5 months old

Time is flying here in Caroline's world! She turned five months old on March 6th and she's growing like a weed -- both physically and cognitively. My favorite time of the day with CJ is bathtime. She loves to look at herself in the mirror and play in the water. She's taking a bath in the big tub now, and can sit up to play with her toys. Then she gets a big lotion rub down and its time for bed.


She's also playing like crazy. Her skills at grasping and reaching keep improving and she tries to grab everything within arms-length (and sometimes farther) -- toys, certainly, but also my dinner, the newspaper, hair, jewelry, blankets, clothes -- you name it. We spend a lot of time naming all the things she puts in her mouth and describing their textures.

Caroline's personality sharpens everyday. She's a strong willed little girl. She likes what she likes, and she lets us know it right away if its pleasing to her. The utter joy she demonstrates with her whole body when we show her her bottle or Madge the Ladybug toy is completely adorable. Likewise, she is darn clear about what she DOESN'T like. She doesn't transition easily, but can be a good sport in a new situation, once she gets used to it. She always wants to be right in the thick of things -- sitting in her chair or buggy watching the action isn't good enough, either -- she wants to be held so she's at people height to see all the goings on.

She's very expressive. Both sad ...

And happy....

The two most common things Caroline hears are the sounds of kissing in her ear (from ALL members of the family, all the time) and "Patience, Caroline, patience".

She's drinking up to 36oz of milk a day, and in April we'll start cereal. She's no longer swaddled at night (that was a harder habit for mama to break than CJ). She's making all sorts of noises -- lots of yells, but also "bwah bwah bwah" and the untypeable sound of bubbles being blown. Caroline is just amazing. She changes every day, and every day is a treat.

Emerging from the germs

Well THAT was sure an adventure! Most of February was a blur of busy-ness and sickness. I got the swine flu and spread it to Miss Caroline (which stunk), but we all came out OK in the end, and I have new skills in baby temperature taking, vaporizer filling (one handed!), and pediatrician calling. While we were sick, a lot of things happened, though, that we didn't particularly appreciate at the time ... but are important to record for posterity!

CJ turned four months old.... she's 15 lbs now, and long long long -- in the 87th percentile for height!

Nonna and Big Pop braved the Hazmat zone and came to visit ... and we had a great time! They were a huge help and didn't seem to mind that our only excitement was eating pizza on the couch and watching the Olympics.

It snowed right here in Dixie (thank goodness it melted soon thereafter!)

Caroline is refining her skills with reaching and grabbing. She loves to spend time in her exersaucer playing with all the toys. She lifts her bum up to help with diaper changes now, and is giggling more regularly -- especially when I kiss her belly.

Here's to a healthier and warmer March!

Caroline's brush with fame

So the Fonz told Caroline she was a beautiful baby this weekend. How cool is THAT? I think I was more impressed than she was.

Caroline can play!

Here's an assortment of videos for you to see. Caroline has grown by leaps and bounds the past few weeks. Not only is she bigger, she has developed two new skills and preferences that are helping her interact with the world in all new ways! First, she's learned how to reach and grab things -- and of course they go right into her mouth. What she lacks in accuracy and precision, she makes up for in gusto! She also demonstrates a strong preference to sit up. Her head and neck are very strong and she likes to sit in her exer-saucer, bouncy swing (or on someone's lap) and explore the world.

Check out the videos --

100 days

Yesterday marked my 100th day on the planet. Look how far I've come!

This week started "Baby Bootcamp" when I went back to work full time. All told, Caroline dealt very well with her change in feeding (learning how to take a bottle), her change in schedule (longer naps in the morning), and increased activity (she's got a full schedule of fun developmental games!) She was, however, more crabby this week than I've ever seen her -- I guess that's what happens when a baby doesn't get quite enough sleep or enough to eat!

Yesterday was the breakthrough day though -- she mastered the bottle and will take six ounces in a sitting (and keep it all down!). It helped matters significantly, too, that the cold snap finally broke and we were able to get outside and play and play.

A new skill ...

And a hard-won skill to boot!

Holiday update

Hello and Happy New Year! My resolution was to smile more.... How do you think am I doing?

This is my "official" three month old portrait -- and below, my 13 week old portrait (these two auspicious events were only a day apart, so you won't see much developmental difference). Three months marks the end of me being a newborn, and I took my ascension into infanthood very seriously. All of a sudden, I've turned on the charm -- smiling and laughing and flirting and playing very very intently indeed. And sometimes I have a hard time sleeping (because I'm afraid I'll miss something) and eating (because I'm too busy smiling!)

It was a very exciting holiday season indeed. We went to East Aurora for Christmas, and had a great time being spoiled by Nonna and Big Pop (in the form of chip dip and egg nog for me, kisses and hugs for CJ.) Caroline met her Uncle Adam, Aunt Amy, and cousin Oliver for the first time and she visited with all her relatives at Great Aunt Sue's and Great Aunt Linda's on Christmas Day. And the presents -- oh the presents! Caroline is going to be the best dressed, most well-read, most well-equipped infant on the planet! All of you should expect text pictures when CJ models your new outfits. Thanks to everyone for your generousity!

On the 26th we jetted away from Buffalo and on to our next adventure -- New Orleans! We had a great time exploring the Crescent City. CJ walked the town strapped into her pack, enjoyed watching the street performers, getting caught in a cloud of Cafe du Monde powdered sugar (I tried to be neat, I swear) and going to the museums. The first day we were there was beautiful weather, but the second was very, very cold. We bundled up and did our best.

For New Year we went back to RBRSP -- Richard Russell State Park in the North Georgia Mountains. The weather there was much more conducive to playing outside, and we explored the trails, the beach by the lake, the golf course, and all the playgrounds. The highlight of the trip for me was the beautiful, yellow, full "blue" moon rising up over the lake on New Years Eve. What a great start to what is sure to be a memorable new year with an amazing, growing little girl.

And a bonus picture. We're working very hard at sleeping through the night. CJ goes to bed at 745 and sleeps until 1. I scoop her up to eat in a foggy haze, and then slide her back into bed to sleep from 2 to (hopefully) 7. The key to that plan working is getting lots of activity during the day -- she loves her bouncy seat! I will take a video of her in action soon.