U.S. Open

Another afternoon of watching golf with Daddy.  Sure, it was Father's Day, so I let it slide.  But I need to take more extreme measures if I'm to nip this thing in the bud.

Girly Girl

This is Caitlin.  

She's the girliest girl I know.  I'm talking Pretty in Pink, Sarah Jessica Parker, glitter all the way, shoe-fanatic: G. I. R. L. Y.

But I love her all the same.

Caitlin was so excited when she found out I was pregnant. I think she would have been devastated had Abby been a boy.  She started buying baby girl clothes well before Abby was born.  I've told her repeatedly, and in the nicest way possible, to stop spending money on my baby.

Caitlin has many talents.  Apparently, baking is not one of them.  So when she asked if I'd help make 100 sugar cookies for a work event, I gladly agreed, fearing mayhem and foolishness would arise without me.

What?! Caitlin's baking?

So, a couple of weeks ago "we" made 100 tool-shaped cookies.  (Um yeah, actually, I made the cookies.  Caitlin was on Abby duty.).  

While visiting Caitlin discovered my Baby K'tan sling and had a blast wearing Abby around the house.  Doesn't this girly-girl look so granola?!

Five Months

High five!  Well, Abby can sort of do that.  When Greg says "high five" and puts up his hand, there's a 50/50 chance Abby will reach out and touch it.  That's progress, right?

Here are more Abby facts at five months.  Abigail Grace. . .

• can roll from tummy to back and back to tummy like a pro
• rolls consecutively to cover area
• gets easily distracted when nursing (Thanks for flashing my chest to the world when you feel the need to look around, sweet baby.)
• laughs A LOT, especially at Myrna, my trainer
• can move the spinning ball thingy on her Jumperoo all by herself
• sits in her high chair and inspects plastic blocks like they're the most interesting inventions known to man

• pushes herself up with her hands when she lays on her tummy (Think yoga cobra pose.)
• scooches to the end of her bouncy seat, one scooch away from falling to the floor (Time to use the straps.)
• watches me intently when I eat (Solids are coming soon!)
• rarely makes it through the day without losing one sock

• has an ultra-strong grip (Look out, Rory McIlroy!)
• keenly observes children and other babies
• wears 6-month old clothes
• still has hair that sicks up (I combed it down post-bath which happened immediately before we did the five-month photo shoot.)

 

Poop Happens

Since Abby was born, about fifty-percent of the conversations between Greg and I revolve around poop.  Poop is now a major factor in our day.  When's the last time Abby pooped?  Was it a lot of poop or an itty-bitty poop?  Did she just poop or was that a fart?  Does she have a poopy diaper or is she just tired and cranky?

My conversations with Abby are also poop-laden.  It's amazing how little melodies about poop emerge when I'm changing her diaper.  One of her favorites is "Who Let the Poop Out?" which I sing to the tune of "Who Let the Dogs Out?"  

Sometimes there are no songs, just sheer excitement over the possibility of a poop: "Did you go doody in your diaper?!  Did you?!  Did you go doody, you cutie-pie?!"

To the best of my knowledge, this is the only appropriate context in which to have these outbursts of enthusiasm and song over going to the bathroom.  Imagine excitedly asking your friend when she returns from the bathroom, "Did you go doody?!  Did you?!"  Or sing-songing "What you got in those pants?!" to a relative every time his face turns red.  I wonder what would happen if, as a teacher, I sang "Who let the poop out?" whenever a student returned from the lavatory.  I suppose I wouldn't be teaching all that long.

During months two and three, Abby seemed quite uncomfortable just before pooping.  There was grunting and twisting and general fussiness.  We soon learned that propping her on our legs in a "Pooping Position" expedited the process.  Pooping position is approximately 80% effective at facilitating a poop within five minutes given that Abby has just eaten.  Here's a glimpse of pooping position.  Notice the happy baby.

Festival

My husband truly loves me.  If I was on the fence about it earlier, all doubt was washed away on Mother's Day.

Greg helped Abby purchase tickets to an earthy, crunchy all day music festival as a Mother's Day gift for me.  And. . .one of the tickets. . .was in GREG'S name.  

My husband can't stand music festivals.  He doesn't like concerts.  He hates anything that involves music as primary entertainment.  And he especially loathes my folky/singer-songwriter favorites.  

So, knowing he was in for eight hours of utter hell, Greg sacrificed the day so I could have my first family music festival.  It was wondrous.

Abby had a grand time.  She played with her toys,

inspected Daddy's hands,

sat with Mommy and listened to the great music,

watched us eat our packed lunch (OK, I just wanted to photograph the food.  After Abby, food is my life.  Er, I mean, after Abby and my wonderful husband. . .),

people-watched,

 
and took a few snoozes.

I suspect her favorite part was being worn by Daddy.  Look!  With the sling and the sandals, Greg passes for a festival-going hippie dad!  He could almost be mistaken for a liberal.  Almost.

Rolling Baby, Part II

On June 2nd Greg put Abby on the living room floor to play with her toys.  She was on her back.  Greg stepped into the dining room to check the mail.  A minute later he came back and Abby was posed like this:

That sneaky little cherub rolled from her back to her tummy for the first time and both her parents missed it.  Stinker.

Red, White & Blue

This baby loves loves loves to be outside.  Provided there is shade,

and a slight breeze,

and food on demand,

and a clean diaper,

and visual stimulation.

So it's pretty much the same as being in a temperature-controlled house.

But the important thing is that she doesn't dislike being outdoors, because we got big plans for the summer.

Miss Abigail is sporting a festive Baby Gap dress for her first Memorial Day picnic at Pop Pop's house.  These were the best shots I could get before we changed her to a more comfortable onesie.

 

Of course, Callie and Devon had a blast.  I mean, who wouldn't with a baby pool, a garden hose and an all-you-can-eat dessert spread?

Teething

It has begun.