Marin is 5 months old

Our dear baby girl if 5 months old and she keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. I must confess Shawn and I have to take turns holding her since we both love it so much. She is a calming presence in our home and she is so content. I find it hard to believe I am writing this since her first 2 months in the world were pretty rough. Marin is still pretty sure what she wants and when she wants it but overall she rolls along with life offering lots of smiles. She has a great laugh and already she is very compassionate, when she does not want to laugh and you are working to try to get something out of her she kindly gives you her pity laugh which is like huh huh in a deep tone. When she does this we laugh so hard and she just smiles like oh you poor things thank God I am here for you.

When she comes to work with me, which is still quite often, she is accused of being quite the tease. She smiles at everyone and melts hearts left and right so of course people want to hold her and I tell them sure but I can make no guarantees and most of the time in about 5 seconds she screams only to return to me and smile her big smile at them like she's saying don't worry everyone does what I want you aren't the only one.

She is still a bit of a Mommy's girl but she is now quite fond of her Daddy and some nights she only wants him to put her to bed. She lights up when he walks into the room or talks to her. It is so fun to watch them together because he lights up just as much when she gives her heart melting smile. We both love to get her out of bed in the morning because she is all smiles and laughs.

She is still busy moving around and she sits up more and more on her own. Marin does not like to miss anything so nursing can be a real pain for her. She takes lots of breaks to look around and it seems she has to make up for her lack of nursing during the day at night when there is no action and she can just eat. Marin has also begun to look longingly at food. It is so bad you almost feel guilty eating in front of her so we might try some cereal later this month but we will see.

Marin has been such a blessing these past 5 months and we look forward to a life time of getting to know her and loving her.



One of her beautiful smile/laughs that makes our world such a joyous place.


Here she is playing with Symeon's computer. Since she gets all over nothing is safe and of course the next time I looked over she was eating the screen.


The Phillies are going to the World Series for a second year in a row and being dedicated Phillies fans we were dressed for the celebration. Marin has a tee shirt, hat, and socks so she was ready to celebrate. Of course everyone thought she was boy all day but we didn't care we support our teams regardless of any gender confusion it may cause.


Here is Marin finding Symeon's cars and getting under his garage. She is so busy and so curious it is really fun to watch her explore her world.


Here is our big girl sitting up. She does really well for a bit then she gets distracted and falls over and then she just rolls off to her next adventure.

At her 5 month check up she was 17 1/2 lbs and 27 inches long. She is still in the 95% for her weight and the 97% for her height. It was quite the visit since Marin screamed when the nurse tried to carry her and weigh her. Then she screamed when her doctor touched her and then when she got her shot there was barely a peep out of her. People always say how happy and pleasant she is and I always agree, she is a really easy baby, but in my head I always think just don't try to hold her or else you will see the lip curl and the screaming will begin which will include huge tears and a bright red face that gets all blotchy. It is not pretty so if people don't ask to hold her I hardly ever offer. Marin is like a piece of art at the museum she can take your breath away with her beauty and smile but really you should only look because touching can ruin the experience.

My little collector

Symeon has begun collecting things which is quite an adventure. You just never know what you may find and where. He also rarely leaves the house without something in his hand. Today it was a plastic cup with two cars in it. He seems to put significant thought into what he will bring with him and I usually just wait by the door until he has what he wants sometime it takes a few tries until it is just right or because I veto whatever the radom object maybe then off we go.


He lined these cars all up before he brushed his teeth. Cars are a popular item these days.


On the far left is a puzzle piece of a car which in his mind counts as a car. He had to leave the bathroom mid brush to find the puzzle piece I guess something made him think of it.



Here is the rock he carried in from outside. He is really into rocks these days.

Early morning photo shoot

Marin was up at 6 am the other morning which is very unusual for her and not really my best time of the day but since it was quiet and just the two of us we had an early morning photo shoot. She hasn't been up that early since I wonder why?


She loves this duck toy.



Tired are ya?


A little annoyed with Mama and all the pictures


Secretly sucking her thumb behind these two little hands


What can I say just to cute even at 6 am

How Cute

Symeon loves to get Marin up from her naps. As soon as he hears her make a peep off he goes to climb up next to her crib and talk to her. He usually beats me into her room so the other day when I walked in this is what I saw, they are just so cute together.


Guess who she is straining to see

Family

My parents came to visit and watch the kids for us while I worked and Shawn was away with his youth group. They were a blessing and tons of fun to have around. Then we all went to a family reunion in Virginia which was also a special time. Both Symeon and Marin received lots of luvin from Oma and PaPaw.

Also I need to give credit to my amazingly talented Mother who made all of Marin's birth announcements. I have received many compliments and questions like where did you find the time? Well I didn't and thanks to my Mom people received them before Marin's 1st birthday. Thanks Mom I sure do love you!



Having fun with PaPaw.


Snuggling with Oma at bedtime


If you are wondering where Marin and I get our blue eyes now you know.

Snuggling with PaPaw.

Extra kisses from Oma

She's on the move

Marin started out on the blanket several times today and here are the places we found her after a little while, Similar to her brother she is an early mover.



She was laying on the blanket facing away from the kitchen and as you can see she wanted to be where the action was so to the kitchen she went. If the fridge didn't stop her who knows where she might have ended up.



She seems pretty motivated when there is something she wants for example she was facing the duck laying on the blanket but she really wanted that baby doll she has in her hand and she was not about to wait for someone to give it to her.

My budding artist strikes again

Well my creative little guy has found two new mediums to work with as he adds to his art portfolio.

He has already worked with ink and sofa and now he has moved on to a more hands on medium something similar to finger paint...

Vaseline






There were huge globs spread all over the chair and he was so proud when I found him it was hard to be mad. I wiped it off, flipped the cushion, and called it a day.


He next art medium has a more technical side. I think he really has an eye for taking pictures what do you think?

I call this series the world from Symeon's perspective









I only discovered these pictures when I went to blog tonight I know he had the camera today but I didn't realize he had it for this long. At this point I might be thinking if I were you don't they watch this kid? What's even funnier is that we live in a small apartment and I think most of his art work has occurred when we are both home. He may be small but he is fast!