New blog

It has come to my attention that this blog just isn't working the way it should. I can't get people to comment because that seems to be working incorrectly and I feel like I have fiddled with it so much that it is beyond repair. Plus it is linked with my (old) personal e-mail and I want Jimmy to have the opportunity to post as well.

So I set up a new e-mail address for both of us and started a new blog. All of the old posts are there, so don't worry if you feel like you have missed something-- it will all be there. I wouldn't want you to feel cheated. 

Please let me know if it is working alright. I really love your feedback.

Here is the new blog: Puddle Jumping: Family Edition

That is where I will post from now on. Hope to see you there!

It's in the blood

Yesterday we took Lucy to her first Red Sox game. New England sports events are very serious and important things that must be introduced early in a child's development. Not only did they hand us a baseball card for our little Red Sox fan in the making, but she actually particpated in the wave. You will have to get Jimmy to tell you the story. It is one of his favorite things about yesterday's game.

 

The only negative aspect of the game, as far as Lucy was concerned, was that we happened to be in a row where the vendors would stop and yell. So, if she was beginning to lull off to sleep, she was suddenly awakened by "peanuts! Sport's ba..." And no, I left the 'r' off on purpose. We are in Boston. There are no 'r's here.

 

I don't want any peanuts!

I think it was success.

I would also like to include a picture from yesterday afternoon's festivities. All of the Cooprider children were home this weekend, including Anne. So we took a picture of all of us. It will be some time before we can do that again. Joe leaves for his mission in about a week.

I have decided I need to do a better job at telling stories, so my posts aren't always so disjuncted and random. But for now I will end with this: it is fun to be a Cooprider (and a Schillemat!).

water and such...

We have had many occasions to introduce Lucy to water. Bathtime is her very favorite time of the day. If she is cranky, she breaks out in smiles as soon as we put her in the bath. In fact she calms down as soon as she hears the water turn on. It makes me want to put her in the bath all day sometimes.

Grandma Schillemat introduced her to Center pond. She seemed quite indifferent about the whole thing. But the water wasn't that cold and she did a good job at remaining pretty calm.

Jimmy took her in the Grandma Coop's kiddy pool yesterday. The first try was right after her nap. Jimmy was a little too excited and she was still groggy and hungry. Needless to say she let out a scream that sounded like she had just been stabbed with needles. We tried again after she was fed and little more pleasant. She flinched a few times, but wasn't upset.

Not to mention she has touched some ocean water and Granite Lake water with her toes. Slowly but surely we will make her a water lover yet.

Besides her natural affinity for water, we have noticed as of late, her pleasure in facing outwards. Meaning, she really loves to be held facing forwards, looking at the world around her. I think it tires her out as well. So we tried the home-made moby wrap (thank you Melanie!) with her facing forward. She likes it. Tomorrow we are going to a Red Sox game and that will be the fashion we will be stylin'.

I feel like I have extra limbs when she is facing out like this. Jimmy like to call me 'Octo-Mom.' Yes, it is reference to the original Octo-mom...Though I only have eight limbs and not eight same-aged children.

And naps...well, we are trying to get her to take naps in her crib. It has been rather successful. For the first few weeks, well, pretty much up until last week, I couldn't get her to take a nap anywhere but on me. Though there were some flukish (albeit incredible cute) times when she would fall asleep on the living room floor (see picture below). It was very difficult to do anything, including going to the bathroom or taking a shower. This past week I have tried to catch her before she gets too crabby, swaddle her, rock her a little and put her in her pack and play. Normally it takes a few tries to get her to sleep, but she has taken some extended naps. It is heavenly! She is gettting better naps, and I am getting some time to take care of myself. No, we don't really have scheduled naps yet. I am afraid that will take another month or two to really pin down. But we are moving away from always sleeping on me (which is partially sad, because I do love me a good snuggle!)

By the way, it has been insanely hot these last few days. Not the temperatures of the Midwest, but the humidity certainly has rivaled the country's highest. Today I went for a run and I felt like I was running through slush, warm slush. It was difficult. Yes, I am running again, but it is very slow going. I don't always run that far, and I am pretty sure I could walk faster than I am running. But it is a start.

And that is all for now. I feel so accomplished...

Things I like about Lucy

She now sleeps from 10 pm to 5 am

She has really cute chunky cheeks

She smiles and sometimes it is even when she is looking at me

She  has a very unusual affinity for architecture, specifically beams

She has long and very active legs

She has VERY blue eyes

She makes a mullet look cute

And...She is my daughter!

blessing and beach

I have received a few e-mails notifying me that the comment function on my blog doesn't work. I am not sure why, but I will look into it. Sorry!

In other news, Lucy was blessed in church on Sunday. It was a nice event. Both sides of the family were present. Lucy apparently let a little scream during the blessing, but everyone collectively rocked her back to sleep. She was sporting a blessing dress from Grandma Schillemat and a blanket from Grandma Coop. I thought she looked very pretty.

She may not look happy, but she sure looks cute!

Dressed up with Daddy

The whole gang

Along those lines, I have given up on headbands for a while. They don't stay on her head. 30 minutes into church both her headband and shoes were gone. I gave up. She just isn't terribly aware at this point, and if something falls off while she is sleeping I don't feel that it worth waking her up just to make her look cute. Let's face it, she is cute without all the clothes. Maybe I am just one of those moms who isn't terribly concerned with designer baby clothes. I am pretty sure out of the 6 weeks she has been in this world most of the days she has been wearing a onsie. That is just how it goes I guess.


On Monday we went to the beach with some friends and my sister. We went early enough that we didn't hit the too much traffic and the beach was relatively empty until about 10am. Lucy was not really old enough to enjoy the sand, water or sun, but it was good to get out. She ate when we got there and was a little fussy until she fell asleep and enjoyed the ocean from my arms. Jimmy had a good time digging in the sand and playing with his friend Davis. You can tell they have been friends for a while.

Lucy and Mommy

Dad is definitely a kid at heart

Aunt Jo and Lucy -- the beach bums!

Daddy playing in the sand with Davis

Family picture at Salisbury beach

It is so much easier to update this blog when I have pictures of a cute baby...just sayin'....

My new favorite picture...

Okay...I actually have a few!

5 generations

The Schillemats had a family get-together this weekend to celebrate my great grandmother's 100th birthday. The secret to my grandmother's longeavity? I think she would tell you that it was because she danced. She says she used to listen to music when she was a little girl out in the countryside and dance with her sister. She is quite a character, and quite an amazing woman. I am glad that Lucy knows her.

5 generations of "Schillemat" women

We also finally purchased a stroller, which Lucy seems to like. We have the rest of the summer to figure out how we are going to get all of this stuff back to Virginia. Lucy has accumulated quite a bit of gear in the last month.

Today I took Lucy to the doctors for her 1 month appointment. Before I tell you her stats, I would like to say how nice it was that she was in a good mood this morning. It was the first time just Lucy and I went out, and it went very well. I realize this will not always be the case, but it was thoughtful of her to help me transition into motherhood without a major meltdown. I felt so good about driving with her that we stopped at the store on the way home.

But onto the appointment. Lucy is now 9 lbs 12 oz, 22 inches long, and very healthy. This last week she had some rough patches with gas, but after talking to the doctor about some gas drops, I think we will be able to help her feel better. We are learning....