I stopped suddenly; today Laurie was two months old!
I picked her up out of the bassinet. Oh! My darling! I squeezed her to me. Two months already. So short a time and yet it feels like youve been part of my life forever.
Laurie cooed and attempted to put the bunny rattle into her mouth.
You like the bunny? Mommys going to get you something for your . . . what? Second month birthday? Okay, that works. I kissed Lauries head and put her down.
Need to add shopping for Laurie to the to-do list!
Next I showered, then pulled out my new girdle and wrapped it around myself. It was simple enough to use. It wrapped around my tummy and hips and fastened on the side with a long Velcro fitting.
I positioned it in place and frantically started going through items in my closet. I found a favorite burgundy silk blouse and tried it on. To my astonishment, it fit nicely. I then selected some trousers. The first three pairs I tried on were way too tight, but the fourth pair worked.
Way to go, girdle!
Shoes?
Ah. Another problem!
My postpartum feet didnt fit any of my pre-Laurie shoes. I finally found some loafers that would barely pass.
I glanced at the clock. I needed to get Laurie loaded into the car and out of the house in the next few minutes if I was going to be on time, and I still needed to pack her diaper bag.
Why hadnt I packed the stupid diaper bag last night?
I hurried to do my hair and makeup.
At least Laurie was now sound asleep; that would be a help in getting out the door. I ran to the freezer and found a few bags of frozen milk. Just over 4 ounces. Enough for one feeding.
Darn. I needed to build up a bigger supply if I was going to have to keep leaving Laurie with a sitter. Another thing to add to my list!
I hustled Laurie into the car. She barely roused. Why didnt she sleep like this for me? Why only when I left her with someone?
I drove to Paulas and pulled into her driveway like a madwoman.
I unclipped the car seat from the base and grabbed the diaper bag, lugging the entire load up Paulas front steps.
Paula opened the door ensconced in a violet terry robe.
Good morning! I said, pushing my way past her and into the entrance to unburden my arms.
Paula let out a low whistle. Look at you, girl! You are looking hot!
Thanks. It takes effort now, you know.
Paula laughed. Oh yeah! Hey, whats up with your shoes?
I glanced down at my loafers and shrugged. Theyre what fit.
Paula tsked. Oh no. Follow me.
Paula retreated down the hallway. I looked at Laurie sound asleep in her car seat. I quickly put my hand on her and felt reassured by the rise and fall of her belly.
I walked down the hallway to Paulas bedroom, stopping first to peek in on Danny. Paula had hand painted the room in baby blue with a mural of Thomas the Tank Engine on one wall. Sure looked a lot more inviting than Lauries nursery that doubled as Jims and my office.
I worried about having the computer in Lauries nursery. Was it giving off any weird energy waves that I should be concerned about?
Add that to my to-do list: look up safety of computers in nursery!
Currently, she was spending the night in our room in her portable bassinet, but soon she would outgrow that and have to sleep down the hall. My heart dropped. She would be down the hall! So far away from me.
A big kid in her crib in her own room.
I peered over at Danny asleep in his crib. I marveled at how long he appeared; it seemed like only yesterday he had been an infant like Laurie.
I touched his soft hair. Hey, buddy, youre gonna be a big brother soon.
He was fidgeting a bit and his mouth started to move as though he wanted to nurse or have a pacifier. Still asleep, his hand shot to his mouth and he started sucking his thumb.
Youre still a baby, too! I love you, little buddy. I pulled his blanket up around him and headed toward Paulas bedroom.
I found her digging in her closet.
Size? she asked.
Pre-Laurie was seven.
So eight? Paula asked from inside the closet.
I guess. Im still trying to come to terms with it.
Paula laughed and rummaged deeper into the closet.
I have some frozen breast milk for Laurie in the diaper bag. She could be hungry when she wakes up. I also brought some formula, just in case Im not back in time for the feeding after that. Oh, shoot . . .
What? Paula asked from inside the closet.
I didnt think about a purse. All my gear, my wallet, cell phone, notebook, and stuff is in the diaper bag.
Paula emerged from the closet with the classiest pair of Ferragamo burgundy pumps Id ever seen. They matched my blouse exactly. I gasped.
Paula grimaced. Just my luck. I was a size eight pre-Danny, now Im a nine, so you can have them.
I grabbed her around the neck and kissed her cheek, then slipped into the shoes. They felt simply divine. Ooh, I feel so in!