Eliana's Blog

Look who's sitting all by herself! I've been practicing a lot lately and finally got good enough that Mommy could take a few pictures. I mostly do what child development experts would call "tripod sitting" which means I lean forward and sometimes help out with my arms. I can do that for a good long time without help. Over 15 seconds by one count. The last time I sat up, I was sitting for so long that I got tired and whined to be picked up. I didn't even tip over again. All this before my 5-month birthday which will be here in only three days!

I gave Mommy and William a good laugh this morning. When Mommy came to get me out of bed, there I was looking right at her and smiling. I had spun 90 degrees in my crib and was peering through the rails. So she ran to get the camera to capture the moment. William thought my pictures were sure funny!

Today we weren't complaining about the cool weather. It meant that I could wear the adorable overalls that I only just grew into. And I was in a good mood this evening for Mommy to take some pretty pictures. Doesn't it look like I'm getting some hair? I gave her lots of smiles and one silly face - I have started sucking my lower lip in and it makes me look just like a turtle! I sit up straighter every day. Soon I'll be sitting on my own.

Mommy also took a bunch of new video of me the other day, but it's kind of tricky to get it online, so Daddy's going to have to help. Stay tuned...

Today was my first time playing in the sandbox! I was watching William and thought it looked too fun to resist. I would have liked to taste some, but I'm still too little. Mommy was holding me and keeping me from putting my soggy fingers in the sand. My fists are always in my mouth right now. I just love to bite things. Maybe I'll even have some teeth to bite with soon!

I saw my doctor today for the last time. He is leaving to go to another clinic, so by the time I am 6 months old I will have to see a different doctor. Mommy's sad because he's very nice. I liked him too and gave him some of my adorable smiles. At today's visit he was happy with my growth and told Mommy not to worry. I'm small, but proportional. My height was 23 1/4 (13%) and my weight was 12 lbs 5 oz (18%). It's just a big change from my mom to go from William to me. She's happy to have a little baby to carry around.

I am mostly better from my cold. I only had a little cough and a stuffy nose. But now I feel feverish and sore from all the shots I got today. I'm sure I'll be better tomorrow.

Today is my 4-month birthday and all I got is my first cold :( I've got a runny nose, sneezes and a little cough. Mommy says it's a sign that I'm getting older and outgrowing my newborn immunities. That doesn't really make me feel better, though. Taking extra naps and snuggling with my blankie does. This morning I was crabbing and said "May-may." My big brother, William, decided that translated to "I want my blanket." And you know what? I did!

William is a great big brother. I really like holding his hand. Yesterday we were reading stories and he was holding my hand. When he let go to turn pages, I tried to grab his hand again. He always took mine back after the page was turned.

Hopefully I'll be all better by the time I go visit my doctor next week. I'll get weighed and measured and get more shots. I'll need my immune system to be top notch for that!

So my favorite place to play for the last couple months has been my baby gym. I'm sure you've seen all the pictures and even video of me happily playing there. But these last few days I've become really tired of it and wanted a change of scenery. I especially enjoy getting up off the floor and sitting or standing. So Mommy decided I needed an exersaucer right away. She'd been sort of looking for a few weeks, but now needed to get serious. She was about to go buy a new one at the store when Auntie Dawn called. Dawn was out shopping garage sales, one of her favorite passtimes, and she wanted to tell Mommy about a deal she got on a Discovery Toy. Mommy asked if she'd seen any exersaucers and her answer was "everywhere!" In fact, at the very next sale that she went to, she found the one I'm playing with now. And I love it! Thanks, Auntie Dawn! Now I have a new favorite place to play and it really tires me out. Mommy was taking some pictures of me smiling while I was playing there and then I got so tired that the spinny rattle's loud noise made me cry. All Mommy did was take pictures of me crying. That really made me mad! At least she said she was sorry. Oh, the sacrifices I have to make for a cute, pouty lipped scrapbook page.

What a trip! Mommy and I spent last weekend in Missouri with Grandma Barb and Auntie Leah. It was nice to finally meet my godmother, Leah. We had a lot of fun together. I got lots of snuggling and kisses. We played really hard and learned a new giggling game - Mommy says, "Rar, rar, rar" and tickles my tummy and I laugh a great big belly laugh. It's so funny! I've been trying out new sounds like M, B, R, and whispering. I've even made a couple raspberry noises, but "Arrrr" is my favorite new sound.

The hotel room in Bethany, Missouri was nice and big. There were couches and chairs and a nice long table for scrapbooking. I had my pack-n-play set up in a corner. We spent lots of time in the room while Mommy got some pages done in my scrapbook. She and Auntie Leah went in the pool and hot tub for a while. I didn't like the noisy pool room very much, so Grandma and I talked with some little kids in the lobby - they made me happy because they reminded me of my big brother William.

We did a little shopping and went out to eat. I was a very good traveler, all things considered. I didn't get as much good sleep during the day as I'm used to, so I slept really well at night! I was very happy during the day with all the attention. I even got used to my car seat after a while. I wasn't very crabby until the last 45 minutes of the trip home. I was tired and more than ready to be out of the car. That night I had another record 10-hour sleep at home in my own bed.

One of my latest stunts is trying to roll over back to front. I make diaper changes much more challenging for my parents! But I can't get past that arm. Once I master that, look out! I'll be on the move.

Then today I figured out how to bring my hands together. They became even more interesting now! I can even grab toys with both hands.

Today was my three month birthday! To celebrate my three-month birthday, let's look at my accomplishments so far...

I smile and giggle a lot!

I talk with gurgles, coos, and now grunts and fake coughs.

I'm a champ at diaper blowouts!

I am also a champion sleeper, typically sleeping 6-8 hours at a time.

I usually take three naps a day - in my bed or it doesn't count.

I can reach for things and purposely grab them.

My favorite game is baby boxing with the toys in my baby gym or with my big brother.

I am strong and can stand and sit with support.

I love to snuggle and kiss my soft blankie.

I also love my reflection and will smile and talk to myself for long stretches.

I still hate my car seat. When I'm in it, I am usually either crying or asleep.

I have learned to enjoy baths (or at least put up with them) and now slosh water everywhere!

Today I weighed 10 lbs 13 oz and measured 22 1/2 inches, but we don't put too much stock in scales and rulers. They haven't been the most trustworthy for me so far.

I've even outgrown some of my three-month sized clothes. And I just keep growing.