Three Miles

Yesterday was a much better day than Tuesday. I didn't ever cry! I can't say the same for the kids, but of course one expects both of them to shed a few tears most if not every day. I put Ian down for his nap and then took Nadia outside because she hadn't been out the previous two days plus I figured we wouldn't have to listen to Ian cry. I took a monitor with me and was pleasantly surprised that he never cried, and he slept for an hout. Way to go, Ian! Nadia and I enjoyed spending almost an hour outside. I was able to play with her and also get some weeding of flowerbeds done. As I was weeding she would periodically ask for a hug or to be held (she says "hold you"). Every time she asked I gladly took off my gloves and hugged my little sweetheart. Two hours later I put Ian down again and then decided to put Nadia down even though it was a tad bit earlier than usual for her nap. I ate lunch and was about to lie down so I could take a nap when Ian woke up. This nap was only 30 minutes long but still I was happy that he slept a total of 90 minutes in his Nap Nanny during the daytime hours yesterday. Big improvement! Nadia got more sleep than she did on Tuesday, but unfortunately her nap was "only" 1.75 hours long. Maybe today she'll get back to those wonderful 3 hour naps. She did sleep 11 hours last night though (8:15pm to 7:15am) so she woke up in a good mood, which is always a good thing!

After she woke up I made sure Ian was "tanked up" and then put him in the stroller. I thought we'd walk to a playground. I need to ask the neighbor where all the local playgrounds are. I hope there is one closer than the one we went to yesterday. I underestimated how far away it was, how much of it was uphill, and how out of shape I am. When we got back I looked it up, and we went a little over 3 miles (round trip). Very soon into the trip Nadia was asking for milk. I realized I had forgotten to give her some when she got up from her nap like I usually do. I heard her request for milk many times over the next hour. We didn't spend very much time at the playground as Ian was sleeping, but I wasn't sure how long he'd sleep, and I was hoping to get back before he woke up. Well he slept one hour and then cried. I held him for about 10 minutes but then he was crying even when being held so I put him back in the stroller and he cried the last 10 minutes of our trip. It was a gorgeous day, and I got a lot of exercise, but I hope there's another playground closer to home or we might be taking the car in the future. Nadia had a blast going down various slides and also playing inside a little pretend house (she kept calling each window a "door").

Ian napped for 2 1/2 hours total yesterday between the Nap Nanny and the stroller. Last night he slept from 8:50-2:30 and 3:30-5:00. When he woke up around 5:45 (not long after I put him down), Paul went down and gave him one ounce and then Ian slept in Paul's arms until 8:00. This enabled me to get some extra sleep, feed Nadia and myself breakfast, and get a shower. Much appreciated!! I weighed Ian yesterday, and he weighed 8lb 11.5oz. On 3-12 he weighed 8lb 5oz so he is holding steady at gaining 1/2 ounce a day as he gained 6.5 oz in 12 days. In this case he should hit 9lbs in 8 more days. I've been having him wear 0-3 month clothing the last 2 weeks. That is a big boost psychologically for me.

Paul gave his practice presentation yesterday. He couldn't do it on Tuesday since he was late. Tomorrow is the real deal. It will be the first time in a couple of years that he's worn a tie. The last few years the only time he wears a tie is when he's going to a wedding. He's definitely a jeans and t-shirt sort of guy. :-) They booked their airfare to Poland yesterday. Yikes was it expensive! I am glad we aren't paying the bill. He's traveling with two other doctoral students - his officemate and a guy from his advisor's husband's group. They're flying from State College to DC to Germany to Poland. That will be a long trip! It will be the first country Paul has been to that I haven't. We'll miss him!