5 Weeks I 
5 Weeks II 
5 Weeks III 
5 Weeks IV 
5 Weeks V Budding Artist
Natalie’s Monster Drawing Complete with arms, hands, legs, feet, a body, a head, and hair.
Natalie has always enjoyed art projects of all kinds including crayons, markers, watercolors, stamps, finger paints.
We usually exude enthusiasm for her art, but try to avoid overtly praising the finished work. For children, art is about process, not product, so instead we engage her with questions like “Wow, look at all those colors you used. Can you tell me about them?” Even from a young age when her drawings appeared to be just scribbles, Natalie would point out different areas that she intended to represent certain things or people.
In general, praising her effort helps build her self-image and confidence. Instead of telling her she’s a great artist we’ll just say “Look at all those squiggles, it looks like you worked really hard on that.”
Lately, her drawings have started to become more recognizable—like in this drawing of a monster she drew over the weekend. We were both really impressed with her rendering, but instead one of us just said something simple and observational like “Look at that monster you made!”
Natalie grinned widely and replied, “I’m so proud of myself!!!”
More Visitors!
We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family who couldn’t wait to meet the newest member of our family!
Greta and Miranda 
Reading to Natalie 
Abby and Annabelle visit
Ellen meets Miranda
Miranda and Moogoo
Sofia holds Miranda
David wanted to hold the real baby And wasn’t at all impressed with the substitute Natalie gave him.
Cousins!
Aunt Nancy meets Miranda
GG & Poppoppop with their great-granddaughters
Miranda with Uncle David
Foursome
Our friend Abby took this picture of the four of us at her daughter Annabelle’s first birthday party. Then we realized that we hadn’t taken any family portraits since Miranda was born. Oops.
First Family Picture Miranda is One Month!
Miranda is growing and changing so quickly!
Happy These are her statistics at 1 month old:
weight: 10 pounds, 6 ounces (75-90%)
height: 22.25 inches (75-90%)
Dr. Stephen was impressed that Miranda is already putting weight on her legs, is very alert, and smiling a lot. In the last month of getting to know her, we’ve learned that Miranda is easy to soothe, and easy to put to sleep (usually, unless she has gas or is overtired). She often smiles and laughs in her sleep, which melts our hearts.
The sleep formula swaddle, pacifer, bouncy seat, sleep sheep ocean sounds
Nursing is going well after a few weeks of pain. I was worried about getting thrush as I had with Natalie, but the pain is gone now, so I think my body was just getting adjusted. Nursing seems to be separate from sleeping for Miranda, which I’m happy about since it appears that I won’t be the only person with the ability to get her to sleep. Miranda likes to be rocked!! She takes a pacifier!! She has adorable hair:
Mom, please fix my hair!!! It sticks up in the back all on its own!
Miranda hates being strapped in the car seat and although she occasionally falls asleep in the car, she doesn’t stay asleep once the car stops. She doesn’t spit up (figures since I bought a ton of burp cloths, beyond the ones we received as gifts!). She is a champion pooper and often goes through a few outfits per day. Luckily, she likes taking a bath, although she hates being cold and often cries when we take her out. Overall, Miranda is fairly calm and laid back. We are enjoying her babyhood, because we know how fleeting it is!
Smiley