Gett'n Dooown!

A little someone has found her independence! Today Gemma started getting down off our bed very confidently.  I love it!  I taught her how and helped her out for about two weeks maybe, and today she finally went for it without me being around..or so she thought. It was pretty wild to see and fortunately I had my iphone right next to me in bed.  

Notes to G

Dear G,

Yesterday you started clapping.  It's not a big deal but it's just so cute to see you do it!  You clap at things you do and you clap for others.  I just wanted to remember the day you started clapping! 

xo

Mama

Notes to G

Dear Gems, 
Today you fed me for the first time. I gave you a piece of banana and after taking a few bites you took it and fed it to me. I think this is so exciting.  I don't know why but I do. Well... actually I think it's exciting because I feel it shows you have an awareness outside of yourself.  It also tells me you are mimicking my actions; I fed you, you feed me.  I think it shows signs of empathy...although I'm not sure you quite fully understand the feeling hunger outside of your belly.  I found this small action as a sign of huge development.  

I love watching your little details.  For example, I like watching you move your food around and pick different things out. I wonder what's going on inside your little head that makes you do what you do. Your experience in life is very limited so I wonder what primal, unaltered part of your brain makes the choices it does. 

This week you decided me feeding you was no longer going to work.  You have always wanted to take the spoon out of my hands, even when you were still having trouble directing your own hand in any direction at all.  I've tried to let you feed yourself chunks of food.  However, with things like yogurt or apple sauce I can't do it or else we'll end up with food on our walls.  This week it was chunks or nothing.  You are very independent. I like it. I hate it.  It means my services could be rendered not so useful in the not so distant future.  

But for right now my services are quite needed and I really enjoy getting to watch you find your path and make your choices even when it's just between a banana or an O. 

Notes to G

Dear Gemma, 
This is the face you make when you are beyond excited.  When I pull out a food you like you make this face and your feet start moving a mile a minute!  It's the most amazing thing to watch.  But then you want what you want right away and if I haven't peeled that mango in 10 seconds flat you get mad!  Oh, the squeaking and shrieking and crying that follows is pretty harsh.  But the excited face is well worth it!

I love you my Gemma.
xo Mama

Gemma Stands!

Im so far behind in posting so many events. They're happening very fast and I'm also very sleep deprived.  I'm going to back post starting with this major event!  Gemma stood on her own for the first time!

I was putting laundry away. I usually leave Gemma on her playmat and check in on her as I go in and out of the living room.  I came back after 10 seconds to find her doing this!  She was standing on her own. I think what I love the most about Gemma is that she is very aware of her accomplishments and always has a huge smile on her face. She beams with pride. I love that she is so aware, so soon of her progress! 

It seemed she was standing much earlier than Annika. But as I looked back on Annika's diary I realized they're about the same. The difference is on how they approach things. While Annika won't something until she feels 100% confidence she can succeed, Gemma baby steps things until she has it all down.  Completely different approaches. I need to keep this in mind as I teach them each new skills.

Notes to G: mango

Dearest Gemma,
You ate mango for the first time on Sunday. Actually, this is officially the first thing you ate! The water mellon you had before you just licked but the mango you ate. You had a little piece that I had you gum into a mush before you swallowed it.  It was amazing to watch your interest in a solid.  You wanted more so I nursed you and the following morning you had three big poopy diapers. It's a little nerve wrecking to feed you right now because I don't want you to choke on anything.  You, like me seem to choke on your own saliva so I'm a bit worried about food. We'll be ok though.

xoxo
Mama

Notes to G: Belly Laughs

My Dear G,
A few weeks ago you started laughing on purpose or on cue.  Before then you would laugh but it was random. I didn't know what had made you laugh.  But about two weeks ago I gave you nibbles on your belly, on your left side, and you laughed out loud.  You laughed so hard!  Now I know what makes you laugh. Your laughter is such a wonderful noise.

Your crying is the worst, most gut wrenching sound I've ever heard. I swear my hair falls out when you hit a certain pitch.  But enough about that...your laughter on the other hand is soothing and healing.  I love it!

On another note, today you tasted watermelon for the first time. You didn't eat it but you tasted it and you liked it and you laughed!

i love you forever,
mama

Notes to G

Two days ago, I had you propped on pillows in bed. You were laying back a little and all of a sudden you sat up. Then I could read the expression on your face " I did it! Now what?" and then you flopped forward!  It cracked me up but I am so impressed with your stomach strength. I can see you getting stronger daily.  I know you can't wait to be sitting and standing on your own.  I look forward to it to!  

Notes to G: first swim

On Monday, May 28, 2012 we got you into the pool for the very first time!  You are 10 weeks old. I went to the mall that day and found this bathing cap with sun protection. I couldn't help myself, I thought you 'd look like a mini Ester Williams.  Anything this flowery is not my usual taste but you bring out the girlie in me. It seems to suit you.

You seemed to like the pool. You love to stretch your legs out in the tub but the pool was was a different environment.  Today, Friday we got you in the pool again and you liked it even more.  You're getting comfortable with the "bigger tub".  I can't wait till next summer when we'll take you to Miss Katie so you can learn to float and swim the way your sister did. 

Notes to G

My Dear G, 

I chronicled every month of your sister's first year. Since then I have launched this blog and decided I want to chronicle little things of your life on here.  For example, in the last two weeks you've started to smile and to "speak". You make these little gurgling, grunting noises that are your way of speaking.  Today you laughed out loud, briefly but it was a full on laugh.  

I've been trying to take your birth announcement picture with P. I even bought you two matching outfits a month before you were born so that I could capture this moment.  It may seem silly to send out birth announcements in the mail since all our friends know of your arrival through Facebook or email. But, I vowed I wasn't going to skip on things for you just because you were second born.  You shouldn't get jipped like that.  

Anyway, as we were taking these pictures your dad was able to capture one of your first smiles!  It seems your sister wants to wrestle with you in bed and I think you will willingly join her as soon as you can start really moving on your own.  

I think one day you will want to know what you were like as a baby. And I know the day you go to college I will want to sit and read all these posts so I can relive our days together. And if anything I hope you will always know and this will prove that I love seeing every little development of yours.  I love every square inch of your being.  

xo
mom