Giggler

Stella is having a good time with Grandpa and Grandma while Mommy is at work. Good thing they caught the giggles on tape!

Sit, Slobber, Sit

Stella is sitting up with support and it is her preferred position as of late. She has also gotten into the habit of sucking her lower lip (who needs a soothie anyway?). Today, on our way home from the sitter, I caught her looking out the window!



We went to Grandpa Gary's last weekend and got some cool gifts! Grandpa gave us a projector lamp that puts birds, fish, and stars on the ceiling. Every time the octopus comes around Stella has to yell at it. It is a nice tool for laying around on the bed and talking about things on the ceiling. I will post a good vid once I get one.






Stella is getting super big and looks like a little pot pie in her clothes. Nothing fits! She is quite tall and we are excited to go to the pediatrician (or the vet, as I keep accidentally saying) to see how big she is.



Chris wanted me to add that Stella sat up on her own today. I will use my creative license to add that she immediately fell over on to her face. It was a little hilarious, and everyone came out unscathed.




We are falling very far behind in our TV programs, and we have no idea what is happening in 24, despite having watched it. It seems that once Stella goes to bed, we are not too far behind! She is still staying up late, but she is the first to wake up when our alarm goes of at 5:00. The transition back to work has been hard, but we have three weeks under our belt and nineteen left to go before summer break. We can do it!



These are a few vids of Stella playing. She only has one routine: knock everything off the tray, wait until it is replaced, knock it off again. Dasha frequently eyes Stella's toys enviously and has occasionally snatched one out of her hands- very gently, but snatched nonetheless.



She will be four months old this weekend, and we sure have come a long way. Time is just flying by!

Reaching and Whining

Stella is beginning to become bored with our routine, so we are trying to spice things up a bit for her. We are breaking out some of the "bigger girl" toys, Daddy is working on the jumparoo, and she has been spending a bit more time whining at the gym.



Look out world! If you are within reach you are going to get pinched and covered with drool; the girl is reaching and grabbing. This week, Stella has been grabbing at my lips as I talk to her (which really hurts) or sticking her fingers up my nose. Good times had by all.

Friends Forever

We are tired! The hustle/bustle of a busy work week and shuttling the girl around has left us yawing and in need of naps. Stella continues to keep us up late (she usually smiles at us until 10:30 when she finally goes to sleep for the night) and it is taking a toll. Luckily, Stellarella has been sleeping through the night since two months. Daddy and I are dragging though. Yesterday I walked around with a sticker in my hair all day and didn't notice. It sure is nice to come home and play with Stella though.

Stella has been reaching and grabbing all week! I will upload a video of her tugging at something in the days to come.
This week will wrap up her time with Kristin and baby Jake, and next week she will begin spending her days with Grandma Connie!

Daycare Daze

Stella is having such an exciting time! Here are some photos that Kristin uploaded and I stole from FB.


Jake and Stella play on the floor.



Kristin brought snow inside for Stella to play with and eat! How cool is that?

Grabber Toes

When Stella's feet are bare, she will grab at her toes with her other foot and hold them. It is a little creepy.

Dasha Gaurds Stella's Playgym

Dasha is very into hanging around the baby these days. Stella could care less. Oh, please note the Bob Marley 'Buffalo Soldier' baby music courtesy of Rockabye Baby. Best thing ever.

Back to Work and NYE

This is a photo of Stella and all of her "friends".



Stella celebrated the New Year at home with Mom, Dad, Michelle and Mason. She opted out of the Indian food, and didn't make it until midnight, but got a kiss from Mommy while she slept. 2009 brought us a lot of joy, and 2010 is going to be an exciting year filled with fun, firsts, and love!











Stella is beginning to put weight on her legs! So much fun to stand on Daddy!


Stella has been going to Kristin while I am back at work. Kristin is a friend from school that also takes care of baby Jake. She has a lot of childcare experience and Stella is always happy, rested, and full when I arrive. Kristin said that Stella is a talker and that she has seen her reach for things recently. Baby Jake stares Stella down and was so distracted by her cooing that he had trouble finishing his meal.



In a few weeks Stella will get to spend days with Grandma Connie, and I am sure they will also have a great time. Aunt Jennie has taken her for Mondays. I guess our lifetime of shuttling the baby around is under way! We are so grateful to have loving family with a desire to help out and play with our girl.



Transitioning back to work has been rough. As seen in the photo, Stella was as teary as I was on our first day of our new life. Stella, a notorious sleeper-inner like Daddy, has been getting up at nine or ten. She now gets up with our alarm clock a 5 am so that we can begin our day. I am often weeping as I kiss her goodbye and hustle out the door, but I am hoping that I will feel a bit better as we get settled into our routine.


Chris wanted me to add that he feels like an inadequate family man because he can't support his family without his wife working. He asked me to add that to this post. Silly.

Chris also wanted Stella to type something, so here it is:
bv gybnnbbjbbhgctffgbub b hyj c v
Naturally, she is a genius. She has already created her own written language. Next stop, Klingon!
:)