4th April 2009

18 Weeks - A Global Traveller

It’s nearly 10:30 p.m.  I’m sitting in the rocker/glider with my feet up on the glider ottoman.  It’s pitch black with the exception of Melina’s rainforest lighted crib attachment that is playing songs.  Melina is slowly but surely falling asleep.  We had a late night.  Actually the best part of my night was leaning in to kiss her tonight, first on her forehead, and then on her cheek.  When I kissed her on her cheek, and said “kisses from Mommy” - she giggled and shrieked - so not needing much to inspire another round of kisses - we giggled together as she got more and more “kisses from Mommy”.  God - she gives me such joy and fulfillment. 

Melina this morning on a stroller ride and walk with dog
Melina on a stroller ride this morning

We’ve had quite a week.  We went up to Toronto this past week so I could speak at a search marketing conference on both Tuesday and Wednesday.  Melina was quite good in the car, all things considered.  Monday was a very long day for both of us.  God looked out for both of us, and kept me very alert.  Although some caffeine helped, I was amazed at how alert I was, considering the length of the drive.  I think knowing you have a little one entrusting her life to you in the back seat - does amazing things for keeping you awake.

We crossed the border.  I wondered if I would have any issues there regarding donor father.  I was asked “where is the father?”  But no issues - stated my case and moved on.  I had documentation just in case. 


Look at that silly mommy in the reflection of her glasses

The conference was just two days long -and then we returned to Columbus, staying overnight at a friend’s house in Lakewood, NY (near Jamestown).  They were kind to let us crash their house late at night, with the baby in tow.  Not only that but they had dinner waiting for me, and gifts for Melina - amazing kindness.  Thank you Curt and Jill.  I was also able to meet their little 2-year old daughter (turns 2 next weekend).  I had a late breakfast with Gary and Curt, and then M and I headed off to Columbus for a 5 hour drive.  We made it - only a little fussing.  She’s such a great baby.

Melina had some big events in addition to becoming the world traveller this past week. 


Melina is getting her first front tooth - bottom front tooth

She is congested - not sure if that’s related to the teething or if she’s getting a cold from her trip?  Last night, she fell asleep on the way home from the office around 6:40 or so, and stayed asleep until 6 this morning (minus a feeding around 1130).  She then let Mommy go back to sleep until 9 or so.  I still felt exhausted though - and was determined to get a nap this afternoon, which Melina was not happy about. 

She also scooted on her back this past week, in Toronto.  She discovered she could push off with her feet, and up the portable diaper cushion pad which has a slick surface.  She had begun looking up and behind her recently, so when she discovered she could scoot back - that was pretty exciting for her.  All I could envision this morning as she tried to do the same on the carpet with less success - is a child that failed to crawl or walk - but me telling people - well, she likes to scoot around on her back - that seems to work just fine…..

My baby book says I crawled at 6 months - and stood by 10 months, so the former is just 6 weeks away.  I’m in trouble - I have a lot - ALOT of cleaning to do to let Melina crawl around on my floors. 

In the meantime, she’s growing out of everything so fast - I put pants on her that I thought she’d never fit into - and she already does perfectly in fact.  The 3-6 months stuff - yes, fits perfectly - as it should, but it just seemed that those clothes would swallow her whole just yesterday.

Okay, enough for now - Mommy has a bit of a headache tonight and needs to clean the kitchen, do 2 loads of laundry and then well, it’ll be late, late by then.

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