Cannot be Contained

Holy Schmegaygee! I think I have said (more than once) "it's not that hard being a parent, I don't know what all the fuss is about." And, I'm sure that comment was offensive to many people. But, let me assure you--I officially know what all the fuss is about. Before, it was never that Maizey was hard, it's that I was lazy and scattered. Now, it's her. Well, it's a combo of her being crazy and me being lazy. Okay, if you are a parent to a child who isn't yet mobile, look away. Here I go: crawling changed my life, it took something joyous and turned it into something joyous/chaotic. Now, to add insult to injury, Maizey is getting all 4 of her top teeth at once. She doesn't sleep, she doesn't sit still, and she screams if you try to contain her. Wanna take a shower? Yeah right. I can't leave her while I shower because her naps are so unpredictable lately and she won't sleep in her crib for more than 20 mins, so I have to leave her on the bed. I have a video monitor that I can watch, but let me tell you from experience, watching her wake up while you are lathered in the shower and having to bolt out soapy and wet sucks. I used to take her little bathtub into the shower with me and she'd peacefully hang out in her tub while I hygienated (I doubt this is a word), she even sometimes fell asleep in her bathtub (I know that is a crazy combo of bizarre and dangerous, but it worked). Now, if I take her in the shower with me she climbs out of her tub, and if I just let her sit on the floor of the shower she is OBSESSED with licking/chewing the shower curtain, which is disgusting on an infinite number of levels.

Today was the melting point for me. She nevers goes to sleep without serious drama--and this morning was about to be drama free. Today, after a leaky diaper (which NEVER happens when she is wearing a cloth diaper, but she was in a disposable this morning) a morning shower was necessary because last nights' dinner was smooshed all up her back. So we took a shower, had her 3rd outfit change, a bottle, and she was asleep--EASY! Well, she was asleep for a minute. Approximately one minute after she drifted off, someone came to the door, and my a-hole dog went berserk. She woke up and then I went crazy! I was so mad I was kicking the air around Porter, then he moved and I actually, accidentally, kicked him. I went from mad to devastated. I felt so bad for kicking my poor, cancer-ridden, loyal and protective dog. It was an accident, but it was such an example of the state of meltdown I am living in. School is totally kicking my ass, the baby doesn't sleep (but does scream), and changing the kitty litter was my top priority for the last 2 days (but I didn't get it done until today), and Ryan is getting dressed out of the laundry basket--at least it's clean laundry.

Okay, now that you all think I am an abusive animal owner, let me assure you, I am staying positive (with the help of a pep talk from Ryan). My baby is the cutest/silliest thing in the world, I have the most supportive family, and I'm going to be getting my dream car in the not-too-distant future (yes, the Volvo won out for a long list of reasons that I will get to in another post). This part of parenthood is really hard, but really rewarding. She can stand on her own for like 10-15 seconds at a time, and she balances herself with her arms like she is on a surf board, all with this giant, proud grin. It makes all of it worthwhile.

Oh, she weighed in at 17.5lbs and 28.5inches at her doc's visit last week. She's 10inches longer than she was when she was born. She's really growing up!

I don't really have any new photos to post. Here are a few and a video of her enjoying her Xmas gift from her great grammy (I can't get the video to post, but I will try again later).

This is a picture I took of Maizey while I was pondering how to remove a poop-soaked onesie. Onesies go over the head, and there was a lot of prep to be sure that Maize didn't end up with excrement in her hair.

I may have posted these photos already, I can't remember. Anyway, I thought that they were so cute it wouldn't matter. Ryan with Maizey and Jack at Jessica's Christmas party.

This was pre-crawling. She crawled the next day.

Oh, as you may see, the title of my blog changed again. As Good as it Gets is one of my favorite movies, and the quote is from the movie. I've always loved that quote and I say it all the time, that movie packed full of great one-liners.

Okay, I got it finally! She loves this car and it's

exhausting!