BFF

they make a cute pair, don't they?

Flower Dress

Sorry for the light posting. We're all recovering from a cold (sniffles and congestion mostly). Little Froglette is doing well - she's discovered that she loves the bath. Her Aunt and Grandma made her curtains for her room and she's fascinated by the way that the light shines through them, turning the room orange and red.

Here's a new picture.

Smiles

look how you've grown

A quick series showing Froglette's rapid weight gain!

With Grandma at the hospital 3 days old

With Grandma 13 days old

You can see how in just 10 days, her face filled out! This was the day we went to the pediatrician too. She weighed 6 12 at birth and was 8 pounds even 13 days later.

my new best friend

My friend Kari loaned me the most amazing baby device when we went back west in August. I was talking on the phone with her a few weeks ago, lamenting that little Froglette wouldn't let me put her down for hours at a time. Kari reminded me of the Moby wrap and told me that it saved her sanity at the beginning. Boy was she right! We love the Moby!

It's a million miles (I guess 20 feet?) of stretchy fabric that you wrap and tie around you before slipping in baby. The first few times I used it were a little confusing, but thanks to the helpful videos While Froglette loves it when she sleeps, we haven't yet mastered using it when she's awake. But, you can see by the smiles on my face how happy I am to use my hands again.

Remembering childhood

I'm resting on the couch at the moment, enjoying a quiet moment with Froglette and letting my mind wander. I'm struck by the unbidden memories that float to the top.

When I was little, we lived in the country in Idaho for a while. My parents bought a house with some acreage and we farmed alfalfa while my dad was a computer engineer for HP. I have the mostly hazy memories of a young child, but one of my favorites is of the pheasants. They loved to nest in our field, and our dog Tinker would go out and bring home their eggs. Pheasant eggs are beautiful things, large (maybe the size of duck eggs?) and lovely shades of greenish brown. Tinker could bring home the eggs completely unblemished in her mouth - an impressive feat it always seemed. I brought them to kindergarten at least once to share with the teacher. I wonder know what Mrs Heart must have thought of that. Was she appreciative? Was it a strange act?

We have pheasants here in the Middle as well. I saw many of them last spring while driving back and forth to the SLAC I taught at. They were so beautiful with their white ringed necks and shiny green heads. They must like nesting in the corn and soy fields as well.

I wonder what stories and half formed memories Froglette will have of this time in the Middle? What stories we'll tell seven bajillion times until Froglette can repeat them without having experienced them first hand? I'm sure that stories of Miles will figure prominently. I can tell stories of at least 2 cats that were around before my time as if they are my own memories. And I know stories of my parents' dating and college days, building houses, and traveling on the motorcycle. I love how these stories and memories come floating to the surface unbidden, triggered by random thoughts and associations.

The baby and cat series

So Cole has been excellent with the baby, mostly by being indifferent to her presence. He hasn't licked her yet, nor is he interested in snuggling up against her in her bassinet. But, he does get jealous when she sleeps on our chests - as that location used to be reserved for him alone.

Cole getting close

Who's bigger?

Mom with cat and baby

Cole trying to fit - no room!

We of course keep an eye out, in case he decides that he's tired of this little creature, but he's given us no evidence that he dislikes her at all, not even responding when she grabs a tuft of his fur (accidentally, he was in arms reach when she flailed about and managed to grasp something).