pink and floaty and then got more and more orange as I traveled. The benefit of a morning commute at sunrise is the peacefulness that it offers over the terrain. It certainly has calmed my spirits lately. Our week had a rough start, and the nice spring weather has definitely helped soften the situation.

Often, if I don't get a chance to enjoy breakfast at home, or forget to get the coffee pot ready, I stop in at the local coffee shop. They know me well enough not that they usually have my coffee poured by the time I get up to the counter. And if my favorite scone is not out yet, they go to the back room and get me one (thanks, Pat, you're the best!). I often see the same people there in the mornings. I see the music and history professors mulling over whatever it is that they mull over. On Thursdays, I see the Bible study group going at it, and frequently see the Arabic professor at the college.

Now, she LOVES Slane. Whenever we see her at campus events she gravitates toward Slane and insists on holding her and exclaims over how big Slane is and how grown up she is getting. So, this morning she asked why Slane wasn't with me. She is sleeping, I said, and having good dreams. She was smiling in her sleep when I left. "She is eating with the angels. That is what they say at home. They believe babies are angels themselves and she is enjoying herself."

It kinds of matches the sunrise this morning.

Irish wonder

This morning I dressed Slane in cute yellow corduroy overalls and a white long sleeve onesie. Then I remembered what day it is, and quickly changed the onesie to an Irish one Q's very proud of being Irish aunt sent. It says "wee one" on the front and has a shamrock on the butt.

A year ago I was 40 weeks pregnant, it was Spring Break, I was cat-sitting for the students next door, and I watched my due date come and go. I was restless and bored. I didn't want to start anything, because I didn't know if I would finish it or not. The one green maternity shirt I had was not big enough for my ginormous belly.

Today I am teaching across from a kindergarten classroom. There are "leprechaun" footprints leading into the classroom, and "gold" on the students tables (it is chocolate). I was not thinking ahead enough to bring in some Irish music, and I don't have an Irish lesson plan, but it would have been easier if I had one planned. Now I am listening to kids shouting, "the leprechaun came!!, Look the leprechaun was here!"

My leprechaun came 6 days later, and she is my Irish wonder. Someday she will love or hate this day, because it will annoy her that she has an Irish name, or she will be very proud of that. I went from being the size of a pot of gold to having a pot of gold.

"big sisters"

Last Sunday the International Student Office hosted a pot-luck for International students and their host families. Our ladies, Joyce and Aanchal, came over early to help make our food. We made two loaves of whole wheat bread (didn't turn out great), and they were blown away by the amount of flour added to make bread. We also used up some leftover Thanksgiving turkey that Q discovered in the freezer and made a casserole with rice, alphabet noodles, cheesy white sauce, and peas. They were so proud of their contribution, and helped carry it to campus, and set it up in the buffet line.

They both had so much fun playing with Slane, carrying her, holding her, and feeding her. They played with her hair and took her to show off to their friends. Joyce got Slane an early birthday gift, and had fun helping open it.

When the pot-luck was over our girls helped gather all of our stuff and get it ready to go.

How special for Slane to be exposed now, even if just a little bit, to the cultures of our International students. Maybe someday she can go visit them in India or Korea and they can share their babies with her. And hopefully in the Fall Slane can spend time with her "big brother," and learn more about Pakistan.

Second tooth

Slane's mouth is the dental negative of this child:

 

Congrats to Slane on sprouting a second tooth!

Image courtesy of Milnefamily

Valentine's baptism

Slane turns 11 months old today! I have loved getting to know her and watching her become a person. She is a great kid!

Last Sunday, our niece Ella was baptized. It was my idea to have her baptized on Valentine's Day (not cocky about that at all). What a great day to show her she is loved so much and welcomed by a larger family. While we were there I was thinking about Slane's baptism.

I love the part about baptism that asks the church to support and take care of the child too. I think our church has certainly taken that to heart. They are always quick to jump in and hold her during choir, or play with her in the nursery, or watch her for a morning or afternoon when we are in a bind. They love her and love taking care of her. They admire her and ask what new thing she is doing or saying. They chuckle when she gets chatty during the silent prayer, and they pick up her toys and return them. They let her play with their moustaches, and love to hold her on their laps. They are patient when Slane is climbing the steps onto the stage or trying to eat the prayer cards.

A couple of Sundays ago one of the grandmas in our church took her for the end of choir rehearsal. Slane proceeded to fall asleep on Grandma Janet, and slept there the entire church service. It was so sweet to watch our little girl cuddle on someone else, and so nice for us to really enjoy a whole service together.

pyschological study

All of the babies born at our hospital are invited to participate in a study that a professor in the psychology department at the college is conducting. They track eye movements to study infants scanning and memory of human faces. So, Q had finally called to get our appointment set up, and it was yesterday.

Fortunately, yesterday we got out of school early due to snow, so I was home with Slane when he called with 10 minutes notice that she needed to be on campus for her study. She had not napped yet, and was in the middle of eating dried fruit and cheerios. Rather than drive the whole block that it was to get there, I loaded Slane up in the jogging stroller and bundled us up and headed out to campus.

So, first, imagine trying to get through snow drifts with a stroller. Then imagine the looks you get as you try to cross the street, and then go on campus. We got several second looks. I'm sure people thought I was crazy. Maybe I am.

The study was interesting. I had to hold Slane and wear dark glasses so she couldn't reference my eyes or face. She got to look at faces. We both got to listen to annoying music, like Teletubbies and Elmo. She wore a headband with some connection to a camera that taped the whole thing. She did really well, and was quiet and made it through the entire 15 minute study.

We got presents for our participation. Slane got a certificate and she got to choose a toy (3 of the 4 we already had, now we know where they came from), so we got a new sippy cup. I got a Wal-Mart gift card for my effort.

So, at that point, an hour had passed and there was a lot more snow. In my 10 minutes of preparation to head out into the snow, I had remembered that I had CDs and scores that were about a month overdue, so I grabbed those, which meant a stop in the library.

So, imagine those looks from passersby, and then imagine that in a college library with a baby. Up to this point I had only taken her to Burling during the summer.

Errands finished, we made the final drive for home. The wind had picked up, and it was cold. Slane was understandably fussy as I chose to avoid the sidewalk and take to the middle of the street. I got to our door after some clever maneuvering of the stroller up the steps, and got us inside, and cheered.Then I started to get Slane out of the stroller and noticed that she was asleep.

Our daughter fell asleep in the middle of a snowstorm in her stroller. And slept until 11, took a bottle, and slept until morning.