Adam and Eve had many advantages but the principle one is that they escaped teething. - Mark Twain

Baby girl, my Squishette, Mommy has be sorely absent from writing you any messages. I am so sorry - but work has kept me very very very busy...and when I get home I like to squish you as opposed to write on the computer. Don't fret - I have notes of the messages I need to fill in on. Have no fear - I haven't forgotten anything...

BUT. Tonight I HAD to write because (...drum roll...) I felt your FIRST TOOTH!!! I KNOW IT IS AMAZING!!!

It is your bottom front right (when I face you it is front left) and a sharp little edge is sticking out bursting through those beautiful pink little gums. I can see, after probing through your mouth, that the bottom front left is also trying to come through...but he hasn't popped up yet. Maybe this is why you are so so so crabby lately. [Sorry Squishette, but you have been especially needy lately. You won't even let Daddy hold you because all you want is "ama" - which is your special name for Mommy. Don't worry...Daddy's feelings aren't hurt...he knows sometimes you just need your Mommy. You'll make it up to him in time I am sure.]

I am very excited. I am sure it is going to hurt, and we'll all have to live through the pain, but it is still very awesome! Congrats baby girl!!!

xoxo
Mommy

First Cereal Day!

Today you had your first "solid food." I use quotes because solid foods for a 6 month old is really mushy liquidy oatmealy stuff that we pass off with a spoon. I will admit...it is a different consistency than drinking breastmilk, and true true solid food sounds more appetizing than mushy stuff.

Working Mom

I recently read a blog posting where a mother wrote a letter to her daughter stating that for three months her daughter's life had consumed her.  And for those three months she had kept a secret from her daughter - the fact that she was a working mom.  She then went on to explain that she would be gone 8hrs a day and when home would even be occasionally distracted by a little square contraption - known as a blackberry.  She was happy to go back to work and hoped that some day her daughter would respect her for being a working mother with a career.

Well, my Squishette, I too am going to be a working mother.  Unfortunately, unlike the blog I read, I am not at all happy or upbeat about it.  To be honest I have cried about it every change I have gotten since you were born.  Why?  Well...if you think Mommy is a wuss just wait until you have your own little baby and we'll see how you feel too.  For the last 6 months I have been in denial - and finally the time has come.  I am starting work very soon.  And you will be going to daycare.  Luckily we are blessed because I will be working part time...so you are still stuck with me 3 days a week.  Ha.

Anyway - going back to work, or facing the prospect of doing so, has made me reflect on many things.  One of those things has been my relationship with Abuelala.  Looking back I have realized that Abuelala and I are very close...perhaps the reason we are close has to do with the fact that Abuelala always made an effort to sit us down and dissect our days when she got home from work.  I have distinct memories of sitting in her bathroom in the morning when she got ready for work and sitting in her bedroom when she came home and changed at night.  In fact we made a game out of it - and still do to this day - by starting each conversation with "I got on the bus..."  Hopefully by the time you can read this those words will make you smile because you will be familiar with the same tradition.

Bottom line?  I love you.  I would love nothing more than to stay home and be your full time playmate, caretaker, teacher, and official squisher.  But I must go to work so that you can grow up strong and healthy with a roof over your head and food on the table.  I hope you will understand.  That being said - I PROMISE that when I am home I will be with you...and I expect you to give me the dirt on your day starting from the very beginning when you got on the bus...

xoxo,

Mommy 

Trip to Connecticut

We visited Mema and Boompa this week in Connecticut. You had so much fun with the yelling Kai - who sounded so much like a crying baby that you started to cry yourself. We tried to have gelato but you slept through it, which was great for us because we really got to enjoy the gelato without juggling you at the same time so thank you baby girl - good timing!

Unfortunately we couldn't take you to the beach because it rained this trip. Hopefully next time we will be able to take you and see your reaction to the sand. Will you eat it???

xoxo

Mommy

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

I am proud to report that you are really sleeping in your crib most nights. You still wake up sometime between 2:30am-3:30am. But honestly I am perfectly fine with that. In fact, it is 1:35am right now and I'm still up. Why? Well I am having a hard time with you sleeping so far away from me. It may sound silly but it is true. I lie in bed staring at the monitor (it lights up when there is noise) wondering whether it is going to light up with your crying. I don't suppose anyone expected me to suffer separation anxiety with you only two rooms away...but there you have it.

To make matters even more interesting...you now roll onto your stomach...while asleep. Now depending on how asleep you are determines whether rolling wakes you up crying or not. For instance about an hour ago you woke up crying because you had rolled onto your stomach and didn't know what to do. I put you back on your side and you quieted down. But I just walked in to check you ten minutes ago and you are now perfectly happy on your stomach. In fact, when I tried checking to see if you could breathe (I put my finger to your nostrils to make sure they weren't against the bed) you (understandably) got annoyed and didn't wake up you simply turned your head away from me. Ha! You showed me didn't you.

Daddy and I were concerned about letting you sleep on your tummy. Daddy was so worried that he even let you sleep in our room until your recent Dr's appointment - isn't that cute? But, when I asked the Dr she said it was your decision as to whether you wanted to sleep on your stomach and we could leave you alone. So it is up to you now. That is a huge relief for us.

Hmmm...if only I could sleep we'd be all good to go.

Love you baby girl.

xoxo

Mommy

Roll back...

You rolled from your tummy to your back tonight! It was mostly out of sheer frustration because we think that you are ANGRY that you are unable move move move... So while you were crying to voice your annoyance at being static you pushed your arms straight and BAM over onto your back you rolled. It was quite a sight to see. I am so proud of you.

Now - if you could just figure out that you can do this again we'd be all set. Wink.

On a positive note, you now easily roll over from your back to your tummy from either side. Good job! Keep it going baby and you'll be crawling in no time.

xoxo

Mommy

Your First Piercing...

ear piercing that is.  Wink.  I of all people cannot exactly limit any future  piercings you may want because that would be quite hypocritical - you'll understand when you are older.

Anyway - it is done!  I have been worrying about where we would be able to get your ears pierced since before you were even born.  It is a big tradition in Abuelala's family to have little girls' ears pierced as soon as possible.  In the past Drs used to do it - but now they won't.  Hospitals also won't do them anymore...  So where does that leave us?  Well, with earring stores like Claire's.  Of course I was not into that idea at all.  My idea of Claire's was a bunch of teeny bopper cashiers that had no idea what they were doing with a cash register let alone a piercing gun.  

Luckily my fears were unwarranted.  We stopped into Claire's while Abuelala was visiting and asked what the deal was.  Apparently, at least at this Claire's, they are very experienced in piercing babies.  Great!  Of course Abeulala insisted on asking who the best baby piercer was and demanded that she do it.  Heh.  Big surprise - wink.  She is looking out for you of course!  So after making sure I had all the appropriate paperwork, and picking out a yellow gold pair of earrings for you (out of nostalgia - my first pair were yellow gold too), we were ready to go.  You sat on Abuelala's lap and the store manager pierced you one ear at a time while Abuelala held your head against her chest.  I stood there wincing...  You cried.  A lot.  But no more than you do when you get your shots at the Drs office.  And we had a bottle ready to pacify you.  10 minutes later you were fine...as if nothing had even happened.

I am so proud of you.  You did a great job.  Hmmm I wonder if this experience foreshadows things to come in you future.  More piercings?  Tattoos?  Well at least I have time to think about that...

xoxo

Mommy

Update:  A week later and I am happy to say that your ears are beautiful and totally fine.  No infections or issues at all.  Good job!  Ah, the things we do for beauty.

Sleep Log

Okay it is time to pull out the big guns. You had two awesome nights of sleep...you slept in your crib and woke only once during the night. But after that? Yeah - not so much. We are back to the every two hour wake up. Little girl...

So I am going to pull out the big guns and write down your sleep pattern. Maybe there is a code to crack. I'll keep you posted on how it works out.

xoxo
Mommy

Rock-a-bye baby Update

It is 10:50pm, Sunday night, and both you and Daddy are asleep! I hardly know what to do with myself. Daddy isn't feeling so hot...he has been really sick lately...practically sick every other weekend since you were born. Sigh, I know, it is tough. I am really worried about him.

Stress has a lot to do with sickness. Abuelala has drilled that into my head and I am sure that I will drill it into yours. Maybe part of why Daddy has been sick so often is because his head is so filled with worrying about you and me...working for us, staying up late with us, and generally being concerned with our little family. You and I will have to make Father's Day really special for him this year and let him know we appreciate him.

Anyway...if you read my last post then you'll know that at 4mos old you are not exactly sleeping a lot at one go yet. Basically you have been waking up every 2 hours to eat. Yeah...it has been fun for us both let me tell you. Wink. But, I am not going crazy, not pulling my hair out. I figure you are little once and if you need to eat then you need to eat. I know that you'll grow out of it eventually and that is that. It is also why you have been sleeping in a cradle in our room...less distance to travel every 2 hours when you do want to eat. And, let me clarify, you don't exactly "wake up" - you mostly groan and make fussing noises with your eyes close indicating that you are hungry. If I don't respond and let you continue fussing...well THEN you wake up...usually with quite a bit of crying. We all like to avoid that so I get you as quickly as possible.

But...recently you have been periodically sleeping more at night. More meaning 3+hrs at a time. AND, last night was the first night that you slept in your crib in your own room. It was really hard for me. I could hardly sleep because I kept glancing at the monitor to make sure it was working and that you were okay. You went to bed at 9:30pm and I actually woke you at 12:30am to eat...and then you slept until 3:30am! Daddy and I actually watched a whole movie at once - we were both shocked. It was amazing...I am so proud of you!

Tonight you fell asleep around 9:30pm, woke up at 10pm because you were hungry, and then went back to sleep. I know I need to go to bed so that I will be awake later when you wake up...but it is so hard for me to sleep with you in the crib. We don't live in a big apartment but you feel so far away! We decided to move you from the cradle because you started moving around a lot while sleeping and I think the cradle was too confining - you kept waking up crying because your face was next to the bars. To the crib it is then.

Oh and btw...you went to Ikea for the first time today, where we bought you a new bigger play mat. You have definitely outgrown the tiny one you inherited from your cousin. AND sure enough we got home and you proved your need for a bigger mat by rolling over again. You work your way all the way to the edge and then roll over...it is pretty cute. Right now you only roll over on your left side. We'll have to work on your right. So much activity my love. I just can't get over how quickly you are growing.

Well it is 11:36pm. You are still asleep but I shouldn't push my luck. I will go to bed and listen for you. Sweet dreams.

xoxo
Mommy

No sleep till Brooklyn

Well my love we just spent the week in Connecticut. Our first reason for going there was to find out whether or not we could have you baptized at the church where Daddy was baptized. We went to church on Sunday and you were awesome. First of all you looked so adorable...in a white smocked dress with blue, brown, and pink embroidery, and brown leggings to match. Great outfit I must say so. You slept through the whole sermon and woke up right at the end. Good timing. Personally I think you enjoyed the sounds of everyone singing and talking.

Secondly, we went to Connecticut because your Aunt C and cousins S and T are there for two weeks. And because I made a promise to myself that you would know your cousins growing up as much as humanly possible...well we stayed at Mema and Boompa's house for a week with them.

It was quite a week. You were on excellent behavior and I think were fascinated by your cousins, who, at age 1 and 2, are two balls of energy. I hope you won't go out of your mind bored once we are home alone again. You did a great job of sitting on my lap and watching them play, scream, walk, screech, and occasionally bite and push each other. It was educational for you in the least.

Your cousins were not the only ones you were enamored with. You absolutely adore your Boompa...everytime you glance in his direction results in a big smile on your face. You found your Aunt C absolutely hilarious - she had the great ability to make you laugh so hard. One night she had you laughing so much that both Mema and I had tears in our eyes from laughing ourselves. It was hilarious.

Speaking of Mema, she insisted on keeping you one night so that I could sleep (you are still eating every 2hrs at night these days) and I resisted all week...until our last night in Connecticut. And my baby girl you definitely lived up to your reputation...you would NOT sleep in the Pack n Play, you kept making your I-want-to-sleep-but-can't noises, you wet through your diaper and had to have your clothes and the sheets changed (which meant Boompa had to wake up and hold you while Mema changed the sheets), and the evening ended up with Mema taking you down to the television room because you would only sleep on the soft comfy couch. I warned them. I told them that you were the Princess and the Pea. Does anyone believe me? Meanwhile I could barely sleep without you nearby...don't laugh...it was the first time I ever slept away from you for a whole night! It is a big deal! But we both survived. Needless to say it was rough but it was a big lesson for us both. We can do it - when we have to that is.

You also met many of Mema's friends. Some we met out at Breakfast with the Ladies, and others stopped by the house to meet you and Cousin T. You were charming as usual and gave all the appropriate smiles and coos. See you already have good manners! Let's keep it up.

All in all we are back home now and Daddy is very happy to have us back. He walked in the door and you glowed at him. It was just what he needed after our being gone for a week. Hahaha I just realized we got minimal sleep this week...it literally was No sleep till Brooklyn...

xoxo
Mommy

Roll Out

YOU ROLLED OVER LAST NIGHT!

And why did you roll over? Oh simply because you saw Portia and were trying to get to her. Oh yeah - I think Portia is in for a world of hurt in the next coming months.

Yup. It was cool.

You were playing on your mat when you looked over at Portia. You leaned over towards her and then - bam - rolled over onto your tummy! You were rather surprised. And poor Daddy, who had spent at least 15 minutes the night before taping you in case you rolled over, grabbed the camera and said well? I told him that I thought you were done for the night. Hahahhaaa...oh well hopefully we'll get you in action next time.

I'm so proud of you!

xoxo Mommy

First Mother's Day

Thank you, thank you, thank you little girl! I had the best mother's day ever. Well...so far...it was my first after all. Wink.

You and Daddy took me to the Peacock Cafe in Georgetown. It is my favorite place to go to brunch in DC. I have been dreaming of their Steak and Eggs since we moved to New York. They make the best skinny fries that they serve alongside the steak and they are absolutely delicious!

So while the rest of the family (your Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and Grandparents) went off to Dim Sum - Daddy swept me away to eat breakfast with you at the Peacock Cafe. Yay! And I enjoyed a morning cocktail of champagne and pomegranate - champagne being my favorite of course - alongside my steak. It was really perfect. Plus, to top it off, the cafe was giving flowers to every mother. It was amazing!

As we ate breakfast there was a little girl sitting near us and she kept looking over at our table and pointing. She'd point to you and say "baby." Then she'd point to me and Daddy and say "baby's Mommy" and "baby's Daddy." It was the first time someone called me Mommy that I really felt like a Mommy. I was so happy I wanted to thank her.

On top of the amazing breakfast surprise you also gave me a beautiful pair of earrings. They are hammered silver open hoops. Very cool. Very unique. Just my kind of earrings. Wink.

After breakfast the three of us walked around Georgetown. The weather was perfect. I can't remember a time when I was happier or more pleasantly surprised. You and Daddy did an awesome job.

Thank you baby girl...

xoxo Mommy

Ms. March goes to Washington (well...Virginia really...)

The last time I wrote to you I said we were going to Virginia to visit your cousins. Well...we went! And I must say, you were AWESOME in the car! Seriously, we drove from Connecticut to Virginia with Boompa and Mema and you slept for most of the ride. I wanted you to know what a champ you are.

Now the girls on the other hand...to be fair I shouldn't say girls because Portia was very good. Paisley got upset being in her crate for so long and she scratched a hole into her crate and got out! Those dogs of yours...really. We arrived at the hotel, which was very nice and the people were very friendly to both you and the dogs, and as Boompa checked in Mema noticed that Paisley had "escaped" and was walking around the hotel! What a little pain she can be.

Our room was very beautiful. We had a king sized bed which you thought was so much fun to lie on and kick after being in the car seat for hours. Then we were off to see your cousins.

Cousin S, Cousin T, Aunt C and Uncle S live in a cute little house in Arlington. It is really brightly painted and decorated with all sorts of exotic things that your Aunt and Uncle have picked up on their travels. They are talking about moving so I am describing it here because it may not be the house that you grow up remembering them living in. Anyway, your Aunt is pretty fastidious but since having two children she has become more relaxed. So although everything still has its place there were toys to be played with on the floor and it was really fun. You really enjoyed it because you were able to sit on someone's lap and take in whatever your cousins were doing.

This was our first time meeting Cousin T and you were enamored right off the bat. You had already been enchanted with her photograph that we have on the refrigerator so it was really fun to see you react to her in person. She was very happy, spirited, has quite a personality, and aside from looking different from the rest of the family you cannot tell that she is adopted. I am so glad that you have another cousin and I hope you two will be as close as I have always been with my female cousins. I have a feeling that you and she will give S a run for his money.

I am so glad that we are blessed with such a healthy growing family. My cousins were a big part of my life growing up - and they continue to be in my life today. I really want that for you too.

xoxo Mommy

Catch up, Catch up

Oh my girl I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have written.  It was such a busy weekend that I haven't had a moment to sit down and focus on writing you.  

Daddy and I had friends over this weekend.  Three guys who were very interested in holding you and getting to know you.  I swear this now, and I am sure I will repeat myself when you are older, I think guys have a switch that turns on as they approach 30.  All of a sudden the idea of being a father is appealing.  I know it happened to your Daddy.  ;)  Anyway, as a result, a lot of our barbecue with our buddies focused on babies, having babies, what to do with babies, meeting the mother of future babies (two of these guys are single), how babies begin to consume your life...you know the usual.  

I admit - a lot of my topic of conversation has to do with you now.  I am sure I drive some people crazy.  But - I don't care.  I love you and I don't care who knows it!  

Okay well I am writing quickly because I am leaving with you and The Girls to go to Connecticut tomorrow.  Mema and Boompa are picking us up.  And as usual I have left packing to the last minute.  I am positive I forgot something...sigh.  But as Abuelala always says - I can always buy something if I need to.  On that note I am going to rack my brain one more time for the items I can't replace (like Jirafa) and then give up.

xoxo Mommy

Rock-a-bye Baby

At this VERY MOMENT...you are sleeping in your crib for the first time ever!  Yay!  

Yesterday the mattress arrived and when Daddy came home I insisted that we put it in the crib before we went to be so that you could sleep in there for your naps today.  We put it in, threw some sheets on it, and then I placed you in it just to see if how you reacted.  

Guess what.  You loved it!  You stretched out and smiled.  It was great.  You love our bed so I suppose that is what you may have been comparing it to in your little head.  Your own personal bed.  It was awesome - and Daddy videotaped it all.  

This morning I put you down for your morning nap.  You woke up about 15 minutes into your nap...but I gave you back your pacifier and you closed your eyes.  It has been about 35 minutes and counting.  Fingers crossed - I hope you are having some sweet dreams.

xoxo Mommy

Catch Your Eye

Over the last month there have been certain items around the apartment that have really caught your attention.  Of course I already told you that you are obsessed with the ceiling fan - and that remains true.  But as of late you have a few additional friends...

One is your mobile.  Apparently your mobile must talk back to you in your imagination because you really enjoy lying in your cradle talking to it.  It is an Infant Stim-Mobile and so I change the pieces occasionally.  Just recently I changed the pieces from all black and white to those with color.  It is pretty amazing because you notice which pieces have changed and you inspect them carefully.  I am sure you want to make sure these newcomers are up to par to your other buddies on the mobile. 

Another new friend is the pattern on your swing.  Just the other day I noticed that you were suspiciously quiet in your swing...I looked over and Daddy and I noticed that you had turned your head and were simply staring at your swing chair fabric.  Obviously I made a good choice when I picked it out - I chose it because it has some of my favorite colors, brown and grown.  But I think you like it because it is a very intricate paisley pattern.  To be perfectly honest I worry about you going cross-eyed looking at it, on the other as a textile artist I encourage your exploration of textile patterns. 

And last, but not least, is a set of silk peonies that I have.  For some reason you think those flowers are Hilarious!  You just look at them and laugh...and you get the biggest smile.  I am not sure what jokes they are telling you but apparently they are a riot.  I can't wait to see what else catches your eye as time goes on.  

xoxo Mommy

Pouty Face

I haven't told you about probably the cutest thing about you yet. The Pouty Face. Yup, that is right. You have the most adorable pout. You literally make an upside down "U" with your mouth. It is cute, funny, touching, and just too much!

As soon as the "U" appears we know what is coming...a few whimpers and eventually, if there is no change in the circumstances that resulted in the pout, full blown crying. Of course that isn't pleasant. But the pout is the best prelude there has ever been to a baby's cry.

Someday you'll roll your eyes when I tell this story.

xoxo Mommy

Sweet Dreams

This morning you woke up with the biggest "aaaaah" and then looked at me and smiled. I can't handle it...you are too cute.

Right now I am researching jobs that might help our family have some more security - financial security that is. And you are peacefully sleeping in your swing, with one little barefoot sticking off your chair. I really appreciate your being so agreeable while I update my resume and etc. Stressful stuff.

Hopefully your dreams are happy ones. xoxo Mommy

Film Review

Last night Daddy and I watched our small little collection of home videos. Basically we sat down and while I fed you we watched the 48 little short clips of you growing up over the last 3 months. It was absolutely adorable, endearing, nostalgic, and in some ways scary. I teared up because I couldn't believe how much you've grown in only 3 months.

The image that sticks in my head is the one of your little hand holding onto the tip of my finger. That video was taken on the day you were born. Your fingers were so tiny! And yet, I remember commenting on how big your hands looked for your body when you were born, such long fingers and beautiful nails.

Now you have grown into your hands a bit more. The most recent videos show you trying to shove both of those chubby hands and long fingers into your mouth! While, I might add, trying to talk. You want it all baby.

I have to give Daddy some props because he has been doing a good job of taping not only you in various positions and moods, he has also taped the dogs and (when I am not looking) me as well. Although it occurred to me last night that you may end up being a bit bitter as an older child if I don't end up taping more of Daddy himself! So, I am going to do my best to do that just for you. xoxo Mommy

Sleeping Pattern

I can't tell you how many times people ask "does she sleep well?" - how exactly to answer that question. You are, after all, only 3 months old...so what constitutes sleeping well at this point? I suppose any period of time longer than one hour so that I can get some sleep as well is good enough for me.

Right now you seem to be developing a pretty regular habit. You sleep quite a bit during the day - which is worrisome at times because I wonder whether you will be up all night. But because we just moved into a new apartment it is convenient because it has given me time to put you down in your cradle and get unpacking down. You then sleep between 4-5hrs starting around midnight each night. That is a huge improvement from just one month ago when you were sleeping in increments of two hours.

That is right, you sleep in a cradle. The same cradle your father slept in, his siblings slept in, his cousins slept in, and almost all of his cousins' children slept in it as well. It has a lot of history that cradle...and for awhile you weren't a fan. But I got your number little girl - you suffer from the Princess and the Pea syndrome. It wasn't until I put down your fathers comfy squishy quilt into the cradle that you decided it was good enough for you to sleep in.

Well, this week the mattress for your new crib should arrive. And then we'll see about where you'll sleep then. In the very least you are taking naps in your the crib and we'll eventually phase out the cradle at night. It may be a battle of endurance to see who prevails. You or me? Who knows, maybe you'll love the crib - I'll make sure there are no peas under the mattress. xoxo Mommy

New Room

Last night we spent the evening reorganizing your room. Which was pretty impressive considering half of the time you tried to foil our plans by crying - something about being hungry I believe. Of course our motivation was your new crib which is being delivered this morning. So we had to get a move on! (Baby's Dream Serenity in Antique Black)

We eventually got through it. Daddy and I moved the furniture 3 times before we got it Just Right. I'd like to point out that the furniture ended up in the exact spot I had envisioned the first time we saw your room. So there, my love, your mother has vision...just remember that in the future!

I am psyched to decorate your room. Abuelala is getting your cribset. It is a beautiful handmade set of oranges, almonds, beiges, and browns. The designer print fabric has little birds on it which will go great with my next idea...wall decals. The ones I want for your room are a birdcage decal. I think they will go really well with the French sleighbed style of your crib. I am also planning to paint an old wardrobe that used to belong to Boompa and put a birdcage decal on that as well.

I also want to find handles to replace the wood handles on the wardrobe. Maybe Aunt LDR will help Mommy's search for handles. Then paint of course to paint the wardrobe, Daddy is thinking an apple green which would go well with the black crib.

After that I think your room will be good to go. For now at least. I am sure I'll have another brainstorm in a week or so. xo Mommy

Obsession

Before I forget - you are completely obsessed with our ceiling fan. I almost feel that I have to thank the powers that be that we moved into this new apartment because I do not know what we would have done without the ceiling fan. Even as I type this you are sitting in your swing periodically smiling as you stare at it. I am sure that you are not unique in your curiosity of the ceiling fan - it is a pretty mesmerizing apparatus. Daddy carries you around the apartment and calls it Mr. Fan. You seem to really enjoy it. Whenever you have periods of inconsolable crying...we rely on the ceiling fan as a comforting distraction.

Oh, sounds like I have to go change a diaper. Ha.

xo Mommy

Puppy Power

I am not sure we'll remember - and I hope we don't because it may seem like such a silly thing to worry about. But...before you were born we were greatly worried that the dogs would have an adverse reaction. Especially Portia, she isn't exactly known for her love of children. Of course we have a backup plan, and a backup to the backup plan should the day come that we can no longer have her in the house. Please don't misunderstand - I love Portia - she was one of my first babies...but at the end of the day she is still a dog and for your safety I will make hard choices.

Anyway, back to present day. You were sitting on the couch with your father, well more specifically, he was holding you on his left side and Portia sat on the couch on his right. Lo and behold, you take notice of Portia and start to lean in towards her. It almost appeared as if you were reaching out to touch her. Ha, Portia's worst nightmare perhaps realized. You were practically crawling over your father's lap to get to her...luckily Paisley moved around some food in her bowl and so Portia immediately jumped down to investigate that. Nevertheless...a new obsession for you may have begun?

Let me just point out that a few weeks ago Portia wouldn't even be caught dead on the couch anywhere NEAR you. So the fact that she was sitting so close, and while you were wiggling around, is a miracle. I am very impressed. Maybe she has decided you are acceptable - but other children beware! xo Mommy

And so it begins...

Today you are just shy of 3 months old. As your mother I decided I had to start a record of how you things are going! Why? Well because in just three short months you have changed sooo much. I want to be able to remember all the little things you do now as a baby so that someday, when you are older and care to know, I can remind you of how cute you used to be. There are already habits you started and stopped in just 12 weeks.

For instance, did you know that when you sneeze you make a little cooing noise afterward? You literally go "achoo...aaaaoooooh." It is absolutely adorable. Almost as if you are sighing and thinking, whew glad that is over, after you are done sneezing. But only recently, you have periodically stopped cooing after sneezing. I suppose you probably realized that it isn't a big deal anymore...so why sigh about it? Nevertheless, it still squeezes my heart to hear that sigh, and before it is completely gone I wanted to make sure to remember to tell you all about it later.

Right now you are sitting in your swing completely annoyed to be in the chair right next to me but not being held by me. You are pretty peeved. You are crying, realizing that isn't getting you anywhere, stopping...looking at me, frowning and then crying again. Not a full blown cry more of a plea for help "save me, save me from this swing!!" Meanwhile I am typing this little message and thinking that in three short months you are going to start daycare and therefore you have to get used to being on your own for periods of time. It breaks my heart but there it is. Would that I could stay home with you ahd hold you forever I would...but that isn't the world we live in right now. I hope someday you'll understand and forgive me.

Okay, I can't stand your pouting anymore. I am going to pick you up and squeeze you to my chest. Off to change your diaper...which you LOVE by the way. No really you love a good diaper change - no joke. xoxo Mommy