The Traveler

Autumn and I flew up to visit my parents last Wednesday, May 21st. The flight is less than an hour, so it's not like we're flying cross country, but you can imagine my nervousness at traveling with a four month old. A fairly happy 4 month old, but a 4 month old nonetheless.

We had checked the flight status online at home before we left so we knew we were dealing with a 50 min delay. When we got to the airport and made it through security (no problems there!) and got to the gate at 7:30, they had just made the announcement that there would be a gate change and that it was delayed. Apparently since we had arrived late (on time for the delay) we had already missed 2 gate changes. This gate change was a terminal change, so a nice lady with what looked like a 5 day old little girl flagged Autumn and I down to get on the one of the carts and we rode to the other gate. I had no idea that these guys were supposed to be tipped, oh well! While we waited at that gate I tried to give her a bottle but she only took an ounce. The bathroom that was across the way was being cleaned so I had to wait to change her. When it opened another lady with a baby went into the one changing stall, so I went to get a snack. I thought we had plenty of time. But there was only one line open and 8 people in line. Once I got my crackers and left the store they were calling for people who need extra time. I figured since we were on the last row we should board and get out of peoples' way. We got settled but the flight was oversold so there was a bit of waiting. I kept thinking, "Just take off already!" And then she turned herself into SAAB Baby (Stiff as a Board Baby). She was upset. Nothing I was doing was correct and it was making her even more upset. And then she FELL ASLEEP! Just passed out. We were on the aisle so I kept waiting for someone to bump into us and wake her up but she slept until about 10 min before touchdown because her little ears were bothering her. Then she was REALLY UPSET. Once we stopped at the gate and I was able to get up with her she was fine. A few people told me she did really good, because she could have screamed THE ENTIRE WAY.

The night was not over at that point. The baggage carousel stopped working. This was after it spit out my two suitcases, but before the carrier came out. Yup, can't go anywhere without that carrier! And I had debated back and forth over whether to check the carrier or bring it with me to the gate. It seemed like the wrong move. We waited there about an hour for them to get it working again. Luckily, she was very happy to be with Gram and Grandpa. It was very late when we got back to their house and she went down around 12:30. And woke up at 1:30, 2:40 and 5:40. Ugh.

But the point is she made it up there. We both did. And it went so much better than I thought. And of course, it made my expectations for the return trip so high that I almost didn't want to get on the plane for fear it would scare me away from traveling the friendly skies with her ever again. But more on the return trip later...

4 Month Check Up

Autumn had her 4 month check up today. Had I guessed her weight after carrying her around for 30 min trying to get her to go to sleep, I'd guess 20 lbs. Well, maybe 15 lbs. She's a whopping 12.4 lbs! She is 23.25" long (or as Richard says, "Almost 2 feet!"). And her head circumference is 16.25". She got her 3 shots and only fussed a few seconds at the second and third.

We then went shopping and she did great. But on the way home she was a terror for about 15 minutes. What seemed like two hours. She finally fell asleep, but it was pretty bad. She slept for a really long time after we nursed and was just plain tuckered out. Once she had her bath and was in her feetie pajamas she screamed again. She would try to nurse but keep pulling away and screaming. We finally changed into non-feetie pjs and she seemed to calm down. I'm hoping that she's just overtired today and that it's not from the shots. She has been acting this way for the past week or so, so it's keeping in line. Maybe tomorrow she'll be better after the bath since we're not going to put her in the feetie pjs. Here's hoping.

Who Is This Baby?

This cannot be the same baby that took two people 2 whole hours to put to sleep last night. This baby that would relax so sweetly against your shoulder, with her arms limp at her sides, slowly folding herself into an accordion. And then as soon as you got near the pack 'n' play would stiffen into a wailing, screaming board. Oh, there were times that we would actually get her in the pack 'n' play, wrangle our arms out from underneath her body (one leg at a time at one point) and then slowly back away like she was a bear we had suddenly come upon in the woods. We'd even get back to our study and sit down at our desks. And then the whimpers would start. Quietly, softly and then grow into wails. And the whole process would start over.

I think she slept for a few hours until she woke up and Richard got up so that she doesn't expect food from me whenever she wakes up. I guess he ended up on the couch with her because when his alarm went off he wasn't in bed. Two weeks ago she was sleeping for 6 hours. One week ago she was sleeping for 8.5 hours. And now we're back to three hour stretches.

And now, this morning, after rolling over a few times and getting so upset that she was now on her belly each and every time, THIS HAPPENS! I put my coffee cup in the kitchen, come back in ready to put her in the bouncy chair and spend the next 30 min convincing her that she needs a nap and she's on her belly absolutely still. Her eyes were open, but she was very calm. I probably shouldn't have, but I stuck the pacifier in just for insurance. A couple of minutes later and she was ASLEEP! I had to get the camera to document this for Richard, hoping the camera noises wouldn't wake her up!

Of course, she's only been out for 15 min and her normal naps only last about 30, but at least I didn't waste 30 min trying to get her to sleep!

Who's baby is this, anyway?

Just To Keep Track

I don't like that it's keeping track in months. She's already over 16 weeks old! Oh well, at some point I have to convert her age to months in my head, so I might as well start now.

First Post

“Summer makes me drowsy. Autumn makes me sing. Winter's pretty lousy, but I hate Spring.” - Dorothy Parker

I don't really hate Spring. It's actually a very nice season in Texas. Even if it only lasts for about 3 days. Winter isn't bad either. Summer, now Summer is terrible. Really, 'Autumn makes me sing' is the only part of the quote that is relevant. Meet Autumn! She was born on January 22, 2008. This picture is of her at almost 16 weeks. I have no idea where the time has gone, which is why I want to try to document some of the things that have happened before I forget them. I don't know if I'm creative enough or will be getting enough sleep on a regular basis to make much sense, but I'm going to try!