8 weeks

This week started with a fun outing for big sis: we left Gloria with Nanni and Poppi and went to see Kung fu panda at the movies. Candy, popcorn, and out for ramen after, we had a blast.

Our nap honeymoon seems to be over as Gloria does not sleep more than 45 minutes at a time during the day. But she throws some longer ones in here and there, so we are just waiting it out and trying to remember that C went through a similar stage. It is pretty frustrating, though, for a mama who really needs a break!

Purim is coming up, so we had the twins over for some Hamentashen making with Nanni. The twins did some dough rolling, Charlotte did some folding and filling, and everyone enjoyed the final product.

Valentine's Day

Hallmark Schmallmark, the Wasses love Valentine's Day. We made some homemade valentines for Charlotte's classmates. And daddy made homemade challah with his bread machine and made us special French toast for brunch with whipped cream hearts :)

Then a friend of ours turned us on to a valentines father daughter dance at the Y, which we thought would be a special treat for Charlotte. She just loved it, especially the dressing up part. And even more special attention for big sis: Nanni took her to see Where the Wild things Are at the Children's Theater.

Gloria will have to wait for next year to enjoy the festivities. But she did give us a special surprise. Daddy discovered behind her ears a stinky nasty crust which we had apparently somehow neglected to clean properly! Mama was absolutely horrified. In our defense, her ears are pretty tight to her head, like a little sea lion. Now I clean back there religiously every day!

Week 6

There is no doubt that Gloria's smiles are now officially social smiles. She loves to be talked to or sung to. She relishes a good staring contest. And nothing soothes her to sleep like Mama talking in a British accent and then singing a Mary Poppins medley.

Week 5

It is said that life doesn't throw you things you can't handle, and it seems this also holds true for babies. Neither Matt nor I can really tolerate much sleep deprivation, so luckily Charlotte and now Gloria have taken it easy on us. Gloria has been having her last feeding around 10 and then sleeping through to 5ish, which is not too shabby.

Gloria loves the sounds of the shower and the hairdryer, which has been working out well for mama's hygiene. She is a pretty easygoing baby, very easy to soothe. She will usually stop complaining as soon as I pick her up, and is very happy just being held close and staring into my eyes for long stretches of time. 

Gloria met her Grandma and Papa Wasse this week while they were visiting from Myrtle Beach- she spent a lot of time snoozing happily in their arms. Charlotte had a ton of fun as well and went on a bunch of special outings.

Week 4

Charlotte came down with a bad cold, so this week was mostly spent trying to keep everyone else in the family healthy. Then Matt got sick, too, and mama was pretty exhausted and headed in that direction, so we had a night doula come so we could all get a good night's sleep. What a difference one night makes! Gloria and mama spent a lot of time quarantined in the nursery this week, but we survived The Cold. Not fun! 

Gloria loves being in her carrier, a fantastic gift from auntie Liz. She and mama take lots of long walks exploring the neighborhood and getting some nice fresh air.

G is a very noisy eater- grunting, moaning, heavy breathing- it's like nursing a piglet. Girl loves her milk, that's for sure. She insists on locking eyes with me while she drinks and sighs with pleasure. And she gets the hiccups constantly, just like her big sister stil does to this day.

Week 3

It seems like Gloria gets bigger every day! Charlotte has been enjoying holding her and of course observing all of her poopy diaper changes.

Gloria loves to stare up at the mobile Matt made for her above her changing table, so we figured it was time to bring out the activity matt from Nanni and Poppi. Gloria quite enjoyed it- with a little company from big sister of course. It brought back many memories of baby Charlotte in her jungle :) 

G's umbilical scab fell off so it was time for her first real bath. The whole family was of course involved- Charlotte was in charge of pouring warm water over her tummy to keep her warm. Gloria thoroughly enjoyed her bathing experience with the exception of having her head scrubbed.

Week 2

Gloria's first two weeks have been happily uneventful. When we first brought her home from the hospital, the doctor was worried that she had lost a lot of weight. But Gloria loves her milk -between her 1 week and 2 week check ups, she gained a whole pound and was well above her birth weight. Done and done.

Our food train started and has been a real treat- we are lucky to have some serious chefs among our friends! And Gloria had her first bottle, which meant Mama got to get some much needed sleep. She has already had some long stretches of sleep- 4+ hours- but alas they are still mostly during the day. No real bath yet- we're still waiting on that scab to fall off. Any day now!