Day 7: Time for Shots

In 1998, Andrew Wakefield, a British physician, published a study claiming a causative connection between the MMR vaccine (for measles, mumps, and rubella) and autism.  His research proved to be a catalyst for a movement in which parents choose to not vaccinate their children for fear of "vaccination injury."     


It somehow seems perfect that in the very same week where his study was officially retracted and Dr. Wakefield was exposed as a fraud who misrepresented and altered the medical history of all 12 patients who formed the basis of his study, Michal was due for her second set of shots.  Originally scheduled for two weeks ago and rescheduled do to infections in both ears, we visited our pediatrician's office to add to her protection against some nasty diseases.  We weren't sure what to expect this time; at her two month appointment where she received shots, the cried for about 15 seconds before realizing, "Eh, this is no big deal," and calmed herself down.  


Today was only slightly different - she cried longer this time (maybe a full minute?), although she still calmed down a bit with the help of a bottle.  Here she is, post shots, a little teary eyed and a good deal hungry.

Our little trooper.

Day 6: Finding Feet

When Michal discovered her hands, she couldn't stop staring at them.  Instead of these disembodied objects that occasionally passed into her line of sight and startled her, she suddenly realized that they belong to her and she has some sort of control over them - however tenuous that "control" was at first; herky jerky could have been a nickname.  She would hold them in front of her face, stare at them, press fingertip to fingertip then spread her fingers wide, marveling at them.  Often, I would find her exploring them in her mouth, and when she discovered the unique design of her thumb and how it fits perfectly into her mouth for sucking, well, that was a special moment.  For a week or two afterwards, you could see her shoving a hand into her mouth, sucking and moving it, trying to find that elusive digit.  She definitely has that one down now, and often she will use her other hand to hold that thumb in place, lest it somehow escape.

This week, the discovery is feet.  Holy moly, she has feet!  She was so taken with her hands for a while that she did not realize that there were other discoveries at hand, so to speak.  Now, diaper change, however fun because of her clear enjoyment in the task, is a bit trickier, because the silly girl just does not want to stretch her legs out.  It is much more fun bending her knees, peering down, and then reaching for those toes, which makes getting the diaper on just a little bit tricky.

Day 5: A Girl's Best Friend

We have an absolutely adorable and insane Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Bailey. Bailey is a people's dog - in line with his breed - and he has not met a person he hasn't loved upon first sight. When we take walks in our neighborhood, he will tolerate the introduction of another canine creature, if only to make the acquaintance of his/her human.

Even before Michal came along, Bailey wasn't sure what to make of tiny humans. He is never mean to kids and would never think of being anything but submissive around them, but he doesn't seem to know quite what to do with them. They look like humans... but they're small. It's hilarious watching him try to figure out what the heck is going on with these miniature people.

Michal LOVES to watch Bailey. He is a curiosity with his black and white fur and strange ways. Bailey is plain scared of her. He will occasionally come up to her, sniff once or twice and then nonchalantly walk away, but if you move the baby towards him like a giant creature intent upon terrorizing and mutilating him, he tends to run away with his tail literally between his legs.

Here is one such encounter. He's just waiting for her to make her move and is ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

Girl and her dog, even if he'd rather not be.

Day 4: Sleeping Freely

From the very first day we brought Michal home, we swaddled her at night.  While some babies dislike being wrapped so snugly, Michal had no problem with it at all.  Every night at bedtime, we'd wrap her up tightly, give her a bottle, listen to some classical music, and put her to bed.  We definitely contribute her sleeping through the night at about 6 weeks to the swaddle.  We used the Miracle Blanket (it is aptly named), which is essentially a baby straight jacket.  


Lately, Michal has been impersonating a Baby Houdini - every so often, during the night, she'd find a way to bust out of her swaddle.  At first, it was an occasional occurrence, but lately, it has happened with greater frequency.  Unfortunately, once she is free of her swaddle, she wakes up.  We decided, after one night of three such escapes, that it was time to go without the swaddle, and we were going to do it cold turkey.


Last night was the first night, and boy did Michal excel our wildest expectations.  While we anticipated a sleepless night, it wasn't our experience at all.  Here is the girl, first thing in the morning.  

Day 3: Just Chillin'

I would not want to brag, but Michal is quite an easy baby.  So easy, in fact, that on more than one occasion, we have been told that she just is not normal.  Normal babies cry and fuss more than she does.  What can I say - she is just an easy, chill baby.  So chill, in fact, that when I was outlet shopping last week in South Carolina and saw this shirt, there was no question that she NEEDED it.  

So, if you're feeling a little crabby on this Monday, just take Michal's cue - just chill!

Day 2: Tummy Time

Part of our daily homework is "tummy time" - and boy is it a struggle in our house.  With the success of the campaign to get babies to sleep on their backs (which is said to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS), it was found that many babies were spending increasingly less time on their stomachs.  Tummy time is important because it helps to not only give babies another world view, but also encourages them to lift their heads, a movement that strengthens neck, upper back, and arm muscles.  This workout helps babies to roll over and eventually crawl.

Michal hates tummy time.  We're getting better at making sure it happens each and every day, but we're lucky if we get a good 3-5 minutes before fussing and crying ensues.  She just doesn't care - she ends up finding a way to suck on her hands or, often, just lays her head down and waits for us to give up.

It shouldn't be a surprise that in terms of M rolling, she does not seem to be close in rolling from her stomach to her back, but has already started to master the (apparently) more difficult task of rolling from back to stomach.

Day 1: First Day

Happy New Year! (or, my favorite, Happy Sylvester!)


The new year got off to a great start at a friend's home, where we gathered with friends to play games, hang out, and usher in 2011 (with Ryan Seacrest, NKOTB, and BSB - random!).  M was a rock star, living up to her reputation as the easiest.baby.ever and sleeping away in the next room.  We didn't get to take a picture WITH her as the clock switched to 12:01, but I did take a few today.


In honor of the new year and all of the firsts we will experience with her this year, we assembled her high chair and tried out her first non-bottle meal tonight - rice cereal (or, rather, 4 parts formula to 1 part rice cereal).  I let her play with some toys in her high chair first, just  to get used to it, then tried out the new food - video taping it, of course.  To say it did not go over well might be an understatement...

Her expression says it all.  Happy New Year, everyone!