Zombie-Mom here. I blame my tired state for many things,
including a lull in writing (songs and blogs). I’m really tired -
more tired than I can ever remember being in my life. And, it’s become a new
normal; that hazy, not-quite-present state of mind is something I am learning to live with. So, accept my apologies for the lack of blogging. I’m losing brain
cells through my breast milk, and there weren’t many to begin with.
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| A strong coffee helps lift the fog. |
Where to begin?
Much has happened since the UK tour; after returning from
London, we had a couple of weeks at home, where we settled into a nice routine.
It was so nice to know when she’d wake/nap/poop/play…I felt, dare I say it,
sane.
Our routine was disrupted by a few glorious cottage weekends (where I celebrated my 32nd birthday with family), and time visiting with our
British cousins who were here for a few weeks. Great family time on both sides,
which is important to me as Annie grows.
I have seen many changes have take place in Annie over the
last three weeks. Some very positive: she’s become a little motormouth, and is
crawling everywhere… Some are less positive: she’s developed bad sleeping
habits and has learned to push my hand away when I am feeding her. Both sides
now, as Joni said.
At 10 months, she’s still so new, but that personality is
blooming, and she’s become a real character. When I look at her, I don’t see a
baby, I just see a tiny person (a rather strange one, but a person nonetheless). Just this weekend, while Kerri and I sat
outside a Whole Foods in Vancouver, Annabelle held on to the railing of the
patio and yelled at people walking by. Actually it was more like a growl. My
little attention-seeking gremlin was looking for smiles, and boy did she get
them!
Also, during our time at home, Annabelle decided that she
hates her crib. HATES IT. Even if we get close to it, she clutches my neck and
starts to whine. It’s no surprise given that she spends most of her sleeping
time in a bed with me when we’re on the road - and we’re on the road a lot. So
now at home, she’s wormed her way into our bed and our sleep is suffering for
it. We’re going to have to
climb that mountain very soon.
Annabelle has also become a bit of a fussy eater, and eats
best while distracted. Thankfully I have two great Aunties on the road with me
who help with that. She also dislikes eating mushed-up baby food, and instead wants to
eat what I’m eating. This makes me conscious of salt and sugar (probably a good
thing), but from time to time she eats a block of cheese or some lasagna.
Honestly I’m just happy to get the food in her belly.
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| Annie enjoys a good red pepper. Photo by Kerri Ough. |
We are now back on the road in Alberta and British Columbia.
It’s been a lovely tour so far, albeit tiring (surprise!). This time around, I
have been touring without a nanny, and getting babysitters each night. Usually
this is manageable, but we’ve had some seriously late nights on this tour,
which makes Annie’s 8 am wakeup call a little difficult.
We have had some wonderful experiences out West. Some of my
best:
Watching the Deep Dark Woods play at Interstellar Rodeo. I
love those guys - my sleepy babe, Sue and I bopped along while they played some
of my favourite tunes.
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| The Grassi Lakes with my fave ladies |
Hiking in Canmore up to the Grassi Lakes with our friend
Marnie and her 21 month old son Aidan.
Aidan decided that he wanted to give Annabelle a kiss when we took them
out of their carriers mid-walk. Annie would have none of it. Good girl!
Spending time with Kerri & Sue through noisy breakfasts
and late night glasses of wine, (whispering in the dark to keep the baby
asleep).
Shopping along Main St. in Vancouver with a cup of J.J. Bean
coffee with Annabelle (and a bit of a spree at a second hand kids’ shop for 12
month old clothes!).
Watching Annabelle dance along to our acoustic sets on Hornby
Island, a true “band baby”. I looked up when we started clapping during “Lie
Down,” one of our set enders, and there she was clapping. My heart burst.
Some incredibly generous people have taken care of Annie
while I’ve been playing shows too; Georgeanne, my friend’s sister, sat in the
dark of my hotel room in Edmonton while Annabelle slept and I went off to play
a late-night wine party. Jamie and Leah (and their 2 year old Emma) took care
of Annie and put her to bed in Red Deer while we played at Babycakes Cupcakery. Sorrel, a wonderful local babysitter took care of her in Canmore, and my friend Nicole bounced baby through our set at SHOREfest in Vancouver. Am
I ever grateful for these people.
True peace of mind came this weekend though; my sweet
husband has decided to take some days off work and fly out for the last leg of
the tour. I felt the stress lift from my shoulders, knowing that he’d be
putting her to bed in Victoria and spending the day with her on Sunday on
Hornby Island. Plus, that flight home from Vancouver is long with baby (more on that later...it was a doozy). I was so grateful for the extra hands and a shoulder to rest on.
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| Sleepyhead. |
There’s a beautiful symmetry to his trip out here; 5 years
ago this, Colin flew out to meet me on the Good Lovelies very first tour across
Canada and spent the weekend with us on Vancouver Island. It was a little different
then, certainly more carefree. But it’s better now, because we’ve got that
little monkey hanging off us. How far we’ve come.
Til next time,
Caroline
