Monday, April 11, 2011

Ruby is 7 months old


Ruby is 7 months old!
Time is flying by more quickly than I can even grasp.


She's doing great.

Ruby is sleeping through the night
(well, waking up once between 4-5 to eat and then usually sleeps until 6:30 or so),

rolling over (this is her favorite mode of transportation right now),

sitting up on her own ( a little wobbly, so we still surround her with cushions),


and talking up a storm.

She also "crawls" on her back. Several times this week I've gone to get her out of bed and she's backed herself into the corner of her crib by thrusting her butt in the air and pushing backwards with her feet.


Ruby loves her big sister Maia. Anytime Maia is around, Ruby watches her like a hawk and squeals with glee when Maia talks to her. Maia thinks Ruby is pretty cool too and is becoming quite good at sharing her toys.

It's been a crazy time for all of us. I'm currently in a production of Into the Woods with a local theater company here in town. We opened this past Thursday and run through next weekend. We've sold out all our shows and have added an extra show this Wednesday!
I'm playing Jack's Mother and it's been a lot of fun, though challenging. I don't usually get cast in character roles, so it's been quite different to act in a way that is more animated and over the top.

It's been nice not being "pretty" for a role!


Wednesday I cut my thumb pretty badly on a can lid and had to go to the doctor. Thankfully, I was able to have them "tape" my thumb together instead of getting stitches. Aleks also left on Wednesday for a few days in Florida (more on that in a few weeks).

Thursday I woke up with a migraine and spent the morning with my head over the toilet vomiting from the pain. Thankfully, our babysitter was there and I was able to push a few of my lessons back so that I could sleep a little bit. I am so thankful that we have babysitters we trust and that our kids love. Into the Woods opened that night and thankfully the pain had left by then (after 3 doses of Excedrin throughout the day). I am so grateful for good medicine, however, it does affect the vocal cords and I wasn't in the best voice for opening night.

Friday was my birthday and Aleks got home that afternoon. That night the cast made me a card, sang to me, and had cupcakes. It was so sweet, especially since I've just met most of them. On Saturday we had 2 shows and Aleks was so great hanging out with the girls all day.

So, now I have a bit of down time until Wednesday, when the madness begins again. So far 30 has been very busy! I'm glad though. At the end of this month, I will be singing a solo with the Idaho Washington Chorale in Bach's Cantata no. 4. Once again, I'm so amazed and happily surprised that I've had so many opportunities to sing and perform this year.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Two Years Old!

Maia Lee is two years old today.



She is so much more than I ever expected.


I remember being in the hospital and making the decision to have a c-section. After being induced twice (2 different trips to the hospital, both times the pitocin was increased to the highest it could go, I couldn't feel any contractions and hadn't dilated at all) and having it fail twice, I was so relieved to finally meet my little girl.


And then the second night we were in the hospital, the nurse brought a screaming baby to my room, said "she wasn't doing this in the nursery", and promptly left. After trying everything, I finally put Maia skin to skin and she calmed down. The crying must have lasted about a half hour, but after only 48 hours into parenthood, it felt like an eternity to me. It was intense.



And you know what? Maia is still intense. And I wouldn't have it any other way.



Her last day of being one, right before bed.




And here she is this morning with her new bicycle.
I think she was more excited about the balloons.



So, Happy Birthday to Maia.

My talkative,

singing,

dancing,

stunningly beautiful,

outgoing,

silly,

sweet,

emotional,

perfect little girl.

I love you.