One Month And Screaming Strong

Casandra is one month old today.  It seems like only three days ago we were celebrating her being four weeks old.

You look'in at me?

Cassandra working on her Elvis impersonation.

Step Away From The Camera...

Cassandra was avoiding the camera today.

Ah, Cuteness...

Cassandra decided to be more cooperative today.  Mommy was able to get this picture of the little one on the floor for tummy time.  I love it when I see her smile.

 Here is Cassandra trying on another outfit.  She has two outfits with these animals on them; one a sleep sack and one for looking good when out and about.

I think she looks odd without a hat.  People say I look really weird without glasses so I guess it's just a matter of what you are used to.  (Please, no comments from the peanut gallery.)

Short Attention Span

Cassandra is four weeks old today.  We tried to get some good pictures of her.  <sigh>  This is the only one where she is awake and either doesn't look drunk or like she has been crying.  It would be nice if the cuteness wasn't so transitory.

Friendly Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Wendel dropped by tonight with great news.  Uncle Greg will be making an appearance in town the first weekend in February.  This is also the weekend of the pancake breakfast for Andy and Greg's old scout troop.  Greg has already claimed he will again eat at least a dozen pancakes.  Cassandra showed no interest in pancakes which just proves that she is still in the larval stage (or they sent us home with the wrong kid).



 You may note that Grandpa is wearing the same thing in this picture as the one above, yet Cassandra isn't.  That is how traumatic a diaper changing is.  Cassandra demanded a new outfit and I'm not arguing with her.  (Read that as she is louder than me and either has never had a sore throat, or doesn't care.  My poor ears are still suffering from her displeasure with her bath this afternoon.)

Something Blue...

Cousin Sharon has been kind enough to send a multi-mode baby chair for Cassandra to enjoy.  It's modes include stationary, massage and automatic rocking.  It also incorporates the latest safety features including a three point baby restrain and a brightly colored, professionally decorated anti-roll bar.

Casandra admiring the chair's starboard decoration.
(Hey, the chair looks seaworthy.  Therefore, it is the starboard side, not the right side.)

Feeding Time

Here is my attempt to feed Cassandra for the first time.  She was rather disappointed at how fast it went.

Need A Laugh?

Fascination with the ceiling?  Whistling in the dark?  A child in need of sleep?  We have no idea.  All we can be sure of is the desire to laugh.

Putting On The Cute Act™...

Cassandra had a rough day today.  She hasn't figured out that pain in the middle may mean something other than hunger...like say, being overfull and needing to be burped.  Course, she behaves for everyone besides Mommy and Daddy.  Can't let the world know just how demanding she can really be...yet.

Here is a picture of her putting on The Cute Act™ for Grandma.

What Are You Doing?

Cassandra is getting used to the camera, but doesn't like the flash a whole lot.

Before flash.

After flash.

General Fault Notification

Cassandra has been having a bad couple of days.  Grandma Hodges suggested singing to her a repetitive song to help calm her down.  "Ninety-nine Bottles of Milk" seems to work most of the time...

I've been told you spend the first two years teaching them to walk and talk and the next sixteen years telling them to shut up and sit down, but it would really be nice if she could tell us what the problem was. 

As Luke noted, babies are like computers.  They only have a general fault notification, no onboard diagnostics.

I Am Woman; Feel Me Roar!

Here is Cassandra expressing her displeasure.  She is so loud I couldn't even hold the camera still.

Wide Awake

Cassandra is spending more time awake...

and exploring her world one chew toy...er, item at a time.

At Last, We Meet...

Cassandra finally got to meet Uncle Steve today.  She has now met all the immediate family in town.

She decided that she would wiggle for him...and lost her hat in the process.

Cassandra got to see Cousin Samantha again.  She was awake this time.



Letting the Parents Sleep

Last night was a great night for Cassandra (or rather, her parents).  She sleep for two blocks of time that were four hours each.  Her parents were happy to have sleep with limited interruptions.  Here is a picture of Cassandra showing us she is ready for bed.

You can tell she is yawning, not crying, based on the fact her face is not beet red.

And this is Cassandra telling us it is time to end the photo shoot.

Little Wiggle Worm

While she was pregnant, Janice noted that Cassandra liked to move around.  She ran from the doctor when he was trying to listen to her heart.  She moved every few minutes, even when asleep.  In fact, Janice at one point said, "The baby has ADD, just like Daddy!"  Even in labor, she would not stay in one place.  She moved so much, the nurse gave up on the external monitor and went with an internal one.  That is what left the two red lines on her head.

In case you have never noticed, I'm not very good at sitting still.  Over the last week, we have noticed how much she moves in her sleep even now.

Well, this morning she outdid herself.  She managed to wiggle half way out of her diaper.  Of course, like Uncle Greg, she has no hips.  (He's one of those skinny people that make normal people sick.)  Thankfully, she did not grace us with any significant presents.

My Little Helper

Janice's computer is in need of a rebuild.  It won't do much past booting.  Cassandra decided to help me with this project.  She just doesn't feel the need to be down with mommy (who is napping) and insisted on keeping me company.  At this stage, I don't argue with her.  I think she might be more stubborn.

Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction

You would think that the most difficult thing a baby could do was to be born.  You would be wrong...at least in Cassandra's case.  After being born, she simply looked around at us like we were the freak show.  It was only later, when the mean nurses starting cleaning her, that she began to make noise.  I should have see the signs then.

Cassandra is very frequently mad with us.  Every time we change her diaper or when we give her a bath, she lets us know that our treatment of her is undignified and unacceptable for the future Empress.  She cries with her entire body.  Her face, body and limbs turn red, except her knuckles.  Those, including the joints on her feet, turn white.  At one point, Janice told me to hurry up with the diaper change because Cassandra was starting to hurt her ears.  I can't wait until she is a teenager.  God help us!

Cassandra's First Party

Cassandra attended her first party today.  Of course, it was an intimate affair that included only the closest family and friends.  There were several children, three infants, and even a dog.  After a long day, she was too tired to actually be awake at the party.  Still, we learned that loud noise doesn't wake her, only loud noises preceded by quiet.

Daddy had to stop by work after the party to pick up some files.  While sitting in the parked car in the building's lot, Cassandra decided it would be a good time to test out her lungs.  The car has very good acoustical properties I've been told by Janice.

Sorry, no pictures today.