Claire at Four Months!

Things haven't exactly been coming up roses for Claire since she's turned four months.  She HAD been enjoying the nice weather and going on special walks all week, but now she's got quite the stuffy nose.  She also got three shots at her doctor appointment, and I'm pretty sure subconciously she's holding it against us.  She doesn't remember why she's angry, she just knows it has something to do with us.  

Her eyes are still looking gray--I'm hoping they'll turn more blue.  We've got a 50/50 shot at blue eyes.

The good news from the doctor is that Claire is doing well.  She's caught up on weight at 13.3 lbs, she's a little short for her age, but her head size is also average.  She's able to roll from front to back and back to front, but she's been having trouble.  I read somewhere that since babies figure it out "by accident" first, there's a learning period where they have the physical ability, but they don't have it figured out.  She did get it today, so that's pretty good for being such a crabby baby while we were playing!

Claire can also grab her feet (she doesn't always remember they're there, but when she catches sight of them, she goes for them).  She started blowing raspberries (and making a ton of bubbles).  She also is getting more conversational.  I like that she moves her voice up and down and sounds like she's really conversing, just not making sense.  

She's also started eating cereal.  She actually does really well with it!  She grabs the spoon and helps me get it in, then she holds it in or pushes it out and sticks it back in (which makes her angry, because it's empty).  

Holy cow...

I've had to learn the right texture for her.  The "first" feeding directions made the cereal too runny for Claire.  She more prefers the thick stuff.  I don't care for it at all, unfortunately.  I guess when you've never had any food, that's probably super exciting.  But if I was going to eat cereal, it'd have to be Cinnamon Toast Crunch or something.  Elmer's glue comes to mind quite frequently, not that I've eaten a lot of glue first hand.

You know... ONE packet of Splenda, a splash of cinnamon, this COULD be delicious.  Just saying.

 Claire has also been having good play time with other members of the family.  Grandpa came over today to watch the race so she spent some time high flying!

Seriously the only even half smile we got out of her all day.  She had to be sick, Grandpa is her favorite and she goes gaga over him when he's here!

She also has been getting more Wally-time!  Wally has taken special interest in Claire.  He almost always follows to her bedroom for one last check before bedtime.  He also likes to sit with her when she's having a bottle.  She will rub his hair or put her hand in his face looking for licks, which she likes.  

Hey baby, I think I wuv you, too!

Well, maybe she doesn't like his kisses as much as me:

Wuv you Mom!  Remember that baby doesn't give no stinkin' kisses!

But Wally definitely doesn't like when he's not included in the kisses!

Dang mom!  What happened to me being the baby??

So this month we're still fitting in 0-3 outfits (no more are outgrown, but some are retired because I'm sick of them or they're looking a little rough).  Claire has started eating rice cereal (rice only for two months, per doctor's orders).  She's sleeping through the night now, well, except right now she's sick so we've been getting up with her since it's not a "I'm bored" cry. 

Claire and I discussing something really taxing.  Look at the thought on that face.  The good news?  She knows her comma rules now!

She can sit up in her bumbo seat for an extended period of time, and she really prefers sitting up more now to laying down.  A lot of the time she looks like she's doing crunches trying to see around.  She grabs her toys, holds her toys, shows preference to certain toys (Elefante and her lovey blanket).  We've also started letting her sleep with a blanket, which I know some people frown on, but she is fairly wrapped up in it, they're small, and we check on her and have watched her sleep with it enough to know she's safe.  She rubs on it like I did as a child.  Like I still do as an adult.  We have a blanket addiction.  The first step is admitting it.  

Angelic Claire

We still feel so lucky to have Claire.  As she grows more aware of things around her, it has become a joy to share experiences and do activities together.  Who would have known cereal time could be something to look forward to, or that I could walk with a four month old and learn so much about the absolute wonder of spring.  We enjoy each day with her and are excited about so many exciting milestones to come!  Our little girl is so loved!

For the Love of the Nook

Lucky me, the spring is a perfect storm of special days: Valentine's Day, my birthday, and my wedding anniversary.  Much like a Christmas baby, all of my holidays were combined this year for one stellar gift: A NookColor from Barnes and Noble.  This was a gift I didn't even know I wanted.  As an avid reader I had to ask myself, could I just read a book on a screen like that?  No page turning?  No pretty cover to flash around?  No delicious paper scent?  I just didn't know.  Until I got that sleek little thing in my hands.  Then I realized I'd just found a new best friend.

The Nook has a lot of fun features.  One unexpected feature were the crossword puzzles.  I didn't even know I liked them, until I started playing them on my Nook.  I also like the fact I'm carrying around close to 100 books with me at one time.

So what have I read so far?


Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain
by Portia de Rossi

I was interested in this book back when she did her press circuit and everyone made such a big deal out of it, but I never picked it up.  This isn't the type of book I'd buy for myself (lucky we found a big file of free books to download that included this one).  Portia details a painful time in her life when she struggled with an eating disorder (and a pretty bad one at that).  She shares her fears, her obsessions, her recovery.  I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed this, but it was a great read.  Portia definitely has a strong and entertaining voice--even I felt a little crazy when I'd step away from the book for a breather. 


The Zombie Survival Guide
by Max Brooks

 

Heck yeah another zombie book!  I liked this better than World War Z.  I felt empowered against the eminent zombie apocalypse.  Also, in a weird way, I kind of felt like this book, aside from the zombies, was an actual guide for real disasters.  So even if zombies didn't really attack, at least I'd know what to stock up on, where to go, and where to avoid.  And hey, as long as the batteries in the Nook aren't dead, I'd be able to use this, too.  Until the batteries died.  Unless the power never goes out.  But remember, in a true disaster (movie) the power is always the first to go.

I've got several more (a million more!) books on the list to read.  I'm really enjoying this.  Some of the perks are that I can go to any Barnes and Noble and read whatever I want free for one hour.  And let's face it, I never get to spend over an hour there with the baby in tow, anyway. 

I highly recommend this little toy.  It has children's books (and children's books that read themselves, so Claire can listen and watch and I can sit and sleep).  It also connects to the internet, so I can surf websites, facebook, and buy and download new books as I see them.  They even have a feature--Free Fridays, where they have a featured book available for free download.  I never miss one!  

So what are you doing still reading this on your computer, when you could be reading this on your very own Nook??  Get out there and get yourself one!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Well, Valentine's Day started off pretty uneventful around our house, but quickly turned into a disaster of a day.  Claire got a fever around noon and started showing signs of illness, so we ran her to the doctor and found out she had a sinus infection.  We got medicine (one of which "may" cause drowsiness--whoohoo!), and spent the rest of the evening resting (well, I rocked quite the migraine, but Claire got rest).

Gimmie some love!

I did manage to get some pictures yesterday morning.  Claire wore her cute new Valentine's Day outfit, and I gave her her first gift, Hallmark's "Bug 'Em" Bug.

Mom's Bugging me!

She liked her bug to play with, and eventually I'll use it to give her unexpected gifts (that's the point of the cute little thing).

Buggy's are good for eating!

Unfortunately, because of illness I didn't get to try my new idea--instead of just any baby photo shoots, I wanted to try something like these: Baby's Daydreaming

I'm not too helpful at keeping my bow and arrow together!

 I love the creativity (and the fact that NOW her baby is awake in some pictures, since my baby isn't sleeping so much anymore).  So, after our bath this evening, we donned our red diaper and got in touch with our inner cupid and at least tried.

Disgruntled Cupid

The point of these pictures is this woman stages fairly elaborate scenes using everyday house stuff and sticks her (mostly sleeping) baby in the shot to look like she's dreaming it.  Or what have you.  Unfortunately, even though I have lots of random stuff laying around, I don't have anything that looks like anything else.  So, these were my first attempts at Baby Claire Cupid.

Happy Valentine's Day!

One for Your Seam Rippers

For Christmas I was gifted a Barnes and Noble gift card.  Dangerous temptation, for me.  So I shopped and shopped and settled on Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.  I've never been completely sold on pattern books--mostly because I think the patterns are never as good as a single pattern you could buy.  But with all these cute outfits and baby toys, I just couldn't resist. 

I've never sewn real clothing before.  However, Butler promises "all projects are achievable" in this book.  I decided on the "easy" empire waist top and bloomers (difficulty level 3).  I diligently found the pattern pieces (quite the Where's Waldo, if you will), then cut out the extra pieces to measure.  I traced all the pattern pieces on parchment paper, which was a neat trick I picked up somewhere, so I wouldn't have to ruin the actual pattern pieces... thinking at the time, I could of course use these again. 

I knew I was in trouble right as I started sewing.  Unfortunately, Amy Butler might make a mean bag, but I think she forgot these clothes were for little people.  Little pieces.  Little seams.  I made the actual top of the top first, and I was pretty sure the entire time it wouldn't fit over Claire's head, even though I made the 3-6 month size:

 

It's all lined, plus the detailing of the V on front and the sleeves.  The dreaded sleeves.  More on them in a moment.  On the back (which appeared simple) I also had to use a real button and make a loop (quite the feat).  Of course, this goes back to--who are you making these clothes for?  It might look cute, but have you ever put on an outfit with "real" buttons on a three month old?  Ugh!

 

So now to the sleeves.  I don't know what size they're supposed to be.  I don't even know what they really look like.  One thing lacking in this book are nice, detailed pictures.  There are a few (and I think they're burned into my brain), but that didn't help for these complicated sleeves.  I actually started googling at this point to see if I could find outside help, only to hear many a woman's dismay over the exact same thing.  Plus a bevy of other complaints!  Well, at least it wasn't just me having trouble here!  So I improvised.  I actually started the second sleeve following the directions exactly again, thinking I'd messed up a step--only to end up in the exact same mess.  So these, while they might look nice, are not her exact sleeves.  Don't even ask what I did to them, I don't know. 

 

 After about this point, I figured this was a scrap project.  I mean, it was, as you'll recognize, this is the exact fabric from my diaper bag.  I indeed made a "scrap" project.  But what I mean is, I figured this wasn't going to work out or look decent, so I sort of started getting sloppy.  I continued to struggle with the horrible instructions, so I just went with it. Even still, I must have used my seam ripper more than my sewing machine!  Just an example of how horrid the instructions were, the bottom of this top is a rectangle cut out of fabric that you measure yourself.  Fine.  However, no where in any of the instructions does it mention which end is up.  So when it got to the point to put it on the top, I didn't know which way it went.  I read over the instructions about ten times, so frustrated.  I'm sure it's in some stupid place (as all the instructions were a little out of order, in my opinion).  So I just did what I felt.  I also like how she provided no way to finish the seams on this part of the outfit.  All the other seams are "finished" so they won't unravel.  I'll have to go back and improvise (again). 

 

After I finished the outfit, I was pretty hesitant to even attempt the bloomers.  I read over the entire pattern first, and since it was so small (and seemed simple) and I had just enough scrap left, I went for it.  I made the 6-9 size, since our cloth diapers add a bit more bulk, and after seeing the top and questioning the size, I felt like it was the right thing to do.  Now, I will concede that since I've  made plenty of pants before, that's probably why these were easier.  I liked the part where they say to sew the legs, but if I hadn't made pants before, I certainly would have had to seam rip apart the "skirt" I'd created.  Little details--a simple sentence more in the instructions would always help.  Here's the fit of the bottoms:

They're bulky, but by the time the weather is nice enough to wear this out and about, they'll probably fit.  The waist band left something to be desired.  As I told Matt, who had to hear this whole thing several times over, I just wanted to follow the instructions exactly, to prove they were stupid.  Indeed, I could have used about two inches less on the elastic.  I liked the legs though, they're frilly and cute and fun.  

Here the whole outfit is--there IS room to spare, thank goodness, however, it's pretty hard to get on.  There is a little elastic in the waist, but not enough to squeeze through big chunky arms (oh dear).  And of course the button is a bear to hook when she's wiggling.

You know I look good...

I do think it turned out cute, though, so does Claire:

E-Trade baby, eat your heart out!

Now I'm kind of sad that I started getting sloppy at the end because I figured the project was unwearable.  However, I've been told you can't tell, and that it looks very nice, inside and out.  I like my projects to be a certain standard, though.  You know, even my pj pants have finished seams and a reinforced crotch.  Just saying.

You didn't reinforce my crotch?  What kind of Mommy are you?

  

But it's wearable!

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

And Claire approved!

Get me my agent, I'm ready for my close up!

  

I guess I need to start practicing sewing complicated baby couture, since her new obsession (watching TV) was compounded today watching what else, Toddlers and Tiaras.

I want to win Grand Supreme Little Miss!

 She looks pageant ready!  Unfortunately, I don't think she'll be getting this outfit in a larger size.  I've also read that people had a terror of a time with the booties and the jumper (which was going to be my next outfit, rats).  I'll just say this--I think with a pattern book, you get what you pay for.  In this case, fancy baby photos showing off the clothes, but not showing much detail in the actual instructions.  And the drawings to show steps are lacking.  I know what a gathering stitch looks like, seriously, why not give some more details on those complicated sleeves! 

Claire Turns Three Months Old!

And what a three months it has been!  Originally Claire and I weren't going to get to hang out today because of parent teacher conferences.  However, thanks to the Snowacalypse, we got to spend today doing girl things--Claire being cute, me cleaning.  Claire, unfortunately, isn't a fan of the snow.

Even though I'm in my snowsuit, and we're inside, I'm cold.  I hope I don't fall in the snow!

 On the growing front, Claire now averages 5 ounces a bottle.  She also still fits in most of her clothes (although I stowed the newborn stuff out of spite).  Some outfits, like this one, don't have much fit left in them.  However, others fit with room to spare.  Kind of funny that different styles of clothes have different fit even at this young age.

This outfit isn't tight.  You just don't know couture baby when you see it.

 Her 3-6 month outfits are a little big, but we had a mini-fashion show today just to play around with a few new outfits I've had my eye on.  Then later I realized I still have a whole closet of 3-6 hanging up!  So after all my reorganization of outfits today, I have to eventually access those outfits, too.  But you can see, the fit is a little funny on a few.

Possibly the most difficult picture to take--it's supposed to highlight her little legs in her big outfit.  She just kicks so much!

 Claire is still rocking her cloth diapers.  I'm not having any trouble with them, and since they're one-size, we're not going to grow into a new stash.  I have refreshed a few this month, from our "used" stash, but they're all doing well.  I can't wait until it's warm outside so I can sun my diapers!  I refuse to do it in the cold.  Oh, we're eagerly waiting on our new hemp inserts.  I think our Blizzaster has delayed the shipping.  Boo.

Ever the vain baby... but she's so cute in cloth!

That's a BumGenius 4.0--notice I can't button in the middle anymore.  Seems to make her uncomfortable, and I like symmetry, so I can't button one side tighter.

Please... no more paparazzi!

And of course, our coveted red Fuzzibunz... it's my favorite.  I can't wait until summer when we can rock a diaper in public (under our adorable 4th of July dress?  I think YES!)

Claire can also raise up really well.  She's off her chest, looking around, squealing!  At daycare (they have harder floors--darn our plush carpeting) she's a roll-over wizard.  Apparently she rolls so much, they have trouble getting any tummy time.  We don't see as much rolling, but again, carpet, plus blanket... understandable.  She's got to have a lot of energy to do it more than a few times.

Oh I see what you're doing there... Silly Mommy!

Claire has also started holding things.  She prefers certain toys (which is odd, in my mind, because she doesn't seem aware enough for preference).  She pulls at blankets (and loves my old baby blanket--I'm afraid I'm going to lose it to her!  I still need it to sleep!), Mommy's hair, and can wield a mean binky.

Don't mind if I do...

She's aware of things around her.  I didn't even knew she would like this toy until today.  Let's face it.  I didn't know we HAD this toy until today.  She's got too much swag!

Hands are tasty--since we've started sucking thumbs around here, there's no need for toys!

She's drooly, and even though she's firmly grasping a toy, all she wants is to put something in her mouth.  She solves this later.  Notice how well she sits in her bumbo!  She probably sits in it for thirty minutes a day.

I'm going for it!  Look at this toy!

She's got some really cute outfits, this is one for Daddy.  She doesn't really like AC/DC.  I'm thinking of making her a Taylor Swift shirt--She at least LIKES T-Squint!

Don't shake me all night long!

TNT!  Dynomite!!

She looks like a young Daddy... in a headband and in pink, dancing to AC/DC. 

Claire certainly has a lot to work on and look forward to in the coming month.  We've gotten her to laugh a few times.  Most notably, on our recent snow days, while watching The Runaways--she likes to be wiggled and have you sing "Chchchchchc Cherry Bomb!" (although that seems highly inappropriate).  She also would like to keep working on her balance.  And told us that she's slowly going to work up to skipping her 2,3,or 4 am feeding.  Since the experts agree until she's three months old she really shouldn't go almost 12 hours without a feeding, we certainly don't mind (well, maybe a little).  We've already added a feeding at 10pm, which helps about half the time.

This smile's for you!

  See you next month!!