Just The Girls

So B had to go back to work today (insert sad face and slightly panicked voice).

She's not happy either that daddy had to go to work...

I was definitely NOT ready to be "by myself" with baby girl but I had no choice. Not that B has so much more parenting experience or that he knows so much more about babies. It's just having someone else there, someone to help change the diapers or watch her so I can take a nap or to offer moral support when I think I'm failing as a parent. Just having a partner in all of this makes it feel less scary, makes it more manageable. Hats off to all those single parents out there-I don't know how you do it!

Anyway, enough drama I suppose. For our first day "alone" baby girl and I decided not to stay in and watch TV or work on her nursery or even rest. Nope, we decided to spend the day with my good friend Mandy and baby Jack (born just 8 hours ahead of Anayah...at the same hospital...with the same doctor!). Not only were we going out of the house on our own, we were going to run a few errands (Babies R Us and Target). Umm, hello, you wouldn't even take the baby into the store because she was "too new" so you made Bri wait in the car with her. About halfway through getting ready, I stopped and reassessed the situation. Can I handle this? We're going out in public...by ourselves...at three weeks old. Am I crazy?! I felt a little better knowing I was going with a friend who was in the exact same situation. Hey if she can do it, so can I. Right?!

A pretty dress for her day out...

I finished packing up the bag, got her in the car, and set off. We actually made it through the day pretty smoothly and took a much needed nap as soon as we got home. Several things I learned today:

• My daughter does NOT like to be strapped into her car seat. She goes in it fine and will sit in it nicely, but if those straps are tightened, we better be moving...or else.
• I need a mirror on the headrest so I can see her while driving in order to alleviate any panic attacks that arise when I can't hear her breathing. (The ONE time I wish she were crying...at least I can hear her!)
• Find out if a store has a "family restroom" or nursing room before leaving the store that DOES have it. 
• If you leave the blanket off the carrier or slightly open, people WILL comment. Good thing they were all positive ones, eh?
• Eating a sandwich with mustard while walking around the store will result in dripping on the car seat and cause you to wonder if your child had an explosive poop...you will breathe a sigh of relief when you realize it was just your clumsy self. 
• Putting the car seat into the stroller as opposed to the shopping cart results in you buying WAY less! 

What she usually looks like once you strap her in...