3 Months: Miss Marlo

At three months, Marlo still loves to talk up a storm.  Now it's clear she can imitate sounds we make!  Her thighs are delicious and everyone comments on them.  Poor baby girl, she didn't stand a chance between her mama's and papa's thighs.

My favorite new thing is that baby girl laughs and cracks up!!  She loves to be kissed all over and to be pulled up to stand.  These things make her smile and laugh.  Of course, it's the best laugh I've ever heard.

She's starting to develop a bit of stranger danger.  She used to be fine when different friends held her, but now it often makes her cry.  I wish this weren't the case, but I guess it's completely normal and a necessary phase they go through that could last awhile.  

Her hair is coming back in and it is so silky soft and fine--just like my dad's hair. <3.  

This past month, she's been coming to mama and baby yoga with me.  She likes to look at the ceiling fans and be held by the teachers.  We may try mama and baby Pilates soon.  Just a few days ago, she started grasping things.  Now she grabs her pink monkey rattle doll, Mike (we name toys after the people who gifted them), and puts it in her mouth.  She also likes to swipe at the hanging elephant on her baby play overhang.  She's not a huge fan of tummy time, but tends to do better with papa.

She's changing so quickly and I know she'll have a whole new set of skills by next month.  A few days ago, my old job offered me full-time position teaching 6th or 7th grade English.  I was honored and before Marlo, I would have jumped at this opportunity.  My old school is a great place to work, filled with AMAZING, dedicated, and talented folks.  We thought hard about it, but my gut was telling me that I'd be heart broken to have to miss so much time with Marlo during this first year.  I truly love teaching and it gives me a wonderful high, but I also love being a mother.  I kept thinking about what people say about not getting this time back.  So it's official: I'm going to stay home with Marlo this first year and possibly longer.  I'm VERY grateful that this is option for us and I'm going to make the most of it.  Each day with my sweet baby is a gift.