Here’s one for the baby book! Last night Ashleigh rolled over from her back to her stomach…all by herself. She’d been going from side to side a few times but this was a surprise. I can see it now, she’ll be running from us by 10 months, just like I was from my parents. Lordy, I can’t believe it. She’s already growing faster than we’d imagined.

Well, Ashleigh and I made it to California. She had no problems with the actual flights, but we did have some issues during our layover in Sacramento. I had taken her out of the Bjorn Carrier to feed her, but it was getting close to boarding time. Here I was with a stuffed-to-the-max backpack, a Medela breast pump, and a crying baby that wouldn’t take the breast, no matter how hungry she was. Check, check, check, I’d tried everything. And everyone was just STARING at me, standing over by the boarding area. I couldn’t take it. I started crying and grabbed everything with what hand or arm I could and made it over to a gate area across the way. I just needed a moment away from the eyes to calm down.

Ashleigh finally stopped wailing and wriggling around, so I sat in a chair, exhausted, no longer crying, hoping she would be fine during the few minutes it would take to board. Just then, I hear “any more for pre-boarding?” from a Southwest Airlines guy by the gate. I thought, screw it, I’ll just let everyone else on, there’s no way I’ll be able to carry Ashleigh in my arms plus all my crap at the same time. Next thing I know, everyone at the gate is pointing at me, and boarding guy is on his way over. I was so embarrassed, but so relieved at the same time.

We made it in, all in one piece, all the bags and all. Little Ashleigh was sucking away, completely oblivious to the whole crazy situation.

After taking care of Ashleigh for four days on my own, I was so ready to hand her over to John for a break. How in the hell single mothers do it, I have no clue. Kudos, to all of them out there.

Before I left, I did manage to get out of the apartment and meet Amy and Sam. I bussed out to Red Robin and we enjoyed a good lunch together. It was a treat to not only get out to actually doing something besides grocery shopping. Also, with following Amy online since right before Sam was born, it was exciting to meet someone I felt like I new so much about. Besides, with her living so close to me, I would’ve kicked myself if I did end up moving to Cali without meeting her first. The coolest thing about all this is how the same doctor delivered our babies. Talk about a small world!

Amy posted a picture of me and Ashleigh, and I’ll have one of her and Sammy as soon as the roll of film is finished (shouldn’t be long now). Sam is such a cutie, and it’s amazing to think Ashleigh will soon be as big as he is, and smiling at different little things. She’s already grown out of her two little preemie outfits we had to buy, and some of the outfits she drowned in before fit her just right.

Ashleigh will be six weeks on Monday. Wow, time sure has flown faster than I ever thought it would. I remember struggling to feed her, and just this evening I whipped my breast out at John’s sister’s without even thinking twice and feeding commenced without a hitch. I remember when Ashleigh just slept…and slept and slept. Now, she’ll stare at people and lights forever, and will roll over from one side to the other. Just a couple days ago, she even started cooing, it was too cute. She’s handling all the relatives like a trooper and just loves chilling with us out in the warm shade. Ashleigh is such a happy baby, I feel so blessed.

Ack! I’m flying to California next Wednesday with Ashleigh. Looks like she’s going to be a little traveller just like her mom and dad. There is so much to do before then I feel like I’ll just forget so many things. Especially since John is leaving Saturday.

Lordy, lordy, lordy. I’ve plenty to talk about, especially the visit with an old high school teacher a couple days ago, and Ashleigh’s check up, but alas, stuff to do. Also, I’d like to finish moving my old version of Mixed Nuts to niftyfingers.com by Tuesday night.

Oh, yeah, and my left butt cheek is cramping like crazy and I haven’t the faintest idea why.

Did I mention we’ll be gone until February 26th? Yowsers.

Pictures of Ashleigh are now located at http://www.niftyfingers.com/ashleigh. I realized how many pictures John and I would be putting up in the future and figured there should be some sort of of organization to them. Since the last posting, there are a few new ones from week two, as well as a couple new ones added in week three.

And to think we were concerned about Ashleigh breastfeeding successfully. Apparently it’s no longer a problem. Her minimum session is now 45 minutes, and I’m lucky if she isn’t sucking boobie juice for an hour. I know, I know, I shouldn’t be complaining. She was a month early so I should be thankful she’s breastfeeding like the champ she is, but, like all new moms know, it sure isn’t easy.

Everyone says Ashleigh will be making her own schedule and I can only hope such a thing happens relatively soon. That, and this damn cold needs to go away because I’ve yet to manage juggling a baby in my lap, double-pumping, and blowing my nose all at the same time, without spilling something (no worries, not the baby). The good news, when it comes time to update my resume and look for a job, “multi-tasking” will definitely be one of my highlighted skills.

We made it through two firsts yesterday. Because our car is well, a piece of shit
(clutch is slipping…doesn’t like hills, not a good thing in Seattle) we drove to Northgate
and bussed down to the Key Arena for a hockey game. Ashleigh did just fine, chilling in
momma’s lap, and didn’t even fuss a we trooped through the rain and wind.

This of course means Ashleigh experienced her first hockey game last night. She’d been to
numerous games while inside me, but this was the first time to take it all in.

I knew we’d be getting some attention, what with her being so tiny, and the attraction of
people to babies like a boulder-sized magnet. What I didn’t realize was how difficult it
would be to buy some chicken fingers and fries without the whole concession stand putting
in their two cents and asking questions.

Aside from the hockey game itself, we made it through the first public breastfeeding moment.
We honestly hadn’t expected her to want to feed off me due to the different atmosphere but
should’ve known better. During the second period when I went to change her diaper, Ashleigh
started sucking at my boob through my jacket. You know, acting with desperation as if mom
hadn’t fed her less than two hours ago. Since she was trying to latch I figured, what the
hell, we’ll give it a try as well. Whallah, suction as if the world was ending.

I had to do some creative clothing adjustments since I have yet to buy a nursing bra and
also because I’d left the blanket back at the seats with John. But we made it, and she ate
plenty enough to satisfy us all.

During my pregnancy I’d thought about the breastfeeding in public situation and was pretty sure I’d
do it and not give a rat’s patootie who was watching or what they thought. Then, when it came
down to it, as we were planning our six-hour outing, I brought a bottle of pumped breast milk,
plus a precautionary one with formula as well. At the time, I wasn’t comfortable with the
idea of whipping out the fun bags. But when it came time in the restroom, and Ashleigh was
hungry, it didn’t matter anymore. Breast equaled less mess, and lack of burping needs. Yeah
and the really cool feeling of being a the bestest mom I could be.

We did ok, in fact, just spiffy, the blanket draped over my shoulder and Ashleigh. Every
now and then I had to pop my head underneath and plug the boob back in the suction machine, and
that was it. Talk about being a proud momma.

Ashleigh, my lil’ Miss Ashleigh, is three weeks old tonight. Last Friday she made it back up
to her birth weight and beyond, weighing in at 6 pounds 9 ounces, and today she was 6 pounds
11 ounces. We haven’t measured her length since birth, but she now fills out her “Daddy’s
Little Girl” preemie outfit quite well, a substantial difference from last week.

This makes sense, and while it’s comforting to know she’s finally doing the growing thing,
this growth spurt is taking a toll on John and myself. We were spoiled with her first two
weeks of sleeping four or more hours at a time and currently struggle to make it through the
nights and days like all other parents. I believe I now look more like the new mother that
everyone expects to see, including dazed expressions and an even shittier memory than before
(hadn’t thought that was possible).

All the squeaks and farts, and even the times when she pees on the changing table just after
I take the diaper away, all make me proud. Oh yes, and her burps, can’t beat those.

And before I forget yet again, many thanks to everyone who sent congrats and well wishes in our
direction.

One more thing…I’m sick. Still at the beginning, but sick nonetheless. I pray this
Comtrex works like I remember it working in the past years, ’cause I don’t even want to think
about a sick baby.

And here’s parting picture because a mom can’t share enough photos. Say hello to our Lil’
Sasquatch (yes, she has my feet).

Michelle’s adorable baby boy is here!

After two weeks of being the sweetest little angel, sleeping four hours or more at a time during the day AND night, she chose not to last night. At least John and I could laugh about it as we looked at her, laying there, WIDE AWAKE, at 3AM. Ah, the joys of parenthood.

Until I have the time to sit down and put most of my thoughts to page, here’s a pic of the two of us. That face makes it all worth it.