Wednesday, August 19, 2009

First outing

Aside from the doctor's office and post office, yesterday we took Clementine on her first real "outing." We went to breakfast at the Tin Shed on Alberta St. and she was tucked into her "peanut shell" and slept the entire time.

The above photo is taken outside of the shop Frock, which -- though tiny -- has great clothes and jewelry and T-shirts for women, men, and children. And the owner has a daughter named Clementine! (Have you read Sarah Dessen's newest book, Along for the Ride? The clothing boutique in the book is called Clementine's, in honor of Dessen's baby daughter, Sasha Clementine. Perhaps this name is on the rise?)

There was a new baby in that book, and I have no idea if it was modeled after Dessen's own experience with her daughter, but the baby was colicky and cried cried cried. It was a little harrowing, reading it while pregnant. A little "eek!" Well, I know colic doesn't kick in until 2 weeks or later, so I can't say YET that we've escaped that ("eek!") but I can say that so far all the dire sleep warnings are proving unfounded. Clementine is waking once in the night (at which time I find that after a few hours of sleep I *miss* her already and I'm more than ready to get up and hold her!) and sleeping like a dream the rest of the time. We're well rested and very happy! Yay! May it continue this way :-)

Oh, I just read a good book on Amber's recommendation: The Mercy of Thin Air. It's a literary-supernaturally-tragicky romance, and I enjoyed it SO MUCH. It came up in the context of talking about The Time Traveler's Wife (I've been hearing nothing but bad about the movie so far; anyone like it?) and there is a similar beauty, romance, and poignancy. The main character, Razi, is a vivacious young woman in 1920s New Orleans . . . or rather, she is the ghost of a vivacious young woman who drowned in 1920s New Orleans while at the height of a great love affair that would certainly have lasted a lifetime. Rather than passing "beyond," she has lingered "between" for more than 70 years. Finding it too painful to be near her love, Andrew, she has followed his life at a distance, through news clippings, and is satisfied he's had the life she believed he would. Until his obituary is printed and she discovers she's been following the wrong Andrew O'Connell all these years. What really happened to the man she loved? While she seeks him out -- is he still alive? -- she also finds herself drawn to a young married couple whose own past is haunted with a tragedy not unlike her own. The narrative is a split-in-time story about the loves of both couples. I highly recommend it! (I can attest that it's good to read at 3 am with a baby in your lap :-)

20 comments:

K. M. Walton said...

You look so happy in that picture! Kudos to you for getting out and about.

I can remember when my children were babies, waking up with them when they were infants, and secretly liking it (once I got out of the bed). I loved just being with them, and looking at them, and having that middle of the night quiet time with them. So magical.

Wyman Stewart said...

Just want to take a little time to thank you for all the recent photos and thoughts. Thanks also for allowing the public to celebrate right along with you. That'll do for now.

Christine Fletcher said...

What a wonderful photo! You both look so happy (and Jim undoubtedly does, too, only I presume he's taking the picture.) :)

I looked up Clementine on the Baby Name Wizard Voyager, which tracks popularity over the years:

http://www.babynamewizard.com/voyager#prefix=CLEMENTINE&ms=true&sw=f&exact=true

No recent spike for Clementine, but maybe you all are starting a trend...be fun to check back in a year or so.

Anonymous said...

what a happy photo! I believe all the sleepless issues us others yack about are due to all the regular feeding times for your babe. Every 2-3 hours is what it was like for a few months. As long as your precious is getting all the nourishment she needs, then kudos to y'all for getting in more of that rare rest.
-sasha

Fletcher of the Day said...

Laini, You both look adorable...and I'm glad you enjoyed the Merci of Thin Air...I Really loved that book!

You both look happy!

Lori Lee

Anonymous said...

The sleep issues are normally due to breastfed babies needing to eat every hour/hour and a half, as they digest it so quickly. At least with my breastfed baby, she nursed a lot, especially the 2 week growth spurt cluster feeding! Watch for that. Good Luck!

Katie Anderson said...

well your Clementine sounds perfect :) and I am racing out to get that book! Thanks for the recommendation!

tone almhjell said...

Oh yes, may it ever! You look perfect together :)

Sarah said...

I actually didn't know that about the Clementine's store in Along for the Ride! Thanks for the fact, and I sincerely hope that you and your beautiful daughter (and husband) keep having good nights :)

Ooh, that book looks good! Thanks for the heads up!

~Michelle~ said...

Congratulations on your new arrival: Clementine!

Regarding Time Traveler's Wife, I enjoyed the book so much, I'm afraid the movie is going to be a disappointment.

Commander Kip said...

Aww... *melts* That picture of you and Clementine under the umbrella is the cutest picture EVAH. You both look great!

Amber Lough said...

Oooh that book sounds awesome! Maybe a book-on-CD would be good while nursing the babe in the night. I tend to fall asleep while rocking Henry at 3 a.m. and wake up with a crick in my neck, so maybe listening to a book would keep my mind alert.

Shanni said...

You look so happy! What a cute bundle of joy!!!! LOVE THIS PICTURE!!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

you are like super mom - you read at 3 am too? wow

Annie Jeffries said...

Joining the chorus of LOVE THAT PICTURE, Laini. You are both so beautiful together, radiating light and love.

I saw The Mercy of Thin Air on your Good Reads list this morning and was intrigued enough to add to my to-read list. Now that I've read more about it here, I will have to move it up a notch or three.

Love
Annie

Kirby Larson said...

I just heard about Q-T Pie, who is as adorable as one would imagine. Isn't parenthood the best?

Congratulations to your whole family.

xxoo Kirby

Anonymous said...

Congrats Laini - you both look lush in this picture. GLad to hear some sleep is possible in the first few weeks, hope it continues...makes me feel not so overwhelmed about my arrival in Oct...

thanks for the book tip too

jone said...

What a fabulous photo! Your both are adorable!

Meaghan Woodruff ND, LAc said...

Laini :)
You look radiant! And little Clementine is a super cutey PIE!!! Love the name. Our little girl's name is Adeline....but she and her brother are still inside the belly....which is just too heavy these days!
I hope our class can get together with the babes sometime!
I'm saving your book....which trust me is hard to do....I keep peeking....and am maybe 60pages into my peeking habit. Dang! I wanted to read it after they were born, during feedings....I've heard that's a nice time to read. So far I love it :) Thank you!
Enjoy!
Meaghan

Amber said...

You know, I laughed atthe missing her thing...I STILL find that I feel this way, after just a few hours "break" from the kids. I need a break, but then I start to misss them. And I am so happy to see them again, at the end of the school day. lol! Gives "whipped" a new meaning. ;)

:)