Week 8-June 9-15-I cleaned the bathroom with Pine Sol and the scent permeated the entire bedroom where you are sleeping so I put you and Papa in the guest bedroom to sleep away from the odor and came back to the bedroom to write this post. Typing with two hands is definitely a luxury!

TWO MONTHS!!!!! You are such a big girl now. You don't fit into some of your newborn sized clothing, so I go clothing shopping with you. So much fun! So many cute outfits. Although I don't have any other babies to compare you with, from how clothing drapes on you, I surmise that you are a bit narrower, thinner than most babies your size. Everything is baggy on the sides, but fit you lengthwise. Grandma buys you pretty outfits that are a little large on you and I cannot believe that one day soon, you will fit into them and then outgrow them. I spend hours just looking at you trying to memorize every feature, every movement, every sound you make. Pictures and video don't capture your essence.

One day I put on your hat while you were in the stroller and you began to cry, but the hat looked so adorable that I laughed. You saw me laughing and immediately began to smile. I realized that you are beginning to be in sync with my moods and emotions. Another time, you wouldn't go down for a nap. About an hour into rocking and shhhh-ing you, I exasperatedly said, Ellie, go to sleep. You began to cry. I am certain I hurt your feelings with my tone. I am sorry, little girl. I will try to be kinder with my tone from now on. You pick up quickly. When Papa and I argue, you cry. We didn't know that a baby at such a young age would be this alert to her surroundings, although you are very sensitive to the elements, just like both of your parents.

Papa and I stay at my parents' house one night and you didn't want to take a nap; you are refusing your daytime naps at this point, and so Grandma tries to put you in the bouncer. You take to it like a fish to water. I am AMAZED! There are little toys dangling in front of you and you try to hit them with your hands. You succeed. Since you are smiling and cooing, my mom decides to put you in the swing and lo and behold, you actually like it. For at least 15 minutes. I have been trying to get you in the swing every other day since we brought you home. I cannot believe my eyes. When we come back to our home the next day I put you in the swing and you take to it again. Unbelievable!!!!!

A high school friend of mine, Katie Taylor, whose daughter just turned one, gives us a bag of clothing. In it are socks, your first pairs. We try on white ankle socks with a pink trim and pink and blue whales on them. So cute although I am a little sad to not be able to touch and look at your pretty toes. When you take a nap, one sock stays on and the other falls off. It took me a while to find it.

We sing head shoulders knees and toes every day on the changing table and you smile and smile and smile. We are beginning to get a routine established. Baths on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We change into pajamas at around 5-6pm. I read a book to you before your afternoon nap and we go on walks at least once a day. You eat, have activity time, eat again, and then nap. Naps at this point last 30 minutes instead of the hour and thirty minutes that all of the books say you should be taking, but 30 minutes is better than no minutes. I am relishing my time with you. It is incredible to see how fast you are changing. I have never experienced anything like this before. I love you!

Papa and I have decided that I am going to take a leave of absence from work, so I can stay and be with you. You and I go to my classroom to pack my personal belongings and everybody comes to see you. They all ooh and ahh over you and think you are absolutely beautiful. I am a proud mama.