Sophie - Six Weeks

Sophie, it's hard to believe that you are six weeks young already. Where has this month and a half gone!

While we are a bit tired and you have entered the more fussy zone as you spend more and more of your time awake, I must say that you have a remarkably sweet disposition. You like to grip our fingers, and you have begun to gaze at me for up to ten minutes after nursing. It's the nicest time for me. You also smile now which is such a treat. I don't know how much of it is voluntary, but you smile after you eat when we look at each other. You also smile at your sisters, and are exceedingly tolerant of their many efforts to shower you with affection. Zoe and Mia are both very protective of you and want to make sure that I take care of you whenever they're not around. Zoe will often return from school and say sorrowfully, "I haven't had enough Sophie time today!" Mia likes to help me nurse you, and offer you lots of pats on the head. Occasionally, your sisters will "nurse" their babies while I nurse you. Mia nurses her baby through her belly button.

I have begun using a ring sling to carry you at times, and you enjoy it. I'm still getting the hang of it, but overall, we seem to do well in it. Daddy likes to carry you on your side, and you often fall asleep in his arms like this.

Originally, I assumed we'd have a much more sedentary summer with three little ones to feed, dress, etc. before we could leave the house. But, so far, we've managed to visit parks, museums, etc. regularly because you and your sisters are getting along so well together. Here's looking forward to a fun summer ahead!

Love,

Mom

Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mickey Visit

Enthusiastic would be an understatement to describe how excited Zoe and Mia were to have a family visit. I'm sure Sophie was eager too :) They have been listing off the things they wanted to do when Grandpa and Grandma came to town for weeks.

The list included the following (among others):

1. Painting
2. Moonbounce (or "moonbounce for later" as Mia says it)
3. Baltimore Aquarium with the dolphin show - a must
4. Eating in a restaurant
5. Making Bouillabaisse
6. Celebrating my birthday with cake

Grandma and Grandpa did not disappoint. The only item on the list we didn't fulfill was birthday cake and it wasn't their fault. We had a cake, but I was feeling lousy with allergies so we didn't actually eat it until the next week.

But we did so much more too! We had dress up clothes and boas to play with, we took lots of pictures, we cracked a bowl of nuts, took walks and played with rocks, and we played monster.

Grandpa and Mia sharing some moonbounce time...throwing caution to the wind regarding the weight and height requirements on the moonbounce.

Hmm...I wonder where Mia got that expression from?

Sophie chilling out at the Aquarium with Grandpa and Grandma.

Thanks for a great visit. Looking forward to planning another soon.

Zoe Think

"Gooey is a funny word. It makes me feel like I'm in the bathtub playing with glue."

While running around all over the upstairs: "I'm running around all happy and silly like Chloe runs around after she gets a bath."

(Zoe, I love that you run around all happy and silly like Chloe did. Those are some of my fondest memories of Chloe.)

Clue

Was it the butler in the guest room with the candlestick?

Was it the pool boy with a lawn chair in the yard?

No, it was Mia with a red crayon in the kitchen.

The clues:

One roughly broken large red crayon.

One guilty and slightly sick looking child.

Small bits of red waxy substance around child's mouth.

Older sister shrieking "I think Mia ate the crayon!"

Of course, Mia is fine. It was only one large chunk of a thick crayon, right? But that didn't stop Zoe from watching her all day and reminding us that she expected Mia to get sick at any moment. "Mom, has Mia thrown up yet?" "Dad, Mia is going to be sick." Makes for great Sunday conversation.

Things That Make Us Go Hmmmm...

Things that Zoe and Mia have wanted to better understand this week:

What is deodorant and why is it only for grown ups

Body hair

How to pet a cat

Where to touch a baby

Why babies cry

Which flowers can be picked and which can not

Belly buttons and the part that comes off when a baby is born

Cherry Blossoms, April 2010

Like last year, we avoided the crowds visiting the Cherry Blossoms by arriving at 6:30 am and visiting the Tidal Basin before heading out for breakfast. This year however we had Grandma Bette and Grandpa Steven with us for an extra special visit. Thanks for helping us get a family photo too!