A Letter to Periwinkle at Nine Months

Dear Periwinkle,

You got to celebrate your nine month birthday at the beach, on vacation with us, Grandma and Grandpa, your aunt and uncle and little cousin. Not bad!

With Indigo, Grandpa, and Grandma

 We did a little photo shoot on the beach with Uncle B the day before, with you in your red sun hat. You weren't in the best of moods, but you still looked adorable.

A shot by Grandma during your "photo shoot"

We went to the aquarium in Mystic that week, too. We weren't sure how much you would get out of it, but you seemed very intrigued by the stingrays and the penguins. You weren't quite sure what to make of the sea lions or little fish, and were just done with the whole thing by the time we hit the belugas, but we will definitely take you again sometime as you get older. You were both very well behaved, which was great. Even when a torrential downpour started up just as we went outside!

 

Oooh, penguins!

I feel like most of your achievements this month happened during that one week at the beach. You got ridiculously good at pulling yourself up to standing. It now seems like one of your favorite things to do. You lean over to me and try to grab on to me so you can pull up. So far though you still need to be holding onto someone's hands for you to be successful. When you get to standing you grin, so proud of yourself. Sometimes you even take a half step or two. And sometimes you think you can let go of our hands and end up back on your bum. But you always try again. Keep trying, little lady!

Standing with Grandma

You popped your second tooth that week, too. That's right, you have TWO teeth now! And plenty of drool-covered cloths and empty boxes of tissues to prove it. You had some ornery days (surprise, surprise) but generally came through like a champ. We're lucky it didn't really affect your sleeping at night (thank goodness). Your brother took care of that for you.

A chilly last day at the beach

You're eating a lot of foods, including cut up strawberries, scrambled eggs, toast, Cheerios, pieces of meat from whatever we are eating, and the trusty standbys of sweet potatoes and yogurt. Oh, and broccoli!

Happy little broccoli trees

You got very good at crawling backwards to get where you wanted to go this past month, and now can go forward, but that technically happened after your nine month birthday so we'll save that for next month's letter. Your hair is getting longer and thicker, and possibly lighter, and your eyes are almost totally brown now. I enjoyed your baby blues while they lasted!

A little curl! Brown eyes! So grown up!

You are still chatty and smiley in the morning. It just makes my day to see you grinning at me like that. I keep talking to you and doing some baby sign language and hope that soon you will be able to communicate with us a little bit. You raise your arms up when I go to pick you up, which I love. If you are on your tummy and you know I'm going to pick you up you still lift your arms and raise your chest up high so I can grab you. I'm convinced you will be a rock star at Pilates.

You enjoyed the Fourth of July and managed to sleep through the fireworks, thank goodness. You've gone in the pool several times, in a little orange float we got you. You need to stop kicking your legs because you will propel yourself OUT of the float, and that scares me a little bit. But you definitely enjoy the water. At the beach you seemed to want to jump out of our arms to go into the waves, and you were okay with getting your feet wet. We have a little fish on our hands. I was a little fish too.

On July Fourth

Ready to go in the pool!

I love seeing all the ways you are like me and all the ways you are so different from me. You are such an awesome little girl and I love you beyond words. Happy nine months, baby girl!

Love,
Mama

On the ferry en route to Rhode Island. You weren't quite sure how you felt.

Twins Teething

I expected teething to be hell with two of them. Yet Periwinkle has popped one tooth and is well on her way to at least one more with little more than some runny poo and mild crankiness. She's still sleeping like a champ, smiley in the morning, and in general her normal self. She lulled us into thinking teething might be easy peasy.

Indigo is another story. The only reason I can see for his recent misery is that he's teething. He doesn't let you look in his mouth or feel around for too long so it's hard to tell, but there seem to be at least two coming. As a result, he enjoys screaming in his crib. His voice is hoarse from crying so much the last few nights. He even cried this morning when we put him back in his crib so we could get dressed for the day. If you hold him he's pretty happy (a little too happy at 3am). If he's playing he's pretty happy. But step near the crib and watch out! Two nights ago he was up from 3 to 4:30am. Last night he took until 10:30pm to really fall asleep (normal bedtime: 6:30pm). Needless to say, Blue and I are rather tired. Fingers crossed for better sleep for all of us tonight. Although Periwinkle has been sleeping through all the crying just fine, lucky girl.

And we're just hoping she doesn't get any ideas about upping the crankiness meter. In this case, misery does not need any company.

Last night before the crying began

Eight Month Doctor Visit

Yesterday we took the little boogers (literally - they both seem to have colds) to the pediatrician for their eight-month checkup. It was confirmed that Indigo just has a cold, no bronchiolitis, so that was a relief. He's sounded so pathetic for the past few days but seems to be improving on his own. Phew.

It was also confirmed that Periwinkle has a nice new tooth and probably a second soon to follow. Her runny nose could be a result of that, or a cold.

Periwinkle tries to eat the paper.

Both are growing right on their curves (doctors plot their stats on a curve each month to make sure the baby doesn't have a sudden abnormal drop or increase in weight or height that would indicate a problem). Indigo is now 18lb 5oz, is 28.5 inches long, and has a head circumference of 45cm (I actually remembered that one for once). He's up 1.5 inches and 1lb 7oz from his six-month visit. Periwinkle is 17lb 3 oz, up two pounds, is 26.25 inches long, up 1.25 inches, and has a 43.5cm head. She also showed off her new love of screaming and tensing up her arms, which is just a riot. Most of the time.

Before their appointment we took them to Applebee's. This was their first visit to a restaurant, something we've wanted to do for a while but just needed to get up the motivation. We knew it wouldn't be the relaxed visit it used to be with just the two of us. Surprisingly, they did great! Periwinkle kept looking around (of course), staring at other customers and throwing her crinkle book to the floor, to Blue's delight. Indigo was quite happy to bang his plastic keys on the table and attempt to grab at the utensils, the plates, the cups, or anything else that came within possible reach. They each sampled some of my potatoes and Blue's chicken, and Periwinkle decided to try the children's menu as an appetizer. They got a little bored toward the end and started fussing a bit, but luckily we'd paid the check and could pack them up and get them to the car (after dashing through rain for the third time that day). They were asleep almost immediately, since it was naptime.

Good times at Applebee's

They ended up with an early bedtime of 6pm, because that nap got interrupted by the doctor's visit. But during the witching hour before bedtime, in an attempt to calm Periwinkle, I took her outside and fed her some blackberries from the garden. Man, did she love those! She looked like she'd eaten an animal or something, she was so covered in red juices. It's such a nice feeling being able to feed them from things I've grown myself (not that I've done much other than plant the thing). Nice, natural fruit. I've been blending the berries into yogurt, which they've been enjoying the past few days. I also froze some of that berry/yogurt mixture into popsicles. Good times all around this summer!

They also got baptized on Sunday, but that's a whole other post!

A Letter to Periwinkle at Eight Months

Dear Periwinkle,

You have a tooth! It's just barely peeking out of your gums, but it is there! We knew it was coming for about a week, as that area of your gums was definitely getting harder, but it was just so exciting to finally SEE it. A tooth! My little baby girl has a tooth, with more soon to follow. Insane. How are we at eight months already? How are you teething and getting on all fours and nearly crawling? Aren't you still my helpless little preemie? I know you will still need me for quite a while, but still, that tooth seems like such a big step as you continue to develop into your own independent person. And once you can crawl and then walk it will be harder to dictate where you go. You'll be expressing your opinions and throwing tantrums and laughing and growing into a little girl. But I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself. It is just your first tooth.

We are going to have to lower your crib sooner rather than later, as you've started rocking on all fours in your crib. It's not such a big step to grab onto the rail and pull yourself up. And then we'd be in trouble. I should know. Your uncle used to tell me how to climb out of my crib when I was a baby. We gals are trouble.

This month you've definitely been asserting yourself. You shout at your brother to get his attention. You shout hello when I pick you up at daycare. You shout at the cats in excitement to try to get them to play with you (hint: yelling at them will not work. Trust me.). You shout when I put your new hat on you. You shout when you wake up in the morning. You just really like to shout when you are excited. It's adorable, but kind of loud. Try to tone it down a bit. Work on a squeal or a giggle, perhaps.

You still don't nap that great during the day at daycare. We're lucky to get two hours of napping out of you. But, unlike your brother, bad napping doesn't seem to affect your nightsleep, because you are usually the first to fall asleep, usually within minutes of being put down. One day last weekend you did nap the full 3.5 hours, and you took forever to fall asleep. So maybe you are just a two-hour kind of napper.

On Sunday you were super ornery (probably because of that tooth coming in) so I took you and your brother out for a walk, despite the heat. We don't use the infant carriers for walks anymore. You can sit up in the stroller like a big girl. We slathered you with sunscreen and put your new hat on you and you were just so happy. Perhaps you love being outside as much as your brother does! However, you did NOT like it when I walked through a sprinkler. There was no avoiding it. I think it shocked you so you started to cry. I managed to convince you it felt good (it felt GREAT!) on such a hot day. I can't wait to bring you into the pool. I need to buy a bathing suit first...

This weekend is your baptism and I hope the water isn't an issue for you then. Of course, people will just think it's cute if you start to cry, so don't sweat it too much.

Love you, little girl,
Mama

A Letter to Indigo at Eight Months

Dear Indigo,

Today you are eight months old. It simply amazes me the changes that take place in you on a monthly, even weekly, basis. Sometimes I look at you and I see more little boy than little baby in you. And then I pick you up and you snuggle into me and I realize you'll always be my little baby. You are my snuggle bug. And you are growing fast.

I looked at your car seat manual, and I realized that within a few weeks, you'll have outgrown your infant car seat, by height, not weight. It's time for Daddy and I to start shopping around and figuring out how to get you in and out of daycare until you learn how to walk. I'm hoping I can find a stroller that can fit in my little car trunk, so that you can go in that while I carry your sister in the Ergo. We'll see how that goes. I love picking you up at daycare, seeing those smiles when you realize I'm there, hearing your excited noises as you wait for me to lift you up and hug you. So I'll find a way to make this work.

This month you became a master at rolling over. I'll glance away and when I look back you are halfway across the room, a little speed demon. We need to start babyproofing, pronto. We got rid of the coffee table, as it wasn't terribly sturdy, and now you have the whole living room to roll around on. We just pile all your little toys onto the big blue blanket that we like to pretend contains you two, and let you both at them. Sometimes I'm reminded of Scrooge McDuck rolling around in his money the way you sometimes just roll right over your toys, hard plastic blocks and soft rattles both.

When we lift you up you straighten your legs out, finally, so that you can stand for a little while with our support. For the longest time you either would keep your legs curled up or collapse immediately when we put your weight onto your legs. But you've been strengthening them in the bounceroo, which we have to adjust soon because you are just getting so darned tall! It's such a joy to watch you bouncing in that thing, because it's so evident that it brings you so much joy.

You're starting to fight back against your sister, not caving when she grabs for a toy you have. You sometimes even just roll away with it. You also like to pull her hair and ears. Try to be gentle.

When we put you on the changing table you often roll to your side, grabbing at whatever bib or burp cloth is on it. Soon we'll have to change you on the floor. Speaking of grabbing bibs, your favorite thing to chew on these days is anything cloth. Bibs, burp cloths, blankets, soft toys, Mama's shirt, you name it, you want to chew on it. I'm thinking it might have something to do with teething. All I know is it cracks me up when I see you grabbing at a bib and two burp cloths at the same time and trying to gnaw on them all. You're a hoarder!

This weekend is your baptism, and I'm hoping you don't freak out. It's not at the best time of day (naptime) and you probably won't enjoy the water too much. But so many people are coming to tell you they love you and it should be a fun day. I'm afraid to try your outfit on you because you have gotten so tall lately. We'll just hope for the best.

In July we have lots of fun stuff going on, and I'm so excited for it all. July 4th, BBQs, and a week at the beach should all be such great new experiences for you and your sister. I can't wait!

  

I love you, little man,

Mama

At a Loss

Since probably last Wednesday, Indigo has been a real PITA at bedtime. We do the usual routine: bottle at 7:30, PJs, diaper change, into the sleep sacks, a bit of swaying and singing, then "goodnight."

Minutes later he's crying at the top of his lungs. We give him a few minutes but he doesn't calm down. One of us goes up to pat him, give him back his paci, try to get him to fall asleep. Sometimes we leave the room with him asleep. Ten minutes later, he's awake and crying again. Rinse and repeat.

"Your turn!" has become an all-too-familiar refrain in our house.

One evening, I picked him up during probably his fifth crying fit and he just collapsed against me and was asleep in an instant (which I admit I totally loved). I held him for a few minutes then put him down. Not a minute later, crying.

How could I NOT pick him up when he looks this upset? That lower lip quiver gets me every time.

It all usually stops at 10:30pm, give or take a few minutes.

Blue wants to just  cave (I don't blame him) and not even put them to bed until then, except that then they'd just be napping downstairs because they ARE tired, and Periwinkle usually goes to bed fine unless her naps were horrendous (or like yesterday when she took a four-hour nap at daycare--way too long). I don't want to mess up the progress we've made with her or give up on the healthier early bedtime.

I've heard suggestions ranging from "He's teething, so wait it out" to "Try an earlier bedtime, he might be too overtired by 8pm to go to sleep easily." He does have his hands in his mouth all the time these days, but teething rings don't really seem to help him. Plus he naps fine. Although, he has been more cranky since about the same time last week, so this could be the reasoning behind it. He's had crying fits during the day when he usually pretty much NEVER cries. And maybe at night he knows he won't be getting comforted all night so he cries. Maybe he just misses us during the week because he spends most of his time at daycare so he wants to be held by us (rip my heart out, kiddo).

It was working. We had a good thing going. What the hell happened in the past week?

The good news is that once finally asleep (which often involves him sleeping for 20 minutes, giving one last cry, then falling back to sleep for good) he sleeps all night. We haven't had a real nightwaking or feeding since Saturday, March 23. So that's been awesome.

Suggestions welcome.

Teething Already?

As insane as this sounds, I think Periwinkle might be teething already. 

Today she has been super cranky and drooling a lot, and, as she was in my lap crying in full force, I noticed a white spot on her upper right gums. I thought maybe it was formula but I touched it and it did not go away and she started crying harder. Poor kiddo. 

Not Periwinkle, but pretty much what she's looked like most of the day.

I called my mother (of course) and she suggested a cold cloth held on her gums. Periwinkle started sucking on it so I'm not sure if I actually hit the right spot, and then she kept crying. But when I offered her chuchetto (pacifier) she started sucking on that like crazy again and quieted down. She's now quietly swaddled in the pack n play, so hopefully she's feeling better. 

We'll keep an eye on the white spot to see if it sticks around or what. Google leads me to believe three months would be the earliest teething would occur, which, given she's a preemie, would mean she has two months until she should be starting, but who knows? Babies are born with teeth so I guess they could start popping through at any time. 

It figures that I notice this white spot the day after her doctor's appointment...