DeBaker Diaries: December 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

Just Lucky

We went to Walgreens today to pick up our Christmas cards and stumbled upon their impromptu area (in cosmetics) set up for H1N1 shots. They got a batch in unexpectedly and they were almost gone when I got there. Glad to finally get one and help protect the little peanut!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The whole night through

Last night Layla slept the whole night; from 7:30 to 6:15. That's what I call sleeping through the night. What a great Christmas gift!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Oh Christmas Tree

On Saturday we ventured out to the country for our Christmas tree. There is a tree farm we have been going the last few years to cut our tree down and we were excited to take Layla. After a few days of single digit cold, we were relieved that it was warm enough on Saturday to go out with her (about 38˚). We all bundled up and found ourselves a perfect tree.

Friday afternoon one of our friends had offered to take us to the Bulls game Saturday night. Although it was short notice one of our neighbors was able to sit with Layla (which went very well). I have never been to a professional basketball game and it was quite a treat. We got to sit in the fourth row! The Bulls lost but they were playing the Celtics who are terrific and lots of fun to watch.

On Sunday we had some friends over to watch the Packers v. Bears game. The Packer enthusiasts (well, at least the one) were a little frightened by Cutler's [short-lived] ability to get some points on the board, but the Pack pulled it out in the end.

Layla with the DeReus ladies

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Layla's Christmas Wish List

Some of you have requested and some of you have posted your own and so I thought I should.

Please do not feel obligated, but if you are so inclined here are some things that Layla would like to have for Christmas:

- savings bonds or other money for college. We may be setting up a 529 plan, but probably not before Christmas. I know this is boring, but that's what we will be asking for at every birthday and Christmas.
- books: We have lots of Suess and Golden Books plus the Shel Siverstein books, but anything else is fair game. We already have lots of misc. little board books so skip those unless they are unique/important (like about the Vikings!).
- clothes (12 - 18 month or bigger for spring/summer). She is already in 6-9 month clothes.
- Babies R Us gift cards. We will be saving them up to purchase her next car seat which is $150 on the cheap end.
- Toys: Small colorful toys/blocks. We have lots of beautiful stuffed animals already and don't have space for the big stuff in our condo.

Many thanks for your thoughtfulness!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Just Say No..... to Twitter

Just an update that the DeBakers are now on Skype. We "skyped" (if Webster didn't add that this year they will next) with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Greg this week. They do not yet have their webcam hooked up, but Layla seemed to be looking around the room for them. Hopefully she will be able to see them on the screen real soon. I also showed her videos of herself which she was mesmerized by. I am not sure if she realizes it is her, or is mesmerized by all things on the boob tube and computer screen!

We are now using Picasa for photo album sharing - the address is
http://picasaweb.google.com/bethdebaker
if you are interested in seeing more of us.

You probably think you get enough of us already? You probably think I need a job? Well, I promise, at least, that you will not need to follow me on Twitter.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Yum, Green Beans

Maybe they will taste better tomorrow!

Channeling Betty Crocker

Just for an update on the sleep thing. That nap I referenced earlier this week went on for nearly 2.5 hours. This week has been pretty successful in the sleep category and I am thrilled!

Layla has been eating rice cereal for a couple of weeks and today we are ready to move on to vegetables. I had read an article that babies should eat what we eat. Makes sense, right? So, I think to myself that I need a very small blender to mash up whatever we eat so I can give it to her. Well, after much research I decide I am going to purchase a magic bullet (infomercial product!!). All the baby product reviews say just get this and don't spend all this cash on the fancy baby food makers. I concur. Then, yesterday I go to Target and they have this miniature KitchenAid food chopper which says that it purees vegetables. Perfect! And it only costs $28.99. More perfect!

Now, you are probably rolling your eyes. Do I really need to make baby food? Believe me, I have rolled my eyes at other people who suggested they needed to do this. Really? You don't have enough to do? Well people, I am unemployed and trying to channel Betty Crocker, Julia Child and a little Top Chef in order to be a better wife and mother, or at least a better cook.

Yum, cooked green beans, just add water.

I'll let you know if Layla likes it!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sleep Genius

I am starting to get the hang of this sleeping/napping situation. Well, at least I feel like we are making some progress. We had some major setbacks with Thanksgiving and a slight cold/stuffy nose. Jason, as he explains, is a sucker for a sick baby. He can't make her cry it out if she can't breathe through her nose. So, we restarted our extinction plan last night. Layla went to bed late last night but here's her great accomplishments so far:

7:15p bath
7:30p bottle
7:45p sleep
3:00a wake up and cry for 45 minutes. curse mother for ignoring her. dad is not ignoring her because he sleeps like a rock and doesn't even hear.
5:45a wake up and cry for mom.
6:00a mom comes to wake up and feed me
7:15a - 7:45a cat nap while mom and dad get cleaned and dressed for the day
7:45a - 10:00a play with mom, eat, etc.
10:00a - 11:45a nap
11:45a - eat lots of rice cereal. now, we're ready for peas!
12:15p - 2:00 play with mom
2:00p - ?????? nap

p.s. Going down for naps in her own crib with no pacifier and less than 5 minutes of fuss time.
I think I will nap too! Yeah for real naps, way to go Layla!

The Nords are Better with Purple Cheddar

It didn't pan out last night, but I did want to share this poster, because it made me laugh. Plus it's true (if you don't think about it too hard).

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Weekend Whirlwind

Danielle was here to visit this weekend and we had so much fun. We are so glad she could visit and sad that the time went by so quickly.

Friday evening I picked Danielle up at the airport and we went to the city to the Ukrainian Village to meet up with one of her friends. It was fun to catch up and relax (I don't get out alone very often!).

Danielle and Layla lunching at El Jardin.

Saturday morning we headed to Layla's school for their Christmas Party. Santa was there, as well as a display of nativities from around the world which was quite beautiful. After the party I headed to a job interview and Jason and Danielle took Layla to the Kohl's Children's Museum which is near her school. It is a fantastic place (from what I have heard) and they had a really good time. Layla enjoyed the infant activity areas as well as the "big kid" play areas with Dad and Danielle to help out. The Museum is geared towards kids 8 and younger and we will definitely look forward to many visits there.

The whole family with Santa.

Layla enjoying Museum play time.

On Sunday Danielle, Layla and I met up with Carrie, Alice and Britney (Carrie's good friend visiting from NC) for brunch in Bucktown. We did some shopping and then headed downtown for tourist heaven. The Hancock tower was our first stop. We lounged in their bar for a beer and enjoyed the spectacular views of the city (from the 96th floor). More fun and relaxing than the observation floor! Then we strolled the Magnificent Mile, enjoying the hoards of people, Christmas decorations, and all the window shopping we could afford.

It was lovely to be out and enjoy the weather and get the cheer of Christmas into our systems. We even got to enjoy some carolers that were hanging outside the famous water tower.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Unemployed

Layla and I are enjoying our time together this week. She is continuing to go to daycare two days a week. We really like the center and Layla has bonded well with her teachers. We felt it was important for her to maintain her familiarity with them and try to keep her on a consistent schedule (as much as we can). The part time schedule holds her place and allows me time to focus on my portfolio and job search.

This week has given me some time for reflection and has also brought more sad news. I found out that two of my high school classmates took their own lives in the last week. While the holidays bring joy to many of us and a gratefulness for our many blessings we must take time to visit with our friends, family and neighbors so that others do not disappear into the shadows of loneliness and despair.

I am feeling more hopeful and faithful as of late and I am thinking that this chapter of our lives is just now beginning and I am excited for the road ahead.

Layla and I will venture out today (somewhere mundane like the grocery store) and I am excited to show her the small amount of snow that has accumulated on her lawn. It is fun to see everything for the first time again! Danielle is coming to visit this weekend and we are going to go visit Santa tomorrow at the school Christmas Party!