Sarah Beth the Art Aficionado

As if new mommyhood isn't challenging enough, I started having severe wrist/thumb pain in my left hand. What the heck? Well, after consulting with "dr" google (gotta love the internet for self-diagnosing medical conditions) I have determined that I have de Quervain's tendonitis. Apparently this is a common new mom ailment caused by all the lifting and carrying of the baby and the weird ways new moms have to hold their hands to hold baby or hold boobs while breastfeeding. Seriously. It's mommy carpal tunnel. I never heard of this until I woke up the other day feeling like my hand was paralyzed and had to do some internet research. (Side note: don't you think doctors HATE the internet? That's how I triage every potential medical problem and usually end up diagnosing innocuous symptoms as some rare deadly flesh-eating disease.) Anyway, the treatment is the old joke "It hurts when I do this, so don't do that" which is not really practical when you have to care for a newborn. I'm taking a lot of ibuprofen and trying heat/cold treatment when I have a few moments. Some women have been helped with cortisone shots but I'd prefer to skip that if possible. Anyone have any suggestions? This is really interfering with Sarah Beth's piano lessons.

But enough about me...let's talk about how beautiful and wonderful my sweet angel baby is. Not to mention smart! We noticed that she is fascinated by the Matisse painting that hangs above our sofa. I mean she stares at it as long as she can hold her head up, and it will stop her from crying if you hold her in front of it. Yet another reason that for me to appreciate Henri Matisse. It's one of his crazier works:

"King's Sadness" aka Sarah Beth's favorite artwork

She has very sophisticated taste for a 7 week old. No juvenile animals or butterfly mobiles for this baby. I think I'm going to print out some more abstract artwork and make flashcards and a mobile for her. Never too early to start art appreciation, right?

She's sleeping right now. I stole some pictures of her. She is so flippin' cute I can't stand it. I love the way she holds her arms back and sleeps on her hands like she's posing for a magazine shoot.

Today I think we'll have our first mommy-baby solo adventure. It's a beautiful not-too-hot day out and I'm finally "cleared" to lift things again, so assuming the 4 ibuprofen I just took kicks in, we're off to Freedom Park to learn about ducks and trees and squirrels and fresh air. Wish me luck!