What's new?

Well, obviously, we aren't posting as much. Too busy. But that's what comes with starting a new business, and tripling my commute. However, Ellie seems to be handling it all just fine.

I guess I'll start with where I left off... the commute. I'm out the door each day by about 7. More often than not, Ellie is still asleep. So I get everything in the car, I put the dogs in their crates, and then I get Ellie out of her crib. It's a rude awakening I'm sure, but she handles it well. In fact, she usually doesn't make a peep until I buckle her in the car seat. She then orders me to "sit," in a sweet but groggy voice. On the drive we sing songs and talk a little until about halfway into the commute when she starts asking for "milk" or "cracker." So we get a little pre-breakfast snack in on the drive over. The last part of the commute has been awful on the days it's not raining. There's this stretch of road where the sun comes in straight through the windshield and there is nothing I can do about it. The first morning was the worst... she cried and cried... for at least ten minutes... and couldn't figure out what to do. In subsequent mornings she has gotten somewhat better about turning her head and/or closing her eyes, but it's still an ordeal for her. Yesterday morning I tried to warn her well in advance of what was coming. She just fussed and turned her head and was generally unhappy. "No sun. No. No." Poor thing.

When we get to Nanny and PaPa's, she's greated gleefully by Nanny and/or PaPa (depending on his schedule). We change her and dress her and then she's ready for breakfast. As I get ready to go she is oblivious to me, although sometimes I can get her attention enough for her to say "bye, bye dada." By all accounts she's doing really well at Nanny daycare (no word on how Nanny is holding up, but I'd say she looks no worse for the wear). Nanny daycare has no specified end time, thank goodness, since my days have been unpredictable. Some days I pick up Ellie on the way home; other days Nanny meets EM and they exchange our precious cargo.

Once home, it's a mad dash to get things done (as it is with most families). This ordeal has been made all the more entertaining, and challenging, due to the "baby crack" that Nanny apparently offers our daughter before daycare ends. I have no idea why, other than perhaps she is overwhelmed with joy to be with both of us, but when we get home our little girl is bouncing off the walls. She spins. She falls. She hops and skips and jumps. She yells at the top of her lungs and laughs and sings and talks up a storm. It's really funny and fun. Eventually the bedtime routine begins which includes a Dora episode, stories from yours truly and cuddling with mommy.

It's only been a short time that our schedules have been different, but she seems to be handling it all pretty well. She's a remarkable baby, and we are very fortunate.

-ED