Eliza: 8 weeks old

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.

Eliza: 7 weeks old

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

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

Eliza: 5 weeks old

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

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

Eliza: 4 weeks old

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

Eliza: 3 weeks old

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.

Eliza: 2 weeks old

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.

Eliza: 1 week old

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

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.