Knuffle Bunny And Me

Theo does my Baby and Me Workout video with Knuffle Bunny.




Watch him kiss his "baby" every time he goes down, as the instructor does.

Firsts

Melody's first laugh-- August 19th. It happened the same way Theo's first laugh did, and at around the same age! Joe takes the baby's hands and knocks them against his cheeks and makes a funny sound...it's a laugh-inducing machine!

August 25th-- Melody rolled over on to her left side for the first time--just in time for the democratic convention.

Theo's Birthdays

Theo has really blossomed these past weeks. A breakthrough may be a bit extreme, but suffice it to say, a lot of exciting things have been happening. For one, the last few times at the playground, I've seen him really approaching other kids, talking to them, interacting with them, and breaking his own routine to do so. Yesterday, a kid was hanging upside down, and Theo went up to him and said "why you upside down?" His big question to everyone is "why're you doing?"

We were so delighted by his birthday party at the playground this year. This was the first year he really hung out with us at his party and didn't run off to the playground every chance he got.

Theo was so patient waiting for us to start lighting the candles!

And these are the grownups! We had lots of kids, too!

The pinata was a big hit. Sorry--a mom joke, I know.

Theo loved his remote control car.

Here are the rest of the photos from the party. CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS!

On the day of his actual birthday, we had a party for him at school. Last year this didn't go so well. Inexplicably, he cried through most of it. But this year, from the second we showed up at class, he was thrilled! His teacher loved watching Theo interact with Melody. He went up and gave the baby an unsolicited kiss, and Lavern could tell he was crazy about her.



Theo danced, read stories, and led the class in their goodbye song. At the end, he invited each kid up to give them a couple of toy cars that we brought.

Wanna see more pics of Theo's birthday party at school, and our trip to Central Park after?
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS!


Here's a video of Theo and daddy rowing the boat. We sang a round of "Row, Row, Row your boat" and of course sang "Melody, Melody, Melody, Melody, life is but a dream!"

Watching on as Theo plays.

Here We Go!

Don't worry, I'm not inflicting ignored older child syndrome on Theo. Yes, he turned 5 and I wrote nothing, and Melody turned 2 months and I wrote something. But that' s only because I had less to say with her. Yes, she's cute, she's growing, blah blah. With Theo there's so much to say and I needed time. Cross your fingers for me that now's the time. Theo's amusing himself jumping on my bed and Melody's sleeping.

I should also note that I've beeing keeping up on Theo via tons of posted photos on Facebook. Most of you readers are Facebook friends, but for the ones who aren't (old people! *cough cough*) I'll post links. :)

So. I was so paranoid about Theo not being the ignored child that we celebrated his birthday at least four times. A birthday party for friends and family, a birthday party at school, Rowboating in Central Park, and then a hot air balloon ride. I will expand on all those things right now, even though I am hearing a pestering "can we go ouuuuuuuuuut" in my ear.

And Maybe Not

I just sat down to catch up on all this stuff I have to talk about and the kids are both waking at the same time. Grrrr!

Theo's Last Day at Birch

Well, this is it. My big boy's last day of preschool. I have so much to catch up on here regarding my frog. I didn't write his birthday post yet because again, there's just so much to say. But he turned 5 on August 6th. This has still got me reeling! Melody is crying...more later.

Happy 2 Months, Melody!

Aunt Pia's photo from her visit.

Melody continues to be magical!

Right now, as I type, I'm listening to the baby coo at her mobile. She's having a very lively conversation with the horse and the cow.

Melody is 11 lbs 3 oz. and 22.5 inches. The doc gave her a glowing report! She was smitten with Melody, who stared her down, smiling, with her still blue eyes. She had her first shots, with a delayed reaction. She didn't cry until a few seconds after! Like baby Theo, she peed all over the table, and like baby Theo, she has cradle cap. The doc suggested olive oil. I asked if I should use extra virgin, and she cracked up and said yes. I was too embarrassed to ask whether she was serious, so now I have to look it up. :)

Melody started really smiling at about 7 weeks. We can finally play with her now! She likes butterfly kisses, baths, colorful rattles, silly songs, and belly tickles.

Up until recently we wondered why she didn't make eye contact, but now she has more than made up for that. She stares at everyone new, and is finally looking at mom, dad, and bro!

She's getting to be a chubster in her belly, thighs, and cheeks! Daddy gives her a small bottle of formula a day, but other than that, it's happening off of mommy milk, which makes me very proud.

I'm no longer bragging that she barely cries. Man, does she love to exercise those vocal chords!
As for sleep, in the daytime, she only sleeps if we're out, and she's in the carrier or stroller. She's got to be in motion. At home, if we put her down, she wakes up pretty instantly. At night, she has an initial 5-7 hour stretch, and then is up every hour. Yikes! Mom and dad are tired, suffice it to say. Luckily, big brother sleeps through it all.

Melody still looks like daddy, but watch out! Her hair is getting lighter and lighter!