2 months - Growing Big

Lots of new pictures of Ella Mae posted online!

Dear Miss Ella Mae,

You are the keeper of my heart and the light of my soul. Just thought I should let you know.

Sincerely,
Your Proud Momma

This last month began your language development, so in addition to your many types of cries you have begun to grunt, gurgle, coo, couch, and sigh heavily. I love it. The other new thing you are doing is making a kissing, smacking noise by sucking on your lips. I can hear you smacking away in your carseat when we are in the car and it's how I know when you are awake.

You now use your mad cry quite frequently, going from happy to "I'm so mad mom!" in seconds flat. It's usually because I'm not moving fast enough, and I've begun to piss you off. I'm still getting the hang of this mom thing. You have many cranky moments, your Grandma Robn calls these the "Trankies."

We are working towards a routine, of eating, activity, sleeping, and time for Mom! Some days are great and others are harder but you are such a quick learner.

You have been spending more and more time napping and sleeping in your crib. I have to admit that the transition from you sleeping in the bedroom with me and starting to sleep in your own room has been hard for me. I check on you every few hours and miss having you right next to me. You have a favorite blanket and a cd of classical music that set the stage for sleeping. You also like to fall sleep with a light on just like mom.

I really think you needed your own sleeping space. You are a big sleeper like your Mom. Whenever I have you sleeping next to me on the bed I make sure you are carefully situated on some pillows with plenty of room. But, by the time I wake up you are wedged in my armpit, drawn magnetically somehow to my boobs. You seem still while you sleep, but you wiggle and scoot your way all over the place when I'm not looking.

You've had more visits from family and friends including your Aunt Sherry and Uncle Steve and your new friends David and Matt. Kodak moments from these visits can be viewed in your photo gallery.

Your Dad has become quite proficient at calming you, playing with you, feeding you, and changing you. However, he continues to get pooh everywhere when changing your especially ambitious diapers. I haven't checked the ceiling yet, but I have enough to do already. Your favorite thing to do with Dad is watch cartoons. He props you up on your boppy pillow in front of Sponge Bob. Apparently you love this and your are especially fond of Patrick. All of this goes on of course while I am trying to catch up on my sleep and Dad has gotten up at an ungodly hour like 3am and is taking the night shift. All the books say that we should not put you in front of the television because it is way too overstimulating, but I can't be everywhere at once. So, I guess the occasional Sponge Bob, Dora the Explorer, and Jimmy Neutron won't hurt you too much.

You continue to gain in strength and are discovering your hands and toes. You are ahead in your development, doing things that 3 and 4 month olds are doing. I think you will be able to sit up soon. Each day you spend time standing up on my stomach. You have also started to grab at my hair.

You have many nicknames, all of which I will document because they will change sometimes daily. Here are the favorite nicknames at present:
"Tasty Toes"
"Cranky Spanky" (with many variations of this, ie. Spank, Crankin Spank, etc.)
"Goosey" (Your Dad's favorite)
"Chunky Monkey"
"Bright Eyes" (Given by Grandma Janine)
"Ella Schmella"
"CinderElla" (Given by Grandpa Jimmy)

This past month we went to the library and checked out a whole bunch of books to read. You don't really seem interested or have the patience for reading yet. Maybe I'll start reading outloud to you while you nap.

The other new development is that your mom has started working part time and you come with me. This has been quite an adventure and hopefully not too disrupting to your routine. I really want to be working and am enjoying it, but am also sad that it distracts my attention from you. You are mom's little helper and I couldn't do it without you.

Love,
Momma