Quick Takes (30)

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In a rut: Wow.  It's been awhile since I've done Quick Takes.  It's been awhile since I've done much blogging too.  I am just sort of in a funk.  I don't know what's wrong.  My motivation is lacking and I'm just tired.  It could be winter coming- seasonal depression?  It could be hormones, adrenals, or thyroid.  I don't know, but I'm ready to have some energy back. Blech.  I laid down for a bit this afternoon and ended up sleeping 2 hours until my DH came in and woke me because R needed to be fed.  I did not think I was that tired.

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Work: I'm at the point in the semester when I'm ready for it to be over.  Students are too, I think.  Four more weeks to go, and with Thanksgiving in there, it'll surely fly by.  I just counted- 10 days left of teaching.  I love my job, I really do, and have been so thankful to do something that I love for so many years.  I've had great students this semester and the new course has been fun to teach, but my heart is really no longer in teaching.  When I'm in class with the students, it's fine, but it's all of the other time that it doesn't feel fine.  It's so hard to find time and motivation to work on my lesson plans and correct papers while at home.  DH has been super about watching R three mornings a week, but he really needs to be at work himself.  Regardless of where we are living next year, I really feel like it's time to tie up my teaching shoes for awhile.  Maybe it would be different if R was a little older or we had family in the area, but it just seems like she needs her Mama and I feel like it's my job, responsibility, and privilege to be her Mama at home with her most of the time.

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Politics: I am so glad the election is over.  I really can't stand politics or politicians.  In fact, I knew I would not be happy with either outcome of the election because I can't stand either candidate- both are so shady and sly and things got so ugly with each of them and the things they were saying towards the end.  Neither was telling 100% truth, and the thought of having to spend four years seeing and listening to either Obama or Romney was almost enough to make me not want to vote for either one.  I did go and vote, but...ugh! Ryan was the only one out of the Pres/VPs that I liked.

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Sleep regression and/or teething?: It seems like we are entering a new phase of sleeping with R.  During the day time, she no longer goes down in her crib easily.  She will fuss the minute we put her down and continue to get worked up.  Some fussing is normal at times for her if she is tired but wants to continue playing, for example.  But this screaming business is too much.  She's not hungry and her diaper is dry- always check those 2 things first.  I'm thinking either her ear is still bugging her (tomorrow is the last day of antibiotics...yippee.  I'm anxious for her diaper output to return to normal), she needs us to do sleep training to have a more consistent napping schedule, she is still teething, or she just feels off because of solids she is now eating.  I don't know, but it about drove DH crazy this morning when he was home alone with her.

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Amber necklace: I do think the amber teething necklace is helping with R's irritability during the day time.  She might wake up from a nap extremely cranky, and we'll put the necklace on her and she seems to calm down before too long.  I don't think it's the placebo effect, but I'm still doing my research.  The only problem is I wish we could leave it on her during nap time to see if that helps with #4, but I think it's probably a strangulation hazard.  What do the other mamas do that have their little ones wear a necklace??

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In awe: I am continually amazed at the power of God in creating life as I watch my little one grow and develop.  It is so amazing to me how God has made each one of us.  The things that she just knows how to do instinctively are so cool.  For example, a few weeks ago she started practice chewing with her mouth.  We hadn't started solids yet, but her little body just knew it was time to start practicing that in preparation for solids.  Another example, she still can't quite sit up on her own, but if you hold her in your lap, she does this little bopping back and forth into your chest, almost like baby sit-ups.  I think it's her strengthening her core, so she can sit up by herself.  It is so fun to watch her grow.  And as I do, I continue to think about and pray for those still battling IF.  Really, not a day goes by that I don't think about some aspect of IF and those of you still in the trenches.

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6 months: It's hard to believe 1/2 a year has already passed that we've had a baby in the house.  In some ways, it feels like she's been a part of our family for much longer.  And in other ways, it still amazes me each day that I have a baby in the house.  Am I ever going to wake up and have all this be over?  We had some pictures taken last week to celebrate her 1/2 birthday, and while she wasn't feeling the best because of her ear infection, I think our photographer managed to catch a few cute ones.  We were going for a fallish theme since it was early November.  Enjoy!

I bought this adorable hat from our farmer's market this summer.  The seller does such a great job crocheting adorable designs.  I'm pretty sure she sells them online as well.

She loved the bucket.  It was perfect size for her to sit in.

Yep, we carved a pumpkin and put her in it since this was right after Halloween.  She wasn't crazy about it, but I think that's because the inside of the pumpkin felt cold.  We did let her keep some clothes on instead of going for the naked shot like I had originally thought about.

This is how she self-soothes: 2 fingers in the mouth.  Most of the time she does it when she's going to sleep or getting tired.  This was the end of the photo shoot- she was telling us she was done.

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