Leave of absence

Sorry, friends and family, for being so ghostly lately with appearances. Life has been particularly hectic with going back to work and all. And work started back with a bang and hasn't stopped. It's hard going back, but not hard like it was the first time. At least I know that Addie has a wonderful, dear woman looking after her all day, so I know she will be fine. It is generally nice to go someplace where something as simple as going to the bathroom doesn't require strategic planning. It is nice to use my brain. I think I will try to do more publications and presentations, and peer reviewing this year. I'm up for promotion and need to earn the new position upgrade I am being put in for. Plus, I suppose it's time to act like a person with a PhD with all the academic stuff. Not that I won't still do plenty of applied public health, but I need more scholastic efforts too.

Anyway, life is good around here, and Gillian is being a human being again. She has been quite sweet and well mannered these days, and I think we might just come out of the acclimation period in a single piece. Addie genuinely adores Gillian and it makes Gillian endlessly happy to be so important to Addie. Oh, I also don't worry about Addie being railroaded by Gillian's gigantic personality. She can give it right back.





I have been remiss in my reporting of Addie's development so, here are the highlights:

1st smile: 4 week 2 days
1st laugh: 8 weeks
Discovered her hands: 7-8 weeks
Discovered her feet: 12 weeks
Able to grasp something she wants to hold: 12-13 weeks
First dolphin sound: 12 weeks (now a regular sound around the house)
Current favorite thing: squealing with delight, all day. Squealing out, making weird gasping sounds in, then laughing at her own cleverness. I need to capture this on video, because it is hilarious



Gillian has reverted to calling her little baby doll "little darling". As in, "Mama, where's my little darling?". Or, "my little darling is sleeping, we have to be very quite". Not sure where this title came from. The only think I can think is the fact that months ago, I think I sang "My Dixie Darlin'" to Gillian. Otherwise, I have no idea where Darling came from.

Anyway, I promise to be more present. After all, I am keeping this blog for us too!