Today is Tax Day and Declan collected his four birthday hugs multiple times. Declan is the coolest four-year-old around. He is hilariously happy. He has always been even-keeled: the perfect third child. If something is not as he sees fit, he doesn't disagree or throw a tantrum, he just does whatever he wants. He is so calm (i.e. sneaky) about it, he usually gets away with it. He has a very good method to his madness. Sometimes I am surprised by how young he is because he seems so mature but he has hardly four years of experience. One day we were driving somewhere in Sam's car and he asked me why the keys are plugged into the car. Normally he rides in my van which has push button start. He did not know that keys were required to start a car! He is always cracking me up with his quirky and quick outlook. One day he tattled, "Edison stuck his beehive out at me!" He meant "Behind." It was too adorable. Declan rocks at life and we love having him in ours.
Mei has changed so much in the last month and we cannot get enough of her around here. She is curious and happy. If I had to pick a word to describe her it would be adorable. Everything she does is perfectly cute and draws a crowd.
She loves squealing, especially very high-pitched squealing.
She found her feet! (3/5)
Beautiful eyes!
Emily: Declan, put down your shirt.
Declan: But it's impressing Mei!
It looks like Mei took this picture. She needs a selfie stick!
Everyone gather around for the show!
Tummy time is tiring.
But she sits now! I was worried this would never happen! (3/20)
"How do I get this in my mouth?"
Perfect mouth things.
Spring beauty
She gets her crazy hair from Mommy.
She was very interested in reading... and tasting.
I found her sitting up in the stroller like this. She has to be buckled always now.
You missed your mouth, baby.
Sunday sleepies
First food: avocado
Second food: sweet potato
Third and fourth: broccoli and butternut squash (has also had cauliflower and carrots)
First fruit: banana (followed by grapes, mango, and oatmeal)
Want more Mei? She...
...has started getting herself stuck places by rolling in and not being able to roll out.
...rolls onto her stomach if she is not swaddled in bed. But will only sleep on her back. Which means I have to return to roll her to her back, repeatedly.
...is always kicking her legs, especially her left leg. That's how we know she is awake: we can hear her leg beating in her bed. Sam calls her Thumper.
...tries to eat my shoulder when she is hungry.
...has started to chomp while nursing.
...pants like a dog before nursing because she is so excited.
...recognizes her own name. It is adorable to see her turn around when I say her name.
...babbles and drools constantly.
...does not sleep through the night anymore. Parents are so sleepy. Her weight gain has gone down as well and I worry she is not getting enough food. She only nurses five or six times a day and they vary in length from five to 25 minutes.
