Edith's First Baby Sitter!

Edith has been watched by family before, but this past Saturday was her first afternoon with a stranger. She was apparently quite good. I snapped these photos before I left.

Frances Caroline Burgers (working title)

Finally got around to getting our ultra sound. Kristina is 20 weeks pregnant.


It's a girl. Just like the last time, I am not going to post proof. Just take my word for it.

Nappy Removal Expert

Edith has never liked a wet or soiled nappy. A few months ago now (before she could crawl) she removed her nappy, defecated into it and kicked her legs joyfully.

Yesterday she defecated, removed her nappy, folded it and crawled away. There was little mess to be cleaned up and I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time.

This photo was taken before the incident.

Edith and 1 more on the way

Edith has 8 teeth now and she loves to crawl everywhere. Had to buy a little baby corral to keep her contained. Still no actual words, but she loves to talk.



About those nappies: I don't soak them anymore. We bought a little shower head attachment for the toilet and I use that to spray off the feces covered liners before I dump them in the bucket. Odor is not a huge problem as I diapers are done every second day and I clean the bucket when it's too nasty for storing soiled nappies. Arm and Hammer is the detergent I love. I also add a little Borax to the wash. Hooray!

New baby is healthy so far. Haven't got an ultra-sound done yet, but the doctor confirmed there is only one heart beat.

Fun, fun, fun

Almost five months. I think you have learned almost as much as I have over the past months. For one thing, you can hold your head up and produce a wide range of sounds and fluids. I have nappy washing down pat:

1) get bucket with sealed lid.

2) half-fill with water and a small box of bicarb

3) put mesh laundry bag in bucket

4) fill with cloth messes

5) remove mess bag and empty contents into washing machine

6) filth-water goes in the toilet

7) carbon footprint reduced!

Also, Mom got me using cloth wipes and this wipe mixture she read about online. Today the two of you are out getting supplies to make one of those trendy slings. We even tried our hand at making our own diapers! Test 1 failed but Mom has found a place that sells toweling. If we can get some hems put into some towel squares we will have a load of cheap-as-free cloth nappies.

GO ECOLOGY! GO COLLEGE FUND!

Here's a picture of you on the beach a couple of weeks ago when we went with cousin Christopher to the beach.


I tried to feed you some rice cereal 2 weeks ago. It was so messy and I decided to stick with the milk a little while longer. The conventional wisdom these days is that a baby should eat breast milk and nothing else until 6 months, so I guess we can wait.

Mom bought you a tray for your Bumbo. I think I like it more than you do, but you'll get more excited about it when you start eating crunch things.

Happy Birthday, Mommy

Today is Mommy's birthday. You are also 3 months old today. Three months! You've grown a lot. Here's a picture of you that I took before we went out with Mommy's colleagues and bosses the other day:

You are wearing a t-shirt that says "Daddy's Girl" and some lovely-loud pants and sandals. That's what happens when I dress people, Edie: sandals and lovely-loudness.

Anyway, we got Mommy a photo album full of pictures of you for her birthday. We also got her a lunchbox and I made her a cake. Since this is my first cake ever, it's probably good that you can't eat solids yet. Ok, here's another picture of you in that outfit:

Bigger every day!

It's true. You are bigger and better every day. You're back in the 60th percentile for weight and you're outgrowing many of your 0-3 month clothes. You're smiling and cooing all the time now, and you're starting to try out consonants, mostly G's. Your daddy has bought you several new little chime toys to hang from your carseat and gym, and you've been expertly batting and kicking at them. Your head control is getting better, and you're able to put up with longer periods of tummy time before you get too frustrated and start crying. This afternoon, I noticed you trying to catch your feet in your hands for the first time while you were lying on your back after a diaper change.
It's hard now that I'm spending so much time at work. I miss you all day. When your daddy comes to pick me up though, I sit in the back seat with you for the ride home. You smile at me and try to talk. It's my favorite time of day, next to bedtime.
Lately, we've been trying to get a bedtime routine going. I feed you, then change your diaper and get you into pajamas. Then we snuggle for a little while and read a book together and sing a lullaby or two. As tired as I am at the end of the day, it's very hard to put you into your bassinet and go to sleep. Cuddling and talking with you makes me feel like I can happily face whatever the next day throws at me. When I get frustrated with paperwork or patients or my hectic schedule, I just think about that big toothless grin that's waiting for me at home. I love you, little Edie.