Baby Marin: Week Eighteen

I usually post this little post on Tuesdays. It is now Thursday. That should probably indicate that our lives have been quite busy this week. So, alas, we find ourselves in week eighteen of Marin's little existence on this earth.

I feel like our child has changed completely in the past few days. She had her 4 month well check exam last friday. She now weighs in a 12 lbs, 1.5 oz and is 24 inches long. She still handles the shots probably better than I even would but that still is so hard to watch you child go through. Luckily, Ryan is always there with me and he is far tougher than I am. We have also gotten the green light to start introducing solid foods. I don't even know really where to begin in that whole process and I want to do a lot of research before hand. Do you start with rice cereal? Do you not? How do you make your own baby food? What is best for baby? So many questions. I am excited for this new part of our lives though. I envision many days of food being thrown all over our little home and running down Marin's little chin. It will be an adventure, that I am sure of.

Marin has most definitely discovered that she can make an array of sounds. In the past week alone, she has become so much more vocal than before. Even now, she is swinging next to me making sounds that sound somewhat like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. She is becoming so much more aware of her surroundings, strong and alert. Tummy time doesn't seem to be the worst thing ever in her mind any longer. Toys that are nearby will probably find themselves somewhere in the vicinity of her drooly mouth. No toy is safe. Soon our cat, Geoff, will no longer be able to just sneak by without a tug of the tail. Stroller rides are her jam.

She is growing up so quickly.

I am looking forward to introducing the solid foods, to hearing the new sounds that come out of her mouth on a daily basis, to many more stroller rides.

Week Eighteen.

Weekly Links: Currently Clicking #5

Here are all of the places I have been clicking this week and what has caught my eye out in the great world that is the internet. 

(Source) 

1. Ideas for decorating with houseplants. I'm drawn to homes with a lot of plants. My house has no plants and a cat that would probably eat them, but I still love how they look. 
2. 37 days of 150 Calorie Snacks
3. I'm ready to dive in this book, this book, and this book. 
4. This kitchen redo.  I love the kitchen chairs. 
5. American Blogger Film. This is something I must see.  

Baby Marin: Week Seven

We are facing a growth spurt, I believe. She is and I am as well. She wants to eat CONSTANTLY and spends most afternoons nicely awake and fussy. I am growing in the fact that I have to feed her CONSTANTLY and keep my sanity when I don't get anything else accomplished. I just keep telling myself that caring for her is the most important thing in my life right now (and it is!). There are days where I feel a bit stir crazy while on maternity leave, but Marin is surely giving me a run for my money as of late. She keeps me on my toes pretty consistently. 

She is slowly growing into who she will be and I am slowly growing into who I am as a mother. Every day is different and every day I feel like it will probably get harder before it gets easier, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. These growth challenges are good, for both of us. She is growing up big and strong and I learn how to manage myself a lot better. It's a win-win! 

As much as I believe I would love to be a stay at home mom, I am also slowly getting more ready to return to work. Having a baby around is a fun challenge at times, but I am also excited to stretch my mind again at work and help run a growing dental business. I never thought I would say those words. I wouldn't have said those words a few weeks ago. I know my heart will ache to be close to my kid, for sure, but I am also ready to get a bit more of routine in our lives. (At least until the day comes where we could possibly live on one income. That day is VERY, VERY, VERY far away, unfortunately.) I am ready to get dressed and put make up on in the morning, to wear something other than pajama pants. It's almost time and I'm coming to terms with all of it. But, on the flip side, the other part of me doesn't want to miss out on every smile and every giggle from our little girl. I guess it's kind of the bend and sway of being parents and working full time. I'm strangely excited for the challenge ahead. I think they will be good for all of us. I'll keep repeating that to myself over and over again as I prepare for my return to the workforce. 

Today though, will be spent with our little girl. There is a stroll through the neighborhood in our future. I will feed her over and over and over again and still remain in awe that this child was brought into the world for us to care for. We will change her diapers over and over and over again. We will be aware of every little smile and every little cry.  This is where we currently find ourselves, in these moments, and I'm alright with that.