Ginevra @ Four Months

Good Morning Humble Readers...

Okay, so this ICLW has been a bit of a write-off for me.  I just couldn't get into the zone.  Honestly, I think I just needed a break from my computer, to unplug for a few days.  Just crappy timing...

But, now that I'm plugged back in, it's time for some new pics of my wee sweet girl. 

Such pretty eyes!

Ginny's four months old as of yesterday and I happen to think that she's pretty gosh darn adorable. 

All dressed up for church

At our most recent doctor's appointment, a week and a half ago, she weighed in at 13 pounds 6.5 ounces. Her cradle cap is getting much better, and her neck and back are getting stronger every day.  She's certainly come a long way in two months, from hardly being able to hold her head up to being able to sit up (with Mommy or Daddy near by) for a minute here or there. 

Rockin' the bumbo chair!

Sadly, she's losing her hair.  It started with the ubiquitous spot on the back of her head where it rubs, but now she's losing it on the sides too.  It won't be long before she's bald, I'm sure.  She's also had some bumps along the way already (like when she used her legs to push herself off the couch... scared the tar out of us both!), but she wouldn't be my child otherwise. 

Look at me, I'm standin'!

Oops!  Not any more!

I'm not sure that she's ever going to recognize her name as her's.  Both my Beloved and I tend to use pet names when we talk to her, and her real name (not Ginevra, for those new to the hobbit-hole.  That's just her bloggy name.  Check out the posts just after she was born if you want to be in the know!) rarely gets used.  Honestly, it still feels strange to say it, like it feels funny in my mouth, if that makes any sense.  I think part of it is because we had her name chosen for so long that it's still surreal to actually say it aloud. 

Yesterday she got to meet her new cousin, Thor (technically, he's our great-nephew).  He's the little guy who was born 7 weeks early, and his EDD was today.  It was our first time getting to meet him and he's just a little dolly!

Hangin' with Great-Gramma

Thor's almost doubled in weight, and in comparison with the pictures we saw when he was first born he's looking much more filled out.  It was so odd holding him, because Ginny was just so much heavier even as a newborn.  It was like holding a little ball of fluff in comparison.  And he still has that new baby cry (not to be confused with the new car smell)...



Great-Gramma/Gramma hangin' out with the babies

We came to a decision about how Ginny is going to address her cousins on Beloved's side of the family.  Because they are all so much older than her, she will call them Aunt and Uncle.  I mean, she's got cousins who are only a few years younger than me... and it's important to me that she show respect to the adults in her life. 
Well that's about it for now.  I need to go start some buns to go with dinner...

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The Cold Goes Ever On & On

Good Morning Humble Readers...

So, just when I was thinking we were past the worst of this crud, it's come back and landed squarely in sweet Ginevra's sinuses.  The poor wee girl woke herself (and me) up at 3am with some sort of combination sneezles and coughs.  She seems to be only moderately congested, but this is certainly a new experience in feeling helpless.  I've tried using the nasal aspirator, but I don't seem to be getting anything.  Steam is next on the list if she gets worse.  Thankfully, she doesn't have a fever, and she's her smiley self this morning.  I'll take any suggestions on how to help her.

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Okay, so looking at another type of cold... you would think that after all this time, we might merit a break from the cold and snow, or that I'd be used to it.  I'd love to have a day above freezing.  That's the thing about this time of year, I start going crazy for warmer weather.  This morning isn't quite as cold as it has been... only -10C but it's snowing AGAIN!  I love Canada, and being Canadian... but really, enough is enough of this winter crap!

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I think Ginny laughed for the first time yesterday.  It was just three little notes, but it sure sounded like a laugh.  What a beautiful noise!

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In my current quest to discover new foods and eat healthier, I have come across a new favourite.  How is it that I have lived in Canada for 4/5 of my life and somehow have never had Red River Hot Cereal?  It's awesome, people!  Whole grain wheat, rye, and flax... that's it.  Super low on the glycemic index, low in carbs and high in fiber.  Amazingly easy to cook up and tastes so much better than oatmeal.  Do you think they need a spokesperson? 

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We have a new little person in our extended family.  Do you all remember that wedding we went to last summer?  For one of my Beloved's nephews?  Well they were just newly pregnant when they got married, and wee "Thor" (the first great-grandchild) arrived just about two weeks ago... 7 weeks early.  A's water broke in the middle of the night, and after what sounds like a very hectic/chaotic journey to the hospital in the big city 2 hours south of us, the little man arrived.  Thor was less than 4 pounds when he was born, but he's living up to his nickname and is getting stronger every day.  He's been transferred back to our hospital and is in the special care nursery.  We won't get to meet him for a few more weeks, but I've seen pictures and he looks like a wee little piece of his daddy fell off and just grew.  The one tragedy... they had to shave off most of his hair so that they could place the IVs and things on his scalp.  He's sporting a pretty sweet mohawk tho. 

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The pizza dough turned out pretty good last night.  The recipe was easy enough and I was able to make it in the bread machine.  What I struggled with was shaping the dough, making it fit the pan at an even thickness without putting holes in it.  Any of you cooking superstars have any suggestions for next time?