Toothies

The last month Little Bird has become more drooly and keeps getting her hands into her mouth, first to suck on and then to chew. We couldn't believe that she was already teething--no way not at 3 months. The last week we could feel a couple teeth beneath the gums but thought it could be quite awhile before they pop through. Little Bird was stuffing her hands and toys and bibs and our fingers into her mouth to chew on.

Then on Friday we noticed that it was no longer gums biting our fingers but sharp little teeth. The two bottom teeth had broken through at the same time. They aren't out very far but they are definitely there. She has been her usual happy self, you wouldn't even know those teeth have been working their way out. It is hard to catch a good shot of them because she keeps them covered with her lip or tongue. But today we finally snagged a shot while she was chewing on Caleb's finger.

On another note, we have succumbed to the baby headband group. With hardly any hair we decided to give it a try and boy does she look cute.

Back to Work

Last week marked the beginning of a new phase in our lives--Camberly headed back to work. Caleb has been getting ready to work from home with Little Bird three days a week while Camberly is working. It was a challenging first day. Camberly didn't want to leave her little snuggle bug and once she got to work it felt like she hadn't been away (it is sad how work does that to you). Caleb had new phone system go live that day and he was the go to guy for the whole thing. Little Bird knew that something was up and as a result did not do much napping. She wasn't an unhappy girl, but sometimes those happy squeals can be just as difficult while in the middle of a phone call. Everyone survived and with a little more practice Caleb and Little Bird will get a routine that works for them (Camberly will never be happy to be back at work though).

Little Bird has a special corner in the office to hang out with her toys, right by Daddy and next to Mommy's stacks of fabric.

Three Months

So many changes in such a short time at this age. Little Bird didn't have a doctors visit this month so we had to try to measure her ourselves. Our best efforts show 24 inches and 13 lb 6 oz. She is smiling all the time now. I love it when we go in to get her after she wakes up from her nap and when she sees us a big smile spreads across her face. 

She laughs at all the funny sounds we make to entertain her. It is such a cute little sound. She also squeals and shrieks with delight sometimes. She loves to lay in the crib kicking and babbling watching her mobile. Or lay on her back and bat at her toys dangling overhead. She especially likes to grab the giraffe's legs and try to suck on them.

She has gotten very good at getting her hands in her mouth. She doesn't suck on a finger or her thumb, but rather seems to want to get the whole fist in there (and sometimes both at once). She has also started getting a little more drooly (I just love that feeling of it dripping down my arm) and blowing bubbles (note the bubble beard).

She is also getting so strong. Sometimes she just wants to sit up and if you leave her on her back in your lap, she starts doing crunches trying to get upright. She likes to stand up too. We have been experimenting with a bumbo. Little Bird really seems to like it but gets a little tired from the effort, so she doesn't stay in it for long at this point.

Stopping Over

Guess who came to visit this weekend? Grandpa! Now Little Bird has met all the grandparents. He was fortunate to be able to stop over for a day after being in Washington DC for work. It was a quick visit but Little Bird got a lot of lovin' in. She liked his wobble wobble sounds and bouncing on his knee.

Not only that but we put him to work too. (you can't come visit without helping with a project) During nap times he and Caleb created a frame for the elliptical rail cover (photo to come later) and they figured out a way to use weather stripping to try to get a better seal in the chimney. This is because we have had a downdraft that makes is smell like a campfire in our house periodically. It was a little bigger project than anticipated, including removing the damper. But it seems to be working well so far. Yeah!

Grandpa has worked with people in China for many years and they sent Little Bird some gold jewelery for luck and good fortune. So we got her all decked out for a photo shoot. It is amazingly difficult to put rings and bracelets on those chubby little hands.

Grandma was a little jealous that she didn't get to come too. But we try to make up for it with picutres and skype. She sent along a little taggy dog for Little Bird. It is so soft and fun and great for tummy time. Thank you.

We are so glad for the visit and hope to have another one soon.

Good-bye Friend

After seven years of being neighbors, Sadie and Sylvester are loosing their friend Abby. She is moving to Texas with the military. There have been many sunny days of them chasing around the backyard and sniffing each other through the fence. She is the only dog they don't bark at when they see her. You and your parents will be missed Abby.

Fourth of July Frenzy

Camberly's parents came to visit for the 4th of July and because it wasn't a very long visit it was cram packed. They arrived just in time to go watch the city fireworks along the Genesee River. We had a great location just at the bend (behind the ugly apartment buildings). We researched settings and methods for taking pictures of fireworks and got there early to pick out a good spot and set up the tripod and remote trigger. The fireworks were really neat and many of the pictures turned out pretty well. Little Bird was great but missed the big finale because she fell asleep, despite all the booming.

Thursday we headed down to Letchworth State Park to see the three waterfalls and the canyon.We kept getting in and out of the car to look at the different views. There is only so much a girl can take before it is time to eat so we stopped at the air-conditioned visitors center to feed Little Bird. A bit of advice, unless you need the restrooms or to cool off, don't bother the the visitors center. It was pretty weak. But it met our needs just fine. We had our picnic and then went to the last two falls.

What a happy girl.

Friday and Saturday were just spent at home enjoying each others company and doing the requisite home projects. They can never come without getting put to work. Sheer drapes were hung in the sunroom to soften the look of the old slatted windows. The men work hard to swap the locations of the elliptical and the futon, while totally rearranging the office. The women made a bunch of pillows to accent Little Bird's room (they will be great to play with when she gets bigger).

To finish off the week, here are a couple cute pictures to tide you over until next time.

Happy Girl

Little Bird is loving her toys now. She lays there and grabs one toy on each side and tries to get them to her mouth. She is content to do that for quite a long time (allowing the dishes to be done or dinner to be made).

She also loves to lay in her crib and gaze up the the mobile. Every morning when she wakes up we turn it on for her for a half hour before she eats. We can hear her in there cooing away at it and sometimes little shrieks of delight.

Happy 4th

Patriotic Pops

 Last night we headed down to CMAC for the Patriotic Pops RPO concert.

 
Little Bird did great and enjoyed being outside and listening to the music. 

In addition to some patriotic music there was also a mandolin concerto which was pretty neat. We snuck in a picnic dinner so we could eat while we listened.

By the 1812 Overture, Little Bird had succumbed to sleep and was in her stroller. She barely even twitched with the booming cannons at the end. She also missed out on the fireworks afterwards (spent covered in the car seat).

We tried to get some pictures of the fireworks and Caleb posted a neat stop motion from his phone camera on the photo blog. It was a fun night.