We
had such a great weekend with our friends. Ivy loves Leo so much, and
he loves her right back. We were so glad to see Tiffany and Jackie, and
to grill and gossip and play with babies. It was so awesome -- I want
them to come back next week.
So, where to begin... We had a good start to the week with Ivy. I
got a haircut on Tuesday night, and Josh took excellent care of Ivy. He
was charged with taking pictures of her, and he did his usual great
job. We're raising baby green -- she's our little Texas tree-hugger.
I finished teaching on Thursday, and Josh finished on Monday. Ivy played with her blue ball, and tried to crawl.
We're both buried under a mountain of grading -- I can't wait
until we teach Ivy to wield a red pen -- and still have to give our
finals. Here, she helps Josh cue videos, so she is good for something
(and isn't she pretty in this green ivy dress?).
When
Leo and his moms arrived Thursday evening (after getting a little
lost), we all spent time getting reacquainted. Of course, Jackie
couldn't wait to get her hands on tiny Ivy. She cried a little bit, and
I was almost glad. She's so welcoming with strangers that I am always
afraid that she doesn't have the healthy dose of stranger danger she
needs. But, 10 minutes later she was climbing on Jackie's lap and
getting to know Leo.
We
gave the babies baths together every night. Leo was very good and
shared all the toys with her, even when Ives didn't share back. She
reached out to gently touch him several times, and was a braver girl
with the shampoo rinsing than Leo is! We got her dressed in his room,
and when she'd cry or fuss he rushed over to be sure she was alright.
On Saturday we went to campus. It's a great place for babies to
run and play and have photo ops. This is the Century Oak -- all kinds
of people get their pictures taken under it, and couples get engaged.
It will be so romantic when Ivy proposes to Leo under it in 50 years (when she's old enough to
date, and I'm dead).
Leo
loved the fountain at the Memorial Student Center. Right after I took
this picture, he took off his shirt, and a few minutes later he dove
into the water. I am looking forward to Ivy being big enough to play in
it. Mommyandivyday will be even more fun!
When we got home (it was a gorgeous and warm day), we set up
the pool.
Ivy LOVED it. She cried when we took her out. It hasn't been warm and sunny since then (Leo took the sunshine!),
but I think we'll be able to use it this weekend.
Tiffany got them some toys, including a net and a bucket. We will use them (as hats, perhaps), and think of our friends.
That night we took the babies to La Bodega. Their food was just as
tasty at night as it is for breakfast. They had a fun time. Leo ate avocado and cheese quesadilla. Ivy had a bite.
She
ate bites of lots of Leo's food, including his pasta. We are excited to
have her expand her diet. Unfortunately, she also ate his fruit yogurt,
instead of her usual plain. She likes the sweet fruit better.
On
Sunday it was a little bit rainy and much cooler. Jackie and I
continued our visits to College Station stores (I think we went to the
HEB twice, and we went cowboy boot shopping, and to Target) but in the
afternoon the sun almost came out. We took the babies out in Ivy's
brand-new and totally awesome wagon (it was her birthday present from
Leo and his moms). Ivy divided her time between diving for Leo and
diving for the holes in the bottom of the wagon. I think it will great
this summer, and we have a canopy to keep her cool and out of the sun.
Tiffany
got us delicious steak tenderloin on Sunday, and we loved it. She
grilled it a tasty medium rare. They also taught us how to play
Scrabble. They totally kicked our butts. On Sunday I played against
Jackie while Josh and Tiffany grilled. She still beat me, but not by
nearly so much -- I had 250 points to her 310.
We
had a lonely week without our friends, but Ivykins kept us pretty well
entertained. On Wednesday, she decided that she didn't eat from a spoon
any more. I think it was Leo's influence, but she is now finger feeding
all the time. She loves cheese and fruit, and has it for a snack.
On
Thursday, we took her to the physical therapist. She told us that Ivy
was a little bit too fat, and that was hindering her movement (her
chunky thighs are chunky), and that we should
feed her less formula. I've been wondering about that since she stopped
breastfeeding. We're giving her water for her thirst and fruit for her
hunger at two bottles now. She seems to be adjusting just fine.
The
therapist also confirmed that she was a little delayed in her gross
motor skills. She gave us lots of exercises to do to help Ivy catch up.
We hope she'll be standing and crawling in a few weeks. Her mind seems
okay, and so do her fine motor skills. I am scared because I don't want
Ivy to be a tardo lardo. I hope I can take good care of her. She is the
sweetest and dearest baby ever!
We
have two little bunnies in our backyards (as well as lots of birds and
lizards). They come during Ivy's dinner and eat our ivy leaves. We turn
her around so she can make friends.
Josh
and I are both finished teaching, and we finish our finals next
Wednesday. I have to get ready to go to LA, and Grammy and Grampy will
be here soon. Summer is finally here.
