Dear Ellie,

Just because you don't like it when mommy and I wipe your face clean doesn't mean we'll stop doing it.

Love you!
Daddy

got breast milk?

OK. I've slacked on the posts here recently. No particular reason. I just have. In an effort to not go another day without posting, I submit the following; however, I'll be the first to admit this is a bit of a stretch. As such, I beg your indulgence.

I'm sure you all remember the fabulous "got milk?" ad campaign. Here's a brief refresher:

Anyhow, we started giving Ellie baby yogurt not too long ago. Well, to my surprise, this yogurt has a slightly more fluid consistency than adult yogurt. In feeding it to her, I was reminded of the "got milk?" images seared in to my mind's eye. So then I started thinking that there is probably a breast-feeding lobby out there, and maybe they could employ the "got milk?" strategy to advance their cause. If so, I think Ellie is up for the task:

-ED

8M

Date night

EM is feeding Ellie right now. Once done, Ellie will be sound asleep for the remainder of the evening (we hope). Nanny is here and she'll watch over Ellie (and the dogs) while EM and I go out - just the two of us. We haven't done this since October. We don't have anything real special planned, but seeing as how we don't do this too often makes the fact that it is happening at all special enough. Thanks, Nanny.

-ED

Push up

EM majored in kinesiology in college. She earned a masters in health and exercise science. You'd know none of this by looking at me. However, EM's educational/professional interests may be rubbing off on our daughter. Behold:




Yes. That is our dog "Q" in the background. Yes. He is wearing a sweater. What do you want from me? His hair is short and it's cold out.

-ED

The Trifecta

1:30. 2:30. 3:30.

So much for sleep, right? Ugh. It's a good thing we love this girl.

-ED

Off the hook!

Tonight our little sweetheart was wide open. She was vocal. She was mobile. She was a handful. I mean I can't even put into words what was going on, but it was a joy to behold. All I know is she ought to be tired after a night like tonight, i.e., hopefully she will sleep well.

-ED

If imitation is...

...the sincerest form of flattery, then EM and I are feeling quite flattered these days (albeit still tired).

We have noticed recently that in addition to scooting, Ellie is also starting to mimic us... not a lot, it's mostly tongue-clicking at this point, but it is just enough for us to get some good laughs and to feel good about her progress.

-ED

Esbee was right

There's a blog I like to visit on a daily basis: Life in Forsyth. I do so because I love the writing style of the author, Esbee, as well as her observations. In fact, it is work like hers that in some way prompted me to begin this venture (and assume my own pseudonym). Therefore, I was flattered to discover she's been viewing this blog on occassion.

As noted elsewhere, Ellie's been having a little trouble sleeping; and,while this problem has not yet resolved itself, it is not as bad as it was. Esbee, in reading about this, commented that her children would sleep "more fitfully" prior to achieving a gross motor milestone, and wondered if that might be what was happening with Ellie.

I didn't want to say anything at first, but I think Esbee was right - sort of. Ellie has achieved a gross motor milestone - sort of.

The reason I didn't note this sooner was 1. I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke, and 2. I wasn't sure what to call it/how to describe it (truthfully, I'm still not sure on the latter point).

It all started Monday or Tuesday night (EM's not sure, and I was at work both nights). Ellie begins by pushing up on her arms and trying to get her knees under her. She ends with her knees giving way and her entire body sliding back. She then repeats this process multiple times until A. she gets cranky, or B. she backs into something. Her gross motor milestone... backwards scooting!




So then why did I write Esbee was sort of correct? And this was sort of a milestone? Well, I'm no expert in child development issues so I'm not sure if we can call backwards scooting a gross motor milestone. Also, as I noted earlier, we still have some sleep issues from time-to-time (for example, 2:30 this morning). Perhaps once Ellie gets her knees under her, and moves forward, maybe then the sleep situation will be resolved and we can say she's crawling. Until that time, she's backwards scooting.

-ED

PS - As I was wrapping up this entry, I was urgently beckoned by EM to assist her as she tried to bathe Ellie. The urgency? It turns out that we've achieved another milestone... our first brown trout in the tub. Yeah!