The Mommy Diaries, October 7, 2007

Well, the first week of parenthood has come and gone and I've happily survived. Oh, there were tears shed (both mine and Leena's), but all in all I'm getting through one day at a time. I find the most challenging aspect of my new life as a mom is letting go of things. As a self-described anal-retentive control freak, it's hard to not be able to do what I want when I want to. So, I'm having to learn to let things go, accept that things won't get picked up or put away when I want them to or that the house won't be as clean as it was pre-Leena. And, my passion for television has been replaced with Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans and Sprout if only because the little bit of attention Leena pays these shows allows me to empty a dishwasher, eat or go to the bathroom. It doesn't always work and sometimes it just takes teamwork, like vacuuming with Leena on one hip, or not doing anything until either she sleeps or Daddy comes home. And, when Daddy's job doesn't get him home until late, I do it all and muddle through. It's not easy (hence the meltdowns), but I remind myself that my Mother did it alone and she had four kids (in five years, to boot), so I just suck it up, cry and get 'r done.

Leena continues to do well in all areas but sleeping. She has her occasional temper tantrums (like where does this come from?????), but mostly our strife is only at nap and bedtimes. In reality, we realize that someone with her extreme inquisitiveness surely would not miss any opportunity to see/hear/touch something, so we try to remember that. (It also helps to turn the baby monitor down very low to almost off until it's safe to listen without neuroses developing!) She is very sociable and likes her toys and cartoons and music. She is a little bit of a rough-houser and must touch or stomp on everything she comes in contact with. We've also had to teach her (when she doesn't tune us out) "no" several times a day. The good news is that the dogs that I thought had no training have no problem 'coming' when I tell Leena to come or 'sitting' when I tell Leena to sit. And, on a related note, my delirium has shown itself in that when I go to call Leena I usually go through the two dogs names first! It's goes like this: "Kaden, I mean, Sophie, I mean Leena...come here." Get that AARP membership ready!!!

Well, I can't talk long because Pumpkin is in bed and sleeping so I've got to get several things done before I haul myself into much need bed rest. I've uploaded two new YouTube clips of Leena for your enjoyment. The first is her trying to climb onto the coffee table. Pay particular attention to Kaden who is always nearby and suffering through all the attention that her new sister is getting that used to be hers.

The second video is for my Dad and niece who wanted me to let Leena feed herself and get food all through her hair. I did just that by giving her some of Daddy's 'cheese in a can' (yes, we've got a nutrition based program in this house!!!). She had the stuff everywhere! It's a real baby moment, for sure.

Good night until next time..............