Laughing baby

The best way to enjoy this post is to completely ignore the video and just listen to Carmela laughing. She was on a laughing streak in her bassinet, so I grabbed the camera so I could capture the audio — I had to set the camera down in her bassinet because she gets distracted by it and always stops laughing. For the record, I was getting her chest and tummy, and it was hilarious.

Here kitty, kitty

We've been taking our time introducing Carmela to Tiny because he gets so feral every now and then and doesn't understand that we're not also cats covered in thicks coats of fur, and the teeth and claws hurt. Carmela's been expressing more and more interest in the cats lately, though; she'll stop right in the middle of what she's doing to watch them stroll past, reaching out her hand to feel their fur brush by her. This morning, Carmela was playing with her blocks when Tiny walked by, and the two got to check each other out for a minute. Tiny was very sweet and let her grab clumps of his hair. He had a moment of panic when she grabbed all of his whiskers, and ultimately decided to cut his losses and head for the safety of outside.

Seven months!

Carmela's sixth month went by in a flash of finals (for Mom), Chanukah, Zoo Lights, and spending time with Nana and Grandpa, and *still* we have no tooth! Ela is 7 months old today. Will she get her tooth this month? Impossible to say — we're guessing it's pretty likely, but Mom and Dad are beyond worrying about it and just hope it doesn't give her too much trouble when it does decide to poke its pointy head through her gums.

Carmela is the happiest baby. She's learning so much, and we enjoy watching her explore her world — it seems like she figures out something new every day. She still makes her Wookie sound a lot, but less than she was. She seems to like modulating her voice now — making LOUD, LOUD noises and SHREAKING at the top of her lungs, then ((whispering)) ba-ba-ba, pa-pa-pa, ba-ba-ba really ((quietly)). She also seems to enjoy sitting in her Bumbo seat for "dinner." She's still too little to associate hunger with her banana-plum-brown rice puree, but she seems to enjoy sitting at the table with a spoon and a shot glass (which, honestly, sounds like the saddest dinner in America, and one that I'm sure a lot of out-of-work journalists enjoy nightly). Every now and then she'll suffer through a bite of food, then bang on her tray with her spoon and throw her shot glass on the floor. It's good fun. :) So far, she's tried rice cereal and oat cereal, prunes, bananas, carrots, winter squash, and the banana-plum-brown rice puree. She makes all kinds of yuck face no matter what she gets, but she keeps coming back for more winter squash and cereal, so we're assuming it's less that she doesn't like the new food, and more that it's a total assault on her palate.

It appears she's beginning to form attachments to things, and gets angry and cries if she can't have them. Dad's glasses, for example, are a point of fascination, and she likes to yank them off this head and wave them around. If he takes them away, her little face wrinkles up and her eyes fill up with tears. Same with her spoon at dinner — if Mom takes it away, she opens her mouth to wail, and arches her back to show her frustration. I'm sure this will be endlessly irritating later, but right now we're enjoying the fact that she can communicate so well with us.

Carmela also is figuring out leverage and pulling up; it won't be long before she's standing herself up in her bed and working on cruising. She likes to hold onto the edges of her bassinet and bounce on her butt — we suspect she'll soon figure out that she can go from bouncing over and over on her butt to bouncing herself up onto her knees and feet, from which she'll be able to stand. Her legs are quite strong, and as long as she can keep her balance by holding onto something, she'll probably do alright cruising along the furniture. In response, Mom and Dad picked out a brand new crib, and we've been working on cleaning out the office/guest room to turn it into Carmela's room. (This hopefully will be finished by the end of Christmas break, as Mom has to go back to school, and then will have to take the bar, and then will have to get a job.) Hopefully, Carmela won't be able to crawl out of her new crib, but we got one that converts into a junior bed, just in case she's anything like her Dad.

Carmela's favorite toys right now are her blocks, which Nana and Grandpa saved from when her Dad and Uncle Jason were little; the box that her blocks live in; her fold-out grocery cart mat from GG in Maryland; an empty oatmeal container (which rolls on the floor, and also acts like a drum); an empty, sealed Tupperware bowl; her Bun-Bun (from Gail in Berkeley); her Bear (from Bizzy, Patrick, and Michael in Maryland); tags (which she'd rather play with than just about anything else); her teething fish, Miguel and Arbul (I held them up to her and those are the sounds she made ... "Miguel" might actual be "McGill," which would be very clever, as he is a fish ... ); and her toes. She's also fond of tearing up magazines with her hands and her feet. She still loves going places with her Mom and Dad, and we take her all over town. This past month she's been to Zoo Lights, to sushi dinner (where she was a big hit with the staff), to brunch a couple of times, to Target — she even got to see a big police response at Sears, but when all the officers started pulling their rifles and cocking their guns and telling people to get in their cars and leave, Mom got scared and hustled her into her car seat.

So life's been pretty exciting this past month, and we'll just see what excitement 7 months has in store. Here's cheering for that tooth! Go, go Incisor!!

Fashion sense

Carmela had a really great day today — Auntie Jen came up from Tacoma and spent the afternoon. Carmela really liked her pretty necklace; Auntie Jen was smart and removed her big hoop earrings before Ela could fixate on them. Later, after Auntie Jen left, Ela got to try on Mom's hat. So pretty!

New vantage point

Carmela's legs are getting really strong, and she feels really solid on them. Unfortunately, her balance is terrible, so while she can stand with assistance, and she *loves* it, she's definitely not ready for Mom or Dad to let go (notice the hand in the first picture and the foot in the last one holding up the bum ... ). It won't be long, though, before she's cruising ....

Our daughter the Wookie

Carmela has a new sound — it's the gurgly throat sound that a Wookie makes, and she seems to enjoy making it all the time. Mom and Dad make it back to her, and then we're like a Wookie family gurgling at each other all day long.

Remember one of the first video posts on this blog — the one with Carmela lying down in her bassinet watching her bird mobile? A lot's changed in just a couple of months!

Believe it or not, this room was pretty well-lit when I took this video with my camera. I'm not sure why the video always comes out so dark. Maybe someday we'll upgrade to a better camera ....

Presents

Carmela gets to open her Chanukah present from Grandma. The wrapping paper is as much fun as the gift!

Carrots

Carmela took her first taste of carrots last night. I'd say they weren't a huge hit, but who knows? It only took her Mom 30 years to like them.

Happy Chanukah!

Carmela is in the midst of celebrating her first Chanukah this week. Unfortunately, she's also teething (we think for real this time), so the wonder and curiosity at all the lights is punctuated with crying jags and general crankiness and irritability. While it's fairly easy to distract her during the day, last night was rough, despite a dose of infant Tylenol, and ended with Mom sleeping on the couch and bouncing the bouncy chair to keep Carmela consoled and sleeping. Today Mom tried rubbing a little rum on Ela's gums; it seemed to work this morning, and Ela was able to drift off into a 2-hour nap. It didn't seem to work this afternoon, and Ela fussed and cried while Mom drank the rest of the rum. Tonight we'll be trying the Orajel. Hopefully Ela won't be freaked out at the way it makes her mouth feel ... especially because there's no more rum.

But back to Chanukah. On second night, Mom put Carmela in her dinner seat and lit candles — Carmela enjoyed watching the flames flicker. Yesterday morning, Ela got to open presents from Merle and Irene and from her Great-Aunt Patty and Great-Uncle Steve and her cousins, Patrick, Bizzy, and Michael. She thinks presents are pretty cool because they're covered in crinkly paper. It's like two presents in one!

Last night we went to our synagogue's Chanukah celebration. Ela liked watching all the kids run and scream, make candy menorahs, and play dreidel. Mom and Dad liked eating some latkes and sufganiyot, which were delicious. At the end, everyone gathered around and lit their menorahs that they brought from home. Carmela really liked looking at all the candles, even though she'd cried a little bit before the candle lighting when some cheering and clapping scared her. When we got home, Mom and Dad had dinner, including more latkes, and some peppermint ice cream for dessert, while Carmela cooked up her crying jag in the bedroom.

To think there's four more days of Chanukah, and 32 teeth.

Sitting up!

Look at this girl, sitting up by herself!

6 months!

Carmela is 6 months old today! She had a great month, from dressing up as a baby bat to sitting up at the table during Thanksgiving dinner. Several things seemed to come together for her this month — during the past couple of weeks, actually — and Carmela is sitting up almost by herself (she slumps over after a few minutes), rolling over as often as she can, and reaching her little hand into everything. She likes to bang on things, especially her aluminum roasting pan, but she hasn't quite figured out how to use another tool, like a spatula or wooden spoon, to bang on things.

Carmela is a big communicator — she's beginning to use certain sounds to mean particular things. For example, the raspberries she used to make *all the time* she uses now mainly to express frustration. She also has learned how to shreak at the top of her lungs, and she uses that to express frustration or anger. On the other hand, she says "Ba" to acknowledge her Dad's or my presence or to start a conversation of gurgles and repeated syllables.

She has another cold and we thought she was cooking up another ear infection, but it turns out both ears are clear — that means her symptoms might actually, finally, be teething. We'll see. We're not counting our pearly whites until they sprout.

Branching out

After 6 long months of milk, Carmela branched out today and tried some rice cereal. She wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but in the end, it looks like she liked it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Carmela had a wonderful first Thanksgiving at Nana and Grandpa's house. She was really good, and even sat at the table for most of dinner. We stayed the night and got to visit all Friday, too.

Carmela was a little upset at Grandpa's beard, but once she was re-acquainted, she felt better about it.

Carmela sitting in Dad's lap, apparently waiting for dessert.

Carmela's new ride

After a long wait (she had to get up to 16 pounds), Carmela was *finally* able to ride in her dad's backpack carrier. We took the new carrier for a spin around the neighborhood — Carmela loved being up high and facing forward. It was all so exciting that on the way home she fell asleep.

Rolling over

This past month has been really amazing. Carmela has gone from hating to be on her tummy to rolling over all the time. The other day, she rolled over, pushed herself up on her hands, and tucked a knee under herself. It won't be long until she's crawling. I think she's enjoying the new feeling of freedom she's discovered. She seems particularly happy with herself when she gets her hands on her toys.

Carmela had a fabulous weekend — Grandma came to visit for a few days! Grandma brought a whole mess of cute new clothes, including an adorable leopard print hat and mitten set.

Carmela has started making a little hooting noise when she wants her Dad or I to look at her — it's her little way of getting attention, and we get little "hoots" all day long. When we turn to look, she'll be staring intently at us, and then will usually break into a big, dazzling smile. Carmela also has discovered how fascinating and awesome toes are, and spends a lot of time peeling her socks off so she can grab her feet and suck on her toes. Sometimes, these two new skills collide. A few minutes ago, I got a little "hoot," and when I looked, she had liberated her toes and was happily snacking on her sock. Good times.

Halloween!

Carmela had a pretty fun Halloween. She probably would have had more fun if she wasn't teething and fighting an ear infection, but she did get to see all the pumpkins at Gene's house, and she got to see kids trick-or-treating (Mom and Dad can't wait for that!), and she got to wear her bat costume, which she seemed to really like. Mom and Dad thoroughly enjoyed decorating the front porch and taking care of the tiniest, cutest bat.

Five ... Five Fabulous Months ... Ah-ah-ah ....

It doesn't seem like a lot has changed over the past month, with the exception that Carmela keeps getting bigger and bigger, and is slowly but surely getting better at sitting up by herself. Lately, one of her favorite pasttimes is hanging out in her bassinet, where it seems she feels more comfortable twisting around and rolling back and forth from her back to her tummy and trying to crawl. She also really loves to play with Bear in her bassinet. Ela still really loves her Jumperoo, and is getting better and better at actually jumping around and doing little jigs. She still likes to make raspberry noises, but Mom especially loves the new giggles. It's hard to predict when she'll do them and what will make them erupt; any attempt to capture them results in a furrowed, studious brow, which is the opposite of giggles.

Ela has the first of what will probably be many ear infections this week. (Her dad got them all the time.) On Monday night, she cried and cried, slept poorly, and then threw up a whole bunch. Mom and Dad were prepared to take her to the emergency room, but then she smiled her big, gummy grin and grabbed her toes, so we decided to wait until morning to call her doctor. She's been on antibiotics since, but she's still feverish and fussy. We suspect teething. Still. It seems like we've been dealing with what may or may not be teething for months now — it's very frustrating, mostly because it's obvious something's bothering our girl, but we can't figure out what it is. Hopefully we'll see a pearly white soon and can put the mystery to rest.

Carmela learned how to splash in her bath the other night — that was great! She first smacked at the water with her hand. Then she kicked her leg. By the time Mom pulled her out, she was bicycling her legs in the water, Ela had splashed water everywhere, and Mom was soaked. It was good fun, and I'm glad to see her have fun, and to be curious about the effect she's having on her little world.

Soon Carmela will be ready to try some solid food. Mom can't believe it. It seemed like she'd be on milk exclusively forever. Mom and Dad are looking at getting a high chair, some dishes with suction cups on them, and a giant splat mat. This should be more good fun, like her bath in many ways.

Carmela and her bear.

Miss Carmela June, 4 months

4 months!

Carmela got a new Fisher-Price Jumperoo recently. We weren't sure how she'd take to it, but it turns out she loves it! She furrows her brow and drools in concentration as she swipes at the toys on the toy tray and bounces, bounces, bounces. Unfortunately you'll have to turn your computer or your head sideways to watch, but it's definitely worth the crick in your neck.

Ela had her 4-month visit to her doctor last week. She's 26 inches long now (95th percentile — she must get it from her dad's side of the family) and 14 pounds. She's getting so good with her hands, and with her hand-eye coordination. Where she used to bat and swipe at things sort of indiscriminately, she now looks at something (crinkly lion toy, dangling zebra toy, Mom's scarf or hair), reaches out her hand, grabs it, and scoops it to her chest or her mouth. She's very vocal, and loves making raspberry noises. Lately she seems to want to lurch forward to try to grab at things, and she's very, very interested in solid food — she studiously watches the fork travel from the plate to Mom or Dad's mouth, and she purses her lips when we chew.

She still doesn't love tummy time and her reluctance to be on her tummy means she doesn't roll over much — we're not sure what this means for crawling, but given how she is with her legs, she might just skip it and go straight to cruising. She also doesn't like sudden loud noises, and she's really particular about bedtime — she's more than ready for her milk and cuddly soft blanket at 7:30 or 8, and she's so, so mad if it doesn't happen. Ela sometimes gets mad at apple toy — she wants to pick it up and put it in her mouth, and she gets so frustrated that her hands won't work well enough to grasp it. Sad, but kind of funny, too.

Ela went to her first Hebrew Immersion Playgroup on Friday, where she met baby Aviva and baby Paige, and did the Hokey Pokey in Hebrew with Mom. She saw Aviva at services the next morning, and the two of them studied each other and reached for each other, and then held hands by way of baby introductions. Very sweet. Oh, Ela wore her Rosh Hashanah outfit to services, except we added white tights. It's chilly out now!

I see you smilin'!

Carmela's happiness. :)

L'shana Tovah!

Carmela celebrated her first Erev Rosh Hashanah by screaming her head off at dinner. We're still not sure what the problem was, but have narrowed the list of possibilities:

a. Earache

b. Overstimulation and anger at loud noises

c. Teething

d. Diaper rash

e. Tummy ache

f. Some of the above

g. All of the above

Today was much better. We drove to Tacoma for the family service at Beth El; Carmela was very good through the whole thing. Then to Nana and Grandpa's for a late breakfast and some visiting before going to Jill and George's for the annual Rosh Hashanah potluck. By that time, Carmela was starting to get tired and a little cranky (see b., above), so we headed home. She still hasn't taken her afternoon nap and she's fussy, but hopefully she'll sleep well tonight.

Ela playing with Moo

One of her favorite things. It's pretty cute ... so long as you turn your computer sideways to see it. Hm. Functionality concerns noted ....

Hellooo 1967!

Carmela was a little fussy today. Was it maybe because Mom dressed her up as David Cassidy? Maybe. The pants she's wearing are long and sort of belled, with trim on the cuffs. And that *is* a LOT of salmon ....

Also, this picture is a little blurry, but here's my girl at 3 months.

Carmela's naming ceremony.

Carmela's naming ceremony was held at our house on August 13. Rabbi Nussbaum came over to do the ceremony, and we had a dessert reception afterward — "Follow sweetness with sweetness," as Rabbi Nussbaum said. Carmela's Hebrew name is Carmela Jael (pronounced "ya-el"); she was named for her great-great-grandpa Carmelo and her great-great-grandma June. She wore a beautiful white dress and white booties that her mom will save forever.