This was the best shot I could get of her today!She's smiling! Although I have yet to capture it on camera, Ellie started smiling a couple weeks ago. It was hard to coax a smile out of her at first, but now it is easier. I can't believe how much she has changed in a few short weeks. Her hair is getting lighter and is, sadly, starting to fall out. Unfortunately, it seems to be falling out mostly on top and in the back. I am afraid that she is going to look like an old man! She is awake more often now, usually for about an hour after eating. She likes to look around with her big, dark eyes. She is also starting to be vocal. Not much cooing, but more like little shrieks and "AH!" sounds. It's adorable.
The sleeping situation at night is getting a little better. She still loves to be awake from 9pm to midnight, and it is so hard to get her to sleep during this time. Rob can rock her to sleep more easily than I can. I usually lay her next to me on the couch until she falls asleep. The only problem with that is that I fall asleep too!
She is still a rockstar pooper. I try to wait until I think all of the grunts, pushing, and mini explosions are over before I change her diaper. But it is not uncommon for me to have to change two diapers within 5 minutes.
Tate is starting to take much more of an interest in her and has asked to hold her several times. He is mostly gentle with her, but sometimes we have to remind him that he needs to be "soft." He also likes to pretend that he is a baby and has started asking for his own binky. We tell him that big boys get to do fun things like play soccer and eat cookies and that babies only get to take naps. That usually seems to work.
