Believe it or not, a baby is really time consuming! She is 6 months old now (4 months corrected - now sure how long I will continue to address the difference) and she is amazing! Everyone talks about how much you would adore her. And you totally would. Grandma even says, “He would call her poopa!” Just like you used to call Jackie - a doll in Maltese - when she was a baby. Lanie is very happy, always smiling. She is giggling and starting to roll over and eat baby food. She recently went through a stage of severe stranger anxiety, but then we went on a mini-vacation and she now seems to LOVE when new people talk to her. (But holding her is another story!)
Nick and I are adjusting well to parenthood. I’m sure you would say of course you are! We have a lot of help from my mom which definitely is a blessing. I am only working part time so I get this really perfect balance between being an endodontist and being a mom. I don’t think I could be happier. (Except of course if I had you around to share my happiness with!) Nick went back to McKinsey - a move I’m sure you would have supported. So far, he seems to have a lot of flexibility while enjoying the work he is doing and feeling fulfilled - which is what we all want for him!
The family is doing well. I feel like Nick and I have started to form more of our own independent family unit, spending a little more time with just us and a little less time trying to make everyone happy. As hard as that is for me (you know how I am about ever feeling like I am disappointing someone), I really think that its a good thing for all of us. We focus a lot of time on Landry while being careful not to spread ourselves too thin. It’s interesting that I think I used to take pride in “being busy” and having something going on all the time - in someway it was a measurement of success or something. But now I feel that time at home doing normal daily things is just what we need, and its refreshing. Having a beautiful new home with pretty much everything right here definitely helps.
Well, today is Monday - and sadly its my last Monday with a late start at 1pm. Next week I go back to a normal 8-5 which means no more Monday mornings with my sweet baby girl. We had a great weekend - we went to Steph and Sean’s - they had a party to celebrate Emmett’s birthday and the finalization of Manny’s adoption. You would be amazed by their adorable family! Then we celebrated the September birthdays - Grandma, Mom, Jackie and Michael. It’s my happy place to be around everyone, and now having Landry there makes it even better! But its time to get on to the work week.
I miss you every day. Some days are harder than others. My morning drives to work are sometimes especially difficult. But I wipe away the tears and keep moving along, just as you would want me to. Sometimes I could just really use a big hug. I love you so much and hope you’re living pain free and happy keeping me safe and watching over me. <3
Forever and always,
Ashley
