Jilly Giggles

It just tickles me to no end to hear Jillian laugh. She is developing such a wonderful, peaceful personality. We've been playing in her play gym for the past 20 minutes or so. She's been kicking and laughing as we practice grasping, stretching and rolling over, back and forth. She hasn't quite mastered balancing to push herself by herself, but she's close, really close. Her head, neck and back strength is much better than it was even a few weeks ago. We had her working on the pink boppy she got for X-mas (Thanks Nana) and it's really made a difference with her progress. We mostly work off it now so, just in case she wants to roll over, she can.

We're finally getting on a good schedule which is calming for us both. It's nice to know what to expect when planning out the day that has more goals than time. Now, it's time for her to nap so I can catch up on correspondence, blogging and maybe if I have time, homework.

I'm looking into Mama and Me Swimmers for babies 6 months to 3 years. It's going to be good exercise and for socializing. Jilly's also looking forward to going to the Children's Museum this coming week with Nana, Mama and Papa.

Starting the Day

The morning began with my making milk and waking up a very amused baby Jillian. I changed and fed her. She's taken to humming through her meals. She cries as if she's desperate with hunger only to take a few deep gulps and start singing wordlessly to songs only she knows. I've tried to follow along, but as there's no discernible tune, I've had trouble. It wouldn't be so bad except as she sings the milk pools in her mouth and is squeezed out during the naaaa and gaaaa notes soaking my shirt. If I remove the bottle, she's hungry again or at least convincingly playing so.

My awesome husband, Russell had fed the dogs before leaving so I headed upstairs to start a bath for Jillian. I filled the blue plastic whale tub and set the bathroom up for baby cleaning. I set out the soap and wash cloth next to the tub, got a change of clothes and fresh diaper ready and then build the baby holding zone. This zone is a series of layers starting with a base adult towel (for padding), then a strategically placed diaper cover and diaper, topped with a baby towel and finally Jillian, stripped down bare.

When the bath was a baby ready temperature, I lowered Jillian in. A surprised expression as her butt hit the water was followed with happy splashing I can only describe as adorable. I described her baby parts as they were washed and rinsed and then put her back in the nest. To prevent the dry skin she's prone to, I slathered her with lotion so she was white and slimy by the time I was done. I let her soak in a bit before changing her diaper and dressing her in a sassy red jumpsuit. I let her have a snooze on the towel (bathing is exhausting for babies) as I rinsed off and we were ready for where the day takes us. This is hopefully on a walk with Laura and the dogs a little later.