Actually, if Gabriella grew up to be a cowboy/girl, I wouldn't mind.  Really.

Thirteen weeks have just sped by in a haze of too tight onesies, diaper changes, tweats (a noise Gabriella made in her first month), coos, and numerous visits by friends and relatives.  I am already back at work and living up to that working mom image, which I'm still grasping the concept of.  I'm not a soccer mom, yet, but I do find it funny to strap Gabriella into her safari animal Graco carseat in our economical Honda Fit and fly off to daycare, trying to outrace her next cries for food and make it to work in time.  It's a juggle fest that's for sure.  I haven't mastered several things like Gabriella's schedule, but guess what...she's a BABY. She doesn't have a schedule.  And that's the beauty of her personality.

I could write for days about how much I am in love and in awe of my daughter and how she has changed our lives for the better.  Everyone says that about their kids (well some people) and I think it's beautiful.  Gabriella is my life.  Period.  I never thought that I would want to be a stay at home mom, but now it sounds so appealing and I regret having my daughter at a daycare, having some near stranger raising my child.  But I also think it will help Gabriella to become independent, make friends, and most important...trust people!  Besides, we found a wonderful daycare for her, a proper learning environment in a gorgeous old style NE Portland home, and Gabriella can swing inside, gaze at the khalediscope of colors on the ceiling and fans, or chill out on the porch all day.  Knowing my daughter, she has to do a fast combination of all the above, plus constant holding.  She digs attention, thrives on it, laughs at it, and smiles grandly. . I took her to a tea party (yes, I kid not)at Darcy's yesterday and my friend Tracey held her and perched her on her knees, so little Miss Gabriella could sit at the table and face all the ladies as we conversed about naughty things, life, death, and the plight of Miley Hannah Montana Cyrus. 

Nothing gets past Gabriella.  And that's why she doesn't nap.  People tend to sympathize with me on that, especially when they know that I spent most of maternity leave, catering to Gabriella's every whim and cry.  Housework fell by the wayside.  I didn't eat much during the day since I could barely put a sandwich together before Gabriella tired of her bouncy seat.  And I couldn't write or read anything (it took me a week once to read the "People" magazine about Heath Ledger's death).  And she went through growth spurt after ravenous growth spurt...ie...she was hungry ALL the time, day and night.  I got little sleep.

But now, my gorgeous little one sleeps through the night.  Knowing her quirky personality, that could change tomorrow, but for the last two weeks, she konks out by 9 and sleeps until 6 or 7, and maybe wakes once.  Heaven!  I miss seeing her now that I'm back at work.  TERRIBLY!  But a fully rested child is a happy child.  And our time spent together is magical.  I can whisk her along for a stroller ride at our nearby Columbia Park so we can feast our eyes on the trees and cherry blossoms, or the crazy drunk guy meandering down the path.  And we can converse on the couch where we exchange strange looks, I teach her things, and she "talks" back as she develops the capacity to talk.  And Andres partakes in these activities when he can.  My poor husband is just busier than ever.  He doesn't slow down.  Hmmm...maybe that's where Gabriella gets her energy.

I didn't realize that this would become a Mommy Blog...don't worry, I won't discuss her diapers.  I will report that she's fully grabbing onto anything, whether it's a rattle or a dangling elephant 9she's our little elephant girl!), or my hair.  She's chattering all the time.  She's even pre teething.  Yes.  At this early of an age.  She's just marvelous.  I'm simply amazed by how much a little baby goes through in a short amount of time, how they learn and develop so fast in the fight for survival and knowledge. 

So, yes, I still miss caffeine and the ability to have more than one alcoholic beverage.  And I miss that I can't run out and see some cool movie like "IronMan".  Or indulge the frivolous shopping spree.  I miss dates out with Andres.  But it's worth it.

No joke.

And everyone has been just absolutely and truly wonderful.  I am so touched by the countless visitors bearing gifts and food.  Our friends and family who have helped us out financially as we struggle through the high cost of parenthood, especially after I didn't get short term disability (curses to you, OHSU!) and had half of my leave unpaid.  Yikes.   People have just came forward and helped us so much.  I hope I can repay all of you in some way, although I can't even see how Andres and I will ever have money again. 

But things have a way of working themselves out. So, thank you, everyone.  It truly does take a village to raise a child.  Yep, motherhood makes you say cliches

 Hmmm..what other amusing thing can I say to boost my hip Mama status......

Oh, I dressed Gabriella like a cute snowboarder girl yesterday, complete in Gap overalls, long sleeved onesie decked out in pink elephants (I call it her "drunken" elephant onesie), and green and white knit hat with matching booties.  She pumped her giraffe rattle in anticipation of the day ahead of her as we drove down Lombard, listening to the newest Weezer and Death Cab songs.  Gabriella likes her indie rock....she also likes the Notorious BIG (who knew!), her Dad's bands, and "I'm Too Sexy".  Even her grandma noticed that Gabriella turned her head when she heard a "an indie rock sounding band" on TV, as if to look for Andres.

Andres, Gabriella, and I are a No Po family.  Nuff said.  We're parents.  Nothing better than that.

BTW, we're not Republicans.  Our family just happens to love elephants.  It might have been those countless viewings of "Dumbo" when I was a little girl.   Gabriella just seems to gravitate to them.  And they seem to be in style.  Why not?

Sweet.