Fresh from a Nap

Around the time Jane turned four months old, we hit rock bottom with sleeping. We had spent the first three months moving from a co-sleeper to a travel bassinet on our bed...I managed this in our bedroom while Matt and Luke slept together in the guest bedroom. We wanted to Luke to feel as tended to as Jane and I wanted the boys to actually get the sleep they needed for school/work. Jane was a horrible sleeper and I rarely got more than 1-2 hours of sleep at a time. I watched a lot of reality TV and took lots of naps during the day. The naps really saved my life.

Anyway, as we neared the end of my maternity leave, it was time for Jane to move into her own room so I could get some sleep. She just would not sleep in her crib...so she slept in the vibrating bouncer/rocker. She actually slept quite well for the month that we did that! But we just couldn't get over the fact that she was literally vibrating for 10-12 hours a night. Just didn't seem right.

Around month 4, with our nanny's help, we moved her to the crib and went back to 1-2 hour wakings and REALLY tough work days for mommy. No naps = zombie mommy at work. Then, we had a big a-ha moment. OK, the nanny had an a-ha moment. She swaddled her one day and Jane slept for 2-3 hours. Consistently. And then it worked at night and she began going down faster and sleeping for 6 hours at a time. It took us four months to figure out the swaddle. Yep, about the time that she shouldn't be swaddled anymore. Oh, well.

This is what a well rested Jane looks like. Heaven.

Red Roller

Just a little workout after the nanny left and before we pick Luke up from school. At least someone is working out...

New Bouncer

Jane is SO strong! She's been pulling herself to standing when we hold her hands since she was 3 months old (maybe even before), she kicks like crazy when laying on her back, and she grabs EVERYTHING. Her grip is astounding. Grandma Jane said that the other day, when she was spending the day with them while mommy worked (which she's done 1-2 times per week since she was 3 months old), she put her down to nap - instead of napping, she kicked and played for 20 mins or so. In fact, she kicked so hard and so repeatedly that she knocked off a number of blankets that were draped over the railings - crib-quake!

In response, I bought her this fancy jumper to replace the old exersaucer that Luke and Aiden played in prior - she deserved a new one! This was her first look at the goods. Feet didn't actually touch the floor so we had to build a platform of blankets. She didn't really jump, but she loved the little toys on the tray.

Love that concentration face...

Flutter sleeves

Trying to document some of these cutie-pie outfits before she busts out of them. Jane is always game for picture time...pretty sure all I said was "jane!" and I got this exuberant smile.

Swing 'n play

The little lady loves her swing. I put this tray on to mix it up for her, but she's not a big fan. Her smile says otherwise, but when does Jane not smile???

Weekend in a Log Cabin

For the past three or so years, we've headed down to the Flying L Ranch in Bandera, TX (the cowboy capital!) for some quality time with Matt's company. It's truly been a highlight of the year for Luke, in large part because of the GIANT water park that sits squarely in the middle of the place.

This year, while Luke and daddy were off splashing around for hours on end, Jane and I hung out in our log cabin - eating, napping, playing and just trying to stay cool in the 100+ degree heat. When the family was together in our little one-room fun house, Luke was ALL OVER and the bunk beds while Jane happily kept herself entertained in the pack-and-play. Sleep was tough since Jane's not the best nighttime sleeper - lots of up and down for mommy. I'm pretty proud to have figured out that the car seat doubled as a better crib vs. the pack-and-play.

Overall, we loved the bonding time, but it didn't make for a great variety of photos...this is all I got!

Chilling with Daddy

Amazing how she fits so snug in the crook of his arm.

Shirt-hat

Shirt-hat, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Luke hated when I did this to him, but Jane is totally game. When I was younger I used to wear my shirts on my head like hats, too - this is so my girl.

She found her foot!

She found her foot!, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Not even four months old and she's got her first taste of foot. She LOVES it. Her favorite thing to do these days is hold both of her feet , on in each hand, and munch on them one at a time - left, right, left, right.

Is an almost four month old supposed to be able to have a pigtail?

Is an almost four month old supposed to be able to have a pigtail?, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Probably not. I immediately took this out after I took the photo since I worry that it's too soon to subject Jane to "hair-dos". As Matt says, we need to let her crazy hair be free!

Hands

Grandpa takes Luke to school most mornings these days - such a HUGE help as I try to get back into the swing of things at work. One morning he was holding Jane as I scrambled about getting Luke ready for school and noted how her hand was laying so sweetly on his. I went to grab the camera and Luke decided to jump in on the action. Such a ham. How nice of Jane to humor him.

Post-bath chair time

Post-bath chair time, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Little Jane is holding her head up so well these days! We've got her kickin' it in her chair whenever we can - she LOOOOVES to sit up. And shove everything in her mouth. Could she be teething already???

On our way to school

P1011072, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Now that Jane is busting out of her 3 month clothes, I'm trying to get pictures of my favorites before I retire them. I tried to get a quick shot of Jane in her rocking chair...but big brother Luke just can't pass up the chance to join in. This kid loves the camera these days. Jane? Well, she tolerates it for now.

Getting ready for school

Getting ready for school, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

This is 50 times harder with two kids! I had to document how I'm managing this in the mornings: Luke is scarfing down waffles while watching Tom and Jerry, while Jane is hanging out in her car seat, which doubles as an awesome play chair. This gives me a good 15 mins to clean up and get ready for the nanny to come over OR pack Jane's bag for a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Maybe I should just get up earlier...

And so it begins

And so it begins, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

I can't believe she's going to be a thumbsucker...

Bathing beauty

P1011019, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

She loves the bath. Thank goodness since all that hair needs washing a few times each week!

Pretty

P1011059, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

...and sitting upright so well!

Loves those fingers

P1011031, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Not only do they taste good, but they can do cool things like hold rattles and toys. Playtime is getting much more fun these days...

3 months old!

12 weeks old!, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

12 weeks has passed in a flash and I'm already back at work, which often feels impossible when this is who I'd rather spend every hour with.

Jane is SO happy. It's so easy to make her smile - in fact, she smiles so hard that its more like silent giggles. She loves to flirt with her daddy and continues to think her brother is the bees knees. His nicknames for her...Janey or Janey-pants.

She also has her challenges...she hates the bottle, only naps for 40 mins at a time, and would prefer to sleep in arms or a vibrating chair vs. her crib. Nothing terrible, but worth noting for posterity :)

Siblings

P1011016, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Not a stitch of color coordination, but enough cute to look past it.

Indifferent

P1010978, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

Maybe because this is right before bedtime...or, she's not digging the outfit? Please - these pants have little ballet slippers on them. What's not to like?

Seriously

P1010975, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

She sends us...

Not happy about her shots from our 2 month check up

Not happy about her shots from our 2 month check up, a photo by Ms. L on Flickr.

She was such a champ at her check up. The doctor even said that she's going to be such a mellow baby as she gets older. Stats:

10 lbs, 14 oz - 51%
23 inches - 75%
38.5 head circ - 50%

Then, the shots came. Three of them - one. by. one. The nurse took so long to finish and she cried SO HARD. What a way to end the visit...ugh.

Napping

Naps are a struggle these days. Some days she's out cold for most of the day, some days she's out for 20 mins at a time here and there and only sleeps in your arms. Regardless, whatever the day, we know she's sleeping deeply when her color turns porcelain white and she lays a fist on her cheek - so angelic.

So Happy

Eight Weeks Old

And now Jane is full of personality. She loves to lay down on the bed/couch/floor and just kick and coo. She's so smiley, so mellow, and has lots to say if you lend her an ear.

Swing magic

This swing was a big hit with her big brother...so excited to get more use out of it. Of course it only works for about 15 mins at a time, but I'm not complaining!

Bunny

Luke gave Jane this bunny the day we brought her home from the hospital. It broke my heart to see his disappointment when she didn't "play" with it - so hard to explain that a three day old can't really do (or SEE) much. But now she's really responding to it...she stares intently, reaches for it, moves it around with her little fists. Luke is beside himself about it. Now he's trying to get her to kick a ball...