(Almost) 6 month old!

Belle's confused: when exactly is February 29?
Mom and Dad are confused, too: how did six months go by so quickly?!


Less confused and just happy because, well, Belle is so often happy (and how lucky that makes her mommy).

Peter Pan

Remember Peter Pan? He didn't want to grow up so he and the Lost Boys lived in Never Never Land. There was a crocodile and Captain Hook and some grand adventures, but the basis of Peter Pan's story is his desire to stay young forever. I get that. I'd like to take Belle and go to Never Never Land today. I know that one day, Belle will experience disappointment, loss and pain and I won't be able to make it better. But, for now, I can comfort and calm her. I can soothe her and make her smile. Most importantly, I can protect Belle. So, Belle and I are going to freeze time- this time when I can hold and protect her- and we're going to join Peter Pan in Never Never Land.

Do not operate heavy machinery

A friend who lives in the 'burbs where she has to get in a car to get anywhere had a baby who is a few months older than Belle.  This friend told me that, upon discharge from the hospital after birth, she was warned not to drive a car.  The medical professionals at the hospital warned her that the post-postpartum hormones lowered her reaction time and heightened her emotion so she would be better off staying in the passenger seat, or out of the car all together for her first two weeks at home. I didn't hear this warning, but I wish I had.  Had I known that I was not suited to drive a car would have made me feel less crazy for feeling, well, crazy postpartum.  I joke that I cried more than Belle those first few weeks, but I guess that's normal.  My emotions were on a roller coaster and my head was in the clouds and my body felt like hell.  A warning about not operating a car or heavy machinery would have made sense.

"Everyone is working for the weekend"

Saturday nights highlight the greatest shift in our new lifestyle as parents. Saturday nights used to be a big deal: big night out. Saturday nights used to book up quickly, and it was rare that we found ourselves plan-less on a Saturday evening. Birthday parties, dinners out, movies, theatre, concerts: there was always something going on Saturday nights.

And now when my sister-in-law called at 7:15pm and asked what we were up to, Craig was already in his PJs and my contacts were out. In fact, Craig and I have only once been out on a Saturday night in NYC since Belle arrived (thanks, Grandpa Richard, for the chance to see "The Social Network" in December).

It's just that babies don't get the concept of a weekend the way we do. Belle doesn't skip a late-night feeding or sleep-in on a Sunday. So, well, it's just not worth staying up late on a Saturday night.

OK- it's now 8pm and nearly bedtime for me...

Belle > Turkey!

This past November, at Thanksgiving, our turkey weighed more than Belle did at the time. Now Belle, who has passed the 15-pound mark, weighs more than our turkey! Way to go, Belle :)

"Was it worth it, Mom?"

Last night, I attended a Tufts event at the swanky Times Center in Times Square. The event was to honor outgoing University President Larry Baccow and celebrate his fund raising efforts. I fed Belle and then left in time for cocktails at 7pm. Then, I enjoyed the presentation and a quick, light dinner (catered by Abigail Kirsch- delicious and creative!). Craig, though feeling under-the-weather himself, had everything under control, of course. So, when I got home just after 10pm (!!!!) to a sleeping baby and husband, I smiled. The smile was short-lived. Before I was out of my make-up and earrings, Belle started fussing, Not wanting her to disturb her ill daddy, I grabbed her and held her in the dark bathroom while I brushed my teeth and prepared myself for bed. Then, I fed her and we all slept. That, too, was short-lived. Belle was up at 1am, 4am, and 5:30am. While she had been falling asleep well and waking only twice a night the previous two nights, last night was not a good night. I held Belle to soothe her at 4am and wondered if it was worth going out at all. I thought I'd maybe get a minute to breathe after coming home from a nice evening out, but I guess I resumed my mom responsibilities the second I walked into the apartment. The Tufts event was free, but I sure paid for it.

A better picture of our mark on W85th St?

Our mark on W 85th St.

Across from Louis Brandeis High School on West 85th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, we made our mark on the sidewalk. Look closely and you'll see "SLC" and "CMC" sketched into the cement.

Belle sitting up in bed

Sporting her Cornell onesie, smiling away, Belle sat up on our bed today and played while I folded the laundry. She is a joy.

"Happiness is being a grandparent"

I can think of a few grandparents who concur with this sentiment.

Always something

One of the reasons I am so happy living in New York City is that there is always something to do, even when there is nothing to do. As often happens in life with an infant, my day got a little mixed up and I found myself alone with Belle in Central Park. And so, while Belle napped, I read the many dedications on the park benches around the Great Lawn. Memorials, marriage proposals, dedications to pets: each bench has a story. It was a lovely walk.

The joy of the pacifier

Belle loves her pacifier. In the past five (nearly six, actually) months of life, the pacifier has been the one consistently effective calming tool for Belle. I am not exaggerating: it has been a roller coaster, as new parenthood should be, but that ingenious piece of plastic joy is the only reliable, predictable element of life with Belle.

When Belle learned how to reach for things, she first reached for her pacifier. When Belle figured out how to put the pacifier into her own mouth, it became a game (Belle will pull the pacifier out of her mouth and then put it back in...over and over and over...). How wonderful that she entertains herself! Now that Belle is teething, she sometimes chews on the pacifier rather than sucks on it.

The pacifier makes Belle happy on so many levels. Please, let her (and me!) enjoy.

It hurts me more than it hurts you

Belle felt warm to the touch on Saturday so Craig wanted to take her temperature. What?! But I grew up in a home without a thermometer. My mother's well-trained lips on my forehead determined whether or not I was sick enough to stay home sick or required Tylenol. Additionally, the doctor affirmed that the exact temperature matters in a newborn: a fever of 100.4 is cause for concern. The doctor told me, though, that Belle is old enough that the exact number of her temperature is not as important as whether or not she has a fever.

So, I was opposed to taking Belle's temperature. She felt warm to the touch so we were going to give her Tylenol. But Craig was persistent. A fever from teething would be around 100, while a fever due to illness could be higher, and Craig wanted to know what we may be up against. Also, our new-parents lips aren't so well trained. Craig wanted to know what 'warm' felt like, as opposed to 'hot' (as in, was Belle's temperature 100 or 104?). And so I agreed to help Craig take Belle's temperature.

My great protest was primarily because the most accurate way to take a baby's temperature is rectally. The idea of sticking an instrument in Belle's tiny tuschy made me squirm. But, I wanted to help Craig. So, I acquiesced.

I lay Belle on her belly (ie, tuschy up) on my lap and gave her a toy to play with while Craig dipped the thermometer into petroleum jelly. When he brought the thermometer near Belle's little bum, I started to cry. Belle, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice and was enjoying being on my lap and playing with her toy. After Craig determined that her temperature was 100.8, I dried my tears, gave Belle a big kiss for being so brave (did she even know what was going on?) and we gave her Tylenol.

It seems that some of the poking and prodding hurts me more than it hurts Belle. I guess that's the plight of the mommy.

"Sometimes you just need your mommy"

I love holding Belle. Nothing is more snugly than feeling her little hands on me when I pick her up. And when she is sleepy and nuzzles her tiny head into my neck, I could hold her forever.

But not really. Really, I love snuggling Belle when it's time to snuggle. When it's time to play, I enjoy playing with Belle. When it's time to sleep (hahaha- Belle is not exactly a great sleeper), that is when I need to get things done to feel like a functional human being. But we may be venturing into that stage when baby need her mommy.

Craig and I attended the cocktail hour and chuppah for a friend's wedding. While we were noshing and celebrating, Belle was at Great-Grandma's Ann's with Grandpa and Aunt Joanna and other adults. Baby Belle didn't get a great report from said babysitters, but was a smiling, adorable angel when we returned to Grandma Ann's. And then today, Craig put Belle down for a nap while I ran out to the gym. When I got home, she was fussing in his arms. She stopped when she saw me. Was she all smiles only after Mommy was around?

I thought I could avoid the 'I-need-my-mommy' stage by exposing Belle to other people constantly. We've left her with family and non-family babysitters. We've passed her from person to person at family parties. We've gotten her used to being around others. Perhaps that's not enough to fully avoid the clingy stage.

In Belle's defense, she has a small cough and cold. Maybe that explains her desire to be held. I sure hope so, but I love snuggling Belle, and I enjoy having a few moments to myself when Belle is in the good care of another adult.

Stroller seat

Belle is so excited to finally be in her stroller seat (as opposed to the bassinet or car seat). And she is bundled and ready for fresh air!

Cousins!

Cousin Noah and little Belle at Grandma Ann's.

"And I was like, Baby Baby Baby OH"

OK, it's true: Belle has Justin Bieber hair. Teenage boys everywhere are jealous that they can't sport it, knowing how it drives t(w)eens wild. C'mon- Belle and Justin do sport similar hairstyles.

BIEBER:


BELLE:

Stroller parking at Joe's

After a great (and super hard- I think we hit every hill in Central Park) walk, we six mommies enjoyed a coffee at Joe's.

She doesn't live here anymore

A friend asked me if I have the hang of motherhood and if I feel "more like my old self again."  Does one every fully get the hang of motherhood?  Routines, child's needs, life is always changing.  It's not easy to get a handle on a constantly-changing job. And in terms of "my old self," I don't think she exists anymore.  As of August 29, 2010, I do not eat the same (foods, quantity, time), sleep the same (or at all, it seems), engage in the same activities, or even have all the same friends.  My priorities have obviously shifted, and so has my reading material (baby books and mommy blogs), my value of free time and, of course, how I use that little and precious free time.  Life is quite different since Belle came along and so I am not sure that the Seren of August 28, 2010 still exists.  Sorry, Craig.

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king"

I have attended a monthly support group for nursing mothers since September, when Belle was just three weeks old. Now, at the ripe old age of five-and-a-half months, Belle was one of the older/est babies at this month's group. That makes me a more experienced mommy. And so, at the meeting on Wednesday, I introduced myself and asked the facilitating lactation consultant my questions. Shortly thereafter, the tables turned and a few of the moms asked me questions. After the lactation consultant concluded the session, I found myself still chatting with four other moms, all with babies younger than Belle. In fact, three women asked for my contact information, which I excitedly gave, in case they had questions about what lay ahead with their babies. I am happy to serve as a resource to new moms, not that I really know what I am doing. But, with nearly six months under my belt, I am look like a pro to the mom with the ten-day-old. The relativity of knowledge is astounding, and yet another way in which motherhood is humbling.

Sleeping holding toys

Asleep holding her toys. Sleep and play well, love.

Belle sits up!

Belle sat up alone today!


Craig's edit: Right after taking this picture, Belle went thump against the floor. A few tears later, she was a-ok.

Honeymoon Baby

As I've written frequently on this blog, people come up to me all the time here in New York City to talk about Belle.  Recently, a women asked me if Belle was my first.  When I responded affirmatively, she said she could tell and that I should enjoy the "honeymoon."  She said that first babies are honeymoon babies: moms are in motherhood bliss enjoying every minute of this first child.  Reality sets in as the family grows and it's impossible to give all 100% to the next baby(ies?).  So, yes, random New Yorker, I am enjoying this honeymoon.

One more co-napping picture

Though we're trying not to make this a habit, it sure was cozy:

Belle and Mommy nap

Belle wouldn't nap this morning until she was snuggling with Mommy. All's well that ends well, as both girls slept very well.

"I can hold my own bottle!"

Never miss an opportunity to take a Four Generation photo

A play date with Stella

My White Plains High colleague Doug visited with his wife Tori and daughter Stella (born July 20, 2010). It is always a pleasure to see babies interact. They sort of stare at each other as if they're thinking, "you look like me, but different." And they often pet each other, as if exploring this new, unfamiliar creature. Anyway, Belle and Stella played beautifully:

Arts & Crafts

While Grandma and Grandpa played with Belle (and watched her nap peacefully), Craig and I enjoyed a date! For some reason parenthood has released our inner artists. First, we painted Belle's "nursery," and today we went to the Little Shop of Crafts and painted on our date. Craig painted a bowl that is currently being fired in the kiln. I painted a 'B' for Belle's "nursery." I am actually rather proud of my work. In fact, on the way out, two people complimented me on the 'B' (of course, one of the compliments came form an eight-year-old). It didn't photograph so well, but anyway:

A fun day with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa visited and enjoyed a lovely day with Belle. Their visit afforded Mom and Dad time for a date (more on that later). Thanks for a great visit, Grandma and Grandpa!

Belle loves bath time

Yummy toes!

Belle's toes certainly do look delicious.

Belle's babysitter

Thanks for babysitting, Uncle Mitchie! Mom and Dad enjoyed a nice
dinner out together thanks to you:)

Happy Valentine's Day

The view from our table at our Valentine's Day dinner (I surprised Craig with an early V-Day dinner at A Voce in the Timer Warner Center at Columbus Circle).

Bundled and in plastic

Belle is bundled and her stroller seat is covered by the protective plastic shield for our walk today.

I love this stage

Belle may have started teething indicating that with a few weeks Belle's currently-toothless smile will become a thing of the past.  I already miss it and she is still toothless!  I am loving five-months.  I love watching Belle roll over and over and over and over.  I love her toothless smile.  I love her newly discovered laugh.  I love how snuggly she is. Now, Craig reminded me that I loved four-months and three-months and two-months.  In fact, since Belle started smiling, I've enjoyed each stage to the point of being sad at the thought of it ending.  But when each new stage begins, it quickly becomes my favorite.

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The Pacifer Thump

When Belle is fussing in her crib and we put her beloved pacifier back in her mouth, she is immediately soothed and her head often drops to the mattress with a "thump" as she re-relaxes.  We call this the Pacifier Thump.  This girl really loves her pacifier.  Now that she can put it in her moth herself, she'll reach for it, grasp it, and put it in her mouth every chance she gets.  She has twice scooched in a pre-crawl effort to project herself closer to her pacifier.  This is one strong love affair.

Accolades for Belle

I thought I had it all together.  I got us out of the apartment in time to go grocery shopping on our way to Mommy and Me Yoga which immediately proceeded the Breastfeeding Support Circle.  I had brought my own shopping bags, and even a tiny cooler and ice pack  so I could buy fish for dinner at the grocery store.  I mean, I thought I'd thought of everything. But, my plan failed when Belle fell asleep, not on the walk and while grocery shopping as I'd anticipated, but after when I was just about to enter the yoga studio.  So, I scrapped yoga in favor of Belle's nap and just walked and walked in hopes that she'd sleep well and be alert and hungry in time for the nursing group. While I was disappointed to miss yoga, I was frustrated that this new plan left me with idle time.  Anyway, my walk, meandering through the 60's between West End and Broadway, was fine until Belle woke up screaming.  Was she cold?  Maybe, so I ducked into a cafe two blocks from the yoga studio where the nursing group would meet.  I calmed Belle and myself and we both warmed up. While waiting and warming, four different people came over to me and commented on Belle.  One women, dressed formally in a business suit and looking very proper, said that Belle was "significantly" cute and "significantly cuter" than other baby she'd seen.  I said thank you, and Belle smiled her thanks.  Another older woman told me that she was already in love with Belle- that it was love at first sight- and sincerely hoped that she'd bump into us again because she so loved Belle.  A middle-aged man told me he was struck when he glanced into my stroller and saw such gorgeous eyes staring back at him.  He told me Belle would certainly grow up to be a "knock-out."  (Craig, get your shotgun ready)  And just before we left the cafe, a younger woman told me that my daughter has a special face with well-defined features.  "She doesn't have a baby face," the woman explained, "she looks like a tiny, beautiful person." I may plant myself in cafes more often.

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Belle asleep on her play mat

It sure is exhausting being a baby. All that play and stimulation! This baby needs her rest.
As I've said before, Belle asleep on her playmat is sort of the baby-equivalent to falling asleep at one's desk.

Toe-sucking

Diaper changing has ascended to a new level of adorable now that Belle has taken to sucking her toes while she is lying on the changing table.  Those toes sure do look delicious!

Control

In some ways, Belle has no control over her life. She does not choose what she eats, where she sleeps, what she wears, what or with whom she plays, where she goes, or much about her life. On the other hand, what makes parenthood so humbling is how this little tiny baby seems to have total control over us adults.

Belle and her Pacifier

Belle LOVES her pacifier! She is able to put it in her mouth herself and often plays a little game in which she takes the pacifier out and puts it back in. She is quite coordinated for a five-month-old!

Invitation to view Craig Cepler's Picasa Web Album - 2011_01 - Belle

You are invited to view Craig Cepler's photo album: 2011_01 - Belle 2011_01 - Belle Jan 5, 2011 by Craig Cepler View Album Play slideshow Message from Craig Cepler: Enjoy January through Belle's eyes. Month 5 was a big time for little Belle. She's a rolling-over champ who lives to sleep for almost 6 hours at a time. She did lots of traveling too this month, going to Avon, Boston, Florida and Jericho (where she helped Great-Grandma Ann celebrate her 91st birthday). Belle is also enjoying yoga with Mommy and reaching out and grabbing anything and putting it in her mouth. All in all, it was a fun month. Enjoy the pictures! If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=cepstar&target=ALBUM&id=5568868456763424913&authkey=Gv1sRgCMLZ3crYsMPPiAE&invite=CKqGnSU&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Not a bad winter for everyone...

So, it's the snowiest winter on record.  We haven't had four straight days free of precipitation since mid-December.  Cities and towns exhausted their snow-removal budgets by the end of January.  Schools are giving up their April vacation to make up for days lost to snow in January and February. But it's not such a bad winter for us Tri-Ceps.  Craig has had more snow days this winter than usual, and a snow day for Craig means family time.  On our first snow day, we painted Belle's "nursery."  Subsequent snow days saw us having fun lunches out, taking walks together, and staying warm together.  I have taken full advantage of Craig's presence in the mornings of his snow days and slept in (I fed Belle this morning, then went back to sleep for another few hours this morning).  Yes, Craig has struggled to clean the car of snow and ice so frequently he could give up his gym membership (not to mention his car photo and quote in the New York Times).  True, Craig's commutes have been more difficult this winter than usual.  Indeed, Belle and I are out less because of the yucky weather.  But, this snowy winter has also allowed for more family time, and nothing is better than that.

Semester 2 begins

Today is the first day of the second semester at WPHS. I initially told WP I'd be back at school beginning today.. Boy am I glad that today was NOT my first day back at school. It was, instead, a wonderful day playing with Belle, including our Mommy and Me yoga class. I definitely made the right decision to be home with Belle this year.

Asleep at Sleep Event

After Mommy and Me yoga this week, we stayed at the Prenatal Yoga Center to attend a special "Sleep Event." A baby and family and sleep specialist ran a helpful question and answer session regarding sleep for babies 0-9 months. The 'event' was great, and, as usual when I attend support groups, I am reminded of how lucky we have it with Belle.

Appropriately, and adorably, Belle fell asleep:

So, I'll be up feeding with her twice a night for a while, but, just look at that face above: it's not so bad...

Lefty?

Belle sleeps on her left side, and she reaches for things with her left hand (or with both hands, but a toy was in front of her a little while ago and she reached for it with her left hand).  Could Belle Shoshanna be a lefty?

Desire = Development

In Quincy, MA on Saturday, our friend put Belle's pacifier just out of her reach on the blanket Belle was lying on belly down.  She grunted and reached and lifted her butt as if to then push off to propel herself to her beloved pacifier.  All of her efforts resulted in a belly scootch forward a bit.  She didn't quite reach the pacifier, but the movements looked like the precursor to a crawl.  And this grand step towards crawling was inspired by Belle's desire to be reunited with her pacifier.