So guilty of 2nd child syndrome

With Carina, I was *almost* perfect. Each of her milestones celebrated in great detail with pictures (and often videos) adorn the pages of this blog. Her monthly posts include sections about her size, favorite toys, and pictures with seasonal clip art proudly displaying how many months old she is. Multiple professional photos of her smiling face hang on the walls of our home.

Poor Aurelia is getting the shaft. I managed to squeak through her first 6 monthly posts before succumbing to what I {rather unaffectionately} refer to as my full-time-working-Mommy-brain. I mean to do these things, and I want to do them, but I just never get around to it. It's a combination of forgetting and not having the time, and quite possibly probably a dash of laziness. I have remembered to take some of the photos (like below -- from three months ago, ha!) but her 7 Month post never happened. And now I'd feel silly doing one since she's 10 Months, but these are too cute to not at least share.

The 8, 9, and 10 Month stickers sit unused in my camera bag and every time I see them I feel a pang of guilt. Is it too late to just slap them all on her right now and take a few pictures?

You've come so far since your 6 Month post.  Tooth #7 is coming in (Carina only had two at this age!) and you can say Mama and Dada pretty clearly. You babble constantly; your favorite sound seems to be "heh" and depending upon the inflection it can mean a host of different things from "I'm so happy!" to "OMGSTOPTHATRIGHTNOW!" to "please give me your pancake".

At your 9 Month appointment earlier in July you were 18 lbs. 8 oz. and 28 inches, if Daddy is remembering correctly. You're sharing size 4 diapers with big sis and are mostly in 12-18 Month clothes. Although you are wearing some random 12 Month, 24 Month, and even 2T clothes. We use Carina's and your pajamas interchangeably most of the time. You'll wear it one day, and then {after washing, of course} she'll wear it the next. I'm having visions of fights over clothes during your teenage years ;)

Unlike your sister, you eat anything and everything imaginable. You out-eat Carina at most meals, favoring avocado spread on toast and spaghetti. Much to our delight (and dismay at the same time!) you began crawling just yesterday...and off you went. It's time to baby proof all over again. Our favorite milestones include "SO BIG!" which involves raising your arms high up in the air when we ask how big Aurelia is, and clapping on cue. You get so excited when we ask you to clap.

I'm going to try to get better about this, love. I want there to be as many pictures and videos of you in existence and I want you to feel that we celebrated your milestones and accomplishments as much as we did your sister's. We love you so much and have the best of intentions.

Aurelia - 6 Months

Aurelia,

We had your 6 Month well visit today. 6 Months?!? Seriously, how are you 6 Months already? You had to get 5 shots and listening to you wail broke my heart. It was such a foreign sound, too, because you've only cried like that a handful of times since birth. You are such a calm and happy girl most of the time.

Milestones:
Lots of new things this month! You can sit up unassisted for a couple minutes before you face plant or slump sideways. We moved you into the nursery and so far so good; you've slept soundly every night! Just a wake-up to nurse here and there. Lastly, you had your first bite of solid food; sweet potato. You were unsure at first, but seem to like it. We've also added bananas to your repertoire. We give you a chunk and let you gnaw on it. Flailing your arms and legs wildly is how you currently ask for more.

Loves:
Your sister. Oh how you two are starting to play and giggle together. It melts my heart. I don't think I've ever experienced anything so wonderful as watching two little people we created -- and I grew and birthed -- interact with each other and find such delight in it. You still enjoy the jumperoo and have started playing with some of your sister's favorites from this age including the ring stacky and toy piano.

Hates:
Naps in the crib. You sleep fine in there at night, but you much prefer the Rock 'n' Play during the day. Sometimes you freak when we put you in the high chair, too. But that was mostly before we started giving you solids. Now? You seem excited when it's time to eat.

Weight & height:
At your appointment today you were 17 lbs. 6 oz. (77%) and 26.25 inches long (64%). You are still in size 4 disposable diapers at night and are wearing one size cloth diapers on the middle setting. We are really loving the BumGenius diapers for you. They fit your chunky little thighs perfectly. You are in 9 and 12 Month clothing at this point. Your summer clothes are mostly size 12 Month...I hope they'll still fit by the end of the summer!

My favorite photos this month:

Carina was just about the same size as you at 6 Months! You definitely have more hair than she did, though ;)

Aurelia - 5 Months

Aurelia,

This month you've become more alert and active. We're down to 3 solid naps each day, with 1.5-2 hours of awake time between them. Rejoice! The 4 Month wakeful is over and you're back to sleeping 12+ hours without waking each night...except the nights when Daddy wakes you up when he comes to bed by speaking too loudly (you're still sleeping in the Rock n Play next to our bed).

Milestones:
You can sit up for very short periods of time unassisted and you have begun babbling here and there. I think you've begun teething as well; you want to stick everything in your mouth all day long, especially the taggie blanket Mommy's old friend from work made you. This month we went to music class at the library for the first time, and you met a baby younger than you! Your eyes are still blue, but almost daily I feel like I can see them changing. Some days it looks like they're turning brown, and others I think I see green. Who knows? Carina was 8 Months old before I "called" hers.

Loves:
We broke out the Jumperoo at the beginning of the month and you are loving it! You play in it twice a day for a little while and sometimes Carina joins you, dancing and jumping around. You're also enjoying your new bouncer, sitting in the Bumbo, and playing with links.

Hates:
Sudden movements and loud noises and your Daddy's scratchy stubble. That's about it these days. You are such a chill, happy baby!

Weight & height:
A rough weigh-in and measure has you at 17.5 lbs. and 25.5 inches. You have graduated to size 4 disposable diapers which means that you and Carina now WEAR THE SAME SIZE. Whoa. One size cloth diapers are still on the middle setting. Most of your 6 Month size outfits are getting rather snug, we're opting for 6-9 Months most of the time.

Showing off sitting up!

My favorite photos this month:

Hanging with Mimi (my Mom)

I think you look quite a bit like your sister did at 5 Months, except you have hair! ;)

Aurelia - 4 Months

Aurelia,

Only one week late; I'm getting better ;) This last month has been a whirlwind. We spent your first Christmas with your Mimi and Pépère in Massachusetts, and then headed down to Philadelphia for your baptism and to ring in the New Year with your Grammie and Pap. Since then, we've just been having fun at home.

Milestones:
We hit the "4 Month wakeful" this month, which resulted in you going from sleeping 12+ hours straight to waking 2-3 times every night. You -- and I -- are tired. You've started trying to sit up when lying down and are getting really good at manipulating objects in your hands. You're strong! Taking things away from you can prove to be rather difficult.

Loves:
You've started enjoying the bath and kicking your not-so-little legs around in the water. You also giggle heartily when I blow raspberries on your tummy and when Daddy cheers for Villanova basketball. Toys you are enjoying include a stuffed elephant with lots of dangly rings and things and your stuffed giraffe. You've tried to make out with the giraffe on occasion.

Hates:
Gas. It's the only time you cry; when you have it. I must say the little grunts you make as you're trying to pass it are quite hilarious, though. You even do them in your sleep. You still won't take a binky, and given that your sister is so attached to hers we are not going to push it! You also hate loud noises. If something falls or there is a random sudden noise you freak out.

Weight & height:
At your 4 Month appointment last week you weighed in at 16 lbs. 7 oz. and 24 inches! Short and chunky. Your head circumference jumped to the 97th percentile so your Pediatrician recommended we have an ultrasound of that giant noggin just to make sure nothing is wrong. It isn't. You were so good during the procedure; it didn't bother you at all! You are still in size 3 diapers and are wearing your cloth diapers on the middle setting (does that make sense?) We're starting to venture into 6-9 Month clothes, but you are mostly still in 3-6 Months.

Organic Baby Romper: Niteo Collection
I forgot to get a photo of you in this with the feet folded over, but it is seriously the cutest thing ever. 

I will remember soon, I promise.

My favorite photos this month:

At 4 Months your sister was almost completely bald! So far, you only have a bald spot on the back of your head where it rests along the rock 'n' play. Hoping you won't lost it all like she did.


P.S. I need to find a better watermarking program. Any ideas?

Aurelia - 3 Months

Aurelia,

This is late. Mommy is sorry. These last three months have flown by. You have gone from a tiny little snuggly newborn to a big (more than twice your birth weight!) happy giggly coo-y (is that a word?) baby. You adore your sister and watch her constantly. You light up when you see me or Daddy. And? You consistently sleep for 12+ hours a night without waking. You = awesome.

Milestones:  
You began barrel laughing and "chatting" quite often this month. You can also hold small items for short periods of time. When I stick out my tongue at you, you'll stick yours out in response! In your 3rd month of life we celebrated your first Thanksgiving, saw Santa, and visited your Grandparents in Massachusetts for the first time.

Loves:
When either your Daddy or I sing to you, your smile widens and eyes light up. I think it's safe to say you love our serenades. Your favorite {that I sing} is More I Cannot Wish You from Guys and Dolls. Toys you seem to enjoy include your giraffe stuffed animal, wooden rattle, monkey lovey/rattle, and taggie blanket. You still love to snuggle and watch me make faces at you. Carina. You just ADORE your sister. You could watch her play for hours.

Hates:
You still don't like clothes going over your clunker of a head. So? No onesies here. I'm sticking to zip up and button up sleepers and tops. You can only tolerate a few minutes of tummy time before you flip out and you are also less than fond of cold things touching you...my hands, a cold changing mat, etc. When the TV is on you try to crane your neck to see it and I turn you in the other direction. I don't think you appreciate this ;)

Weight & height:
At your sister's 2 year appointment they did a quick check of your height, weight, and head circumference. You are 15 lbs. 12 oz. and 23.5 inches! Although, they couldn't straighten you out all the way so I'm thinking you're probably a wee bit longer. Your head circumference is still at the 90th percentile so all is well (last month your pediatrician wanted to keep an eye on it). We switched to size 3 diapers around 10 weeks and you are wearing your sister's cloth diapers in the same rise she was in just a couple months ago. Yowza! Most or your 3-6 Month clothes are getting too tight. I'm about to pull the 6-9 Month bin out of the closet. Also? When we visited Santa you wore the same dress Carina did when she was one. Size 12 Months!

My favorite photos from this Month:

I think you actually look quite a bit like your sister did at 3 Months. You still have about a half a pound and almost an inch on her, though!

Will you keep your blue eyes? Can't wait to find out.