Mabel's First Formal Event

I think Mabel really liked dressing up. She was quite the hit too.

Mabel's Many Expressions

Visit with Amelia, Elizabeth and Lindsey

Yet again, I have very few photos of this insanely cute visit where the cutest toddler in the world met the cutest baby in the world.

Mabel's Film Debut (directed by Frances Libby)

Do you feel less like yourself?

During our postpartum visit, my doula asked me if I felt less like myself than before the baby was born. I think it was a postpartum depression screening question. I immediately answered that, yes I felt like myself. But later, I started thinking about how strange a question it was. What woman, a week or two after giving birth to her first child, feels just like the same person she was before her baby was born? And, in fact, I felt very little like myself at all in the month or so after Mabel was born. Since then, some traces of me have been slowly returning, but I don't think it would be entirely truthful to say I feel like my old self. But I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing.

Before Mabel was born, I had always imagined myself to be a very modern woman. Lots of people talk about how to maintain your own identity when you have a kid. I had lunch today with a woman who has an 8 week old and is dying to go back to work. I think she must feel a lot like herself. And maybe she has done a better job than I have of maintaining her identify postpartum. Pehaps it would be healthier for me to put more effort into spending time away from Mabel, and not letting myself get lost in the world of motherhood. But if there's one thing I've learned from becoming a parent it's that everyone is different.

A common piece of advice after having a baby is to continue doing activities that you enjoyed before your child was born. Sometimes, that's just not possible. There are lots of things I used to do before Mabel that I don't do anymore. And honestly, I don't terribly miss most of them. Except riding a bike. I have to admit, it is the one thing I have really pined for since Mabel was born. Today was the first real bike ride I went on since Mabel was born . . . and I loved it. It was such a strange experience - like a flashback into time. I did feel somewhat liberated. Even being out of practice, the hills were still easier without the extra 25 pounds of baby, placenta, etc. Strangely enough, I saw 2 people on my ride whom I haven't seen since before I was pregnant. Both were only vague acquaintances, so I simply waved and rode on. I thought about how weird it was that as far as they knew, I was the same person I was a year ago. A part of me almost felt scared that I would forget about Mabel, because I really did feel like my old self. But I didn't. I came home and felt glad to be with my daughter again. And it may be a while before I go on another bike ride. But honestly, that's okay.

Babies are so oblivious it's funny

This after John attempted to bottle feed. It's not going so well.

Lessons in Parenting

So, I learned with 2 new things yesterday.

1- It's not a good idea to read to a 3-month-old when there's a ceiling fan nearby. The ceiling fan will always win her attention.

2- If you really can't get her to calm down, and desperately need to eat dinner - stick her in the tub. (Okay, this may not be a good idea, because it's not entirely safe and probably not so good for her skin either).

Just some more cute pics

Get me out of this silly hat!






Hanging out with dad while mom gardens





Mabel trying to make a point


Mabel the New Yorker

Naked time with daddy
Special effects Mabel


Mabel levitates



Mabel sleeping

Mabel's Adventures - Day Trips

A trip to Pine Mountain Animal Safari. Mabel is clearly dazzled by the zebra.

Dipping her feet in the waters at Cave Spring.


Mabel meets a kitty at the Howard Finster house in Summerville





Looking out at the mountains near Pine Springs

Trip to St. Augustine

Well, flaky parents that we are, we went on vacation and left the memory chip for the camera in the computer, so pictures are sparse.



Mom and baby at Our lady of La Leche
Sheldon church ruins (Noah just loves having his picture taken)
The fort at St. Augustine


Mabel's first time breaking the law

Mabel pooped out in front of the T.V. after a long day