...as a mule

I'm realizing lately that I'm pretty frickin' stubborn. And, I love lists. Here's some evidence:

• I refuse to go without a shower. Sonia will be 7 weeks old tomorrow, and I haven't gone one day without showering (nor do I plan to do so in the future). I operate on the theory that "if you look good, you feel good"; hence, I have to shower every morning-- I can't wait until Andrew gets home. Plus, I sweat a lot at night, so if I haven't had a shower by noon, I don't feel like I should be allowed near another human being. I'm obviously not going to post a picture of myself either in need of a shower or whilst showering, so here's a picture of Sosi getting a bath:

• I refuse to buy a bigger car. This isn't just for financial reasons-- I LOVE my Mini Cooper (and its gas mileage) and I don't want to give it up! If Sonia and I are ever in need of more room for a day or so (when more than one guest is in town or we have to transport something larger than a load of groceries), we simply temporarily switch cars with Andrew, who drives a Honda Accord. Her car seat fits just fine in the Mini-- yes, the person sitting in front of her is probably a bit closer to the dashboard than he/she would normally sit, but it looks safe enough to me. These pictures are from Sonia's very first trip in the Mini (going to a lactation consultant appointment) when she was 2 weeks old:
  

• I refuse to give up breastfeeding even though I constantly worry that she's not getting enough. I am close to finally forcing myself to accept that input = output, and the way that kid fills diapers, she has to be getting enough! Plus, she has started to pack on the ounces-- she is now 7 lbs 14 oz, and the pediatrician is perfectly happy with her rate of weight gain. I'm not going to lie and say that I feel entirely comfortable that I can't see exactly how many ounces The Great Sosini drinks during each feeding, but the benefits of breastmilk and the aforementioned evidence that she is drinking enough FAR outweigh (pun intended) my insecurities! Just look at this chubby baby....

• I refuse to keep the cats away from Sonia. Yes, I'll cover her cradle, crib, and playmat with blankets to keep Margie & Bobo's kitty litter-y feet from contaminating everything, but I do believe the theory that if you shield babies from 100% of germs, they will have trouble fighting off minor infections/sicknesses in the future. We love our cats (who live indoors only, by the way) and there is nothing cuter than seeing Sonia interact with those two ornery kitties. Not to worry-- I definitely have allowed myself to be a hysterical mom and kept Sosi away from some possible sources of germs (for instance, when I took her downtown her to meet my co-workers at 4 weeks old, I didn't let anyone hold her, but I promised to bring her back in a few weeks and we could play "pass the potato" then). I also refuse to go without washing my hands after diaper changes. But she has had several playdates with older children, and I have taken her to Target, Jewel, Michael's, and the post office.

How ornery does Margie look in this picture?!?

There is no way I can keep Sonia away from two of her potential future boyfriends, the handsome Cieslak boys (pictured below with their mum, Sosi, and Charbaby), or the Murray kids (her best buddies).

Yikes. I AM stubborn. How does Andrew put up with me?!?