Autumn Makes Me Sing: July 2008

After making lots of jokes about turning our baby into a sausage by stuffing her into the casing that was the green swimsuit, I went looking for a bigger size. Because it was mid-summer already, pickings were slim. I hemmed and hawed about this suit because it looked too "adult" to me. But between paying around $5 and $17.99 (for a very frilly Gymboree suit), I went with the California swimsuit. Or as Richard calls it "The Baywatch After Dark" swimsuit. Once we put it on her on Sunday I couldn't believe how cute it looked! Richard said that I would think she'd look cute if she was in a potato sack. Then I started imagining just how cute she WOULD look in a potato sack! The only problem is that now her sun hat doesn't match, but I don't think she minds.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Autumn,

Another month has gone by and my, how you've changed! I wouldn't have thought that a month could make such a difference, but it does.

You continue to sleep through most nights. There were one or two nights in there where you were a little resistant to actually staying asleep once we put you down, but most nights we don't hear from you until around 7:30 in the morning. Let me tell you, Autumn, that makes all the difference in the world to your two parents' sanity. You are sleeping in your crib and have been for almost two months. In the mornings you are in all kinds of different positions then when we put you down the night before. And on the 4th of July, you slept through some of the loudest, most annoying fireworks I've ever experienced (because once you have a sleeping baby everything seems ten times louder), but woke up about an hour after they all stopped. Go figure.

As for naps, you are just now getting the notion that a nap doesn't automatically equal 30 minutes. Nap times have improved considerably, and most days I'm able to get a few 1.5 to 2 hour naps out of you. I feel like you are making up for all the 30 minute naps you took the past 5 1/2 months, though it is taking me awhile to get used to it. Most days I sit on the computer just waiting for you to wake up, then realizing it's been over an hour I jump up to "get something accomplished" and that's when you decide to wake up. I'm afraid to get too used to these naps and then they'll go away, but I really need to start taking advantage of nap time.

You are still a fan of bath time and all that it entails (with the exception of putting on your pajamas). Daddy gets you ready for the bath while I fill the tub. He brings in !NAKED BABY! and we tickle and pinch your bottom while you giggle and squeal. It is quite entertaining. Then you sit in your Boat and splash around for awhile and play with toys. After about 10 minutes of that Daddy comes back in and he sings you a song that consists of, but is not limited to the lyrics "we're washing all your parts, we're washing your knees, we're washing your butt, and your toes, and your delicates" all to a different style (country and western, big band, rap, Meatloaf, etc.) song each night. The trauma comes when its time to put on your pjs, but that has never, ever been a highlight of your day. Maybe someday soon!

Eating. Eating has become quite involved. You've tried green beans, peas, carrots and sweet potatoes all over the past 3 or so weeks. You'd better believe that the food that stains the most is your favorite. Carrots! The high chair tray is a pretty orange hue where you rest your obviously tired mouth after taking almost every bite. After carrots we experienced a little plumbing set back, so we've introduced water, juice and sippy cups! You were pretty good at sippy cups, reaching for it with your mouth right away, however you do not like to lean back to actually get anything out of the sippy cup. Sure, you've taken a few small swallows, but nothing major. Just a few days ago you really figured out just what to do with biter biscuits. You were sucking and slurping on that thing like there was no tomorrow. Oh, and rice cereal is still a pursed lips ordeal. Not gonna do it!

Sitting and standing up are still your favorite positions. Just last week we noticed that if you were laying down in one spot, a few minutes later you would be about 5 feet away from that spot. Being on your tummy isn't your favorite, but it's a means to roll somewhere else. We see you put your behind up in the air and also raise your belly, but so far not at the same time. I really don't think that crawling is very far off. And the one thing that might just make you do it is the remote. You've wanted one of those for the past 3 months, and doggone it, you're determined to get one!

You had your 6 month check up yesterday and you weigh 16 lbs, 10 oz. The doctor said that you are growing like nobody's business! You are 25", which is over two feet, as Daddy puts it. You were completely worn out from the appointment, but you only slept for 30 min on the ride home. As soon as I opened the car door to get you out those eyes FLEW OPEN! They closed again once and I thought I was safe, but was I wrong. Tonight while Daddy was giving you your bottle you were splayed out on his belly, mostly asleep and making these adorable little mews. They were like snores, only baby-sized.