Leah at Three Months

Leah didn't have a three month checkup so I'm going to guesstimate her stats. She weighs about 14 lbs and is probably 24 1/2 inches. She's almost outgrown her 3-6 month clothing and I've already moved her into some 6 to 9 month clothing where she fits comfortably. We switched her over to size 2 diapers from 1-2 diapers yesterday.

Leah has hit some major milestones in just the last couple of days. She started pushing herself along the ground when she is on her stomach. She can move a couple of inches at a time, but she tires quickly. Her legs are very strong and she can stand by herself as long as you have a fingers for her to balance on. She can sit up briefly, but again her balance is not so good. She has rolled over from her back to stomach in my bed.

Emotionally she is still an exceptionally happy baby. She loves to talk. She coos forever and when there is a break we can ask her a question and then she'll continue talking to you again. She loves to watch her brothers, recognizes them, and smiles when they come into her view. Her alertness means that Avery and Zachary love to interact with her now. There is so much gratification from getting a baby to smile at you. She loves songs and being bounced; we can always get a giggle out of her from doing the "Ladies Ride" song.

Zachary Turns Three

We had two birthday parties for Zachary. On Saturday we had the family over. Brian and Maggie couldn't make it because the girls were sick, but everyone else was able to come and celebrate.

On Sunday we went to Chuck E Cheese and met up with some close friends for Zach's actual birthday. I planned this party in a week, so it was fairly small. It was nice not to have to worry about cleaning the house again. Jill made a very cool cake inspired by the They Might Be Giants album "Here Come the ABCs". Zachary loves their kid-centric music and one of his gifts was their new album "Here Come the 123s". I think I already know all the new songs by heart, and fortunately that's a good thing, not a complaint. The songs are very catchy and fun to listen to and sing.

Going through a Rough Phase

As the boys realize I have less time to pay attention to them, they have been starting to act out a little more. It has been trying and tiring. Two days ago Zachary threw a tantrum for a half hour because I wouldn't give him a treat until he ate his lunch. I was getting ready to pick up Avery, so all I could do was bundle him into the car, where he continued to scream and fuss.

When I started driving down the driveway, he stopped and announced, "I change my mind, I'll eat my sandwich." Oops... too little, too late. That set him off again, and he screamed in the car until he fell asleep. Then when we got back, Avery had a tantrum when I said he couldn't play on the computer. He cried and screamed for an hour and then for another half hour or so when Eli got home.

Yesterday, I put Avery in a time out and when he got out I asked him why he was in time out. He said "Because I was being obnoxious." I think Eli's vocabulary is rubbing off on him :) We are working through these issues, but it is exhausting. Warm weather will be nice so I can get these guys outside to use up some energy.

Leah is my bright spot, my darling princess. She is such a calm and happy baby; I can sit her in the swing or lay her on her play mat for 15 minutes at a time with no trouble. She likes to stare at a black and white spotted cow my cousin Beth gave her. She smiles and coos at it, and I like to think that she is talking to it. The other day she even giggled for the first time as I was taking her out of the bathtub.

Leah's Stats at Eight Weeks

Leah went to her eight week checkup today. She got 4 shots and 1 oral vaccination. She did not like the shots and she screamed a lot more than I remember the boys crying. If it isn't obvious from all the photos, she is still doing well, growing and developing right on schedule.

Her latest stats:
Weight 11 lbs; 50%
Height 22 3/4 inches; 75%

Kid Comparison: One Month Old

Kid Comparison: First Bath

There is no denying that our kids have a certain... visual similarity. Here are photos of each one taken during their first bath.

All My Children

Leah slept for seven straight hours last Thursday night, and for five straight hours the other night, but has not duplicated either feat since. I would be happy to settle for anything more than four hours with any kind of regularity.

On Friday, Avery decided he was going to make the cat beautiful. He painted Nutmeg with purple glitter. She had it all over her from head to tail and is still tearing fur off to get rid of the glitter, poor thing.

On Monday, when Zachary and I were going to pick Avery up from school, Zach heard a commercial for Snowshoe, West Virginia on the radio. He said to me, "Grandma and Grandpa live in West-Ginia." My bright boy isn't even three yet, but he is certainly paying attention to what he hears around him.