Jaded Optimist

Also, thanks to flip video. Little flip ultra that I was so excited to acquire, sorry to have used you so infrequently. I do have a tendency to “save” new purchases. Ahem. Just be glad that I didn’t share the 15 minute video of C doing a dance concert in the living room…

Actually, can folks leave me a comment (I know, this is asking a whole heckuva lot, at least I am assuming that is why I get so few comments. Hint hint.) about whether they can view the video ok, and whether they would like to see more videos on the blog.

In other news, C has just 7 more days of camp, and then a week off in between camp and school. And G is working *a lot*. So, a week, me, two kids…what to do? Call me crazy (actually, please don’t as I have already booked the tickets), M, C, and I are heading down to Portland to visit my unsuspecting cousin. Actually, she knows we are on the way, just not what she is in for. Just kidding S! These girls…very well behaved. G has forcedconvinced me to take the train instead of driving. I am still nervous…three hours in car with two kids—yeah, there might be a lot of crying, and pulling over, but at least no one else would know about it. On the train, I might be able to tend to the kids, but under the stern glare of a hundred other passengers.

And then there is the little matter of getting me, C, M, stroller + carseat, luggage, and diaper bag from the train to the hotel and around town. Current big debate—bring C’s carseat to enable us to cab or not? Installing two car seats in a cab fills me with fear (seems like the first $10 of every cab ride would be me installing the car seat while the cabbie laughs…or cries) but so does walking two miles pushing the stroller with M in it and trying to carry C on my shoulders or back at the same time. Anyway, looking forward to the trip. Especially the part where I get to sit in the bathroom for three hours to have light to read (or knit!) after the girls go to bed. Oh, G will be sorry he missed out on this trip!

Height: 25 inches (75-90th percentile)

Weight: 13 lbs. 13 oz. (50-75th percentile)

Head: 41.4 cm (50-75th percentile)

Great tone and head strength…enough that the ped. thought I could put M in the jogging stroller now, even though usually babies aren’t ready until about six months old. Which means I could start running again. Which seems like it should be good news, after all I love running. But I realized what I don’t love is getting *back into* running. Sigh.

M turned four months old on Friday. Tomorrow she has her ped. appt. and we will have the official measurements. I can still remember (as can G) crying when she was four days old because it was going so fast already (repeat after me: “baby blues”). Since then, time has just gone faster. Sniff.

At fours months she:

1. Does cute little sneezes still, big yawns, big stretches, little chewy mouth movements (still strange for me to see a baby tongue since we didn’t with C what with the tongue tie and all). Babbles a lot, with the occasional screech. Doesn’t laugh so much as wheeze and screech.

2. Is very mellow and smiley. Saves the biggest smiles for her daddy—she smiles at him even when he isn’t looking at her. Just catching sight of him is enough to trigger a huge open mouthed grin. She also smiles for C, but is a bit more wary. *Mostly* falls asleep in the car, but if not…yikes! Super loud sobs which put me in a panic, making me want to yell “You’re gonna be OK! Say the (*(&(&^%%% words!” ala Reservoir Dogs. Then when I stop the car and rush to the back seat, she immediately stops crying and looks surprised, like, Oh? You’re here? But otherwise, smiley and mellow.

3. Hates tummy time with a passion, but not quite enough to figure out rolling over yet. Does not like to be alone. Likes to be held sitting up or in the sling facing out to experience the world. Likes to kick and kick in the tub. Starting to figure out rolling from back to front…at least, is halfway there.

4. Goes to bed pretty easily around 7:30 ish and sleeps until…well, lately it has been 4 am. And then sometimes will go right back to sleep after nursing, sometimes is up for an hour and then will go back to sleep, and once in a while just won’t go back to sleep. Last night however, she slept until 6 so I am hopeful. Napping is still pretty hit or miss…the occasional mega nap (by which I mean 60-120 minutes) but in general still does 20-40 minute cat naps. Can seem completely asleep in your lap, only to wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed if you attempt a swing or bed transfer. Or move. Or breathe too deeply. Or (hello weekends) C comes running in to tickle her feet.

5. Understands at least some of how hands work. Grabs hair, shirts, blankets, her own feet, toys, etc. Chews a lot, but no teeth signs as of yet. Enjoying taggie items, her activity mat, and some smallish stuff animals (those with chewable appendages).

6. Has totally sweet and adorable baby chub.

7. Is pretty game for whatever mommy cooks up, including the monthly picture with the birthday cat.

Actually, might need to talk with her about appropriate boundaries with the birthday cat.

In every picture of C holding M, M has the same expression. To me it says “I will always remember that *you* did this to me.”

The C-bird…an equal mix of gorgeous and silly. Would perhaps lean more towards the gorgeous if we took a brush to her with more frequency. When I started taking pictures she ran in to get her camera (the 2 mp one from camp…see earlier post). She set up with a blanket and some toys in the yard and said she was “camping”. A girl after my own heart—camping where you have a bathroom, refrigerator, and comfy bed nearby. She takes inordinate amounts of pleasure in these old, broken play sunglasses, including wearing them to camp.

And of course little M. As soon as the diaper comes off, the feet go up in the air, possibly to the hands, possibly all the way to the mouth. Still can’t sit up and not a big fan of being on her tummy, so the available poses are somewhat limited.

And of course, you need to be able to tell when the photo session is over.