10 months

Dear my sweetest and amazing Baby J,
You are 10 months old today!  You've got 7 or 8 teeth and you bite hard. I would do an official count, but you really don't like me digging around in your mouth. You've cut your front two teeth, so if that is what you want for Christmas, then you've already got it.

You are a very fast crawler and like to go all over the house. Yesterday, I found you sitting in the shower. You can stand up on your own and don't need to use the table, chair, Carl, etc. to pull yourself up. Last weekend, I saw you doing "squats" in the middle of the kitchen. I'm not a super big fan of you being in the kitchen and standing since we have ceramic tile floors, but when I'm in their cooking you love to "help." You particularly like to "help" loading/unloading the dishwasher and have recently learned how to turn it on all by yourself.

We've been taking swimming lessons for a month now and you hold your breath when we go under the water and hang onto the side of the pool all by yourself with your chubby little hands. Your hands are so small that I was amazed you could grip the edge of the pool and stay there. You don't really enjoy floating on your back and you don't kick so much when you are on your tummy, but I guess we'll keep working on that.

For the past month, it's been me and you kid. Dad has been working a lot of hours and most days you don't even get to see him when he gets home because  you are sleeping (thank god, and more on that next). In addition to swimming lessons, we've found some other moms with kids. We've been on several play dates at other people's houses. You seem to really like other kids' toys and sometimes I think I need to get you some more toys (your Dad disagrees, of course).

Sleeping ... you are becoming a much more independent sleeper and we seem to have settled into a routine of sorts (again thank god and yes, I am knocking on wood). I can put your down in your crib "drowsy, but awake," just like the books say and you fuss for a few minutes before passing out. You still wake up once (or twice lately) for a bottle, but then usually go right back to sleep. When you wake up, I usually let you come sleep with me for the rest of the night.

At your 9 month appointment, we found out that your head size was off the charts. Your doctor referred us to a pediatric neurologist to have it checked out, just in case there might be something wrong. We went to see the neurologist yesterday and there is nothing to worry about. You are perfect. The doctor measured my head and your Dad's head and guess what? Your Dad's head is off the charts too. So, in the event you can't fit your head through something at any point during your life, blame it on him. There are plenty of things that you will probably blame on me, but a giant head is not one of them.

As always, you remain the cutest baby to have ever graced this earth (at least that's what I think and will likely keep telling you this throughout your life). You are growing up so fast! I'm going to quit writing now because here you come crawling out of the bedroom.

Love you to the moon and back,
Mom

night (or day) at the museum

Mr. Chunglund and I finally had a day off together. It's the first one since he started his new job. We interviewed a babysitter this morning and I think perhaps we'll finally even get a date night or two each month. Then we went to the Arizona Museum for Youth, which is right up the road from our apartment. The first Sunday of the month admission is free so the place was packed. There is an indoor play area for the kids with a special area for the 0-2 year olds. Baby J had an awesome time playing with all the toys and climbing on the blocks. She's been standing on her own for a few weeks now, but I can never get the camera out fast enough to snap a photo. Today was my lucky day!

Quick Mom! Take the picture before I fall down!

Here, I go!

Up, up, up

Baby J reigning over her court

my sunday by Baby J

We had such a busy Saturday that Mommy said we would stick around the house. So this morning, I decided to do some light constitutional law reading. I managed to rip out a page, which apparently I wasn't supposed to do.

I helped Mom make some cupcakes for Dad's coworkers - red velvet with vanilla buttercream. She assures me they are delicious.

While Mom was finishing up the cupcakes, I thought I'd do a little electrical work and fix the night light.

After I fixed the night light, I played with Carl a little bit. I really like his toys, but Mom (or Carl) is always taking them away from me.

So, I thought I'd go for a little stroll with my dinosaur. Unfortunately, we had a little accident. Hey, I'm still learning! Gimme a break!

Then we went to the pool. I had a lot of fun walking back and forth holding onto the steps. There aren't any pictures of the pool because Mom was making sure I didn't drown. After the pool, I took a bath, had a bottle, and took a nice long nap.

So far, it's been a fun day. I think I'll be ready to get up and play again when Daddy gets home.

and.i.am.back.

After Baby J was born, I had a very tough time getting back to good. I wasn't enjoying the things I used to enjoy. I was exhausted all of the time. I was feeling anxious and having panic attacks. I visited the doctor several times and finally after moving to Arizona found a great doctor who has really helped me get my mojo back - with a little help from anti-anxiety meds. I'm happy to report that my desire to read, shop,exercise, reorganize my closet, bake, and knit have all returned. With Baby J sleeping better and Mr. Chunglund working 70+ hours per week, I'm excited to have some time to do the things that I had been missing. I've started a new knitting project - a shawl wrap for one of my coworkers, who is always cold at the office. This evening, I'm catching up on my Tudors and baking lemon olive oil cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting. Mr. Chunglund's new coworkers love baked goods so they will go to a good cause. After feeling so awful for several weeks and months after Baby J's birth, it is a relief that I feel so much better and can finally catch my breath and relax.

global citizen

Not going to lie, I'm not really in love with my job - although the increased income certainly helps ease the pain. However, one of my favorite parts about my new office is the cultural diversity. There are so many different ethnic backgrounds here and everyone is always willing to share their culture through food.

For instance, a couple months ago, one of the traffic engineers from China brought us to the Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center where we had the.best.Chinese.food. Of course this probably isn't saying much from a Minnesotan, but literally this was the most delicious Chinese food I have ever tasted. It was very different from the sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, etc. on a typical buffet. My favorite item was pork boiled in spicy sauce, which doesn't sound all that appetizing, but was deliciously spicy and bright. Other items we had were kung pao chicken, chicken with jalapenos, and eggplant. It was a brand new experience for me since most of my Chinese food has been Panda Express or New/Old/Panda (or some combination thereof) China Buffet.

Next up, I'm taking some friends out for Korean food. Of course, I'm relying mostly on Mr. Chunglund to help people order. After which, one of the bridge engineers from India has offered to take us to his favorite Indian restaurants - one with northern cuisine and one with southern cuisine.

So while the actual job may be less than desirable, I have been having some fantastic food experiences!

change of pace

Gus started his new job and is working 70+ hours per week, which leaves me and Baby J on our own for the evenings and weekends. It's a huge change of pace for us. Being a working mom is tough and it's even tougher when dad isn't around to help out. Getting dinner ready and a baby ready for bed all before 8:00 p.m. during the week is tough. On a more positive note, I've enjoyed menu planning, grocery shopping, and trying new recipes. I highly recommend the Barefoot Contessa's gazpacho and Rachel Ray's roasted jalapeno poppers were delicious.

Weekends are spent cleaning, grocery shopping, swimming lessons, play dates ... we've got plenty to keep us busy. After my great experience with Meetup groups in Duluth, I joined one here in Arizona. Today we had a play date with 5 other moms and their little ones ranging in ages from 6 months to 3 years. I didn't feel like I really clicked with any of the ladies, but it was the first time. Everyone was very nice though and I'm hoping that as we get to know each other better I will have some new friends! Having such a busy Saturday leaves me pretty wiped by Sunday and I think we're staying home tomorrow!

So while it isn't always easy carrying a baby, the groceries, and letting the dog out - all at the same time, I'm starting to get the hang of it. I even managed to change Baby J and myself in the locker room after swim lessons without having to put her down. It wasn't pretty, but we got it done!

vacation, all i ever wanted

We had a fantastic time visiting with friends and family in Minnesota over the past week. Baby J was a rock star little traveler and really enjoyed her time with her cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Here are some photos from our trip.

Playing with Uncle David in lake

Queen Juliet on Grandma's first place float!

Sitting like a big girl with her cousin Lilly

Playing with cousins in the pool

Grandma and Grandpa really enjoyed their time with Baby J and are already planning their visit to Arizona in October for her first birthday. See you then!