3 months old and then some!

Our loyal readers are crying out for more pictures and posts, so here goes!  We've been taking video, too, but struggling a bit on the technology front and so can't yet post clips here. 

It's been a busy busy few weeks, with visits from Auntzy (my sister) and Marme and Grandad (my parents).  Auntzy, named as a contraction for Aunt Zoe plus her antsy behavior at times (love ya babe), came down over Valentine's Day weekend, to let Steve and me get out for a much needed date.  We had a two and a half hour dinner at a fancy schmancy restaurant, and even managed to find things to talk about not related to the baby!  Here we are, about to go out.

Marme has been coming to town for days at a time, to let both Steve and me get in to work.  It's a win win win situation, as far as we can figure.  Marme and Eve are getting to be great friends, and Steve and I get to catch up.  It's clear that our current arrangement for work/Eve care is time limited:  having her in the office with me one day a week works, but I don't now that she wants to play for hours at a time.  Steve's night shifts on call followed by days with Eve are brutal.  We're looking at options right now, so stay tuned.  For the immediate term, we're looking for someone to stay with Eve at home one day a week (please let us know if you know anyone who might be appropriate or have tips). 

One of the unexpected advantages of having Mom here is that she's been showing us how to use all these baby toys we've been given.  Who knew what they were for or that Eve was ready for some of them already!   She's started grasping for things (including beards, hair, necklaces, but mostly toys) and has gotten quite good at it.   She likes to be read to, but has to be in the right mood.  

She's gained awesome head control, to the point where we have her outward facing in the snugli now. 

 

She is a very contemplative, observant baby.  

  

 This t-shirt was a gift from Steve's coworkers at WCCN:

 

Here are Marme and Steve, holding Eve's friend Dora and Eve with their matching bee hats (from Marme).

  

And, finally, the quintessential Eve shot - taken by Auntzy on her iPhone:

Play time

Eve is 11 weeks old and more fun to be around with each passing day.  My parents were here for the last week, to watch Eve while Steve and I catch up and put in solid time at work.  We also got her first non family babysitter (thanks, Amy!) so the four of us could go to the beer and cheese fest last weekend!

One of the treasures my parents dug out and brought with them this trip is this red bar that you hang across the crib and festoon with whatever toy or animal or other inanimate object you want.  As a result, the baby who would not allow herself to be put down is now quite happy batting at and chatting with her crib friends for half hours at a time.  Our world has changed!

 

She smiles readily at anyone and to herself.

 

This is what she is looking at:

She will deign to stop playing and acknowledge my presence if I interrupt her.

 

And almost best of all, she put herself to sleep!

We're otherwise keeping busy and happy.  Steve and I (and Eve) are mastering the balancing act of work, home and selves, and enjoying ourselves throughout.   We're looking forward to a quiet weekend followed by a month of visitors and trips - highlights between now and mid March will include visits from both sets of grandparents and Auntsy (my sister), a Green women's weekend in a cabin in the woods (with Eve, of course), and Eve's first plane trip to Tallahassee, to visit her cousin Sid and his parents, David and Miles.