How sweet is she?

That Face!
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner.

I was looking at some pics from the past weekend and had to share one of our latest addition. I know Aislin looks like a little old man here, but c'mon...isn't she still just so cute? And I love the little dress she's wearing! It was Clare's when she was a newborn and it's decorated with adorable little goldfish. Aisy was sharing a moment with Grandpa here on Thanksgiving night when I snapped this shot.

Aislin is having a lot more wakeful time these days. She's still struggling with a lot of tummy trouble, but we're trying a few different measures to get her through this fussy and difficult time.I've started using a few different holds when feeding her and I'm working to try and help her suck in less air when she eats. I've also started stepping up my use of the mylecon drops which seems to be helping as well, and a few people have recommended "gripe water" to me (another anti-colic remedy). Aisy is definitely giving me and Pete a run for our money in the crying department, but I just try to remember that this all usually fades by 12 weeks. She's so different from Leah as a newborn, but then again I'm a different Mom now too. Aislin is a tough cookie, but sensitive as well. What a special little girl!

Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!

Simba!
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner.

Today's header isn't nonsense...it's the lead in to "Circle of Life." It was a VERY busy weekend with lots of welcoming Aislin into our world and family. Thanksgiving was a blast with Grammy and Pa. The rest of the crew came in on Friday and Saturday for Aisy's baptism. We managed to fit in a trip to the zoo with the Leah and Clare. My very talented friend Jen made Aislin the most out of this world cake to celebrate her big day and Devon's fiance Mike even got himself some Dinosuar BBQ (smart man...), so everyone got a little taste of Syracuse.

Aislin was an angel as Fr. Fred poured about a gallon of water on her head. As you can see from the shot, he also had Pete hold Aisy up for everone to see. It was great and at the risk of sounding cheesy you could truly feel the love her family, friends, and community all have for her. As her godmother Devon remarked it was just like when they present Simba to the world in the Lion King. We all got a kick out of that.

Leah cheered "yay!!!!!!" loudly every time a song finished during the service and Clare came down with a fever right about the same time...poor thing. The girls loved seeing each other and can't wait to get together again. More posts and pics to come soon...

Teeth and Tails

Pigtails
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner.

I had a moment of quiet victory this morning when I FINALLY got Leah to keep elastics in her hair! I believe my success is due to the fact that her hair is now long enough for pigtails. She seemed flummoxed by having two tails to deal with (as in"which one do I try to pull out? This one? Wait! No, what about this one over here?...") I also told Leah "Daddy can't wait to see your hair when he gets home!" and that pretty much sealed the deal. I think she likes to impress Daddy and I'm certain he will be impressed. I mean the pigtails are pretty darn cute.

In other news I think our 1 month old is cutting a tooth! I know it sounds crazy...at first I just thought it was some leftover milk on her gums, but I've been keeping an eye on the little tooth bud just in case it really is a tooth. Well...last night and today it has been getting whiter and whiter. Today I can actually see little ridges. I showed my neighbor Jacque and she said it looked like a tooth to her too. Like she said "stranger things have happened."

I don't know much about teeth and it's been tough to find info online about teething in a child this young, so if anyone out there is a dental professional or has any experience with this, feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you have to say. One thing I did read is that, although rare, it is possible for a kid to sprout a tooth this young...so I guess I'm not completely crazy. I guess this also explains Aislin's "angry" demeanor (even if Auntie K said she had a really cute cry today). I also read that it's possible for these very early teeth to recede (Does this mean I have to go through the teething process twice for this tooth?).

Anyway...for a boring, old, cloudy day at home we have made our own excitement. Who knew teeth and hair could be so thrilling?? OK...maybe I am completely crazy. Have a great day!

Mad World

Big sister helps out
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner.

This was taken during Aislin's first bath. Leah was helping to dry off "baby sister's" hair (9 times out of 10 Leah calls Aisy "baby" or "baby sister" but every once in a while she'll actually use the kid's name). I'm sure you've noticed that Aislin really seems to be enjoying her spa treatment in this photo. As one of the pediatrician's nurses said to me the other day "babies don't like all that manipulation." This is especialy true for Aisy. She HATES having her diaper changed. Forget about trying to change her clothes she doesn't like that either. Putting her in the car seat? Get ready for some serious crying. And let me tell you...the girl has got some lungs on her.

Aislin is very sweet, but when she's mad...she's really MAD. An she lets you know it. The Moms at MOPS were all admiring her "pout" this morning, another Aislin way of letting us know she's displeased. The other Moms all said I need to get a picture of it...since it's too cute. Cute...right...

At least the pout gives you some time to start attending to her needs before the banshee screaming starts. She's good like that. And when we are not manipulating her...she is a total peach. She sleeps well and eats pretty good...although she's a bit noisy. The other night she was so loud that Pete asked "Geez! Is she nursing or eating BBQ ribs???"

Lip smackin' good!!! Just like our Aislin.

These Eyes...

Daddy Time
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner.

Whenever visitors see Aislin with her eyes open they get so excited. Yesterday my friend Cynthia was happy to see a bright eyed Aislin while she visted with her son Beckett who is the same age as Leah. Cyn also knitted the girls the sweetest little pumpkin hats. Believe me...they will be featured in a future post. They are adorable!

Speaking of adorable, I love this shot of Pete and Aisy. I took this at least a week ago but she still looks pretty much the same...maybe a little bigger. Pete was using his finger (ala Mike Myers in "So I Married an Axe Murderer") to move Aislin's lips so she could "talk." They had a very deep conversaition I'm sure. Anyway, I chose this shot because I thought you guys might enjoy seeing Aislin's eyes too. They're a pretty, dark, slate blue color (I think I can even see some brown in there) and they compliment her hair nicely. Aislin has been having lots more awake time these days and is enjoying her bouncy seat. When she's not eating or struggling to poop, she LOVES listening to people talk. This makes her the perfect companion for her Mommy and sister! I'm looking forward to hearing what she has to say some day...but from the look on her face I'd gather she's thinking "you people are CRAZY!" She's probably right!

This is Halloween!

Kangaroo!
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner.

Here's a shot of Leah in her kangaroo costume. She made out like a bandit lastnight considering she only went to 8 houses. Apparently, "cute" gets you lots of candy. Mommy and Daddy confiscated the lion's share. I thoroughly enjoyed the snickers bar and reeses peanut butter cup I had while Pete and I watched the movie "The Break Up" (Isn't that a parent perk? Eating your toddler's halloween candy?). We do have a few pre-approved treats stashed in the cupboard for LeLe to have after meals and for emergency purposes.

It was rainy, but Leah was psyched to be out and about saying "trick-or-treat!" Pete isn't feeling well, but he was a trooper and took our little "joey" around the neighborhood. I watched from the window when Aislin wasn't crying or demanding to eat. It was a busy night, but very fun. Our neighborhood is very lively and we get lots of trick or treaters. So whether you're out haunting the streets like Pete and Le, or choose to stay in and hand out candy like me or our neighborhood friend Ella (had to give blog fan Ella a shout out there!), there's lots to see and do on halloween night. G'day mates from our little kangaroo!! We can't wait until next Halloween!