Lovely Lady

Chloe with her brothers and with my Mom, aka Grammy


My Lovely Chloe,

You are five months old today! I have not yet done a monthly update to put down on paper the many things you are discovering. This month feels like a good time to get started, especially since it seems like your first 5 months have flown by.

In spite of time passing quickly, I feel like we have been able to truly enjoy you, even with a Michael and a Liam in the mix. In fact, it might be even easier to enjoy you. We struggled to adjust to having two young children but this time around, you and your brothers have made the adjustment very easy. Daddy and I also have a bit more experience so that might have helped us to approach things in a more laid-back way.

You are pure sunshine from the moment you wake up in the morning. You are a joyful, easy baby. I feel like we tuned into each other right away. You don't cry unless it's warranted...it is easy to soothe you...you are a great eater...an amazing sleeper...flexible when schedules shift. You are even okay with a little 'tummy time' here and there. At the same time, you know how to get our attention at any given moment.

You love Daddy and I but you really can't get enough of your two older brothers. I think you sometimes miss them while they are at preschool. Both Michael and Liam love to hold you and help with anything related to you. You are the first one they ask about when they wake up. Despite their running, jumping, yelling and general noise-making, they always take time for you. If not, you are sure to make your presence known. We are so intrigued by how your relationships as siblings will develop over time.

You like to sit on the floor (supported) and are really into reaching for toys. You can hold them now and keep your grip on them. Sometimes, they even make their way to your mouth. This is helpful, considering that it seems a first tooth might be coming sooner rather than later. You can get onto your side but aren't quite ready to roll over just yet. You love to "stand" and while we certainly help you balance, you are quite capable of supporting your own weight. You are curious! Your baby seat only has one position and you are always trying to lean forward so you can see more of what is going on around you.

In the past few weeks, we have introduced you to some solid foods including rice cereal and oatmeal. You are also digging sweet potatoes and most recently, squash. Pears are in your future. You still enjoy your bottle but I think you like sitting up in your high chair and being a bigger part of family meals.

You are an enchanting and captivating baby. I could stare into your smiling blue eyes all day. I really can't put into words just how much of a presence you are, even now. If I ever had a worry about how you would handle yourself in the mix of our family dynamics, those worries have been put to rest. You are a lovely, lovely lady and a force to be reckoned with all at the same time.

Being blessed with a daughter has given us new dreams to dream. I am so in love with your brothers and I don't know that I ever considered how much having a daughter would mean to me. But now that you are here with us, it's more than I could have ever imagined. You are the perfect addition to our family and we love you so much.

It has been such a happy five months...I am savoring every moment and also looking forward to what comes next. We love you darling!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

N.B.- Dear Universe, While I don't actually believe in "jinxing" myself, I have to say this- Please don't undo all the easy things about this baby girl simply because I have put them out here. Thanks!