One Moore In The Oven

Moore changes

Stephanie — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:58:48 +0000

The goodbyes have begun, and are coming faster as our move approaches. Aaron’s work threw a going away party for us this evening. Mia and I made an appearance, then went home for her bedtime. We’re throwing ourselves a going away party this weekend, open house style, on Sunday afternoon. We’re not looking forward to saying goodbye, but we are looking forward to a house filled with good food, laughter and people we love.

It is hard to imagine saying goodbye to a place we have called home for 14 years. We love this place, and we weren’t looking to leave. But we were presented us with another path, one that we were and are compelled to take. I don’t think we’re moving to a “better place” than Albuquerque, rather it is the place we’re supposed to be next…the best place for this time in our lives. Albuquerque will always be a part of us.

Moving day and more goodbyes are imminent. For now, though, the thought of goodbye makes me sad. So, instead, I will think of all the wonderful things I love about this place we live, and look forward to the place we are going…

Sometimes it is easier for me to look forward than to look back, but I know looking back is just as, if not more, important. So I’ll keep working on my farewell to Albuquerque.

p.s. Because I can’t resist, here is a picture of Mia (OK, 2 pictures). Note that in the present setting, she actually looks back on where we’ve been as we walk.

5 months old today

Stephanie — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:33:31 +0000

Miss Maria Constance Moore is 5 months old today! Here are a couple pictures of her in her chair, with Tico at her side.

Mia, 5 months old!

Mia, in her chair with Tico by her side

A few highlights:

She laughed at Tico a couple days ago! She has been very interested in him for a while but the laughing was new.
The outfit she is wearing in these pictures is 6-9 month size! But she still fits in many of her 3-6 month sized clothes.
Still drooling up a storm…if you look closely, you can see there is droll on her onesie (all of the 2 minutes she was sitting in her chair while I was taking pics)
Ever-increasing gross motor skills
Holding up her head easily and enjoying looking around (especially down, when she is being carried, so she can see Tico and the cats)
She gives us big smiles all the time and, just lately, when we sign to her (even when I sing!)

Varying production levels

Stephanie — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:35:37 +0000

During one 14-minute pumping session, 5 oz from one side and 1 oz from the other. Wow! For those moms who are wondering about the bottles: these are Dr. Brown’s glass bottles with Medela caps.

Growing girl

Stephanie — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:16:14 +0000

For now, the bassinet remains a comfy, cozy sleeping spot. But Mia is growing fast and we will soon have to convert the bassinet into the crib.

October 10 to February 10: Almost time to convert the bassinet to the crib!

Mia has certainly discovered her hands and is just starting to learn all the things she can do with them. She started grasping rings and cloth toys and is expanding her capabilities all the time. She likes to chew on this rainbow wheel/rattle (among other things). In addition to providing ample entertainment, this new-found ability can also be a source of frustration, which, of course, is further motivation to improve upon the existing skill set. You can almost see the thought processes happening!

Ever-increasing dexterity

I am always wondering, when do I intervene? I want to help but believe it is good to let her figure things out on her own. Generally, I try to restrain myself (never an easy task) and only intervene to prevent injury or crying. In this particular situation, I remind myself of Jean Piaget’s statement: Every time we teach a child something, we keep him from inventing it himself…That which we allow him to discover by himself…will remain with him.

Super What?

Stephanie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:16:10 +0000

I heard there was some sort of football game this past weekend. I’m not sure what that was all about but since everyone other person in the country was so interested, we actually turned on the telly for a look. I didn’t see much except for the so-called half-time performance and, since it was Madonna, I decided that this was an appropriate moment for Mia to see her first bits of TV…of course, she was entranced with the screen. I was pleased that her (Madonna’s not Mia’s) performance ended with the phrase “WORLD PEACE”, for whatever that was worth. It made me happy. [Random aside: You may be amused -- or disgusted -- to know that the last one of these events I recall was when Prince performed at half time and we had a dance party in our living room. I think some of the guys actually watched the parts of the game.]

On a completely unrelated note, here are more pictures of our super sweet daughter. These are from our recent trip to Colorado…

Sleepy girl

Chillin' on the table

Who needs TV when you can look at lights and ceiling fans?

Sunrise and sunset in the Canyon (no color editing on these pics, really!)

Wishing you all super peaceful days.

Photos from today

Stephanie — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:14:00 +0000

Its not too often that I actually post photos the same day I took them but today is one of those days!

Father and daughter

Mia's very own chair!

On the road

Stephanie — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:03 +0000

We just got back from our first family road trip! We were up in southwestern Colorado for the past week and Mia was quite the trooper. She likes to look out the window, chew on things, sleep, and talk to us while we are on the road.

Looking out the window

Ready to go!

Isn’t the jaguar print car seat cover great? I must admit I would have never purchased it but this was a hand-me-down from a dear friend (and trusted source, so we know it was not in any accidents). At first, we were going to replace the cover but it has grown on us.

We had a great trip with our new travel companion. No matter how good the trip, we’re always happy to be back home. And, we’re already planning our next adventure! Happy trails to you!

Get a hold of this

Stephanie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:48:33 +0000

Recent developments…captured on Papa’s phone (photos from January 22nd):So fun to watch Mia grow.

New things

Stephanie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:30:20 +0000

Some firsts for today:

We walked our 2-mile loop, which we haven’t done since the day before Mia was born. And the first time all three of us went on such a long walk together. Mia slept most of the way.
Mia laughed! She had two laughing episodes, which were entertaining for the whole family: First, upon returning from our walk, I was folding up a swaddle cloth and being silly. She often smiles and seems amused when watching us fold things (wash cloths, burp cloths, blankets, wiping mouths and faces with cloth napkins) but this morning she laughed! Then later, this evening, while hanging out in the kitchen, I tried some silly antics with a dish towel and she started giggling again. So I grabbed the camera while Papa took over the funny folding show…and we present this video of Mia’s laughter. Music to our ears!

This afternoon, everyone in the house (Mia, Aaron, Tico, and the cats) took a nap, except for me. Sleep didn’t come to me but it was oh-so-relaxing and calm. I sat on the couch, with our sweet daughter sleeping in my lap and listened to the still house. I watched people walk, run, bike and drive past our house. I watched as the sun started sinking, and the light filtered in through the windows. I watched Mia’s peaceful face, felt the weight and warmth of her body, and listened to the rhythm of her breathing. And I thought about how much I love all the time I have with my family, including these quiet moments. I am blessed.

A little bit mouthy

Stephanie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:21:23 +0000

Everything that Mia can grab onto goes into her mouth. Of course, fingers are often in her mouth. And she is drooling pretty much constantly.

Fingers and cloth lovey in the mouth

We’re also doing much more diaper-free time, because it gives her so much more mobility. She is kicking up a storm and also rolling onto her sides. Can’t wait for the weather to warm up…then we can have more naked time. For now, it is too cold, so we have half-dressed, diaper-free time.

Diaper-free time

She is also becoming much more aware of and interested in other little people when they are nearby.

Sweet little girls! Holding hands?

That’s all for now.