I spoke too soon

This photo was taken just a few short hours after I commented "Boy, she sure has gotten her spit up under control hasn't she?" Please note the layering effect of the milk as this blow out happened to come in 3 waves.

Thank you, Mack!

We have introduced a new technique for bed-time. It seemed to work well when we would wait five minutes before picking our crying factory from her crib to soothe her, but now we go a step further and are soothing her without picking her up from her crib. Soft words and a nice tummy rub for a couple of minutes lets her know we haven't left her. So far its been five minutes of constant crying, two minutes of trying to soothe her while being bombarded with jet fighter like crying, more of Paige crying alone for five minutes, a couple of minutes of trying to soothe her which feels like having your head a foot away from a running chainsaw, more crying alone and by the third soothing session, she feels good enough to fall asleep. Which brings me to one of my favorite baby purchases.

OK for when we're with her but they definitely shouldn't be worn if you don't have the baby within eye sight. They work great. $4 at Target in the pharmacy. I couldn't find them at first. Surprisingly, they do not stock these great ear plugs next to the gas drops and teething medicine in the baby section. It would make sense to me.

-Mike

Little Buddies

Paige has a friend besides Mommy! Last week we went to visit Avery. Jack came over too so it was one big party. Okay....Avery slept for all but 5 minutes, Paige sat in a bouncy seat, and jack entertained himself by dropping toys over the stair railing. We did take a few pictures though! I tried to show how teeny Paige looked compared to Avery, but it didn't really work out. Remember, Paige was born on November 30th at 4lbs & Avery was born a week later at 10! I think you can see their size difference when you look at their hands. Too Cute!

You'd be smiling too

I'm very glad that Paige is back to her old self again after kind of a rough week. We decided to introduce her to a little formula because I'm returning to work soon and won't be able to feed her myself during the day. This did not go well. I'll spare you the details, but the doctor used a Hoover dam analogy during our visit if you get my drift. Anyway, a few ounces of diluted juice and a suppository later we have our happy girl back. I'm still somewhat traumatized and I'm sure it will only get worse next week when she gets her vaccinations. Pray for us!

Gonzalez Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Makin' the big move

Its been fun to have Paige "slumber party it up" in our room over night for the last month and a few weeks but now that Mommy is going back to work after this next week, we want her to get used to her big crib in her own room.

Our little grunter gets kind of busy overnight and instead of us both waking and wondering if her harmless noises are going to turn into cries, we're going to let her toot and tustle in her own room while we try to get more sleep.

We'll see how that goes.

She slept alone in her own room last night and she did great! Jen made me get up and check on her because she hadn't made a peep in a long time. There is something about the slooooow turn of the door knob and the door cracked open just enough to see that little sleepy face with her arms to her side that I really enjoy. It must be one of those things that makes me really feel like a dad.

-Mike

Paige Conveys an Emotion

A few years ago we came across a website where viewers submitted a list of emotions for some dopey college kid to emote, photograph, and post. We figured Paige could do the same thing. Here is what she has so far. Feel free to make suggestions!



SLEEPY



LIBERATED



DISTRACTED



GIDDY



RAGE



COMPLACENT



ALARMED



PARANOID



REPUGNANT



SKEPTICAL

To Paigey--From Mommy

My little Paigey,

I've seen and experienced a lot of wonderful things in my life.

It would take a lifetime to explain how much I loved your papa the day we got married. Everything about that day was beautiful.

I've seen trees covered in fluffy snow. I've seen lakes still and smooth like a mirror. I've even seen the Hope diamond!

You don't know what a thunderstorm is yet but they are powerful and awesome and I've seen and been amazed by my fair share. Last summer Papa and I drove through the Blue Ridge Mountains and even though I was afraid, I'll always remember how beautiful they were.

YOU are the most magnificent thing I've ever been a part of.

The minute you were born I knew that you were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and ever would for the rest of my life. I waited a long time to get a look at you and it was worth it.

You've gotten more beautiful every minute of every day.

I'm supposed to sleep when you sleep (they say) but I can't. I love to watch you sleep! You like to keep one little fist at your side and one up by your face (I guess in case you need to nibble on your fingers).

Your hair pokes up on the top of your head (not unlike Papa's) and its so soft! Like a baby duck's butt!

Sometimes you move your little mouth while you're asleep and I try to imagine what you are dreaming about.

You have the most beautiful perfect skin. You have the most beautiful long eyelashes. You have the most wonderful baby smell.

I adore every drop of you Paige.

I love the way you growl when you are hungry and the way you smile when you are full.

I love your squinty eyes when you cry your little raspy cry, and how when I hold you tight and whisper in your ear you'll stop.

Sometimes my heart aches when I think about how much I love you and how lucky I am that you're finally mine. The only way to make it stop is by hugging and kissing you over and over.

There is nothing in this world that could be more wonderful than one minute spent with you.

I love you so much Paigey, I'll love you forever.

-Mommy

We've added more photos. Click on the slideshow to the left

We've added more photos to our Picasa web album. Click on the slide show to the left and you will be brought there in a new window. Click on "My Public Gallery" and browse around.

Paige eats Penguin meat, for the first time! And likes it!

Paige was very interested in her stuffed penguin today.

Baby New Year

Normally the New Years festivities come and go while Jen and I are fast asleep. This year we decided to rent a couple of movies and stay up. The next thing we know, it was ll:57pm! I grabbed Paige from Jen and snapped a few traditional New Year's photos. Paige was in the middle of a midnight snack when I ripped her away so I gave her back to Jen so she could finish eating.




January 1, 08- Our second "real world" outing brought us to Babies R Us for some "supplies". We didn't find what we were looking for but we did have a chance to browse until Paige got hungry.





January 3, 08- Mommy and Paige headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house Thursday afternoon when our power unexpectedly went out. From checking in with the power company we found out that the power issue eventually got resolved later that evening but it turned out to be a fun little adventure so we all stayed the night.

Another Smile Face

I almost melted when I saw this smile face this week. She was filled to the brim with milk (see an earlier post regarding smiling Paige) and very content. I ADORE my girl!