Four Months Old

Getting older and getting *slightly* bigger! Inconsistent with all monthly photos is the four month shoot. A turned 4 months in New Orleans (more on the trip another time). So here she is on a hotel bed and surrounded by special cajun potato chips bags!

Her demeanor and temperament continues to amaze us. Her 4-month shots went super well. She held her breath, turned completely red, let out a yell and then calmed down. She even smiled as I dressed her afterward. The next day she was a bit out of sorts but nothing we couldn't handle. I liked having the appointment on a Friday because I didn't have to work when she needed more attention paid to her schedule the following day.

She's trending small, although it's of no concern. She wasn't even 12 pounds at the check up. At least she's proportioned, happy, healthy and extremely alert. We're cleared to introduce rice cereal when we feel she's interested. That's not yet so we'll wait a bit. The doctor also insisted we start with veggies rather than fruit to avoid introducing "sweet."

As shared in the last post, her vocals are loud and entertaining. She grabs her toes and feet regularly, holds simple objects and puts everything to her mouth. I personally feel we need to do more tummy time. In a less than positive change she's not sleeping through the night anymore. We enjoyed 5-6 hour chunks of sleep for awhile but in the last couple of weeks she's back to 2-3 hour intervals. We have been napping her in her actual crib so maybe after our upcoming trip to Nome we'll officially switch her from the co-sleeper to the crib overnight.

It's harder to nurse her because she's so distracted and interested in what's happening around her. Pretty funny to watch even if it drags out the necessity! Oh, and she is fierce on the hair pulling. She even got Andy's hair as he blew raspberries on her belly. Miss A manages to pull on both of our glasses too. She's got quite the social and expressive personality developing.

Here's one of her favorite places to hang while awake and I'm working:

This weekend we'll assemble her new Jumperoo. It's time for this step given how much she loves to stand supported!

*Amy

Easter Weekend

We sure had a great holiday weekend. The uh-mazing weather really contributed to our enjoyment.
It was high time to get the boat back on the water and Captain Andy was very thorough. We stayed in close waters so he could check electrical connections and make sure everything was in top working order. Of course we were just excited to get Miss A afloat!  She started the boat ride a bit sleepy and ended it in full nap mode. The in-between time was happiness and much for her to look at.
At the start of our excursion she remained in her car seat. After waking she stayed put for awhile because she had a direct view of her daddy steering. She fully took him in her sights!

We cruised in front of our neighborhood, dubbed "the scar" or "hillslide." I can't remember exactly, but try to find our little blue abode next to the red one.

And in the basket for her end of boat journey nap. She didn't see Daddy's rockfish catch but without a doubt many fish will be seen this summer. It felt so nice to be back on our boat, becoming familiar with the routine again, and jumping into the scenery. I'm beyond excited for camping and exploring.

Then it was Easter Sunday and when we weren't chatting with family, we tried to be outside as much as possible--especially on our new patio furniture.

Skyping with Grandpa Joe and his beard!

Another lovely element to Easter in addition to Jesus' resurrection, the sunshine, family and the prime rib, was A's vocal range! Holy smokes did her voice take off that day! She was a music maker exploring her range.

And just a couple of days ago she chatted up the owl and moon in her book at the changing table.

Finally, this week she is now a Bumbo girl, in short bursts!

Plenty of fun still ahead as Miss A and I fly out to New Orleans tomorrow for a conference. Here's hoping her 2 test run trips to Anchorage last month prepped her for this longer, out of state trip.

*Amy

Three Months Old

Miss A turned 3 months on St. Patrick's Day! She continues to delight us in her evolving expressions, discoveries, sharing of joy and overall demeanor. She is truly a happy, happy baby except when experiencing gas pains, which unfortunately seemed to happen more often during this past month. Sometimes during her occasional bouts of crying she manages to simultaneously smile because she can't help but respond to us.

Otherwise she had a big bout with blowing bubbles. That excitement has tapered off as bubbles  are regular occurrences now. Her hands are always in her mouth. Just very, very recently she's shooting her legs straight up into a 90-degree and her feet seem to have a life of their own...according to her. It's a matter of time before she realizes she can grab them and hold on. She discovered her clothes last week and is now grabbing at them and tugging around her knees.

Miss A's eyebrows have grown in some more and her hair has become long enough that it doesn't stick straight out (some of the time). She's batting toys around that hang in her reach and the laughter is picking up. And the T.V. has caught her eye. Yikes! What a sweetie. Getting bigger too fast.

 Pals

So after her photo shoot we put her in green attire for the holiday (thanks to the Grandmas)--to embrace the Flaherty side of her.

We celebrated both occasions by going out to dinner and having a couple of pints. By chance the place we chose (with live music) seated us next to a table of hospital employees. Including my doctor who delivered Miss A and her surgeon husband who made it happen. Even a couple of nurses we saw during our hospital stay were there. They enjoyed getting to see her. It's nice to have a social and unofficial "3-month" check-up by Doc. Small towns are lovely. So is Miss A.

*Amy

Pat's Sitter

On Monday night we went to a "body art" contest as part of Artigras happenings in Sitka. That's right, we took our daughter to a (smoke-free) Pub to see tattoos compete. It was fun, and brought out a different demographic to Arts Council events. Just before leaving (after Miss A let us eat our buffalo wings as she slept in her car seat) I overheard a patron near us. (paraphrased) "That baby looks like a baby Pat Benatar!" I felt motherly pride that this denim-jacketed fellow was impressed by A's hair and likened her to a rocker, as she hung out with many folks sporting impressive tattoos. She may grow up well-rounded. Andy liked the show but wouldn't enter his tattoo, newish from last winter. I had high hopes for some tattoo trophies.

"We Are Young..."

image from last month

Today was the first full day I spent apart from her. Andy's been used to the work routine for awhile. I've had the luxury of keeping her at home or having Grandmas watch her as I earn a day's wage. But today she finally went to our friend's house for care-taking. If all goes well, which we're expecting it will, she'll go to our friend's twice a week and then stay at home with me the rest of the week. Our friend has a 17-month old and she currently adores Miss A. It's so sweet and she was borderline upset as I left with A.

So last night and this morning I went through all the emotions of "letting go." I swear she was going off to college in just a matter of time. Rather than have a nice farewell after I got her things settled, I had to take off like a bat out of hell. Who forgets to bring the bottles of pumped milk (lovingly gathered during sessions at 1:30am)? Yeah...thank goodness we live on an island. Before my morning Skype meeting I raced to our house on the other side of the island, plucked the bottles of milk from the fridge and raced them back. So much for a fond send off to a good day. But I made my meeting and was welcomed by her smiling face for pick up. We all did it. We all survived and I'm glad to have her home. We have until Monday for take two.

*Amy

Taking Flight

Baby girl finally took her first plane rides this past week. I write "finally" at 2.5 months old because Alaskan babies tend to start travel at a very young age (often just days old depending where born and where baby lives). We took the route to Anchorage via Juneau for my work. Whew--going solo had me a bit apprehensive, but the entire 3-day/2-night hotel stay went very well! No crying on any flights and she nursed perfectly during landings. We even had the entire row to ourselves 75% of the time.

It wasn't long into the journey when I realized going to the bathroom would be tricky or delayed. I feel so fortunate that my co-workers, and then everyone attending the same training were so supportive and open to having a baby around.  There was someone eager to hold her as I presented. Someone in the office even remarked how happy everyone sounds when a baby is hanging out. Her easy going nature to nap in strange places and with loud noises worked well at the Central Office.

Miss A had many moose sightings from the pair hanging around our hotel and the training site. She slept through Costco and adjusted to much cooler weather. I didn't want to pack in a lot during the quick trip so as not to be overwhelmed. But Miss A did get to meet a couple of special people.

And to try something entirely new I bought too big Little Swimmers diapers which I doubled up for a 10 minute swirl around in the hotel pool.

It took Andy the second night of us away to realize the bedroom was dark at night, missing the nightlight. I think he had some good, hard sleep, although he says he was lonely in Sitka.

And now we're more prepared for our next Anchorage trip in less than two weeks, and for one extra night. Maybe she'll see the inside of Alaska's one and only Olive Garden!

In other news, Andy is enjoying a full weekend off from work and is smoking the last of our king salmon stock. A great way to open up the freezer for some new fillets as the fishing season starts.

*Amy

Grandma J

February was the month of Grandmas. Miss A was held and loved all day every day (not that she isn't normally, but you know...) Andy's mom arrived the day after Grandma C and picked up with the Grandmotherly love and wonderful help around the house. She remembered a lot of things from when A's cousins were babies, and shared stories about them.
Grandma J saw the evolving sucking on thumbs and fingers and the start of blowing bubbles.

 I'm pretty sure Grandma Judy enjoyed seeing her son in the role of loving father.

Andy say, "Thanks for coming and we'll see you in several months!" She's currently spending time with the other grandkids up in Nome.

Since we're now Grandma-less, this week of work with Miss A went really well. It's so nice to have a bit of a predictable schedule going on.

And to add just because, she entertained her parents for a long time last night by stepping up the happy blowing bubbles bit. She's not a spitter, or even a burper, so her drool production was fun to witness.

*Amy

Two Months Old

Miss A is now in month two of life. She's been able to meet her first family members outside Mom and Dad, gone for walks in the fresh air, begin playing in her activity gym and batting toys around, dabbled with sticking her thumb in her mouth, growing some impressive eyelashes, and starting to fill in her eyebrows too.

Her smiles come more rapidly, delighting anyone who sees them. She's mastered the word "goo" and continues to showcase awesome neck and leg strength. Oh, and she only wakes about twice a night now!

She managed to dirty her white onesies this day but I think yellow suits just fine. It is amazing to a first time mother how soon some clothes can be outgrown!

*Amy