Mom Skin

It's the weirdest thing. Ever since I became a mom, it's like I've been reborn. It seems that no matter what I do, there is always a sign across my forehead that reads "I'm a Mom." It doesn't matter that my ripped up jeans are the complete opposite of "mom jeans," because you can still see parts of my mom skin, which struggles to cover my enlarged mom heart.

What is it about me that just screams "mom" lately? Is it that last remaining bit of stretched skin on my tummy that serves as a constant reminder of the commitment I made to Chloe, much like my wedding band serves as a reminder of the commitment I made to Paul?

Is it because I no longer walk into a room wearing four and a quarter inch heels and a new Coach purse slung over my shoulder, but instead a pair of flats and a diaper bag?

Is it my watchful eyes? The bags beneath them?

Is it because talking to a person without kids sometimes feels like I am conversing with an entirely different species? Because all I want to talk about is how Chloe has diarrhea right now. And I think she might be allergic to spinach. And is that normal? Wait, are you sleeping? Did I just put you to sleep? Oh, you are tired from being up at 2:00 a.m. last night. Phew. Finally, something we have in common. Except it is different, because you probably had your hand jammed down a Doritos bag and didn't have a baby latched to your boob.

Is it the faint undertone of sour milk in my classic perfume?

Is it my constant state of nostalgia? Except I yearn only for the moments that occurred AC, After Chloe. The unfamiliar tears shed from simply packing away 3-6 month clothing?

Is it because carrying around an 18 pound baby somehow feels like I am carrying around the weight of the world?

What I do know is that no amount of money could turn me back. It is like once you've discovered God, freedom... sugar. I love this skin I'm in - this mom skin.

Chloe - 9 Months

I'm getting later and later on these monthly posts. Luckily, I keep up pretty well with the paper baby book, so that when I go to write my monthly update I'm not getting confused with Chloe's new tricks. I realize that it is almost time for Chloe's ten month post, but I figure it is better late than never. The winter is always the craziest time at my office, and I have been struggling a lot with the balance between work and family. More on that in a later post. For now, I'd like to give you a quick update on the life of Miss Amelia.


At her nine month appointment Chloe was 18 pounds, 5.8 ounces and 27 inches long. She was in the 50th percentile for weight and 30th percentile for height. This time we met with the nurse practitioner. She had laryngitis and so in my opinion she shouldn't have been at work treating little babies in the first place. She was being a huge you-know-what through the whole appointment; probably, because she was sick. I told her that Chloe wakes up sometimes at 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. to nurse. She said that was a bad habit and it should have stopped at 7 months. She told me to give her a pacifier. I told her that is funny, because a pacifier sounds like a bad habit, too. Besides, Chloe has never liked a pacifier. She also said that Chloe should not be eating any baby food because it isn't nutritious. I told her I make almost all of Chloe's baby food so SUCK IT. No, I didn't really say that. But I did decide to start feeding Chloe more table food. More on that. I'm just venting. Overall, the NP said that Chloe was doing well and meeting all of her milestones. After a quick flu shot, Hep B shot, and finger prick/iron test we were on our way.

A few days later I had to take Chloe to the lab to have her blood drawn for a lead test. Since our house was built in 1926 there is an increased chance that Chloe could get lead poisoning, say, if I were to feed her some paint chips for dinner. Luckily, the tech was successful with one prick and even though Chloe screamed BLOODY MURDER, I was grateful that it went so well. Future Cassie wants you to know that we are in the clear for lead poisoning.

Chloe has had a very big month, but lately it seems that all of her months have been big. She is growing up so fast and she is surprising me every day with the things she does. Just a simple thing like copying me as I put blocks into a bucket just blows me away. I think that Chloe's biggest accomplishment this month would be learning to feed herself without gagging. This happened at the very end of the month, mind you. It took about a week of practice, but since I have a sneak peek into future (10 month old) Chloe, I can safely say that she is becoming a self-feeding pro. She thinks she is really cool stuff.

She has been climbing the stairs for a long time now, but she can climb all the way up over and over and over and over again. One day I was upstairs paying bills when I heard Paul coaching and cheering and Chloe crying and complaining. This went on for about a half hour and when I came down to check it out I found Paul teaching Chloe do go down the stairs. She was so pissed. But she figured it out. I have a vision of Paul coaching her team someday and I have a feeling it will be a love/hate type of relationship. Chloe can whiz around the house on all fours and can walk along the furniture. She loves to explore and knows her way around the entire house.

Let's see. What else? In the beginning of the month Chloe got Roseola. Oh the new words we learn upon becoming parents. What the hell is Roseola you ask? Well that is a very good question. All I know is that it gives your baby an instant fever and makes them HIGHLY irritable for 2-3 days straight and then when you think it is over they get this big rash on their tummy. Poor baby.

This month marks the first time Chloe stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa for longer than 6 or 8 hours. Paul and I went to Traverse City to celebrate our 3rd anniversary and attend a wedding. We were in far worse shape than Chloe. When we got home it was like she didn't even notice we were gone. And I always thought I loved my parents more than they could ever love me. I guess there are some things you just can't understand until you have kids. Who would have known?

Taking Chloe's nine month pics was very difficult this time around... you'll see what I mean. For the first picture I caught her off guard.

And then we were into the chairs...

Up the stairs...

Into the cabinets...

And then the dog food...

And eventually I just gave up.

Where have YOU been you ask?

First, I'd like to apologize for my absence; however, please know that this apology is male in gender, meaning I fully intend to continue to disappoint you. And just when you have had it, you are done, you are never checking this website EVER AGAIN, I will write a post with the most adorable pictures of an elephant baby looking at kitties, and you will forgive me and forget that I never called you back... I mean left you high and dry without a post for a whole month. Here is a quick update in photos because I am just too crazy busy to give you anything more than that!

Paul and I celebrated our three year anniversary up in Traverse City sans baby. Here we are at our fourth winery.

I hung out with Sara the same weekend at Josh & Lydia's wedding. I love you and miss you, Sara!!

Shortly after I hung out with Kelly and Julie. We had an impromptu lunch date. So fun!

I taught Chloe to sweep the floors. She has to start pulling her weight around here!

Chloe got a jack-o-lantern smile just in time for Halloween.

Chloe learned to feed herself and here she is having some blueberries. YUM!

Chloe met her Great Grandpa Jack for the first time. She was sad that she wasn't able to meet her Great Grandma Alvina who has been with Jesus for just over two years now. I know my Grandma Al would have been beside herself.

Chloe the elephant found some cute pumpkins while cooling off on the front porch. That costume was extra warm.

Elephant babies are scared of mice, but are enthralled by kitties!