Rob and Emily Raleigh

Angie and Cal dropped Claire (almost four months old now) off last night for a couple hours while they went biking at Lebanon Hills. They did this a few weeks ago and Rob did most of the care that day, so this time it was my turn.

At first Claire was fine, especially since Mommy and Daddy were still there. Then once they left she was inconsolable.

When I put her down in her playpen she cried like the world had left her alone to fend for herself. She shook her little fists and and did the deep-heave cry. When I picked her up and she squirmed so much that she ended up sitting with her face leaning against my forearm and her butt sticking out. This looked uncomfortable, and for me it was awkward but if I tried moving her she screamed to make sure that even the neighbors knew she didn't like it.

Plan B. I sat her facing forward on my left hip, turned some music on in the kitchen and danced and sang. She seemed fine with this, but eventually that left side of my body was getting hot and tired. I thought, if she's fine with this side, why not just switch to the right side. 'No! NO NO NO!' she seemed to say. Alright, back to the left hip. After a while she started whining which turned to more of a cooing sound and I took this as an invitation to sit down (finally!). I snuggled into the chair and propped her up on my knees and we played a game of tickle, and I made funny noises while kissing her and we played peekaboo with her dress. She loved it! Smiles and giggles ensued.

Soon after all of my progress she became crabby again, so I gave her a bottle and it did the trick. Mommy and Daddy were home soon after.

One notable quote of the evening was when Cal was asked if he's been practicing his guitar lately, he quipped, "uh, no, it's been about three and half months since the last time I did that."