The Bird Breaks Down

Fans. Whoa. We went over to Kendra's tonight for a Labor Day BBQ. Lovely night. Lovely company. Lovely Mexican dip. In short, all was lovely. And then Baby Bird started to cry. And she would not be deterred! A full scale revolt! The likes of which has never been mounted by Baby Bird. I mean really, Fans. If the Bird has a hallmark, it is her mellowness. A armistice was declared when nursed, but it proved to be temporary. Meanwhile, Joe was padding about chirping, "Go home? Go home?" Undoubtedly, we will be asked over again next weekend as a fabulous time was had by ALL!

In closing, we would not that Baby Bird did NOT--amazingly!--fall asleep in the car on the way home, and her temperature is a cool-a-cucumber 98.3. She is now dozing in her crib. Joe is being bathed and will shortly join her in Slumberland or, at least, he will be in the big boy bed to which he has, of late, been walking "on his own two little feet."

This is Mama Choo-Choo Train, signing off. Choo choo!

Nature Walk

This morning we all went to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. We brought the stroller thinking Joe would tire, but he walked the whole way, even up the big hill. Clara stayed in the Moby peeking out at the nature while Joe strolled along the path pointing out all the trees that had fallen down, which he called alligators at first. We stopped for a snack on top of the hill and Joe splashed a stick in a little bird bath for a while. As you can tell, it turned chilly here this weekend. Fall clothes for everyone!

Bunny Man

The other day, Ted showed Joe how to put on the masks that Grandma brought him. He got right into character - with the lion masked he roared, with the elephant mask he trumpeted, and with the bunny he hopped. Even Raleigh got into the spirit - we all know he loves rabbits!

Bird's Four-Month Check-Up

Baby Bird had her four-month well-child check-up today. Bird was in her usual tummy-down position when Dr. Harrington walked in, impressing the doc straight off! Dr. Harrington was further wowed by tales of Baby Bird's rolling and pivoting about in circles, and when she saw Baby Bird bringing things up to her mouth. The stats: 15 pounds 5 ounces (80%), 25 inches (73%). Dr. Harrington noted that though the Bird had grown, her percentiles were down. She speculated this was because Baby Bird is such a mover and a shaker she was burning through more calories, and thought increasing the amount in her bottles was a good idea. So Julie is going to add a pump in early in the morning for the time being to try to get about 2 more ounces--enough for three 5 ounce bottles. Then the Bird got two more shots. She was a champion! Cried out as the last one was winding up but wound it up pretty quickly, and then fell fast asleep on the way to collect Joe from school.

I Eat Soft Books For Breakfast

This past week, Clara's teachers have noted to us that Baby Bird has been a little more fussy than usual. We are all wondering if it's that she's hungry so we are going to start bringing bigger bottles to daycare. In the meantime, Bird's teachers also noted that one thing that usually makes Clara happy is to be given a soft book that she can chomp on, and it is true, our Girl loves her a soft book for chewing.