Mabel at Quatro

Mabel is four months old today. I took her to the beach yesterday. She did well- seemed to like the ocean water and the sand. But I couldn't help but notice what a different sort of beach experience it was. I think gone are the days of reading a book and relaxing. Still, I was so glad to introduce Mabel to the beach, as both her parents are fans and are going to want to keep acclimating her to fun in the sand and surf. The best part was that she slept and didn't make a peep for either 60- minute car ride. When we got home, it was bath tme. Mabel must have wanted me not to get TOO comfortable, so she decided to, for the first time ever, pee all over me the second I removed her diaper. Good times. I guess she just couldn't contain her excitement about tub time! We're in the midst of a heat wave and while the beach was pretty neat, we are spending today enjoying a little household joy called central air. And, i must admit, I may or may not be watching The Kardashians on demand. That Kris Jenner- Yikeroos!

The Sh*t Has Hit the Shirt

It officially happened.  I went out in public with shiz on my shirt.  I had to know this occurrence would be likely pretty soon, as Mabel's shizzes have become more plentiful and, um, powerful, let's say.  She has managed to ruin a couple of her onesies, and a few pajamas have fallen victim as well.  Generally speaking, though, we do a good job around here of keeping everything contained and clean.  The occasional poop- through is inevitable with a baby, but what was strangely surprising was seeing poop on my lovely hunter- green top when I was already in the car-- too late to do anything about it.  The only remedy at my fingertips was a pack of pacifier wipes; I tried vigorously to remove or lessen the mark that the Mighty Shiz God had bestowed upon my clothing, but the weak, organic, baby- safe paci wipe was no match.  Its poopy foe had won the battle, and there I was with its emblem, right smack on the middle of my shirt while speaking with a woman whom I don't know all that well.  What does one do-- make a joke?  I went with "Don't say anything at all and maybe she wont notice."  I'm sure the sweet lady did, in fact, notice, but maybe she could have convinced herself it was a sauce from cooking or something.  I'm still a little befuddled because on this particular day, and with this particular shiz, we didn't have an explosive moment.  It was, rather, pretty tame.  I guess, though, these things are rites of passage.  Yay, me!  Momhood! It reminds me of the Sex and the City episode (yes, don't mind if I do make a reference to that yet again) when Miranda edns up with baby shiz on her forehead and Steve has to tell her so.  Now that'll be a fun day!

In cleaner news, Mabel is grasping at everything.  She moves her teeny little fingers all over her toys and animals.  It's rather sweet.  And her newest move in the land of mobility is scooting around and upward in her sleep.  I find her in the crib in the morning far from where I planted her.  This morning she was looking up at me with a sinister little smirk, like, "Hee- hee, wouldn't YOU like to know how I manuevered this?!" At least these days she can't stand up or try to wiggle her way OUT of said crib. 

She's down for a nap as I type this.  We've started the "whine it out" mode for naps.  I used to coddle and rock her until she fell into a deep slumber.  In reading and speaking with friends, I decided she's old enough to start learning the self- soothing process.  Now, Mom- police, I wouldn't let her scream- cry it out.  This is just that "I'm soooo tired" whine, and within ten minutes she's out like a light.  Go Mabel!  You are becoming so independent, and Mom and Dad appreciate it!

Grippin' and Rollin'

Mabel is hard at work as of late on some of her motor skills. She is grasping lots of things with her hands- from rattles to rings to our fingers-- and quite often my hair, which feels lovely. But watching her figure out how to hold things is very cool; she starts by putting her hand on something and then very carefully and mindfully navigates the positioning of her fingers for optimal grippage. She used to lie on her playmat and look above, marveling at the zoo animals hanging from the hoops; now, she holds those same zany animals and pulls at them while smiling with pride. But her big milestone is rolling over, which happened once Thursday, once Friday, and again last night. We position her on her tummy, elbows tucked so she can enjoy her baby gym or some tummy time on her mat, and thrice now, we've looked over and she's on her back! I've tried to get her to roll on command (I feel like I'm talking about a dog now), as I hold the video camera, but, alas, she isn't down with audiences. At any rate, she's practicing her new move here and there!