12 weeks and big overnight

* First 5 hour sleeping clip (9/29).

* Significant increase in baby talk.

* More smiles and laughs.

* Increasing recognition of which facial expressions represent which feelings.

* Much more self soothing and comfort hanging out by herself.

* Interest in specific items and ability to target her grabbing.

* Freakish neck, hand, and leg strength given her 9 lbs frame.

* Enjoyment of mirrored reflection.

* Increased fascination with leaves, grass, greenery and nature sounds and color contrasts.

What a difference a minute, day, week can make in a sweet baby's life and development.

I have a cold

Hi, it's Ainsley. Dad took this picture of me this morning. I have a stuffy nose, but no temprature. Mommy called the doctor yesterday and they said as long as I don't have a fever and I'm still eating and wetting diapers that I should be fine. I'm still eating and wetting diapers. The nurse said if my temprature goes up to take me in, but so far I'm fine. Love you all!

To all the moms I've loved before

Thanks to the dear friends, family, and coworkers who have kindly and lovingly guided me through my first "trimester" of motherhood. This is truly the most difficult, joyful, and miraculous experience of my life.

I transition back to work starting 10/1, and although I'm anxious, know I will miss Ainsley, and am prepared to feel a tinge of guilt as I use the toilet or eat a meal without a baby attached to me, I am comforted by the prayers and good wishes of so many moms wiser than myself.

What a gift to have Ainsley being cared for by Valerie (and Alex and Grace by extension). Scott and I bring over a big ol box of baby stuff to the Criminger's this weekend--hopefully they won't be frightened by Ainsley's many essentials (bottles, blocks, bears, blankets) -- BTW, why do so many baby things start with "b" -- boppy, bjorn.....

*Great men get a shout out too -- thanks to Scott and Jerry for helping me get pumped up for work this week and helping me remember to take care of myself.*

Night on the town-The Timeline

Even though I have no pictures to commemorate the event, I have a vague timeline of my evening alone with Ainsley last night. We had fun.
6:40pm-Mommy leaves to go get her hair done. Even though she packed the diaper bag, she asks me to lie to her and tell her that I have about a weeks worth of formula in there. We're going out of the house for about two hours. I tell her what she wants to hear and we go.
6:55pm-Scott and Ainsley arrive at Panera. After ordering, I wait to pick up my Pick Two. Not as many baby gawkers as I would have liked. I get my food and put Ainsley, resting comfortably in her car seat, in the upside down high chair, and sit down to eat.
7:01pm-Ainsley squirms her head back and forth and looks like she is about to start crying. I begin to pick up the pace of my leisurely dinner.
7:11pm-As I take the last spoonful of corn chowder, Ainsley falls asleep. This give me some time to read the paper.
7:38pm-Ainsley wakes up in a good mood. We leave Panera.
7:39pm-On the way to the car, daddy decides that pushing the baby around Whole Foods in a cart would be a good way to "run out the clock". We ride around Whole Foods and talk about different products in the grocery store for a while. She made some funny faces when I let her sniff some of the funky bulk soaps they sell. Again, a little short on gawkers. The best was the employee who asked me how old she was. When I said 11 weeks, she responded with, "oh, almost four months". I think I know why she was stocking shelves and not a cashier.
8:20pm-We arrive home, change a diaper and get a bottle going
8:30pm-After about half the bottle, we stop for a burp. Ainsley SCREAMS for a few minutes. I'm talking bloody murder. Eventually she calms down, burps, and takes more of the bottle.
8:55pm-Ainsley falls asleep and daddy puts her in the swing and turns on the Golf Channel.
9:15pm-Mommy comes home. All is well again.

Mom and baby

Mom and Ainsley visit daddy's office...

Very Talkative Today

Here's a clip that "speaks" for iteself...

Big Enough to Bounce

Today brings two news briefs from the bouncy department:

1. This morning our swiss ball sprung a leak that is beyond repair. Thankfully it wasn't a blowout, but I'll always remember where I was when that super handy ball finally bit the dust. We've spent a lot of time on that thing the last two months. I'll be shopping for a new one before the day is through.
2. Check out this little video of Ainsley in her bouncer! She is barely big enough for it but she seems to like it.

I love to take a bath

We recently found this picture we took of sweet Ainsley taking a bath. Isn't it cute?
While we're on the subject why don't we give a full bath update-she has outgrown the pink netting and is sitting in the tub itself now! She is getting the hang of pounding her fist in the water and splashing everywhere. She rarely cries while we wash her these days. What fun.

Is this loaf of baby fresh?

Here is Jenny checking Ainsley for freshness as if she is a marble rye. Yes, she is fresh.

Oh Please!

Enough with that camera!