Snacks

Somewhat out of desperation for sleep and partially at our doctor's advice, we are dabbling in the new world of solids.   More specifically, runny rice cereal which is not in fact solid.  I think we'll emphasize that we will just be dabbling in this as the reaction was not all that eager...

The "before shot"... clean, smily baby

The ingredients

 She actually "took" the spoon

Still hasn't realized what's on the spoon

Moment of realization

Not so sure about this

No longer clean

Starting to protest

Realizing that eating her own hands may be better

So far we've tried 2 other times... one completely unsuccessful, one border-line successful.  And did it help her sleep?  Yet to be determined.  We're on day two of NO PACI.  Lots of tears around here (and not just from Malin....)

little bear

4 months

Dear M, 

You are 4 months old, going on 2 years.  I swear you think you are a little toddler, always squirming, always moving.  Sometimes that frustrates you because you want to move somewhere so badly, but don't quite have the skills yet.  But you are learning fast. 

Sadly, you don't really like to cuddle with us, except when you are extra sleepy (or awake in the night).  But that's ok, I will gladly take my goofy, joyful, happy, physical, girl as long as you promise to stop every once and awhile so we can gives those checks a smooch.  

You love to talk to us.  I catch you mid-nap chatting away with yourself.  If I leave you there for a few more minutes, you fall right back to sleep.  Such a good napper.  Now if we could only get on a roll with our nights...You started giggling this month and it makes me so happy every time I hear it.  You don't give those giggles away for free..we have to work for it - tickling your little legs or "eating" that belly of yours.  

We saw Dr. Schwartz last week for a check-up and some more shots.  

Malin @ 4 months

Weight: 12lbs4oz (10-25 percentile)

Length: 23 inches (50th percentile)

Head: 39cm (5-10th percentile)

You loved your photo shoot more than ever this month... such a little ham!

New York, New York

We headed into the city on Saturday.  It was such a gorgeous fall day.

Happy 3 months M!

Big day on Saturday...Malin's 3 month birthday! So in honor of it, we started the morning with an apple pancake.  My dad used to make this on Saturday mornings for Tim and I.  Looking forward to having a Saturday tradition with Malin when she can fully enjoy the pancake. :)

It's apple season in NY

 We followed the pancake with lots of playtime, all of us still in our PJs...

This doesn't quite capture the fun she was having...

 Then her momma put her in her 3 month onesie and we tried on a new hat....

I can tolerate this for a few minutes...

 But look at her elation when that hat is removed!

I'm FREE!

 Malin wanted to show off her kicking moves on her back in her crib, so we obliged.

"talking" to us

More talking...

Even more talking

Malin's stats (Oct 3)
Weight: 10lbs 6oz (up 5 lbs from birth)
Length: 23 in (up 5" from birth...that is crazy to me!)
Head: Opps..didn't write that one down from the appointment!

Had 2 more shots at her 3 month check up followed by a nap that basically lasted the whole day (it was amazing how much I could get done with her sleeping that long..and she usually is a good napper!).

Malin is such a happy girl, especially in the mornings when she gets up. Unfortunately, she is so into talking and smiling in the mornings that she doesn't like to eat.  This results in a full day of no so great feedings followed by awesome (for her, not for me) night feedings. We are working to flip flop this...

Developmentally, M is starting to reach for her toys although not when they are above her, she likes them out in front of her.  She is constantly trying to pull herself up into sitting (which means she loves the bumbo).  She will do this even in her carseat when she is strapped down.  Of course this doesn't bode well for quiet car trips...

This month we are off to San Diego, Redlands and Colorado! As of 3 months old, Malin is already quite the world traveler.

The (other) star of the blog

Bentley used to get some more attention on the old blog, but I am afraid to admit, he hasn't been featured for quite some time.  I swore I'd never be one of those people who forgets about their dog after a baby.  Bentley certainly won't let me forget him (he begs every day for a walk, which he gets about 95% of the time), but I thought it was time for him to make an appearance.

Oh, well hello there, you usually don't come visit me down on my level these days...

What's that you say?  I'm going to be on the blog?  Without Malin??!!

I'd better look my best then...

I'll make my finale with a very sad puppy face in hopes that you'll give me a treat and some cuddles...

12 Weeker (a few days late)

Life as usual is flying by and I'm a couple days late posting Malin's 12 week update (Friday).  This Saturday is her big 3 month birthday, so I'll do another post then.

Malin is interacting with us all the time now...in fact so much so that she never wants to take naps or go to bed because she knows just how cool we are and doesn't want to miss out on the fun.  So we have had many nights of crying (or squawking sometimes) in the crib, just to remind us how much more fun we'd be having if Malin was partying with us.   During the middle of the night, Malin is usually up once to eat and then a couple times to just let us know that she's there and wants us to pop in and say hello.  We're learning when she is awake and needs to eat vs the later and when it's the later, letting her settle herself back down.  Hopefully we will get there.  This past week though, we've finally gotten into a routine of getting her into her bed between 7 and 8 (not necessarily sleeping during that time...it's about 50/50).  That has been great for me (at least on the nights she does go down right away) so that I can finish up work and get some stuff done around the house.

Fall is starting to show up here on Long Island.  On Monday, we had a very chilly morning (and a trip to the doctors for M's 3 mo check up).  So, I got to bundle her up in a sweater that was once my own as a baby.  We're not sure who made it (maybe my aunt Sue...Suzy, if you're reading this, let us know if this is your handiwork!).

How can I complain about sleepless nights when I get to hang out with this little beauty???