Aw, Mom, don't be so hard on yourself...

You're plenty funny. See?

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Four Months Old!

Wow, Janie. You are practically a grown up now. The past month has been kind of a whirlwind. We went to the pediatrician yesterday, and you passed with flying colors. You're doing everything you're supposed to be doing. And apparently, you're a big baby, as the pediatrician exclaimed upon walking into the room. No kidding!


You are learning an impressive range of entertaining tricks. In the past week, you have started blowing raspberries (which result in a full-on drool beard) and laughing! You laughed for the first time on Christmas Eve. Just a little "heh-heh", but definitely a laugh. I yelled to your dad to come see, and you indulged us with a few more giggles. Since then, though, the laughs have been few and far between (note to self -- be funnier!).


You rolled from your front to back for the first time a few days ago. Afterward, you had a "Whoa. What was that?" expression on your face, so we cheered you obnoxiously and you seemed okay with it. You haven't managed to do it again, but you still seem much more content on your tummy knowing that escape is possible. It's also really helping your reading.

You're also getting really good at grabbing things with your hands, primarily with the goal of putting them in your mouth. Nothing is safe from your grasp, and you seem to be eating a disturbing amount of dog hair as a result (you are perfectly happy about this, naturally).

You are becoming generally better at coping with difficult situations. You're just so mature! You are now happy in the car most of the time, which is amazing. You are even getting better with new/infrequently seen people, as long as you're given a few minutes to warm up to them. You are usually in a good mood these days, and always ready to play.

Your most recent challenge is learning to sleep without being swaddled. You slept through the night at a fairly early age, thanks in part to the Miracle Blanket (the mother of all swaddle blankets). The love affair with the blanket is over, though -- you can bust out of it like a champ. So just yesterday, we started putting you in a sleep sack instead of your swaddle blanket. While it is harder to put you down to sleep, so far you haven't been waking up every 15 minutes as we feared. You love having access to your hands, and it helps you soothe yourself. Good girl.

I know you're only four months old (so this probably sounds a little stupid) but you're just growing up so fast! You are becoming less helpless with every passing day, which is so exciting. It also kind of makes me snuggle up with you endlessly, which of course you rarely stand for these days. You always want to be exploring something. I'm just happy to be along for the ride.

Love,

Mommy

One year ago today...

On my 30th birthday, one year ago today, I discovered I was pregnant with you, my little Janebug. What a wonderful birthday present that was! Your father was very confused when he presented me with my birthday gift and I made him open one first -- a Cardinals onesie I had purchased months before to tell him he was going to be a dad. Little did I know Daddy would not be so magnanimous when it came to the Cubs.

The funny thing is, we threw a birthday party at our house that night. In the interest of maintaining secrecy, your brilliant father went out and bought me non-alcoholic wine. Fortunately, no one noticed I kept slipping into the downstairs bathroom with an empty wine glass and re-emerging with a full one. Unfortunately, I did not think to take out the trash in the upstairs bathroom before the party... leading one of our (very discreet) friends to discover your existence the same day we did. Oops! To her credit, she kept this funny secret until we called with the good news a few months later.

One year later, I could not have imagined the incredible joy you would bring to our lives. Just hanging out with you and Daddy (and some of our wonderful friends) today made this a fantastic birthday. I thought last year was the best birthday ever, but it looks like they're going to keep getting better. Thank you for that, my sweet little Jane.

Love,

Mommy

Baby, It's Cold Outside

We live in Chicago. Home of Da Bears, Da Bulls, and, apparently, da freezing cold winters. Yikes! Tell me again why we're not visiting Grandpa in Florida for Christmas?

Anyway, my Mom, being a new mom, is somewhat... concerned... about keeping me warm this winter. Add to that a slight cough I've been dealing with lately, and needless to say Mom's going to great lengths to ensure my comfort.

First, the Smartwool socks. Do I really need wool socks just to hang out in the living room? But at least they're fashionable (in certain crowds). So that's cool. Second, the fleece carseat cover. I'll admit, this thing is pretty toasty. Sure makes riding in the (ahem, heated) car more comfortable.



But this really takes the cake. The other day, in some sort of mommy's morning out/post-yoga state, she purchased me... baby legwarmers. Yes, you heard that correctly. They just scream Flashdance, do they not?

Sheesh. I thought we were making progress, but we could probably still use that wardrobe consultant.

So anyway, while you all are out making snowmen and having snowball fights in the sub-zero weather this weekend, just think of me in my baby legwarmers and Smartwool socks, hanging out inside (probably covered in a blanket).

Stay warm, folks!

Go Bears!

What can I say? I'm a Daddy's girl.

And I already know more about football than Mommy does.

Daddy Rocks

You should've seen the look on Mom's face when she came down the stairs bleary-eyed at 9:30 (!) this morning. Daddy and I had been up for over three hours, and I was happily sucking on a bottle. She was so happy. Way to go, Daddy!

Three Months Old!

I bet you thought I forgot about your three-month birthday! Of course not. We were out of town for Thanksgiving, and, well, let's just hope you don’t get the procrastination genes.

This has been a very eventful month. You are developing a quirky little sense of humor, and love playing games with Daddy and me. Most of these games involve sleep-avoidance -- you are always at your cutest and most charming right before bed. And you are always quick to let us know when something doesn't agree with you. For example, you have recently decided you only want to be held by me or Daddy, preferably Daddy. You spent the majority of the last month in this position:

This period unfortunately coincided with the opportunity to meet tons of family and friends, most of whom made you cry. But don't worry, they didn't take it personally. Your Great Uncle Ronnie appeared to be an exception to this rule -- you just loved him from the start (much to Great Aunt Paula's consternation!).

You have become so much more interested in the world around you, and constantly demand to be shown new things. As a result, you no longer care for your ERGO carrier, and prefer to be worn facing out, like this.

Late afternoon at our place has become like the Food Network while I narrate getting dinner ready. You really seem to love staring at the colorful fruits and veggies, and smelling everything I put up to your nose (at least I hope you like this!).

You have definitely discovered your hands this month, and have started grasping your toys and reaching for things a little bit. Your arm and leg movements are becoming much more animated, but you’re not showing much interest in rolling over or moving around. You are often content to hang out and stare – at your hands, at shadows on the wall, or whatever else strikes your fancy.


You’re also becoming quite a talker. You coo and gurgle all the time now. You appear to be fascinated by language. The sound of French, in particular, seems to delight you, so I talk back to you in a mixture of English, French, and Baby. This also comes in handy in the car (which you still dislike), as high-pitched French can often soothe you to sleep. I have no idea why, but I’m thankful when it works.

It’s been fairly cold lately, so we haven’t been able to go out much. I did take you for a walk to show you your first snow. You seemed intrigued, but it's hard to say when I can't see your face. It’s very convenient that I can still zip up my down jacket around both of us when you’re in the Moby, but I don’t imagine that will last long. You are super cute all bundled up.

You become more delightful and interesting every day, my sweet little Jane. A friend who has kids once told me (before you were born), "I remember there was life before [his child] -- it just doesn't really seem to matter." I think we were discussing being able to sleep in, or go out partying, or something. This sentiment seemed rather extreme to me at the time, but I understand what he means now. I feel so fortunate to be able to take some time away from work to spend with you. You are changing so fast, and I want to be here for every minute as long as I can.

Love,
Mommy

Over the river and through the woods...

to Grandmother's house we go.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I got to go on my first road trip down to Champaign-Urbana for Thanksgiving, and it was totally worth it. I saw a bunch of my relatives, and met lots of new ones, and I got my first (vicarious) taste of pumpkin pie. Yum.

Aunt Sarah and I color-coordinated for dinner.



There was even a coming out party for me on Dad's side of the family. Of course, I made everyone admire me from afar... but I did deign to have my picture taken with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, you two!

And, much to Mom and Dad's joy, I slept almost all the way there and back. I know, I rock.