portrait of a 3-month old

The saddest, cutest thing ever - a baby who doesn't want to play dress up.

"Pleeease don't make me!!"

"Okay, only if I can stand up."

I love the way she's already mastered sulking.

Audrey is OFFICIALLY 3 months (and 6 days!) old now.  She is becoming such a precious little beast!  I knew she was cute from the start, and I've always been so proud of her, but I would say that it's just in the last few weeks we've become really close.  We've finally settled into a routine and enjoy spending our days together.

Before she was born I wasn't sure how much I would talk about her here... For privacy reasons as well as the fact that I was planning on doing much more with this space, and not just falling into the category of "mommy blogger."  But as anyone with a baby knows... it's nearly impossible to think of much else, especially when you stay home all day with your little one.  So I'm just going to let it happen, though hopefully I'll continue to post on other topics occasionally! 

I'm planning to post her birth story soon, because I haven't really written it all down anywhere and I don't want the memories to get lost.  I know before I had a baby I was fascinated by birth stories, and eager to hear about all of the possible ways it could go.  I'm still fascinated with them, but now they either make me jealous if they sound easier than mine, or grateful that mine went the way it did.  So I hope it won't be a great bore to anyone, but if so you can just skip over the post.  :)

bad nights and good days

 
This baby is blowing my mind.  She'll be 3 months old tomorrow, and she can already do so many amazing things.  Yesterday she started cooing along when I was singing to her!  She's also been "working out" a lot lately - she likes to sit on my lap and hold my hands while practicing sitting up and standing.  These things seem so sudden.  It's really odd how quickly babies change; one minute it seem like they're going to just sleep and cry forever, and the next they develop a little personality and impress the hell out of you.  These things combined with magically soft skin (and little puffy cheeks that I could kiss FOREVER) make me wonder if babies are some sort of mythical creatures...  They've got powers, you guys.

Audrey has been such a delight lately.  Well, most of the time.  For some reason she's been having a hard time going to sleep.  I know I'm contributing to bad sleep habits, but so often I take the path of least resistance and just rock her to sleep.  She needs to learn how to fall asleep on her own without me putting her to sleep and then sneaking away!  I thought we were getting into some good patterns, but in the last few days it seems like she won't go to sleep unless I rock or bounce her into oblivion first.  I know I should start letting her fuss for a couple of minutes and see if she can settle down on her own, but it's just my habit to swoop in and try to quiet her down immediately.  (Anyone have any tips or ideas for making nap time and bed time easier?)

But even the worst night can lead into the best day.  If Audrey wakes up at a ridiculous hour and refuses to go back to sleep, I know I don't have to wait long before her first nap -- this kid can only stay awake an hour and a half before getting super sleepy and cranky!!  And when she does wake up from a nap, she's renewed and cheerful and just wants to smile and chat for a while.  Sleep is like a reset button for babies.

valentine's day, realistically

coffee and valentines

Did you have a nice Valentine's Day?  We ended up having quite a lovely day!  By some stroke of luck, Audrey woke up to eat just before 6 (as opposed to 4 or 5) and then went back to sleep.  So I was up in time to have coffee and breakfast with Robert before he went to work!  Normally I'm trying to catch up on a little bit more sleep after being up at some ridiculous hour.  We exchanged the valentines we'd made for each other a couple of days before.  It was a really good way to start the morning. 

the essential heart shaped pizza, burnt bits and all

The day went quickly: I cleaned a ton during Audrey's morning nap, and then we had a couple of new friends over to play.  (Well.. Audrey ended up napping during the play date too!  Ha!)  Robert headed home from work just a little bit early so we could hang out.  And then, best of all, he entertained Audrey while I went to Target for some essentials as well as a mini shopping spree!!  Oh yeah, my idea of a spree is a $3 clearance shirt and a new purse.  Fancy times!  When I got home, Robert had already spread out the pizza dough in a heart shape, and we had a delicious margherita pizza for dinner.  Of course, Audrey got fussy during dinner and that was a bit of a fiasco, but it was still nice.

chocolate beet cupcakes... oh yes.

After she went to bed we topped off the night with some AMAZING chocolate beet cupcakes, from this recipe.  (Oh how I love Joy the Baker!)  Robert made them on Sunday and I iced them, while we were watching Groundhog Day.  (Told you I wanted to catch up on my holiday celebrations!!) 

I think it went as well as it could have!  How did you celebrate?  I love silly holiday celebrations.  Any excuse for tasty food and sweet gestures is a winner with me.

valentine inspiration

Valentine's Day is coming up fast!  This is the first holiday I feel like I might have time to catch since having a baby -- the last few have just whizzed by without much fanfare.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, Groundhog's Day... not much time to stop and savor the festivities!  Of course, I still don't have too much free time, but I sure have spent quite a few (like, 3) moments daydreaming about making valentines.  Robert and I have made valentines for each other for the past few years.  Hopefully we'll find time this weekend to do it again! 

Here are some pictures from last year.  Since I wasn't blogging at the time, I get to recycle them.  Goody!! 

I made these decorated sugar cookies for a crafting party.

I made little heart banners from card stock!  One for myself and a few for some friends.

I made a fantastic valentine for Robert... it said You're So Wizard!

I got fancy with the table decorations!

Oh man, I wish I had the free time to do completely silly things like this now!!  Generally I find myself so busy with Audrey that I don't even have time to THINK anymore.  But I know that eventually life will slow down again.  In a few years she'll be able to do these sorts of things with me.  For now, all I can do is hang on for the ride and take plenty of pictures to help me remember these hectic days.

My Valentine!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and a sweet Valentine's Day!  Get all the hugs you can from your best friend, your boy/girlfriend, your wife/husband, a baby, a puppy... anybody!  Hold what you've got.

paper flowers and pinwheels

Time for a Baby Sloth History Test, for those hardcore readers with a good memory.... Do you recall this post?  Nearly 3 years ago, a lovely lady sent me some cookies to help promote her Etsy shop.  Now Lauren is back with a new shop called Ellie Soo!  She contacted me about helping promote her shop again, and I was more than happy to sign up for some free samples and business cards.  Today I received this sweet package in the mail.

Ellie Soo specializes in handmade cards and gift sets.  Lauren has put together some really neat little gift baskets that you can have sent directly to friends and loved ones.  Whether you want to wish someone well or show your love, she's got you covered with origami rose bouquets and feel-better gift sets! 

Origami rose bouquet!

My favorite things in her shop right now are these sweet sets of origami roses.  The stems are made from pens or markers and colored pencils.  Such a cool idea!  Head on over and check out her shop!

This post brought to you by a baby that takes real naps* now!!!  Not pictured.
*As opposed to fake naps (sleeping in my arms all day long).  I finally figured out how to put Audrey down to sleep in her crib, and it's awesome.  I have time to DO things!!