Berit the Bruiser

Today Berit had her first spill that left a mark.  There were some giant tears and a loud sob or two but now (eight hours later) the evidence is nearly gone.

Here she is a few minutes after the tears have dried...

She is getting more mobile and the world is more hazardous. I ordered a gate for the stairs.  Last week she started rolling (back to front) deliberately to cover ground, reach toys and get your attention.  Her crawling is more like a scoot backwards, having not mastered pulling up her knees under her belly.  She grabs ankles when she wants to nurse or get picked up -- pretty cute.  She has been practicing standing and is pulling herself up a lot.  Her daddy walked at nine months -- so it may be closer than we think!  I am watching her roll across the living room as I type...

Tummy time isn't so bad when you get rolling!

Blowing out the candles on Papa's carrot cake

Momma and her Bear on the way to work and "school"

Berit has now eaten bananas, sweet potato (loves! especially warm), butternut squash, acorn squash, mum mums, pears (especially frozen), avocado (not a fan -- yet!) and sips waters like a big kid.

She still fights sleep but does a great job of letting herself stay asleep once she gets there -- especially at night.  We've had numerous nights of 8:30 or 9 pm sleeps until 3 am.  Pretty crazy to think how far we have come (and what seems "great" these days!)

Last weekend the family traveled up the shore, except for Pete who was working three in a row.  We missed him, but it was time to visit friends and family and the fur kids really needed a big woods outing. We stayed with our friends Dan, Bre and Zoe.

Dan was coaching Berit in crawling, but Yukon the protector has to be sure to stay close by - just in case!

Best friend Lingo stayed within close proximity too

Again, I am amazed that the most fun toy is the $4 bag of diaper wipes

Sylvie, the forlorn little giraffe - and the boy dogs.

We got to do a site visit of the latest Arktikos Custom Builders project and see the fine handiwork of Grandpa Doug, Nama Debbie and Uncle Woody.

Bear and Grand-nama Debbie -- she did the American clay walls throughout the cabins

Woody, Rae, Debbie and Berit

Uncle Woody shows Berit the view

She approves!

Woody's beautiful railings

Grandpa Doug's beautiful railings

And there's the bath!

After months of showers, Berit is getting some tub time and enjoying it.  It isn't convenient for the morning routine but is a worthy daytime pursuit.  It also works just before nap time or bed.  We haven't been back to the swimming pool since the double ear infection diagnosis, but soon.  If only it would stop snowing!

Snowy Sunday Hike

As promised, we woke up to pouring snow.  We are all very ready for this long winter to end.  Having Bear in the house means we have had some cabin fever -- much, much harder to get out and take advantage of a good ski when you've got a little peanut to worry about.

But now, at six plus months and balmy April snowfall, we are ready to get out and enjoy it.

The fur kids could not be happier!

Berit sings along

Hartley pond -- dangerous and nerve-wracking ice

The regal matriarch

And she's out...

When we got home, papa was baking birthday cake and listening to prairie home companion.  How's that for a wonderful Minnesota family moment?

The Bear, still in her baselayers

Showing off her little teeth

And coming for her momma and that damn camera

Growing Girl

Dinner for the Bear, mum mum, banana and water (that she just pretends to drink so far)

Well Berit's two little teeth are really showing these days.  She nibbles just like Lingo's little love-bites and the serrated edges really hurt.  Luckily for me she knows better than to nibble during nursing!

Baby-led solids!

Mulling over the taste and texture

Not yet, Pa!  

Berit adores her papa

Now she's ready for more

She continues to explore real foods with zeal.  She can easily gobble down a rice mum mum (the best for her to hold onto herself) and seems to enjoy it when Papa smears it with sweet potato.  She eats mashed bananas, as long as they are not too ripe and sweet.  This shows a series of her eating banana mash from Papa's fingers.

Today we tried a chunk of banana with a "handle" rolled in cheerio dust.  It seemed to feel great in the hand but proved to slippery to hit the mouth more than a few times.

The youngest WTipper in Duluth!

She also loves loves loves to jump.  Her saucer had to be raised a notch as her legs are longer -- we used to slide books under her feet so she could jump!  She goes crazy in her johnny jump-up -- like it is a little trampoline.  We try to take video but so far haven't been able to upload it anywhere.  It is highly entertaining.

She has also been talking a lot more -- a lot of "da ta da dah da" making papa think he should be going by dad instead, ha!

another satisfied eater!

Bear reaches when she wants to move now -- pretty darn cute!

Wearing her adorably soft Bunny shirt (thanks Annie!)

With cousin Elizabeth.  

 The necklace is genuine Baltic amber.  This is another one of my hippie parenting concepts.  It is a teething necklace.  Amber allegedly has some pain-relieving elements.  Since amber is not a stone, it warms and softens when against the skin and the natural pain relief helps with the unpleasantries of teething.  Or so they say.  And so I believe.  The necklace isn't worn at night or in the shower and is knotted to avoid choking hazards.

Pete thought it was meant to be worn like a horse bridle --- not so.

Does it work?  I have no idea.

April Fool's!  Notice the snow out the window -- this was our Friday morning.

Berit gives a giant grin when Papa walks in the door from work

Later in the morning, she has lost her stylish jeans...

But is quite happy!

Well Baby??

Today was Bear's six month "well baby" check-up.  Feeling oh so proud of our little toothy daughter (yes, getting two teeth IS an achievement!) you can imagine the feelings of careless, irresponsible failure upon hearing that she has not one, but two ear infections.  How can this be?   She has been so happy!  No fevers since sprouting the teeth!

Waiting for papa to get home in the morning

She is now a whopping 15 pounds, 15 ounces -- leveling out at the 50th percentile -- and 26 1/4 inches long (tall? almost) -- which is the 60th percentile.

As for those ears?  We'll keep an eye out for intensifying symptoms and hope that this is not a recurring issue for the poor dear.  Our (new) pediatrician is not an automatic pharm pusher, so we are waiting to start any antibiotics.  I feel exceptionally proud that so far she's only had vitamin supplements for vaccines and probiotics in her little system.  We will see if this round requires anything stronger.  And sadly, no swimming for a week or two.

Six Months!

Trying to get a visual on how long she is -- this kid cannot hold still!

Everything goes into the mouth and has been for over two months.  Last month she started getting very interested in our food, putting her hand in soup bowls, causing huge reactions from her parents and some very optimistic puppies!

Berit:
- sits up very steadily until she doesn't...
- still loves movement like no other
- sleeps with us for much longer stretches -- yay!
- has regular lunch dates with momma
- continues to shower every other morning with momma
- seems to enjoy "school" (daycare) a great deal, and even recognized a classmate at the pool!
- giggles A LOT.  Who is this happy creature we are blessed with?
- but does have a temper.  And not a lot of patience.  Is this a wicked combination of her parents or what!
- loves Lingo the most (we think) but grabs Yukon's hair and Sitka's muzzle.  All dogs makes her happy.
- talks NON-STOP.  No comment.  ("Da" is most frequent.)
- loves to kick (Pete calls it Riverdance and brings us all to hysterical laughing)
- got her first tooth, and her second just six days later!
- eats banana and mum-mums; bananas cause a shot of whiskey shudder to run through her.  Very entertaining for us!
- continues to love the swimming pool and even walks on the treadmill strapped to momma

First solid food!

Chewing with Lingo

Yukon took his turn

After school snack of mum-mums

I am still pumping, now three times during work, after a long illness caused my resources to drain (if you don't eat, your body goes into conserve mode and doesn't make as much milk!)

Berit has started really eating for everyone -- maybe a growth spurt -- or may she just realized that the good stuff originates from the ta tas but can be delivered in many forms.

This month Berit went to her first labor rally where Pete spoke.  The moment his speech started, she wailed, then promptly fell asleep behind her sunglasses.  She might have been the youngest DFLer in the crowd.

We had a family hike to the cabin to see how it weathered the end of winter -- amazing.

Bundling up for the hike

The human family members at the cabin

Beautiful blue

When papa works, we walk the dogs and sing and Bear falls asleep

A hug from Ceili after the neighborhood St. Patty's Day parade

Berit - Month FIVE

"Jogging" in the saucer

She really holds on and gets those legs going!

Posing with Wolfie

so many giggles, more and more squirmy too!

In Berit's fifth month she got to meet her momma's crazy (but beloved) surrogate lesbian mothers whose claim to fame is teaching me to put mint in my G & Ts and not causing me to fail the Bar Exam.  Ann and Pam stopped by one snowy Friday afternoon when I was working from home...many hours of debauchery and baby loving ensued.  Not surprisingly, they are convinced that Berit should be joining MENSA any day now.

Berit also did some civic service by volunteering with momma at Hartley's annual candlelight ski.  She was amazingly calm while passed from board member to co-worker and back.  I couldn't have been prouder!

Airplane with papa requires a streamlined physique!

Yes, momma knit this damn sweater...

In month five Berit also:

- Watched her first Super Bowl (go Packers!)
- Stayed home with Grandma Debbie all day (so momma doesn't lose her job!)
- Got her first fever (101.3! We thought it was teeth in progress...)
- Slept in a crib for three hours (at daycare -- they teach all the hard lessons.)
- Got her first Valentine (from a boy!) Papa said "Where's my gun?"
- Went swimming at the YMCA (and loved it!)
- Grandma Val babysat for date night
- Visited with Uncle Woody and Aunt Rae.

Papa took part two of his captain test and did absurdly well
Grandpa Dougie turned 60
Momma got a beautiful ring!

Serious baby getting ready for the pool.

After swim...just about napping

We did not join the circus...

Well I certainly blew it when I promised to stay on top of blogging.  I will resolve (again) to be more attentive to our followers.  Maybe brief weekly statistics?  I will try, I promise.  

We are all still here, gutting out the long, cold Duluth winter, even though running away is appealing from time to time.  I always wanted to try the flying trapeze (sweetheart, if you are reading this that might make a very good experience gift!)

So here goes 33 days wrapped up fast!