Baby Leash

Thank goodness yesterday wasn't Lilly's birthday. Our poor girl is sick. I'm going to say that part of it is due to teething, but the cough is most certainly not. I spent all day yesterday saying "bless you" and pulling tissues out of my pocket to soak up the river of snot. She was so miserable! This would explain why she's been sleeping so much. For the past few days, we've put her down at 7, and she sleeps until 9.

Unfortunately, I had to run errands. Not a lot, but enough to make me feel bad about having to take her out. That was the most difficult outing with Lilly yet. I had to run to the post office. My packages weren't yet assembled, so I was forced to set her down while I put them together. She immediately clicked into naughty mode. She was touching all of the merchandise, walking up to and talking to all of the strangers, and even playing with other kids. Sure, they all laughed and played back, but I couldn't help but feel like "that" woman. I kept grabbing her and bringing her back over to me, but there was only so much I could do. When I went to pick her up to carry her out to the car, she got mad and started pushing off of me. Let me tell ya, she is super strong. It's to the point where she may actually win one of these battles. I got her out of the Post Office and decided to hold her hand while we walked to the car. Well, she didn't want to go where I was leading her, and tried to take off in the parking lot. My hands were full, I was frustrated, and I was trying to avoid letting my child get hit by a car. I got her to the car and into her seat, and she instantly arched her back and tried to get out of the seat while I buckled her. Once I was in the car, the first thing I did was text Ryan and say "I'M NEVER TAKING LILLY TO THE POST OFFICE AGAIN!!" It was at that moment that I realized I needed a baby leash.

We've always joked about those baby backpack leashes, but I finally understood why parents needed them. I love my Lilly, but she doesn't like being told what to do, and she's, well, a bit of a brat at times. I ran right over to Target to grab one. I was to pick Ryan up from work after that, but I had a bit of time to waste. I decided to wander the DI that's right next to his office. I found the cutest Tiffany blue table cloth for $1! It's the exact perfect size for our dinky table. When I got to Ryan's office, I decided it was a good time to test out the new leash. I thought it would be funny to go walking into Ryan's office with my baby on a leash. He came outside before I could get the chance to go in, but he still thought it was hilarious. It does the trick! She tries to go farther than the leash will allow, so she just falls on her bum. But it's better than having her totally loose. I miss the days of having a little lump as a baby; when I could just plop her down on the couch or the floor, and know that she wasn't going anywhere. 

I know some people are averse to the baby leashes. I never really had an opinion on them until now. I know people who think it's child abuse or whatnot, but if you look at the concept through the eyes of a parent, you'll realize that it's for her safety. She could have easily been hit by a car yesterday with how much she was trying to run around the parking lot. So if you don't agree with my judgement call, oh well. Lilly's safe, and that's all that matters to me. 

We would usually go to the gym at this point, but we just weren't feeling up to it. Even if Lilly wasn't sick, I don't think we would have gone. I had a personal training session on Tuesday, and she made me do 100 squats! OH. MY. HECK. My legs were so beyond painful yesterday, I could hardly walk. I still can't walk. Don't even mention how hard rolling over in bed is. Ryan's sore from his workout too, so we've decided to lay low until Lilly feels better and can go to the daycare without infecting everyone, and until Ryan and I can move without wincing.

By the time we got home, Lilly was exhausted. She didn't get her afternoon nap, since we had a repairman over. We decided that since she was sick, we would just put her to bed early...super early. I think she was in bed by 5:30. I'm glad we did that, though, because she woke up this morning at 8:30. She seems slightly better from all the sleep. I'm pushing liquids and sleep...After we got her in bed last night, Ryan and I saw to some redecorating. Actually, Ryan just glared at me while I hung new family pictures and told him how I wanted the glider from Lilly's room to be moved to the living room. It doesn't get used in her room! We moved it into the living room, and now Lilly's room feels so much bigger. There's now room to put a little coloring table or toy box in the corner when she's older. I also hung some cute mirrors above her crib. She can't see them, but I didn't want to put them in reach, since she loves to bang on the walls. She's in there, taking a nap right now, so I'll have to upload pictures later.

Today is going to be a long day. It wasn't even 9 AM, and I had already done laundry, cleaned litter boxes, vacuumed and mopped the laundry room, done dishes, started on Lilly's birthday cake, and put dinner in the crock pot...and I have lots more to go! 

I had to get the girly monkey. Ryan always calls Lilly his "monkey." Oh, and did I mention that Lilly mimicks me when I do a monkey noise. I'll post videos later...