First word!

Today Neil and I decided that Maddy really has said her first word. She says mama and dada and baba. Sometimes to us, but sometimes just for fun. But there is one word she says and only says when the object comes around her.

Cheese.

Yes, our girl's first word is cheese.

She says it more like "chsssss" but she only says it when we pull out the little blocks of cheese.

Chssss.

Adorable!!

Roll over!

Maddy rolled over, from back to tummy, for the first time today! And the little show off did it in front of company too *grin*

She tried to crawl?

Tonight we had Maddy on her tummy, working on tummy time. The little muffin put her head down and then raised her butt in the air and pushed with her feet. She moved. Forward. On her belly. About 1-2 inches. Not far but... sort of like... like initial... CRAWLING. Neil said it was just instinct. But... really? Is it instinct? Or is she refusing to act her age already?! The teenage years are going to be frightening...

More firsts!

Today Maddy discovered her toes. She's now held them firmly in her tiny little hands in excitement! But that also means she's learned to roll her body. Well, more like shimmy. She was able to move 180 degrees, with the toe-grab shimmy. This means preliminary locomotion... OMG SHE MOVES NOW TOO! Life will never be the same, who knows where she'll end up once we lay her on the ground. Is it me, or is this happening way too freaking fast?

4 month sleep regression

Our awesomer than awesome night sleeper? She's not doing as well now. And, no, she hasn't morphed to a good day sleeper either. I have read about the 4 month sleep regression and I think we're now living it. Maddy is sleeping more like she did when she was first home (numerous wakings). This is an awesome article on the 4 month sleep regression. And it really fits... Maddy is doing something new everyday! It's got to fill her brain and make it all so much harder.

Something new everyday... that leads to many firsts. At mom's group yesterday Maddy noticed another child for the first time. She just stared in fascination at the little girl. Today she noticed the dogs running around her car seat (and giggled at them), and she's also learning about her feet - she's grabbing her pant legs and trying to pull her feet to her face. She's trying to roll over on her belly (not there yet, but trying). One morning I walked into her room. She was swaddled and was trying to roll over to her tummy. She was on her side and looking up. That would NOT have been good, while swaddled... Today we went to the zoo for the first time. I went with another mommy friend. We spent much of the time feeding, the babies or me (I didn't get the chance to eat before we left) but it was wonderful to get outside, see the animals and see all the kids running around - our future!

Maddy is also 16 weeks old. How did that happen? We could conceivably start her on solids any day now. I am not sure she has the interest yet and she's still doing ok with her formula. But solids already! I am not sure I am emotionally ready for that...

Also, I am finished with breastfeeding. Many weeks ago Maddy began refusing the breast. She just had no interest in it. I was pumping once a day, to try to keep some breastmilk in Maddy's life. But I was getting so little and I kept running out of time. Neil said that if I truly wanted to, I would have found the time. And that is true... I just never liked attaching a machine to my chest and sitting there, listening to the motor whir. Maddy's doing well, with her poos, now. At least the last few days there has been no constipation. But it's also sad to know that function is over... that we really failed in the breastfeeding arena and there are no more chances to make it work. I look at Maddy, and how much she's growing, and I know she's healthy and doing well. But I just wish I could have been there for her.

Maddy has been napping for 30 minutes now... her usual nap length! Time to get ready for her awakening, soon. A little more time would let me get a little more done but this is Maddy's way.

First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day. It's so hard to believe it, that I am a mom. I am responsible for the care and upbringing of a human being. Of Maddy! It still boggles the mind, I keep thinking it must be a dream. That I will wake up and life will revert back to just me and Neil.

Yesterday we celebrated. We went to my parent's for food and visiting. And exchanged gifts. Maddy and Daddy got me a gorgeous purse, a gift card and a stunning bracelet. We got baba a digital picture frame and some flowers. Today is a quieter day, getting household chores done and relaxing. For me, now, getting the household chores done is my way to relax. That is so broken, so different than I was before. Maddy? Your mom used to be much more lax about cleaning, before you. Now I want you to live in a clean home, a safe home, so I clean much more! It actually bothers me when there are dishes in the sink, where before a few days could pass and I wouldn't even flinch.

Let me start with a TMI warning for the info below.

Now that we have warned you... It was also one year ago today that Maddy was conceived. One year ago! So much has changed in the last year, so much is different. But everything in life is better, with you here Maddy. We didn't mean to start our family this soon, but it is perfect now.

More firsts!

This one is not as fun. Maddy's first blister! We had her in an adorable pair of little hot pink mary jane shoes. And the elastic over the top of her foot? It gave her the first blister of her short life. Quickly those shoes were removed (never to be worn again) and many kisses helped the owie from the shoes. But, Maddy, if you want to be a real fashionista? This may be your first blister but will not be your last!

Everyday, something new!

Everyday Maddy is doing something new. Yesterday we put her on her play mat and she reached up to play with the dangling parts. With purpose. Before she'd hit them accidentally. Today I put her wrist rattle on her and she knew it was there and shook it with purpose. Again, before it would make sound but only as she accidentally moved.

It is so amazing and exciting to watch her learn her world and interact!

Firsts!

Some firsts! Yesterday Maddy wore her first shoes. Little tiny quasi-sneakers. Pink, of course. Oh, and the jeans she's wearing? For 6-12 months. *sigh*

Today for the first time she picked up her awesome rattle (from Aunty Janene) with her left hand and put it in her mouth. Then pulled it out, of course. When Neil came home she was doing it again, and he was amazed. He may have begged her to slow down on the growing up.

Tonight we're having a very fussy night. Teething is the culprit, I think. Back to soothing a monkey girl who is refusing to nap. Joy joy!