Happy end of the fourth trimester to me!  I turned three months old on Christmas Day, and I now weigh 15 pounds and 2 ounces, am 24.25 inches long, and my head circumference is 17.25 inches.  In layman’s terms, my head is enormous.  Off the charts even more than my brother Jack’s!

This has been quite a momentous month from start to finish, with lots of big changes.   Perhaps the biggest one is that Mommy went back to work on December 18, 2015.  Since Mommy had to attend meetings in New York City over the weekend and I didn’t start daycare until December 21, 2015, Mimi volunteered to look after me.  This would have been a great plan had I not come down with my first real illness and woken up barking with a very croupy cough at around 2:00 a.m. that morning!  I’m such a happy little girl that I still tried to smile through the sickness, though.  Thanks for taking care of me, Mimi!

I’m adjusting well to daycare, although I have a reputation for being more of a cat napper than a solid sleeper there.  The only way they can get me down for naps is to put me into my Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit.  I have been sleeping longer stretches at night, though, sometimes up to six or eight hours!

I’m eating four ounces of breast milk every three hours, and spitting quite a bit of it back up – I’m a regular fountain.  The pediatricians assure my parents that baby spit-up peaks around three months of age and then diminishes with time.  They find this reassuring, because I soak through about two outfits and four bibs every day at daycare!

I’ve grown socially, and developed a preference for being held facing outward (I don’t like to miss anything that’s going on around me).  I’ve also become fond of repeatedly shoving my hands in my mouth and clasping them together.  I’ve figured out how to bat at objects, and how to giggle.  I think it’s hilarious when my Daddy bounces me up and down.

Current likes: watching the world go by from my parents’ arms

Current dislikes: croup

At a little over two and a half years old my favorite hobby is collecting things.  I can frequently be found with a Ziplock baggie full of treasures (mini action figures, marbles, old hotel room keys, LED flashlight key chains, you name it).  If one of something is good, then five is better, and I’m never afraid to ask for more.

I’m still shy in large gatherings, and I can be heard saying “there’s too many people here” when I enter a new place.  After five minutes of clinging to Mommy and Daddy’s legs, though, I’m less tentative and ready to take off and engage with new people and things.  I’m very proud of being bigger than baby Lena, and being able to do things she can’t yet.  Speaking of which, I’m officially sleeping in the toddler bed of my new “big boy” room!  Yes, I frequently demand that Daddy “sit in chair” until I fall asleep each night, but it’s still major progress and I haven’t once expressed a desire to go back to my crib.

Current likes: anything I can collect

Current dislikes: big groups of people

From our family to yours – Happy Holidays, everybody!

Sibling love

Even though it’s been a mild winter, it never hurts to get away for some fun in the sun!  We went down to Florida to visit Papa and YiaYia.  We had all kinds of adventures, including trips to the zoo, lots of deli lunches, and hours spent playing “red light, green light” in the pool.  We also lit the Hanukkah candles each night, and were the recipients of lots of presents!  We could get used to living this way …

Lena here, everybody!  Checking in to update you on my naming ceremony, which was held Sunday, December 6, 2015.  Mommy was excited about having a daughter for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that she didn’t have to plan a bris!  Instead we had a nice, low-key ceremony with family and friends.  Daddy spoke about my Hebrew name, which I got from my Grandma Blossom.  I come from a long line of formidable ladies, and the theme of the day’s remarks was strength.  I wore my YiaYia’s slippers, and was wrapped in the tallis from my parent’s wedding huppah, so I had family and tradition all around me.  My brother declined to be photographed with us, but he was there to lend his support too!

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!  We enjoyed some nice time with family, ate way too much food, and spent countless hours outdoors with Opa, throwing the “magic football” up onto the roof and waiting for it to bounce back down.

At my two month check-up I was 13 pounds 10 ounces, 23 inches long, and had a 16.75 inch head circumference.  The doctor thought she felt a clicking in one of my hips at that appointment, so Mommy had an ultrasound done to rule out hip dysplasia.  I’m fine!

I’ve recently started cooing, and still have a very gentle disposition (with the exception of some acid reflux).  I slept through the night for the first time on November 12, 2016, although my nighttime sleep is still a little inconsistent.  I’m a champion napper, sometimes sleeping for a 2.5-3 hour stretch.

Current likes: being in my Beco carrier (puts me to sleep instantly!)

Current dislikes: falling asleep for the night earlier than 11:00 p.m.

I’m two and a half years old!  At my doctor’s appointment I measured three feet and one half an inch tall, weighed in at 31 pounds, and I had a 20.5 inch head circumference.

My whole world is currently defined by Marvel’s Avengers.  I love them all (but Captain America’s my favorite) and I just can’t get enough of them.  I read my books about them over and over, with running commentary (“Hulk can pick up a whole guy.”  “Black widow kickin’ everybody.”  “Watcher’s peeking.”  “Vision is an android.”)

I’ve completely dropped naps at daycare, which has brought a few challenges with it.  I’m pretty exhausted by the time Mommy and Daddy get there to pick me up, which can prompt either meltdowns, or falling asleep for the night during the car ride home.  Growing up isn’t all easy!

Current likes: Captain America

Current dislikes: naps

I’ve become the victim of Mommy’s knitting hobby.  Good thing my head grows so quickly … I’m out of these hats as fast as she can make them!

Jack here, everybody!  We headed up to Syracuse for Halloween.  Since Aunt Dede and Uncle Charlie were going to be in town, we decided to do a family “Sesame Street” theme for our costumes.  Daddy ordered a full bodysuit Cookie Monster costume because he knew I’d love it.  Well let me tell you … it was utterly terrifying!  I froze in my tracks and screamed when I saw it.  In retrospect I think it was pretty awesome, though, and I tell everyone “Daddy was a big Cookie Monster!”  I only rang one or two doorbells to trick-or-treat.  Once I got a Kit-Kat or two in my little paws, I was ready to turn in and call the night a success.  Thanks for making Leenie’s first Halloween special, family!

Sunny days, sweepin’ the clouds away …