The Latin Mass

I'm sure I will get the phrasing wrong in this, but please bear with me.

Yesterday we attended a mass in the Extraordinary Form, known commonly as a latin mass. It was the first time that any of us had attended such a mass.

I knew it would be very different than the Novus Ordo masses we usually attend, so I tried to prep as much as possible. I watched a couple You Tube videos of parts of a High Mass, found a latin-english missal online with the Ordinary of the mass and read through it. Plus, I bought the book The Latin Mass Explained by MSGR George J Moorman. Great book. I wish I had read more of it prior to us attending the mass.

Despite my preparations, I was still quite lost during the mass. I spent far more time trying to follow around and follow the people around me in standing, kneeling, and sitting, than I did focusing on God. That is not too surprising since it was my first time attending, I was very nervous, and it was all so new to me.

A large part of me didn't like the mass. I felt like I wasn't getting much out of it other than observing what was going on. But therein lies something that also sticks with me.

It was extremely clear that the focus on the mass was NOT about me or about what I got out of it.  The focus of the mass was very clearly the sacrifice offered to God. As MSGR Moorman called it, the mass is the great drama; The priest approaching God to offer Him the highest form of worship, a sacrifice. The sacrifice of the Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the Eucharist. We, the lay people, participate in this offering together as one body. We are there united as one body, one Church, before God. We are not there to stand alone as individuals and think of ourselves.

Of course, this is the case with every mass. But the sacredness, the beauty, and the words and actions of the latin mass drove home that point very clearly.

It would be nice to be able to attend that mass more often, but it is a 45 minute drive during nap time. The result is an extremely over-tired and cranky baby.

On the way home we had a good conversation about the seal of confession. I take great comfort in knowing that not only can a priest not tell anyone what I said to him during the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), he is forbidden from even acknowledging to anyone that I went to confession. He must keep the seal of confession even at the threat of jail or death.

Joe of course brought up the argument about murders and child molesters confessing something during confession and the duty to protect others. I did my best to summarize this article for him:

http://catholicexchange.com/can-priests-ever-reveal-what-is-said-in-confession

Overall, I think attending a latin mass was a good experience for us. Perhaps someday we will make it to another one.

Monday To-Dos

How is it that Monday always seems to bring with it a to-do list a mile long? Thankfully, Monday occurs after Sunday - a day of rest.

This week is a busy and stressful week for Joe. He is handling the jobs of three men, two of whom are senior to him, while they are away for the week. Needless to say, he has been dreading this week a lot. I hope to make it to daily mass at least once this week, offer up some struggles of my own for him, and also make him spicy lasagna on Saturday.

The spicy lasagna was originally going to be our meal on Friday evening, but then I remembered that we signed up to run a 10K on Saturday. The 10K is practice for the 1/2 marathon we are signed up for later in October. I know that I can run a 10K without a problem, but the 1/2 marathon may be a different story. Joe has his heart set on it, however, so I will be out there will him.

Ava went down for a very early nap this morning. She normally doesn't take a nap until around 10 AM, but this morning she fell asleep just after 8 AM. I am a bit nervous about how such an early nap will affect the rest of the day.

Ava's awake. Maybe today will be a day of three naps...

Canceled Plans and Little Sleep

Dear Ava,

Yesterday was a bit of a rough day for both of us. Neither of us got enough sleep last night. Then, I interrupted your morning nap by trying to put you down in your crib while you were asleep. Normally I hold you during your naps because you seem to sleep best that way.

Holding you while you sleep is both a blessing and a cross to bear. I would love to have that time to nap myself, get showered and dressed, or work on my to-do list. When I focus on myself and what I could be accomplishing instead of holding you, it becomes hard to bear. When I instead focus on my prayer time, studying scripture, and studying theology while you sleep peacefully in my arms it becomes a time of peace and renewal for both of us.

Most days I try to let you sleep as long as possible during your naps, but this morning a friend of mine was supposed to come over for coffee. She and I have been trying to get together for months now but our schedules never lined up. A couple Sunday's ago you and I finally made it Mass at 11 AM and my friend and her family happend to be sitting two rows it front of us. It was the first time she and I had seen each other since we graduated from West Point in 2005.

Twenty minutes before she was supposed to arrive I was still in my pajamas. I tried to put you in your crib so that I could get dressed, but you of course woke up. Sadly, right after that my friend called to let me know that she didn't feel too well and thought it best to stay home. We have tentatively rescheduled for a day next week and I am really looking forward to seeing her and some much needed social interaction. I hope she is feeling better, none of her kids get sick, and that you and I are able to get plently of sleep beforehand.

Despite you getting a much longer afternoon nap, you were still quite tired the rest of the day. I let you play in one of your favorite places quite a bit since it kept you happy. What could be better than sitting in a bin full of toys?

 

Posted with Blogsy

Time Change Planning Fail

Dear Ava,

I messed up big time when making our travel plans. If I had thought about daylight savings time prior to scheduling our trip to see Grandma and Grandpa P we would travel to see them the week prior to daylight savings time. As it currently stands, we will hit daylight savings time (jump ahead 1 hour), then a few days later travel one more time zone ahead (jump ahead an additional hour), then a week later travel back home (go back 1 hour), followed by a few days later traveling to see daddy/Joe (jump ahead 14 hours). Had we traveled the week prior to daylight savings time, the time zone where Grandma and Grandpa P and daylight savings time at our home would line up perfectly. I hope that isn't too confusing.

The take away of all of this is that the sleep schedule you finally have settled into will change completly in a week and then continue to keep changing until you adjust to the Korea time zone.

The past month of us not travelling was wonderful. I wish it was not about to end, though I can't wait to see Joe again. If only we did not have 20+ continuous hours of travel followed by 2-3 weeks of jet lag to deal with as a result of the trip. At least we will get to be together as a family of 3 for our longest stretch yet.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Nap Time Thoughts

Dear Ava,

You have given me a wonderful gift as a result of your morning nap - long stretches of time to pray, meditate and reflect on God's word and what He has done and is doing in my life, read the Bible, and delve deeper into my faith.

He is developing in me an even greater love and knowledge of Him, the Church, the sacraments, as well as leading me down a path that I believe leads to developing and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit that He has given to me.

During all of this, I often think of all the things I want to tell you and pass on to you. The ways I have seen God work in my life and in the life of friends and family. I also want to share with you the incredible desire I have to worship God both here on earth and in heaven. To abandon myself fully to Him and lay before His throne in awe and praise, joining all of heaven proclaiming:

"Holy, Holy, Holy, is The Lord Almighty. Who is, who was, and who is to come."

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Six Months Old

Dear Ava,

Happy Half Birthday! You were born six months ago today! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by.

In my facebook post commorating yoru 6 month birthday I included the following list of accomplishments and things you enjoy:

• Easily rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
• Sit unsupported for 5 minutes
• Weighing about 13 lbs and is around 26 in long
• Like to stand (supported)
• Loves frozen blueberries (in a baby feeding teether)
• Also enjoys eating avocados, bananas, and acorn squash
• Has flown on a plane 10 times
• Has visited South Korea
• Quickly smiles at new people, but only if they don’t try to hold her
• Enjoys riding in the jogging stroller as long as it is in motion
• Loves bath time
• Has experienced temperatures of both 105+ and -40F (without windchill)
• Likes to grab my hair, nose, glasses and anything else that is within her reach
• Believes my camelback water bottle is a great teething toy that belongs to her

Your first genuine smile was on September 24th. I was trying to take a picture of you to send to Daddy at that exact moment and I was lucky enough to capture the smile on camera.

The first time you rolled over was on January 16th and it was from your back to your tummy. On January 21st, your rolled from your tummy to your back for the first time.

Your first solid food was avocado, which you ate on February 3rd. You enjoyed it, but didn't eat a whole lot of it.

Blueberries are by far your favorite food, though I generally only let you have them when you are due for a bath.

It is so fun to watch you grow and learn new skills. We love you!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Be Still and Cease Striving

Dear Ava,

Tonight is a rare night in that you are asleep for the night and I still have enough energy to be up for a couple hours of precious (and very rare) alone time.

There are so many things I want to accomplish during these hours, but I often end up sitting in a chair with my feet up enjoying the quietness of the house and thinking about whatever is on my mind.

Tonight the topic on my mind is Psalm 46:10.

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV)

or

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NASB)

Back in December during one my my prayer times, God pointed me to that verse and indicated that He wants me to focus on living out that verse during this season of life.

The verse flows perfectly out of what I felt God kept saying to me during the last year.

Trust Him.

There were so many things I was worried and anxious about, but that word kept coming back to me as I prayed. Trust. Turn all of my worries and concerns over to Him.

As I gave my worries and concerns over to Him I saw things fall into place. I was able to easily give up command without any issues. I found a new place to live with plenty of support (with Grandma and Grandpa F). You were born without any issues and Joe/Daddy was able to be there for your birth. You were baptized.

In the midst of all of the changes, I kept striving to hold onto my career, to find ways to do more, to keep up with my peers.

I thought I had it all planned out for what I was going to accomplish during this next year. Sure, there were some bumps, but I was certain that I could overcome those. The ILE course, the job in DC, projects here at home I wanted to focus on, things here I wanted to do.

But life wasn't going as I had planned. You weren't interested in a bottle. The milk I had frozen developed a metallic smell/taste very quickly and you refused to drink it. Your separation anxiety kicked in at an extremly early age and hasn't seemed to improve. I was having trouble focusing enough to even accomplish easy ILE course work. I was stressed and worried about how I would accomplish the tasks and goals I had laid out for the next year.

Then, God spoke and told me to Be Still. Cease Striving.

Give up my pursuit of my career for the moment. Give up trying to keep up with my West Point peers.

Instead, focus on Him. Focus on Knowing Him. Focus on Exalting Him.

And with that, focus on who He has called me to be: A wife and a mother.

Giving up the pursuit of my career was not easy and took a lot of trust in God. Over 12 years of my life have been centered around the military. I had just been promoted ahead of my peers this past summer. I had some people telling me that giving it all up, even if only for a short while, was a big mistake.

I had to trust that if God wants me to continue my career at some later point, He will make a way for it to happen. I had to trust Him with what felt like giving up part of my identity. I had to trust that He knew what He was doing.

And He does.

In trusting Him and being still, ceasing to strive, I gained the freedom to focus on you and your needs; to spend a lot more time visiting Daddy in Korea this spring; and most importantly, the ability to move to Korea this spring/summer.

Had I continued to strive towards my own goals, I would not currently feel the same freedom to move due to work obligations.

Our moving is still up in the air, but we have one less major hurdle to think about because of what God told me to focus on during this season of life: Be Still. Know that He is God. Know that He is/was/and will be exalted.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

16 More Months

Dear Ava,

Two nights ago, after you had already fallen asleep, Joe/Daddy told me some bad news. A much hoped for assignment for him fell through. The assignment would've allowed us to start living together as a family this July. As it currently stands, we have another 16 more months apart from him.

16 months. You will be just shy of two years old. We will be about to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. 16 more months.

You daddy and I started dating in the summer of 2010. Our whole relationship has been long distance; only seeing each other for a few weeks with an average of 3 months between visits.

On a run together in Korea during a visit in November 2010

Every year I tell myself that next year we will be able to be together. Having it not only fall through, but also be even longer apart than I planned, is hard to take.

I am still holding out hope for us being able to start living together this summer. More accurately, every part of me is clinging to that hope.

It would involve us moving to Seoul, South Korea. We would only be able to take what I could fit into 2 suitcases. I've already started to mentally pack those suitcases.

I am not ready to accept no as an answer.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Slowing Down

Dear Ava,

You are currently fast asleep laying across my lap with Luvey Bunny in your arms. Right now you don't care much either way about Luvey Bunny and I was the one to put the bunny in your arms. I am hoping that you grow very attached to him/her/it and that you are able to fall asleep and stay asleep eaiser on your own as a result.

To say that you are attached to me is an understatement. It's both adorable and exhausting, something I enjoy as well as something that makes me go crazy.

I'm trying to remember that this is only a phase. There will come a day when I can work out at the gym alone, have you take a nap without me holding you, be out of your sight without you bursting into tears the moment I am gone.

As much as I look forward to that day, right now you are giving me the gift of slowing down, of cherishing this time with you. As much as I would like to be already showered, dressed, and having accomplished many tasks and goals for today, sitting in a dark room holding you while you sleep is good for me. In the mad rush and chaos of life I have a chance to Be Still.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Teething

Dear Ava,

If it is not one thing, it is another. You have passed some major milestones in your life since Daddy returned to Korea, but sleeping through the night is not one of them.

When he headed back to Korea you were beginning to show signs of rolling over. With you so close to rolling over I did not want you to sleep swaddled anymore, but you still preferred that snug feeling. I also wanted to move you out of the cradle and back into your crib.

It took a week of crying, but you finally are able to sleep in your crib unswaddled.

The transition happened just in time. On January 16, 7 days after Daddy left, you rolled from your back to your tummy for the first time. Then, on the 21st you rolled from your tummy to your back. You accomplished the rolling over milestone despite being miserable with a cold.

A few days after you rolled over we flew to Pennsylvania to visit relatives. The next 8 days were full of new people and new places. The trip ended with everyone catching a 24 hour stomach bug.

I had given up trying to get you to sleep through the night, or at least through sleep cycles without my help, until we arrived back home after that trip.

Now that we are back home the sleep training is being disrupted because you are showing signs of teething. As a result, you want to gnaw on everything, nurse a lot, be held almost constantly, and are not happy being placed in your crib to sleep.

To help with your teething pain, yesterday I gave you an apple slice to suck on and today you sucked on a large carrot stick. You seemed to enjoy both of them, though I only let you suck on them. I plan to start you on solid food very soon, but first I need to buy a high chair.

Even though you still aren't letting me get my much looked forward to long stretch of sleep at night, you sure are cute.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Jet Lag and 4 Months

Dear Ava,

It's just past 5 AM and you are actually asleep in your crib. Normally that would not be an  amazing fact, but ever since our return from Korea both of our sleeping schedules have been all over the place.  Over the past few days you have decided that 2:30 PM to around 2:30 AM is your optimal sleep time. You go into such a deep sleep that I can walk around the house with you and you don't even wake up. The downside is that I am just as jet lagged as you, but on a slightly different sleep schedule.

Grandma F has been so wonderful about taking care of you for a few hours at different times of the day so that I can get some much needed sleep. I am not sure how I would manage right now if we lived by ourselves without Daddy or Grandparents around.

I am also very thankful that you and I are getting a huge jump start on getting over the jet lag before Daddy comes back for Christmas. I can't imagine what it would be like trying to travel and enjoy time with family if all three of us were jet lagged.

It's hard to believe that today is your 4-month birthday. Where has the time gone? (It passed in a sleep deprived fog, that's where). You are getting better at tolerating tummy time for longer stretches these days. You also reach out and grab toys whilst on your tummy. Though you aren't rolling over yet, you do love standing when supported. You also love to squeal, coo, and babble (especially around 3 AM). Pacifiers still don't interest you, but I am seeing more and more of you gnawing on one or two of your fingers. You are also quite the drool machine. Baths immediately calm you down and make you happy (until it is time to get out of the bath) and bouncing is still one of your other favorite calming activities.

You have your 4-month well baby appointment on Friday. I'm looking forward to seeing how much you have grown. I think you are just over 12 lbs and I have no idea how long you are these days.

Happy 4-month birthday!

Thanksgiving 2013

Dear Ava,

Happy Thanksgiving!  While our Thanksgiving celebration here in Korea is drawing to a close (in fact, Daddy is busy trying to get you back to sleep right now), the holiday for our extended family in the US is just beginning.

The day started out with you wide awake for over 1.5 hours at 4 AM this morning. I love seeing and kissing your cute face but I also love sleep. Can you hold off on playtime for a few more hours in the future?

Late in the morning Daddy got all dressed up in his dress uniform (ASU) to go serve Thanksgiving dinner (or lunch) to the Soldiers in the dining facility. While he was gone you kept me well occupied by napping in my arms for 1.5 hours and then having a blowout diaper that required an entire outfit change. At least you gave me a reason to put you in your cute duck outfit.

We had a very low-key day after Daddy got back from serving dinner.  At church on Sunday we were invited to a Thanksgiving dinner that one of the families hosted, but your Daddy and I didn't feel up for going. In the late afternoon we all went for a short walk outside despite the below freezing temperature. It served a two-fold purpose in that it was a family activity and it also helped you get a much needed nap.

Though turkey is the traditional turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner, we (at Daddy's suggestion) opted for spicy lasagna along with cheesy potato casserole and Hawaiian sweet rolls.

When I asked your Daddy what he is thankful for from the past year he said the huge life-changing events that he never expected. I take that to mainly mean you. While last November 1st we could never have imagined all of the events and changes the next 12 months would bring, you coming into our lives is a huge joy and blessing to everyone. We love you!

Sleep in Korea

Dear Ava,

I just put you down for a nap and I am hoping that it is a long nap, but it probably will be much shorter than I would like.

You are finally sleeping through the night again and I am very thankful for that. A combination of putting you to bed a little later every night (started at 3 or 4 pm the first day) and you wearing size 2 baby dry diapers at night are the main reasons why I am able to get some sleep again. Prior to the switch to size 2 at night, you would wake up every 1.5 or so hours from midnight until I finally gave up on trying to get sleep and got up for the day. Since you are still under 12 lbs, there is some poop leakage in the legs on the size 2 but it is not nearly enough to warrent me having you back in size 1 at night. A tiny spot of poop on your onesie is well worth 6-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

We have been in Korea with Daddy now for 12 or so days and I have only managed to step on the treadmill twice. The first time was just that - one single step - before you awoke and started crying. The second time I managed to jog 0.87 miles before your nap ended. I really hope that when you are a little older (at least 6 months) and the weather is decent enough for it that you will enjoy riding in a jogging stroller.

Since I am not getting much exercise via the treadmill I try to take you on walks in the afternoon. The temperature is often in the high 30s or low 40s and so people who see us may think I am crazy for taking you out. What they can't see is that you are often fast asleep, having fallen asleep after only a few steps outside. Your car seat cover as well as the combination of the car seat and stroller shades keep you warm and protected from any wind. The fresh air does us both some good and helps us pass the time until Daddy gets home from work. It is so nice to be able to spend time with him every day.

Spit-Up

Dear Ava,

You had a huge projectile spit up as we came down stairs this morning. It required clothing changes for both of us and some carpet cleaning. Thankfully, I took the brunt of it and so it wasn't too much carpet cleaning. I was kinda amused that I was thankful that I was the one massively covered in spit up instead of you or the carpet. I never thought that seeing spit up all over myself would be a thankful occurrence, but parenthood definitely changes perspectives.

At least you were very happy and smiling a lot just prior to spitting up.

Gunnery

Dear Ava,

One day down, a little over five weeks to go until we can talk to Joe/Daddy again.

He headed out to gunnery with his unit and won't return until sometime in mid-October. Even though he is already over 5000 miles away, it is hard to go from being able to talk to him every morning (night his time) and sending texts back and forth to not being able to talk at all for a while.

Due to his unit's rules, he isn't supposed to use his personal electronic devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.). However, he may be able to sneak us some texts or a phone call occasionally and he is able to check his military email account every so often.

In the days leading up to his leaving we talked on Skype so that he could see us and we could see him. Usually we only get to talk on Skype on the weekends due to the time difference. Even though everyone involved was super tired (in fact, you slept the entire time both times), it was nice to see him and I know he really enjoyed seeing you.

The next time he sees you on Skype you will look so different. Then, when he is able to see you in person a few weeks later you will be extremely different from the tiny newborn that he said goodbye to back in August.  

 I've been sending him pictures of you every day and will continue to do that while he is in the field so that he can stay up to date with how much you are growing. I know it must be hard for him to be so far away from you. 

He constantly asks about you and always wants more pictures and videos of you. 

Only a couple more months until we see him in person!

Sleep...Or Lack Thereof

Dear Ava,

You love to snuggle and sleep while someone is holding you. You look so cute when you sleep that way. However, sleeping in your crib at night is very much appreciated so that I can get some sleep myself.

The past couple of nights you seem to have a hard time going to sleep between 9 PM and midnight. Once that magical time hits you get very fussy unless I can figure out the right combination of nursing, bouncing, snuggling, diaper changing, and noise level. Should I fail at any of those or should the combination either change or your mind change about what the perfect combination consists of, crying ensues.

Once midnight hits you usually drift off into a deep sleep and I can safely get ready for bed and finally close my eyes for a couple hours.

I then can pretty much expect you to wake up and need to be changed and fed sometime around 2 AM (if you fell asleep before midnight), 3 AM, 5AM and then 7 AM. The length of time you are awake during those intervals varies each night.

On the good nights you quickly go back to sleep, which means I can go back to sleep as well. On the much less fun nights, you either only drift into a light sleep and wake up when I put you down, or you stay fully awake and alert for an hour or more.

The past two nights were rough nights.

Two nights ago you woke up around 3 AM and appeared like you were going back to sleep fairly quickly after being fed. In reality, you stayed awake for hours, occasionally drifting into a light sleep where I could put you down but you would squirm and make a lot of noise in your sleep (waking yourself up and not allowing me to sleep).

That lasted until sometime past 6 AM.

Last night you went to sleep very easily with only a minimal amount of bouncing/nursing/diaper changes/noise reduction needed.

In fact, I was in bed by 10:45 PM which is a new record for me. Though you did wake up hungry shortly after that, you went back to sleep very easily after you were fed. You must have laughed at my thought that it would be an easy night.

From 1:30 AM to 4 AM you were awake with what appeared to be gas pains. I felt so bad for you since you would fall asleep only to be woken a minute later crying in discomfort.

Finally, at 4 AM you drifted off while nursing and stayed asleep enough for me to put you back in your crib.

One thing that I can almost always count on is that you will wake up right around 7 AM no matter how much or how little you have slept.

The past two morning were no different. After 7 AM you may drift back to sleep, but only if I am holding you. Should I put you down and try to get some more sleep myself, you will wake up within about 10-20 minutes.

While holding you I am usually still in bed myself. Your favorite activity seems to be squirming your way up towards my neck and seeing how far into my neck you can burrow the top of your head. I'm not sure why you do this since you are usually asleep, but I find it amusing.

As much as I miss sleep, I am so glad that you are here. That fact that you are so adorable, especially in the middle of the night, certainly helps a lot.

Bath Success

Dear Ava,

Last night you have a very successful bath. You almost seemed to enjoy it and amazing did not cry at all!

The success may be due to a number of factors to include a different baby bath tub, a foam bath tub insert to keep you warm, a higher water level, and the white noise of water running.

The bath tub I used in the bath disaster of August 2013 was a First Years Infant to Toddler bath tub with newborn sling.  Both times I used the tub you screamed bloody murder. The sling was cold and awkward to use, the water level wasn't high enough, and overall it was a miserable experience for both of us.

Yesterday I stumbled upon the Primo Euro-Bath and loved what I read in the reviews. One twenty percent off coupon later to Bye Bye Baby it was ours.

Getting ready for the bath and posing for pictures to send to daddy. Grandma F is holding you.

There wasn't a single cry heard from you the entire bath time. I was so proud of you and so thankful for the new bath tub.

Immediately post-bath.

 

While you didn't poop in the bath water this time, you did keep up your tradition of pooping in the towel sans diaper while Grandma F is holding you right after the bath.

I think this was the second or third time that has occurred. Perhaps we should get a diaper on you a bit quicker.

Though Grandma F loves you so much, I am sure she could live without being pooped on regularly.

Since this last bath was so pleasant, I am almost looking forward to your next bath. Maybe it really can be a relaxing, enjoyable bonding experience for us.

The Bath...Oh the Trauma!

Dear Ava,

I would look concerned/wary too if I was the one about to hear THE BATH story. Yes, all capital letters is justified for the title of story of the trauma I inflicted on you that night. 

Your most recent future therapy causing trauma began a few evenings ago on the 17 min drive home from your cousin's house.

Your diaper was quite poopy and you were not at all happy about having to sit in it. Plus, having emptied your bowels you were also hungry, so even after the diaper change you were still upset.

I did my best to change your diaper and feed you as quickly as possible once we arrived home, but I have not perfected (or even tried) the diaper change while feeding technique...if such a thing even exists. 

Unfortunately, there was more trauma yet to come.

After you were fed you had a bath. Not just any bath either. Your first bath in your own baby bath tub. It was also your first bath with me not having any additional assistance.

It started off pretty well for the first two minutes...then, I actually started the bath. 

You did no appreciate having your hair washed and let me know it by crying.

Then you pooped.

It of course was the very loose, diarrhea-like mustard yellow infant poop that gets everywhere. Since you were in the newborn sling in the baby bath the poop mostly pooled in the sling.

I lifted you out and did my best to try to keep you warm while I dumped the bath water, rinsed the sling, wiped you off since you had been sitting in the poo, and then reassembled everything. In dumping out the bathwater into the main tub, however, it meant that there was baby poop floating all over the big tub now even though you infant tub was poop free.

Ignoring the poop filled large tub, I decided to continue on with your bath. The sling was wet and cold when I put you back in it which made you even more upset and scream that much louder.

From then on everything would've gone just fine, save for a strange running water noise I heard coming from the vicinity of the toilet. I had the shower running (not on you), so I just assumed the running water had something to do with the shower and not the toilet.

It wasn't until I was getting out out of the bath and drying you off that I noticed the floor seemed very wet around the toilet. In fact, the whole toilet looked extremely wet.

Sometime during the poop incident I leaned against the handle of the Biffy Toilet Bidet thereby turning it on. Though the toilet lid was down, the water still sprayed up, hit the lid, and then sprayed out the sides of the gap between the lid and seat and onto everything nearby.

Your look of shock and concern is very appropriate. 

Since I knew I already had a bathtub to clean later, I decided getting you to bed was my top priority. Cleaning the poop-filled bathtub and drenched toilet and floor could wait until after you were asleep.

Thankfully, when I returned to the scene of the bath disaster an hour or so later the clean-up looked much more manageable to me.

That said, I completely understand if you were traumatized by the whole experience and later in life join a religious order that abstains from bathing (though I have no idea if such a thing exists). Hopefully the new bath tub I bought you today will work out better for you. 

Double Gold Star

Dear Ava,

You were born three weeks ago yesterday. You seem so much older to me than 22 days because 22 days seems like such a short amount of time. Plus, you have grown so much in the past 22 days.

When getting you dressed for church I discovered that is too long for your newborn sleeper now.

Here you are wearing your first 0-3 month clothes.

Yesterday was full of other firsts as well. By quarter to ten in the morning I had make up on and my hair straightened. Granted, I was not dressed yet, but that is easier to accomplish. In my book that in itself is a gold star deserving accomplishment. 

We also made it to the 11 AM church service almost on time. Instead of coming in midway through the homily (sermon), we arrived during the second reading.

The past couple of Sundays we ended up going to a 5 PM service at a different church because making it out of bed, let alone both of us dressed and presentable in the morning was too much to ask. Double gold start for us making it to the early service!

Even if we had gone to the later service I wouldn't have minded. I am very grateful that both churches have a very vibrant, faith filled community. In fact, the homily from the 5 PM service a few weeks ago has stuck with me. Perhaps I'll write about it later.

You slept for most of the service, but even when you woke up you were alert and quiet.  That is particularly surprising because once we arrived home I discovered you had a full diaper. You HATE dirty diapers with a passion and are usually very good about letting me know if you are at all wet or poopy.

I'm slowly adjusting to your schedule, which means you will likely change it on me very soon. Ah well. It keeps me on my toes.

Friends and Family Day

Dear Ava,

Most days we are fortunate if I am showered and dressed by 5 PM and we make it out of the house for a quick errand by 7 PM.

However, one day this past week we were out of the house twice, with the first time being around 11:30 PM. Granted, showering was not involved prior to that first trip, but I will take what I can get.

Our trip out in the wee hours of the morning (that being anytime before noon) consisted of going to visit our wonderful and amazing friend Angelique and her adorable almost four month old son.

Angelique is one of the most outgoing, thoughtful, giving people I know.

She invited us over for a very delicious lunch just when I really needed to get out of the house for a bit. I had never thought of using zucchini as a spaghetti substitute, but it was really good.

She also volunteered to watch you the next day and made a haircut appointment for me at the salon she goes to when I mentioned that my hair really needed to be trimmed and I didn't know how I would accomplish that anytime soon.

Though a family emergency prevented her from babysitting you, it was so kind and thoughtful of her to offer and I appreciated her help with the salon appointment. Grandma F. stepped in and watched you instead (Thank you!!!).

Later that same evening we went out for frozen custard with Grandma F and all of your aunts, uncles, and cousins on my side of the family. It was the feast day of the saint for whom you have a cousin named and so a little celebration was in order.

I tried to take pictures, but only a couple were even close to being in focus since I was holding you at the same time.

You have a lot of catching up to do compared to your cousin who is five weeks older than you.

I hope that fist of yours isn't because you are plotting how to win the size war, because she is more than likely destined to be much taller than you.

Not that you will be short by any means, but her parents are overall taller than your dad and I. Plus, while you started off wearing newborn size socks, she started off wearing the 6-12 months size socks. Having grown up as the shortest and the youngest of my own tall immediate family I can assure you that it is a bearable cross.