Grateful!

I know this post is long overdue, but I was thinking the other day how much my family helped us with bringing Omar into the world...

To start, Tina and Lynda were guardian angels to come and help us be fully prepared for Omar. Even if they had not been here when he was born, they would have still helped us know what we needed for him. It was so nice to come home and have all of the tools and have all of the positive notes around the house. The bouncer is still coming in handy when I want to have him hang out with me in the kitchen while I cook dinner. And it was so nice that they were HERE...Omar felt their love, and I did too!

Then, Mom and Dad came and COMPLETELY babied me so that I only had to worry about feeding Omar. They were guardian angels, too! I am still finding extra supplies that they bought, or cooking recipes that Mom showed me. Not to mention the swing, crib bedding, coffee, curtains, nursing pads, etc etc etc that they bought as "just a little present"... I talk with Omar every day to remind him what Grandma and Grandpa sound like. Omar was so relaxed with them and in love. It was so nice to have our house feel like a home.

I miss all of you so much! Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Breathing

Last night I was half asleep, listening to Omar breathe as he lay on my chest. As I dozed off, I was thinking about how many more breaths he takes for every one breath I take...it triggered a memory of lying on Grandpa Ray's chest and thinking about how few breaths he took in the same time that I took several breaths. I remember trying to match my breathing to his and it being impossible...the point is, I remember. I wonder how young I was?

Wallaby walk

I realized we weren't getting out enough because of the stroller and diaper bag...who needs them? I decided my little marsupial pouch-like infant carrier is good enough for getting around the neighborhood. We went for a walk today in the rain, and Omar was very alert to all of the interesting flowers and birds and umbrellas...

Omar's best buddy

OK, I was a little skeptical about the toys that make weird swooshing noises that mimic the womb, but now I'm a believer. Omar can't get enough of this teddy bear from Anthony and Angelica!

We dared again...

...and it was better this time! I actually carried on a conversation with the post office check out person while Omar was crying and I was calmly putting on my baby sling. So, maybe if I only ever talk to one person at a time things will be OK!

We dared to go outside and be with people yesterday...

...And it felt like kind of a disaster, to be honest.

I wanted to go to a little lab get together in honor of one of the graduate students defending her thesis. I thought I would just sneak in and blend in and get to be amongst people for a change, maybe introduce Omar to a few friends. I guess I should have known that you don't really "sneak" anywhere with a cute baby.

In my head:
"I don't want to steal the show...why is everyone looking at us? look at Alex!...Is Omar OK? Is he about to cry? should I check if he pooped? What if I have to feed him around THESE people? NO I don't want CHAMPAGNE! are you crazy? I barely feel competent to watch him sober! Everyone looks so nice...do I look fat? is it hot in here? why am I sweating so much? Is Omar OK? Is he about to cry? Did we dress cute enough? Why am I worried about that! Don't talk until you're sure it doesn't sound like you're going to cry! Is Omar OK?????? I need to get out of here!!!!"

In reality:
Me: Hi! Don't mind us--we're just going to hang out back here...
Everyone: Oh Hi!! Look who it is!! Oh my gosh, he is so tall! etc. etc. etc.
Me: thanks, thanks...Oh, look, they're going to make a toast...
Person: TAKE SOME CHAMPAGNE--NOW YOU CAN HAVE SOME, YOU'RE NOT PREGNANT!
Me: Oh, no thank you. I can't.
Person: OH, IS IT BECAUSE YOU'RE BREASTFEEDING? A LITTLE WOULD BE OK!
Me: Oh, I'll just have some water.
Other person: Wow, you look great!
Me: Oh, no, I mumble mumble...I think I'll take Omar outside...he seems a little overstimulated.
Other person: No, he looks fine...
Me: No...trust me...he needs to go outside for a minute...

When I got home I just held Omar and we rocked in the corner in a fetal position for a few hours...
People are overrated, right? Maybe we'll just stay here in our nest on the couch forever instead.

A basketball? ...or...

Omar got Art's hopes up by inching excitedly toward the new basketball toy...until
...yeah, he tried to latch on. Turns out he's still just really into eating. Oh well!

Mama's boy

Lisa: What? I was on the phone with my parents!
Art: Um, your BABY is CRYING!
Lisa: Well, I just fed him, so whatever it is you could help him with it, right?
Art: Well, try feeding him again or something.
Lisa: Did you try bouncing him on the yoga ball?
Art: YES of course--I tried lots of things!
(Lisa holds him, bounces him on the yoga ball, he stops screaming and calms down immediately...Art throws up his hands...)
Lisa: You tried this?
Art: YES!
(Art takes him, tries bouncing again, he starts crying again...)
Lisa: No, no, you have to CUDDLE him...no, CUDDLIER! And are you thinking lovey thoughts about how sweet he is and how much you love him and what a great baby he is?
Art: (blank stare) ...are you SERIOUS?
Lisa: Yes.
Art: Right now I'm thinking about how annoying you are.
Lisa: Well, then there you go--you're not doing it right.

Oh, happy 1 month birthday, Omar! :)

THAT was a good burp.