Another Fall

Miss Bean has been saying, "Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn," this past week. And although it was annoyingly humid today, those leaves are changing and dropping off at a really rapid rate.

This is my third fall up here. The first one struck me as the most beautiful. Perhaps because it was my first and because I was so tired that everything was just a little bit druggy. Last year I felt like the colors were too patchy. And this one is...well I don't know. It seems fast. I know what's coming although I don't know how it's going to be with two kids. I feel like we have to be outside all the time while we still can. Even when it gets cold, I think I'll try and get the girlies outside for a stroller walk everyday. We have these super cozy bundle me things for the stroller....if I make sure they've got hats and gloves how miserable will they be in zero degree weather?

I know they're gonna hate it, but I truly believe everyone is better mentally and physically when they get fresh air.

In other news Miss Koala HAS A TOOTH! I know, she's only four months. It's on top too, which I think it pretty unusual. It kind of explains her wacky a doodle nursing of late. Maybe she's reconsidering that sandwich N offered her last week....

Four Months! And Counting!

Today, Miss Koala, you are four months! Go you! We celebrated this milestone by taking you to Kmart and buying all kinds of cheap Chinese crap that we can't live without. On a happier note, here's what you've been up to:

Smiling/laughing: You're doing this a lot more. Some objects really make you smile. You like the little blue monkey and the elephant the best. Early in the morning is your best time. You're a pretty happy baby except when you're tired/hungry/full of poop, which is probably 78% of the time.

Crib: You've been in your mini crib in your tiny room for the past five nights. The first three were pretty rough. You woke up more frequently and wouldn't take the paci. Just the act of having to get up made me exhausted. But it seems like you're getting more used to it. Last night you did an initial five hour stretch.

Sleeping: The last few weeks/month it's been kind of a nightmare getting you to settle down (not cry) before going to bed at night. For some reason, you're usually okay going down for a nap, but the evening hours are not happy ones for anyone. We've been in this situation of either putting you in the swing after an hour of crying or letting you nurse yourself into a coma. I think all the crying makes you pass out from sheer exhaustion. The other night though, I was able to get you settled without a long stretch of crying. I've been rocking you in the glider in your room, which you like. I'm looking forward to having you sleep unswaddled. It seems sort of silly at this point since you're able to bust out of it so quickly, but the few times I've put you down without it, you flailed and cried.

Gymnastics: You've flipped once on both sides. You spent a lot of this week on your side, attempting to flip from your back to your stomach, but got incredibly frustrated. You love to be held in a sitting up position so you can look out.

Holding: You can hold onto your monkey and parts of your elephant. I don't think there's 100% cognition that you're the one doing the holding, but I think by next month there will be.

Pooping: You've got some issues there, honey. Last Sunday, after five days without going, we had to take action, which you were not happy about. Hopefully we won't have to do that again.

Battle Wounds: You big sister has had a few relapses. You had a minor eye gauging and still have a scratch on your head. I'm sorry about this, little love. Hopefully this next month will leave fewer emotional and physical scars.

Eating: You're full o' milk. Your dad offered you a ham on rye this afternoon to see if you were interested in food. You looked at him like he should know better. I think we'll wait till next month to start solids.

Here's to a rolling, laughing, pooping, smiling, wound-free fifth month.
Love,
Mama

A Room of Her Own

So tonight, without any fanfare, Miss Koala was put into her new mini crib in her OWN room. It seems like it could be going a little better--she only went 2 hours before she woke up, but I'm hopeful things will improve. I'm excited to have my bedroom back. I might get all kinds of crazy and read The New Yorker. In bed!

More updates later.

Updates!

It's September, isn't it? The Bean is about to start her second week of school. It's 2 mornings a week from 9-11:30. She seems to like it although she's not at all forthcoming with the activities. I'm pretty sure they sing a goodbye song, do something with mats, don't sing the ABC's, and are not serving donuts of bunny crackers for snack.

She was REALLY tired and hungry after her first day on Tuesday. On Thursday she seemed a little more used to it. I want to get into a routine with Miss Koala on these mornings; this week we stayed home, she cat napped, I talked on the phone, wandered around, but it was nice to be home with just one and have a little quiet morning time with just Miss K. Soon enough I imagine she'll be sad that Miss Bean is gone, but until then it's cool bonding time.

Last Wednesday, I took both girlies to a drop-in gymnastics gym. It was okay while the baby slept, but when she woke up it got a little hellish. I was trying to comfort her and keep half an eye on The Bean. It's a huge space and while there are instructors, it's really up to the parents to assist the kids through the circuit. Eventually, I took the baby out of the stroller and she was quasi entertained for a few minutes, but then she just let loose and wouldn't stop crying. Bean did get a solid thirty minutes of playing, but she was enjoying it so I felt sad to make her leave. But them the breaks, kids. Miss K sobbed until we got off the highway and then slept soundly for a good 40 minutes while Bean galavanted outside. Why couldn't she have slept like that when we were out? Anyway, I think my volunteer (a lady who come over once a week) is going to come and stay home with Miss K, which will be great.

This past weekend we made our second pilgrimage to Portsmouth. This year, since we had another baby, we spent the big bucks to get a hotel downtown and a room with a suite. That way the girls could nap seperatley, but at night, when they were both good and asleep, N and I could watch bad TV. I was a little nervous about all four of us sleeping in the same room, but it worked out and a good time was had by all. We walked around a lot, went to a few shops, the Bean got ANOTHER BABY BECAUSE HER DAD IS A SOFTIE, we had a nice dinner and some good beer at the Portsmouth Brewery, and on Sunday we went up to Maine to see Nick's cousins. The Bean had a fabulous time. She got to eat muffins, strawberries and blueberries galore, walk on a wiggly bridge, see some chickens, and chase seagulls at the beach. Both girls (and mom) were pretty beat by the time we got back last night.

Today we did The Rail Trail Ramble. We made it about a 1/2 mile or so---Bean on her bike (pushed by N) and Miss K in her stroller pushed by Mama---before we turned around and went to eat BBQ on the green. We spent the evening eating impromptu Indian with friends from out of town.

All in all, it was a nice labor day and a good, if slightly overwhelming summer.

Here's to a good first day of school to N, a good 3rd morning of Toddler Time for Bean, and a good morning nap for Miss K during her first Mama-Baby yoga class tomorrow.

Happy Fall.