Hands

Miss R is all about exploring with her hands as you can see from these pictures. Her favorite thing is to grab her toes, specifically her right foot. She also likes to suck on her hands and might even end up being a thumb sucker before it's all said and done.

Those hands of hers are strong. She grabs everything including my bracelets. Tonight she held onto C's finger with a death grip. Had to tell C they were holding hands and R was enjoying it so C wouldn't freak out when R wouldn't let go.

We're alsoworking on her holding the bottle and it's only a matter of time before she does that. Now if she could just figure out how to get that paci back in her mouth after she yanks it out we'd be all good.

My girls...

Hall of Fame Game

SP and I took a road trip yesterday to Canton for the Hall of Fame game. We were lucky enough to have Nana and Papa come up to watch the girls for the day/night. It was great for us to have some adult time and just chill at the ball game. We didn't get home until 2 AM and I got up with Miss R at 6 but it was worth it just to spend some time with my hubby.

Who Dey!

Imagination

Miss C is coming up with some of the most hilarious things. Her latest is she'll say the following...

- How you doin' today?
- Hello everbodies.
- Na na na na na BATMAN

She's spending a lot of time taking care of her babies and she has A LOT of babies. Her latest is a Minnie Mouse Tricia got her from Disneyland. Minnie gets fed, wrapped up in blankie and loved on when she's sick or crying or sad. She also has 3 other babies that reside in her bed most of the time one of which her father named Cletus the Fetus. It's funny to hear her call that baby Cletus and sometimes even Fetus.

Tonight we pulled out blankets and chairs into the living room and made a tent. She squealed with delight at us "hiding in the tunnel" from Copper and Daddy. We spend a lot of time in our tent/tunnel reading books and giggling.

She is a funny little girl and a blast to play with. Yesterday we played hopscotch outside and she can't really hop on one foot or play the game at all, but her version is much more fun. "Watch me" she would say and then skip hop around.

We also like to play rock band and do air guitar using her Bats bat that Granny got her. We dance around singing loud and strumming our guitars. Good times.

Rolling with the Routine

We have worked really hard to establish a routine with Miss R. We learned A LOT from Miss C and applied all that to R. Of course, we aren't pros for sure and still screw up but I am proud of us for being somewhat successful in what we are doing. Hopefully I won't jinx us by talking about our routine but here goes...

Miss R gets up at 6 AM. In order to get everyone ready and out the door in the morning and not have a hungry little girl melting down mid-trip to the daycare we've opted to get her up at this time every day. She is up for about 30 minutes which is enough time to get her dressed and feed her 6 ounces. If she poops, and she likes to do this once she's all ready to go, it takes a little longer. After she eats she goes back to sleep and if we are home she'll sleep until 9 or later. If she's at school, she usually wakes up when we get there and falls back asleep soon after she gets settled.

She eats at 10 and 2. She stays up for about an hour or so after she eats and then naps for about an hour or longer, wakes up for a bit and may fall asleep again before she eats. We're working on making that time between when she eats and naps longer so the nap is longer and not a bunch of smaller cat naps.

We get home from the daycare right before 6 and she eats at 6. After she eats is really the only time during the day that we get to spend with her during the week so we're working to lengthen that time. Once I put her to sleep, which is around 7-7:30 she's pretty much down for the night. Right now we feed her again at around 10 but she's started to only take 2 ounces or so so that might get phased out soon if possible.

Then she sleeps until 6 AM and we start all over again. She's eating between 20 - 25 ounces per day. It all seems to be working, even with the move to the daycare. Wish us luck it continues.

Just Dance

Miss C and have this thing we do in the car to and from school where we listen to music and dance. She knows which CDs are "hers" and which are not and every car ride usually includes the words "My CD Mommy" at least once or twice. Since she is learning how to take turns and to share, sometimes we listen to her CDs and sometimes it's Mommy's turn and we listen to mine.

I have to be honest, those songs she listens to get stuck in your head and bounce around so hard it hurts. I find myself randomly batting ridiculous lyrics out of my head as they creep in without warning. So, I try to balance what she listens to with music that doesn't make me a little nuts with it's mind-numbing simplicity.

Having said that, I love nothing more than watching Miss C dance. "Dance with me Mommy" is one of my favorite things she says. I watch her in the rearview mirror bopping her head, clapping, trying to snap, pumping her arms, just all around getting down to the music. We have a blast rocking out in the car and I hope her passion for music and dancing continues throughout her life.

3 Month Observations of Miss R

Dear Baby Girl,
You are now 3 months old and seriously, where did the time go? It has flown by and here we are with you now in daycare and me back at work. The good news is that the transition appears to have been the easiest on you. Your big sister and I, on the other hand, had struggled a bit more with the change. Thankfully we have your smiling face to help us get through.

You know, when we found out we were pregnant with you last year it was quite the surprise to us and a little overwhelming. But now that we have you in our lives I wouldn't have it any other way. You have completed our little family and have fully established your place as one of us...crazy as we may be.

Here is a recap of all you have done in the last 3 months...such a busy girl:

• Traveled to Louisville and Gatlinburg.
• Visited with your aunts, uncle, cousins and friends.
• Went on walks, hung out outside and got a few bug bites to my displeasure.
• Rolled over for the first time.
• Stuck your hands in your mouth.
• Spit up a lot all over the place.
• Grabbed your toes and ears.
• Swatted at the pink elephant we have hanging over your changing table.
• Laughed out loud and smiled A LOT.
• Started daycare and instantly won over everyone who met you.
• Grew out of all of your newborn clothes and most of the 0-3 months stuff.
• Sang and danced with your big sister.
• Slept through the night for most nights from 10 PM - 6 AM.
• Got licked in the face by Copper and sniffed by the cats.
• Pooped on a couple of outfits.
• Kicked the lady bug on your exercise mat and hung out there with your big sister.
• Farted...a lot. You are quite the farter, I am not going to lie. Impressive.
• Smiled even more.
• Got some shots.
• Cuddled with Mommy.
• Cried, but not a lot.

I am amazed at how animated you are at such a young age. We thought your sister bubbled with personality when she was 3 months, but you might be giving her a run for her money. I look forward to seeing the little person you grow up to be.

Love,

Mommy