Spring Time

Duluth has experienced a chilly spring and after feeling cooped up all winter -- and having an extra mild spring the year before -- has made for a dismal few months.  The title is spring and it is a day from June!

Heading out to walk the dogs

Getting out for walks with the dogs has become an easier process since Berit requires less bundling and thus, less restrictive binding (which has a tendency to cause her to protest vehemently) --- but it has only been the last week or two that we have been able to sit outside enjoyably.

I got some flowers and began filling the pots; Berit loved the greenhouse -- must be all that warm, fragrant air.

Momma plants while Bear oversees

She is contemplating whether pine cones are edible

Bear's minions stand at the ready

Having some banana; everything tastes better outside!

Berit does a great job of taking naps, if you follow the routine -- there's a lot of drone-yelling, followed up by the fuzz white noise, ipod on shuffle, swing (which can barely move her these days) and some healthy shushing.  Once she is out, you can expect it to last an hour to two.

Waking up from a nap

Maybe she woke up a little too early?

Seconds later after realizing we're going for a walk

No girl is complete without an I-phone

Of course planting was not a one day affair -- the weather was not that cooperative (it is Duluth after all!)   Bear seemed more comfortable with bare feet on the grass and mud this time.

"No, seriously mom, I need to eat this dirt!"

Three grass loungers and their toys

Big Lingo and his little bear

Berit loves getting the dogs' attention...

Here they are putting on a show for her in response.

Pulling up dandelions

Not all that happy that she can't eat them

success!

Berit Eight Months (yes, already)

What does Berit do this month?

- Tries to wave, when coached and even then, I wonder if it is authentic.

- Sleeps great at night, then not so great at night.

- Takes regular morning and afternoon naps.

- Loves watching big kids.

- Adores her dogs.

- Fake clears her throat to get the attention of her dogs or papa.

- Sniffs like the dogs and scrunches up her nose (so so cute)

- Has almost perfected her pincher grasp and loves holding objects in one hand and passing to the other

- Pulls herself to standing all the time.

- Would rather be standing or walking with hands or jumping than just about anything.

- Does not crawl (yes, we know about the alleged correlation with reading.)

- Turns from table to parent and back (standing on her own)

- Loves going for walks (squeals in unison with the dogs' barks)

Sometimes she can't be bothered to sit still, even for a quick photo

Can be such a serious kid

So much taller than Wolfie!

On her own!

Ready to move!

One hand on momma and one on Wolfie -- seems steady...

Momma's two little babies

Yukon the protector and Lingo the best friend (Sitka is graciously allowing her tail to be the toy)

Berit goes vertical...

That's the latest craze: upright is good, on her back and you may as well be water-boarding her.  This makes for some incredibly interesting diaper-changing techniques, and a number of failures too.

Berit goes for the "unassist" with Nama Debbie

Hanging in the Binger saucer -- where she strengthens her legs

Bear is also enjoying "real people" food.  There a number of foods she isn't a fan of such as peas (what?!) avocado, and plain yogurt.  A little accidental taste of papa's strawberry Greek yogurt demonstrated that it might be the tangy flavor of plain that she doesn't like.

Sweet potato and banana continue to be favorites.

Whole peeled apples are delicious!

But sometimes a little tart

Not like a sweet banana

Big cheekful -- don't worry, most of that got spit out

 With Uncle Woody in Alaska, we are babysitting the KTM for the summer.  Since Pete still has the KLR (now supplemented with the Fat Bob) there are actually three motorcycles in the garage: one for each of us.  Looks like Berit and her papa will have to flip a coin...

Bear's starting the hogs young

 We came across a garage sale on one of our recent walks; I thought we got the piano for Berit...

Lingo apparently had other ideas. (Along with controlling the remote!)

Our lovely neighbor Pat gave Berit this watermelon hat.  Here we are trying it out in our pajamas!

Berit is checking the helium levels

Can you tell she's a fireman's little girl?

Seven Months (4/23) and Mother's Day Hike (5/8)

"Oh my, I'm Seven Months Old!!!" 

Berit rolls from front to back and back to front. She has a preference to go to the right on the roll, but can reverse if tempted with toys.

Berit eats with the family, but is still working on root vegetables and finger foods.  Black beans and peas are next on the menu!

She loves to stand and jump.  She got a walker but can't quite touch the ground yet. She has pulled herself up to standing a few times now, with the help of her monkey machine (see prior post.)

She sits on her own but cannot sit up from laying flat on her back.  

She can scoot and roll into strange positions when left unobserved.

Petting Wolfie

Berit laughs if momma tries to play papa's harmonica.  Apparently he is much better at it.

She nurses regularly, but can't always be bothered with taking the quiet time to sit still and eat --- there is simply too much to do.  She makes up for those missed feedings at night, where she still sleeps with us.

I don't see her as often mid-day, although the accident at daycare means that I go up to see how she is doing or at least call.  I hope to outgrow the helicopter mommy stage before she gets to college!

Sitting still is hard these days

Just how much taller is Bear than Wolfie?

"Hurry up, mom, I've got things to do today"

"That's it..."

"I'm leaving!"

Bare toes baby!  

We hiked up to the cabin; it is still standing and smells amazing.  If civilization crumbles, we will retreat happily!

Berit's faithful boy-dogs...she pays them handsomely 

Yukon is a little jealous of the attention Bear gets, especially from Pat and the grandparents.  He loves the baby, but likes being the baby just as much.  All three are realizing that the baby has the ability to propel food from the table to their mouths with great ease -- and she doesn't get in trouble for it!  Here they are "helping" Pete airplane sweet potato to Bear's little bird mouth.

Trying the outdoors

I feel like I've been cooped up since she was born, so the sooner she starts appreciating the fresh air, the better.  We are looking forward to a summer outside: building the cabin, walking the dogs, digging in the dirt (gardening) and swinging.  There will be swimming too!

The German mafia guard their girl in the front yard (Sitka has the pine tree and driveway covered)

Our amazing herding dogs love their kid.  They seem particularly anxious for her to learn how to throw the ball.  Soon, I tell them!

Bear at play

Berit continues to delight her parents.  She is making up for those hours and days and weeks of crying.  She is a very opinionated and demanding little one, but gets away with it because she is so darn entertaining.

I can only guess what she is thinking.  I am working on learning signs so we can communicate, although they don't tell you how hard it can be for the parents to learn sign language!  Especially when one parent is laughing at the other...

I really will try to post more frequently~

Ah Berit

This was written May 1st  -- a week ago already! -- and it follows the first accident post...

This last week was pretty eventful.  Pete started his first tour as Captain and on that same day, I got a dreaded call from day care telling me that there had been an "incident" -- Berit had been bleeding a lot and was very upset but had calmed down.  It was an accident certainly, but the sort of moment when you feel like nothing else can ever be as important as raising your baby and protecting her from the dangers of the world.  Working mothers have guilt all the time; this is the exact kind of moment when that guilt feels justified.  It was awful.

We are again falling way behind on photos and updates.  Seven months has come and gone!

Bear laughs when I wear hats..then she pulls them off

What a sweetie

Our little liberal in training -- off to help Papa plan council campaigns!

It is May but we are still wearing our winter earflaps!

She LOVES this monkey.  Sometimes we have to take a break while getting dressed to be sure he is still there

Fortunately she has recovered from her latest injury very quickly and with great spirits.

A few scrapes remaining on the upper lip -- we don't think there will be a scar

Uncle Woody is off to Alaska and Aunt Krista is arriving from San Francisco in two days!

Seeing Woody off to the airport shuttle

Berit plans to be driving by the time he returns...

Here she is getting tips from papa

She figures if she eats the camera, I will stop taking photos of her