Change of Scenery

Lina is seriously in love with her floor gym.  She loves looking in the mirror, batting and grabbing the hanging toys, picking up her rattles, attempting to roll, or just doing her version of Riverdance.  We have been trying to branch out though which involves fun time in the Bumbo seat as well as in the Exersaucer (thanks Morins!!).  But if she gets fussy, we just put her under the floor gym lights and all is right with the world.

Chatty Lina

Lina must have been storing all of her conversation this week for our day together yesterday.  I couldn't even bounce with her in preparation for nap time without her talkin' it up.  The only negative about the chatting...it would give her the hiccups. 

Holy Cuteness

Seriously, how precious is this one-piece sleeper?  I would totally scoop this up for Lina if it wasn't a ridiculous $68. 

Hysterical Baby Care Instructions

My friend Dawn-Marie posted this link today and I was literally in stitches scrolling through each image.  These are my faves:  

I don't see anything wrong with this!!  The babies face is priceless in this image.

I wouldn't be surprised in Lina took it upon herself to climb into Violet's crate once she starts cruisin'.

Hey, whatever works.

HAAAAA!!  I wish we had this problem; I don't remember the last time we actually had to wake Lina up!!

I have contemplated using this method after one of Lina's many blow-outs.

Welcome!!

Welcome to our new blog!!  New posts coming soon....I'm sure you can't wait :-) 

Violet Cuteness of the Week

This is video of Violet on the treadmill at her daycare.  I love how her little ears flop.  So cute. 

What I've Learned This Week

Some new discoveries have been made this week, and it is only Wednesday….

• I’ve learned that rolling is in Lina’s near future.  She is DETERMINED to get it down.  Constantly rolling to her side and doing back bends. If I move to a different part of the room, she will maneuver her body in a way that when she rolls to her side she can see me…so cute.  This makes for fun play time but challenging wardrobe changes, diaper changes and swaddling attempts. 

• I’ve learned that the day is fast approaching where the soothing technique of swaddling will no longer be practiced at 19 BHL. Lina is just getting to big for the Miracle Blanket and she has started to Houdini again.  It is a bittersweet moment; I am so over swaddling but it really means that our little Lina is growing up.  Sleep training via crying it out may be in our weekend future. 

• I’ve learned that Lina no longer has the urge to sleep through the night.  Many books written about sleep classify sleeping though the night as a 5-hour stretch (which she still does) but that is hog-wash to me.  My definition is sleeping at least a 10-12 hour stretch.  Chris thinks that I am being unreasonable but she can do it and did it for weeks so what gives?  I am sensitive to the fact that she is most likely going through a developmental change (and wants to roll desperately) and she is in the midst of Wonder Week 19 but I want my wonderfully sleeping baby back….even if just for one night!! 

• I’ve learned that being sick and being a mom isn’t an easy feat.  All I want to do is go home after work, lay down on the couch, watch TV and doze but I have another life to focus on other than my own so I attempt to ignore the fatigue, coughing, and congestion to spend time with my sweet little one.  I hope that soon I will get my voice completely back so that I can resume singing her lullabies but until then I’ll leave it to the iPod.  
  

• I’ve learned that diaper rash is TOUGH to get rid of.  Poor little Lina’s “cheeks” (and other areas) are so red and chapped that I can only imagine how uncomfortable she must feel.  Up until now, I have been adamant about using organic and natural products but they just don’t seem to be effective on her sensitive skin.  So, extra strength Destin (which smells like fish to me…eewww) better do the trick. Fingers crossed. 

• I’ve learned that Lina has inherited my eczema.  She has classic symptoms of baby eczema behind her knees, around her wrists, ankles and elbows and she is red and scaly on her chest.  Thankfully it hasn’t impacted her face at all and isn’t itchy but still a nuisance.  We now have to douse her with hydrocortisone 3 times per day.     

• And lastly, I’ve learned that I canNOT wait for my friend’s babies to be born.  The suspense just absolutely kills me.  It is so miraculous when a new life enters the world and each time a friend of mine experiences the bliss, it brings me back to 6/6/2010 and the day that our precious daughter was born.  I get all teary.   At any moment today Lina’s new friend Baby Santos will be born and it is so very exciting!!   

4 Months!!

Dear Evelina,

You are 4 months old!!  Well, as I write this you are a smidgen over 4 months but it can be difficult to find the time to write these days.  I had to go back to work last month but I miss you everyday, wonder what you are doing at "school" and hope you are having fun with your "friends"...who are all boys right now mind you so don't get any ideas cutie. 

You did extremely well at your 4 month appointment last week and, as expected, you didn't really enjoy getting your shots.  BUT, they are for your own good.  We wouldn't want you to get sick now would we?  You weighed in at 11lbs 9oz (you've doubled your birth weight!!) and 24.5" long.  You are a long string bean in only the 10.7th %ile for weight and 67th %ile for length.  You have quite a big noggin (16 3/4", 87th %ile) as well which your papa is concerned about but I have no doubt you will grow into it eventually.  Hopefully when you are older you won't have trouble finding hats that fit your head like I do...I must have had an extra small head as a child. 

On your 4 months birthday you began to giggle!!  It is typically a daily event now but only under the right circumstances.  You haven't officially giggled for your Papa yet but he has heard you from downstairs as I give you massage and chat with you upstairs before bedtime.  It is quite possibly the cutest thing, other than seeing you smile of course or just looking at you in general. 

You have also been attempting to roll over from your back to your belly and get as far as your side but can't quite make it all the way over.  We have to keep a keen eye on you these days just in case you succeed.  We wouldn't want to miss it!!  What ever you do, don't do it at daycare for the first time, okay? 

When you are awake and happy you are excited to play with the toys dangling from your bouncy seat, grab and bat at your toys in your play gym, kick rattles or anything in the path of your tootsies, practice rolling over and chatting with me and your papa.  You also remain an avid TV watcher so we will need to break that habit soon!!  I don't want you to get addicted to the Real Housewives of Atlanta like me!!

 

It is hard to believe that your newborn days are behind us and that you have transformed into a curious infant taking in the world around you every day.  Gone are the days of waking up every 3 hours at night for feedings, only being able to stay awake for 1/2 hour before getting cranky and not being able to hold your head up. You are growing up so quickly already and every day is full of new challenges and accomplishments.  I (and your Papa too) love sharing every moment we can with you. 

You are the sunshine of my life.  

I love you,

Mommy

Rolling Over...Almost

Evelina is so very close to rolling over.  She almost had it in this video but not quite.  Apologies for my laryngitis voice. 

Oh, Happy Day

One year ago today 2 little lines appeared that would change the course of our lives.  This most wonderful year has been full of anticipation, excitement and fear with the arrival of our precious, sweet and beautiful daughter. We can't wait for the next year, and the next, and the next.....

Giggles

Evelina is a very smiley baby (when she wants to be that is!!) and I have been waiting for the day that I would hear the sweet sound of her first giggles.  She has attempted over the last few weeks but couldn't quite get it, until today that is...her 4 month birthday.  When I arrived to pick her up at "school" she was chilling out in the bouncy seat grabbing at a blankie.  I walked over to her to say hello and get her ready to head home and she flashed her cute smile.  I put my hands under her little arms for a quick tickle and to my surprise the smile turned into giggles.  I was so excited and started laughing myself so she continued with her giggles.  I seriously can't stand her cuteness!!  Once we arrived home I started her bedtime routine and she would just look at me and giggle.  SO CUTE!!  I am hoping this trend continues so that I can get it on video and share with you all.  What a great 4 month accomplishment!!  

PS:  This photo has nothing to do with giggles, I just like it!!  

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Could somebody please fetch me my toy??  Pretty please??

Tummy Time

Tummy time has been more successful these days but has to be strategically planned to avoid an eruption of spit-up or tears.  During this particular segment, Lina was especially happy to be joined by Papa.  She was much more interested in smiling at him then looking at the woman with the camera.