Miscellany

i really wasn't prepared for how having a baby would completely heighten the senses. i am so tuned in for the sound of her cry that sometimes i think i hear it when she's not even around. like when i'm in a meeting in a conference room at work. i'll think, "is that cate crying in the hall?" it completely weirds me out when i am driving in my car, looking in my rear view and her precious little face is not reflected back at me in her car seat mirror. i am jolted every single time it happens. isn't it funny that someone who has only been around for 3 months is such a integral part of my scene?

at no time are the senses as heightened as during a dirty diaper "event." first you see her tiny head become very still as her eyes widen, jaw clenches, and face reddens. she holds one hand in a fist with other placed over the top, like the world's smallest martial artist, and squeezes them tightly. her neck begins to stretch and wiggle simultaneously with the overwhelming effort she's exerting. next you hear the unmistakable warning rumble deep within the tiny belly followed by what sounds like an ice cream cone falling onto hot summer cement--spppllllatttt. and oh the smells you smell. that's all we'll say about that. then there's the intense adrenaline rush you feel during your flight to the changing pad in attempt to avoid fighting stains on her clothes (and possibly yours) should the poop containment system fail. as far as touch and taste go, you might do both if you don't time the diaper removal and replacement exactly right. all together now, "eeeeeeewwwwwwww."

if you know a new mom who isn't opposed to reading materials featuring the frequent appearance of the f word and repeated references to the villainy (in her opinion, for our republican readers) of former president george w. bush, gift her with anne lamott's book operating instructions: a journal of my son's first year. my friend ashley gave it to me this week and i am so sad when i have to put it down. she's alternately breathtakingly honest and completely hilarious about some of the really hard parts of parenting a newborn. every time i read one of her memoirs, i am challenged to pay attention to the smallest of moments. she reminds me that God is indeed in the details. she also reminds me how blessed we are by cate's "tribe." the people who will surround her with love and support for the rest of her life. thank you for being a tribe member.

i also wanted to extend a couple of invitations.
1. this blog will be, in essence, cate's baby book. if you have photos, memories or stories you would like to share, i would love for you to serve as a guest blogger. you can email me at julibuchanan@hotmail.com and i'll post it for you.
2. better yet, if you read this blog regularly, consider becoming a follower. it's easy. just click on the button to the right of this post that says, "Follow." If you already have a gmail, hotmail or yahoo email account, you can enter it. If you don't just click on "Don't have any of these? Create a new Google Account" at the bottom of the screen and follow the instructions to get set up. as a follower, you will be able to post anytime you choose. if you need assistance, i am happy to help.

cate's favorite song right now is "old mccater had a farm." every time i sing the "e-i-e-i" part i have a deep-seated hope that's she'll join in on the "o." all in good time.