Calling Yogi

Tatiana likes Yogi to be in the room when she is settling in sleep.  Last night, Yogi was out back and Tatiana wanted her inside.  So, Tatiana went to the doggie door, held it open and called "Yo Yo" repeatedly.  It was so adorable!  Yogi came to her call.  She is still a little uncertain that the doggie door is allowed, so we gave her lots of praise for using the door. 

Susie wrote:

Tatiana and Scotland are still sleeping.

She looks so cute! 

She woke up and I brought her to bed so that she could wake Scotland up.

Instead Tatiana fell asleep.

Susie wrote:

At lunch yesterday, Tatiana almost went to sleep in Allen's arms.  She doesn't want to miss anything though.

Susie wrote:

Scotland had a soccer game so he left at 8pm.  Part of the going to bed ritual is letting Yogi out for a pee.  Yogi didn't want to come in, as sometimes happens.  So I left the door barely shut.
When that has happened in the evenings, when Yogi comes in we tell Tatiana "Close the back door", and toddles over to the back door and closes it!   She has done this a few times this week.
 Tonight because it was "winding down for bedtime" Tatiana and I were in the mancave when Yogi came in.  Without my saying anything, Tatiana headed down the hall when she heard Yogi come in.  I thought "Is she closing the door?" so I followed her.  She did.  She closed the door all on her own without my saying anything!  I gave her lots of praise and picked her up and cuddled her.
 Oh, I forgot.  Back when they were at the library, they left the puppet show because they were disturbing the other people.  There is a play area in the kid's section where they have gone before.  Kids love to take the toys out of the two bins they have.  Scotland is working with her to put the toys back.  Another little girl had gotten a puppet out, and left it.  Scotland said to Tatiana, "Put this puppet in the blue bin"  She had to go around a green bin, and then she put the puppet in the blue bin.
 A lady saw that and marveled.  She asked "Does she know her colors already"  Scotland said that, or she knows that puppets belong in the blue bin.  Isn't she brilliant!
When I first got home from work, Tatiana and I went to the mall.  Scotland had said he'd like to get her a PillowPet for Christmas.  They have a Kiosk of those at the mall, so I thought I would let her pick one out.  They were positioned so that she could touch them while walking.    She walked back and forth touching each of them equally.  I thought the cow was particularly cute, so I was hoping she'd prefer that one.  She called them all doggy, so we got the dog.
 When she is tired of walking, she asks to be picked up.  She is usually fairly tired and will suck her thumb.  She wanted the PillowPet.  Even in the plastic shopping bag, she cuddled it while in my arms and patted it a lot.  When we got to the car, I thought she might forget about it on the way home, and I could wrap it as a Christmas Present.  When I told Scotland that had been my plan, he laughed.  In the car seat, she was quite insistent that she wanted her PillowPet.  So, I got it out of the plastic bag and gave it to her.

Susie wrote:
Scotland put Tatiana in her Blank and Pink tutu outfit.
[ They went to the library.  The library is running special programs during the holidays. They had a puppet show. Tatiana was too young for it.  She wanted to chatter to the kids nearby, rather than watch the puppets.
 Scotland ran errands and so many people coo'ed over Tatiana that it slowed Scotland down.  The Meat Market lady even washed her hands and came out to hold Tatiana

Susie wrote:

Since the weather was nicer, I tried to take Tatiana on a walk last evening.  She does not like walking in the dark.

Susie wrote :
Tatiana is doing a lot of animal noises.  She did the cutest little "Meow".  It sounded just like a kitten's meow.
[She can point to body parts when you ask her too.  Like, "Where is Tatiana's nose?"  She gets belly kisses when she gets them right.
She has figured out that she is allowed to bring the bone and kong toy to Yogi, so she does that.  Yesterday evening, all four of us were in the man-cave.  She brought Yogi her bone.  Yogi wasn't interested, so Tatiana kept pushing it closer and closer and closer.

Susie wrote:

I got home and she was her normal happy self.  I so love the way her face lights up when she sees me.  I was hungry and since it was Thursday, Scotland wasn't.  So I heated up some leftovers.    She ate really well.  I have noticed when a tooth hurts she barely eats solids, then when it stops hurting, she makes up for lost time. Then we went to the mall.  When we arrived, there was only one other mom and her two kids.  One of the kids was 10 months old and really trying to walk.  Tatiana was interested in the little girl.  When she is done, she comes to me and holds up her arms to be picked up.
 When we were watching TV she hugged Yogi.  Yogi was in the down position and Tatiana gave her a big hug.  Whenever Yogi patiently lets Tatiana do what she wants, Yogi gets lots of praise.  For example, Tatiana tries to brush Yogi, but she doesn't always hold it right.  So she sometimes uses the wrong side of the brush.

Putting on shoes

Susan wrote: "I was putting her shoes on for our mall walking Monday night.  They had the velcro strap that went along the top of the foot.  I put one shoe on.  When I was putting the second shoe on, she indicated that she wanted to finish.  She attached the strap for the second foot!  I told her, "You did it!"  She is so great."

Put Toys Away & Playing Duplos

 Susie wrote: " Last night was a milestone.  She put her toys away!  She had such fun!  Every time she put a piece away, she'd look at us with this triumphant smile.  We would say "yeah!" and she would Clap.
We sorted through her clothes this weekend, putting away the too small things and getting out the stuff that fit her in the next size.  One nice thing about baby dresses, is that most of them become toddler shirts.  So we didn't have to put many things away.
While I was digging in her closet I found a box of toys from freecycle called "MegaBlocks".  They are a really cheap version of Duplos, the baby legos.  I thought she might be ready for them, so I brought them out.
 She liked them.  She can put two blocks together, but she really loves to take them apart.
Last night, she gathered up all the little block pieces and put them in the box.  It was so wonderful.
She even sought out where the pieces were scattered in the living room, like in her Shopping Cart. "

Running to MaMa after work & Sounds she makes

Susie wrote: " I just love when I come home and she runs to me.  I pick her up, and she lets me kiss her, and hold her until my arms get tired.  We were discussing the sounds she makes.  Mwah Mwah means Kisses.  It is like the sound you make before you kiss the air.  Ma Ma means mommy.  Meh Meh means Milk.  When you tell her, "I don't understand what you want" she understands that you aren't twarting her, you just don't understand."

Sign Language & Running Game & Sleeptime Ritual

 Susan wrote: "Tatiana tried to do the More sign language.  Normally kids learn that quickly because parents delay giving more food until they see something that looks like the More sign.  But with Tatiana we don't want to do that.  Yesterday she realized that there was a sign to ask for More.
After dinner we played "I Am Going To Get You", also called "Mommy Kissy Monster".  When we say "I am going to get you", she starts running and giggling.  Then one of us runs after her, and when we catch her we pick her up and give her lots of kisses.  The best part is when she just decides it is kissing time and she slows down and lifts her hands.
 She runs around the dining table, or in and out of the dining room and the hallway.
 Scotland was still working when Tatiana was going to sleep.  When she is getting close to sleep she brings you the big pillow, and then she brings you a bunch of dolls.  You are supposed to hold the dolls on the pillow in your lap.  When you have enough, she asks to go into your lap and she expects all the dolls to be there too.  Last night she brought me one of Scotland's VCRs that wasn't plugged in.  It was quite heavy and a struggle for her, but she got it to me, so I put it on the pillow.  Then she brought me a smaller piece of electronics.  I put it on top of the VCR in my lap.  Then she got into my lap.  No dolls, just Tatiana, the VCR and whatever that other thing was."

Better Girl at Library

Susie wrote: " Scotland and Tatiana went to RhymeTime at the library again.  They have it on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  She was much better.  Scotland thinks that she thought that he didn't know his part, and now she does.

She fell asleep on the way home and had a deep sleep nap that lasted a half hour, then they went to lunch.  She fell asleep when they got home, and she was still asleep when I got back from work.  About 6:30pm, she made a complainy noise like she does right before she wakes up, and I was in her room so quick she was still waking up.  I picked her up and held her to my shoulder.  We hugged like that for about a half hour.  We both coo-ed.

 I used to like to walk with her when I got home, but it is so dark and cold now.  So, we went to the mall.  She pee'd as we were pulling into the parking lot.  So, I carried her to the bathroom, and then she walked the rest of the time.  She had an absolute ball.  I think that will be a regular thing."

Monster at Library

Susie wrote:
"Scotland and Tatiana went to the Rhyme Time at the library.  She was a monster.  She wanted to be right in front of the librarian who was leading the class.  The librarian uses a soft doll or a bear in her lap during the class.  Tatiana wanted to hold the doll all the time and she didn't want anyone else to hold it, not another kid and not the librarian.  Last week when they went she was better than that, but not an angel.  A couple of the mothers commented that Scotland was the first dad they saw that didn't spend time texting rather than pay attention to their kid."

Deodorant

Susie wrote:

"Background:  When Tatiana was first born I moved my deodorant to my nightstand.  That way I could put her on the bed and keep a hand on her while I did the essential stuff.  It is still there.
My deodorant fell on the ground.  Tatiana tried to put deodorant on her underarms.  She had clothes on, and the lid was on, but otherwise Scotland said she did an excellent job.


Today ,Scotland said she just DID NOT WANT TO SLEEP.  My theory is that life is so interesting she doesn't want to miss out.  Scotland said she was a terror for him, but she was an angel for me."

"Itsy Bitsy Spider".

Susie Wrote: "Tatiana loves "Itsy Bitsy Spider.
The last two evenings Scotland and I have song it, and she has tried to sing along and do the hand gestures."

Toby Keith

Gram wrote;
Tatiana likes Toby Keith's newest song: "Red Solo Cup "!
That makes gram so HAPPY because she is a fan of Toby.

Kissed the phone

Gram wrote:
When Susie & I & Taiana were talking on the phone tonight = she giggled a lot.
She said "Hello".
I could hear be happy & giggly on her pink swing.
Then when we were saying goodbye= she kised the phone!
How precious is that !!!!

Spoon!

Tatiana ate from a spoon today, all by herself!   We ran some little errands, I was hungry,and craving ice cream.  I resisted and was getting a couple of t!hose $1 breakfast things at Jack in the Box.  Then I saw they had real ice cream shakes.  We got home and Tatiana wanted some of my shake.  I fed her from the spoon, and then I left the spoon inside the cup.  She just picked up the spoon and fed herself.  I was holding her and we had a fine time sharing the spoon.  Ice cream stuck to the spoon, so it was a good food for her to start with. 

Halloween

Gram wrote:
Susie called us on the phone & told of the fun that Tatiana had going trick or treating.
She was the  world's cutest pink bunny!
She quickly learned to hold out her pumpkin at  the house doors  for people to put candy into it.
Then she was ready to go to next house.
While we were on the phone = Tatiana offered us  one of her Three Musketeers bars.
That was so cute!

Susie wrote:

" Tatiana doesn't like me to leave in the morning.  She does her normal wakeup about 6:30am.   I used to be able to change her diaper in the dark, give her some milk, and put her straight back in the crib, and then I would go back to sleep.
 Now, she doesn't want anything to do with going back to the crib.  I think because she knows I am leaving.  This morning I had to wake Scotland up when it was time for me to get ready for work.  She was QUITE upset when I left.
 I hope she gets used to this soon.
It doesn't help either that we can't give her milk until Tuesday.  That would knock her out."

Susie wrote : "A couple of days ago, Scotland taught Tatiana how to blow her nose!  He was wiping her nose and demonstrated quickly blowing out through both nostrils.  And she did it!  She got out a bunch of snot and obviously felt better, because she did it several more times.  She doesn't understand the concept of wiping, so she shakes her head back and forth while her nose is in some fabric.  Sometimes I will be holding her and she leans forward and blows her nose on my shirt.  I guess that should be gross, but I am happy she is getting that icky stuff out of her.  We do keep a rag around."

Susie wrote:

"Scotland and Tatiana are going with Ty today.
 Ty is auditioning for a Car-based reality show.
Ty took his Riviera to a meeting of car nuts about a month ago.  Then a couple of months ago a car repair place that fixes fancy/old cars called Ty to say that this show was calling around looking for the "owner of the Riv"
They are going somewhere local
Apparently there are only a few shops local that work on those cars
 I think it is kind of neat that the show tracked him down
 They figure that with Tatiana to attract attention, Ty will have a better chance to get in.
 The house is a little chilly (72) so we put Tatiana in her Dallas Cowboys PJ's.
 They are really meant for the nuts that take their baby to see the game in cold weather.
 So it is made out of a thick fleece and there are these little flaps to cover the hands.
 I admit she did look really cute. "

Gram wrote:

"I talked with Nanie last night. She loves to hear about you & Tatiana. She said to give her hugs & kisses from her."

Susie wrote:

"Tatiana is very quick to spot a Doggie on the TV. "

Susie wrote:

"Tatiana is wonderful.
 I think we just rushed the full foods too soon.
She doesn't want to go for a walk though, so she definately isn't better yet.
When I get home she just wants me to hold her.  Because she is sick she wants to be held anyway, but when I first get home regardless of whether she is sick, she wants to be held.
 I just love it."

Gram wrote:

"Yesterday when I was getting my allergy shot = I talked with Maria(little Catherine's nanny). She always asks about my grandbaby.
 Of course I hate to talk about Tatiana! LOL!
 I told her that Tatiana was sick. She asked if she had vomiting & diaherrhea? I said yes.
 Maria said that Catherine had had that virus too.Catherine was so scared when she started vomiting = like Tatiana was."

Susie wrote:

“She seemed lots better last night.

 The real way you can tell she is still sick is that she wants to be held all the time

 Bland foods.  She doesn't like infant rice

 She likes toast.

 I just skimmed the list, Scotland is in charge of that.

The doctor thinks it is a virus.”

Susie : "When Tatiana is drifting off to sleep near me, she will pick up my hand and place it on her belly."

Tatiana threw up again

Susie wrote :"Tatiana seemed like she was getting better, but then she threw up again in the middle of the night.  And this morning she was covered in poop.  Scotland is taking her to the doctor at 12:30 today.

 I talked to Terri last night.  Tatiana was playing in the backyard.  I was on the adult swing.  Scotland was sleeping.  Yesterday he felt like he was getting it.  So I was watching her."

Susie wrote:

"Tatiana is at the doctor's now.
 She is napping
The doctor sent us with a list of food to eat for the next 5 days."

Tatiana is feeling better

Susie wrote : "Tatiana is doing better, but she still cant have milk.  Scotland gave her 2 oz yesterday and it didn't stay down.  She ate really well, though.  She is such a happy child, we are so blessed.   Even sick, she is wonderful to be around.

The three of us went to the park yesterday evening.  She loved loved the swing there.  I don't think it is because the swing is better.  But she really enjoys being around happy kids.  She gets this big smile on her face.  Scotland said she really enjoyed the kiddie play area at the State Fair.  She was too small for the rides, but she liked the happy energy.  Normally at the park she prefers to wander around.  But yesterday, I don't think she felt up to it.
 She slept through the night last night.  I put a pillow in her crib for her to sleep on.

Susie wrote: "She wants to sleep on her tummy, but it hurts.  She bends her knees while on her belly, and she looks so cute!  When I left this morning she was in our bed sleeping tummy down on a pillow with her knees bent."

Tatiana is sick

Susie wrote: " Today she didn't throw up, but we stopped giving her milk.  She is living on Pediolyte.  She really wants milk, but we figured out it was hard on her tummy, and wasn't staying diown.  She has been asking for milk, and it is so hard to deny it.  Late last night I finally felt well enough to eat something and Tatiana saw a milk jug in the vegetable bin and got all excited.

Tatiana makes High Fives with Susie.
She giigles & will move Susie's hands to do again!

Tatiana called Gram & Grandpa

Tatiana called Gram & Grandpa today on Scotland's cell phone.
We pick it up & at first we hear nothing.
Then Susie hears us at her end.
It is so cute!
I'm sure that she just wanted to hear Gram sing! LOL!
We said "Hey" a few times.
Then I did sing to her.

Oh she made us a Happy Gram & Grandpa!

Tatiana loves making raspberry noises. It is SOOO cute!

I have to write down what she did last night!  It might be something only parents are impressed by.  Tatiana and I played with a ball last night.  The two of us laughed and had such fun.  I didn't know a ball could be so much fun.  It was the tiny beach ball we got from the hospital Tea.  She picked it up and threw it down and bounced just a little bit.  Then I picked it up and threw it down in front of her so it would bounce near her.  Then we went back and forth.  She laughed.  I laughed.  Sometimes it rolled away and she would toddle off to get it. 

Tatiana called Gram & Granpa on the phone by pushing speed dial.

Tuesday August 9 2011

Susie said that Tatiana has enough hair now = that she actually got a tangle in her hair.

Another first.

Monday August 8 2011

From Gram & Grandpa:

Bob & I had a GREAT  GREAT day spoiling & enjoying Tatiana!

She walked to Grandpa for special cuddling times!  Bob loved it!

Tatiana & I had fun in kitchen tapping on cooler.

I sang “Order In The Court “ & she giggled & laughed!

I made up a song:” Order in the court  the judge is counting his beans.

But Tatiana is the queen”

She giggled & showed her cute teeth. !

She then would go to living room & then back to kitchen  / with Gram following her!

Oh be still my heart!

She is quite a dancer too. .Tatiana dances alone & then with a doll . She has various dance moves.We did video her dancing.

Tatiana & Susie & Scotland went to Arlington ELKS for dinner with Gram & Grandpa.
Plus we all were entertained by Mr Rock nRoll.
Tatiana moves her head in time with the music like Stevie Wonder ! LOL!

Today we celebrated our anniversary.  We dropped off Tatiana at Judith's house.  It was so hard to leave!  She was happy in Judith's arms, and I kept coming back to kiss her.  When we first got there Judith had to leave for two minutes.  Kat helped to unload the car, and Tatiana stayed holding on to me.  She kept looking at Kat.  Then Judith walked in the back door, and Tatiana toddled off to greet her.  It made me feel OK about leaving her.  Judith called and asked if she could keep Tatiana since she was such an angel.  She napped, and started to explore again.

Last night, Tatiana and I did what I call Hide-and-Peek.  I started out doing Hide and Seek, where I called to her to help her find me.  But, she didn't know quite what to do when she found me.  So, I'd hide around the fireplace, and then when she saw me I'd say "You found me!"  then I'd hide again.  Several times she laughed so hard she fell on her butt.

A few days ago she was playing in the entry way.  It gives her some freedom.  I looked up and her feet were several feet off the floor.  She was sitting in the stroller!  She'd climbed in all on her own!  It was dark out (and therefore cooler) so I took the hint and we went for a walk.  She pushed the stroller a little, rode a little and walked on her own a little.  She thinks grass is pretty neat.  

Tatiana took  out a few clean diapers out & even put them back!

Another cute thing that Tatiana does is that  sometimes walks holding a purse.

She is a born shopper being that has her own shopping cart & purse.

Friday July 23 2011

Written by Gram:

Taiana & Susie went to ELKS  tonight with Gram & Grandpa.

The adults had filet mignon. Mr RocknRoll entertained at Susie & Scotland's wedding.

Tatiana got special toys from him = ball that lights up & a wand with strobe lights .

She loves to dance .

She is the hit at the ELKS everytime she goes!

Susie & Tatiana danced together one song & Gram videotaped it.

Tonight, Tatiana was really really trying to walk on her own.  Not just because it was easier to take a few steps then to get in the crawling position and then stand up.  She was plopping on her butt, then standing right back up.  She was really tired, though.  It was just before PJ time. 

She is sleeping in the crib.  WooHoo!  Happiness.  She has been there for an hour and 12 minutes.  I have so much stuff I want to do, I don't know what to do first. 

She went to get her Sweat Test today for Cystic Fibrosis.  They don't think she has it, but they have to test.  I felt like the worst mother ever when they said she'd have to retake the test, because I stayed outside too long.  But then they said we were within the time window.  It was really uncomfortable for her. 

She wants to push everything.  Last night she was pushing her stroller around the fireplace while Scotland helped to guide it.  I was pooped, and still a little sick.  Yesterday afternoon I was sorting clean laundry in the living room and Tatiana carried her swimsuit around for about an hour.  I got the hint.  We'll probably go Friday. 

I took the shopping cart to the hospital.  I knew we would have to wait, and their waiting room has lots of empty carpet space.  She was adorable!  She'd push it around, and then stop to inspect one of the big toys they had around.  She was fascinated by the other kids. 

Tonight, she took 3 or 4 deliberate steps toward me this evening.  I think before she didn't realize she was walking.  This was deliberate.  She didn't even fall!  I scooped her up, and gave her lots of kisses.  Then I set her down on the floor and she took a step or two to Scotland.  She had the biggest smile while she was getting kisses. 

Earlier, Tatiana and I took a stroll.  We were in the living room and she went into the entryway and started to push her stroller by pushing on the basket.  It obviously didn't go very far.  Outside was early twilight, which is a good time to go outside.  So, I got the stroller outside the door, set her on the ground behind the stroller.  She started to push like she had before.  She pushed the stroller down the sidewalk and all I did was steer.  She pushed it two houses away and then she pooped.  So, we went back, and I cleaned her up.  When we started again she pushed it 5 or 6 houses down.  She stopped three times; once to pick a blade of grass, once to stick her hand in some dirt, and once to inspect a crack in the sidewalk.  Then she got tired and I put her in the seat. 

 Gram posted :

We watched fireworks from our back yard that were shot off at Highlands in Arlington.

That was so beautiful! Tatiana was with us because Susie & Scotland were at MENSA Gathering.

Tatiana loved fireworks. She would go to Gram & sit on her lap. Then she would go to Grandpa's lap.shj

She just had her birthday party.  I think it went well.  She was an angel until the end after everyone but Gram and Grandpa had left.  I loved the dress she was in.  Everyone but Judith and Marian got there right at about 1pm.  Tatiana seemed fine with having people hold her who weren't us.  So I was able to do last minute party prep.  Dallas was here too.  He was an excellent dog.  We had lasagna and salad.  I thought the lasagna was a little dry.  We had Brown Velvet cake which is Red Velvet without the food coloring.  I added extra buttermilk.  It came out perfect.  She ate her cake so nice!  Judith said she was too neat, because she didn't get cake on her face.  I thought it she was wonderful.  Then we opened presents.  Each one was nicer than the last.  There wasn't a dud in the bunch.  Tatiana was so cute about opening them.  Tatiana and Kellan played nicely.  On Monday when Amber and Kellan came to play, Tatiana kept taking toys from him.  I was a little embarrassed.  Mainly she just wanted him to notice her.  When everyone had left, Tatiana fell asleep immediately. 

She is sound asleep right now. She is no longer my shoulder baby. She still wants to be held, just in the lap.

One other thing occurred to me last night, her response to music is getting more sophisticated. She doesn't do the headbanging thing anymore. She dances by bouncing to the beat. When we were visiting Judith and Marian, last week Tatiana really loved "If I were a rich man" from Fiddler on the Roof.  I held her with her back to my tummy and she really got her legs a kicking to the beat.  Maybe she will actually have rhythm.  The song was from a music box of Marian's.  Tatiana was indifferent to "Tomorrow" from Annie, and other song I forget which one.  She loves that funk song in the Birthday card that Terri gave to Scotland.  It "Bow wow wow, yipee yo yipee yeah."  I played a couple of my Bach CD's and she seemed to like them.  Didn't send her bouncing like the funk song though. 

I just love looking at her teeth!  They came in when I couldn't get to the blog.  She got 6 within about two weeks.  That was a cranky time.   She doesn't like my finger in her mouth.  But, I get to see them when she gives a big smile. 

She still LOVES peekaboo.  She likes hiding just behind a doorway and peeking out.  She is also able to use a sheet and put it off her head or face.  She used to only be able to move it out of the way if you held it up like a curtain. 

Tatiana got her first email on the 21st.  It was from her Grandparents.

Last time we were at her Grandparents, we went in the pool.  The grandparents dangled and Tatiana and I went around the edge of the pool.  Speaking of swimming, the last couple of times we've gone I think she's wanted to blow bubbles.  She'll blow through her lips above the water. 

When I am talking on the phone to Mom and Dad, they like saying "Hey" to each other.  

Tatiana loves to push her grocery cart.
She will put a doll & toys inside.

Tatiana received her FIRST email. It was from Gram & Grandpa.

And I thought a cat under the sheet was cute!  A cat has nothing on Tatiana under a sheet.  We were calling, "Where is Tatiana?"  She was sitting and we could see her arms moving the sheet.  The trouble was she'd move it one way, and decide that way wasn't working and she'd try another.  With a little help, she uncovered herself and gave us the biggest smile! 

She did a "Give me five!" today. 

Woo Hoo!  I can access the blog again.  I missed it.  I updated my other email account, so hopefully this won't happen again.

Starting from recent and working back:

Today we went to the doctor.  He wants some "Failure to Thrive" tests.  Just the words to panic a mom.  We can't go in until July 8th.  In the meantime I will just keep doing my Old Country Grandmother routine.  "Eat, Eat, Eat.  Don't want that?  How about this?"

A few days ago she stood all on her own momentarily!  She did it a few times.  I was in the bedroom trying to get stuff done and Scotland hollared that I had to "come see this!"  I somehow knew what it was.  When she realized what she was doing, she held onto Scotland.

She also started putting her hand on her head like it is a game.  I thought Scotland had taught it to her, and he thought I did.  If we imitate each other doing it, she gets this big smile.  A couple of days ago she was hanging out in the sling.  She grabbed each of my pinkies in a hand, and put my hands on my head.  She laughed and laughed.  She repeated it many times.  Lots of fun.

Bedtime Routine

 

Bedtime Routine:

1. Starts with toothbrush time.
1. She has the option of either having her hair brushed, or brushing her teeth.
2. Toothpaste is optional, and she will put it on.
2. Purple goes in the crib, as well as cold water (no ice or one cube) and cold milk in baby bottles.
3. She goes potty. 
1. She can be read a book while on the potty, or be song her potty songs.
2. If she doesn’t go potty she gets a diaper (orange one is good)
3. If she goes potty she has the choice of training pants or underpants.
4. We call the valentine diapers “training pants”, so we use those when she wants training pants but we’d rather she have diapers.
4. She picks out four books.
5. She is read the four books.  I usually like the lights just bright enough for me to read.
6. Lights go out.
7. I sing the nighttime song
1. (first verse) “Mom-my, she loves you.  Really really loves you.”  (can substitute for Mommy.
2. (second verse) “Ta Tee Ta Tee Tatiana girl.”
8. While singing I usually hold her.  Sometimes she starts with a hug and then moves to a cradle.  Sometimes she goes straight for the cradle.  She is really clear with what she wants. 
9. When she is relaxed I put her in the bed on her purple. 
10. She’ll wiggle and settle in, usually grabbing her milk. 
11. Then she will say “Settled” or “blanket”.  That is my signal to put the blanket over her and under her arms.  Then the blanket has to be tucked under her all the way around. 

 

I see a tooth!  It is hard to see because she fights and sticks her tongue out but there is a tooth!   I feel like my daughter just cured cancer.  She is sleeping now.

I took some really good photos with the camera last night.  I was on the couch and Scotland was sitting on the floor.  Just recently he started to say "Ready!  Steady!  Belly!" just before he gives her belly kisses.  She gets sooo excited and happy.  He did that last night and I got photos.  Her face is alight. 

Last night Tatiana did something really cute.  I sat down with her in my lap in the mancave chair.  She took each of my thumbs in a hand and clapped my hands.  She thought that was soooo funny.  She kept doing it until my arms were tired. 

We took a bath this morning and she is really gaining confidence in the water.  She loves her yellow duckie and her octopus. 

She is sleeping now.  We took a nap together earlier in the bed.  Really, she slept and I read.  I had a panic this morning when I put her on the scale and she weighed less than Friday.  It wasn't a time I would have normally weighed her, but she'd gotten her PJ sleeve wet in the sink when I was changing her diaper.  Since she was naked anyway I weighed her.  Since then she is back up to normal.  Whew!  

There are some moments in time that I wish I could store away to relive later.  Not video but the full experience.  Last night after poker I nursed her and she wasn't very hungry but she wanted Mommy time, and I wanted Tatiana time.  We were still in bed and she was leaning against me chewing on/kissing my nose.  She had a huge happy grin while doing it.  A little later she leaned her head on mine while I gave her lots of cheek kisses. 

Yesterday she helped me sort laundry.  I had a clean hamper that was half diapers and half other white stuff.  I was sitting on the nursery floor digging out the diapers.  She came over and started pulling out the clothes and tossing them around her.  She was so cute and intent!  I let her do that and when she unearthed a diaper I snagged it.  At one time she had so much clothes in her lap she had to sort of swim through them to get to the bottom of the hamper. 

We had a great day yesterday.  Swimming was wonderful.  She smiled and seemed happy when I said we were going swimming.  That was nice.  She had the hiccoughs, but she didn't want to nurse.  She wanted to look around, especially at the kids having fun.  We got there early and got in the pool at the other end from the earlier class.  We sat on the love seat at first. Then I held her facing me on her belly.  I walked backward so she could feel the water flowing.  She practiced her new skill, splashing.  We did that until class started.  Kellen was there as well as two older kids.  She did very well, but a couple of times she wanted to hold onto mommy.  Since we'd had a half hour of pool time before class started, I didn't feel like we were wasting precious class time.  I thought she needed to relax so I had her float on her back.  She relaxed and looked at me while I sung our lullaby.  I think she was close to going to sleep.  She also sucked her thumb some of the time.  I heard one of the older kid's mom say, "See, the little baby can float." 

She is such a good age now.  She has some mobility, but she is still super cuddly.  Her lead levels were within normal.  Speaking of mobility, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned to Scotland I was looking forward to putting the bells on her shoes.  He said, "You aren't putting bells on my kid."  I didn't get a chance to ask why.  Then later when I asked, he just didn't like the idea of them while she was still crawling, while walking was fine.  Last night, she was crawling all over the house, and Scotland said, "Maybe she needs those bells now."

Yesterday evening she had her first bath with a bath toy.  We had been in the big tub for floating/swimming.  But, this was the first time to sit up in the big tub.  I had thought she would sit on the tub between my legs, we went in while there was only a couple of inches of water.  She wanted nothing to do with that. I think it was slippery.  So, I sat her in my lap and filled the tub.  That was OK.  She didn't know quite what to think.  A little scary, but mommy was holding her.  I washed her while holding her.  Then I showed her the bath Octopus.  It is a soft fabric toy octopus that floats.  Instead of tenacles it has these floating circles.  She just looked at for awhile.  Then she reached out for it.  She splashed the water.  I made a happy noise, and she looked at me and smiled.  I said, "You splashed" and then I splashed the water.  So, then she splashed at the octopus for about 20 minutes.  At one point she grabbed the toy and chewed on it.  Scotland came home and was searching for her rubber ducky.  While he was still looking, she went from playing to "Mommy, enough!, get me out."  

Today we had a pretty ordinary day.  We had planned on getting up for the 7am Easter service, but it stormed last night and the electricity went out.  Scotland went to bed early and I had a hard time getting her to bed.  I am worried about her lead levels, but trying not to worry.  

We just got back from babyswim and church.  She is soooo cute.  She is completely conked out now.  During baby swim I had her floating on her back.  I don't know why, but she decided to arch her back in that "NOOOOOO" way she has.  She dunked her own head in the water, then came up sputtering.  She was not happy.  When I got to baby swim Kellan and Amber were there.  Tatiana and Kellan seemed happy to see each other. 

Last night Tatiana did the cutest thing!  The three of us were in the living room.  The toy box was in the middle. It was mostly empty because I'd dug through to get her buckets to make a tower.  She dug in her toy box looking for something and then her feet left the ground.  At one point she was balanced on her waist on the edge.  Scotland and I simultaneously said, "Look at that!"  I ran for the video camera but when she tipped over into the toy box, she was a little upset and Scotland rescued her.  She was digging for an empty thread spindle. 

We have been at Mom and Dad's for my birthday.  I guess I should start calling them Gram and Grandpa.  Boy, did we have fun!  I was worried we wouldn't be able to play Shanghaii much, but we got several games in.  We got in really late on Tuesday.  I was beat! 

Tatiana did the cutest thing last night!  It was late at night, I was on the computer and Tatiana and Scotland were in the mancave.  Tatiana crawled into the bedroom, looked at me, and then kept crawling to the bed!  It was sooo cute.  She wanted to make sure I knew she wanted milk.  When I nursed her, I used a pillow as a sort of blanket.  When she was done nursing she put her arm around it and fell asleep.  Scotland said we looked very cute both sleeping with an arm around a pillow. 

Today we went to the library for the song/story time.  She is the cutest baby there.  She ate chicken enchiladas with mommy for dinner. 

Mom and Dad came to visit.  Or, I guess I should say Grandpa and Gram.  It was a really excellent visit.  Tatiana is mostly over her Mommy phase.  When it was naptime she wanted mommy.  Otherwise, I think she played the entire time with them.  Dad said that while I was in the bedroom, Tatiana looked down the hallway for me, then sort of shrugged when she didn't see me.  Mom and Tatiana had the biggest laugh playing Peek-a-boo. 

Yesterday evening she did something for the first time.  She crawled out of the room I was in, and it wasn't to Scotland.  It was to go exploring. 

This morning we went to the Mom group at the church.  Boy, was that hard to get there at 9:30am.  They are so nice.  We won't see them until the fall. 

This afternoon I brought the play table into the dining room.  My hope was that she would play while I sewed.  She immediately went to the Herbert plant and tried to eat the pistachio nut shells.  I thought to myself, "This is a good opportunity to use 'No'."  So, I told her No, while I pulled her hand away.  She laughed at me!  I thought maybe it was because I wasn't saying it seriously enough.  Nope.  She just kept going back to it.  It was aggravating but she was laughing and delighted.  Later she was playing with Scotland in the mancave.  We figured out why she laughed.  He would say, "Oh, no!  You're knocking down the tower!"  So, he's not going to use the word "No" except to say don't do that. 

Yesterday Scotland brought home Christian's play table.  It was dirty in the way of used toys so I cleaned it.  There was a really small hinged cover that came off, and I couldn't get it back on.  I took it into the mancave where Scotland and Tatiana were.  While Scotland was putting it on, Tatiana came to investigate and was entranced.  She played with it a long while. 

I went to play poker.  Scotland said she seemed to know I wasn't there.  She didn't crawl to look for me.  When I got home she was asleep, but then she heard me and woke up.  I was glad for the chance to hold her. 

We had a ton of fun yesterday.  We went to visit Amber and Kellen at their house.  They were fascinated with each other, and kept looking at each other.  A few times Kellen reached out his hands to touch Tatiana's face, and sucked on his fingers.  Kellen has a couple of those standing toy tables.  Tatiana really went to town on them.  One of tables, had a hole in the middle where you could put a non-standing baby.  Kellen was in there, and Tatiana was standing on the outside.  Sometimes they were playing with the same thing.  At one point, Amber and I were talking and we realized that we are both a couple of months older than our husbands.  Then Amber joked to Kellen that she already found him the perfect wife, Tatiana, who is 2.5 months older than him. 

Tatiana was so adorable at lunch today!  What am I saying, of course she was adorable.  Allen got her some Clementine wedges and she really enjoyed them.  Scotland got her some Krab (looked like white fish) and she really went to town on that.  She also had some bean sprouts, she has enjoyed them before.  She wasn't as into the spinach this time, but it was given to her last.  She spilled ice water on me.  I'd just had time to look at the water and say to myself, "That is too close" and then she reached out to grab it, and it spilled on me.  I got a little wet and screamed a little because it was cold.  Then she cried because mommy screamed, so the priority became soothing her. 

Tatiana started doing something new and really neat.  Lately, right before bed, she has been playing with Scotland in the man cave. When she is with me that late, she is a little tired and a little hungry and I smell like milk.  They were playing "towers"  where Scotland makes a tower out of the blocks and Tatiana knocks them over.  She is adorable about it.  She makes sure every last piece is knocked down and apart.  He said one minute they were playing, and the next she was crawling away toward the bedroom.  I was done doing work, and was in bed reading and waiting for her to be ready to nurse.  She crawled all the way to next to the bed, so all I had to do was lean over and scoop her up!  She got lots of kisses too. She is so amazing!

Today she discovered velcro.  She was wearing a diaper I made that is attached with velcro.  She likes to fiddle while nursing.  She had a hold of the velcro tab and opened it, closed it, opened it, closed it, opened it, closed it, repeat.  I think she liked the sound. 

Scotland and Tatiana ate popcorn together last night.  He took off a few of the fluffy parts of the popcorn and let her feed herself.  She put it in her mouth and let it melt.  Then she gave us this cute smile.  Fortunately Scotland doesn't put salt on his popcorn.  He asked me to make sure and add it to the blog.

Tatiana and I went to Beer Garden.  It was nice to talk to Roger and Colin.  Curtis held Tatiana and was gaga for her.  I think she liked his facial hair.  She was also able to look at me.  Roger said she is the best behaved baby he has ever seen.  He jokingly accused me of medicating her.  She is extra nice when we are out and about. 

Tatiana was baptized yesterday.  The ceremony was beautiful, and everyone commented on how well Tatiana behaved.  Scotland and I thought she was a little cranky in the beginning, but that was because she had a wet diaper.  Part of the ceremony each group was supposed to stand up and say we are getting Tatiana baptized.  I was flustered because with us checking her diaper, it had fallen off right before that.  I was pleased with how many people came to the baptism. 

When we go to church I like to get there early, and diaper her and nurse her in this side room that they have.  It settles her down, so she behaves during church. We did that for the baptism.  We accidentally ended up turning one of the side rooms into the Tatiana room.  Most of our friends/family gathered there. 

The party was very nice.  We didn't run out of any food.  The only mistake I made was I forgot to put out the BBQ sauce.  Scotland realized about halfway through.  I think everyone had fun. 

Tatiana has had another good day.  She played with me in the morning.  She spends most of her playtime working on her standing skills.  She is getting so stable, and non-wobbly.  She also just pops up when she wants to stand.  She makes it look so easy.  She was good at lunch. While I was eating, Scotland helped her to show off her standing skills to everyone.  She was fascinated by the guy next to me, Tom.  He told her to "spread the word".  She had a nice nap in the sling.  When she woke up she did this screaming thing she has started lately.  I hope it calms down into babbling soon. When we got home she was affectionate.  She did get a half hour nap in the crib.  Yeah!  I love those. 

Tatiana had a really good day yesterday.  During morning playtime I was reading a book in the recliner in the nursery.  I looked down and Tatiana was using the handle on the recliner and a box to stand up, all on her own!  She went from crawling to standing.  She has done it before using mommies or daddies fingers.  Then, when she gets tired she doesn't know what to do.
 
Early afternoon playtime was on the big bed.  I put pillows around the edges.  The biggest barrier is at the foot because she wants to chew on the laundry hamper in the bassinet.  All on her own she crawled/climbed onto the top!  It was probably one foot high.    She got to the top and gave me this big smile.  Then she was very unhappy with me because I wouldn't let her fall head first into the bassinet.

This morning isn't as good because she is having trouble pooping. 

Today is Saturday and I was glad to be able to get out of the house because of the snow.  Yesterday we got some cute photos of her licking the beater from making cookies.  Today when I was at Walmart I put the car seat in the cart instead of having her in the sling.  She seemed sort of vegetative. I now understand why people always comment on how alert she is. 

Boy does time fly!  We have had ice days this week.  Thursday she was going to have her photo taken at Ralf's but the studio was too cold.  Wednesday she did something very smart for a 6 month old.  We were having playtime on the master bed.  She likes to partially climb onto stuff then use it to balance.  She did that with one of the pillows.  Then she noticed that the pillowcase had a pig on it.  I saw her paw at it.  I told her that yes it was a pig and pigs goes Oink Oink. She did that little happy laugh she does.

Today at lunch I was standing up with her in the sling, and the waiter had just brought a new water for me.  She wanted to drink.  So, I let her try, and she did.  She took proper drinks from it.  Everyone was very impressed.  She didn't know what everyone was so excited about. She also liked to dangle her hand in the cold water with ice. 

Friday evening I went to a cigar store to play poker and Tatiana stayed with Scotland.  It was nice getting out on my own, but I felt like I had an arm missing.  Scotland said she was cranky.  She didn't want to drink from the bottle, and then she gave in and fed herself from the bottle in the car.  But, then she hadn't been hungry during the day, either. 

She loves her books, particularly the ones that make animal noises.  But, they don't hold a candle to Mommies book.   I try putting some of her books in between my book and her, but noooo when she is focused on something.  She is so cute when she is crawling and concentrating, her tongue sticks out a little bit.

Saturday night she did not sleep well at all.  Which meant that Scotland and I didn't sleep well either.  She woke up about three times. 

Today, Sunday, we had a pretty normal day.  She let me sleep until 11am which was unusual and nice.  We went to Ralf's to judge the essays.  She was an angel.  When we were done, Paul held her and several other people stood around and admired/talked about her.  I commented that she knew she had the proper amount of attention. 

Thursday morning she did her first genuine crawl with the proper arm movements.  I had nursed her in the master bed and then she wanted to eat my book.  There was a sheet in the way, and I think that is why she picked up one arm.  When she'd made a few steps I started to cheer and I called Scotland in.  I don't think she knew she was doing it different.  She gave me this confused big smile that said she didn't how she'd made me happy, but she was glad she did.  I need to vacuum now.  The trouble is she is still sick, and I'm feeling a little under the weather.

Today she has spent a lot of time sleeping.  During morning playtime she crawled on the nursery floor. She was particularly fascinated with the lid to the diaper pail. 

Wednesday:  Still sick, maybe getting better.  My nickname for her has been Wheezy, but she is breathing better.  Maybe just wishful thinking.  Trouble is, now I am congested.  I really like it when she is really clear with what she wants.  During morning playtime, she pulled herself to a standing position using my bra strap.  She stood there a minute with that smile that says "Look at what I can do!".  Then she leaned forward and rested her head on me, and started to suck her thumb.  I got the message.  She was tired and wanted to sleep on mommy. 
I took some video during afternoon playtime.  At one point she rolled and bumped her head.  Somehow knowing it is on video makes me feel worse.  We fed her carrots from the garden.  I don't think the food processor mixed them fine enough. 

Sunday night, we got the shoes that Mom had bought for Tatiana's Baptism.  They are absolutely adorable!  Her second pair of the ruffled diaper covers came in too.  Everyone smiles when they see her butt in them.  I was holding her and trying to get her to go to sleep.  She was fighting it, and was doing raspberries on my shoulder.  Scotland wanted one.  He offered her his cheek and she started to, but she couldn't get the angle right. 

Monday:  Still sick.  We ran errands and she was an angel.  I looked at her red eyes, and snotty nose and realized she wouldn't be photogenic by Wednesday, so we postponed the photo shoot a week.  I want these photos to be extra special. 

Tuesday: Still sick.  I am such a Mom.  She has a gob of snot coming out her nose, and I think "Oh, Good!  Get that stuff out of your body.  Let Mommy clean that off for you."  Sometimes I look at her and she gives me that crooked smile, and I see the little girl she will become.  Other times, she is 110% baby.  Even her cry is adorable, at least when I know what to do.  Now that she is sick, she is more like a tiny baby.  Poop/pee, eat, play a little, sleep, repeat.  I hung a couple of things in the nursery, including my old music box that had made my cry with happiness when I saw it when I was pregnant.  I hung it up over the lightswitch. While holding Tatiana, I pulled the cord.  Tatiana looked at me and smiled, then looked at the music box.  She sat in my arms calmly watching it the entire time it played. 

Tuesday:  She slept without her coughing waking her up.  We got up early to go to the mom thing at church. My breakfast burritos were popular.  During afternoon playtime, I called mom and dad and they didn't answer.  I let Tatiana play with the phone AND SHE CALLED HER GRAM AND GRANDDAD.  Mom answered and was so happy.

Wednesday:  We once again woke up early.  We went to the Mom group that meets at the mall.  I wanted to get some exercise.  The other moms were jealous of Tatiana.  All 5 babies were around her age.  Three of them weren't sleeping through the night.  None of them were attempting to crawl. I forgot to bring toys, so I let her crawl to my drink.   In the evening we went to Manny's and met Ty and Margaret.  Brandon came along too.  We asked Ty and Margaret to be Godparents.  They said yes. 

Thursday:   She woke very congested.  So much for a late morning sleep.  We stayed home.  I wish I could make her all better. 

Friday: Still sick.   She absolutely loves to play with books.  There is one book with soft animal heads on it.  When you push on the head, it makes that animal's noise.  She laughs/coos when she hears it.  She also loves the phone.

Saturday:  Still sick.  She played with the wooden animal puzzle.  I showed her each puzzle piece and the animal noise it made when you put each piece back.  She giggled for each one.  Then she decided to chew on the rooster.  She had been sitting up and then leaned forward and her elbow hit the right spot to make the rooster noise.  She did that a few more times.  Then she decided to chew on the dog piece.  So, I put the rooster back, and it made the noise.  That got her attention and she did something neat.  She tilted the piece up, and dropped it in order to make the noise.  Before, with her elbow, it had been on accident.  But this was on purpose.  She did that many times.  Right then, Judith called.  She got to hear Tatiana make the noise.  Then I called Mom and Dad.  Mom only got to hear it once and then Tatiana decided it was time to nurse.

That evening she discovered flowing water.  She had pooped in her diaper, so I wiped her and was rinsing her in the sink.  She grabbed a hold of the faucet and made the water spurt.  Then she just put her hand in the stream and moved it.  Pretty neat

Sunday:  Still sick.  Today she discovered terry cloth. 

Monday started fairly normal. I woke her up and nursed her.  She wouldn't let me go back to sleep, but she smiled, so I melted.  I played with her and then did dishes.  Mom and Dad came over for a Tatiana visit.  She was late for her late morning nap.  I thought she might go right to sleep when they got here, but she was just cranky.  Wanted Mommy and only Mommy.  We had a nice lunch.  I'd made caramel rolls.  Then we fed Tatiana.  Mom and Dad fed her some, then I finished.  She is still learning how to eat.  She often closes her mouth just when you get the tip of the spoon in.   I feel bad Mom and Dad didn't get more Tatiana time.  She was cranky for awhile after they left.  We did a baby swim in the bathtub.  She kicked and splashed.  She seemed to settle down after that.  Scotland and I watched some TV.  While he was eating, I changed her diaper in the living room.  Since I have to kiss her belly, and I didn't want to lean down to the floor.  I picked up and kissed her belly that way.  She pushes with her legs and she moves too far away for me to kiss, then she moves back and I give her more belly kisses.  She laughed and laughed.   I laughed too.  Then I put her on my shoulder while trying to snap the bottom of her PJ's.  She was making the potty noise against my shoulder.  I said, "Yes, you went in the potty!"   Scotland said, "I think she was giving you a raspberry.  Put her face to your cheek."  So, I did.  She gave me the best raspberry ever on my cheek!  I laughed so hard and long that it hurt.  My 6 month old baby gave me a raspberry!  I never would have known if Scotland weren't so observant.  Scotland took her then and offered her his cheek, but she wasn't in the mood any more.  Maybe I scared her by laughing so hard.  Then she played on the jungle gym otherwise known as daddy and got tired out.  I nursed her and she went to sleep.  I am going to treasure that raspberry memory. 

It is Sunday morning now.  Scotland and Tatiana are sleeping.  Tatiana had a weird night.  She fell asleep really early.  She needed lots of shoulder time, and that made her sleepy.   We had put her in her crib for her afternoon nap, and maybe she needed some mommy time.  She woke up a couple of times last night.  Her diaper was very wet, and then she wanted to nurse to calm down. 
Saturday afternoon during playtime I song Dance Baby and I swear she was singing along.  I thought it was adorable. 

We had a busy day yesterday.  It was good that her mood returned to normal.  We had a 10:45am doctor's appointment to get her 6 month vaccines.  It is amazing how much better the 10:00am appointments are for Tatiana.  The 10:45 nugged into her naptime.  She was 13lbs 2oz.  She got her shots and they weren't too bad.  She cried like the world was ending, of course.  But, she calmed down when I held her.  At the 4 month appointment, I think the doctor pegged me as a "Good mother".  She had really cried hard when she got her shots, and then calmed down right away when I held her.  I saw him smile and say something about good mothers to the nurse while gesturing at Tatiana and I.  She seemed OK for the rest of the afternoon.  I went to play poker in the evening and left her with Scotland.  During the second session I get a little twitchy wondering what she is doing at that moment.  I end up playing bad and leaving earlier than normal.  When I got home, I ran inside and she was sleeping so I couldn't hold her.  I waited for her to wake up, but eventually I had to wake her up to nurse her so that I could go to sleep. 
     This morning was very normal.  I love it when after a little bit of milk she'll stop nursing, back up and then she'll give me this brilliant smile. I think she is saying, "Good Morning Mommy!  Good Milk!"  Then she goes back to eating.  We haven't given her any solid foods the last few days.  We want to let her tummy settle from the solids she has had.  She pooped all on her own this evening.  Well, the car ride might have helped. 

Wednesday

WARNING:  POOP DISCUSSED AT GREAT LENGTH
She has been very distressed.  She's been crying while making the pooping noise.   I thought she wasn't that constipated since she went yesterday.  Then I touched her butt.  There was hard poop just inside there.  I looked up what I could do.   One of the first things I read is that sometimes parents see liquidy poop and think their baby isn't constipated.  When really it is a sign of it.  In hindsight, yesterday's was that way.  Then I became even more worried.   We did many many long Baby Cycles, where I exercised her legs until my arms hurt.  A bath might have relaxed her, so I tried that.  I also tried a bath swim thinking the natural leg movements might help.  Nope.  There was one more thing to try and I couldn't bring myself to do it.  I read that using a rectal thermometer can break the dam.  I worried I would hurt her more.  Scotland was playing soccer so I sent him a text "I need your help getting her to poop.  Please don't chit-chat."  Then Tatiana and I went to the recliner, where she cried and cried.  Then I turned the lullaby CD on.  When the first song came on "Dance Baby" her face lit up and she actually smiled.  That player did not have a Repeat button, so I kept restarting the CD.  Eventually she calmed down, and then Scotland came home.  He did the thermometer trick and boy did it work!  Scotland said she probably pooped out 5 ounces. 
She is asleep now. It is nice to be back to normal.  Tomorrow she gets Three shots.  My poor baby. 

It is Tuesday morning now.  We had a nice day yesterday.  We were going to meet Scotland at the pub for poker and football.  So, I nursed her and then put her in the crib while I used the breast pump.  She made a little noise in the crib and then was quiet.  When I went to get her she was sleeping in her crib!  That was the first time she went from playing to sleeping without our help.  Sigh, our little angel is growing up.  I loaded her in the car, and then the car wouldn't start.  Scotland is going to fiddle with it this morning.  We tried to go to poker in Scotland's car but Ty called us and said there was no poker.  I suspect that that location is canceled permanently.  We had a nice evening at home.  In fact, she fell asleep again in the crib yesterday evening. 

I think she is constipated, poor little baby.  She cries while making the potty noise. I looked into it, and it might be that her poop is different and her body is getting used to it.  Good thing I checked it out.  We were planning on making apple sauce next, and that might have constipated her more.  Instead we are going to try Pears next. 

I woke up at 8:30am and instead of being asleep, she was quietly chewing on a rattle.  It was so sweet!

I finished making a new fitted diaper yesterday, and she slept in it.  All was well. She looks so adorable in it!

Tatiana had another first today!  Her first snow.  She didn't know what to think of it.  Of course, both her parents were talking about how icky snow was, while we took her out in it.  We got that on video too. 

Scotland put her in the sling for the first time.  She took a nap.  I was just overcome with love looking at them.  When she woke up she did a double take when she saw Scotland and she cried.  Even knowing why, it still hurt his feelings.  To get her used to being in the sling with Daddy, he put her back in during the evening.  I got lots of stuff done. 

Tatiana & Susie & Scotland went to Arlington ELKS with Gram & Grandpa for dinner.
Then we were all entertained by Mr Rocknroll.
Tatiana moves her head in time with music = like Stevie Wonder.

  Wednesday we woke up early to go to Christian's custody hearing.  I packed everything and the kitchen sink.  I hate driving and parking in Dallas, so we took the train.  Yeah!, Tatiana's first train trip.  It was so much nicer than driving.  I was able to hold her, and feed her and diaper her.  She looked out the window for a bit at first, but the sun was bright.  At the courthouse each side had their own little room right outside the courtroom.  Since it was private, we could relax.  Judith got in lots of Grandma time.  Tatiana was an angel. At one point when the lawyer was updating, she fussed and I took her out of Judith's arms to change her diaper.  The lawyer seemed a bit surprised that I knew her diaper needed to be changed.  I told him she was quite upset.  He said, "If that is upset.  I wonder what her happy is like?"  It is Friday now and I have not heard the result of the court case.  I'm a little worried.  On the way home she fell asleep so deeply I was worried she wasn't breathing.  I really moved her, and she shifted her head from one side to the other.  I swear I could read her mind and it was "Mommy, Let me sleep!"
  Thursday morning we once again had to wake up early.  This time was for her 6 month checkup.  He said that because she has been coughing at night he wants to postpone the vaccines for a week.  We also need to put a pillow under her mattress to keep her head elevated.   Before we went to lunch, she got her first sweet potatoes.  She seemed to like them.  She is so cute the way she tries to help!  She tries to use her hand to scrape the food from the spoon into her mouth.  Sometimes it works, sometimes she gets it all on her hand.  Thursday evening I left her home with Scotland and I went to play poker at Southfork.  I like that place.  They are so friendly.  They had a nice evening together.  She still woke up coughing
  This morning I was going to let us sleep in, but of course she woke up early.  Right now she is sleeping in the sling. 

Today was a busy day.  Last night she woke up coughing shortly after she fell asleep.  I held her in the rocker.  She felt so warm and snuggly, and I had a book on CD going so I think I held her for a long time after she went asleep.  I just didn't want to put her down.  We had to wake up early to get to the Mom group at the church.  I enjoy that.  She gives me an excuse to walk around.  The ladies are so nice.  Then we went to the Church service.  I sat next to one of the moms from my table.  Her daughter is 1.5 months older.  They were fascinated with each other. We picked up some fabric and got home.  We had a nice time at home.  Scotland got home and we went out for Pizza.  They didn't have a baby changing table in the Men's Room.  Grrr.  Very annoying.  We got home and she took a nap.  We fed her bananas, and then watched TV.  She was in the floor gym and then Scotland says, "You want to watch this"  She saw a pile of newspaper ads on the floor and creeped/crawled a couple of feet to them.  She probably went about 10 feet total.  We kept putting new ads a little bit out.  Yes, mother, I have it on video. At least all but the first.  She was really going for that paper.  I don't know if it was an actual crawl.  Probably more of a fast creep. 

We are having a nice day today.  She is spending lots of time sleeping in the sling.  She is still waking up in the wee hours coughing.  Scotland brought her to me to nurse, and I totally did not remember it this morning.  I talked to Mom and Dad today and she was so intent on the phone.  It was adorable!  Of course, I think her poop doesn't stink.  But, then in her case it really is true.  Last night Scotland was proud because she did a "Man pushup."   That is when you do a pushup using your toes. 

Jan 2

She is still feeling a little sick.  She'll be cranky and the next minute she'll be happy.  She added a new twist to the kissing game.  She kissed my nose, then turned her head to the side.  I gave her lots of kisses om her cheeks and she giggled.  It was nice.  At the moment she is in the sling hiccoughing and sucking on her thumb.

She did so good at her second feeding.  She tried just as much to help, but it was more helpful this time.  I got an adorable photo of her eating. 

Jan 1: First solid food

We fed Tatiana her first food today.  We were waiting until she was 6 months old, and she is a few days shy.  She has been quite insistent about grabbing for my food and particularly my water glass.  She gets a little sick for a few days after her vaccine so I decided to start now.  In the morning I set up her highchair.  She became a little fussy, so I didn't investigate why the legs fell out when you lifted the chair.  When it was time to feed her, It took us awhile to get setup.  She was such a patient girl.  I swear she knew what was coming!  She sat there and swung her arms.  We mushed an organic banana with freshly pumped breast milk.  Since I do most of the feeding, I let Scotland give her the first bite.  She took right to it, and wanted to help shove the food in.  We also fed her a black-eyed pea, for luck.  After a few bites she became fussy.  I thought it was because she'd had enough of the new experience, but it turned out her diaper was soaked.