Gwen at 4 months

Our little lady is four months old and entertaining us daily with squeals, coos, big laughs (William coaxes the biggest!) and funny faces. She gives whoever scoops her up first thing in the morning, or after naps, a huge gummy smile.

It might not be gummy for long, though - Esch and I think we've spotted a tooth about to poke through on the bottom, and poor thing is drooling and drooling. She chews on her hands all day long and as soon as a toy is placed in her hands, it goes right to her mouth. 

At her 4 month checkup yesterday, Gwendolyn Faith weighed in at 14 lbs, 14 oz and 25 inches long, which are both measuring in the 76th percentile. She's suddenly showing a desperate interest in sitting up. When she's on her back, she strains to lift up her head and shoulders. Of course this milestone is a few months off (William sat up unassisted at 6.5 months or so), but we won't tell her that. Keep working on those muscles, Gwen! She rolled over from her tummy to her back once - a few weeks ago - but hasn't done it since!

The pediatrician recommended that we start solids right before 6 months, and to begin with wheat cereal, so that's what we'll do. I'm glad that they're now recommending 6 months. We were told to give William rice cereal at 4 months old and it was a little silly - he was way too small to figure out eating from a spoon and hated it. I've also read some articles recently and the AAP now believes that baby's stomach is not really ready to process solids until closer to 6 months and says that breastmilk is best exclusively until that time. 

I've been using this same basket for G's monthly photos, to show her growth, and I think this may be the last time she can lay in it... growing like a weed!

Lately

Lots of fun so far in 2013 - we are back in the swing of things as Esch has been back to school for a few weeks, and I am working again, with photo sessions both days most weekends.

Two weeks ago, I had an out of town newborn shoot, which are usually about 3 hours long, plus an hour drive each way had me away from Gwennie for the longest time so far. Esch stayed home with both kids and they all did a great job - we were pretty worried because the baby had never taken a bottle (EVER! - not for lack of our trying!) and I really thought she might cry for hours on end if I wasn't there to feed her. Luckily she surprised us both by taking 2 bottles from Esch (good job!). It so happens that that was also the last time she's done it - she hasn't accepted one since... oh well. It felt like a huge accomplishment to complete my first big job after maternity leave and I'm glad it's over with.

We're in the middle of a really cold snap - lows in the 10s. It's freezing!

We've been keeping busy with William's preschool, and he started swimming lessons as well. The first two weeks were pretty awful for both of us - he cried the entire time... in fact, screamed is more like it... but finally this past lesson at the three week mark there were some smiles.

Here he is walking through the YMCA to the locker room. He LOVES the whole process of lessons - carrying his special gym bag, getting to put his things in a locker... just not quite sure about being in a pool with a stranger yet, I guess.

The long walk to the pool. Little timid feet move petty slowly down this hallway!

Victory! Our first tear-free exit.

Gwennie turned 4 months yesterday (monthly pictures to come soon) and is our happy little thing, along for the ride and in love with her brother. She watches him constantly, and he can get the biggest ear-to-ear grins from her of anyone! 

Just catching up with some "around the house" shots...

Daddy reads William one of his library selections. 

We've continued our goal of going on Fridays to return what he has borrowed 

and to choose a few new ones to bring home. He loves it.

Gwennie was a sick puppy last week - luckily she's on the mend now after lots of snuggle time.

Nanna and Grandpa came to visit!

Looking cute on a shopping errand with Mommy.

Me and my littlest partner in crime.

 WW was thrilled to wake up from his nap yesterday to SNOW!

"Mommy, Christmas is back!"

No eye contact from any of the three - haha!

This week, Daddy braved the cold of the attic to dig out the "Jumperoo" which Gwen loves...

...almost as much as William loves "showing her how to do it."

They area really becoming buddies - it's more and more fun to watch each day.

So proud!

I can't believe she is already old enough to use the jumper!

These pictures crack me up - Gwennie at 30mm. Not a very flattering focal length - but makes me smile. She kind of looks like a caricature of herself.

See a resemblance?

Can you guess who the baby on the left is?

It's my Dad!

What I woke up to on January 18th

2012 and 2013.

It feels like I just blinked. Baby Gwennie, we love you so much. I remember every second of the last year - running to the store in the early morning a year ago today, standing shocked and thrilled in the kitchen and hugging William (who had no idea why Mommy had tears in her eyes), being so excited to meet you, loving every second of pregnancy, hearing "it's a girl!" and now waking up to a cooing, smiling, perfect little baby.

Winter Days

I really need to post our Christmas pictures. I've started a draft post but haven't finished... too many details to write about! Coming soon. In the meantime, some every day snapshots from late December and the first few weeks of 2013.

The after-nap glass of milk. He still likes it slightly warmed and we oblige.

It snowed the day after we got home from Christmas, and AGAIN a few days later. On Esch's 32nd birthday, we bundled up both kids and went sledding on the Dickinson campus.

Sister stayed underneath a blanket in her carrier and snoozed.

We went to one of Esch's classmate's home on New Tear's Eve. There were 5 families there from the law school with kids/babies. We stayed from 5-9. William had a ball and Gwennie was her usual pleasant self. No one can ever believe how happy she is. She didn't cry once the entire evening. Esch and I didn't even try to stay up until midnight, but were woken up by fireworks at 12:00 on the dot. Who knew, but Carlisle has a pretty big "First Night" celebration.

New Year's Day breakfast baby. Happy 2013!

We've decided to go to the library every Friday. We have a morning activity (school Tues-Thurs, swimming lessons Wednesdays) every day but Mondays, which is reserved for errands.

Guess he was planning on checking out a LOT of books!

Gwen started holding her upper body up really well a few weeks ago, and rolled over for the first time yesterday (1/14). Esch and I also think we spied a bottom tooth coming in this morning (!)

Funny little face :)

Grumpy little guy in the timeout chair, and none too pleased about it.

He loves these wipeable-marker activity placemats.