Playing Blog Catch-up

Tonight was bonding night for CeCe and mommy. Matt took a few hours to get together with the guys so we spent the time playing and laughing. Cecelia is at a fun stage now where it takes very little to get a chuckle out of her. Funny noises seem to get the best reaction.

Now that she's conked out on me I have the opportunity to update the blog with some recent photos. The pictures don't show it but CeCe is losing her hair in a funny patch on the back of her head. It's a funny ring around the middle of her head due to sleeping on her back. Matt and I joke about how she looks like an old man from behind!

We're often amazed at how fast she's growing. It must be due to her healthy appetite. In fact, Cate told us that at daycare this week she ate seven ounces in one sitting. She's mastered the art of holding her head up and seems as though she's just about to roll. Another development - she's now fascinated by her hands and often stares at them as though she is trying to understand their purpose. She's gotten quite good at grabbing for objects.

We haven't seen a lot of people lately. The cold and snow has had us hunkering down more than usual. Cecelia's constant battle with RSV and colds has also encouraged us to stay indoors. We did get out for her very first walk last Sunday (how pathetic is that - nothing like Wisconsin winters). She fell asleep just a few minutes into it.

I'm now off on Fridays (versus working half days at home) so am looking forward to a fun start to the weekend with CeCe. There's a lot going on this weekend. Between seeing friends, going to a bridal shower on the Weiss side and celebrating birthdays with the Starks, we're sure lots of photos will be taken. Therefore, look for an update next week.

Grey hates wearing a coat!

Papa loving up both grandkids.

Uncle Jake and CeCe.

Aunt Shell and CeCe.

Sleeping on the walk. (Check out the drool!)

Pre-walk, stuffed in layers.

More walk photos.

CeCe!

Oma, CeCe and her bunny.

Bundled up as usual.

Grey and CeCe - all business.

Matt threatening to feed CeCe ice cream.

Happy Valentine's Day (also known as CeCe's Three Month Birthday)!

Today is Cecelia's three month birthday! How appropriate that this day coincides with Valentine's Day. It's hard for us to believe CeCe's only been here for a few months; especially now, when we can't remember what life was like before her. She's such a special girl. Every day brings something new.

In the past few weeks, CeCe has discovered her hands. We often find her staring at them as though they're some new addition to her body. She's getting quite good at holding things (like her "Lambie," from "Uncle" Mark Mader) and swatting at the toys that hang above her activity center. She's also begun laughing, sometimes quite heartily. We recently started a little game with her where she lays on our bed and we fall with our arms on either side of her. It seems to bring out her biggest chuckles.

Story time is much more fun for us now. Whereas in the past CeCe fidgeted through our nightly reading, now she stares at the photos and tries to grab the pages.

Daycare is still going well, although, earlier this week she was scratched pretty badly when another child there tried to take the bunting off her car seat and instead caught her with the zipper. It caused quite a bit of Working Mom Guilt (note the caps - I swear it could be a real diagnosis) but Cecelia is healing very well and really didn't seem to notice it. All the kids at daycare call her "Celia," which we love. It's actually one of the nicknames that made us further fall in love with the name Cecelia.

You may recall that CeCe was pretty sick a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, she was hit with another case recently. We took her to the doctor and learned that she had RSV/bronchiolitis, essentially a severe infant cold. She's doing much better now. Last week she was back at the doctor for her first vaccinations, which she handled like an absolute champ! We learned that CeCe now weighs nearly 13 pounds and is 23.5 inches long. They sure grow quickly.

Tomorrow CeCe will get to see her cousin Grey. We're expecting lots of Kodak moments so be sure to check back soon.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cecelia is getting pretty good at sitting up.

Mark came to visit, bringing gifts from Sprout (his trademark), of course. One of them was a soft little lamb toy that CeCe just loves. By the way, her fists are ALWAYS in her mouth these days.

She's such a fun baby!

CeCe's Baptism - January 13, 2008

Thank goodness I have a brother who doubles as a photographer.

Our camera battery died at Cecelia's baptism so we didn't get any photos, only videos (which we still have to figure out how to upload to our computer). Thankfully, Jake took a few shots both at church and at the party afterwards.

CeCe was so beautiful in her baptismal gown - the same one worn by my mom, my sister and me. It was a lovely ceremony.

With Cecelia's Godparents - Jake and Shelle - and cousin Greyson.

Grey, Jake, Shelle, Oma, Papa, Mommy, CeCe and Daddy

Staring at her birdies.

Sleeping on Great Nana is SO comfy.

Young Love

Last weekend Cecelia met Dana and Ryan's son, Brendan, for the first time. Dana warned me that Brendan is going through a phase where he just loves little babies. Well, we believe he may like CeCe more than most little ones. (And who can blame him?!?) Here's just one of many amorous photos taken of our two babes.


Sorry. These photos are so cute that I just have to post a few more:



CeCe also met mommy's friend, Becky, who made a trip up from Chicago just to meet the babies.


Yet again, Cecelia is going through a phase where she's changing quite a bit. Her personality is developing more and more each day. She laughs, smiles at just about anything, is far more laid-back and is interested in so many of her toys. She's even reaching out for items, just hasn't grabbed them yet.

CeCe is still getting over the cold she first got two weeks ago. She went to the doctor on Friday where we learned she most likely contracted the RSV virus resulting in bronchiolitis. According to the doc, she isn't contagious and most likely doesn't have the virus anymore but will cough for a few days yet. On the plus side, her time spent in daycare will give her a strong immune system. We're just hoping it doesn't mean she'll be sick all the time until that happens.

Until next week . . .

Mommy's Been Too Busy to Blog

For all of you who have inquired about our lack of posts, our apologies! Matt and I are still figuring out how to balance the CeCe, work, making dinner, exercising, grocery shopping, house cleaning, bill paying and laundry schedule. Unfortunately, we're a bit behind on some of these things since our little peanut gets our non-stop attention.

Daycare is going so well. CeCe is so much interested in kids since getting to know her buddies at Cate's house. Other recent developments: she's starting to take a pacifier more often, important since she's been sucking on her fists; she's SO smiley and talks a lot (obviously, my daughter); and she loves to "stand" now that her legs are getting strong.

We'll post better photos this weekend, but in the meantime, here are a few from the other night. The Bumbo continues to be popular. Here she is watching TV (unfortunately, she seems to like it - A LOT). Notice the player who captured her attention!

Go Pack Go!

Happy Game Day everyone! The three of us are hunkered down tonight getting ready for kick-off. Everyone is dressed in their Packer best and hoping for a win - CeCe included.

Cecelia and I have been inside since Thursday night due to the cold outside (0 degrees as we speak) and the cold inside. All of us have one to some degree but sadly, CeCe was hit the hardest. She woke up with one on Friday morning but luckily that's the day I work from home. She got really bad by Friday evening and Matt and I spent most of the night awake and worrying. Needless to say, we learned quickly how to treat a sick a baby. She was still pretty bad yesterday but is getting better today.

Need to run but here is a photo from earlier this afternoon. Matt was changing Cecelia who managed to pee all over the changing table.

Sleeping with mommy is a sure-fire cure for the common cold.

Bumbo!

CeCe is learning to like her Bumbo seat. Here are a few pics from today.

CeCe's Email Address

One more thing . . .

If you'd like to send a letter to Cecelia, you can write her at her very own e-mail address!
** Shame on those of you who just wondered if we're taking things a bit too far! :-) **

We'll be sure to not only read any letters to CeCe, but also keep hard copies for her scrapbook.

cece.stark@gmail.com

Thanks!

Favorite Things about CeCe

I've savored every moment of the past few days since tomorrow I go back to work. As a friend said to me (someone who has gone through the "back to work" thing), there's nothing more unnatural than dropping your child off at daycare. I'm feeling the full strength of that sentiment today. However, I know there are aspects of this that will be good for all of us. The other kids at daycare seem to really like having CeCe around and she's quite entertained by them. We're hopeful daycare will give her strong social skills. As for me, I'm looking forward to being able to run around during the day at full Stacey-speed rather than the turtle pace I've been going these past few months with my little darling in tow. However, I will say that the benefits don't outweigh the sadness I'm feeling over the thought of not having her on my hip all day.

So with that, I'm compiling my Top Ten list of favorite things about Cecelia at this, her two-month mark.

10. Her eyelashes are growing longer by the day. (I'm hoping she'll get daddy's!)

9. She loves a good dance party with mommy and daddy.

8. She grabs fistfuls of my hair when being changed or eating.

7. She loves foot massages and will stop crying if rubbed long enough. This is usually daddy's job (he calls himself her cabana boy).

6. When finishing a sneeze, CeCe makes the cutest "ahhhhhhh" sound.

5. She talks to us now - a lot. If we answer her baby talk she keeps the conversation going for quite a long time. Her favorite words sound like "hi" and "hey" but new sounds and words (and volume of those sounds and words) are erupting every day.

4. When she's tired she'll nuzzle up into my neck. I LOVE this!

3. If we make big gestures at her (smiles, funny faces, etc.) she'll reward us with the biggest open-mouthed grin.

2. Kisses from mommy and daddy make her SO happy. You should see how she smiles and kicks her legs.

1. She calms down if she hears one of our voices. There's nothing like seeing that your child really knows you.

So, with that, here are some recent photos of the ever-growing Cecelia. On Saturday we went to cousin Greyson's first birthday party and on Sunday CeCe was baptized. She didn't cry when the water was poured on her head (she loves baths, remember?) but the diaper she decided to poop in just before we went to the front of church had her a bit grumpy. (Baptism photos to come next time since we need to get copies from someone else. Our camera died.)

Ooh! Balloons!

Give this girl a changing table and she's happy.

Lounging with mommy and daddy.

Grey didn't know what to think of the sparklers on his cake.

CeCe loves cuddling up in a blanket with nothing more than a diaper on underneath.

And the Countdown Begins . . .

It's happened. I've reached the point where I go back to work in less than one week. We knew this day was going to come but now that it's almost here I feel so unprepared to leave my little girl. I guess this is what it feels like to have your heart ripped out a little bit.

Cecelia and I had a really special day on Monday. I took her to get her two month photos taken. She was all dressed up in the cutest little outfit and was in the happiest mood. When we got home she was all smiles and entertained me with her "baby speak" until Matt came home. She greeted him with lots of smiles, as she always does. To say this little girl has her daddy wrapped around her finger is an understatement! Matt calls home each day during his lunch and I'll put the phone on speaker. Whenever CeCe hears him on the other end she starts kicking her legs and smiling or talking.

The changes in CeCe seem to more noticeable than ever before. She turned eight weeks yesterday and has more of a personality than ever before. Sleep has become A LOT better, too (with last night being the exception). Ever since New Year's Eve she has been going down pretty easily and sleeping for longer periods of time. I'm just hoping it holds when I go back to work next Wednesday.

On Sunday CeCe met Kamryn Kirchoff, daughter of our friends, Bob and Julie. Here are the guys with their little girls.

CeCe talking to mommy.

CeCe meeting mommy's cousin Laura.

Playing with daddy.

CeCe in her new dress on picture day.

Kisses!

Sitting peacefully so mommy can take a shower.

CeCe talks!

More smiles for daddy.

P.S. As I'm finishing this post, CeCe found her thumb for the first time. It's been all fist sucking until now!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It's hard to believe it's already January. Cecelia is now nearly eight weeks old and growing like a weed. Things have been busy so we haven't had as much time to write. Here are a few photos from New Year's Eve and a few recent shots of CeCe. We'll do a proper update shortly.

Michelle and CeCe. Double-decker babies!

Ian and Angela on NYE.

Jason and Michelle . . . awaiting Baby Porter's arrival.

Cecelia playing in her crib.

At 5 a.m. each morning, CeCe gets to come into mommy and daddy's bed.

Here she is with her lion toy.

Yawn!

Cecelia and daddy. She's wearing a sweater made by her Great Nana Pipia.

CeCe and Kearsten, mommy's cousin's daughter. (No idea what that makes her to Cecelia.)