This is for the birds

I use this colloquial expression on a fairly regular basis. But since DH and I moved to Charlotte and bought our house we have been enjoying the birds, not using them to convey displeasure. One of the first things we put up was a bird feeder. It was promptly destroyed by scavenging squirrels and we bought another one and added a squirrel baffle to the pole. We had to attach it below the bird feeder so that the squirrels wouldn't run up the pole and get to the food that way. Those pesky squirrels are so smart! DH jokes that we are feeding the entire neighborhood but we have about a dozen breeds that visit on a regular basis.

Not too far from the bird feeder is a bird bath that the former home owners left behind. I moved it to just beyond the kitchen window and faithfully add water to it while watering the plants. This year the birds have really discovered it and I've been enjoying watching their antics while futzing around the kitchen.

The other big bird related item is the nest that was built in the begonias hanging outside the kitchen door. DH was going to remove the nest but we discovered this morning that there are 3 eggs in it! Needless to say since we are "nesting" ourselves with Cameron there was no way we were going to remove it now. The plant is doing fine and the bird hasn't minded my watering it. I hope we haven't scared it off by taking a couple of pictures. It would be such a bummer if the eggs never hatch.

Is the whole, "if you touch the eggs the mother bird won't return and hatch them" thing true? What experiences have others had with bird nests?

Did you know that birds need to drink water too? I had read that but actually saw it in practice this Spring. But they enjoy splashing around in the bath the most.

If you look closely you can see the three eggs.

Sometimes a straight jacket is just what you need

Cameron and I had a really good day yesterday. We are still in the process of figuring out her nap schedule to pick the ideal time for running errands. I have been reading Weissbluth's book and have decided the man is a genius. We are starting to implement some of his ideas related to napping and it is already working for us. Once DH gets home I'll have him make me a nap schedule tracker. Once I finish the book I'll write more about it.

I am also waking Cameron up about 45 minutes before her last two feedings to try and wear her out before her nighttime sleep. She melts down a little then but a bath seems to help so I have unilaterally decided that DH will be bathing her every night now instead of every other night.

Last night was also the first night that I employed Goddess In Progress' super swaddling technique. It is the greatest thing ever! I have joked before about Cameron having magical powers in getting her arms out of her swaddle. Sometimes it would take me 4 or 5 tries to swaddle her tight enough that I could be assured of a few hours before she worked her way out. As cute as it is to come in and see her with her arms stretched out over her head, I enjoy sleep a lot more.

Cameron hated the straight jacket swaddling for about a minute before she fell right to sleep at 9 PM. She woke up at 3 AM (woo hoo!) and I fed her. Despite a very dirty diaper change that necessitated turning on the light, once she was swaddled again she was out like a light. And slept until about 6:15 AM. I even used it for her first morning nap and got her to sleep for almost 2 hours.

I'm sure there are a few other factors that went into a good night's sleep and great morning nap (like good feedings) but the swaddling was an excellent way to keep Cameron from waking herself up inadvertently. I also didn't have to play the pacifier game with her. She fell asleep without it!

So thank you to Goddess In Progress for her clear swaddling directions. And also to Mommy, Esq. for pointing me to the post.

Going it alone

Before anything else, let me say how thrilled I am that I have a new niece and Cameron a new girl cousin! They will only be a month apart in age and hopefully will be really good friends. Congrats to A., M. and Finn!

I am a single parent this week while DH is traveling. We have Cameron on a really good sleep schedule right now so it hasn't been too painful. My biggest complaint is not having adult conversation. DH works from home so I can talk with him quite a bit throughout the day. Of course most of my comments to him are like the following:

• She had a huge blowout today!
• We just had a really good feeding.
• She is being a fusspot right now.
• Can you hold her for a minute?

Really stimulating conversation, right? I also miss DH during the witching hours (usually 5 PM to 7 PM) and as an extra set of hands for diaper changes. Come home soon, honey!

In the meantime I have been running errands each day just to get out of the house. I also have to do some cleaning since we are hosting a play date on Saturday. There will be a whole post on the play date this weekend and I really need to write about my inability to let dust and dog hair go. I picked up Weissbluth's book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Cameron has been really good with sleeping but I need to prepare myself for the inevitable changes to come.

I have also noticed that Cameron's eyes are lightening. They are turning a true blue. Can anyone tell me if that means she will have blue eyes? I know eyes can change for up to a year but if they are already lightening does that indicate blue will be the final color?

Here are some pictures of Cameron for your enjoyment.

Daddy is in charge of bath time and Cameron really likes it now!

Isn't this the cutest towel ever? Grammy got it for Cameron because our nickname for our dog Charlie is "chicken."

This is Cameron being drunk on milk. I actually tried to look presentable before we headed out to a play date.

Isn't Cameron's new outfit adorable?

AI Season 8: Top 5 perform the Rat Pack

And here we are at our Top 5. I am predicting even before watching the show that Matt Giraud will be the next person kicked off.

Tonight are standards from the Rat Pack and I have a feeling tonight will be really, really good. If you want some predictions about what people will be singing what, check out Jordan's blog.

For some reason Jamie Foxx is selected as this week's mentor. Apparently he is classically trained and has a top selling R&B album. I had no idea. I still think he's an arrogant jerk, but let's see if he gives any good advice.

Up first is Kris Allen who could be in the finals. He's just so darn cute! He picks "The Way You Look Tonight" and I melt a little. I love that song. Jamie Foxx seems impressed with his vocals. Kris decides to sing it straight in the beginning rather than play with the arrangement. He does a nice job of showcasing his range and smooth voice but it's kind of a boring performance. It picks up a little at the end and I kind of wish it stayed in the slower arrangement for the whole song. I would be shocked if he goes home given his ginormous fan base. Randy called it his best performance to date. Kara said Kris set a technical standard. Paula slobbered over him and Simon pulled us back to reality by calling it a little bit "wet."

The last girl in the competition is up next. Who could have predicted that Allison would be the final woman standing? Not I. Which is why the Top 36 performances was such crap. No more of this Group A, B and C and only one performance before the Top 12 are selected. Allison looks lovely and celebrated her 17th birthday so Randy can stop with the "she's only 16" BS. She selects "Someone To Watch Over Me" and I think it's a great song choice for her voice. Jamie tells her to "feel her family" while singing and I roll my eyes. I absolutely love Allison's performance and think that it is her best in terms of a vocal performance. Randy called it the bomb, Kara thinks she will sail through to the next round, Paula called her alluring and tender and actually made a lot of sense. Simon thought it was a great performance but isn't sure that Allison believes she can win. I can't disagree.

Matt Giraud is up and you know he is shitting himself with how much he loves this week's theme. He pulls out the lame hat and I wish Anoop was sitting there instead. He decides on "My Funny Valentine" and I have to give him props since it's a challenging song. Jamie tells him to change the key. The beginning starts off a little rough for me; it seems pitched too low for him. He really picks up stride with the second verse but it's still not a wow performance for me. Randy said it was a little pitchy (agreed), Kara didn't think he was the "leader of the pack" or emotionally connected to the song. Paula loved what he did (natch) and Simon disagrees with Randy. Color me shocked. I still think he's going home, regardless of what Simon said.

Danny Gokey gets the fourth spot and decides on "Come Rain or Come Shine." Jamie Foxx gets "all up in his grill" and I loose whatever little respect I have for the man. Danny definitely puts a blue-sy spin on the song and it sounds really good. He is another contender for the finals with Adam. Is anyone thinking Adam won't be in the finals at this point? Danny gives a really energetic performance and the crowd eats it up. Randy thinks he could have an album of songs like what he just sang. Kara said he had Rat Pack swagger and Paula called it stellar. Simon said Danny proved a point. He wasn't clear on what point but I have to assume it was that he belongs in the finals.

Adam picks "Feeling Good" and is wearing a totally awesome white suit. Ever with the theatrics, he starts on the stairs under a white spotlight. He pulls out the gay for this song and it is completely perfect. There is a reason he got the money spot this week (not that he probably doesn't deserve it every week). This kid is making it whether he wins AI or not. He proves my point by singing a long note that must last at least a minute. Absolutely his best performance yet and probably the best of the entire competition. No joke. Randy said it was a little Broadway but in the zone. Kara calls it a whole bunch of acronyms. Paula decides he makes her feel good. Better than the drugs she's on? Simon recognizes that Adam wants to win and loved the entrance.

So, who's out? I'm still sticking with Matt Giraud but Allison could be in trouble too. What do you think?

SJ out.

The daycare saga continues

Now that I am a month into my maternity leave I decided to check in on the 3 places we have identified as childcare options for Cameron. I am now feeling particularly depressed and am looking for a little cheering up.

Our #1 choice, KidsChurch has us 25 out on the wait list. 25! We put our name on the wait list in early January and were told it was a year wait. But we were assured that it would really be much less because so many infants on the list would "age out" and we should be able to get one of the 8 spots way before a year. Apparently not since we are 25 back and there are only 8 spots. It's a great facility and absolutely perfect in terms of location so needless to say, I am very disappointed. I also haven't clarified what happens when Cameron ages out of infant into the 9+ month group. Do we have to start all over again on the wait list or are we grandfathered in? I assume the latter but need to verify.

Our second choice, LittleChurch is 99% sure they can't get us in for my return to work but may have an opening in August.

So that leaves our third selection, ChainCare. Now, don't get me wrong, we like this facility. We particularly like the director but she isn't the one running the actual class. They are still 4 stars but should be certified 5 stars by the time Cameron starts. And they have an opening for her when we need one. I did ask the director for references and should be hearing from a couple of parents this week. I hope that alleviates my concern of their 5:1 infant to caregiver ratio. The director did say she should get another infant caregiver once they have achieved their 5 star rating but it is dependent on whether their HQ approves it or not.

If we like ChainCare then we may just leave Cameron in there until a place opens up in KidsChurch rather than hop her over to LittleChurch first. But that also depends on my work situation. If I get a new role before Cameron gets a spot in KidsChurch that requires me to work uptown then ChainCare is going to be a disaster for me. It's completely in the opposite direction. Yes, I know I should cross that bridge if/when we come to it but it has been that kind of day!

So, can other parents reassure me with their own daycare sagas that ended up working out well? Am I a terrible person for hoping the economic woes mean 18 of those 25 people ahead of us on the wait list can't do take their spot at KidsChurch?

And for those who demand it, here are a couple of Cameron photos. Enjoy!

Watching the Yankees/Red Sox games with Daddy. He is pushing for Cameron to be a Yankee fan but after the last two games, I predict another member of Red Sox Nation. Her first set of scrubs? A surgeon to follow in her grandfather's footsteps? Nah, no need to start the pressure this young. I'll wait until first grade...
She doesn't look happy in this picture but isn't the outfit adorable?

A visit from the great-grandparents

I was very fortunate growing up to know my great-grandmother (affectionately called Nana D.) very well. She passed away while I was in college but I still have lots of fond memories of vacations at Cape Cod, outings in Boston and being sung to. My mother even saved a children's book inscribed from Nana D. to me and gave it to me at my baby shower for Cameron. So I was thrilled when my grandparents told me they planned a little trip to Charlotte to visit us.

We had a wonderful 24 hours (they were in and out!). Cameron had her first restaurant trip when we went to lunch at the Cheese Cake Factory. She hung out in her car seat and ended up falling asleep. Perfect! The weather has been hot in Charlotte so we grilled out and played some cards before it was time for bed. Need I say that I won at cards? I didn't think so!

Hopefully we will get to see Mimi and Papa this summer while we are in Maine for vacation. I look forward to many visits so that Cameron can know her great-grandparents well. It helps that we live only a 10 hour drive from their home in Florida. Considering we drive up to Boston (14+ hours) that's not very far :-)

Mimi doting on her namesake, Cameron Patricia.

Papa getting his only chance to hold Cameron since Mimi hogged her the whole time!

Mimi even insisted on feeding Cameron her bottle which was fine by her mommy!

Cameron: already one month old!

Dear Cameron,

I can't believe it has already been a month since you came into our lives. It has been an amazing, crazy, stressful and wonderful experience. You are a very happy baby and are content to hang out in your bouncer while I'm surfing the web or catching up on old episodes of ER or West Wing.

I love how you smile at me and stare directly in my eyes after you finish a feeding. Yes, I know it's just gas but it feels like a smile to me! You also purse your lips when you are done and let me know that you are good for playtime or another nap. If you are fussy then a pacifier is just the thing you need to calm down. I have a feeling it will be a few years before you give that up! But if a pacifier isn't handy then you are happy to chow down on your fingers. You get that from both Mommy and Daddy. I shudder to think at how high your orthodontist bills will be...

You surprised us by picking up a schedule right away and letting Mommy and Daddy get enough sleep to be fairly chipper during the day. Even though it is hard for Mommy to get up at 2 AM for your middle of the night feeding it is quiet time for us to spend together and that makes it precious. You are a mini Houdini with how you can get your arms out of swaddling. Even Grammy had to admit defeat on that one!

You make us laugh by peeing all over us while we change your diaper. It also taught me to put a fresh diaper underneath the old one before changing you. You aren't thrilled with bath time but tolerate it and only squawk a little bit. When we take you for walks you keep your eyes wide open to take in everything.

I have never been a patient person but you have taught me that patience is the key to success in being a good mommy. I have surprised myself with the depths of patience I have for you and everything you do. Thank goodness or I would be making Daddy's life miserable!

We are thrilled to have your in our lives and can't wait for the rest of the journey.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy