Infirmary

Tuesday, the 18th, we went to the girls' doctor at OHSU. He was clearly sick when he saw us (coughing, sniffling) and didn't wear a mask. Thursday, I had a sore throat. Friday I was sick. Saturday, felt better. Sunday, sick again, and not feeling better until Thursday. Tuesday, Ella gets sick. Thursday, Quinn gets sick. Considering we havn't been around any other sick people that I know of, I'm pretty pissed at the doctor. I plan to complain at Quinn's next appointment (with an attending, from now on! (no offense doctor friends))...even if he couldn't have called in sick and cancelled all his appointments, atleast he could have worn a mask!

Here's Quinn doing a vertical nap~ best way to get airflow through the nose so she can use her paci.

Quinn, meet hip sling...

Oh my. Quinn had her official 4 month weigh-in the other day. 19 pounds, 3 ounces. 26 inches long. Sometimes (especially at 2 am) it is exhausting just to think about lifting her out of the crib and onto the changing table. Of course we are happy to hang out at this end of the growth curve instead of the other, but it is a little bit crazy to have a 4 month old wearing 12 month sized clothes that her big sister wore at 7 months, as a big baby herself. Overall, a healthy, thriving baby girl.

Evidence of a hard night

Not sure how she accomplishes such heights. This was an especially impressive 'do, worthy of documentation.

Fitting it all in

G-Ma and Papa are here visiting from AZ this week and we have been really packing it in to make the most of the 4 1/2 (maybe 5 1/2!) days they are here. Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market at PSU for shopping and lunching, and Pok Pok for dinner. I have been waiting months to go there, and once the opportunity arose that we could go, I was nervous of being let down. After reading sparkling reviews in the NYT, Food and Wine, and all the Portland books, I kind of felt like maybe it has an inflated reputation. However, we were not let down, the food exceeded our lofty expectations. And, the kids behaved! Sunday we went to the Portland Saturday Market, Deschutes Brewery for lunch, and Powell's to buy some books. Today we went out to the Columbia River Gorge and drove the Historic Columbia River Highway to Multnomah Falls. Absolutely beautiful country~We are so lucky to call this place home. Next on the agenda: Oregon Zoo, International Rose Test Gardens and maybe Pittock Mansion. Whew!

Putting it in perspective

Yes, she is a big baby!

Found!

Seven or eight years ago, I bought this ugly, sheer scarf to use as a belt. Clearly my fashion sense was questionable, but that is a whole other story. What I didn't know then, is that this ugly belt, that never got worn, would become the best baby toy we ever owned. I'd been wondering where it had disappeared to lately, and found it mixed in with Ella's hats while putting away the laundry today. Quinn and Ella were both pretty excited about it.


Ella doing the scarf dance for Quinn

Making a tent for two

Inside the finished tent

The Picnic

Ella packed up a picnic lunch for herself (chocolate milk and goldfish), Sunny Boy and Elmo (fake milk, cheese, and egg), put on her shoes, found a blanket and headed outside for a picnic.

After maybe 2 minutes of picnicing, it was time to move on.

So she put them on her bike and took them to the "Coffee Shop" for vanilla milk. "Cause banilla milk is my favorite!"

4 Months

At 4 months, Quinn:

Deliberately uses her hands to grasp at toys, fingers, pacis or anything she sees and can reach, and moves them straight to her mouth
Has rolled over twice
Loves to sit straight up~ if reclined, she will sit forward often toppling over to one side
Is too big for the Bumbo chair
Plays happily for several minutes under her play gym
Has a mostly regular bedtime of 6:00 pm
Has a mostly regular wake up time of 5:00 am (ugh)
Naps anywhere from 3-5 times a day, depending on length
Goes down easily with a pacifier~ plop her in the crib and she falls asleep usually in less than a few minutes, rarely cries
Is generally a happy baby until she gets tired
Wears 6-12 month or 12-18 month sized clothes (!)
Loves to watch her big sister bounce around the room
Squeals (screams?) like a wild woman after nursing
Receives many, many, many hugs and kisses throughout the day from Ella
Smiles and laughs (kind of) when she sees our faces

Uncle Steve and New Sarah

Uncle Steve and New Sarah came to visit us from London this past weekend. Quinn loved meeting her Auntie and Uncle and Ella had an absolute ball reconnecting with them. They were so great to have staying in the house with us~ entertainers and baby holders from dawn till dusk. Thanks so much for taking time out of your vacation to come hang out with us, we miss you already!

Stronger Every Day