Berit Kay of the Milky Way and the Bee's Knees Ellinor Louise : Ellinor's Debut

There is no point in pretending to cover lost ground. It's been six months and our entire universe has changed (again).

The Bear is a big sister and has grown up tons since my last post. She is an incredibly fun spirit to have around and makes the newborn stage (yes, including colic) worth it. Berit makes a point of holding Ell every day ("my baby!") and is generous with the kisses. This may explain the two week old baby having a cold already, breast milk be damned. Apparently "liquid gold" is ineffective against two year old germs. Momma has a sore throat too, so no one is sleeping.

Today was Ellinor's first check up -- we are happy to report that she has gained over two pounds already and grown upwards of three inches. She is in the 97th percentile for height -- woohoo, basketball here we come! -- Berit has always been under 50% on height. As of today, Ellinor is 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 22 inches long.

Bear will be celebrating her second birthday in a few weeks. One thing is for certain: she has come to love sweets, particularly ice cream, so I won't be conjuring up any crazy, sugar-free, natural cake this time around.

Briefly, Berit:
- just climbed out of her crib for the first time a few days ago. Considering all of her other stunts, we are amazed that it took her so long to figure this one out.
- has been regularly napping in the toddler bed her momma built, but, has to sleep on a mattress on the floor at night due to her ridiculous thrashing and rolling. Thus far, papa has joined her on the floor. A lot of long nights this week...
- has a great bedtime routine, including a bath, teeth brushing, lotioning up, pajamas, hair brushing, books, milk and rocking. Unfortunately this routine takes at least an hour and a half.
- sporadically sleeps through the night, but mostly wakes up once or twice for more rocking, water and/or a new diaper.
- enjoys TV on PBS, especially Cat in the Hat and Curious George. She also is thrilled by movies in the VW Routan...Spongebob Squarepants, much to her parents' chagrin.
- LOVES to dance, usually not with rhythm but breakdancing doesn't require a "beat"
- takes her art incredibly seriously. She is very careful with lines and spends a lot of time coloring. All art usually ends with some consumption of the medium. They tell us this is normal for talented artists and so we embrace it.
- loves stickers, which represent "owies" and often cover her arms and legs and then, my hardwood floors.
- eats mostly, but may always prefer milk over solid food. Raw brocolli, pickles, cucumbers, black beans, frozen yogurt sticks, cheese, apple slices, cantaloupe, cous cous, macaroni and cheese, rice and soy chicken nuggets are all popular. She likes dips, ketchup especially, and sprinkling parmesan cheese.
- just went to her first parade, appropriately, the gay pride parade with 20 plus motorcycles. She enjoyed collecting candy, though she was unaware that you unwrap it before consuming.
- was an avid viewer of the Olympics, and, then imitator. The diving was particularly dangerous, but her routine was splendid, even if we did shudder as she plunged off the arm of the couch.
- has been biking, wearing her helmet, with frequent skill and speed.
- makes us laugh and smile all the time. She is sweet, funny and of course, all "us" -- having a two year old makes the challenges and doldrums of infancy seem worthwhile and a distant memory.

Ellinor has nothing noteworthy to report, but I'll add (for equanimity):
* guzzles milk until it starts spilling out all over her momma
* no longer wails when she poops in her diaper
* is toughening up to the rough handling of a toddler
* has longer periods of alertness to show off those dark blue eyes and follow the blur of Berit around the room
* mostly sleeps, pees and poops
* is fairly content anywhere, but then, what choice has she got?
* has been licked daily by Lingo, who is trying to manage raising two girls with little help from the humans.

Photos (which I suspect is all any of you are here for anyway)