I can’t believe that it’s almost been a month since I last wrote.  Summer has been exhausting so far–we have softball at least twice a week, which means scrambling from work to scrounge for dinner before leaving again for the fields.  Graem has been coming to all the games, and she’s been a great sport.  Lydia has been the one getting her to sleep through our games, so we’ve been grateful for that.

We went to Brooklyn this past weekend to see Grandpa and Gala.  Graem got a cartload of toys from Toys ‘R Us from Grandpa, and of course all she wanted to do was play with the boxes!  Gala also got Graem a bunch of clothes–yes, that does say “Princess!”  Graem did great on the car rides, although she knows when we’re about 20 minutes from our destination and schedules a meltdown right for the moment when it’s too close to stop.

Bedtimes are getting a little more difficult–it takes about twenty minutes of kicking and thrashing around before she finally passes out.  Tonight she was so cute: she’d fall about 75% asleep, so I’d try to sneak my nipple out of her mouth, then she’d start rooting around and grabbing with her sticky little hands to try to get my boob back into her mouth.  For a few seconds her fingers sufficed to soothe her, but she quickly realized that they just aren’t the same.  It made me smile.

Graem loves popsicles!  Shawna was sharing some with her, and Graem would always grab for the one that she didn’t have.  Starting solid foods has been a blast.  It’s also given me some reprieve from nursing (don’t get me wrong–I still love doing it, and dread the day we will stop because it’s so cuddly and calming), while also giving Shawna a new way to bond with Graem.  To date Graem has had: rice cereal, bananas, squash, peas, applesauce, and guacamole.  Eating can be hard work!  So far all I’ve made for her is the butternut squash, but I hope to make some other foods.  Unfortunately those jars of baby food are so darn convenient!  We can’t wait to start her on curry and spicy foods.  She has had a couple of illegal foods–tastes of ice cream and strawberries, and I think some melon.  Not sure why they’re illegal….

Shawna’s got two more full days of work.  I’m both scared and excited for her, but I know it will all work out.  It will also make me feel better that Graem will be able to stay with one of us more rather than daycare.  Days with her at work are getting a little more difficult, and I wish they weren’t.  I’m a little worried that I will give up my time with her before I’m ready, and that I will miss her.