Sophie 7 weeks- Irish Festival

Sophie turned 7 weeks yesterday, and it seems as though we are turning a corner with her, and I am really starting to figure her out. Friday, I mastered the sling. I bought it awhile ago, expecting to walk around and nurse handsfree. It didn't work like that, so I didn't try again. Then I was reading up on Dr Sears and the high needs baby- and I decided to try it again. I thought if all these moms can do it, so can I. So I watched some youtube videos on how to wear it and tried it again, and its AWESOME. I "wore" sophie to the Irish festival and nursed her about 75% of the time we were there. Looks like she just needs to be held tight and close to me- and always have the boob ready. With the introduction of the sling, we are able to go on evening walks now and I went to the mall with my mom (Mimi) and my grandma (Gigi). I am less stressed, because I am not constantly worried she is going to cry. I am much more relaxed, because I know that I can whip out my secret weapon any time she needs it. We have had significantly less crying if I just hold her. I think she is just a "high needs" baby and not colicky. It appears that holding or nursing her usually soothes her. Her sleep patterns have also continued well. She is sleeping until 4 or 5 am, after we put her down at 8 or 9 pm. Last night, we put her down at 10pm and she slept until 6am. Go soph! I cant decide if she is just getting older and more aware (she is looking around some on the walks, then nurses, and then falls alseep... all on one walk) or if I really have figured her out. It was nice to be able to do a few things with the kids and not be so worried about her being upset.

Jack is almost 16 mths. He still calls Sophie "Cry". He is so sweet and gentle with her- its precious. Only occasionally does he throw things at her. ;) I swear he said "bye" this week, and Papa said that he said grass, while holding grass, and handed it to him and said "here". We bought a potty seat about a month a go, but absolutely no interest in that. He doesn't appear to know that he is going to the bathroom, making potty training seem very far away. He continues to eat well and eat everything. He loves meat (steak! ribs! chicken!) and prefers that over anything else. He likes Gigi's green beans and loves his tomatoes. He still refuses eggs, sweet potatoes and unknown foods. Unless... I am eating it and hes not supposed to have it. For example... I was eating a green onion straight and he really wanted to try it. So I let him and he ate a whole green onion! Ever smelled a 16 mth old's breath that smells like onion!? HAHA! He recently learned how to turn the tv on and off, which makes watching tv really fun- when your show is constantly interrupted. He also likes to hit the button on the garage, to open and close the garage door. He also can communicate well with uh huh and shaking his head no... he goes to the fridge to request food, juice or a bottle, and knows which one he is asking for. He loves to swim and jump in the water, and its even more fun when he has a cup!

I feel like I am starting to get the hang of things. I made it to a la leche meeting today with the two kids and no help. Granted sophie slept the whole time and jack was very well behaved- but hell, i did it. We were also proud of ourselves for making it to the Irish Festival. Even though Tom chased Jack the whole time, we spent 60 dollars for overpriced food and for Jack to play on a playground that is normally free, and I was so distracted by nursing Sophie it was difficult to engage in conversation with my friend Courtney, we still did it. We were out and about with two kids- and we were out until 10:00. Parental accomplishment. Seems so small- but so big. :)