Mostly the Kids: Ellen, 2 months (7/11/2011)

Dear Ellen,

As always, the time is flying by; I cannot believe that you are already 2 months old! I go back to work in just 3 weeks. In some ways I will be ready to get back to work and back in a “school” routine, but I am loving the chance to be at home with my babies. It has been warm outside, but we still usually manage to get out of the house and to the playground most mornings, as long as we wake up very early. You, of course, fall asleep in the stroller very soon after we leave the house, and you nap in the shade while Ian and I play on the playground.

My Favorite Thing: You have started smiling this month! It is difficult to capture photographic evidence of those tiny baby grins since every time I try to snap a picture, you seriously clam up and stare fixedly on the mysterious black object that is my camera phone. Really, it takes two (one to make you smile, the other to take a photo). You are also “talking” (cooing) every once in a while, but you are very quiet and don’t vocalize often.

Daily Activities and Playing: You’re not doing much in the way of active playing, so far. Mostly you prefer some Mama and Daddy “face time” to any toys. If someone isn’t holding you, you are content to sit in your bouncer and look at toys. You also lay on the play mat, both on your tummy and on your back, looking around at the hanging toys (farm animals). You can roll over from front to back and do it often.

Sibling: Your big brother can give me a run for my money and makes your baby hood quite a bit different from his. I spend a great deal of time protecting you from Ian’s exuberant hugs and kisses, his insistence that you have certain toys and blankets, and his commands of “Up, Ellen!” (with a corresponding attempt to pick you up). He obviously adores you.

Eating: You continue to nurse very well, about 5 or 6 times per day, every 3-4 hours. Your eating times vary from feeding to feeding, but you always seem to be satisfied. We give you an occasional bottle of breast milk to help get you used to it since day care is just around the corner.

Sleeping: Your naps continue to be hit or miss during the day and you often wake up 45 minutes into nap that should last about 2 hours. You usually need assistance, in the form of swaddling and rocking, to get you back to sleep at those times. I did start to see some improvements in your daytime sleep around 8 weeks. Luckily, you are not plagued by the same sleep issues at night; once you are asleep in your crib, you are out for the count and almost always sleep through the night (6-7 hours).

Special Events: We just got back from a week long (extended) family vacation to Steamboat Springs, Colorado and it was so fun. My aunts, uncles, and cousins were so happy to meet you and were always willing to hold you. You were still too little to participate in the more active events, but you spent quite a bit of time in the carrier pouch – watching the rodeo, watching the Fourth of July parade, shopping around town, and hiking up the mountain to Fish Creek Falls. Luckily the weather was nice and cool so that we could all enjoy time outdoors. Quite a reprieve from the Texas heat! You were a dream for the entire trip. You slept through the night (7-8 hours) every night and you slept during most of our extensive car travel time. What a great first vacation for you!