Devoured by Shub-Niggurath

Wow, today's been all over the map. The girl finally fell asleep in my arms just a few minutes ago. She was really fussy and tired for hours, and I got really frustrated. I think she was teething. Now that it's over, I feel kind of embarrassed... Ari screaming for a long time makes me unhinged. I think I'll try harder to be more hinged.

Tomorrow is the fourth, and a holiday, and neither of us is working. I think this is a good thing. It'll give both of us a bit of a rest.

R&K left this morning. We had pancakes, and then they drove off into the sunset. Or the sunrise? Or, probably more accurately, the cloudy morning gloom. Every time they go, I miss them so badly. I wish it was possible for our life paths to converge more, but they really don't. They're going to go off and live in foreign lands (something Rebecca's wanted to do since ever). Their new jobs are perfect for them. But it means that homebody me has no chance of being able to live down the street from my sister. Even if I wanted to move to DC, R&K won't be living there for long- their jobs will take them away from the States for years at a time.

Pfeh. Whine, whine. I'm a go sleep now. Sleep is good for everything.

Back in the saddle

Hey, y'all! Well, here I am, back in one piece from Indiana. We had a really lovely visit with Uncle Karl and Aunt Rebecca. We spent most of the visit just hanging around, playing games and playing with the baby girl, although we did get out for some Bloomington window shopping and some really excellent Turkish food. Karl totally chatted the waitress at the Turkish restaurant up, too, and got us a loaf of that tasty bread to take home. :)

Here's some pics of Ari with her aunt and uncle. She had great fun playing with them, although I think she did really miss her papa.

We had several neat baby milestones on the trip:

1. The first real crawling! Ari has well and truly figured it out at last. Now we'll see how long it takes for her to figure out walking! We can tell that's what she really wants to do. ;)
2. Ari ate bunches of new foods- including avocado, strawberry, mango and potato. She just had tastes, but it was cool to share food with her!
3. Naw, that was it. I just felt the need to have a number three. It was... um... her first time sleeping in a King-sized bed?

Anyway, we had a good time. When we got home, Thad had mostly (but not quite) finished his book, and had set up her new high chair (which she loves, by the by). Today, in contrast, has sucked- but that's normal for Mondays.

Orangina with breakfast

Yesterday was a busy day! Ari and I hung out together; we even went on a walk to the post office. After Thad got home, I decided to have dinner and then take the girl out to the fabric store with me to give Thad a few hours to work on his book. I usually go out for a few hours on Sundays to let him have writing time, but he didn't get a chance with R & K here last weekend (which, again, was AWESOME!!) so I thought it might be nice for him.

Anyway, me and Brooke went out to the Jo-Ann's and the Whole Foods Market. I needed to get felt to make some puppets for a mama in my mom's group here- pictures probably forthcoming; I intend to go make puppets as soon as I'm done writing this. :) After shopping, us and R&B played Arkham Horror. We almost lost; it was very close.

Today, I had the best surprise- Ari and I woke up around 9:30, and who should bound in the door but Thad! I did a few double-takes (he was supposed to leave for work at 8:00!) and then he told me that he had canceled his job in order to stay home with me and Ari for the last day of my Spring Break, and would I like breakfast? :D

He made me a gruyere and ham omelet, with a toasted cream cheese bagel and grapes. It was awesome. And then he hung out with me and watched the girl some. I got to make the black skirt I've been meaning to make for ages. Anyway, it was a really nice thing for him to do, especially because tonight is his night to leave me home all evening and go play Shaintar.

Next week is the first week of the new quarter, and I'll be having to leave Ari four out of seven days a week. Only 2-1/2 hours on the off days, but still. I try not to think about it, or I get teary-eyed. I just have to tell myself that some other moms have to work full time, and I should be glad it's as little as it is.

Baby update: the girl is babbling like crazy. She definitely knows where her feet are, and she's totally into sticking her tongue out these days. Oh, and when I carry her on my hip, she holds on!

What are these on my feet?

Well, I missed my first entries. :)

Rebecca and Karl were here this weekend; they came on Friday. I was feeling much better Friday than Thursday, and we had a really awesome time! On Friday, we went over to the North Market, and then grilled some brats. Then, we played a game Karl brought called Arkham Horror. It was really fun; it's a cooperative game- meaning, the players work together to beat the game, as opposed to trying to beat each other.

Saturday was the Equinox party. Ari (as you can see here) wore her shoes out for the first time. The party went quite well. Rebecca and I spent about four hours cooking for it! We had quiches, some seafood canape things, strawberry shortcake, Jello eggs, and Peeps. We actually spent the first part of the party out at the park, and played a little bit of lawn games- bocce and a new game I'd never played before called Kubb.

After we'd been outside for a little while, though, it was unanimously decided that it was FREAKIN' cold out and we repaired to our house in order to dye eggs and further party. Many people showed up extremely late (as in 3/4 hours) to the party, so it went on well into the evening. We ended up getting another game of Arkham Horror going and then staying up to all hours talking with R and K.

They left this morning; we had a nice Sunday brunch, though (yogurt coffeecake, organic yogurt with berries, bacon and Easter eggs) and we took a few pictures of Ari with her Aunt Rebecca.

I don't know if Ari felt Rebecca was similar to me- maybe our voices sound the same?- but she was very willing to just hang out with Rebecca; more so than with anyone else except her papa. Anyway, Rebecca and Karl got very much sweet baby time- although they assure me that they're still very happy to be an aunt and uncle rather than working on their own addition to the family tree. ;)

Anyway, we're settling down to have a Sunday roast and mashed potatoes, so I'll sign off.