The Return Trip

Yes, it was as ominous as the title sounds. We had gone to the wedding on Saturday and stayed in Tulsa. After a good night's sleep we went to church and to breakfast. I was stellar and had lots of compliments from the ladies at this church on my behavior. (Obviously they missed the fact that dad left with me and I came back with different clothes on. Oh well, I was getting prepped for the ride slightly early. Plus, this was not the last time I would have an outfit change today.)

The car ride began at about 11:00, I had been fed and we were ready to go. Tulsa, OK to Austin TX. 40 minutes in we stopped, I ate and got my diaper changed. I gave in to the whir of the Volvo at 70 miles an hour for about 1 1/2 hours. Awoke from my slumber with a dirty diaper, but mom caught this in time and we had no leaks. (It didn't matter if I did leak really, Mom was overprepared and made a special pad for me to sit on in the car set to prevent any major disasters.) Again I slept, but somewhere between here and home, I decided I wasn't tired anymore.

Short cat naps here and there along with a lot of staring at the mirror and the taupe interior in the car. We hit TX and I was getting a little cranky (3 1/2 normal hours to go). 40 miles in Mom and Dad decided we had to stop. Well, actually I decided, they just agreed that it would be a good idea. So we stopped, had a snack, got resituated and started again. Now, I would have thought, given that I was already cranky mom would have gotten in the backseat. But nope, I'm still by myself back here.

Dad's getting tired, Mom's already tired, we stop at Starbucks. It's not like decaf helps mom any, but Dad seems to be rejuvenated. Again, I'm still by myself in the back people. What is going on? So, a little while down the road, I began. We stopped for gas. Mom got the picture and got in the back seat. Finally, I had some interaction with a person and not just flying stuffed rattle bugs. This was a satisfactory change for the moment.

Then again, I was crying and crying and crying. At some points, wailing. When would they stop. Something about waiting 5 more miles to get to a spot. As my face turned red from crying (or so mom thought) and I had these huge tears...Dad pulled off. Yes, my diaper needs changing. Outfit change take two. Mom stayed in the back and we continued on. We actually are almost there, 45 miles or so to go. I made it the rest of the way without incident. A warm bath, an unhurried dinner, and a crib to stretch out in...I feel wonderful now.

Oh well, I did manage to get two books in on this excursion to and from Joplin. The Magician's Nephew and The Horse and His Boy. Mom and Dad had just read the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe to me before I was born so we skipped that one in the Chronicles of Narnia on CD.

When is my next trip you ask? Well, Dad had thought we might drive to South Carolina to see PaPa and Grandma. Um, that's 16 hours+. He thinks that we might try flying and see how that works instead. But, given we won't go until June or so, he might forget this experience and try driving again. The big question though is, will I forget?

So Lady Like

This weekend I went to a wedding reception with Mom, Dad, Nana, and Granddad. I wore this dress that Nana made for me. It does have little bloomers that go with it, but they were too big for my tiny little bottom! So despite everyone's best efforts at getting me to keep my dress down, I am going to show everyone that I was sans bloomers at the party.

It was also my first night in a hotel room! They didn't bring us a crib so I had my first whole night in bed with mom and dad. Although I wouldn't have known it, king size beds are huge! I slept wonderfully in the middle of the bed. I only woke up once!

Mimi

Did you know that I have three great grandparents...Mimi, Great Grandma Dort, and Great Gram Rankin. I met Mimi (pictured above) for the first time this weekend. This was one of the main reasons that I rode in my car seat for so long. We had a delightful meeting, smiles right away and no crying. Mom was very thankful for this. She didn't know what would happen since I had been crying at the very sight of Granddad all morning. (Thankfully, I changed my tune and was sort of smiling at him by the end of the weekend.) 

My Cousins

I met my cousins this weekend during our trip. (me on the left, Will in the middle, and Chanie on the right) My Uncle David brought them over from Kansas City for the day just to see me. Wow was it exciting when they arrived! Cousin Will immediately came and introduced himself to me in baby talk. He knew what he was doing since he has a younger sister, Chanie.

My cousins are a little wild compared to me so I retreated to take a nap. I awoke from slumber and played some more with everyone. Although, I was most comfortable just being held, slightly removed from the action. This of course was no problem with Nana and Dad at my side with eager hands.

I also had my first lesson in sharing. Chanie loved some of my toys and I was happy to share them with her. Thankfully, she didn't pick my current favorites. One day though, I really will have to learn what sharing is all about. 

Where Am I?

I'm checking things out and have no idea where I am. The people look familiar but nothing else does. Oh, that's right I have been in my car seat for about 10 hours! Hopefully, we've ended up somewhere worthwhile. Mom and Dad sure didn't disappoint me in the destination. We're at Nana and Granddad's! Oh, I'm so thankful I can stretch and that I've figured that out.

The car ride wasn't all that bad, lots of rest some good snack stops along the way. Nothing like dragging out an 8 1/2 hour drive to 10 just because I had to go to the bathroom and eat. But, Mom and Dad never complained and they just kept on driving. At one point during a stop, Dad even let me try driving. I needed to stretch and ended up using the steering wheel as a prop to help me stand up. Thankfully the center of the steering wheel was soft enough to rest my head against and my head wasn't heavy enough to sound the horn.

I was an extremely good traveler up until the last 20 miles or so. At this point, I had had enough and wanted some playtime. Mom promptly reached back for the next 1/2 hour straight and jingled my toys that hang off my car seat. I vaguely recall her making the comment that she was glad she only had to do that for 2o miles. I would test her strength in that area on the return journey unbeknownst to her... 

Me and My Duck

I will put anything in my mouth that isn't plastic these days. Especially my trusted friends: lamb, duck, and giraffe. Below I am eating Mr. Duck. Yesterday, I ate Miss Lamb. For appetizers, I always eat Mr. Giraffe because he travels with me in my car seat frequently.

Rattle Lifting

Well, according to baby week, mom tells me that I should be grasping small items at three months. Watch me eye this rattle...

Yes, I see it. In fact, I think that this rattle looks as big as my head. So, technically that means I should not be able to lift this thing. Hmmm...let me try it out.

Yep, the picture of the rattle is fuzzy because I'm successfully waving it beside my head. Mom is keeping a close one-handed watch (camera in other hand), for fear of what a rattle the size of my head might do if I bonk myself in the face with it.

Wait a minute you say...these pictures are dated March 25th. That means I'm 2 months 6 days old. Should I be able to lift this rattle you ask? Probably not, especially with just three fingers on it. But as you can see from my smile...over achieving amuses me!

Mirror, Mirror on the Gymini

Mirror, mirror on the gymini...tell me whose the fairest baby of them all? Apparently, I'm not according to this mirror.


Guess we'll have to try another one...Mirror, mirror on the floor...whose the fairest baby of them all? Of course, I'm only talking the fairest baby in my house in Texas. I know that my cousins and friends would qualify as fairest babies of them all as well.

Ouch!

Well, I'm two months old and along with this comes some shots I'm told. Yes, this morning mom packed me up and took me to the pediatrician for another well check. Why would they call it that when you leave feeling not so well? So what happened you ask....

Of course I had my standard checkup which went great. I am now 22 1/4 inches long and I weigh 10 lbs. 9.5 ounces. This puts me in the 10-25th percentile for height and 25th percent for weight. The Dr. is curious as to when I'll hit my growth spurt since I have such a tall mom and dad.

Then came the not so nice part. I got 3 vaccination shots today! My nurse held my little feet against the table and then she stuck me in the thigh. Man did it hurt. I cried and cried and she just kept poking me. I could hear my brave mom telling me it was almost over. She didn't cry, but then again she wasn't watching either. I did get cute bandaids (visible in picture), a warm blanket, and a snack afterwards which comforted me a bit.

Now, we are home though. Mom is giving me lots of cuddle time and rightfully so. I'm sure it helps that I keep giving her my pout face, I've spared you all this pathetic look by turning my head in this picture. Hopefully I won't get too sore or get a fever. Mom's prepared though with baby Tylenol if necessary.

My Baptism

Today was a very special day for me. I turned two months old and most importantly was baptized. In the morning, mom dressed me in an heirloom baptismal dress. This dress was handmade by my Great Grandma Annie and was worn by both my Great Aunts, my Grandma, my mom, my Aunt Trish, and now by me! Thankfully, I made it through the whole morning without any accidents. The beatiful blanket, booties, and bonnet I wore were also heirloom items. My Great Grandma Dort crocheted them for my Aunt Trish's baptism and she generously passed them on to me.



Mom told me all about Pastor Cassidy and what was happening at church so I wouldn't be afraid. The Pastor asked mom and dad some questions which I am very glad they said yes to and then he baptized me with water. I talked just enough (cooed not cried) in the beginning so everyone could hear my lovely voice and then was a silent little angel while the water was dripped on my forehead.

A lot of my family made the trip to Texas to see this blessed event. You already know that my Grandma, PaPa, and Aunt Trish were here. But Nana and Granddad Rankin also made the trip. I must be a very special little girl to get my family to log a combined 50 or so hours on the road for a two day weekend!

Me and Aunt Trish

What a big weekend I'm having! My Grandma, PaPa, and a new face arrived to see me this morning. Who's the new face...it's my Aunt Trish. This is our first meeting and as you can see, we're getting along just fine. We had a wonderful time together in the morning and even took a nap together. (Mom is sparing Aunt Trish the catching flies picture of the two of us, she knows that Aunt Trish's friends check me out on the blog.) Aunt Trish got lots of smiles out of me while she was here and we played a lot. I'll miss her when she leaves, but will keep sending her (and everyone else) smiles and hugs over the net. 

Tummy Time or Dinner Time?

Well, in my last tummy time posting I said my goal was to get into the Baby Bjorn forward facing. I have accomplished that! Pictures will be coming soon. But as you can see, despite my big accomplishment, I haven't been excused from this exetcise yet. Mom insists that I must continue to build up my neck strength so I can do things like sit up and roll over.

You can also see in this picture that I'm now avidly sucking on things. I don't play favorites when it comes to this activity. My thumb, fist, wrist, or your arm, they're all equally tasty. Excuse me now, I must go eat, Mom finally got the picture.

My First Picnic

Today was a beautiful day in Round Rock, TX (80 degress and sunny with a slight breeze) and I went to the park for a picnic! Good thing mom got me these sunglasses, it was very bright. Mom bought them because dad has been taking me for long walks and was concerned about the sun in my eyes. It's a good thing big sunglasses are in, because I need to grow into these!

We met "Aunt" Ruth and John at Round Rock Memorial Park and we had a marvelous time. John and I enjoyed the weather while mom and Aunt Ruth had a nice lunch. Then they took us down to the water to feed the ducks and you wouldn't believe what they saw (I was asleep), baby ducklings! I love being outside and can't wait to go again, maybe I'll get to see the ducks. 

Ahhh..The sling

Mom has taken to what is called "Wearing your Baby" and as you can see, I have taken to it as well. I usually only get put in the sling under dire circumstances, like when I'm crying and mom needs to eat, or make dinner, or put laundry away (I don't think that's dire), etc. I found my time in the sling today partcularly enjoyable since mom put me in it with just my diaper on and sitting up (two of my favorite things). But I quickly fell asleep with her gentle bouncing as she tried to get dinner ready for dad.

6 Weeks Old!

Today was a big day for me! I turned six weeks old and in celebration mom took me to get my picture taken at JCPenny's. What an event that was...three outfit changes in the course of an hour, plus some pictures of me just in my diaper (how embarassing), and on top of that mom and this strange lady constantly trying to get me to smile. Which of course I'm not going to do on cue, I am only six weeks old.

After all of that, mom took me out to lunch. This was a much more pleasurable experience for us both. Plus, I got to see John again. We made plans to go on a picnic next week. I can't wait!