Five Month Annibirthery

Mae is 5 months old today! I can't believe it. Time is definitely going faster this time than it did with Etta.

No stats to report as it is not a well-baby check this month. But an update is in order I guess.

We have settled into a fairly good, consistent routine. That she is now showing signs up shaking up. Although it is just a couple of changes with when she first wakes up in the morning. She is still liking three naps a day with a couple hours of awake time in between. Still working for me!

Mae has really discovered her toes and her tongue. Both things that I would really like to get on video but know if I try to go get the camera she will stop doing. I guess I could probably just get the camera out and ready and try to catch something. (Since we have zero video minutes of her so far...)

Loving being around Big Sister. More than Big Sister is loving having her around. But it is getting better. With a bit more "mobility" (through sitting in the Bumbo and the walker) Etta seems to enjoy spending time with her more. I hope that this will continue.

Planning on starting rice cereal in a couple of weeks. Slow start and see how she likes it.

And...not much else that I can think of right now. Not really rolling. Some front to back and some extreme twisting when on her back. But she prefers to "scootch" around on her back to get anywhere. But she doesn't seem that interested in getting anywhere.

"Talking" more than Etta ever did. Lots of screeches and such. My mom has even been able to hear a few of those. Again, would try to get on video or to more people over the phone - but she never does it when I want her to. Darn kids!

She is still smiling quite a bit. More than the above picture captures.

I was trying to get her to stretch out her legs to get a good length shot. That made her look at me quizzically and stop smiling....

Toes

Mae has discovered that she has some. And she loves them!

Reading

Mae is growing, growing, growing and wanting to be in the action more and more. She won't sit still for an entire reading session, but she will for a little bit. And Etta seems to be okay with this type of sharing - most of the time...



And Etta is naked in this picture. We have been battling severe dry skin (or eczema) since Thanksgiving. This entitles using hydro-cortisone and lotion three times a day until we get it under control. And then constant vigilance. Unfortunately, the lotion and medicine was quite painful initially so it is not an enjoyable routine for any of us. Currently she is doing pretty well though.

[And a big shout out to the newest Major in our family. Uncle Major Jim Weaver!! We are proud of you!]

Daddy's Girl

Mae is a mommy's girl. From the first second I held her close I knew that it was going to be different than it was/is with Etta. Not that I don't love Etta with all my heart, it was just going to be different.

And boy, how it has.

The first two weeks Mae would only really let me hold her for any length of time. She had to have me to calm her down, to sleep with her (in the recliner, not laying down flat). She just liked me.

This was hard for Bob. Very hard. He had that connection with Etta from day one. Theirs was the "daddy-daughter dance" that got her to calm down in the middle of the night. And she still gets a look of utter bliss and excitement on her face when Bob drives by the front of the house on his way to park in the alley after work.

And these pictures really capture some of that connection.

Mama & Me

Lately Etta has gone back to calling me mama. Bob says it is because I've been promoting it. But c'mon, I'm the Mama Llama! And boy do I love my llama llama.

Loves



During her "intense" kissing phase



Can we crop Bob out of this picture and zoom in a bit?



Mommy's turn to give kisses.



What's over there?



We can wade in a little ways.

Pre Mae

[Christine took family pics of the three of us before Mae was born. I'll be sharing various selections through out the week.]

Let's go for a stroll.



What are you guys doin'?



Peek-a-boo



Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww...



Starting to get squirrely.



Getting creative.



About done.



Maybe next summer we can go swimming Etta.

Etta's Favorite Things

These are a few of her favorite things (currently)...

On Tuesdays & Thursdays Christine comes over at noon to pick Etta up. Those are the days that I teach band at Beacon Christian. First they go to Head Start to pick up the "crazy boys" and then head over to Christine's house. Apparently while in the car they have some good conversation.

This bi-weekly event has become quite the highlight of Etta's life. Yesterday she put on her t-shirt all by herself.

For the first time ever.

And then proceeded to put on her zip front hoodie - and zip it - with no help from mommy. She then retrieved her "Buzz" - another current favorite that goes pretty much every where with her - and her water bottle and stood post at the door.



Unfortunately it was only 9:30. A bit of time for a two-year old to wait. Probably an eternity to her.