Our Angel Dressed in Baby's Clothing

Life has been a little busy for the past two weeks. Chloe is growing like a weed and learning something new every day. We are just trying to keep up! We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful little girl who brings so much joy into our lives. She is such a happy, healthly, easy going and smart baby.

Chloe had her first cold - no fun. Poor thing had a pretty bad runny nose for about 2 weeks. As a result we had several vapor baths and lots of nose bulbing. She was, understandably, a bit uncomfortable and a bit cranky. But, I think it has passed, thank heavens!

We also visited with Uncle Neil in Maryland. That was a lot of fun! That weekend she learned yet another new skill - scooting backwards. Baby girl is so determined to move she figured whichever way she could go was fine with her! Check out the boys playing with the baby.

Nana Alana also came into town for the past week. We had been counting down the days until she came...and now - poof - she is gone again [insert frown]. We had a great time though while it lasted. Nana got a huge giggle fit out of Chloe literally 2 hours off the plane. Brad and I work hard as heck for 2 or 3 over the past 4 months, and she gets one within hours - ahhhhhh, grandmas! But, I think the giggles are coming more often now - and we can't get enough! The three girls shopped til we dropped, the three adults ate way too much food, and all of us just enjoyed spending time with each other. It was great!

The crawling is coming soon!! She is getting the hang of it. Her butt is up in the air, the the knees are starting to bend under, the arms are extended - now for the coordinated movement. She wiggles and moves around constantly as is, so, it's just a matter of time before she is on the go!

She is also super interested in cups, my cup. Really - she is super interested in everything!!! And it all goes in the mouth. She eats her blankets, her stuffed animals, her rattles and toys, her clothing, her binky grip, her toes, and the list just gets longer and longer. The novelty of discovery - so sweet.

Bad news (for me) is that Chloe has been waking up during the night...every single night without fail, between 2:30-4:00am, she wakes up, eats, and goes back to sleep. This just started 2 weeks ago. So, the first week she had that cold/runny nose so I chalked it up to that and the second week, Nana was in town and her schedule was a bit off, so I chalked it up to that. Last night - no cold, no Nana - same thing. So, we are going to wait this week (or a few days) out and see how it goes. If it continues...we will be starting her on the cereal! I am half excited, half sad, and half scared! Oh, thats one and half people! You know what I mean. Just another sign that she is getting bigger and growing - which is so exciting, but a part of you wants them to remain babies forever!!

We will keep you posted on the lil one. For now, check out the few videos and pictures. Hope everyone is doing well. Bring on the spring!!

Oh, and I think Chloe has a shoe problem!!
Check out all the cute sandals she has for the summer.
Terrrrrible!!

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Chloe's first St. Patty's Day is here. She will be having green milk for breakfast, lunch and dinner. LOL! We are not doing much to celebrate (tired). But, she is dressed for the occasion regardless!

Also, here is a short video of the baby after her bath

having a little play time last night.

Chloe's a Big Girl!

The highchair came out of storage today! How exciting!! And we had zero intentions of setting it up just yet - we just bought it upstairs because we were in the storage organizing and it was taking up valuable space and we figured, 'what the heck, we will be using it in a month, bring it up!'. Oh gosh - I am in the kitchen cooking (and Brad has already set it up because he absolutely loves putting things together) and he puts Chloe in it, for a laugh presumably, and she just loves it!! She was all smiles.

So exciting, and so sad. Our little girl just keeps getting bigger and bigger, stronger and stronger, smarter and smarter, and if possible, more beautiful each and every day. It's not really sad....just crazy how time is flying. She will be crawling in no time! Watch out world!!

Another Check-Up

Chloe went for her 4 Month well -baby visit today. She was so good! She weighed in at 12lbs 12oz and measured 24in long. She is still in the 25th percentile for weight and almost 40th percentile for both height and head circumference. Kind of a little one!

The doctor is very happy with her growth and her strength. Again she warned me that she was going to be an early mover and shaker! Chloe won't be starting on cereal/solids until she is 5-5 1/2 months old. Because she is right on track with weight gain, she is sleeping well and thru the night and has not formed any allergies, the doctor doesn't want me to start on solids just yet.

Same as last visit, she got her one oral shot and her four shots in her leg - ouchy! I don' know who it hurts more - me or her? I had to go it alone today because Brad has class. But, luckily, it all worked out. She even smiled in forgiveness to the nurse who administered the shots only minutes later. Such a sweetie! And, by the time the cab arrived, she had ate and was fast asleep.

Now back at home, she has played a little bit, ate some more of course...and has been napping for the past few hours. What a day!

Look at my boo boos!

Chloe is Four Months Old!!

Not too much to say - except OMG! It's hard to believe that our baby girl is already four whole months old. Four months ago today we were panicked with a day old newborn! Look how far we have come. It was a pretty nice day in Virginia today. To celebrate, we all got up pretty early (it's all relative), went to brunch (breakfast, just happened to be lunch time), shopped a little bit (what would a Saturday be without any shopping at all?), visited with Aunt Connie and had a walk around Vienna. It was really great! Now, Chloe is pooped and asleep in her crib - ahhhhh.

More updates to come on Tuesday when she goes to her third well baby visit. More shots!! Noooooo!! And, I am going this one alone - Daddy is in class! Wish us luck.

Baby cousin Claire is here!! She was born March 6th at 6pm. She weighed in at 8lbs12oz and 21 in. Welcome to the world lil one!!

Frustrated Learning To Roll

Lil munchkin has figured out rolling over for several weeks now, she evens rolls both ways finally! Her Mommy, however, could not figure out how to post a video! After many, many hours on the computer, frustrated myself, I just happened upon how to do it today. Yay for me! So, look out for more lil video clips in the future!

On another note -- Chloe's cousin Claire should be making her grand entrance into the world today!!

She Shakes, Rattles and Rolls!!

Chloe is becoming quite active these days. She has learned to completely roll over now! Although, she only rolls one way - to the left. But, thats okay! Changing her diapers has become increasingly difficult as she attempts to roll, slightly uphill mind you, while you are trying desperately to get a fresh diaper on her bum. Fun stuff!

She also grabs toys and rattles that you give her or her musical on her bouncer. And everything, and I mean everything, is headed to one place these days....her mouth!! From the boobs of course, to the paci, to the rattle, to any blanket, to her clothes...and even the polka dots off her clothes!! Its sweet.

She is still very chatty, but does have quieter days too. Today was not one of those days...she was not quiet for a minute unless she was asleep. She has started to almost howl, thats the only way I can describe it. I think she is building a repertoire of sounds, experimenting if you will.

Not much else is going on. She is three and half months old and we are wondering where the time went. I have taken over 1200 pictures, filled one scrapbook, two small photo albums and am in need of a new bookshelf for all her books (lets not discuss the clothes!!). We still get our baths every evening, take walks when the weather permits and run errands on the weekend with Daddy. Bring on spring time!

The adjustment to parenthood simply continues everyday as we observe and enjoy our ever changing and growing daughter do just that - change and grow. She learns new things everyday, and so do we! It truly is a beautiful thing.

Oh - and cousin Claire should be making her debut anyday now! Auntie Andie and Crazy Uncle Mitch are in their last week of pregnancy. Whoo-hoo!!

Our Sweet Valentine!

Chloe celebrated her first Valentine's Day in style and with family. She is now completely rolling over and it is so exciting to watch. She gave Brad and I another giggle outburst last week. My face still slightly hurts from laughing with her. It's just so precious - as is everything she does!

Chloe Is Three Months Old!!

Three months ago today we welcomed the arrival of our beautiful, precious, wonderful baby girl into this world. We can't believe how much she has grown and what a joy she is to have in our lives.

Today we packed away Mommy's maternity clothes - finally! We also packed away the size 1 diapers and out came the next size up! Every time she outgrows her diapers or clothes, I get a little sad. It's the reality check on how fast she is growing.

But, the growth is also very exciting. She is learning to grasp things now like toys and rattles, and on occasion Mommy's hair. She is half rolling over both from front to back and back to front. She is just dying to sit up and go! And talk! She is babbling more than ever. It's so cute. As hard as she tries to do all these things...she gets quite frustrated and as much as we shouldn't laugh, the grunting in exhaustion and frustration is just too funny!

Not much else is going on here. Brad has been working a lot lately...and apparently this will be going on for the next month. That leaves me and Chloe home a lot by our lonesomes. Thank goodness I have her to keep me company! I am still working from home and very thankful that the schedule of it all is working out (thanks boss!).

We are anxiously awaiting the warmer weather so that we can get out with the baby a little bit more. Soon enough!

Go Steelers!!

It's game day! We are so psyched to see our Steelers in the Super Bowl again. Yippee! Now, let's just win it! Chloe is all dressed up in support of her Daddy's team. Naturally, Mommy and Chloe have adopted Daddy's team as their very own.

Chloe is 12 weeks old already! She now babbles and babbles as Aunt Connie and Uncle Ed witnessed this weekend. She smiles, thrashes, kicks her feet and is developing quite a little personality. She now sucks her thumb too! This has been work in progress for a little while now, but, it has just come to be a habbit over the last few days. And, she just loves it!! It is such a joy to watch her change every day. She also giggled!! It was by far one of the most amazing moments of my life so far. Brad was holding her, and I was kissing her little toe-toes and laughing....and she giggled! Like three times! This was no fluke. I got completely and utterly overwhelmed and started to cry....and she started to cry too. So, so, so precious. I can hardly take it!

Well, more to come as the days go on I am certain. Till next time - Go Steelers! I have also posted some more pics. Hope the new year is still treating everyone well.

And last but not least --- A special shout out to a very special woman, friend, mother and now grandmother - HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!