March Snapshots

March continued on after February. Lots of couch time and adjusting. Gramma visited, much to Ella's ever-ecstatic delight! Avila had her tongue and lip ties released, which was less than happy, but necessary. She was baptized at the Easter vigil. Weather is beginning to warm up, finally, little by little. We are so looking forward to being able to get out more. Lots of playing, reading, and continuing to adjust.

New with Ella:
Counting to 11 (she's almost to 15).
Using pronouns she, him, me, my, you and yours.
Affectionately calls the guest room Gramma's room.
Has been sleeping in her own bed for a week!
Is sweet with her sister and always concerned about where her hands are, if she's nursing, and gets very distressed about spit ups.
Plays by herself for an hour and a half before we get up in the mornings. Hooray!
Singing more songs and "reading" books.
Has officially entered the "Why?" stage.
Asks rather detailed questions: What's this for? (at magnifying glass) What's this do? (at helicopter propeller) What's in this? (a muffin)
Is very into presents and birthdays.
Puts her shoes and socks on

Conversations:
While reading an Easter book:
E: What's Christian?
Mama: People who believe in Christ. We are Christians because daddy and I believe in Christ.
E: And me too....[sings] Christ be with me Christ within me [giggles]
...[a little later talking about Holy Week and Baptism]
M: Avila will be baptized next week just like you were baptized.
E: And get a cookie?
M: suuuuure...[?]

E: [holding donkey] Who rides this?
Daddy: I don't know, who rides this?
E: Jesus rides this?

Mama: oh boy!
Ella: oh boy! Gramma says that

"I love post office...it's so fun!"

"I ate these at airplane place these so yummy!" (raisins)

[While looking at a picture of two babies holding hands] "That's like Ella Elsie."

A Poem For Easter

Silver Paid
(April 6th, 2012)

Silver paid
Feet clean-made
Table laid
Elements upraised
Prayer bade
Agony prayed
Blood-tears cascade
Kiss made
Friend betrayed
Soldiers forayed
Brothers afraid
Loyalty staid
Sword razed
Ear whole-made
Soldiers led
Court charade
Christ obeyed
Priest's tirade
Witnesses inveighed
Friend strayed
Rooster brayed
Accusations made
Pilot swayed
Whippings flayed
Flesh frayed
Thorns laid
Purple arrayed
Lots played
Limbs splayed
Nails invade
Cross raised
Robber saved
Vinegar purveyed
Angst prayed
Breath allayed
Sky grayed
Thunder blazed
Earth-rumble pervade
Side grazed
Death displayed
Sins paid
Dead raised
Shekinah unmade
Cross surveyed
Friends dismayed
Mother's aide
Body conveyed
Oils arrayed
Linen laid
Tomb made
Stone palisade
Evening fade
Third day
Woman amazed
Friends relay
Christ raised

One Month

Well thanks to February being a short month, we somehow have arrived at the 19th of March. A full month of Avila Tansy. She's weighing in at 7#10oz - up a pound and a half from birth weight (and probably technically more since she lost some after the birth).

Avila is extremely alert, much like I recall Ella being. She's tracking quite well and her eyes are clear, bright, and HUGE. They are alao a dark slate grey, and not a dark blue as Ella's were. Hm. What color will they be? She is beginning to gain head/neck control. She seems to have a very calm, chill personality. Little baby sounds are starting to make their way through her throat - long gone are the newborn squeaks and noises. Smiles on occasion, but nothing consistent.

She actually sleeps on car rides! Or at the very least can be soothed. My PTSD of car trips from Ella's infancy is dissipating.

We've been practicing elimination communication since birth (we started with Ella at 6 weeks). This ended up working out great because Avila was really too small for our diapers! There have been plenty of misses but it's going well. I help her at night most nights, too, which I didn't do until 3 months with Ella. But if it starts to get annoying or frustrating I just opt for a diaper for that day, night, few hours, whathaveyou. Her cues aren't as obvious as I recall Ella's being, but that could be age difference.