two

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She's two!

Helena, you have the biggest personality. 

You are fearless and shy, super quiet and screaming loud, hilarious and super serious, needy and fiercely independent... all of those things and more all of the time.  

You remind me of a prism, all the colors and all of them are bright. 

These last two years have been amazing watching you grow right into the mix with our family, chasing after Eva and wrestling Theo.  You might even have some hair finally!  

We can't imagine our world without you.  

Happy Birthday Helena!

Love all of us.

Evidence: Made Up

Someone found my lip stain.

I like it because it lasts a long time... you know, it stains well.

It took the stripes on the back of her head a few days to finally wear off.

And that glare... yeah I get that a lot.  

I am still in training I guess, and not doing well.  Not doing well at all.

getting sauced

My Eva has been having some big emotions lately, especially when things don't go the way she thinks they should.   It is hard to be 6 and especially hard to be the oldest kiddo.  I know.

So Eva and I are in her room talking it out.  Working through a bad morning and trying to get the day back on track.  Theo and Helena were playing in the living room.  I could hear them.  A little giggle now and then, but no yelling or crying.  Things seemed to be going well.  

A little too well I guess.  Because then things were really, really quiet for way too long. 

I should have know things were going too well...

An entire, very full bottle of chocolate sauce.  It was everywhere.  The couch had puddles and the floor had footprints.  They were covered head to toe.  Helena's head had so much sauce that when Theo would put his hand on her head she would literally stick to him.

It took 4 bath towels to clean up the couch and floor.  I still keep finding sticky spots.

Good news, as Theo said, "Mommy we just taste so good!" as I was telling him to stop licking his sister.  And it make pulled Eva out of her bad mood, she laughed until she cried... eventually I did too.

painting

Helena paints...

and if you notice her paper is still blank, not a drop of paint on it.

stuffed

Helena brought another first parenting moment upon us... having something stuck in a body orifice.  It is amazing we made it to the third kiddo before it happened, really.  

It was really way up there - it looked like she had a growth near the bridge of her nose and at first I had no idea what it was.  How she managed to get it up that far, I can't even tell you - her fingers aren't that long.

I managed to get it out with Michael's direction.  A little mouth-to-mouth puffs of air while holding the other nostril shut - it popped right out.  A little black button.  As you can imagine, holding her down and making that happen was not the easiest or quietest thing in the world.  Little lady was furious, but really happy to see her shiny button again.  She was just as furious when I made it disappear into the trash.

footstool speech

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One of Helena's favorite past times is climbing anything she can.

She carries this little footstool around the house, tucked under one arm most of the time.

It gives her a height advantage and the boost she needs to get on top the kitchen counters or into drawers that hold all things helpful like scissors and permanent markers.

She thought I was coming to take away her beloved footstool, so she climbed on top of it and launched into a long speech, shaking her hands at me and pointing. 

I assume she was telling me just what she thought of my terrible idea 

and where exactly I could stick my opinion on her climbing...

I was quickly put back in line.

thief

She stole my lipstick.

Lipstain actually... her clothes are still soaking.

One Year

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

We can't believe your one year old little one.
These last 365 days have been amazing.
So much love to you little one.

10 months

Helena you are 5/6th the way to being a big one year old.

You are trying to walk.  Taking a few steps here and there and so proud of yourself.  I seriously can't stand how excited you get when you walk.  And then your big sister and big brother are there cheering you on... I melt.

Still pretty hairless and holding strong.  You make bald gorgeous.  You love food and really love fudges cycles... you can thank being the third kid on getting those chocolate treats this early in the game.

So far sleeping through the night is a no, but you are sleeping better since we splurged on a zipadeezip.  Never would have thought it would help this late in - but again I am humbled as a mother.  (And there has been no compensation - but I am sharing our luck.)

You are opinionated, loving and a spit fire.  Your hair that is almost showing is declaring you to be a redhead... and I would expect nothing less.  We love you to pieces Helena.

over half

Happy 1/2 birthday plus a few days week!

On your actual half birthday your daddy and I scooped you up at 9 pm and laughed about how we almost forgot.  It was a day full of being just us, nothing really extra or special.  Just that you are the sweetest six month old ever and we could eat your toes as an appetizer.  

You are tying so very hard to crawl, and as a result end up going backwards or face bashing in an attempt to propel your little body forwards.  You scoot, roll, inch and dive all over the place and I find you stuck under furniture frequently.  You can sit up but prefer to practice mobility so it isn't a practiced art yet.

We love you to Pluto and back... planet or not, it was always my favorite.

four and a half plus

Helena, you're actually almost 5 months old today.  

But, as a lot of things go with the third baby, I am a little behind.  At your appointment a few weeks a go, you were just a few ounces shy of 16 pounds and getting long at 25.5 inches.  I can't believe next month you will be six months old.  Talking about starting solids and trying foods with you seems just crazy.  I think you're going to be a lot like your sister and not be a huge fan of food for a while, but we will see.  

We have officially given up that you will ever take a bottle.  You don't cry anymore when we try, which is good I guess.  Instead, you give us a smirk and push it around in your mouth, bite it and chuckle.  It is like our stupidity and persistence amuse you.  Here is hoping that we can get you to at least take a sippy by the end of June.  There is a wedding that I have really looking forward to for a very long time... so pretty, pretty please.

You are still waking up once or twice through the night, but are back to sleep so easily it isn't a problem.  Naps are hit or miss around here.  Some days I get two really good naps and then other days you will take half a dozen 20 minute snoozes - most of them are with me holding you or in a carrier.  This would have stressed me out with your sister, but now I know that you'll eventually sleep without touching me continuously, so I am usually happy oblige.  

Your brother and sister think your the best, and you are starting to feel the same about them.  Hearing their voice causes you to start searching the room, looking for them.  You recognize your favorite people now and get so excited to see them.  Especially when your daddy gets home from work or your Poppy and Goggy visit.  You get so excited sometimes that you shake all over, kick and squeal.  The other morning you reached for me the first time - good stuff little one.

him and her

Showing her all about legos and cars.

one third

Helena Ann
 Yesterday you were four months old.

Miss Lena: your big brother's nickname has officially stuck.  He just can't/won't take time to say your whole name - he is a busy guy.

Wow! How blurry those first few months were.  I feel like we have rounded the corner and you are coming into your own.  With a big personality and big blue eyes, we have left behind the lumpy newborn-ness and became all roundness and cheeky smiles.

You are sleeping better and eating on a sorta schedule. As the queen of spit-ups, there are usually random spots where it sneaks out and splatters on the floor in every room.  Last night was the start of your first cold - not the greatest milestone.  The big ones are all coughy, feverish and yuck, but I had hoped to sneak you through it like we have all the other rounds this winter.  Not so lucky this time.

That big sister and big brother of yours love the heck out of ya.  They beg to hold, kiss, sing you songs and play with you.  At your first whimpers, they are yelling for me.  "Lena needs you mommy!" Eva loves to undress you - socks and long sleeves are usually the victims of her anti-clothing assaults.  Theo tried to pull/push/drag you up on the couch with them from the floor a few days ago.  They wanted you up with them to read stories.  You just looked at him while he worked on you.  No worries. He was trying so hard and I think you appreciated all his efforts.   I walked in on the scene just in time to be able to say - no damage done.

Our little Hellcat is also a nickname that is sticking.  (Sweet huh?) When you're really unhappy - you sound like a cat - more feral than tabby.  Yelling, hissing and growling at us.  It is so fast, loud and furious, then it will be over.  "Getting hellcatted" is being the lucky recipient of such a fit.   Full of spunk and fire you are little one.
 
We just had the amazing pleasure of hearing you laugh - a really good belly laugh. You had been handing out little chuckles here and there. Obviously you are not one to be easily amused.  It took your brother and grandpa to get at your funny bone.  It must be hidden deep.  You seem to be a little old soul.  Always watching and thinking - usually with your hands clasped.  Even though you can't form a strong set of syllables yet - let alone a series of words - I think you are going to be witty and wise.

Happy 1/3 Birthday sweet girl.
All our love.

2 months

Two months little one.  

And lots of new things are happening.  

You smile.  It is one of my favorite things right now - getting a gummy smile from you.  You recognize the voices and faces of the people you know and really prefer your daddy and sister Eva.  You seem to laugh, but so far it is a silent and sweet head bob with a huge grin.  No giggles yet, but I am sure they are coming.  You are cooing and chattering all the time.  It is the sweetest sound.


At your check-up today you weigh 10 lbs. 14 oz and are almost 23" tall.  Right on track and holding steady in those percentile curves.  You had to get some nasty shots.  Theo was there and after the first shot he started yelling "Stop it, stop it" (really thop it, thop it) at the nurse.  He was pretty mad and shaking his finger at her.  Then while I soothed you he came and patted your head, "It's okay Lena, it's okay. Shhh Shush Lena." You really smooth his edges little one. 

You still are refusing a bottle or a pacifier.  Trials have mostly ended up with blood curdling screams or you gagging and throwing up.  I am hopeful that you will change your mind so we keep trying.  You have been making a concerted effort to get your thumb in your mouth and I would rather that not be a battle we fight later... so we press on. 

You are hitting a little pattern with eating and sleeping.  Mostly eating every 2-3 hours during the day with a long stretch at night from about 10-3.  You will throw in a round or two of cluster feedings - eating every 30 minutes or so for a few hours.  We had few weeks where you were such an unhappy camper.  There were long bouts of crying and screaming.  A few days of reflux meds and you have been a much happier baby.

Here is one from a few weeks ago earlier in November... can't believe how much you have grown.

Seeing you grow and watching you become a part of our family has been amazing to me.   How things shift and make room, how hearts grow. Being a big sister again has made Eva so very motherly.  She loves to care for you and help me.  Becoming a big brother has been so great for Theo.  He is a pretty rough and tumble guy, but he slows down almost everytime he passes you just to say hello and maybe even kiss your head.

We love you Helena.

naps

Nap time is a group effort over here.

one month

One month old little one.

You are growing really well.  

Busting out of the newborn clothes and only swimming a little in the 0-3 month sizes.  

Trying to coo and surprised when it really makes a sound.

Nursing all the time, meals, snacks and just because.

Refusing all bottles and pacifiers - to the point of gagging and vomiting.

Tolerating the swing and loving being held.

Sleeping for a tiny bit longer stretches.

Being amused by your crazy sister and brother.

Seeking and demanding eye contact during all your wakeful times.

Showing a few smiles that light up the room.

We love you Helena.

big sis

Big sister and little sister - I can barely stand it.

Eva wanted a little sister so bad, and I am so glad that she got one.  

Seeing them together has been more than I could have imagined.  

18 days

18 days old Miss Helena.  Sometimes it seems strange to have you here... and then other times it really just fits.  You're a little firecracker.  One minute asleep and the next breath holding and screaming.  Eva adores you - you are her baby Helena.  Theodore likes to ignore you - unless he is asking, "Me hold it? Me hold it!?!"  They both worry and yell for me when you cry.  You are so well loved by them.

Today was my first morning and afternoon mostly alone.  Your daddy was a rockstar before he left for his first day back to work.  He had both big kids ready and dressed.  We have been really spoiled to have him off this long.  It has been amazing but back to reality, right?

We managed well today.  Took Eva to school and got her there on time.  We made a grocery store trip where I only forgot two things that we needed.  You ate in the store parking lot before we went in and again when we came out.  Cluster feeding has been your jam lately.  Thank goodness for the episode of Mickey on my phone.  It was my saving grace keeping Theo happy while you snacked away.

This afternoon your grandpa came for the big kids and it is just me and you tonight.  I imagine there will be a whole lot of feeding you.  Watching episodes of Gilmore Girls while I fold laundry.  Then more feeding you.  I spend a lot of time feeding you and changing you.  You Miss Helena are the queen of making huge messing in the middle of a diaper change.  I have been sprinkled on, sprayed  and other sorts of grossness more times with you than Eva and Theodore combined... in their entire lifetime.  

hello

Introducing...

Helena Ann

born September 28, 2014 at 3:36 p.m.

7 pounds 2 ounces  •  19 3/4 inches long

We are all so glad to finally meet our Deedle. We have been busy holding, snuggling, swaddling, kissing and baby head sniffing over here. This brand new family of five is settling in to a new rhythm.  We are enjoying lots of time together and soaking up these first few days of newborn goodness.

Welcome to the world Helena.