Potato Head

Today Carmen played with Mr. Potato Head.  Below is her interpretation of 'mama' and 'daddy.'  Mama is on the left and Daddy is on the right.  Not sure why I have three ears and Daddy only has one...maybe she thinks I'm a better listener!

5 Months

Today you are 5 months.  You are no longer a pint-sized newborn, you are alert and active and are growing up much too fast (in my opinion).  You are starting to do and learn so many new things. In honor of your 5 month 'birthday' here are 5 things you love and 5 things we love about you.

Max's 5 favorites things:

1. You love your sister.  You follow her with your eyes whenever she is in the room and when you can't see her, you are usually fussy.  The moment she returns you have a big smile on your face.  She also has the ability to make you laugh out loud, especially when she is being extra silly.
2. You love the ABC song.  Not sure what it is about this tune, but you can't get enough.  It's our 'go to' song to calm you down.  We sometimes sing it over and over and over again, but you never tire of it and it more often than not does the trick to get you happy again.
3. You love to be nudie.  You love having your legs and feet free and are your happiest when you can kick your legs about.  You have also recently discovered your toes and are fascinated with these new play things. 
4. You love baths.  Bath time is fun time for you.  You love the water and don't even mind so much when it gets in your eyes.  Baths have become relaxing for us both and you look so cute when you are wrapped up in your 'Tickle Monster' towel (that's what Carmen calls it). 
5. You love to talk. While you have always been noisy, you are starting to 'talk' more and more.  It's often time accompanied by lots of bubble blowing.  You are content entertaining yourself by making high pitched noises and laughing a lot. 

5 things we love about Max (of course there are more than 5):

1. Your big grin. You can certainly light up the room with your ear to ear smile.  You will be fussing uncontrollably and just when I'm at my breaking point, you flip the switch and will start smiling.  I, of course, start laughing because your mood has changed so quickly and mine has too. 
2. Your two new teeth.  While we don't like the pain these little chompers are causing you, it's  another reminder about how you are growing and changing. You still refuse to take a pacifier and much prefer sucking on your fingers.  You also take every opportunity to put everything in your mouth that you can.  Big sister will often say "Moo Moo is eating his Monkey; silly!" when you decide to give your stuffed monkey a little nibble. She certainly keeps us updated as to what you are doing at all times.  Watch out, we may have a taddle tale on our hands. 
3. When you fall asleep in my arms.  These are moments to cherish as I know they are short-lived.  You have the ability to snooze for hours in my arms but the moment I go to put you down your eyes pop open. 
4. When you interact with Carmen.  We love seeing the two of you together.  Carmen asks about you all of the time and wants to know where you are the moment she wakes up from her nap.  When we go somewhere, she always makes sure that you are coming too.  "Moo Moo too?" is her favorite phrase.  It gives us so much joy to know that she loves you so much and that you adore her too.  We certainly know there will be a phase where Big Sister and Little Brother are not getting along so we are certainly cherishing these times when you can't get enough of one another.  One of my favorite things is when Carmen gives you Lamby when you are fussy.  Everyone knows Lamby is her prize possession so the fact that she is willing to share with you melts my heart.
5. You complete our family.  You balance things out around here.  You make things right with the world and you being here with us is meant to be.  We couldn't imagine our life and family without you. 

Happy Heart Day

Dare I say it...Carmen was 'in love' with her Valentine gift:

 



 

Passing the blame

 I received the following email from Ms Ali, our daycare provider, while I was at work.  It made me laugh out loud.  Ah, Carmen...got to love her!

 

I thought I would share a funny conversation that I had with Carmen today.

She was playing with the blocks which she loves and I said "

Carmen, I think you have a poopy diaper. Shall we go change it."

She said " Oh no silly, it's not me, it's the baby doll."

Cousins are the best

Daddy's. Eyes. Fixed.

Yes, Daddy's eyes were fixed this past week.  After years and years of glasses, a quick hour of Lasik surgery fixed Jim's vision to 20/20.  Pretty amazing what they can do.  While rest is what the doctor ordered, it was quite challenging to keep a 2 year-old and 4 month-old away from Daddy.  Not so much trouble to keep Max away, but Carmen kept wanting to see Daddy and said his 'bug eyes' looked silly (he had to sport some pretty stylish protective eyewear).  He probably didn't get nearly enough rest, but we did the best we could. To help speed along Daddy's recovery, Carmen and I made cookies.  Although, she kept insisting the cookies were for Santa and not Daddy.  Apparently all cookies baked in our household are for Santa but Carmen certainly has no problem consuming them. 

The world is seen in much better detail now for Jim.  It's a whole new world when he is typing, reading, cooking and driving.  Now he has no excuses for missing plays during softball season!

Hooray for the gift of clear vision!

Before

After

Cookies for 'Santa'

Hurry up and bake already...