{ Elaina: Eight Months }

You are

more joy
more wonder
more kissable
more exhaustion

than I ever dreamed imaginable.

Two tiny little pearls betwixt rosebud lips.

 

Knowing how to play peek-a-boo.

Giving "crying it out" another try--please, sweet Jesus, let it work!!

Excitement so fierce you flap your arms uncontrollably and grin like a fool when Daddy comes home.

 

:: just chillin' with my Pops ::

Saying Mama--melt my heart!--and other random "a" syllables {we're working on Dada!}.

Trying any food we offer you, and exploring it with gusto. So far you've tried and enjoyed

sweet potato

broccoli

avocado

chicken

quiche

banana

peach

mango

plum

bell pepper

barbecued ribs

noodles

roast beef

hard boiled egg

spinach

apple

waffle

and others I'm sure I'm forgetting

 

 

No more swaddling, which means finding you sleeping in the most adorable positions when I check on you: usually curled on your left side, but sometimes on your tummy or holding a crib slat with one hand.

No swaddling also means one hand is constantly roaming--grabbing, pinching, patting--while we bounce you to sleep.

Unpredictable naps.

Unbridled joy when I walk into your room to get you.

Very interested in watching me do a few signs--all done, milk, and eat. Earlier this week, I thought you might have signed "all done" a couple times, but brushed it off as a fluke. But last night, after eating and playing with the food on your tray, you made eye contact with me and signed "all done!" Way to go, baby girl!!

We've started putting you in the nursery at church on Sundays, and much to our surprise, we only had to come get you early the first week {even then, you lasted over 45 minutes!}. Bravo for you, little girl!

Sitting up by yourself.

Using your tongue and lips to play with your teeth. All. The. Time. It's cute.

Sometimes, when I come in to soothe you when you have trouble falling asleep, I find you sucking your thumb.

You recently moved into size 6 month clothing, but they're already getting snug. I predict you'll be ready for 6-9 months around nine months old {and maybe size 9 months before you're a year?!}.

{ SIX MONTHS!!! }

Dear Miss Peanut,

 

It's hard for me to believe, but yesterday you turned six months old! How can it possibly be half a year since you were born?!

 

Here are the stats from your six-month checkup today:

Weight: 14 pounds, 4 ounces {16th percentile}

Height: 26 inches {53rd percentile}

Head Circumference: 17 inches {83rd percentile}

 

You are quite proficient at rolling from tummy-to-back as well as back-to-tummy. Tummy time is still high on your list of Least Favorite Things to Do, but you're a champ at push-ups. That big ol' noggin of yours is pretty heavy, though, and it often lists to one side...and then over onto your back you go!

 

 

You are really good at sitting up with a little support. You hold yourself quite steady, but can't quite sit up alone yet.

 

:: I call this your "jaunty pose" ::

 

Sometimes you like sitting in the Bumbo, and sometimes you really really don't. Here's another example of that head tilt I talked about--it's just such a heavy thing to hold up, isn't it?

 

In the last couple of weeks, you discovered your feet, and you LOVE to chew on your toesies. Those bulky cloth diapers make it really difficult to get your feet to your mouth, so every time I change your diaper, POOF you grab your right foot and shove it in your mouth and start talking about how much you love it. Cutest thing!

 

You smile all.the.time....but especially for Mama.

 

You are very quiet and observant when we are with other people.

 

You have become very attached to Mama and Daddy, to the point where you often burst into tears if someone else holds you {even when you can still see one of us!}. I've heard that separation anxiety is a normal, healthy development at this stage, but it's awfully difficult to see you cry so hard when anyone else holds you.

 

:: I couldn't resist the "My first Christmas" outfit! ::

 

:: playing with measuring spoons ::

 

In the last month or so, you have decided that a bottle is an unacceptable way to eat. At first we thought it was just because you had some new babysitters, but then you refused a bottle from Grandma Mandy--your most frequent babysitter--for the whole five hours Daddy and I were at the Messiah! Fiddlesticks. This may definitely put a crimp in our date nights, but soon you'll be onto solid foods and that may be our saving grace.

 

In the last two weeks, you've started waving back when people wave at you. You're very shy about it, which makes it all the more endearing!

 

You are always super happy when you wake up on your own.

 

:: helping Daddy with his Bible study ::

 

You still like being carried in the Ergo--you little snuggle bunny!

 

You entertain yourself in the carseat now, often not fussing at all when we're out running errands. Glory hallelujah!!

 

You sleep like a champ. Putting you down for naps is a breeze, and while you always fuss at bedtime, when you finally fall asleep, you only wake up to eat once {between 3 and 4am} and then sleep till 8 or 9am. Bliss.

 

:: sporting a hat from Aunt Peggy ::

 

Much to our surprise and delight, on Christmas you seemed to grasp the concept of unwrapping gifts and would grab the paper and pull. It was so much fun to help you unwrap your presents!

 

 

:: Helping Daddy read one of the World Vision gift cards from Grandma and Grandpa Duck. They gave money to help care for an orphan in your honor! ::

 

Remember in the Anne of Green Gables books, how Anne wanted to have violet eyes? When you wear this purple onesie, your eyes really truly look violet-colored. You are so stunning, baby girl!

 

And now...the hat.

 

I wanted to get you an animal hat for Christmas, and when I found this pink owl hat on Etsy, I knew it was meant to be on your head. I'm not sure what you think of it, but you look so stinkin' cute wearing it!!

 

:: notice the high-waisted granny jeans! ::

 

Ohhhhh, Baby Bug, I could just eat you up!!

 

Grandma Mandy gave you a gorgeous navy blue holiday dress. It's satin and velvet and has bows and a crinkly tulle underskirt and it's the fanciest dress you've ever had. You wore it for Christmas Eve with Grandpa Dan, Grandma Mandy, Auntie Mar, and Lawrence, and my-oh-my did you look lovely!

 

:: Daddy with his princess ::

 

You love to touch faces and give big, open-mouthed, slobbery kisses.

 

You blow bubbles and suck on your lower lip and chew anything you can get in your mouth.

 

We celebrated Christmas with Daddy's family this year. You were a trooper for the super long day, even taking a couple naps {short ones} in the pack 'n' play. You enjoyed opening gifts, playing with your new toys, and smiling at everybody. Especially Lawrence.

 

:: helping Mommy unwrap one of your presents ::

 

:: this hat is too much cuteness!! you look like a little Ewok! ::

 

:: chillaxin' with Daddy ::

 

We celebrated your actual six-month birthday by letting you try a banana. You watch us closely when we eat, so I figured you would be all over a tasty, squishy new "toy."

 

Not so...not so at all. As a matter of fact, after the first minute or two, you seemed downright annoyed to be stuck in the Bumbo with Mommy and Daddy grinning at you and making fools of themselves trying to get you interested in the banana. You briefly examined the banana, tried to pick it up a couple times, stuck it in your mouth and gnawed a little once, and then you were over it.

 

 

:: "They seriously think I'm gonna put this in my mouth?!" ::

 

Oh well. We'll try again soon, maybe with something more exciting like an avocado or mango!

 

 Six months old is so much fun--we love you lotsies, Lainie Rae!

Mama

{ 133 Days }

Little Miss Lainie Bug,

 

Today you are 133 days old. Nineteen weeks. Almost four and a half months. One hundred thirty-three days doesn't sound like very long at all...yet at the same time, it feels like I've said "Good night" and sung you "Jesus Loves Me" hundreds or even thousands of times. There is less and less of the helpless newborn about you; more and more you are a thinking, learning, feeling, exploring, opinionated baby.

 

I still swaddle you up for sleeping. Nighttime and naps.

 

 

You still have the BEST facial expressions!

On October 19, you said "hi" two me--twice--while I was changing your diaper! You hear me say it all the time, and I probably would have thought it was a fluke except that I had just said it to you several times..and you said it back, twice. At your four-month checkup, I told the pediatrician, expecting her to brush it off as coincidence. But she thinks it's entirely plausible; she said you're a very smart baby, and given that you are pretty vocal, it's quite possible that you actually said "hi" on purpose.

 

Speaking of four-month checkups, here are your stats at four months old:

Weight: 11 pounds, 10 ounces {6th percentile}

Length: 24.4 inches {45th percentile}

Head circumference: 16.2 inches {65th percentile}

 

And, just as I was telling the doctor that you haven't quite rolled over yet, you rolled farther over than I have ever seen you do before; the doctor moved your arm up an inch or two from your side, and bam! You rolled onto your tummy! Granted, you had a tiny bit of help, but you looked quite pleased. You haven't managed that trick again, but you lift your head and torso up really high during tummy time. It's super cute. I'll have to take pictures and post them in your next letter.

 

You are still an itty bitty thing, but your brain is growing at an amazing rate! In the past few weeks, you have really started to develop little rolls on your thighs and upper arms, and the "fat folds" around your wrists are getting deeper. Your cheeks are plumping up, and you feel sturdier. Part of that is probably because you l-o-v-e to practice standing and bouncing up and down with someone holding you.

 

You have the classic baby bald spot on the back of your head.

 

You excel at sleeping. Though I wish you weren't such a night owl--you don't usually fall asleep till between 10 and 11 pm--on average you sleep for 12 hours at night, waking up twice to eat {usually between 2 and 3 and again between 6:30 and 8}. As for naps, they are a little more sporadic, but frequent: You fall apart if you're awake for more than two hours at a time.

Speaking of sleep, on October 29 you started sleeping in your nursery. For everything, nighttime and naps. We're all sleeping just fine, in spite of the fact that this makes me feel like I don't have a little baby any more. You're growing up. You sleep in your own room. And you still talk in your sleep, too: On Monday morning I went to get you because I heard you talking. You were still sound asleep--100% Daddy's girl!

 

You laughed for the first time on October 26, the day before your four-month birthday. Daddy was holding you, and I did something that made you produce this deep-throated chuckle that sounded like it came all the way from your belly. Girlie girl, that made our month!! There is nothing like hearing your baby laugh for the first time! For a while, I'd thought you were really close to laughing, and I'd been praying that it would happen when Daddy was home--and it was! Since then you've laughed a few more times, but only for me, and never at the same thing twice in a row.

 

You love to roll onto your left side. Only your left {that was the side you were lying on in the womb, so I'm not too surprised}. You will be on your back, then you stick your feet straight up, hurl them to the left, and scoot yourself up a little {toward your head}. Frequently you will scoot yourself 180 degrees, essentially pivoting your body around your head--once you did a complete circle!

 

You suck on your fingers. All. The. Time. Usually it's just the first two fingers on either hand. And the drooling!! You go through a couple bibs a day!

 

A couple weekends ago, the three of us went on a walk at a park near our house. I only discovered it this fall, and wanted to show your Daddy because there is a trail that goes waaaaaaaay down into a gulch with a creek at the bottom.

 



 

:: you and me at the top of the big hill ::

 

 

:: some of the steps ::

 

 

:: on the bridge ::

 

Enough talking. Let's get to the good stuff--pictures!

 

:: me trying to copy your silly face ::

 

 

:: hanging out with Daddy on a Saturday morning ::

 

 

:: and helping Daddy answer emails ::

 

 

:: having a blast scooting around on the dining room floor ::

 

You love baths now. You smile and coo at the bottles of shampoo and the soaps. You arch your back and smack it back down, making big splashes that delight you. You kick your legs and swish your feet and just have a jolly old time.

 

:: love those baby blues! ::

 

Happy 133 days, Lainie Rae!

 

Love,

Mama

{ Look }

Look at you, all pretty in pink, fat little sausage toes and dimpled fingers and a gummy grin that splits my heart right open.

Look at you, less than four months old and over a thousand photos of you already sit in folders on my desktop, testimony to how you've won our hearts and become accustomed to the flash in your blue, blue eyes.

Look through those folders, and you'll see snuggles with Daddy; meeting grandparents, aunts and uncles; dozens of cute outfits; silly faces that make me laugh. But where am I?

In all that happy cacophony of baby pictures, I can think of two with me in them. And it makes me wonder: Someday, when you look back on your childhood, will you wonder where your mama was? I mean, you'll remember that I was there with you every day, but will you see it?

In my willingness to stay on the other side of the camera, will you know what I looked like during these exhausting months of new mommyhood? When you are a mama yourself, will you imagine you are the only one with crazy unkempt hair, stubborn pregnancy pounds, and a makeup-free face? Am I painting an unrealistic picture of motherhood for you, my daughter, by staying outside the frame?

It's so easy to do. But maybe today I'll wait for our little photoshoot 'til after Daddy gets home, and have him take a few snapshots of his girls. Together.

{ 70 }

You are ten weeks old today, Baby Girl!

 

It's hard to believe you made your grand entrance seventy days ago. I still feel so new to this whole parenting thing; how is it possible you've been my little sidekick for 70 days already? But on the other hand, I can't imagine life without you anymore!

 

You continue to "talk" and smile, and grabbing is becoming an increasingly large part of your day {Mommy's hair and clothes are favorite targets}.

 

Your new love is the activity gym. You smile and coo and occasionally bat at the dangly things--up till now, you've been totally overwhelmed and overstimulated by it, but now you think it's great fun!

 

Most mornings you fall asleep in your bouncy chair. Such a nice break for Mama.

 

Last Wednesday you got your first immunizations, and you screamed shock and offense at the needle pokes, but calmed down really quickly afterward.

Over the long weekend with Daddy home, he carried you around in the Ergo a few times {firsts for him}, and in spite of his initial protests that it made him look excessively effeminate {he used--ahem--different words, but you get my drift}, both of you ended up loving it.

 

On Labor Day, you gave us a bit of a scare...you coughed/hacked/spit up brown-colored phlegmmy stuff that looked like old blood, so we took you to the walk-in clinic because all the doctors' offices were closed. After several hours and chest x-rays, they said everything looks fine and they're not sure what the brown stuff was. You were {and still are} otherwise perfectly fine and normal-acting, so we're hoping this was just a weird one-time thing.

 

Last evening I put you in cloth diapers for the first time.

Oh.My.Goodness.

Too cute!!

Confession: Apparently I had either (a) forgotten, or (b) not realized, the true extent of the adjustability of Fuzzibunz diapers...had I examined the elastic system more closely, I could probably have started you in cloth diapers a couple weeks ago. Oopsie daisy. Let's chalk it up to sleep deprivation...but wow, Fuzzibunz are awesome! Even if they do make you look like you have a giant flotation device on your bottom.

And now, the biggest news of all:
Last night you fell asleep. In your co-sleeper. By yourself.
First time since coming home from Children's Hospital that you have gone to sleep for the night without me present.
Sure, I had to come in a few times to re-insert your binky and soothe you a little, but you fell asleep in pretty short order. I was so excited I almost cried. Instead I blog-hopped and sat on your Daddy's lap and marveled at the luxury of falling asleep without simultaneously trying to get you to sleep, too.

You're growing up so fast, little Bug! Every day with you is a precious adventure...I love being your Mama!



{ Nine Weeks }

Dear Elaina Rae,

 

At nine weeks old, you are quite the little charmer. You smile and coo many times each day. You have frequent little "conversations" with Mommy, the back of the couch {you roll over to look at it while I'm changing your diaper and will often entertain yourself "talking" to the couch for 5-10 minutes}, and light fixtures. Your repertoire of sounds is increasing steadily; sometimes it's hard to tell if you are really excited and happy, or hysterical-about-to-cry!

 

Your favorite place to sleep is still on a warm body.

 

 

:: too hot for clothes! ::

 

Daddy and I both started this parenting thing strongly anti-baby-in-our-bed. When we put you in your cosleeper next to the bed, you often cry and fuss for hours before falling asleep. But if I put you next to me in our bed, you're usually sound asleep within 15 minutes. And since Daddy and I aren't huge fans of baby crying for hours during the middle of the night, we've eased up a bit on this front. ;-)

 

Last Thursday, you slept for seven hours without waking up! Glory Hallelujah!! You continued that streak, sleeping 6-7 hours, waking up to eat, then sleeping another 2-3 hours, 'til last night...and I don't think either of us wants to talk about last night. Let's just say that nonstop crying and wailing and fussing from 10:30pm till 3:00am was not how either of us wanted to spend last night, yes?

 

Recently, I discovered that you love to lie on the floor and "talk" to chair legs, the wall--anything that's within a couple feet of your face. Last week I put you on the floor next to me while I was folding laundry. You promptly rolled over onto your left side {your very favorite position--you have rolled onto your left since you were a couple weeks old} and started cooing at the wall. Then you realized your feet could touch the wall, and you started dancing away...and actually propelled yourself several inches down the hallway!

 

:: another hot day...don't worry, I don't take you in public in your skivvies! ::

 

 

:: picture time with Mama ::

 

You have always had a super strong neck, holding your head way up from the time you were a week or two old. Lately you have taken that skill to entirely new heights {literally!}, lifting up your entire upper body and holding yourself up for a minute or two at a time while you look around.

 

:: showing off your neck skills with Daddy ::

 

In spite of your love of holding your head up when we're holding you, you have absolutely no interest in doing so during tummy time. At least you don't hate tummy time anymore--but all you do is lie there, looking to one side, perfectly happy...but lift your head up? Exercise those neck muscles? No ma'am! Why waste perfectly good, comfortable time on your tummy by lifting up that enormous head? On more than one occasion, you've actually fallen asleep during tummy time. {I don't blame you, I'm a stomach sleeper too...much more comfy.}

 

 

:: finally, some of your size newborn onesies are getting a little snug, but all your newborn clothes still fit ::

 

I love all your little facial expressions. You talk with your whole face, girlfriend! Though I have yet to capture a true smile on camera; as soon as I bring out the camera you get really serious and frowny. I don't think you like the flash. At all.

 

You snort on the inhale all.the.time. when you cry, which is adorable and hilarious.

 

You make the sweetest little noises in your sleep; sometimes you look really worried and make almost-crying sounds. I wonder what you dream about?

 

:: CHEEKS! ::

 

 

:: Echo Babies of 2012: Meeting Violet, my former coworker's baby, who is 22 days older than you but almost three pounds heavier. ::

 

One thing that stands out to me lately is that you don't really look like a baby. Perhaps because you don't have much baby chub--nothing like the rolls I'm used to seeing on babies--you look more like a little person. A tiny little person, not a roly-poly baby. At your two-month checkup today, you weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces--almost three pounds above your birth weight!

 

 

Your eyelashes are getting longer and darker. They are so pretty!

 

Dear little Bug, your Daddy and I love you so much and we are just tickled pink to be your parents. You delight us daily as you reveal more and more of your sweet, quirky little personality. We can't wait to get to know you better as you grow up!

 

Love,

Mama