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.

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.

plane, bugs, holes and tantrums

Mr. Theo

There have been lots of big changes lately.  You are now talking up a storm.  Gone is the babbling and couple of words here and there.  You are speaking full sentences, repeating everything you hear and coming up with your own funny jokes.  Some favorite questions are "What?" and "Why?" - and an answer is expected and if you don't like the answer you just ask again. Along with that are some crazy tantrums.  Throw yourself on the floor, kicking and screaming tantrums.  You good at them.

Leaving your sister at preschool this past week was rough on you little man. Being the little guy and sitting out on things like preschool and soccer is so unfair, I know.  I have been making special trips to new parks during preschool time so that you get something just for you.  Even though I can tell you love all the one-on-one attention - you still ask "Where's sissy?" every 20 minutes or so.  You both are really glad to see each other at pick-up time and give big unprompted hugs... if you only knew what that does to this mommy's heart.

You favorites right now are planes, anything big with wheels, dirt, rocks, holes, water, bugs, and mud.  We are going thru 3-4 clothing changes a day around here.  I don't know how you manage it - but if there is a mess to find you are knee deep in it.  And if there is not a mess, there will be one soon.  You leave trails and evidence wherever you go... I have rocks in the car and mulch in the washer.    The acorn and dead bug in my purse made me giggle - and I think it graduated me to full on "mom of a little boy" status.  Thanks Mr. Theo.  Love your mama.

Four

Ms. Eva

Four years old.

You think you are turning five tomorrow.

Three has been a big year.

You like the number three.

Free suckers please, because I am free.

You don't have the "th" sound yet, and I hope it stays away awhile.

I am wondering if four will be the new magic number...

I know at least with suckers it will.

You're a clever one...

always thinking ahead and keeping us on our toes.

Your energetic and spirited.

You know your mind and are determined to follow through.

Some of these things make moments tough on the daughter-parent gig.

But remembering that these qualities are one that we would like you to have as an adult...

well that thought generally puts us in our place.

On top of all of this...

you're kind, loving and have a great big heart.

You have asked me (mom) to marry you a lot recently.

It was quite an honor to be asked...

more than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday Eva.