Month 3

Dear Claire,

Today you are three months old. This month went by lightning fast. I am now back at work, and you spend your days with your Abuelita and your sister. It amazes me that you have only been with us for three months, and yet it seems as if you have been here all along.

Every day you do something new. You bat at toys, smile at lights, and are just beginning to laugh. You're the ultimate morning person, laughing and smiling within moments of waking up. As if to say, Here I am! Come and pick me up!

You suck on your fingers all the time, and I think you would fit your whole hand into your mouth if you knew how.

You are a big girl, and are nearly grown out of your 3 month clothes. I have to go up in the attic to find Sophie's 6 month clothes to add to the clothes we've bought for you to wear so that I don't have to do laundry all the time.

It's getting warmer, which is great because you absolutely hate being put into winter gear. Coats and hats you can do without. You now tolerate taking a bath, and don't cry the entire time anymore. Sophie and I give you a bath, she helps by getting you towels and washcloths and other things. Everyone who knows you loves you so very much.

Love,

Mama

Sitting pretty.

Angry Birds.

Sophie from the Block.

Watch out. She has bling.

Sk8r gurl.

So you think you can dance?

Sophie likes Naima on American Idol.

Chubby cheeks. NOM NOM NOM.

Needs a large medallion that looks like a clock.

And she'd totally be Flava Flav. (I feel a Halloween costume coming on.)

Rain Man is back with Little Miss Sunshine

On Sunday Sophie refused to take her sunglasses off.

We had a torrential rainstorm all day.

Go, baby, go!

All right, Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my close-up.

Claire has a friend.

She saves all her smiles for the ceiling fan.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Month 2

Dear Claire,

Today you are two months old. You are my little cuddle bug, wanting to be held all the time and snuggling your face into the crook of my neck. All of the shoulders on my sweaters have marks where you've mouthed on them. You still sleep in the little bassinet next to my bed, but when you wake in the night I pull you into bed with me for some snuggle time.

You still sleep with your mouth open, and you still have the little rattle in your chest from when you were born. The hole in your belly button has completely healed, and you are solidly wearing 3 month clothes.

You still don't like the carseat. Maybe it's all the poking. Sorry about that, but one day you'll be able to poke back.

You are such a beautiful baby, and it seems like every day you get more beautiful. Your hair is a medium brown as it grows in, not dark brown like we thought it was when you were born. And those eyelashes! The boys are going to be in some serious trouble.

You are very interactive, always looking around and watching everything. It takes a lot of work to get you to smile, and I haven't really been able to catch it on camera yet. But it's a wonderful smile, complete with dimples. You love to watch the ceiling fan in my room, and the sun light in the room you're going to share with your sister when you get a little older.

You like to be sitting up, that lets you watch things and interact with your environment more. You like things that are brightly colored, and watch your sister's cartoon with her.

We all love you so very much, and having you in our lives makes this world a better place to be.

Love,

Mama

13 pounds, 2 ounces, 23 3/4 inches

Somebody's watching me, tell me is it just a dream

Knitting in my spare time.

Smiling with the fishies

Well she was, I swear.

The crew.

Sophie-isms

"Mary had a little man, whose face was white as snow."

"Can I have a drink of your bear?" "No, beer is for grown-ups." "Let me smell it then."

"Where are we going?" "Home." "How 'bout we go to a party?"

"Soup it!" (Properly said 'chupe', to lick your fingers.)

"Baby soup." (Bathing suit.)

"You need some help? I help you..." put your shoes on, tie your shoes, walk down the stairs, make dinner, change your pants, take a shower, etc. etc. etc.

"I need to bump the salad." (She is an expert at the salad spinner.)

"Chuck-E-Cheese is closed."

Words she says in Spanish no matter what the rest of the sentence is in:
chupete (pacifier), as in, "Claire needs her chupete."
aqui (here)
leche (milk)
agua (water)

We've started her calling adults "Miss Beth", etc., and she calls her doctor "Miss Doctor".

I'm sure there are more, I just can't think of any right now.

Twinkle toes.