Slingin' it at the Micronesian Fair!

We took Fern to the Micronesian Fair last weekend. There were islanders from all over the FSM demonstrating their cultural dances and selling local dishes. Yum. I thought Fern might like to watch the colorful dancers. She did, but my camera battery died right after I took one single picture of the Yapese stick dancers (above). Bummer. They hadn't even started dancing. Instead, here are some pictures of Else and I carrying Fern and Ekko in our slings. After all, this is supposed to be about Fern, right?

Fern says, 'Woohoo, mama! I love being on your hip!'

Ekko's like 'This is soooooo comfy...I just can't seem to stay awake.'

Fern's turn to snooze...

Fern has FINALLY decided to love the hip carry in her new sling. Ever since she was a mere 2 weeks old, she has wanted to face out, watch the world, and for the most part have her legs and arms free and dangling. She has never liked to be swaddled or cuddled much. :( Held, absolutely (she demanded it), but hugged...not so much. She lived in the Baby Bjorn for the first few months, but as she grew bigger, and because mine was an old model with no hip belt, my back began to suffer. Plus I worried about her hips a little because she was in it literally 3-7 hours daily.

self- portrait in the Bjorn when she was a few months old

I also tried the Moby and she liked it facing out, legs and arms free, but it would quickly begin to sag and then I would have to re-wrap her every 30 minutes. Not very practical. And it is a lot of fabric for a tropical climate:

another self-portrait demonstrating Fern's favorite position

This was one of the rare times (possibly the only time) that she enjoyed being in this position. Notice that she is sleeping, and only a few weeks old.

I was so happy that she was content in here and I was finally hands free....and then she woke up.

We also have the Ergo and she would tolerate that with the infant insert in the cradle position when she was tiny, but only if she could nurse herself to sleep. As soon as she woke up, she wanted out. I know she will like the Ergo when she is a bit bigger and can be put on our backs (or fronts). It is extremely comfortable for mom and dad and will probably be good for hikes, but it is a bit bulky for everyday use:

Look at my tiny legs!

So my friend Else made me a ring sling and I absolutely love it. Fern originally only wanted to be in the kangaroo hold (for about 3 weeks), and would sometimes fuss because her legs were buddha'ed, but in general, she liked it. This hold still wasn't perfect for my back though...a huge improvement, but not ideal.

She is happy here, but she doesn't like to be this tight for many hours. I would have to loosen it up, which would strain my back a little.

For the past few weeks I noticed that Fern was getting more cuddly and liked to hug our necks and bury her face into my chest (this is new and I am totally eating it up :)). So I thought that maybe I would try the hip carry again. She instantly loved it (this time) and fell asleep three times in it that first day. It has been a few weeks, and she consistently enjoys it. Hooooray! So now if Fern is with me, she's in the sling. She loves it, I love it, and my back loves it. Even my nanny loves it, and she has undergone major back surgery and has four giant screws in her back. Everyone is happy!

I forgot to mention that Allen loves it too, but I am usually hogging her.

awwwwww.

And I am all about supporting local artists and buying organic fabrics when possible. So if you want an awesome ring sling, check out: http://balilla.blogspot.com/ She also makes some really cute children's clothing.

First Laugh!

I was playing with Fern on the bed and thought I heard a little giggle. So Allen came in and hid behind me. He popped up from behind me and she laughed loud and clear for the first time. Then she did it again and again. So we ran for the video camera. Here is a quick reenactment. (Of course it isn't as good as the first few times but it is still pretty darn cute. and funny.)

And this is what Fern thought of her new mobile that Grandma sent yesterday. She is really into making these spitty farty noises right now and she does it once here (sorry...it was dark):

4 Months Old

Fern turned 4 months the same day that I turned 34. She is now exactly 2 feet long and weighs 13 pounds, 11 ounces. She is in the 50th percentile for both her height and weight.
Allen took a couple of photos of us together on my birthday just before the sun went down:







She constantly leans while we hold her now, trying to grab everything in sight. And if she's successful, into her mouth it goes! She is teething and soaks her tops in drool.


She tries to sit up whenever she is getting a bath or lying awake in her glider. It looks like she is doing crunches as she grunts and lifts her head, causing her little feet to lift.


Here she is having a grand time in the tub.


power crunches



We took her to the beach for the first time since she was 4 weeks old. The first time she just hung out on a towel under the trees. This time we got her feet wet. She didn't like it at first. I don't think she liked how her feet were devoured by the sand under the water. She let out a little cry and then just stared at the water trying to determine whether she liked it or not. When we stood her in the sand out of the water, she thought it was pretty cool. She just stared down at the sand and smiled.


Fern likes the sand!




....but she's not so sure about the water AND sand.

oh, it's not so bad!

Fern is the most content when she is outside or simply out and about. She is not as vocal (maybe not quite as comfortable as when she is at home?) but she just stares and stares, taking it all in. If she is crying in the house, an instant fix is to step outside. I often wonder what is going on in her little baby head.

We took Fern to a birthday party this weekend. A friend's niece just turned one. There was a balloon blowing clown and Fern scored some sweet sunglasses

She makes all kinds of racket while exploring her voice. She makes little farty noises, she coos, she squeals, she gurgles, and she hoots like a monkey. She is hilarious.

She just grabbed her feet for the first time yesterday. I sense some more baby yoga soon!