Friday, March 29, 2013

03.27.2013

Our time in the mountains ended today. We headed back to Portland, but the timing wasn't good for you! We had a very unhappy baby girl and barely made it 10 minutes before we had to stop. The first stop was Dairy Queen where your "sweet" Aunt Kendra and "sweet" Daddy went in and enjoyed a blizzard while we sat outside. You were having nothing of nursing and instead wanted to smile, coo, and watch the cars pass by. Oh the sacrifices a mama makes for her baby. I hope someday you are a mama and understand yourself! We made a second stop shortly after because you were definitely NOT having the car seat. Daddy stepped in this time to rock you to sleep. You were so adorable in his arms with one leg hanging down. And Daddy was quite proud of himself for being the one to get you to sleep for our drive home!

03.26.2013

Another day at Mt. Hood. You and Mama took a morning nap together, and then we headed back out into the snow to go watch your cousin P and Aunt Jac tubing. Mama dreamt about when you'd be big enough to go down yourself!

Tonight you played Peek a Boo with Uncle Ethan. You are a big fan of this game and he loves getting giggles out of you!

03.25.2013

We spent our day with your Aunt Jac and cousin Zia while the rest of the crew went snowboarding at the top of Mt. Hood. We bundled you two girls up in your snow suits (you in your cute fuzzy pink one that Great Grandma Jan and your Great Aunt Lisa sent) and went for a walk to one of the ski resorts. You ended up taking your first nap of the day outside!

Being with everyone is great fun! You get lots of cuddle time with your aunts and uncles. You even reached for your Aunt Jac tonight (which happened to be your first reach... Mama has been waiting for you to reach!)

Thursday, March 28, 2013

03.24.2013

We woke up early this morning to see Aunt Kendra and Uncle Ian. They brought you a new toy: a polka dotted wiener dog with all the baby bells and whistles. You love it! They are impressed with how much you have grown since they last saw you in January.

Today was your first time seeing lots of snow. In the afternoon, we packed the car and drove up to Mt. Hood for our winter getaway. You didn't enjoy the ride so much, but once we got there, Mama bundled you up and you enjoyed being outside with Aunt Kendra for about a half hour while your parents unpacked inside. We are thinking you two have worked out your differences and are on the road to great friendship and an awesome aunt-niece relationship!

03.23.2013

Today was cleaning day and looking for ways to make the time pass until your Aunt Kendra and Uncle Ian arrived. We hung out on the porch for a while in the late afternoon sunshine with your cousins and aunt.

You were getting some Aunt Jac time, and Zia wanted to get right in there with you (I see this in our future... Whatever one has, the other is going to want too!)

03.22.2013

The weather has been pretty nice out. We've been spending lots of time outside, and you love it!!

03.21.2013

Good morning window!! Watching the sun rise and working on figuring out this window (in your new cute cupcake fuzzy jammies)!!

03.20.2013

Today's discovery: the window. You put your sweet little hands on the window and the windowsill. Your little forehead leans right onto the window as you get up close and personal. I wish I knew what it looked like on the outside (so freaking cute I am sure!!!)

I think you'll be just like your Mama and love looking out the window at what's going on outside!!

03.19.2013

You found your toes today! Yesterday I mentioned I loved watching you learn each day, and lately you've been doing a lovely job at learning something new every day! I can't believe how much you change each day! You amaze us Baby Girl!!

I have been looking forward to you finding your toes! You first discovered them while sitting on my belly in our chair, and later on the bed, you were able to pull them right up for more exploration!!

03.18.2013

Toys in your hands are your thing! I love watching you investigate each one. I love watching you become even better at manipulating the toy in the ways you want. I love watching you learn and grow each day!!

You love love love this rattle that Nana got you while she was visiting newborn you. It's definitely a favorite!

03.17.2013

You little watcher! You watch Mama with her food journal and her water bottle. This morning, while cuddling in bed, I decided to give you my notebook and see what you'd do. You pulled the pen out that was hooked through the middle (which Daddy quickly snuck away from you). Then I helped you open the book by taking off the piece of elastic that straps it closed. You then turned through the pages as if you were reading back through the days and the food Mama had eaten. It was too stinking cute and quite amazing to see you 'reading' the book!

A few minutes later, Mama decided to give you her water bottle after watching you eye it so many times. She was curious what you'd do after mimicking the reading of the notebook. You took the bottle in your hands, pulled it towards you, and put it right to your mouth. Your facial expression was adorable. It wasn't quite what you thought it would be I guess!!

We are amazed at how you are already mimicking our actions! You are our smart baby girl!!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

03.16.2013

I am pretty sure you grew overnight. You are definitely bigger today!! Your Aunt Jac says you have grown every time she sees you, but it's hard for me to see that because you are always with me. This time, though, I see it!

You are getting so big that you try to sit up in the little tub we use on the kitchen sink. It's got a perfect lounging spot for you but instead, you want to hold onto the edges and sit up on your own! Soon enough you'll be really good at that!!

Today we loaded you in the car for a short road trip to Beaverton so your mama could shop at the big spring consignment sale. We got you lots of fun clothes that should get you through summer and into fall (unless you grow too much and grow right out of them!) You were fairly content in the car ride (only getting upset at the very end when we were almost home). You actually napped through the end of getting there so Daddy hung out in the car to let you get your full nap while Mama shopped!

03.15.2013

Toys! This is your 'I am focusing and concentrating so hard as I figure this toy out' face. I love the way your lips are when you get this expression on your face!

You are picking up toys with such talent now. We can use you like a claw machine, lower you down over the toy while you grab ahold. Then we raise you up and take you to wherever we are going. Sometimes the toy makes it, but sometimes it is dropped just like the claw machine!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

03.14.2013

Happy Pi Day baby girl! Daddy started teaching you some of the numbers of Pi tonight... 3.14159265358979

This photo is probably one of my favorites of you so far!! How funny! It came to be all because Zia found a photo of herself. I had recently shared that you like to sit sideways in the Bumbo seat. Zia was going through photos and found a photo of her sitting sideways in the Bumbo seat the same way, but the real kicker was that you were wearing the almost exact outfit as Zia! Of course this meant a Bumbo seat photo had to be taken!

Your facial expression is priceless! I know you get this from your father! Oh the fun you will have making faces with him as you grow!!

03.13.2013

Here you are in your new legwarmers from Grandma Barb. We sat on the porch for the longest time this afternoon because it was soooo nice out!

03.12.2013

The weather was so nice today! Of course you l napped an extra long nap, but we did get to go for a walk and to the library in the late afternoon/early evening before the sun went down (happy for longer days and later hours of sunshine!)

03.11.2013

Your photo was taken for Daddy today. You and I were hanging out in the living room looking out the window. I decided to send your father a picture of you so I said, "Smile for Daddy!" This is your smile!

Monday, March 11, 2013

03.10.2013

Today's photo is actually a photo taken by your Aunt Jac, but I had to use it cause it's Sooo cute! We spent a few fun hours hanging out with your Aunt Jac, Uncle Ethan, and cousins, P and Z this morning and into the afternoon. They love you so much! You will probably always feel like such a special baby because of your family!

You can't take your eyes off Phoenix. One of these days, it'll be all you can do to give him some space. I see you wanted to be everywhere he is! (I hope he still thinks you are as adorable then!!) Your cousin Z loves the heck out of you too! She gives you kisses and wants to be right in close with you!

Your Aunt Jac is definitely one of your biggest fans. I know you'll love every second of her as you grow up. And today, you gave Uncle Ethan some of your pre-laugh laughs as he sniffed your feet and said, "Stinky stinky stinky," in a funny voice. We can't wait to see you giggling from this little game!

We are pretty sure today was a teething day for you! Something was in your mouth almost all day, and when it happened to be my fingers, you were doing some serious chomping!!

And on one last note, tonight, as you got the pre-bedtime fussies, Mama strapped you in the Ergo and finished up some of the chores around the house before dinner was done. You were totally content as we moved around. This is such good news for the Mama! It will make life so much easier if you are happy about being worn!!

By the way, we tell you often, but you are something special. We love you soooo much!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

03.09.2013

Another beautiful day. We started it with a walk while you took your first nap. We spent time on the porch, and mama even took you for another walk later in the afternoon (in which you fell asleep as well). You were a bit fussy and irritated today and your poor skin seemed to be reacting to something again!! Mama feels so bad and has no idea what could be causing these problems. We really want to get this figured our SOON!!

The most exciting parts of today were our chat with all your Dad's side of the family (our first time talking to Aunt Marielle since she got to South Africa) and your Aunt Jac, Uncle Ethan, P & Z coming home from being in Florida for 2 weeks.

03.08.2013

Today we had the most fun!!! You and I walked over to the library for our first story time! It was a blast & we will be going back often. There was lots of singing, bubbles, toys, blow up beach balls (that's what you are checking out in the photo), books, shakers to use with certain songs, and even a parachute that the babies went under at the end!! All the babies were under a year old, and most of them were older than you... Sitting, crawling, and even some walkers! I can't wait for you to make friends there.

03.07.2013

It was an absolutely beautiful day today! We spent a good part of the afternoon on the porch enjoying the sunshine! You even took a nap out there :)

Speaking of sleeping, I've been wanting to write about it! You are the cutest snoozer. At night, you fall asleep nursing and when I put you in bed, you arch and curl your back half way around into the biggest stretch I've ever seen anyone do! This is what you do throughout the night each time you go back to bed after nursing! And then you do it again in the morning when you are waking up!

When you wake up from naps, you usually kick the blanket off. If I happen to be in another room, I'll come in and find the blanket kicked off and you with your big "I just woke up" eyes. It's adorable!

And on one other note, you have been such a happier baby lately. Even the other mamas at our Alma group noticed that you weren't needing bounced today. I really hope this elimination diet will help us figure out what is bothering you!! Mama really wants to keep you comfortable and happy!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

03.06.2013

This morning we went to an EC mama/baby meet up at Alma. You had a dry diaper from the time we left the house until after we left the meet up! Getting together with the group today made me realize how great EC is going! You haven't had a poopy diaper in days (multiple!!) And we are definitely learning your signs and rhythms! It also made me realize how fast time has gone by. We started over a month and a half ago! I can't believe it!

Another note about today... You've been a rolling rock star! From the moment you woke today, all you've been wanting to do is roll! It's so crazy watching you grow and seeing what fun thing you'll focus on or pick up each day! You are an amazing baby girl, and I can't imagine a day that you'll ever not be me sweet baby! (sorry teenage Sofia, I think I might still call you my baby then... I'll try to only do it at home so I don't embarrass you!)

03.05.2013

You really started grabbing for the toys hanging above you on your toy may this morning. It's as if something just clicked!! I sat and watched you for quite a while reaching for and grasping the pink singing elephant Nana got you right after you were born. You are one amazing baby girl!!

Today's photo was from looking out the window. Mama loves sitting and looking out the window, and she can already tell you'll be the same way!! I was trying to get a photo of you raising your eyebrows like Daddy did when he was a baby, but each time you'd see my phone and smile as I'd try to snap a photo! Silly smart baby!!

03.04.2013

I cannot take your cuteness!!! I just want to eat you up! Literally!!! You should never wonder if you are loved because I am pretty sure the constant kisses and snuggles will clue you in.

03.03.2013

Daddy surprised us with an outing today! Our original plan was to go to the falls but you weren't quite having the car seat so we just stayed in town and went to the zoo.

Mama was way excited to see baby Lily, the elephant that was born November 30th. We watched her walk around, scratch her side on the wall, hide behind her mama, and nurse. So adorable.

While we saw lots of animals, it was hard for us to know that you were actually seeing them because they were not up so close. The porcupines were probably your favorite. They were right up close to the glass and you were right there looking at those big pokey things as they waddled around their home! Daddy and I are excited to take you back to the zoo many times as you grow!

(The elephants in the photo are other ones. Lily was inside and more difficult to get a photo of.)

03.02.2013

Happy 4 month birthday baby girl!

I love what you have grown into more than I can explain! A parent's love for their child is a most beautiful thing, and I wish it for you someday so you can understand.

I love the bottom right photo of you in your morning photos. It was when you realized Daddy was here. Morning smiles are definitely more fun when Daddy is here!

03.01.2013

It was a beautiful day out today! Mama is loving Portland winters. They hardly feel like a winter at all!

You got mail today! A letter from K-State. Daddy's first comment about the photo below was, "Get that out of my girl's mouth! It has germs!" Silly Daddy, doesn't he know that you can't hide germs from a baby!?

02.28.2013

Mama baby group at Alma. You played on the ground, napped, and even sat on the couch like a grown up!

It is Grandma Mimi's birthday. When we sent her birthday wishes, she responded saying to kiss and hug the baby. Of course Mama has no problem planting a kiss and giving a squeeze to the baby! You 'hugged' back when Mama gave you a hug. So freaking SWEET!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

02.27.2013

4 month check up today... You are not our average sized baby any longer. You grew 2 inches in a month and are now 25 inches long!! That's almost the 80th percentile! You weigh 14 pounds 1.5 ounces and are between the 70th and 75th percentile for weight! You got your first two shots today, and they weren't as bad as Mama thought they'd be... Good thing because there are a lot more to come!! Mama also plans to start an elimination diet. You seem to have an allergy or food intolerance, and it just keeps getting worse... Rash, eczema, mucus, irritability. It'll be lots of work, but worth it when we get it all figured out! (not surprised you have a food intolerance or allergies... You got that from your daddy!)