Baby Talk

Baby Tess has been doing so well with her sleeping the past few days! Last night she slept for 8 straight hours--and without the aid of her beloved bouncy chair! When she was sick and refluxy we let her fall asleep in this vibrating bouncy chair, which she loves. Once she got used to that, she wouldn't fall asleep without it. So we'd let her fall asleep at night in it, and then transfer her to her crib once she zonked out. Last night we tried putting her down in her crib and she was able to fall asleep on her own! She was able to fall asleep in her crib for naptime and bedtime today, as well. What a big girl!

I've been trying to get her to coo and talk to me, with somewhat limited success. Now I know what my problem was--I've been talking to her in English. Last night Ryan started talking to her in this bizarre, pidgin-baby language and suddenly she became a little chatterbox! I don't know where Ry learned to speak baby, but he's quite fluent. He won't let me post the video I took (he does sound pretty funny), so here's one of me attempting to converse with her. Unfortunately, I'm not any better at speaking baby than I am at speaking French. Hopefully, it won't be too long before she starts to pick up English.

And in the way of pet news, here's a post for you, Reen:

I have a dream that one day the black dogs will be able to join paws with the brown dogs and the beige dogs.

For more information, visit the following link:

Discrimination Against Dogs

Remember When...

Tess had her 2-month pediatrician's visit today--and she passed with flying colors! Most of you who offered a prediction as to her weight were correct! She now weighs 11 lbs., 3 0z. (55th percentile), is 22 3/4 in. long (60th percentile), and her noggin is 39 cm. around (55th percentile). She's a well-proportioned baby and right where she should be with her measurements.

She was not a happy camper when it came time for the immunizations. I prepared her this morning by telling her everything that happened today was for her own good. She didn't seem to care. She let out screams that only dogs in the neighborhood could hear! Such high-pitched squeals--I didn't know she was capable of making those kind of noises. I don't blame her, though. Four shots (two in each chunker-thigh), and they don't use baby needles, either! It was so sad--I couldn't bear to watch.

I gave her some Tylenol and she's been sleeping it off today. Since she isn't in the mood for pictures, I thought I'd post some pics from when she was small (I know it was only a few weeks ago, but she's changed so much!). I look back on those days, and I'm glad we're past them (it made me nervous to have her so small and frail), but it makes me sad to see her growing up so fast. If only I could press a pause button and keep her small for a little bit longer. What do you know...on this video you can!

OK, I'll Play

The problem I see with this "tagging" stuff is that there doesn't seem to be any kind of safe "home base" where you can hang out and avoid being tagged "it."

So I've developed a new rule: a single "tagging" response gives you immunity to all future tags. With this post I consider myself officially "safe."

And notice, Maureen, that I am not going to continue this madness with vindicative tagging (I'll get my revenge in a better way--you'd better stay on your toes!).

A Valentine's Day Tag

HOW OLD IS RYAN: 34...I'm pretty sure. I'm REALLY bad at remembering dates and ages. It took me years before I could remember Ry's birthday with any certainty. I still am a little fuzzy as to our anniversary date (December 29th, I think).

HOW OLD AM I: 31...I'm pretty sure. All I know is that Ry's older than me--that's all that matters.

WHO EATS MORE: When it comes to Mike & Ike's--definitely Ryan (yuck!). When it comes to everything else--me.

WHO IS TALLER: Ry

WHO SINGS BETTER: Me, though I am the one who messed up our one and only "special musical number" in sacrament meeting. And Ry does sing some dear lullabies for Tess (last night it was "My Shnuggy," to the tune of that "My Buddy" commercial from the 80's).

WHO IS SMARTER: Ry--hands down.

WHO DOES THE LAUNDRY: When laundry gets done, it's usually me, though Ry does often help me fold the laundry.

WHO DOES THE DISHES: Usually me, though Ry helps on the weekends.

WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED: Ry--good ear up.

WHO PAYS THE BILLS: He makes the money, I spend it.

WHO MOWS THE LAWN: Me--ah, the power of the mighty push-mower!

WHO COOKS DINNER: When dinner is cooked, it's usually me. But Ry is very understanding when I ask, "I guess you probably want dinner tonight, huh?" He's usually content with a bowl of Life cereal. However, Ry does make a mean pancake (a trait he inherited from his Dad).

WHO IS MORE STUBBORN: I'd probably say Ryan on this one.

WHO ASKED WHOM OUT FIRST: Ry asked me out--though it did take an excruciating amount of patience on my part. He called me up on a Friday evening and we talked on the phone for over an hour before his cordless phone totally ran out of battery power. So, he hung up and let it charge for a minute before he called back and we talked for all of 3 minutes before it died again. So, he let it charge again and called back and then it died. I just wanted to see how many times he was going to do this until he finally asked me out so we could talk without a phone dying every couple minutes. The answer is many, many times. But, he finally did and the rest, they say, is history.

WHO KISSED WHOM FIRST: I kissed him...a girl can only be so patient!

WHO SAID "I LOVE YOU" FIRST: Ry says that I did, and it's likely true, though I don't really remember.

WHO PROPOSED: Ry did, though with some gentle encouragement.

WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE: Ry

WHO HAS MORE FRIENDS: Me

WHO HAS MORE SIBLINGS: I have 3, Ry has 2.

WHO WEARS THE PANTS: Ryan is definitely HOTH ("head of the household")--that will make him mad!


In other news, Tess is officially two months old today! We don't have anything special planned for Valentine's Day today (in fact, Ry is supposed to go on splits with the missionaries--how romantic!). Still, it's our best Valentine's Day ever since we have our own little cherub!

Bless This Tess

What a sweet and special day it has been for us! Today at church Ryan gave Tess her baby blessing. Ryan's dad, our home teachers, a family friend assisted in the blessing. She looked so dear in a precious white blessing gown from her Nana.

Ryan's blessing for Tess was absolutely beautiful; it was full of all the wonderful hopes and dreams we have for her that she so entirely deserves. It was special to have Ryan's parents and his sister Laura (and the Fuzz) there for the blessing.

Tess was very well behaved; she didn't let out a single squeal. We had a small celebration after church in Tess's honor (though she didn't get to enjoy the cake!). It's a day we'll always remember!