Flip

Today you flipped over! You've been turning to your side for a while now. Today, when you woke up from a nap, you flipped over to your back. Nine Roza wondered if I flipped you, but to be sure, she came upstairs where I was working, and asked. I ran downstairs to your room, and as a proud mama, I took pictures of your smiley face.

Little Echo is 3 months old

My tiny Echo,

Nine says that I treat you as though I had a baby for the very first time. That's exactly how I feel. Having had our Zoe first, didn't diminish my excitement or my love. I adore you. That is the word. I look forward to your happy smile, your gaze, your ever moving legs. I look forward to holding you, lifting you and kissing you all over. You are a happy baby. But I like to think that you are even happier when you see me. I took a job that allowed me to work from home, so I can be with you more. I'm grateful that I can nurse you and bounce you during the day. Still, I feel the right thing to do is to spend all day together. I want to see you crawl and walk, but I don't want you to grow. But you will. And until then, I want to enjoy every bit of you.

As a second born, you don't get to taste undivided attention that first borns do. It makes me a little sad that even when nursing, I don't always sing to you or talk to you, because I also want to pay attention to your sister Zoe, if she is in the room. On the other hand, when we are all together, you lock your gaze on Zoe. You open your eyes and mouth wide, in a smile of amazement, evidently fascinated by her presence and energy.

Today you are three months old. You look and act older. You are about 5.5 kilos and about 55cm.

And you started flipping to your side already.

Tonight we'll have some cupcakes or chocolates to celebrate your 3 month long life and Zoe's sisterhood. I want the months to pass fast, as reassurance that you are prospering, and I want them to pass slow. I love you, my little honey bee. Welcome to my life.

Mommy

Your first camping trip

My Dear Echo,

This weekend we went on our first family camping trip. More like a low-cost hotel stay than a union with nature. With Zoe not wanting to hike and getting easily bored, and you spitting so much, going all natural would have been unpleasant. We picked a campground with bathrooms, a pool and a laundromat, about 2 miles outside the "Bavarian" town of Leavenworth, created by non-Bavarian Americans.

Nights in the tent were cold. With one warm sleeping bag and two thermal pads, we took turns as needed, and snuggled tightly to keep each other toasty. Twisting in the narrow bag for nursing required skill which we acquired on the go.

 

Days were hot... We played games and told stories to entertain your sister Zoe, and longed for the peaceful moment to sit back on the lounge chairs, overlooking the river, and sip a glass of wine. 

We walked down to the river with clear waters ice cold from melted snow and giant round rocks decorating the shores. Zoe dipped her legs, and papa and I went for a quick swim. Next time you will go in as well.

I love holding you and making you smile. 

On the drive back home you cried. I think you are having hard time falling asleep without nursing. So I moved to the back seat and nursed you, hoping that a police car would not drive by. 

Your sister watched a video of a little boy protecting his baby sister. Now she thinks it is her responsibility to protect you. It's very cute to listen to her talk about it. I tell her that it is also your responsibility to protect her.

Love,

Mommy

Achievements

My Little Echo,

August 19, 2014. I looked over the green play mat where you were napping, and saw your little body propped up on elbows and lower arms. Your little head, with your big eyes moved from side to side, observing your surroundings. This is a big achievement for a two-month old little girl.

You poop only once or twice a day, but it's big and pressurized.When it's out, it makes you smile. Usually it stains your onesie and the car seat, if you are in it. Last week, you pooped while on your changing table, and it shot two feet far, hitting papa's hand, and from there, it bounced onto your crib and the floor.

You started reaching to things with your dainty hands. You try to hold my hands so I lift you up on your feet. today I was making funny sounds with my mouth. You focused with laser eyes on my lips, lifted your hand and caught my lips, to understand what they were doing.

The days of peaceful Echo are behind. You are still smiley and sweet, but you are up and awake and ready to play. You don't want to be left alone, and if I'm late at feeding you, you get angry and yell "Aeh!" I don't know if you can't sleep or resist sleep. Nine (she came to visit us and take care of you while I work) says that I don't let you sleep. I disagree. I just don't want to force you to sleep if you want to be awake and have fun with mama. I want to stimulate your shiny big eyes, and smart little brain, and I want to see that trusting wide smile - not pictured in the photo below, with Nine and sister Zoe.

Love,
 Mommy