I'm A Keeper

Cutting a sweet tooth

2011-06-08T20:19:00.003-04:00

I have tried to keep sweets away from my growing baby. Mommy has a raging sweet tooth. Now that Eliza has a "sense" of what is happening around her, it's been very difficult to eat a piece of chocolate or a slice of pie and justify not letting Eliza have any.

Instead of taking the high road, by cutting sweets out of my diet, I've let my daughter "try" a little here and there. And to my surprise, Eliza doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. If you offered her a square of chocolate and a carrot, she'd take the carrot, because it's more fun to eat and play with. This all changed when I let her try..... the cupcake.

At first, she wasn't quite sure. But after a moment, hmmmm, what is this? It's soft. And crumbly. And a little sweet. And delicious! So the entire cafe could hear my happiness, I exclaimed, "Baby's fist cupcake and she loves it!" Cheers and applause ensued.

The best part is what is captured in this picture; Eliza savored her cupcake. She bit off a small piece and took her time chewing before the next. Unlike her Mommy, who masticated her cupcake like a she-beast.

Get this cuteness!

2011-04-26T16:37:00.000-04:00

As time goes by....

2010-02-12T15:04:00.003-05:00

THIS is why I haven't posted in over a month:

Because she feels safe next to Mommy, because she desires my attention, and because she won't let me have use of both of my hands; so I may write a proper blog post.

Have a good nap, my sweet angel.

Eliza: 8 weeks old

2010-01-06T11:37:00.007-05:00

Eliza is 8 weeks old today. Time really goes by fast. We've been spending our time indoor because it's too cold for babies to be outdoors, even with gloves and hats and baby fleeces and being wrapped around Mommy's new Kindercoat (it's a baby wearing coat that I'll have to post about later).

We've been in our nice warm apartment spending all sorts of quality time together. We pack our day with lots of activities that help with Eliza's development. So far, Eliza can do the following:

- follow objects with her eyes

- concentrate on people's faces

- hold her head at a 45 degree angle while on her tummy (even if she doesn't like it) and hold her head up even higher when she's doing tummy time on Mommy's tummy

- she's beginning to reach up for objects that are hanging above her

- she can open up her hands and grasp objects, usually an adult's finger or her pacifier

- coo and ah

- can respond to and hold a "conversation" with Mommy for up to 5 minutes or so

- smile and is starting to giggle

- straighten out her legs when lying on her back

- straighten out her legs and put weight on them when she is standing up with the assistance of a parent

- sleep for up to 5 hours at night on a pretty consistent basis

- is growing like a weed and is gaining weight like a pro (she must be, she eats like a starving bear)

- likes listening to music; classical, lullabies, jazz, and folk are amongst her preferences

- is recognizing that activities like diaper changing and bath time are pleasant, good opportunities for socializing and behaves very well for Mommy and Daddy during these times

I can't believe my little girl is growing up so fast. I want her to be little forever, but I also can't wait for her to learn to sit up, roll over, crawl, stand, walk, talk, read, and all sorts of other activities that come with growing up. I'm such a lucky Mommy to be able to experience her growing up before my eyes.

Who's that?

2010-01-06T11:14:00.004-05:00

Daddy and I really like this particular nightgown. Eliza finds it comfortable, she's got room to kick her legs, and it's just plain adorable.

But, she reminds me of someone when she wears it. Who does it remind me of?

Oh, that's right! Not who, but Who!

Just the smallest Who in all of Whoville. Cindy Lou Who.

Cindy Lou may be the smallest Who, but I've got the cutest Who. Eliza Regan, that's who!

Baby rewind

2010-01-04T11:23:00.007-05:00

I'm sure you have noticed that, all of a sudden, there are a bunch of new posts. Yes, Mommy spent the better part of a day playing catch up on the neglected blog while Daddy played with Eliza. Sooooo jealous. So, I hope you greedy Eliza-watchers are happy!

I encourage you to go back, way back, far back into the year 2009 (okay, only since November) to see the forgotten posts. Christmas, weekly birthdays, and visitors have all be documented and updated.

With that being said... I'm going to leave you with another picture of Eliza while I get to play with and entertain the real deal.

2009 Year in review: the Aunties

2010-01-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

The nice thing about being apart of a community like the performing arts is that babies inherit lots and lots of "aunties." Friends of Mommy and Daddy who under normal circumstances will not visit your home because it's in a borough that's not Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn (we're closer to midtown than most of ya'll!), but will travel great distances in extreme temperatures to visit a baby. And because of that reason, all is good and Eliza has a serious cult following.

So, we memorialize all of the "aunties" of 2009 (in no particular order). Note: this post will have a better effect if you play a Sarah McClachlan song while reading it.

ZipBaby

2010-01-03T12:21:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, we took our first ZipCar out for an afternoon of errands. Eliza, in the past, has liked car rides and we figured that she'd be asleep most of the time. And she was... when the car was in motion. When we parked somewhere, like at the Babies/Toys-R-Us, Mommy ran in to do what was needed and Daddy stayed with the sleeping baby.

Well, the baby didn't sleep for long. Within minutes Eliza would cry. Diaper? Gas? Hunger? All of the above and then some. Mommy was summoned back to the car, via cell (and thank goodness for the cell phone) only twice (because that number happens to be one less the total amount of trips Mommy made into stores leaving Daddy and Eliza alone. Shame on Mommy. In all fairness, the two places I ran into where the ones with the longest lines. So there!).

All in all, I think Eliza liked the trip. After Mommy ran back to feed an upset Eliza in the car after her first crying bout, we all went inside the Babies/Toys-R-Us (where we happened to be) and divided and conquered our to-do list (returns and purchases), Daddy was able to pick out some very nice clothes for Eliza from the sale rack while Mommy finished feeding Eliza in the Maternity Room Babies-R-Us puts in all of their stores (thank heavens). It took up a big chunk of our day, but I guess that's the reality of having a baby. Everything takes twice as long to do. Which is okay, because we have a twice as cute baby.

A picture would have been added, but Mommy took one with her cell phone's camera and it didn't save because her phone's picture capacity was maxed out with other photos of the sweetpea. How forgetful of Mommy. However, it wasn't Eliza's first car trip. So as far as milestones go it, wasn't in the top 100. On the bright side, it's a good thing there are many more car trips in her future to document, and she'll only be more compliant and less hard on Daddy next time. All the better for more picture taking moments.

Lazy Sunday

2010-01-03T12:04:00.010-05:00

On a recent warm Sunday (in the 40's no less) and after much pleading by Eliza and Mommy, Daddy took his girls out for a walk around the neighb'. Although Daddy did the driving (of the stroller that is)...

...there was someone else in the lead. Can you guess who it was?

It's no surprise that Eliza was at the helm. All nice and bundled up, Miss K enjoyed the sights of her surroundings.

She didn't quite enjoy the sounds. We may live in Queens, but this is still New York City, complete with New York City sounds. When we arrived at the busy section of our neighborhood, Eliza got a sour look on her face, as if she wasn't impressed with the big crowds of people and the honking car horns. She looked a little disgusted and disgruntled. Already a true New Yorker.

But that won't stop Eliza from venturing outdoors. The below freezing temperatures might, but not the sounds.

Eliza: 7 weeks old

2010-01-02T17:28:00.002-05:00

Sorry that we haven't blogged in a long while, but we've been busy taking care of Eliza and playing with her and feeding her and changing her diaper and entertaining so many visitors that the last thing on Mommy's mind is the blog. I could blame it all on Daddy, but he reads this blog and Mommy has to live with him and I don't have to tell you the rest.

So... I wanted to make up for the lag in time by sharing a picture of our darling sweetpea.

Eat your hearts out.

Eliza: 6 weeks old

2010-01-02T17:27:00.004-05:00

Does my fist have to remind you who's the boss around here?!

Baby's 1st Christmas

2009-12-26T21:47:00.001-05:00

Eliza and her parents spent their first Christmas together as a family this year. Mommy didn't have a whole lot of energy or time to deck the halls, but since it was Eliza's first EVER Christmas it was important to have some semblance of what looks like a holiday in our house.

What did it take to have a Merry Christmas for our baby? First we needed a tree. And lots and lots of presents from Santa, of course.

One adorable Christmas themed outfit to be worn on one adorable infant.

Help opening said presents from a loving parent. While the other loving parent takes pictures. Age-appropriate gifts from loving relatives are also a must. The rattles pictured above are from Eliza's Aunt Jenny. And these books were from her Uncle Johnathan. Excellent choices.

Clothing is always an acceptable gift for a beautiful little girl.
The outfit was from Mimi and Grandpa. Look at those big girl shoes!

Then there is the changing of the outfits. And the reading of the Seuss. Hop on Pop?! How mean.

And no holiday is complete without ornaments. And Grammie, who is famous for her ornament giving, provided Eliza with her very first ornament.

Baby booties. How perfectly appropriate.

Of course Eliza received toys, clothes, and money from her grandparents, Mommy and Daddy, and Santa (she was a very good girl this year).

So, how did Eliza like her first Christmas? See for yourself:

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Eliza: 5 weeks old

2009-12-18T20:26:00.000-05:00

I don't know what makes Eliza look more tough; the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball cap or the Winnie the Pooh jammies.

Eliza: 1 month old

2009-12-12T11:33:00.001-05:00

What is she looking at?
Oh, that lady again.

Eliza: 4 weeks old

2009-12-10T17:26:00.000-05:00

Apparently, something's more interesting than Mommy and the camera .

Stir-crazy

2009-12-07T22:56:00.010-05:00

Hello fellow readers! We hope you haven't missed us too much.

Since we last wrote, we have been trying to get used to most every day being girls-only day. Just when you think you've got something figured out, the baby goes ahead and changes things on you. Exciting? Well, if you like to be kept on your toes while on at most 3 hours sleep and about 300 calories, then yes. Of course we are deeply in love with Eliza, so even a night with no sleep is a night that is worth being a parent (for reals, people!).

To shake things up a bit, Mommy and Eliza decided to venture out of their house today. We've been into Manhattan for the doctor and the lactation consultant, but we haven't done much to introduce Eliza to the neighborhood we live in. Since later this week the temperature will be hovering around the freezing mark, Mommy thought today was as good as any day.

After a big feeding and a diaper change, we bundled up, loaded Eliza up in the Moby wrap, and walked outside. This was, of course, after Miss Kelsey took 15 minutes to express how unhappy she was with being bundled up and squashed into a baby carrier. But we talked it out and were on our way.

The cold was a bit of a shock to our daughter, who widened her eyes due to the temperature and then shut them tightly when a cold wind came by, and then proceeded to become a hibernating baby.

And to Mommy who really hasn't been out and about for several weeks, and forgot her gloves. Oh well, as long as Eliza is warm and as long as the snot coming out of Mommy's cold nose doesn't drip the baby's head, then we're okay.

Lesson #1 for Eliza: How do you make yourself warm on a cold day?

By drinking hot chocolate, duh!

Then we walked to Steinway Street to get a few temperature appropriate clothing for the wee one. Eliza was such a good sport. She stayed wrapped up for the entire trip and barely a peep was heard.

We got home and quickly took off our winter ware because someone was getting hungry.

Lesson #2: Appearances matter, even in winter.

It is usually a good idea to keep a comb or brush on hand when you take off your hat, so you may be presentable should the need for a photograph arise.

Yeah, it was a good day.

Eliza: 3 weeks old

2009-12-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

This is what Daddy and Eliza do on Daddy's day off. They turn into couch potatoes.

I can't wait for the weather to get better. Those two need to be outdoors.

The Hoosiers are coming!

2009-12-07T17:27:00.001-05:00

As soon as one set of Grandparents left, another set out on a road trip from Indiana. Their destination? Eliza, duh!

And so began the love affair between Grammie, Grandpa Whitey and Eliza.

All Grammie wanted to do was to hold Eliza, and squeeze Eliza, and keep her safe from the clutches of Mommy. Until it was time to feed or change a diaper, naturally.

Eliza felt very relaxed with them both. See how Grandpa Whitey makes Eliza tired?
And see how much trust Eliza has in Grammie? She knows she's loved.

We can't wait for the next visit.

Eliza: 2 weeks old

2009-11-29T14:43:00.006-05:00

And already on the go. We had a big day on Wednesday. There was a doctor's appointment and a clothing and diaper spree. What a busy and exciting day.

Invasion of the baby snatchers

2009-11-29T09:13:00.005-05:00

We have sooooooooooo many things to write about, because we've been very busy this past week or so. We're going to try to catch up on our posts.

This week we entertained Mimi and Grandpa. Who are they? Well, this is Mimi...

and this is Grandpa...

They are Mommy's parents, and they came up to see Eliza for Thanksgiving. They were really nice and completely adored Eliza (naturally). They helped Mommy and Daddy with household chores and made Thanksgiving dinner. In between all of that, they held Eliza and starred into her eyes and frequently asked when she was going to visit them. Daddy did ask Mommy if she noticed if their luggage was a little too large for their trip, as if there might be enough room to take home, ummmmm, perhaps a baby! Mommy made sure to keep a constant eye on her little sweetheart (as if I could keep my eyes off of her).

We were very sad to see them leave Saturday night, but we'll see them soon. But our house won't be quiet for long; more grandparents are coming next weekend. It's so hard being cute and in demand.

Moby-Wan Kenobi

2009-11-27T18:28:00.008-05:00

This is what Mommy and Eliza got to wear on their first outing:

It's called a Moby Wrap. Eliza's still pretty small and, to be absolutely honest, Mommy likes having her real close. It takes a little while to wrap around Mommy, but, when it's on, Eliza is very secure. They took it out for a test carry on Wednesday and Eliza was pretty content the entire time. Mommy thinks they'll keep it.

Eliza: 1 week old

2009-11-18T17:09:00.003-05:00

If you've just turned one week old, how would you celebrate? By doing this, of course:

Eliza and her mommy were at home by themselves for the first time since her birth and did very well (not as well as when daddy's home, but passable). Daddy has a gift for her when he gets home, so we'll celebrate as a family later tonight.

Happy Birthday, my angel!

Elizabeth Regan Kelsey

2009-11-15T19:27:00.008-05:00

Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for:

Eliza was born on Wednesday morning at 12:35am. She weighed in at 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 inches in length. She is healthy, happy and ready to take on world. Her birth was a not-too-long but very exciting event. She was amazing for Mommy the entire time. She really wanted to get out to see the world. It took a little coaxing, but she knew her options, the easy way or the hard way. When she learned what the hard way was, she knew it was all or nothing and when for it.

Daddy and Mommy are very happy, to say the least, with her. We came home on Thursday afternoon and are slowly getting into our groove. We needed the entire weekend to get used to each other. Good thing it didn't take very long. Eliza is a complete joy and Mommy and Daddy can't keep their eyes off of her.

Baby Watch '09

2009-11-09T14:06:00.003-05:00

Sooooo, yesterday was our due date. The day came and the day went, and there was no sign of our bundle of joy's arrival. Ah well. We're not in a rush if the baby's not in a rush. Just as well, Mommy has things that need to be done. Little of this, little of that (mostly last minute shopping so we're prepared and some light spot cleaning around the house). Looks like the baby has already learned to be considerate. Good baby.

But don't be fooled by our chillness; we are excited about our darling's birth. We know you are all anxious and eager. Not to fret, the baby will have her grand entrance soon.

Something gholish

2009-10-31T15:51:00.002-04:00

By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes.

Happy Halloween, little one.

Coming soon!

2009-10-20T11:26:00.009-04:00

Guess who's coming to dinner and staying for about 18 - 20 years? Let us give you a few hints:

Close.
Getting warmer.
Getting red hot!

Give up?

We knew you'd figure it out.