The Minneapolis McCues: Daddy's Week Off

Well, daddy's week off has come to an end! It was great while it lasted. I think we made the most of it and I certainly enjoyed having him around. I got a little time to myself, we went on some family outings and Meredith got some quality time with her dad! We kind of got a routine down - I was in charge during the night, then daddy took her after her 7am feeding while I went back to bed for another hour or so. Then I got up, either took a bath or a shower - then I fed her and was in charge while Jon went to work out or run some errands. Then after her 1pm (approx.) feeding we went and did something together as a family!

On Tuesday, I was able to get a stretch of 4.5 hours to myself. I really didn't do anything incredibly exciting - I went to the dentist for an exam and a cleaning, then I ran a couple of errands - going to Babies R Us and Target. But just having that freedom, being able to turn my music on as loud as I want in my car, taking my time to shop, etc - it was rejuvenating! I definitely felt like I came home and was a better mom to Meri.

Wednesday we finally were able to make a stop to visit our good friends, the Thompsons. Nicole is a CRNA that I met through work and we've become very good friends. In fact, we've gone to Key West, FL as well as going to France together in the past year. And as luck had it, we both became pregnant at the same time - she was due 3 weeks after me. She had her baby girl, Paisley Margaret, on Monday, Oct. 5th. There schedule was finally slowing down, so Jon and I took Meredith to their house, which is literally only 1 mile away, and met Miss Paisley! She is adorable and has her mom's spiky dark brown hair. And I'm sure she'll have her mom's fun and sassy personality, too! I look forward to hanging out with the two of the much more during our maternity leaves (which I just found out has been extended - I don't have to go back to work December 21st !!! YEA!!).

Thursday our big adventure was - wait for it, wait for it.... the Government Offices at Midtown Exchange!! Yep, we decided to go as a family and get Meredith's birth certificate and passport. I'm really hoping to go to Mexico in February with the family and you apparently need both parents present to get a child's passport and since we were both off, why not. It took a little time, it was surprisingly busy for a Thursday afternoon, and getting an acceptable picture of Meredith for the passport took a little time as well. Her passport will be good for 5 years, I just think it's funny that this picture will be on her passport along with her height, 20.5 inches and eye color, which is still blue, but still may change! Well, I guess that's what they normally do, as long as we can take that nice warm vacation, I'm happy!

Yesterday we decided to brave the Mall of America. Jon and I actually love this mall as it's been the closest mall to us since living in the Lake Nokomis area the past 7 years. I fed Meredith around 1pm and we packed up and head to MOA. I had written down all the stores I wanted to go to as well as their locations and we had a general plan of attack. Meredith fell asleep in the carseat on the way to the mall and remained that way in the stroller for the first couple of hours. We were able to get quite a bit of shopping done. The downturn occurred when I wrongly decided to wake her up to feed her in the "Mother's Room" at Macy's. From that point on, she was fussy. I still don't get that about Meri - she's changed, fed, warm - yet she's fussy. Someday I know this won't be the case and believe me, I look forward to having a baby that's awake and happy!

So as I was just mentioning, it was especially nice to have Jon home this week because just when I thought the fussy spells may be ending, because last weekend Meri seemed more calm and happy, I was wrong. Perhaps she's going through her 6 week growth spurt a little early, but this week, when Meri was awake - once again, she wasn't happy, especially in the evenings. It doesn't seem to correlate with anything. She can be fussy before eating and then fussy after eating as well - so feeding more frequently doesn't seem to change anything. And honestly - though I generally would contribute her fussiness to gas pains, it doesn't seem to correlate whether she burps well after eating. Often, I spend time trying to burp her and it doesn't happen and then she sleeps for hours! It's perplexing and sometimes frustrating. But I really can't complain too much - she's been awesome during the night. In fact, this week I have successfully been placing her in her bassinet to sleep and she's still sleeping for longer stretches - like 10pm to 3am, then again until 7am - on average. Knock on wood, but she's been this way since like week 2. I'd much rather her fussiness during the day, then night. And I know a few sure fire ways to make her happy - Baby Bjorn, carseat driving in car or walking in stroller. I have yet to not calm her down those three ways. She also seems to love her changing table. I wish I could just let her sleep there sometimes! Laying flat on her back and staring at our big TV sometimes works too! But her vibrating chair and swing don't always do the trick. I do feel guilty doing these things for more then a few hours a day, like I'm ignoring her or something. Maybe I should just get over that and rejoice that I know ways to calm her. I just can't wait until she's awake a little more and happy at the same time. We have seen her smile a few more times - though it's for a very brief time, not every day even, and is often followed very closely by her pterodactyl like cries, seriously she sounds like a pterodactyl (or at least what I think a pterodactyl would sound like!) Regardless, we love her to pieces and are so happy to have her in our lives!

This weekend, we don't have much going on. Tomorrow I do get to go to Jen DuBois's baby shower and I'm super excited to see all of my girl friends. Jon's going to stay home with the babe and I'll leave some milk for a bottle so I don't have to hurry home. Then this coming week will be the first full week I'm home alone. I plan on spending some time with my friend Nicole, taking Meredith to work with me to meet some coworkers (and get my flu shots), and going to my 6 week OB appt. I may even try some Baby Yoga, we'll see. Then this coming weekend we're heading back to Blue Earth for a baby shower for me and Meri at my mom's friend Brenda's house, a little Trick or Treating, and Brooks' Baptism, for which Jon and I are God Parents! Then a work party/ Baby shower for Nicole on Sunday evening. I'm looking forward to it all!!