Walking

Here is Maddy dressed for a late night walk. I told Mike this is what she would look like if she wasn't born with all her hair! The last photo is of her passed out after the walk, normally she falls asleep during the walk (in her carrier...see a theme? This girl does not want to be out down!), but this time she stayed awake the whole time, and kept her head up while looking at everything we passed. She is so alert, and seems to be able to see pretty far distances now. 

When Maddy is really tired, she sleeps with her arms and legs spread out similar to this last photo, no need to swaddle then!

Peek a Boo

Last night, Mike was changing Maddy in her nursery and I hear, "Amanda, come quick and bring the camera!" I found Maddy smiling big at her daddy while playing peek a boo :) Her smiles are the best, but so hard to catch on camera.

She has started to show signs of laughing in her sleep. She'll get a big smile on her face and then her belly will bounce in and out, but no sound yet. Whatever she is dreaming about must be funny!

Two Month Check Up

On Monday (7/20/09), we took Maddy for her 2 month check up. We got some cute pictures of her playing with the baby in the mirror while waiting for the doctor to come in. 

The pediatrician said Madeline is doing excellent, and in the 90th percentile for height for babies her age, she is going to be tall girl! She was having some diaper content color issues (trying not to gross you out!), which she told us is an indication of an allergy to milk, so now I have to avoid milk...which I actually love, so a big bummer. I have cut out milk since then and her bowels are back to baby poo yellow. Everything looked good.

  Two Months:

• 12 pounds 5 ounces
•  24 inches long
• Healthy!
  

Visiting & Beach Walk

Last Sunday, Maddy and I went to visit my good friend Melissa and then to visit her Grandma and Grandpa Clay and Auntie Laurel, Uncle Josh and her cousin Bella. Maddy passed out on her grandma, while Bella was passed out on her mommy. See a similarity in how these girls sleep best?

Laurel, Bella, Maddy and I did a nice walk on the pedestrian path alongside busy Redondo Beach on Wednesday. Bella rode nicely in her car seat on her snap-n-go stroller, but Maddy would have none of the stroller business. I had to wear her in her Ergo Sport carrier, while pushing her stroller empty! People who were passing us from the opposite direction kept looking back to see if their was a 3rd baby in my stroller! Although I brought along my camera, my hands were a little full and didn't get any photos :(

From Home to Car and Back

For those who don't know, we live in a condo, on the second floor of our building. This leaves us climbing stairs every time we leave or come home (no elevator). This makes carrying  Maddy in her car seat to and from the car a big chore, so we leave the carseat in the car! If we are carrying in groceries or other things I put Maddy in one of her carriers (oh so handy!), which leaves my hands free for the lighter items. 

These are pictures of Daddy carrying Maddy from home to the car on one of our latest outings! (Pictures are in the reverse order I meant for them to be in, so look at them from bottom up!)

Holding

One of Maddy's newest skills is holding onto things, grasping them. We place the things in her hands and then she will hold on, until she flings it out. These little ring toys are great for practicing. She can also hold onto a finger or any other item small enough for her long fingers to wrap around.

Two Months Old

Today  (7/24/09) Madeline turns 2 months old! There are times I look at her and still can't believe I am a mom, her mommy! I love every minute of it!

Two months finds Maddy doing the following things (some may be repeated from 1st month):

• smiles (now in response to people, especially in the morning when she wakes up)
• coos more and louder (there is one that sounds like she is saying "Hi", my mom and sister even heard it and said so)
• can hold her head up for a long time (she held it up for an entire 30 minute walk last night)
• prefers to ride in a carrier rather than in her car seat or stroller (my favorite carriers so far are a borrowed ring sling, Baby Hawk mei tai, and a Ergo Sport for long walks)
• can go up to 4 hours maximum between feedings, but averages about 2 hours
• feeds about 2 times in the middle of the night
• feedings are a little quicker now
• bats at things with her hands (on purpose now)
• kicks feet more
• her movements are more controlled
• when on a flat surface on her tummy, she will push herself forward with her legs, or when propped up on her tummy time pillow (u-shaped), will push herself over it
• doesn't like to have her feet covered with a sheet or blanket (unless swaddled)
• can bring her hands together and interlock her fingers
• grabs/holds small items and fingers (mostly needs to be placed in her hand)
• her sleep schedule is getting  little more regular, I can't wait for normal naps
• still sleeps in bed with us (she is getting the boot as soon as she is big enough to not need to eat as much in the middle of the night!)
• will nap in her crib for a couple hours (not always, she needs to be very tired)
• looks around more, she loves lights (especially neon beer signs at restaurants)
• can track with her eyes
• can turn her head toward a sound
• we found out she has a milk allergy
• stays awake longer between naps 
• LOVES baths still
• she is not one of those babies that falls asleep during a car ride, it has happened, but not often, mostly she cries
• wears 0-3 month clothes , size 1 diapers
• likes toys that play music (her Elmo that plays the tune to "You Are My Sunshine" seems to be a favorite)
• welcomed a new cousin to the family (Bella!)

We have mastered the art of going out anywhere with her now, if it is somewhere we will be walking around, like shopping, we wear her in a carrier, if it is a restaurant we bring the car seat. For quick meals out I wear her in a sling, so she can be a little off to the side and I can still eat. I haven't left her with anyone yet (even Mike), she was eating so frequently that I couldn't pump, but hopefully that is changing now. I go back to work part time on September 9th, so I need to get myself used to being away from her, I know she'll do fine with Grandma Jane when I am at work. 

We love you more and more everyday Madeline Mae!

(Picture Finally Added!)