Easter 2011 - Part One

We had a wonderful Easter.  In the morning we went to Mass at Our Lady of the Snows and then joined our extended family (O'Mara and Miller) at Pat & Lara's house for an Easter egg hunt and brunch buffet.  Lucy slept through the first half of the egg hunt and, not surprisingly, was not very interested in it anyway.   Here are some photos of all the fun!

Lucy's cousins waiting for the hunt to begin: Grant (2), Abby (5), Sophia (4), Madeline (22 months), Mark (3.5)

So excited ... Madeline and Eve (3) head out

Mark and Grant, eager to find eggs

Eve

Maddie and Lucy

Craig (6m)

Lucy and Mommy

Lucy and Mimi

Lucy with Uncle Pat

Lucy and Aunt Erin

Back at home, Lucy with Daddy and the treats the Easter Bunny brought for her

Daddy helps Lucy explore her Easter treats

Baby Tricks - Climbing

Lucy is becoming an accomplished baby climber and explorer.  She very much enjoys climbing into cabinets, baskets, the Bumbo, etc.  She has also recently become pretty proficient at descending stairs.  This past weekend she descended the full flight of stairs from our second floor to our first.  Here are some photos of her adventures.

Perched atop a box in her nursery

Climbing into the Bumbo

Hanging out in the space where the food processor is typically stored and rearranging the ramekins while she is in there


Climbing in to a kitchen drawer

In her drawer again.  She did this all by herself.

Scaling the stairs

Pictured here on Easter in the space usually occupied by the Kitchen Aid mixer

NNWLA Article: Not Guilty – A Reflection for Mother’s Day

I recently authored a short article for the Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association (NNWLA) May newsletter, which included several pieces about lawyer motherhood. I thought some OMARALICIOUS readers might enjoy it so I have included it below.

Mommy and Lucy in December 2010

Motherhood brings with it so many surprises.  Before Lucy was born last June I knew I would love her, but I was surprised by just how much I love her!  I knew returning from maternity leave would be difficult, but I was surprised at how it actually felt.  I thought I might feel guilty for returning to work, for liking my job, for not seeing my new role as a mother as some impediment to my career.  The cultural background noise told me to expect guilt.  But I didn’t feel guilty.  I felt many things that I imagine other working mothers (and working fathers) also feel when still counting a baby’s age in weeks: I felt tired from waking up every few hours to nurse and care for a needy infant, I felt busy from keeping up with deadlines, billable hours and professional networking while adjusting to the new reality of my home life, but I didn’t feel guilty (at least not about working, my housekeeping skills are another story).  For a day or two I even felt guilty about not feeling guilty!  And then I just got over it and turned my back on the cliché of working mother guilt.  Instead, I feel proud to be Lucy’s mother, including the working mother part. Of course it helps that I am lucky to have a very supportive husband and extended family who help us with Lucy’s care. But when I get home at night Lucy is smiling and happy, ready to give me one of her wet kisses and to play on the floor.  What’s there to feel guilty about?

Happy baby, helping contribute to the general messiness in the kitchen (April 2011)

10 Months Old!

We are still having so much fun with Lucy.  She is such a joy and we really enjoy watching her grow and learn, especially watching her figure out how things work.  She is increasingly interested in how things are put together and has recently figured out how to put her blocks back in the bag and how to get the wooden rings on her stacking toy.  The other day when she managed to get the top off her sippy cup she studied it and tried to put it back together.  She also knows what her hair clips are for, and if one falls out she tries to put it back in her hair.  We have also observed her trying to brush her own hair (which looks increasingly like a mullet these days!).  Her curiosity about the world has also inspired in her a love of exploring, especially the contents of the accessible kitchen cabinets.

Her sense of humor and playfulness is also developing and she loves to play peekaboo and also to be chased when she is crawling, which leads to these wonderful squeals of delight.  If given the opportunity she throws scarves, blankets or clothes over her head and invite a game of peekaboo.

More and more she really recognizes people and will reach for other family members, especially her grandmothers and the aunts she sees most often.  Although we never really taught her baby signing she certainly has mastered the universal sign for "pick me up" (and sometimes even says something close to "up").

She weights a whopping 15 pounds, 7 ounces today!
Likes: kisses, feeding herself, climbing, singing to herself softly in this sweet high little girl voice, being held, nursing.

Dislikes: getting her face and hands wiped, getting her nails clipped (manicures are a serious battle).

Recent culinary adventures: pears, beans, tofu, edamame, pork, chicken, duck, tomato, pesto, Rice Krispies, Kix, chipotle butternut squash soup, carrot soup, wheat toast, peanut butter, thai pumpkin soup.  Yeah for no allergies (so far)!

New vocab: She has recently added something close to "yeah" and "no".  She also said "I love you" to me.  Ask David and Scooter/John, they heard her!  And in the non-verbal vocabulary department she is very expressive too.

New baby tricks: climbing, waving goodbye, kissing on request.

Fun outings/events: dinner at Sezmu on their final night, lunch at the Ritz Carlton at Northstar (Mommy's first day skiing since Lucy was born!), Aunt Catherine's Birthday dinner, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Paige each visit!

Here are some photos of Lucy today:

And here are a few photos from this past month:



 



Representing the Silver State in her Nevada gear



Napping in her crib

Playing with Daddy

 



Lucy with Mimi, Mommy and her Miller Aunties



Lucy Muffin and Mimi!

With Uncle Kyle

 

Playing at home before going to hang out with Aunt Lara and cousins Abby and Maddie for the day.

Say cheese!

On a recent quick visit with the Gagnons we tried to get the kids to take a photo together.  Getting three babies and one toddler to cooperate for the camera is a challenge:

Grace and Lucy are smiling but Brady and Hayden are losing their balance ...

Check out Grace's glare.  So serious but so hilarious.

Each of their expressions say, "why are you doing this to me?"

Sophia Feeds Lucy

Lucy is a champion eater, but that does not mean she can't use a little help from her couin Sophia, age 4!

Brunch with Baby II

Lucy and I love having playdates and recently we hosted some of our mommy and baby friends for a morning brunch.  Here are a few photos from our fun morning:

Brooke and Lucy



Sophie, Lucy and Emma





Sophie was a big fan of the Bender Ball

Amanda with Baby Allison

Chloe and Mishka