45 days

Celeste is 45 days old today.  45 days isn't a very long time, however, in a mere 45 days Celeste has done so many things.  

She was born, learned what hunger feels like and how to eat.  She has met many new people and gazed into different sets of eyes.  She has discovered that it feels good to be held, bounced, cuddled and to look in the mirror at herself. She has also discovered that it doesn't feel good to be sitting in a full diaper but it does feel good to be diaper-less in a warm breezy room.  She now knows being alone can be boring, scary, or comforting.  She has learned to smile and to grimace.  She has learned the joy of kicking her legs and waving her arms.  Celeste has learned to make noise and she coos and babbles in a musically conversational way.  She kicks energetically in a warm bath.  She cries with gusto when she is not satisfied and has learned that her parents will do anything to make her stop.  She has learned to sleep through the night and be alone in her crib.  She has learned to get the attention of a floppy, 70-pound dog who has been displaced since she arrived.  Celeste moved from Pittsburgh to Easton and, unlike her parents, has shown no real signs of missing Pittsburgh.  

We've also learned a great deal in 45 days.  We're looking forward to more time with our little Celeste.

The latest

Here are a couple more...
Please note that Celeste's adorably girly blue outfit is compliments of Lindsay O and her sassy "Born in 2009" onesie is from Kelly D.

We're heading out on a walk around the hood. Currently, Celeste is in her crib listening to MF Doom and kicking her legs wildly.

Give my regards to Easton

We have now been living in Easton for a little over 3 weeks. This is strange and unbelievable to me. I have yet to get out and explore this little city but it strikes me as old fashioned in a dumpy way in the bright hot humid daylight and old fashioned in a charming and quaint way at dusk. Maybe this searing August heat has that effect on all of us.

Celeste is 5 weeks and 2 days. She had her check-up with our new pediatrician last week and had not gotten taller (or, er longer) but had gained 2 pounds. She's becoming roly-poly and hides dirt and grime in the folds under her chin and around her thighs. This is a cute development. A not-so-cute development is that getting her to go to sleep at night is turning into a major production that involves bouncing, hushing, pacifiers, pacing, and a lot of frustration. I just read that newborns brains get "short-circuited" at the end of the day and that this fussiness is a natural coping mechanism. It's a product of Celeste's developing awareness of the world around her. Whatever it is, I now have particular respect and awe for single parents.

Anyhow, here are some updated photos. My mom and dad came out to help us with our move and they were incredible. I don't know how we could have pulled our relocation off without them, and they were so sweet to Scribble. Peter and I are going to a barbecue at the college tonight which I am looking forward to. It has been tough to shower and eat lunch before 2-ish let alone get out of the house and talk to adults. I keep telling myself that soon I will be less of a hermit. For now I'm enjoying Celeste's pure baby smell and occasional smiles at us.