Work, work, work (also Rubber Ducky LOVE, Emotional Music Listening, and Pacifier Revisited)

So, I am working like a mad(wo)man these days and hardly have time for anything else. Caleb however, has not stopped growing and developing, and just generally being the joy of our lives. Just three little moments:

He is giggling and laughing now, usually at some prodding from me. The other day I put Sesame Street on for him and all of a sudden, at my surprise, I heard loud giggles coming from the living room. I rushed in to see what was so funny and saw the most wonderful sight – Caleb laughing at the Rubber Ducky song (every time the rubber ducky squeaked). I grabbed my camera and caught 15 seconds on video – and some of you got to see it. The Rubber Ducky song will now go down in history as the very first thing (other than a person) that made Caleb laugh. (Also, as the very first baby song that Mom can’t seem to get out of her head!)

I had Beethoven on one evening (the same one he enjoyed a couple of months ago) and was singing along while looking at him close up in the swing. He was smiling and enjoying the singing... The music came to a dramatic part and as the music swelled, GET THIS - my 4 month old son teared up (not crying) but clearly touched by the music, alternately pouting his lips and smiling, with red, watery eyes! My 4 month old was displaying mature emotions at the music! Unbelievable! I wish I had my camera! (sheepish grin)

So, he’s teething, right? And the poor thing doesn’t have a teething ring yet (I ordered some, but they haven’t arrived yet). So he eats his hands and struggles a bit in the evening, wanting to nurse – just so he can soothe his gums. I gave him a pacifier - after about 2 months. We gave up on it, because he used to always need someone to hold it in. But not this time! He has apparently mastered the pacifier in the 2 months that he didn’t use one. He had a nice evening of very happily chewing on it.

Oh, and he’s also trying to SIT UP using his stomach muscles, has ROLLED OVER the other way (from his back to his stomach), and he can also be PULLED UP by his hands to a STANDING position (which he’ll hold for a while, then buckling knees, hold, buckling... – you get the picture)!

Deadlines, Taxes, and more Deadlines...

Whew! We had a crazy week! Between my working 16-18 hour days to meet a big deadline, all the while taking care of BabyCakes (that’s Caleb), who spent most of that time camped out on my lap, and trying to find a free hour in the middle of it all to dig out our records, thumb through them, make many, many, (many!) calculations, in order to finally produce, together with Ron, what is known as OUR TAX RETURN, I’m proud to say that we did it!!!

I feel like I’ve achieved a task of superhuman effort with this project. I used to take for granted being able to work hours like this without too much trouble, but throw a baby into the equation and you’ve got CRAZY going on! Take this morning, for instance. Just as my deadline was rapidly approaching with twenty-some more pages still to proof, Caleb woke up at the most inopportune moment – REALLY needing me... It’s almost impossible to do concentrated work with a squirming, kicking, sucking, teething infant on your lap. Still made it, but only by the seat of my pants.

Today, there are neat little piles of bills spread out on our living room floor (they're lovely)... a big pile of unsorted (at least clean) laundry in our bedroom... dishes piled high in the sink... fast-food boxes everywhere... and well, let’s just say, everyone’s personal grooming has suffered in the past week. So, I get a day off before I go back into the trenches again with a month-long project. It’s good money, but I don’t have any illusions. It’s going to be HARD WORK. It will be a joint family effort: Ron will take over much of the cooking, shopping, etc., and Caleb’s cooperation is just as much needed, in order to make this a success. (He’s been teething terribly lately. No sign of any teeth yet, just lots of saliva, chewing, hands in mouth... I was hoping for a couple more months of toothless grins! But if they must come, let them come.)

I’m just glad that we are done with today. The Deadline has been met. The Tax Returns have been sent. For now, all is well with the world.

(Got to go, the Baby seriously needs a bath!) :)