Ellie at 10 Weeks

10 weeks old! And getting pretty good at holding that head up. We got her a Bumbo seat, which she seems to enjoy. She gets tired pretty quickly and she begins to list to one side or the other, but she does love sitting up on her own.

We had our 2-month checkup and the pediatrician said she looked beautiful. That is perhaps my interpretation of what she said, but she did say that all was well. Ellie continues to hold steady at 25th percentile for height and weight. We are little people, we Sizemore-Tuckers. But her fat rolls are ever increasing, and she's got a lot of very cute dimples. She also got her first set of shots at the doctor. She only cried for about 30 seconds, which we thought was pretty impressive. It is funny how there is a slight pause after the needle goes in, then her face screws up and out comes a mighty scream. It also happens if you accidentally bonk her head on the screen door on your way out the door, or if you knock her head against a shelf, or if you nick her finger while trimming her nails. All of which I have done this week. Oy.

Our trip to Mom and Dad's was quite a success. She slept almost the entire way (both ways) in the car and she slept just as well at night as she does at home. This little girl may have inherited her mother's love of sleep. We had a great time hanging out in Williamsburg, showed her W&M and DOG Street. Had a picnic of Cheese Shop sandwiches with Justin and Hannah. Went to Suzanne's for a play date with Matthew. Her first play date! She was pretty intrigued by Matthew, as if to say "hey, another little person...I'm not the only little person!"

Developmentally, holding the head up is probably the thing she's working on most right now. Still not a big fan of tummy time, but she's getting better. Not grasping things yet, though if you place something in that vice grip of hers, she will hold on to it for a little while. Don't think she really realizes what she's doing though.

She is also "talking" a lot more. Matt is particularly good at getting her to talk. He holds her on his knee, and mimics the "hoo" and "ha" sounds that she makes. She loves this, and responds back at him with more of the same. And she really is responding to him, as if they are having a conversation. The first time it happened, we both teared up. It was awesome.

What are you looking at?

Morning at Grandma and Grandpa's house, sitting up in the Boppy

Sweet smile waking up from a nap

Pretty spring day, not sure why the furrowed brow

Well, hello!

Matt's suggested caption for this photo was "Someone left a baby out on the lawn." We had a beautiful 75 degree day. Ellie and I had a nap in the backyard.

Caught a sweet laughing smile!

She looks so much like Matt in this picture.

Matt sent me this picture on my first day back at work. Sleeping peacefully while in Daddy's care.

My two sweet babies

Ellie at 8 weeks

This week our little girl is more and more interested in the world around her. She wakes up with wide eyes and now prefers to be held facing out or sitting up so that she can see what's going on around her. She's smiling and laughing more and more, and her repertoire of coos and little shrieks is impressive. My mom bought her a play mat with dangling toys and a piano that she can kick with her feet. I'm not sure she realizes at all where the piano sounds are coming from, but she loves to kick it. Her fussy times seem to have decreased, or maybe we've just learned better how to respond to them. She still gets tired in the evening, but nursing or her pacifier generally keep her pretty happy.

Her hands are hilarious. When she's awake and alert, she generally still has her fists clenched tight. She hasn't started grasping things yet, though she'll sometimes accidentally bat one of her toys or yank my hair. When she's sleepy, her hands are wide open and she waves them about as if she were conducting an orchestra. Sometimes it looks like she's trying to do the Thriller dance. Occasionally she'll stare at her hands or feet for a few minutes, as if she's rather amazed at them and is slowly realizing that these things are attached to her.

She's still sleeping great, and we've started trying to transition her from swing to crib. Last night I put her to sleep in the little cradle attached to the pack n play, which is shaped like her swing but is stationary. She slept like a champ! Which is good news as I am taking her to Williamsburg this weekend to visit my folks, and I was not looking forward to lugging that swing along. Hopefully she'll sleep well the rest of the week in her pack n play, and we'll be all set for the weekend.

Her hair has never fallen out as I was half expecting, but just keeps getting longer. She now has a bit of a mullet going on, so I may see if we can trim it up a bit in the back. Her eyes don't seem to have changed too much either, and still look blue-gray in the light and more hazel when it's darker.

We've had some great walks this week, and Abby has now gotten used to the stroller. She'll trot alongside us pretty well, and only tries to bolt if a squirrel or another dog gets too close. The dogs have been so great with Ellie. They've been very respectful and always back off if we ask them to. But they're also curious about her and will lick her anytime she's within their reach. I can't wait until Ellie is old enough to play with them both. I think Scout will tolerate it and act the guardian while Abby will love it and play with gusto.

This is my last full week of maternity leave, though I'll have three more weeks of just part-time. It will be a tough transition, and I am in a bit of denial about it. But it's also kind of exciting, as it will mean new experiences for both of us. As much as I have loved being home with her, I miss work and I'll be glad to return to a more fixed routine.

All three of us are oh so ready for spring, and can't wait for warm weather and working in the garden and lazy days in the hammock. It must be right around the corner...

Tummy time! Not her favorite, and she gets frustrated pretty quickly. But she can lift her head and move it from side to side, so hopefully she'll enjoy it more soon as her neck muscles get stronger.

We went to Greensboro to have lunch with Jennie. Elle had a nap with Webby.

Obligatory naked photo. Look at that fat belly! She looks like she'd really like to sock somebody.

On top of Daddy is still absolutely the best place to nap.

Bonjour!

Back from a walk, stretching after coming out of the stroller.

Mom got her this great little pilot's cap which stays on the best of any of her hats. And I love that she looks like a little Amelia Earhart, tightening the strap on her cap and ready to take off.

Happy girl playing her piano!