A busy weekend

We are finally to the point where our lives are not 150% completely and totally dictated by Cairo. We are finding that we can now slowly start to incorporate bits and pieces of our old lives into the present situation... for example, going out to a restraunt for a bite to eat. Yesterday, Cairo, Erik, and I ran a bunch of errands together. In the middle of our errands, we went to lunch. Cairo ate with us and was very good. Then, we decided to stop at the beach. We brought out a blanket and layed on the beach for about an hour. In that time, Cairo took a nice nap- covered from head-to-toe with a blanket (thus, far we think she has Erik's complextion- easy to burn and freckle). She ended the day sprawled in her dad's lap, followed by a bath.


Today, Cairo and I spent a relaxing and productive day together doing things around the house- reading, napping, laundry, dishes, dusting, putting things away. Then, the whole family headed down to Erik's Grandma and Grandpa Tipple's house for a family dinner. Cousin Mei was super cute wearing very fashionable leg warmers and dress (both from Japan). Cairo will hopefully be getting a pair of leg warmers when Aunt Kyoko and Grandma Dedini come back from visiting there in September.

Other than that, there isn't much more to report on.

Butts Up

So, it seems that when Cairo is on her stomach she puts her butt up in the air... just like mom used to do. Cairo joined me in bed yesterday morning and ended up asleep on her stomach. It was too cute... especially her squished up face.


Also, Erik and I are trying to take every opportunity to collect "ammo" for Cairo's teen and adult years. We are trying to get a good collection of naked pictures to show off to her future friends and boyfriends when they come to visit. We are hoping to add to that collection funny faces, poopy faces, temper tantrums, and other embarassing acts. What kind of parent would I be if I didn't show off embarassing pictures? I don't want to miss out on the fun. Here is a picture of Cairo (not happy) having tummy time after a shower. Butts Up!



I believe the scariest thing we parents have to do to infants is cut their nails. I refuse to do it. I can't stand nails that are cut too short or bleeding. It gived me the hee-bee gee-bees. Erik is a pro, though. He does a great job cutting Cairo's beautiful long nails.

P.S. I almost forgot. We went to the doctor's this week and Cairo has almost made it to 9 pounds... in fact, by now, she probably has!

5 weeks

Cairo has now reached the five week mark. Boy how time flys... yet, I feel like she has been around a lot longer.

Here is an overview of what Cairo likes and what she can do up to now (most things have been mentioned in previous blogs):

- Loves to eat
- Loves to sleep (especially on people or with people)-- excellent cuddler


- Loves to squirm and move and constantly be in motion
- Is very kinesthetic and loves to touch and feel things with her hands and face
- Is letting out small little laughs
- Likes to stand up and be bounced up in the air

- Loves to have her little neck kissed and gobbled (in my house we always called it "baby neck")
- Has much better control of her neck and head (though not complete control and to our enjoyment her head bobs around like a bobble-head on the dashbaord of a car)
- Is starting to burp on her own
- Makes a lot more noises, including a very cute little coo noise
- Like to be held facing out instead of facing in (wants to see where she going instead of where she has been)

- Is calmed and entertained by music (loud, soft, rock, classical- it doesn't matter)
- Has rolled over once
- Loves to sleep on her side
- Loves the bath and shower and doesn't mind have water run over her face (she holds her breath)

Rollin'

Yesterday I put Cairo on her blanket in the family room to play and have floor time. While she was playing I took the opportunity to eat some lunch at the diningroom table, where I could keep a good eye on her. I looked over and she was on her back like I had originally put her. I looked back about 30 seconds later and she was on her stomach. I told her that I was hoping she'd wait a little longer before she started to roll. I don't think that she is going to listen to me. She must be my daughter!

This is a picture of her sporting her tie-dyed onsie Grandma Jill gave her and a sunhat to block her delicate skin from yesterday's hot sun.

The Beach

In the summer Arcata has nice and mild temperatures. One can normally count on a nice cool breeze throughout the day which lends a nice crispness to the air. Over the past few days, though, the weather has been unusually warm. It is not uncommon to have a warm day, but it is uncommon to have so many warm days in a row... not that I am complaining. These warm days are great- temperatures only reach mid to upper 70s. Last nice the air was still and warm, so after leaving dinner at Erik's parents (where Kyoko made another wonderful and yummy meal) we decided to take the long way home and drive our cranky baby around a little. So, we we drove around the bay and made a stop at the beach on the way. Cairo's first visit to the beach. It was about 8:45, just in time for the sunset.

Cairo and Mei

Cairo was hanging out on the chair with her cousin Mei yesterday. When we first got here, Cairo was much smaller than Mei. Exactly two weeks later, Cairo is working hard to catch up... especially in length. Her torso is getting so long!

4 weeks... almost a month!

WATCH OUT, DADDY IS GOING TO SQUISH YOU!


Cairo was four weeks yesterday and tomorrow she will be one month old. How time does fly. Erik and I are really noticing the changes she has made. It is amazing how one week makes such a large difference. My two favorite things that Cairo is now doing on a regular basis is cooing and smiling. Though I know what she is currently doing isn't anything close to what she will be doing in the next few months, it is still fun and, oh, so cute!


Cairo is a cuddle bug! She loves to join Erik and I in bed or on the couch. Her favorite place to fall asleep is on someone. We are working with her to have some floor time and exercise. She is getting better at hanging out on her blanket by herself for a while, kicking her feet, waving her arms, and looking around. I have her blanket right next to our sliding glass door in the family room so that she can look outside and the dogs can look in. I crack the slider door a little so that Guinness and Sienna can poke their noses in and see her. Guinness will spend a lot of time just laying there with his nose poked into the family room, staring at Cairo... I think of him like the dog Nana in Peter Pan.

Each day that goes by we are seeing Cairo's strength increase. She is VERY kinesthetic. She likes to feel things, hold things, move around, and be touched. Her hands are constantly in motion. She is now holding her head up and looking all around for a while. She likes to stand and bounce up and down... and she loves to be kissed.