Baby 2.0 is Four Months Old!

Baby 2.0 is now FOUR MONTH OLD!  On the one hand, it seems like yesterday that we were at the hospital, but on the other I can't really remember what it was like not to have her.  Did I say that already?  It's quite possible I posted the exact same thing when she was one month or three months, and I really wouldn't remember.  Sleep is still a bit of a challenge as she's been waking at night more than she used to.  However, I really cannot complain on the sleep front since she goes down for naps and now nighttime without hardly any complaining.  Seriously, you lay her down where you would like her to sleep, and there is often no crying at all before she conks out.  Amazing if you ask me.

Add to all that a happy, easy personality, and you have a very lovely baby in my humble opinion.  She pretty much just goes along with us and does all the things we do.  We tackled the grocery store the other day with just the three of us (I had mostly been waiting until M or Grandma was around) and it went really well. The Ergo is really becoming our friend.  She's happy riding around on my front, and it gives me use of both hands.  I put the Big Girl in the cart, and we were off!  We also use the Ergo when the weather is on the dry side, and it allows us to get out for walks in our neighborhood.  When we had thirteen days in a row without rain, I think we managed to get out on about ten of them.  At this point, exercise is at least as good for the head as it is for the body.

Over all I would say we are doing a pretty good job of fighting off the winter-with-a-tiny-baby blahs.  It takes serious work to get out of the house and go, but it definitely pays off in the sanity department.  Afternoons are still long (Is 4pm until Dad gets home a killer for all moms?  I suspect so.) but a combination of art projects and puzzles usually gets us through without too many struggles.  When the going gets really hairy (as it occasionally will with a baby and toddler) we break out the pile of books.  It turns out that you can nurse and read at the same time, and peace can be had.

Baby Eyes

There is nothing quite like watching your tiny noodle of a newborn (oh how I love that peanut shape they curl into at that stage) suddenly "wake up" as they turn that three month mark.  That whole argument about the forth trimester of development really rings true at point.  With our Little Bird we notice this most with her vision.  For her first several months she had that vague, unfocused look unless you were about six or eight inches from her face.  Now it seems obvious that she can really see for much greater distances.  We know this because she's started making eyes at us from much farther away.  For instance, when I put her on her play mat and stand above her, she tracks my face, and smiles when she sees me.  (The smiles and giggles just get better and better, and now she is making many more "comments" about life as well.)  She can also sit in her exersaucer on the floor and watch me cook dinner which is really a fabulous development in my book.

Maple Pecan Pie Recipe

Okay I am horribly remiss about this, and you probably no longer care at all, but I still wanted to post this amazing recipe for pecan pie.  It uses maple syrup instead of karo, and the difference in flavor is something of a revelation.  Of course this is still an incredibly sweet and sticky dessert, so it's probably not something you want to contemplate during January, but maybe by Valentine's you'll be ready to explore the world of sugar once again.

The Things Kids Say

I have taken D's half empty box of raisins, dropped in a handful of nuts, and handed it back to her. She says "Nuts in the raisin box!?  That's the craziest thing I've ever seen!"

D, watching me change her sister for the umpteenth time "Well this is a poopy morning."

From the backseat of the car "Zed zed zed!  Zee zee zee! Zed zee zed zeee!"

Update from the Trenches

Well it has been nearly a month since the last post.  Shocking! It seems that having two kids is keeping my hands a bit fuller than expected.  I can't complain though because they are both such mild, well-behaved little people (most of the time).  The baby is coming along beautifully.  She's just coming around to three months, and it is always fun to see the "forth trimester" come to an end because that's when they really start to wake up.  She smiles all the time now, stays awake for much longer stretches, and generally interacts a lot more.  Grabbing at toys hanging above her head is a huge entertainment as well.  Everywhere she's rounding out from her tummy to her legs to both sets of cheeks.  She is pretty much the cutest baby in existence.

The big girl is also as cute as the proverbial button, but of course in a much more grown up and mature way.  At two and two thirds, she is confident that she can accomplish anything and everything  ALL BY HERSELF!  She can dress herself (always colorful), brush her teeth (when she chooses) and decide on what we all should have for breakfast (cheers and milk).  It can be frustrating sometimes when things do not work out her way, but most of the time she remains patient.  In fact, she's an immensely sweet little girl nearly all the time.  On the whole I am a very lucky mommy, and one day I will get enough sleep and free time to blog more regularly.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy

Lest anyone in the rest of the country forget, the damage from Hurricane Sandy is still very much an issue for millions of people living on the East Coast.  Not just houses or neighborhoods were impacted, but who towns are still devastated.  If you have not yet donated money to help, please consider it.  If you can afford more, perhaps it could go in lieu of some gifts this year?  My favorite auntie is not giving any presents to adults this year, so she can donate the entire budget to the Red Cross.

Christmas Decorating Rant

May I just have a moan for a second?  I am not liking the current Christmas decor.  It seems every which way I turn, there are oranges, pinks, all white items (nutcrackers should NOT be all white!) and the ever present burlap.  It's true, there are burlap wreathes, burlap bows, and even burlap ribbons on the tree!  Ugh!  Maybe it's because I used to live in the country and keep animals.  Trust me, burlap is for feed bags people!