Little climber

I don't often take the kids to the park these days. Managing three kids at the park is not my strong suit. They go to the park of course, just not with me. Usually I send the big girls out with papa or a sitter. The downside of this is I don't get to see their latest abilities. 

We've known Kate was a climber for a while. In fact, it's part of the reason I don't go to the park. She wants to climb everything, and it's hard to keep her safe while holding Adele. But today we went to the park. I watched Kate go up to this ladder on the elementary school kids play structure. I saw how big it was and how far apart the rungs were, and I didn't think she could make it up at all, so I wasn't even nervous about her climbing it.

But then up she went. Very slowly but surely. One rung at a time, pulling all her body weight up until her knees were on the next rung. Then standing and reaching, then on to the next.

She's slow and thoughtful. Purposeful and strong. 

An afternoon ride

Emeline in her element. Her beloved handmedown sundress. Beautiful, but getting tattered, the waist tie has broken off. It's freshly stained with paint from a morning of creativity at preschool. She also dons what mommy deems as safe riding gear...jeans, running shoes, and a helmet. All of which are getting too tight, as she is growing like a weed. And sunglasses add the flair. This is my strong, adventurous, free spirited, girly girl. (Also, she's mastering making silly faces).

Five months

Adele at 5 months is really starting to become active. Earlier this month she surprised me by learning to roll over both ways in one day. She'd been rolling onto her side for a while, but one day I put her on her back on her play mat, turned around, and she was on her tummy. That day she also started really lifting her head and pushing up high. So later in the afternoon, she was trying to roll to her tummy, but having trouble. I figured since she already mastered that, I'd help her. I rolled her to her tummy and then she just pushed herself immediately to her back. I couldn't believe she did both rolls in one day. That evening I was trying to get her to show her new tricks to Papa. No luck, but she was pushing up high on her arms and pivoting around on her belly. I couldn't believe how much stronger and more active she got in one day.

No looking back, since that day. She rolls from back to tummy a lot and looks around and pivots some. I haven't seen her go from tummy to back again, do maybe the first one was a fluke. But that's ok, we're happy to keep her in one place a while longer.

Sleep has gotten a little harder to come by this month. She's been harder to get to sleep, keeping us up or nursing nonstop til 10pm. We've had some bad colds running through the family which doesn't help sleep either. We are hoping to get healthy and in a better routine soon.

Adele is also grabbing a lot and trying to sit up. She loves playing in her exersaucer now, grabbing and putting everything in her mouth. She's got strong legs and a strong core. I'm sure she'll be sitting up and lunging for things in no time.  Here's a few outtakes from our 5 month pictures showcasing her attempts and sitting...as well as grabbing.

But other than being amazed at how fast Adele's babyhood is passing, we are loving her. Her smiles are huge and bright. Her laugh is big, and she's starting to laugh more at her sisters now. Her head is so soft and wonderful to nuzzle. She's got delicious chubby thighs.  She lights up when she sees mommy.  We love her so much.  She is such a gift.

And boy is she getting big!!

 

One week, 6 lbs 15 oz (birth weight of 7 lbs 2 oz, 20 inches long)

One month, 9 lbs 10.5 oz, 21.5 inches long

Two months, 11 lbs 9.75 oz, 22.5 inches long

Three months

Four months, 14 lbs 12 oz, 23.5 inches long

Five months

Mothers Day

Push ups behind bars

Backyard time

I realize how infrequently I get out our nice camera these days.  There seems to be too much to manage to stop for a minute and get it out, so alas most of my photos are done with my iphone.  And since my home button has almost stopped working and my camera always puts a black spot on the photos...lets just say I'm not taking may photos these days.  

The other day, our backyard time felt calm and relaxed, which is unusual, so I got out our DSLR and tried to have some fun.  Adele was smiley and happy on a blanket.  The other girls were bustling about and hard to get pictures of, but here are some of my favorites.

The ones who wouldn't nap

Backyard pedicures

Emeline loves painting her nails.  She's such a girlie girl despite all of our best efforts to show her lots of different kinds of activities.  So the other afternoon she wanted to paint nails.  I decided to have a little pretend play with them and do backyard spa pedicures.

Here are the girls in their spa chairs...

Here are our supplies...foot washing tub, spa water, and nail polish...

Adele just hanging out...

The girls and their "special drinks".  Just ice water, but perfect on this hot day.  I was hoping for something fo them to hold on to and distract them (mostly Kate) enough to stay in their chairs while we painted nails and waited for them to dry.  

And last of course...toes!