2 Months Old!

TWO MONTHS OLD! I seriously can't believe it, kiddos. How does time race by like this, even when you are trying to make a concerted effort to slow things down and absorb all these special moments. Oh well, I guess that's just not how life is so I might as well just deal!

So... this week has been all about the schedule, kiddos. I'm ridiculously confused right now about what is best for you, in terms of getting you on a schedule and getting you fed correctly. I mean, there are a trillion different theories out there and although many have similarities, there are a few outright contradictions. And of course there is no "right answer" b/c well, if there was, I guess that's what everyone would be doing! So that's fine- I'm cool with just picking one that seems to make the most sense to me and getting you guys on it. But the problem with that is, for every theory that makes sense and is lauded by pediatricians and other critics, you will find just as many opposing opinions telling you that you are doing bad things to your kids if you stick to that program. Sigh... what's a mom to do, anyway?

So I picked one. I just hope it's right b/c the last thing in the world I want to do is mess you kids up right now. This year is so important to you. Your little minds and bodies are going through more changes and development this year than they will ever do! So the thought of doing something that could scar you emotionally, or get you off on the wrong foot physically... well, it scares me. Your Aunt Alexa told me just to go with the flow and not read too many books, and I do see a lot of truth and common sense in that approach. The problem is, I might be shortchanging you by not implementing some of the stuff I read about, since it is supposed to help you! So anyway, I picked a routine to get you on and let's just hope it's the right one. More than anything else in the world, I want you kiddos to be happy and healthy.

So how has it been going? Well, right now this novice is feeling pretty encouraged. I'm convinced it is because you kids are absolute geniuses of course, but you're already putting yourselves to sleep! That is a major feat for a 2 month old who is really only 1 month old gestationally. Fantastic I think! I'm so, so proud of you, and encouraged that we might actually be able to get you kids to stick to this schedule! And Max, you have slept for 6 straight hours two of the last 4 nights- I am so impressed kiddo! And thanks for cutting your mom and grandma a break- we appreciate it! I think it's because you're such a good eater, which brings me to my next topic... what are you kids like right now?
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Max, let me start with you. You are my little angel boy! You are such a good boy and you never give us any trouble at all! OK, I take that back a tiny bit- when you are hungry, you definitely, definitely raise a rucus. But poor little guy- you only ever cry when you're hungry. Such a good little angel. You love your bottle, Max. Seriously, you love it. And it shows- you have the the cutest little chubby face and thighs! You are so solid and hefty- such a little BOY! And you're so smart that you absolutely know when we're about to feed you and you instantly calm down and start smacking your lips. It makes me laugh every time I start feeding you b/c you are soooo excited! I am convinced you not only sense that food is coming b/c of the way we position you on our laps, but also b/c you see the bottle. And that, my dear, is brilliance. OK, I know I'm so biased but this is my private blog and it's gonna be full of stuff like this! :-)

You also are beginning to smile! The other day you were ALL SMILES for Thatha when he was showing you your "car seat gallery" flashcards. You particularly loved the image of a little boy smiling, and would start smiling every time you saw it! It was adorable. And today, you gave Ammamma huge smiles and coos when she got close to you to pick you up out of your swing. She said it is b/c you knew you were getting food, but I think it's just b/c you love her already. How could you not? She is full of love and kisses and support for you and she and Thatha are awesome grandparents. I only wish, sweet boy, that you'd smile for me. I got a few smiles from you the other day but I wish I saw it more consistently. It just melts my heart when you smile- I can't wait till you start doing it regularly!

By the way, you also love your swing- another thing that makes us laugh. There is a mobile on top of it that you just STARE AT, mesmerized. It goes around and around in a circle and you just follow the little stuffed animals so intently and with so much interest! I love putting you in there just to see your enthusiasm about that mobile. But I'm trying to wean you off it a bit b/c you seriously love it and always fall asleep in it, and I want you to be able to sleep in other places besides just your swing.

But here's what stands out most about you, little boy, and the side of you that melts us to the core... your interest in the world around you. You're only 2 months old, but you are just so curious about everything! Everything. Especially if it is outside. When we take you aside, your little head is craning all around trying to take everything in! Even when we put you into your carrier or car seat, you seem to know you're about to go outside and you start getting that curious look in your eyes. And when we hit the hallway, wow- you are just plain happy! You are just so calm and the curiousity in your face is very, very clear! And of course when you get outside, oh you are so happy! You know, being a small baby, in general being carried around in a carrier or strolled in a stroller, is such a soothing motion that babies tend to fall asleep right away. But you, Max, you fight it! You try so hard to stay awake!! Oh, it is so cute. Check out how curious you are!

So what do you guys look like right now? Well, you, Max, seem to look like your mommy. Sometimes I feel sad, little boy, that you don't look like your dad. But only b/c your dad is so handsome and every mom wants their little boy to look like their dad. But you do look like me. Most of the time. Sometimes we catch of glimpse of you and it's so much like Daddy that it takes my breath away. But most of the time, it is all me. And right now, you always have the cutest little frown on your face. To us it looks like you are thinking hard about something. It is your signature expression and although it's a frown, we just love seeing it b/c it's so "you"! This is what I mean:

We love you, little man. You're such a sweet little kid.

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And Meera, don't worry- I haven't forgotten about you! What are you like? Well, first of all, you're adorable. You are our little firecracker! You are so full of life and spirit and definitely let us know what is on your mind at all times! You are generally a very, very good baby- don't get me wrong. But wow, when you are angry, I think the whole building knows! Now, unlike your brother, Meera - you hate to eat. I wonder if this is going to be the trend that continues as you kids get older. But as much as Max loves his bottle, you absolutely hate yours! It is a struggle for us to get you through your bottle almost every time we feed you. Ok, every time. You gulp down the beginning of the bottle pretty well, but that last ounce is sheer torture- for you and for us! I feel so sad for you when we get to that last ounce b/c you sooooo don't want it, but since we are in control here (ya right!), you just can't get away from it. You try your best and do all sorts of things like grimacing, shaking your head, pushing the bottle out of your mouth, and worse- pushing the milk out of your mouth! And sometimes I'll admit, we give in and stop feeding you. We just all HATE to see you go through that - you are just sooo disgusted with your milk.

And whether or not it's b/c you are a poor eater, you are a tiny little thing! Your Grandma Spencer calls you "little bit" b/c that's just what you are. Everything about you is tiny, except for your personality. When we lift you, you feel like almost nothing in our arms (particularly if we have just been holding your chubby little bro). We think you're probably going to be a small little thing, but we'll see- you kids can change on a dime so you just never know...

But Meera, you are so smart! You absolutely know when we're close to you and most of the time will demand to be picked up. Ammamma told me that wouldn't start till you kids were later but you are already doing it. And you definitely get angry at us when we ignore you and you want attention, and you have the cutest, cutest little pout! Well, I say "little" but really it's not so little. You stick your bottom lip out soooo far and throw your whole face into a massive pout! You are all girl, my little girl. We think you are going to be bold and strong and will absolutely get what you want out of life... or else! We are so proud of the little personality you are growing (even if it does make our days a bit harder sometimes).

You, by the way, are not so curious about the world yet. You pretty much seem disinterested in most things outdoors. But what you do love is people. You love to be around us, to be held by us, etc. You give me the sweetest smiles ever, and you look straight into my eyes when you do it. There is no better feeling in the world, I think! I try hard to entertain you b/c I can tell you are smart and are observing so much about all of us around you, and I think it's paying off b/c you are smiling and really following us with your eyes and seem to really listen to what we are saying to you.

You particularly love it when I sing to, little girl. When you are awake and I start singing to you, you just stare right at me and are so, so interested. Eventually you'll break into a smile at my efforts which totally makes it worthwhile, and you don't even mind when I hit some pretty pathetically off-key notes.

And just like your brother, you have these funny little things you do that make us laugh and laugh! Like when we first unwrap you from your swaddle. Meera, I think you don't much care for your swaddle b/c when we first take it off, your little arms shoot up, stick straight above your head, so quickly! They both shoot up and you sit there and stretch like a cat. It's like a spring, as soon as you are "released" from the horrible confines of that swaddle. It really makes us giggle, no matter how much we see you do it! I hope I never forget that image, and just in case, I'd better get a picture of it soon. Oh, it's so freaking cute!

And what/who do you look like? Well, you are in my opinion one gorgeous little girl, but we can't really figure out who you look like. We think you look like Grandma Spencer, which is great b/c she's beautiful! And in your early days, you looked EXACTLY like your dad's first baby picture. So you definitely look more like Dad's side of the family, regardless. But you're your own little person and you have the cutest little face! Everyone who sees you gushes about how pretty you are, which makes me so proud. You are a pretty little thing, Meera.

We love you, little darling. You're our little princess.

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OK, little ones. It's time to feed you - I can hear you stirring. Until later...