Archive for the ‘News’ Category

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Posted by Will on April 7, 2011

Nola is growing like a weed. Before you know it, people will be reminiscing and saying phrases like “I remember you when you were just knee high to a grasshopper”. To Brittany and I, and those who see her on a regular to semi-regular basis, we can recognize the physical growth.

Nola has definitely filled out. It’s most obvious when you are either putting her in a fresh diaper or outfit. Where she had room to grow before, she has outgrown or is on the very cusp of being too large for several of her various onesies (even at the 3 month old size). Her once long, spindly legs, narrow face, and streamlined belly have been stuffed with the very appropriate amount of baby fat. For once, we can stop wondering if there is a possibility that she is not getting enough to eat.

The other changes we see are cognitive. Nola is much more vocal and the changes and inflection of her squeals and speech are starting to vary depending on her mood and her needs. We are also seeing her react to differing scenarios. She can be startled, moved to joy, and she has such a dramatic lower lip pout that proceeds her cries it would make Edward Teach’s black heart melt with sympathy.

Other mental developments include Nola’s reactions to objects and environments. For instance, Nola has recently discovered that dark brown nest sprouting from her scalp. The past few days she has constantly put her hand on the top of her crown, grabbed a fistful of her downy hair, and proceeds to do a half-hearted Sprinkler Dance. She is also very much interested in large, noisy groups of people and being outside. Who could blame her being cooped up in our apartment during most hours of the day? It certainly has spurred us to get out of the basement as often as the weather allows.

Lastly, Nola is gaining physical strength. Just the other day she started rolling over from her stomach to her back and then back to her stomach. She is also, when she feels like it, holding her head up almost 90° when face down. And boy oh boy does she like standing. I have a feeling she’s going to skip crawling and head straight to walking. She loves being on her feet and Brittany and I are both very impressed with the strength and power she already possesses in her legs.

As for everything else to come, only time will tell.

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Getting a Grasp on Things

Posted by Will on March 16, 2011

Nola’s latest skill has been learning how to grasp things. She had been holding our fingers intermittently but has expanded her domain to shirt collars and much to Brittany’s chagrin, hair.

Nola is also working on her hand-eye coordination as she has found a new interest in her hanging toys that are on her bouncy seat.

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Nola at 2 Months

Posted by Bram_Fam on March 1, 2011

Today Nola turns two months old. It seems so much longer than that since she arrived. Yet, it is unbelievable how much she has grown and developed, both physically and mentally, since then.

This past Saturday, we were graced with her first smile. Now her room and board has been fulfilled for the past few months. Also, we have managed to coax a few belly-to-back flip-flops. Sure, she might have gravity on her side with the gentle slope of our futon but who would have expected this much success so soon?

Speaking of belly-to-back, Nola is getting stronger in regards to holding her head while on her stomach. She’s well over 45° but not quite yet 90°.

Nola is now also a crib baby. For the past few weeks she has been averaging around 8 hours in her crib straight through the night. Something that would have been laughable to even consider her accomplishing her first few weeks has become our blessed reality (for the time being).

All developments aren’t peaches and cream. One talent she has exercised recently is her projectile spit-up. Many have come to wonder at the amount and velocity our little one can regurgitate.

Meeting her needs can sometimes still seem overwhelming but with routine, patience, and knowledge, it has gotten easier with the passing of time. Not to mention, she is pretty easy to love, even if her hair is growing more out of control with each day.