23 Weeks!

Hard to pick among pictures this week, so there will be many!

So, big news from this week? Hmm... first Mother's Day... tried to take a hike as a family, picked a state park we've been to before because it has a paved trail around a lake, helpful with a stroller... and as it had been raining a lot in the week prior we didn't want to contend with mud. We didn't consider THIS possibility...




Um yes... that is the trail UNDER WATER!!! Pretty funny. Ah well, it was a nice drive anyhow!

Here are a few shots of Caroline and I from the day itself- I was in my walking clothes, she was still in church clothes.





Caroline and daddy gave me very nice cards and there's a pretty rose on the table still from the second church service we attended. Both my brother and sister talked me at different points during the day and didn't mention mother's day. This didn't bother me. It isn't that big a deal for me... in fact, I have mixed feelings about the holiday. But, within minutes of each other, one called (from the west coast), the other texted from the east coast to say "Doh! I forgot!" In my sister's words "I forgot this is your day too, now!" It was sweet to hear from them both a second time.

The one thing I really wanted to do for Mother's Day was to get a portrait of Caroline and I taken. When Heidi and Adam were here a few weeks ago Adam offered to take one for us. He is a gifted photographer. I wanted a picture that could be a nice companion to a picture I have of my paternal grandfather as a baby in the arms of his mother. (The baby in this pic grew up to be the husband of Caroline's namesake.) We haven't printed this pic yet, but I'm happy to share it here. Isn't it lovely?



Caroline has spent a lot of time this week on the livingroom floor moving quickly across as many blankets as I can lay down. She rolls and scoots and has a grand time making her way to toys I leave scattered about. Here are some shots from today, the first day of her 24th week! If you have given us a blanket... I can assure you... it is getting used. Even if you can't see it in these pics!





Her teething pain seems to have reached a peak... or perhaps I shouldn't say that... we bought some homeopathic teething gel tonight... She is drooling like crazy and chomping on whatever she can get her mouth around.

The biggest news from the week is that MAMIE IS HERE! HALLELUJAH! She arrived on Wednesday afternoon. And has been loving on Caroline ever since. She said shortly before she came "I hope Caroline still likes me." To which I responded, "Mom, she likes everyone, except for us occasionally. And you love her to pieces. And she loves that. You'll be fine." And indeed she is. I introduced Mamie to Las Paletas, my favorite locally made popsicles, yesterday. And she introduced Caroline! She and I both got blackberry-lime popsicles... yummy! And Caroline agreed. Apparently Caroline was sitting in the back seat looking longingly at the popsicle and I gave mom the go ahead to rub it on her sore gums... she started sucking immediately... and wanted as much as she could get! I was surprised. It was a bit sour (delicious, but sour), but she really couldn't get enough of it- sweet plus cold- magic for our teething girl. We're probably waiting on solids until at least 6 months, but... Mamie bought popsicle cups and apple juice (unsweetened) which we'll water down and pour into the cups to make tasty, cold suckers for Caroline. I'm excited to share these with her. I don't think frozen juice counts as a solid... and... so what if it does if it makes her feel better! I wish we had a picture of the popsicle moment. I didn't see it. I was in the front seat, they were in the back. But I heard lips smacking and Mamie was offering a play by play.

Mamie and Caroline will likely go to the zoo while I take my German exam (which has been moved to Tuesday). And tomorrow morning we'll do a bit of shopping together before or after my Weight Watchers meeting. A girl's morning out... before an afternoon of studying/cooking/baby entertaining in. And we're headed to the houseboat on which Kev and I honeymooned on Sunday for a picnic with one of my mom's best friends (the owner of the house boat) and her husband (also owner of the house boat).

Our little girl is SO strong. We think her bumbo may soon be passed on as she pushes herself nearly out of it already. And she pulls into a stand so easily (not on her own mind you, with help!) Oh, and this week she really has moved to pushing up on her arms... this has been slower to develop for her. But she's been pushing way up. And she's still a champion roller. Her mobility is on its way. I'm not rushing it. But I'm in awe of it. One of the moms at church said "Don't rush the mobility. Moms always spend the first year eager for their babies to walk and talk, and then spend the rest of their lives trying to get them to sit down and shut up." Well said. Though I hope we'll delight in her movement and her talking... it sure will be nice (most of the time) when she can talk.

So, all in all, an exhausting week. Wouldn't you agree, Caroline?



Yes, exhausting. But good. 23 weeks. Wow.