What happened to those long ones?

By long ones, I mean naps. When Mabel was a really new newborn, she would sleep during the day in, sometimes, four- hour stretches. I didn't realize how good I had it! She's now become more cat-nappy. I've heard this is a good thing, as it means she is more alert and wants to witness the world around her. I see this positive change and am happy, but, I've got to admit, it's making my life harder. Yes, I suppose that makes me a selfish mom. When Mabel is awake, her stints on the playmat or in the bouncer have become short; it's like baby ADD. She gets bored easily and wants to move all around the house. Of course, this means I must carry her, via either bjorn thingie or my arms. She loves to bounce around and see the various rooms, and smile at her little reflection in the mirrors. She is most certainly an outdoorsman, and revels in time on the patio, staring at the trees and cars around us. While I truly am fascinated watching her explore, I'm also getting really tired! I can't put our little gal down. She has made it known that she is NOT a fan of sitting idle. Thus, when Mabel DOES shut her cute little eyes for a catnap, I am scurrying around the house furiously cleaning and making bottles, taking a shower, throwing in laundry, and catching up on email and Facebook. Traveling,too, has become a wee bit more challenging. Mabel still loves the soothing rhythms of a car ride, but she wakes in the car more easily now, and, I think, realizes she is restrained and does not enjoy that feeling. Yesterday, she was an angel, sitting in the bjorn while I shopped at Legacy Place. She then closed her eyes for a bit, but when I had to put her into her car seat for the ride home... Well, she was displeased to say the least. If she cries while I'm driving, I find myself talking to her from the driver's seat: "I'm sorry sugarplum, but I can't help you right now! I have to drive!" I did realize, though, that this talking is probably more for me than for her. I feel positively awful when she wails like that, and I think I need the consoling and reassurance that all will be ok. While I'm so glad we've got a curious, active little gal on our hands, I'd just adore one of those long naps someday soon!

Curse of the Premium Channels

J and I recently got a new cable package, which includes the premium channels. This purchase led me to watch all 12 episodes of Homeland. It only took three days for me to get through them. Obsessively and addictively watching a television show causes mixed feelings-- intrigued by the show, happy about getting through a whole season, and also gluttonous for watching so much tv. I felt like I should go out and run a road race after. Being home with a baby is all- new territory, and I'm still navigating it, but I can honestly say it's sort of hard. People are probably scoffing right now, saying, "You jerk, what I wouldn't give to be home watching Homeland!" But what I mean is that it isn't physically hard but somewhat mentally tough. I'm trying to still be a productive person but Mabel needs a lot of time and attention. I miss adult interaction, but watching her grow and change is the coolest thing I've ever witnessed. I feel like I should be constantly cleaning the house or reading all of Barnes and Noble's newest best- sellers or joining charities or learning a craft, but so far I have been pleased with myself if I have managed the cleaning part. Mabel amasses an insane amount of laundry, what with all the pooping and spitting up. And the house is covered in blankets, pacifiers, rattles, bottles, and odd baby socks. I'm not voicing complaints, or telling a tale of woe. I know I've got it pretty good right now in getting to hang with Mabel. I just didn't realize how fast time would go by and that my only accomplishments in a day may be cleaning up the living room, watching Homeland, and chilling with Mabel while she coos in her bouncy seat. And that those three activities would actually be highly enjoyable...