HELP

Okay, so .... as posted before ... now that I'm not pregnant, I'm dying to get my hair did. 

I made an appointment on Wednesday with my trusty gal for color and cut. 

Now what? 

I feel matronly, and while I'm now a mom, I don't feel like I need to look like "mom." Whatever that looks like. Maybe spit up on every shirt or a diaper bag in tow gives me away ... I don't need my hair to do that, too. 

I want to go shorter ... my hair is thin - so short is best. 

Other than that, I'm not sure. So, I need suggestions. Feel free to post ideas on my FB timeline. 

Please, whatever you do, don't post ideas that will make me look like Diane Keaton. 

Or this poor girl. 

I like this cut. I would never intentionally pose like this though. Or wear  so much pink altogether.
But, I'm slightly bored by it. 

Adore this look. But I'm not bold enough, currently. 

This has potential, if it weren't presented so dramatically. 

Phil's a Phony

I'm not sure what that groundhog was smoking, but all signs point to an early spring here in Hermiston. 

Ella and I took a walk on a beautiful, brisk February day. And, I'm not even gonna run these photos through any kind of editing, it was just that clear and beautiful. 

A dual purpose pasture - for horses and machines.

Walks really enliven her. Also, I can't believe a child of mine has such long eyelashes. I'm totally jealous! 

Sympathy

Eric turned 24 yesterday. When he got home from work I asked him if he felt older ... he groaned, "Yesss!" and then told me he could now sympathize with me (I've been 24 since June). 

Ella and I went to his work at the Alternative School to say "Hi" in he afternoon. Bringing him a balloon and a Dr. Pepper. All the females at school fawned over little Ella and Eric beamed like a proud papa should. 

That evening we made a return trip to the Chuckwagon Cafe. It just happened to be Italian night, so we stuffed ourselves on pasta before heading to Umatilla to eat cake with the Lougee fam. 

Lots of cake (including some diabetes inducing Paula Deen chocolate cake) and American Idol later, we returned home and gave baby girl her nightly bath. 

Looking forward to another year with my D! 

Three Fourths

Ella is officially three weeks old today! 

I have to say, parenting is the most exhausting thing I've ever done. But, when she forms into a tiny little koala bear on my chest, I realize it's the most meaningful thing I've ever done, too. 

Something noteworthy that happened this week? Ella became a recognized human! She received her Social Security card and number. They grow up so fast, don't they? 

Also, at her two week doctor's appointment Ella was back to her birth weight at 7 pounds 4 ounces. 

And her feet became even more delicious, if that's even possible. 

What didn't happen? She didn't get any less fussy, poor girl, poor mom. But she has slept in her cradle for 3-4 hour long stretches at the beginning of the night a few different times this week allowing her exhausted parents to cuddle up and relax before passing out, too. Woot! 

Walk a bye baby

Ella and I needed to get out of the apartment, and since the temperature peaked somewhere around 48-50 degrees, we took a short walk. Short because I didn't know how she would do and because we kept having delays ..... 

Turns out, after some initial protesting Ella bell zonked the whole time. Not even traffic noise or guys wrestling in the Gotta Stop could rouse her from her deep sleep. Guess we'll be taking more walks! 

And I rewarded myself with a Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi and a Baby Ruth candy bar (Baby Ruths are amazing, btw - the oft neglected candy bar). 

P.S. Not to jinx anything (I'm getting more superstitious in my old age, it's true) but Ella has slept the first half of the night the last TWO nights in her cradle. From about 8:30pm to 12:30am .... I'm really optimistic about our future! 

Two Weeks

Well, our baby girl is officially two weeks old. It both seems long and short. Short because in the scheme of things two weeks is only a very small fraction (hopefully) of a lifetime. Long because without regular, long intervals of sleep the weeks have felt a bit like one continual day. Like somehow I'm paused on life's time continuum.

We are obviously still getting to know this sweet little girl, but here's what we know so far:

• Ella's least favorite thing of the day is getting her diaper changed. Unfortunately for her this is something that happens at least 8 times a day, you'd think she'd just get over it by now! 
• She enjoys riding in the car - as long as she's got a full tummy. 
• Ella is destined to be competitive eater. She's constantly sticking out her little tongue looking for the next refreshing gulp of milk. 
• She is trying to make the thinning hair look of 45 year old men a cool style. We'll keep you posted on if that catches on. 
• She's got a feisty little personality. 
• She already enjoys getting her nails done. She might be her most calm and serene when this Momma bear is filing her tiny razor nails.
• By far the most popular adjective used by everyone to describe her is "beautiful." I love it. 

Ella is a little bit of a fusser - and that can be trying at times because you just want your baby to be happy. But, she's also such a sweetie and we love to smother her in sloppy first-time parent kisses and coos. 

Additional reading: Baby Daddy