Sweet Faces

You're Not Average to Us, Emma

Today was Emma's two-month checkup. You heard me: two months. What?!

Unlike her big sister, she was, per her sweet disposition, a total champ. She was calm and sweet and unruffled for most of the visit. Here she is getting weighed and measured...can you guess? My guess was 10 1/2 pounds. Because this child is a TANK. She eats all. Day. Long. She's huge. She has rolls...her rolls have rolls...and those rolls are getting rolls. Her elbows are dimpled. Her ankles have rolls. Her heels have rolls. 

Yet apparently, she's petite. "Average," even. 

She weighed in at what I thought was a whopping 11 pounds, 4 ounces. Somehow, that's only the 55th percentile! And she's a mere 21 3/4 inches long...only 23rd percentile. Just like Mommy! I couldn't believe it...but when I looked back at Cody's two-month checkup, he weighed 13 pounds, 9 ounces...90th percentile. And was fully 24 inches long! Cordelia was 11 pounds and 23 inches long. Emma's head, at least, is as huge as her siblings' -- 71st percentile. So, maybe she's above average in that department. 

All was well until shot time. She didn't like that one bit. But true to her nature (so far, knock wood, knock anything as long as it isn't me) she calmed down as soon as I picked her up, and then passed out for an hour. 

I expect tonight and the next day or so to be rough, but that's why baby Tylenol was invented. Here's hoping for more than 3 hours of sleep tonight!

Check out her pudge and band-aids. Again, her heels have rolls. 

I look surprised a lot.

So...help me, God?

So today was perhaps not our greatest day. We didn't sleep so well, even by our standards, because Emma is at the final stages of her cold--the part where she can't adequately cough up the phlegm that is lining her throat (it's so, so sad to hear her cough) so she chokes, gags, then throws it up. And I'm sick, too. But we still had a pretty good day -- I got a hot shower at 5:00 with no one A) in the bathroom or B) screaming outside it, we made it to mom's group, we took a walk, we painted toilet paper rolls, and had lollipops. Then witching hour came, and it kind of went to pot. C&C are fighting with each other, I'm fighting another cold, it's winter and we're cabin-fevered, and I am starting to feel like I'd like to wear shirts that don't prominently feature my giant...well, anyway, and like my regular jeans are still just a little bit too snug. And like I will never, ever, ever get my body or mind back. Nothing dire, just tired and having one of those days, and unwisely choosing to ponder this in the midst of witching hour. What could possibly go wrong? Also, Cordelia has declined to nap for 11 of the last 12 days. This is offset slightly by the fact that I can put her to bed by 6:30 (!) and that she has trained herself (at 2) to sleep through the night without wetting her pull-up. But she desperately needs the daytime sleep -- she's just "in her own way" right now. I'm sure she'll get back to it...right?...but it makes for a long day.

Anyway, with all that on my mind, I just was helping Cody get in his jammies. I'm sporting my usual nursing tank and jeans -- not maternity ones, mind you! -- and he says in his sweetest voice, "Oh, Mommy, I love you! Even when I'm mad at you, I love you. Oh Mommy! Your belly looks like it is a little bit bigger today! I think you must be growing another baby in there!"

Annnnnnnnnd....scene.

I'd say I'm going to call it a night, but...

It's a darn good thing they look like this or they'd be toast. 

 

A Girl After His Own Heart

And this gem

Me: ...Nope, let's not rush the sign of the cross. It's something sacred, so we do it slowly.
All of us: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
CML: I did it!
CJP: I did it TOO! I did it the BEST!
CML: NO YOU DID NOT I DID IT THE BEST I WIN!

And I lose.

Just Overheard

At the craft table:

CJP: I have two snakes and you only have one snake. I won.
CML: No, I won. I WON! I have two bags. And a red snake. I WON!
CJP: No you did not I WIN! I WIN!
Me: Seriously. Why must this be a contest? It doesn't even make sense. 
CML: Well we are just being competitive right now.
Me: Why? There's no actual competition.
CJP: Yes there is. 
Me: Sigh.

A minute later:
CJP: I'm going to make a bed for the snake.
CML: I'm going to do another one and then I will WIN.
CJP: It's not a competition, Cordelia.
CML: Yes it is a competition. And I will win.
CJP: Cordelia! No backtalk!

Late but Great

Just got these wedding photos from my brother -- fantastic!

Someone's a weeee bit excited, no?

Baby's Got Blue Eyes

She smiles!

We could use a little of this today. : )

Weirdly, it really does go by fast

A week ago:

Me: Emma, would you like to try doing some tummy time?

EL: Who is the you in that sentence?

Me: Come on! It's just tummy time! Want to try again?

EL: I don't understand the question, and I won't respond to it. (Falls asleep)

Yesterday:

Me: Emma, would you like to try tummy time again?

EL: Well, I'm all grown up now.

Bonus points to anyone who gets all three references.

But Entropy Always Wins

At Cody's parent-teacher conference today, Ms. Leavesley told me that he's been spending less time on his math/reading activities--with which he had been obsessed prior to, oh, late December--and focusing on the "sensorial" activities--things like sorting, grading, playdough, building, stacking, pouring, puzzles...all things that allow you to exercise careful control and create order and stability. Hmmm. 

He's been doing it at home too, though it doesn't seem to be having quite the same calming effect when Cordelia's in the room. Lots of playdough, puzzles, and towers. How handsome is he? 

This a clay rocket ship.

A skyscraper.