BABY PHAT

Both my sister and my mother called to request more photos. We've been so busy with visitors and visiting this past week, that Nestle hasn't let me have time to post! Today is her two month birthday, so here's the week in review...

After Uncle Marky and the Magic Aunt (Debbie) left for the snows of New England, we packed up the baby and headed to the Bay Area for Granny Ernie's 80th birthday. Although she does do very well in the car, VH1 turns a 3.5 hour trip into a 5 hour trip. No matter: it's just time and she did wait patiently in an ice cube tray for us for five years, so who are we to complain?

We went straight to Jim and Sandi's brand new home, where we were greeted by Johnny, Rennie, Manami and eventually Isaiah and 4 of his young lady friends. Nessa was a hit. Too bad she vomited all over Sandi and their new carpet. We think the bottled breast milk we gave her in the car had separated. That makes 4 spit ups in her whole life. Lucky Sandi!

Saturday we spent at Granny Ernie's 80th birthday party. It was an all-day affair, with family and friends. Van was a hit, but unaccustomed to all the many hands and faces, none of which came with an offer of milk. In the end, she found she preferred the familiar sound, smell, and ways of her Mama. This was the first time I realized she really could distinguish me from everyone else.

See photo of Granny Ernie on Mt. Baldy with Aunties Judi and Sally. When Daddio took this photo, I was nursing Nessa in the car in the parking lot, realizing we have achieved our long-held dream of becoming average parents. Next trip we'll be sure to get a photo of Granny, Van and me to mark the 80-40-0 ages. Nessa looks very much like her beautiful Granny Ernestine's baby photo. It does seem she has red hair - she definitely has strawberry blonde eyebrows.

Baby Nestle has hit a high maintenance phase and cries frequently. Well, let's be clear here: she cries when she's hungry and she's hungry all the live long day. She's sleeping well at night, though. When we saw our wonderful pediatrician on Tuesday he was again flabbergasted by her rapid weight gain. VanNestle is now up to 12 lbs. 8 oz. putting her at the 90th percentile for weight and also for head circumference. Formula fed babies gain weight - not so for many breast fed babies. No wonder I've felt like a milk slave! (Rennie made me feel better when she said she spent most her first months of nursing at home wearing a towel.) VH1 continues to have problems with Silent Reflux, but we're holding off from prescription medicine for now.

About a week ago Daddio and I noticed Vanny locking onto our gaze with recognition. Now we feel we have real exchanges with her. This morning when Daddio woke up and said "Good morning" to her, she cracked out a huge smile of glee. She's not giggling, cooing, or playing chess yet, but she makes a certain noise when we lie her down to be changed that sounds like "yeah" as she grins. She's also able to swivel that 90th percentile noggin all over the place with her strong neck and she can pretty much stand up on our laps. What a little Monkey Princess!

Yesterday, during a rare milk break I plopped her in her boppy so I could attempt to fold a load of laundry. Nessa became so gleeful and smiley I had to dash off for the camera. After capturing several shots, she broke down in tears, no doubt regurgitating all that stomach acid that plagues her. The poor dear. Daddio and I are quite fond of her cry face - the quivering bottom lip and red swollen eyes. It's tough to be a little baby.