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.

A conversation

A more detailed post with highlights of Christmas, New Orleans, and New Year coming soon, but I had to share our conversation over a Sunday football game.

10 weeks

Well, we have some catching up to do! In the hub-bub of the holidays I turned two months old:I went on my second plane trip -- this time to Manhattan -- and hung out with Nonna while mom went to a meeting. I agree with all those advertisements -- these are heavenly beds!

(No need to mention that I HAD to go on this trip because I adamantly refused to consider even thinking about drinking out of a bottle.)

And I've learned that I LOVE christmas tree lights, but they kinda make me dopey.

Can't wait to see you all on Christmas!

Here's a bonus video of me "talking" -- I've found my voice, that's for sure!

Thanksgiving

We made a surprise visit to East Aurora for Thanksgiving. Mom was in on it, but boy was Dad surprised when he found us all standing in the driveway Thanksgiving morning! I wish I had a picture of THAT -- his mouth kept moving but no words were coming out.

CJ met her whole fam damily and did superb with the airplane flight, variation in schedule, and sleeping at Nonna's house. And to say that her family was glad to meet her is an understatement! She was the rock star of the party.

Caroline had a new dress for the occasion. Don't tell anyone that the tights didn't quite fit and mom had to ball up the extra in the toes of her shoes (which didn't stay on long).

Caroline meets Great Gramma Holtz...

Four generations of Bunts women ...

The rest of the weekend was spent being doted upon by Nonna and Big Pop ... which is really the way a baby's life should be.

Now she's ready to rock Christmas!

8 weeks old

And look at all the things I can do! I can smile.....

and I smile and smile and smile. BOO! is my favorite word right now.

I can move and groove. I learned how to move my legs AND my arms, and one of my favorite things to do is lay on the floor and squirm around. And if I accidentially hit a hanging elephant or monkey on my play mat, so much the better!

...........

Weeks seven and eight have been very exciting. CJ went to the pediatrician today -- she weighs 11 lbs 6 oz, and is 23.75 inches long. That's the 73rd percentile for weight and the 95th percentile for height/length. She took her first airplane journey and did fantastic -- she flew with hardly a peep and charmed all the flight attendants. She met all her extended family -- pictures from Thanksgiving coming in the next post. And she's changing every single day, both in how she looks (longer eyelashes! double chin!) and what she can do (track people moving in the room! lift up her head when she's on her tummy!).

Where oh where did eight weeks fly to?

Camping!

Last weekend, we all went camping at Richard Russell State Park, near the Georgia/South Carolina border. To be specific, we went cottaging -- Georgia has a great system of cabin rentals for those not hardy enough for tent camping. We'll work up to tent campings someday, but its hard to give up clean sheets, stove, and indoor plumbing!

Once again, Caroline proved her flexiblity. She ate in a Walmart parking lot, on a golf course driving range, next to a campfire, on a dock, and at a playground. She slept like a champ (all that fresh air?) in her pack and play, carriage, and carseat.

She helped gather firewood ....
She hung out at the golf course ... And she looked cute. She's really perfecting that!

We had a great time. Here's a short video!