Indeed, Dear Internet, you already have been hipped to the addition to the family. Frankie Jane Carter made her debut a mere 2 weeks and 2 days ago. Since then, my time has been spent breastfeeding and trying to sleep... both of which are going relatively well all things considered. I have to admit, however, that somewhere in the last 4 years of living with Elliott, I became quite accustomed to the ease with which our lives revolved. Elliott is such a loving, understanding, and unique little spirit... fairly even tempered, usually a good listener, and a great sleeper. Even with her naps ending abruptly about 2 1/2 months ago, things have maintained an even keel around here. So my first 4 days home with a non-sleeping, hungry, crying, pooping very cute infant had me wandering around my house and wondering What the Fuck did I just Do?
I think it was all the hormones.
Don't get me wrong, I am totally and completely in love with this new bundle, and I welcome her place in this new family dynamic, and I can see that she is growing and changing each day. But I do look forward to building a more consistent routine and finding more of my stride with this thing. Its amazing the amount of baby information you forget as your 1st born moves so far away from those days and becomes a little (somewhat) self-sufficient person.
So I am moving through these days one day at a time, a little calmer, a little more confidant than the last time, and once again trying not to screw up any of the important things. Which these days basically pertains to feeding, diapering and burping... round the clock, not too much to screw up yet. I'll keep you posted.
In Other News:
Tonight Kris opens for one of my favorites, Hamell on Trial at the Beachland in Cleveland. Some of you might remember that when Elliott was just over 4 weeks old, Kris and I went to see Hamell at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood courtesy of Grandy's babysitting skills and some pumped breast milk. Well, for 2 weeks I have been debating pumping again and leaving these children at home so that I wouldn't miss the show I have been waiting for for all these years... (that is to say, Kris finally opening a show for Hamell.) Well, the hard part of parenting is that I have to suck it up and stay home. Frankie is just a little to young I feel to leave her, and since its so early in the game of breastfeeding, I thought it wise to stay away from bottles for a little while longer to hopefully prevent any issues in the near future with how she gets her food.
Kid, you better be worth it. LOL.
So far, the only shows (within reason) that I have missed due to parenthood have been tonight, and a Twilight Singers show in 2003. On the night before Thanksgiving 2003, standing ticket in hand outside the Wilturn in Los Angeles, I walked away from seeing my ultimate favorite Greg Dulli perform because that morning I had just found out I was pregnant, the next day we were leaving for Playa Saldamondo, Mexico for a Vegan-Thanksgiving-Beach Camping Adventure.
Standing there, wanting my life to go on as normal, all I could think was: "Holy Shit. I'm Pregnant." So I walked away from the crowd, got in the car and drove home. We still left for Mexico the next morning, and I vomited off and on the whole weekend, and fate was totally sealed. Ready or not, I was becoming a parent 1 day in.
So, here's to another year of building a foundation, for Frankie Jane and for me. Hopefully I am trading tonight for a video of the show, maybe a shout out from Hamell, and, if god is smiling upon us, a good night's sleep.
-over and out-
