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!

Happy Baby

Last night was my first night in the crib. Of course, I had slept there off and on for naps and such. But, last night was the night that mom and dad decided I should sleep there the whole time. I did wake up three times throughout the course of the night, but I made it. Surprisingly enough, mom even looked well rested when she came in to get me this morning...I was thinking she might not sleep at all with this transition.

Tummy Time

Well, I've been working on strengthening my neck muscles daily, but man my head is heavy. I've only been able to get about an inch of clearance between my chin and mattress so far. I need to keep working on this since my new goal is to get in the baby bjorn...forward facing. Dad says I will like the carrier much more in that position.

5 Weeks Old!

I made it to 5 weeks. Last check at the doctor, on 2/21, has me at 9 lbs. and 21 inches. These stats still put me right on the average for baby girls in the U.S. However, dad is calling me a "porker". But despite my pudgy face, mom and dad think I'm still pretty cute.

Some of My Favorite Toys

I have discovered the blue elephant to my right and the mirror to my left. These two items on my gymini are my most favorite. Yes, I like to look at myself for minutes...not hours. The elephant however, is a different story. This elephant has rattles in its feet, which I get my hands tangled up in while making noise. It also does this neat trick when mom pulls it down towards me, it vibrates and makes noise on the way back up!


Another one of my other favorite toys is my new silver rattle from my dad (a Valentine's day present). It's like a tiny barbell and I have to be careful when I'm swinging it around to hear the bells. I must say, it doesn't feel very good when I bop myself in the head with it.

And, not pictured here, is my black and yellow bumblebee. This was a special gift to my mom, from her mom, when she was getting married to my dad. It's bright colors have helped me learn to track objects. I now watch this toy an entire 180 degrees! It also keeps me occupied when I get my diaper changed...mom has it hanging over my head.

Mom and Me

For all of those who wondered where the pictures were of my mom with me, we had a short delay in posting because she needed to get a haircut. So, the two of us took a big trip to the salon last Tuesday and I watched as her long hair quickly became short hair. I didn't realize that the few tugs I had given her hair would result in such a drastic decision. But, we're both smiling because mom is much more willing to be photographed with me. In fact, this week we're going to go get some professional pictures taken!

Big Girl Bath

I took my first bath in the bath tub tonight. Mom filled the tub up so I could sit in the warm water. I got to play and I loved it. (I played by swinging my arms and legs which is why this picture is fuzzy, plus mom wanted to post a modest picture.) Dad came in to check me out and he gave me a mohawk. This was the best bathtime experience ever! I didn't get cold, I didn't have to get moved all around, and I got a warm and cozy robe afterward. Thank heavens that cord is gone, baths in the tub verse baths on the counter, I'll take the tub any day or night.

This was also a great experience for mom. I didn't cry, she didn't get wet, and Dad helped get me dressed afterward. This meant that mom could clean up my bath stuff right afterward which made the whole process much faster.