Notes from Away

Bridget’s first VW event a few weekends back

Bridget’s first train ride

Bridget’s Model T ride

Happy girl

Bridget’s Fathers Day Greeting

It was a crazy busy weekend for us. In honor of Ted’s first Fathers Day, we went to two car shows. One was at Greenfield Village and the other at Edsel Ford Estate. The locations gave me something to do other than look at cars, but this weekend also reminded us how difficult these events can and will be with a little one. All I can say is Bridget has been changed and nursed in some interesting places.

My father did enjoy the many vintage vehicles at the shows. He commented he saw a few he had only read about. The locations were also good for him as they were both historical sites so he spent some time wandering on his own.

Bridget responded to her 8th and 9th car show/events by sleeping the majority of the time. It was very warm and humid this weekend so she was a bit unhappy at times. She also had a very messy weekend with a couple diaper blowouts, peeing on her self twice during changes, numerous spit-ups and even pooping in the tub. At least she was relaxed.

She did wake up in a very chatty mood on Fathers Day. Later I’ll upload a video of her chattering away telling Ted “Happy Father’s Day”. As the days go by, she is babbling more and more and it really seems like a conversation. Talking with her is the highlight of my day.

Now if only she would not respond to my second week at work by staying up late and sleeping in short blocks.

Tomorrow Bridget will be seven weeks old. She is a very happy girl who loves playing with her jungle gym or her family.

Videos coming up soon.

I’ve been back to work full-time since Monday. No easing into things for me and I immediately hit the ground running. It is almost as though I wasn’t gone for six weeks. Having my father around has really made the transition easy and Bridget seems to have no issues with it so far. She has maintained her day schedule pretty solidly, while her night schedule has been a bit erratic.

The night schedule changes are due to her sleeping in longer blocks at night and then reverting back to her short block schedule for a night. We don’t mind since her short blocks are 3 or four hours, so we are still getting plenty of sleep. Last night she went seven hours between feedings – six of which she was sleeping. Bridget even puts herself to sleep at night – just lay her in her crib, stay close to replace her pacifier and within 20-30 minutes she is asleep.

My biggest adjustment is how little time I see her now. I get home around 4:30 and she is in bed around 8:30. I do spend an hour with her in the mornings, but I am looking forward to the weekend. My dad says she is playing more and more with the objects around her and I’d like to see this. She is also making progress on rolling over – yes, it is super early for this but she is determined to roll from her back to her front soon. She gets mid-roll and then kicks her leg just wrong, which causes her to fall back. But she is halfway there. Her scooting has also improved and she can no longer be trusted on the couch so if you need to leave her for a moment, she has to be in her swing. It is obvious we will be chasing a very active and mischievous little girl around before we know it.

Bridget has also begun smiling in response to people. My father says she even lights up when she hears my voice over the phone. It is the most heartwarming feeling to get a big grin out of her and know she means it.  I am so happy our little girl is such a happy and relaxed baby. She so rarely cries, we know it means something is wrong.

It’s off to work for me tomorrow. Six weeks has flown by and now I must join the ranks of working mothers. It is still crazy to think I am someone’s mom - every once and while I wonder if someone will come and take Bridget back, but nope, she’s all mine and Ted’s. 

I am also on a completely dairy-free diet and Bridget is a much happier girl. She still has moments of fussiness which we are watching to see if it is food related or just general baby fussiness.

Today was a busy day for everyone here. Ted and Grampy built a two-tiered flower beds in the front yard. Bridget also spent the day soiling outfits and sleeping.

Watching Annie with Grampy.. Bridget loves music so was very calm while watching this musical.

Bathtime is one of Bridget’s favorite times of day. She loves just laying in the tub and is mad when you take her out. This love of baths is truly from me.

And just in case there was any doubt, Bridget proves she is my girl.

Bridget’s appointment today had good news and bad news. She doesn’t have rotavirus! The bad news is she could have a different viral infection. The not so bad news is it could just be fussy from a growth spurt. The hmm news is it could be colic and that seems to be the most logical situation.

Tonight we are trying some different things to calm her down. The swing works, as does a bath. But the most effective is rocking back and forth in such a way to put gentle pressure on her stomach.

Meanwhile, I am eliminating possible problems foods like dairy and tree nuts. Hopefully this combination of activities will help eliminate or reduce the colic.

With her grandparents here, Bridget felt she needed another swing so she had a place to sleep upstairs. We found one at the resale shop, which we tried out yesterday. Today she is fast asleep in it. Since she likes it so much, we moved her other swing upstairs and now she can swing to her delight…. or at least sleep the day away.

The photo below is for my brother and sister-in-law as my nephew has nearly grow out of his infant carrier. He’s only six weeks older than Bridget (6 weeks tomorrow), but he’s been having one heck of a growth spurt. Bridget has a while before she grows out of her carrier.

Oh and our current curious behavior is - how can Bridget sleep through a train (and it’s whistle) just a few feet from her but not someone opening a bag of chips in the other room?