Video Roundup: Seashore Edition

Quinn sees the beach for the very first time:

Mommy and Quinn playing in the surf:

Do the Quinn!  Daddy and Quinn dancing to the music ball:

Video Roundup

Dear Quinn,
Amidst all the holiday hubbub and busy couple of weeks, you have made incredible progress.  Your babbles now regularly include consonants.  Whether or not it has any connection to him, we don't know, but either way your Daddy is thrilled that you will now say, "Dada." 

After weeks of determination and frustration, you are now officially crawling.  For the first couple of days you were putting your hands on the ground and hopping a bit, but you have since perfected your form by bending your knees.

You are everywhere and into everything! 

Your teacher tells me that you have started a trend at school of hanging out underneath your crib.  You allow other babies to follow you in, but will not tolerate them going under there first or without you.  I prefer to think of it as you demonstrating your natural leadership ability.  

Elsewhere in the mobility department, you have been using the furniture (or us, or whatever else is available) to pull yourself up to a stand.  You love to stand up and practice your balance! 

 Also, I think it is finally safe to say that you are sleeping through the night.  Thank you, Quinn!

And last but not least, two adorable things you do that I want to remember. 

1. Lately, whenever I carry you down the stairs, you hold on to me with both hands and squeal with glee.  You enjoy being startled too... I think we have a little thrill seeker on our hands. 

2. You are really into the book, Peedie by Oliver Dunrea.  Every time I read it to you, you continually turn around to smile at me and lay your head against my chest - your little version of a hug. 

And now to post a bunch of videos before they get too old:

Playing peekaboo in the Wawa parking lot:

Talking with your mouth full:

Time to lower the crib:

No more puffs:

I can't believe you will be eight months old in a few days.  We love you, sweet girl!

Dear Quinn,
You are currently getting your top teeth, making real progress in your efforts to crawl, adjusting to being weaned and going through a major growth spurt.

You've been a tiny psychopath little bit grumpy and unpredictable, so we decided to spend a quiet weekend at home. 

Here it is in pictures:

Go Phillies!

I got your phone, Daddy!

"Give it back, please."

"Don't eat that."

"Alright - you can have it."

I love my pink basketball!

Giving this thing another try...

"Mmm...bananas"

Whoa! Pretty hot out here!

Made it to Percy Street.

I had the leather table top - it was delicious!

Rollin' around

The end

Video bonus: You playing with your Daddy's phone...pay no attention to what he says at the end of the video.

Memorial Day Weekend

Dear Quinn,
You are back from your first big adventure!  You spent the weekend with your Mom-Mom and Pop-Daddy while your father and I went down the shore.

They were just thrilled to have you.  By Tuesday your Mom-Mom had already called asking when she could have you back.  She said that you were very well-behaved, although your Aunt Elena ratted you out and informed me that you threw a tantrum on Saturday because you didn't want to take a nap. (The tantrums are fairly new and may be related to teething.  You work yourself into a frenzy, wailing at the highest pitch imaginable and kicking your little legs.)  But despite this, they still wanted to keep you.  Every time I called to check on you, your Pop-Daddy pretended that I had the wrong number and that he couldn't speak English. "Baby no here, sorry!"

They played with you all day and even took you out to dinner to visit Aunt Elena at work: 

Sitting in a big girl high chair at Ryan's Pub!

Being away from you for 48 hours really underscored how much progress you can make in a day's time.  By Sunday you had already learned some new tricks.  You can go from a sit to a crawling position and have started "tenting" by arching your back and lifting yourself onto your tippy toes.  In addition, your Mom-Mom taught you how to clap.  You've been clapping constantly ever since, whether it is appropriate or not.  This morning I got an ovation for drying my hair - thank you, Quinn!

Video proof: 8 seconds of clapping

Your Daddy and I missed you very much, but we knew that you were in good hands. It gave us a much-appreciated chance to have some fun together and it allowed you to spend some time with your grandparents.  We want you to be as close to them as possible. 

Thanks for watching me, Mom-Mom and Pop-Daddy!

On Monday we visited your Grammy and Pop-Pop, and they are just as excited to have you while we go to Mexico for your Aunt Lauren's wedding.  You sat on your Grammy's lap as she told you all about the plans they made for your visit.  You clapped happily when she mentioned splashing in a baby pool.   You got so many hugs and kisses - and got sent home with new toys, clothes and diapers.  (Thank you!!!) 

Your daddy and I are extremely lucky that our parents are so supportive of our little family.  You will never know how much your grandparents love you, Quinn.  We are going to do our best to make sure that you make a lifetime of memories with all of them.   

Why are you tickling my foot, Pop-Pop?

Me and My Grammy!

I'm such a lucky girl!

Video Roundup

Dear Quinn,

Here are some of my favorite videos from the past couple of weeks. 

Splashing in the sink:

I must have watched this video a thousand times.  Every time I ride the subway, fellow commuters lean over my shoulder and tell me how cute it is.  I watch it every night after you go to bed, and every time I get a free minute at work.   I wish I would have included your Daddy's reaction to how much water you are splashing on the floor. 

A complete roll:

Totally grossed out by your banana feeder:

I think you're saying, "I have squash all over me, Mommy."

Goin' Mobile

Dear Quinn,
Lately you have become such an independent little person.  You need me less and less - and that is ok.  

It seems like you are beginning the process of "self-weaning."  Not only do you prefer to hold the bottle by yourself when others try to feed you, you are much less interested in nursing.  You are so eager to explore your world that you pull away from me constantly so you can look around.  On the days you aren't at daycare getting bottles, I worry that you're not getting enough food.  

You make up for it at night, usually around 3 or 4 in the morning.  You are half-asleep, and so will let me feed you in the darkness as long as I keep rocking back and forth in the glider.  Even during these sessions, you will no longer hold onto my finger.  No matter how many times I try, you make it clear that you would rather twirl my t-shirt, slap your leg, or rub your head while you're eating. 

Once again your Daddy has set a deadline for us.  No more middle-of-the-night feedings past the first of June.  We'll try our best together on this one, baby girl.

Last week we began replacing one of your momma's milk bottles with formula each day.  You don't seem to mind the difference, and it has allowed me to stock up on milk for the days to come.  This weekend I'll be sleeping away from you for the very first time.  I am going to your Aunt Lauren's bachelorette party, and you are staying home with Daddy.  I'm going to miss you so much, Quinn!

You have made such rapid progress in the last two weeks since you learned to sit.  You can now roll all the way around, from your back to your tummy and back again.  You have started to pull your knees up underneath you in preparation for crawling.  Because this takes some practice, you sometimes end up scooting backwards.  You are really on the move now, kid.  Your Daddy even spent some time yesterday figuring out how to install the baby gates we'll be needing very soon.

In other news, you have found your tongue and love to stick it out.  We also suspect that your first tooth is on the way. 

Big plans for your weekend include trying out some butternut squash, beginning baby sign language and another audit of your wardrobe.  It's time to break out some bigger stuff - and summer stuff! 

Picture time!

"Guess what, Pop-Daddy..."

"I'm gonna take your glasses!"

Thanks for reading me a book, Aunt Lauren!

Sound asleep at school (and wearing a backup outfit!)

Daddy and Quinn on the playmat

Kissin' my foot

Video bonus:  Here you are yelling at your mobile and sticking out your tongue.  I love you, Quinn!!

Video Roundup

A long video of you doing crunches and playing with your squeaky triangle (2:12): 

A short video of you playing with your Daddy (11 seconds): 

 A long video of you eating peas for the first time (1:58):

A short video of  you being tickled (25 seconds):

Video Roundup

Dear Quinn,

Here are some videos of you performing your latest tricks - talking and rolling over.  You babble constantly as you experiment with your vocal cords to see what new sounds you can make.  You have reached the point where you roll over onto your belly every time you are placed down on your back.  It's tummy time all the time!

Telling stories...

Rolling around...

Crawling practice: playing with your pink basketball

I love you, baby!

Video Roundup

Dear Quinn,
It's been awhile since I posted some videos - here are some of my favorites from the month of March.

 March 2 - You playing in your Jumperoo for the very first time:

Playtime with Mommy:

March 15 - Playing Rocketship with Daddy:

March 20 - Your second attempt at rice cereal - success! 

Four Months!

Dear Quinn,
You are now four months old. At your monthly appointment we learned that you are 25 inches tall (77th percentile) and nearly 16 pounds (84th percentile). You have officially doubled your birth weight, and you are right on schedule developmentally.  Good for you, Quinn!

You are beginning to settle into a new routine now that you are getting used to daycare.  You are going to bed at 7 p.m. and sleeping for longer and longer stretches.  You still wake up to eat at 3 a.m., but most nights are content with a cuddle and the replacement of your pacifier.  Sometimes I give in and feed you anyway because I miss you so much during the day.

I can't say, however, that I am always as happy to see you wide awake at 5 a.m., which seems to be the trend lately.  I think you are going to be a morning person like your Daddy.  As for me, I am learning to enjoy coffee. 

These days you are getting so good at working your little hands.  You love to crinkle your dragonfly toy when you're in your chair and touch your seahorse when you're in your bassinet.  Recently you noticed that you also have feet and have started trying in earnest to roll over. Your hair is starting to get a bit longer and fuller on top - and most importantly, you have found your voice.  Whenever you are awake, you are babbling, cooing and singing.  We love hearing you express yourself, especially when you are excited.  

Also this past week, you hit another milestone, a daycare inevitability - your first cold.  Even though you didn't feel well, you were still your usual happy self. You have such a great little personality.  We are so proud to be your parents.

We love you so much, baby Quinn!

My first cold

 Thanks for my Valentine's jammies, Grammy!

They're comfy!

Daddy and Quinn

Quinn and Pop Daddy!          Photo credit: Aunt Elena

Check out my long hair!

Trying on accessories at David's Bridal

A kiss from the Bride!

Video bonus: Round, round bally - and your wonderful smile.

Video Round Up: Christening Edition

Dear Quinn,
Here are some videos of your Christening day. 

Here you are in church, smiling away on your Grammy's lap:

Right before the Christening - you have the hiccups:

The actual Baptism:

Thanks to Uncle John manning the camera! 

When Does This Get Easier?

Dear Baby girl,
You are doing so well in school!  All the teachers are very impressed with how easily you are adjusting.  We are getting good reports about you smiling, napping and drinking all your bottles.  We are so proud, Quinn! 

It is still hard for your daddy and I, but we are hopeful that it will get better.  It is times like these that I look to your Mom Mom, Grammy, and some of my friends who have balanced work and motherhood.  I have more respect for them than ever before - because this is hard.  

I am lucky to have so many strong women to look up to - and I have to remember that part of the reason we are doing this is so you can have the same thing when you are older and ready to pursue a career of your own.   

I enjoy my job very much, but please believe that my whole office is covered in pictures of you and that I am out the door at 4:59 and running across the city as fast as I can to pick you up.  I feel like I can hardly breathe until I see your little face and can hold you in my arms. The smile you give me when I walk in the door is the best part of my day. 

It helps (a little) to know that you are learning and being stimulated.  We know this because you are totally exhausted.  Last night you came home, ate and then went to bed immediately afterwards - at 7 o'clock.  

I wish you would stay awake longer.  An hour a day is not enough time.  Last night your Daddy and I hung out with you and watched you sleep for awhile, but it just isn't the same.  I miss you so much, Quinn.    

I don't want to end this post on a sad note, so here is a video of me tickling your feet: 

And some photos: 

 Your friend Anna is going to be in your class very soon!

Quinn and Anna out on the town

Quinn and Benny!

 

Playing at school 

I love you, little one!

Video Round Up #3

Dear Baby Quinn,

You found your hands! You have been absentmindedly sucking them for quite some time, but now you have truly noticed they are there. You furrow your little brow, move your fingers around and stare at them in amazement.  Mom-Mom said that this means you are ready for toys that you can hold.  

Here is a video of you crinkling your dragonfly toy:

I haven't captured this on video yet, but your latest trick is blowing raspberries with your mouth.  It is a very slobbery ordeal.  To your father and I it is a constant game of, "What end did that come out of?"

There is a reason I haven't managed to get it on video...you are onto the whole camera thing.  Whenever we stick it in front of your face you stop doing whatever cute thing you are doing and become fascinated instead by the camera.

 Last one!  A short video of you talking to the animals on your bouncy chair:

These may not seem like much, but I know they are going to be a great comfort to me when I go back to work.  I have a habit of watching them over and over again whenever you are sleeping.  Your Daddy thinks it's silly - but I miss you when you're asleep! 

I love you so much, Peanut!

Cereal Time!

Dear Quinn,
For the past couple of weeks you have been showing a lot of interest in food.  You stare at us while we eat, lick your lips and excitedly wheel your little arms and legs.

I had been reading that four months was the proper time to introduce rice cereal, but we all know that you are a very advanced baby. You just seemed ready.

Just to be sure, I reached out to your cousin Kristin, a Clinical Feeding Specialist, mom to a very chubby baby, and the brain behind Toddlers and Tomatoes, to see if she thought it was ok.  She said to go for it!

After careful consideration, (and a little mourning over the fact that you would no longer be "exclusively breastfed") I finally decided I was ready to try.  Of course this decision happened to correspond with a torrential downpour, but your Daddy ran to the store anyway just to get it for you.  

You took it better than we expected, and I think that with more practice you are going to love getting fed from a spoon.  I doubt any cereal actually made it into your little belly, but we all had fun - and that's all that matters for now.  Thank you for giving us another wonderful memory, baby girl!  We love you so very much. 

So here it is, Quinn - your first experience with "food," and the first of many very messy mealtimes:

Video Roundup

Quinn loves her mobile:

My grandparents love me!

My Aunt Elena making me smile:

Me and my Pop Daddy:

Eight is Great

Dear Baby,

Daddy calls you "Staypuft"

This morning you went to the doctor for your two-month appointment.  After handling your shots like a champ, they weighed and measured you.  At eight weeks, you are now ten pounds, 13 ounces and 23 inches long.  You're in the 42nd percentile for weight and the 91st for height.  My big girl!

You are smiling all the time now.  Your smile is the most beautiful thing in the world and it fills my heart with joy.  It is our proudest accomplishment that you are healthy and happy. 

Every day you are making amazing progress. You still haven't succeeding at getting your thumb in your mouth, but you are very determined.  Your daddy and I watch and cheer you on as you stick your thumb out and bring your fist to your face.  You're so close!  The whole thing is a noisy process, but so much fun to watch. 

In other news, you finally noticed the mobile hanging above your changing table. Last week I took a video of you laying on your activity mat.  Now you are actually smiling and batting at the toys.  What a difference a week makes!

A very short post today because we have a lot of things to do to get ready for the holidays.  It hasn't even begun yet and we already know that it's going to be the best Christmas ever.  We can't wait to celebrate with you. 

We love you, Quinn!

Video Round Up

Dear Quinn,
One of the last things we did before your arrival was buy a new digital video camera to help us capture memories of you.  You have been keeping us very busy, but I'm finally getting around to uploading some videos.

The first one was taken by your father.  He was only testing out the camera, so after he recorded this I asked him to delete it.  I'm so glad he didn't.  It was taken on October 15th, eight days before you were born.

 

I recorded your homecoming, but the video is shaky because I was so overwhelmed with emotion when we brought you in.  I couldn't believe that after all the preparation and anticipation, you were finally home. I think we'll keep that one private - but here is a short one of you getting ready to leave the hospital. 

And here are a couple videos of you just looking around, sneezing, grunting and making the little noises that you make. (I edited out the barfing - you're welcome, Mischief!). I find myself watching these when you are sleeping and I miss interacting with you.  Already you look different from the video above.  You are growing and changing every day.  

 

Look how beautiful you are!  I love you so much baby girl!