16 Weeks

Cleo -

You continue to grow and change so quickly. You are now able to roll over from your tummy to your back. You've also rolled once from your back to your tummy, but I have yet to record it in your baby book. You were on the edge of a blanket and I think you fell off the edge more than you rolled. However, in case you'd prefer to consider that your first time, it happened on March 21st.

You are such a good baby. So far your schedule is quite consistent, and you continue to sleep through the night (mostly). You are working on going to bed earlier, closer to nine. You sleep until about 5am, wake for snack, then continue sleeping until 8:30 or so.

You are babbling and cooing and making all sorts of baby noises, but you only do it a few times a day. The rest of the time you seem to be in observational mode - just absorbing your surroundings. You are quick to smile and it is so much fun talking to you.

Last week I started working again and you've been spending your weekdays with nanny Paige. So far you've been a very good girl for her and you seem to like her a lot. I miss you terribly when I'm away and while I'm working, but I have to admit it feels good to be doing some critical thinking again.

Baby girl, you are my favorite. I love you.

-Mommy

On the road again...

Cleo recently took a trip down to Camas, WA with her Bumpaw (my dad Robert) and Nana (mom Karen) to visit her great grandparents and her great great grandparents. It was a wonderful visit all around. Here are pics of her with her great great grandmother Elsie and her great great grandfather Boyce. Also included is a five generation shot of the Krause family!

On the move...

Yesterday Cleo rolled over for the first time! She rolled from tummy to back. I'm so proud of her!

12-weeks

Cleo -

Today you are twelve weeks old. You have grown and changed so much in these few weeks. Your smiles are bigger and more frequent and your face is becoming more expressive by the day. You are noticing so much more around you now. You react whenever new people enter a room or you hear new sounds around you.

You are starting to really notice and enjoy your toys. Your current favorite is Giraffe. You like to cuddle and eat Giraffe so he frequently sits in the carseat with you to keep you company on rides.

Your little legs are constantly kicking and your arms are swinging around. You are starting to notice your hands in a meaningful way - reaching for things with intent. The easiest thing for you to get a grip on is usually your burp cloth, so I frequently find you clutching your burp cloth tightly in both hands and shoving it into your mouth. This is convenient to me, because your salivary glands are kicking in and you are starting to drool a bit. Mostly you make spit bubbles and I get to wipe up bubbly streaks from your sweet cheeks.

You continue to be a dream baby as far as your sleeping goes. You currently go to bed between 10-11 and have been sleeping in until 7-7:30. You then have a quick snack and sleep until 9-10. I'm hoping to get you to bed a bit earlier at night and have you wake up earlier too because I'm about to head back to work. I'd like you to wake up earlier in the morning so we can have some good cuddle time before I have to focus on other things. But I think it's playing with fire to tinker too much with baby sleep, so I'll try to resist poking the bear unless it really seems necessary.

I love calling you by a variety of nicknames. I think parents can't help but call their babies silly names. My current favorites for you are Little Nugget, Snoogle (like snuggle, sort of), Cuddle, Lovey and Lady. I also call you Clee-Lo on occassion. It still makes me laugh to think of you having a "gangsta" name. (Thanks again Lily!)

Cleo, you have surpassed all of my cautious expectations and wildest hopes for how wonderful a baby could be. Thank you so much for being the best baby ever. We are so proud of you, our sweet and precious lady baby.

Who knew snot could be so cute?

This week Cleo has been struck with her first cold. She's been handling it admirably and it doesn't seem to be too serious. Just a nice warm-up for her wee immune system.

Her first snot nose. Cute and sad and gross.

Looking gorgeous on day one of her cold in her new spring dress from Aunt Kayla.

Here's Dan - shocked at being included on the blog again.

Rattles are delicious!

Road Trip

This weekend Cleo took her first road trip. We headed over the mountains to introduce her to family and friends.

Being good in the car

Wearing her Cubs shirt for Grandma and Grandpa Ledbetter

Meeting Great Grandpa Shahan

Relaxing with Uncle Clint

Stats

I forgot to post it, but last Wednesday Cleo had her 8-week appointment. Where has the time gone! She got an excellent review from the pediatrician. She is now:

10-lbs 7-oz
23.5 inches long

Wow! She's getting so big! Also, she still continues to sleep through the night, approximately from 11pm to 6am, wakes for snack, then continues to sleep until 8-ish.

We totally won the baby lottery!