Baptism by Fire

Elliott and her best friend Millie Chopski.

Baby bathing suits....really, they should put snaps on the crotches!

Elliott in the pool with Daddy...notice there are no other people around!

Why we decided to put Elliott in the pool for the first time during one of her fussiest days ever, I'll never know.  Graciously we were invited to Smith Mountain Lake by Stan and Michaux.  While Elliott slept for the entire car ride there she did not while we were at the Lake.  I guess we thought since Millie Chopski, her 4-month old friend, did so well splashing around and smiling and giggling that Elliott might love it too.  Boy were we wrong.  All Spencer did was dip one of her little feet into the cool water and it was all over.  We had become "those people" with the screaming infant that were ruining everyone else's fun.  But we loved being out with the baby and our friends and there had to be a first time.  Maybe next time we try to introduce her to something new we'll make sure she's not gassy, fussy or just not having it.  Or we'll invent a "baby crack swing" for the pool.  

Also, parents beware of sensitive baby skin.  The baby suntan lotion is fine for little new baby skin but mommy's No Ad 15 spf is not.  During her fussy fits when I was trying to console her she rubbed her face against my chest and shoulders.  One hour later her little eyes were puffy, red and she was streaming tears down her face.  So Spencer and I got to try out Baby Benadryl.  Now I'm not advocating using Benadryl to help your baby sleep but sweet little Elliott slept 8 HOURS IN A ROW last night.  When I woke up I had soaked through my shirt and was in agonizing pain.  But I was so incredibly happy to have experienced my first lengthy night's sleep since before Elliott was born.  I feel like a new woman today.