Let Your Baby Cry

I really didn't know what kind of mom I would be. Or I guess I had years of denial. In theory I would love to cloth diaper but realistically there is no way that would've worked for me. I love the idea of making all of our own baby food but after I just pureed all of our apples that were about to go bad, it was so time consuming I laughed and declared myself not about that life. To summarize, I wish I could be a crunchier mom but in practice I lack the patience and true desire to do these things regularly. 

In reading this heading one could assume I am picking a fight and maybe I am. That I want to argue for the cry yourselves to sleep movement of generations past. But really I am just here to journal my new mom realization. My mom will read this and chuckle to herself murmering, "of course Rylee, you didn't know that?" But I didn't and now I do so here:

I've learned over the past two weeks that I need to let Gemma cry and listen. Her newborn cry/ squeal has left us along with most of her hair and she is slowly transforming from newborn to baby girl much to my dismay. But with this comes growth in many ways, most notably, communication. She can smile and gosh to hear her coo. You should see how expressive her hands and face have become. And for me, the most helpful of her communication tools is her cry. In listening to her cry I can distinguish the feed me cry from the I hate my headband cry. And the I'm so tired and I forgot how to fall asleep cry from the don't stop moving cry. And the I want to be held cry from the there is nothing you can ever do to make me happy, ever, cry. As time goes on I am amazed at her communication skills (prediction that she will be a choleric-sanguine we will see if I'm right) but more so I am impressed with my own ability to interpret them. And so, I've learned to let my baby cry so that I can know why my baby is crying. Though lets be honest, I have been known to let her cry in her swing while I shower because desperation.

We will conclude this post with a photo dump.

And Now I've Been to Boston in the Fall

It's now been two weeks since our family descended upon Boston for Gemma's Baptism and I will slowly recount the tale. Baptism posts to come but first, family in Boston! Almost all of Gem's Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents were able to celebrate with us and Tim and I were so excited to show off our city. It's been a learning experience, where we used to walk the whole city by foot in a day, now we move from nursing location to nursing location. And moving with any group larger that 15 is proven to slow that pace dramatically. Either way we chose some of our favorite locations and hit the sites along our route. I didn't take near enough pictures...

Mike's Pastry was a must of the North End.

Tour Guide Tim, a professional backwards walker.

Fun to explore gravesite on Halloween, and we saw a black cat to add to the festivities.

Tim chose the historic sites, I chose Beacon Hill. I hereby profess my love for this neighborhood. My dream neighborhood if you could guarantee me a parking spot.

Mads loves Acorn Street as much as any other tourist.

It was a gorgeous day for the end of October and fall foliage was in full force much to the liking of our parents who live in season-less Florida and California. I think fall might be the sole reason to live in New England. I mean, summer is great and winter is fun occasionally (when it's not 10 feet.......) but fall, I'm telling you, fall is perfect. Move to Boston for the Fall, and as miserable as last winter was, living with seasons is worth it for the fall.

Other sisters joined us off their flight later that day. And don't you love Maddie's vest and her confidence in wearing it?

Our first time celebrating 21 in person!

Genetics are such an intriguing thing. I wonder when Gem gets a bit older if we could throw her in this picture and say that she looks just like her mom/ papa with that goofy smile or if we will say that she has the dimples of dad. Who knows.

Twenty Four

I am 24 now. Adulthood can officially begin and we are in this weird limbo where to some I seem old by my state of life and to some 24 is just old. But to most when they hear I had a birthday they panic that 24 is so, so young. And so, somewhere in between. 

For my birthday this year I wanted only to get out of the house. Last year we went to Vermont and had such a great day and this year I wanted to enjoy another New England day trip in fear that this is my last birthday here. (New England states are crazy small making day trips a necessity). 

And so, Maine in the fall. It was perfect and so georgeous. Also so great to leave the house/ city/ state with Gemma for her first trip with many helping hands. We first went to Kennebunkport for lunch and quiant small town enjoyment.

Grandma was there to help the balance of nursing, bouncing, and parenting as best as we could.

And as we perused the small shops, dad got his first try at baby wearing.

From Kennebunk, we went north to Freeport for some birthday splurging at the outlets, LL Bean loving, and ice cream. Always ice cream.

So heres to 24. And heres to the good people of LL Bean for having couches in the fitting rooms to nurse on.

Dress Up

The thing about babies in costumes is that every day feels like Halloween. In some small way, every time I get Gemma dressed I am picking her costume for her overly-documented day, so what made this day any different? But I'll post anyway.

 We were gifted this adorable headband crown so I thought I would have her dress up as a princess but with our test drive on All Hallows Eve Eve, I figured that she might never forgive me.

 And besides, we spent the entire day on Halloween with family exploring Boston so we tucked our little one into her carseat/ stroller and a slightly too large "Very Hungry Caterpillar" costume/ blanket/ sleep sack/ thing.

She stayed toasty and loved it significantly more than her crown ensemble so we figure that her Halloween costume can just continue to make itself useful through a Boston winter. Be prepared for this to make a frequent appearance as she grows into a caterpillar.

Crisp, Cider, Sauce, Doughnuts, Pie

Considering what to make with my apple orchard loot. Meredith came to visit for her fall break and we drove through the most beautiful New England small towns and fall foliage to enjoy apple cider, cider doughnuts, fresh picked apples and a photo shoot with an adorable baby girl in an oversized crewcuts vest.

Our first successful baby wearing experience and pumpkin socks!

Missing Meredith like crazy as I compile this post and day dreaming about living in the same town again........