Teeth

I don't like 'em. Not the way they come into our little girl's mouth and make all h*ll break loose around here. One day we have a charming baby named Gemma. She plays, she eats, she naps, and when she goes to bed she sleeps most of the night. Then, without warning (if you don't count the drooling, the incessant biting and red cheeks) she turns into a little Gemma monster, who wants to be held all the time, who needs to tear the ears off stuffed animals with her teeth, who has never seen a piece of paper she didn't want to chew, and for whom sound sleep is.... not attainable. Gemma has gotten four molars and one eye tooth in the past 3 weeks and another eye tooth is about to make an appearance. Here is what she looks like as she plans her next attack.

Gemma on a Good Day

Just some cute photos I took in a moment of peace last week. Chris was in Miami for 3 days and I was home alone with the children (that is how I refer to them when they push me over the edge). It is all forgotten now - Chris came home and rescued me and they are my three kids again.

CNN News Alert: Heard For the First Time...

"I wish.. I didn't... have a little sister." Said between sobs. Poor Edie had a very long day. After a successful dinner with her sister, she flatlined. I rushed both girls upstairs, helped Edie brush her teeth and get cleaned up, but alas, Gemma was not dressed and in bed quickly enough. And all hell broke loose. "Don't talk to Gemma, read to me." "It's not fair." "Put her in her crib and leave her!!" Edie cried her eyes out, and I tried to comfort her while keeping Gemma at the far end of Edie's bed so Gemma wouldn't see me comforting her sister (Gemma hates me to cuddle Edie when she is not being cuddled at the same time). Edie was beyond comfort, and finally Gemma looked at me as if to say "get me away from this crazy person, PRONTO."

It all turned out fine - Gemma passed out, Edie calmed down and we read a few books. I know it will all be forgotten when we wake up in the morning. The amazing thing is that it took over two months for Edie to say these words! All in all, Edie has been the most patient and doting big sister. Why tonight during dinner, when I was busying myself with one thing or another, Edie noticed that Gemma was in desperate (and I do mean desperate) need of a nose wipe while she was eating her pasta. She got the tissue and even wiped. Edie, you will always be my star!

It's Already Been Two Months?!

We are a long way, physically and emotionally, from the afternoon we met Gemma in an overcrowded room in (warm, sunny) Guangzhou. As I type upstairs, I see evergreens covered in the most perfect, light-as-a-feather snow and listen to Chris, Edie and Gemma down in the kitchen as mid-morning snack is being prepared. It feels so good to be where we are today. The apprehension and frustration we faced through our long wait is over, Gemma made the transition into our family smoothly and is a delightful, active and happy little girl, and we know for certain that our family is complete.

So... a little update on Gemma. She is 16 months old, eating and sleeping well, babbling and understanding more and more of what we say. She may be saying "mama" but I am not 100% convinced. As most of you know, we were concerned about the fact that Gemma wasn't walking or bearing weight on her legs before we traveled to China. Gemma had some muscle weakness in her torso, but she is making rapid progress and now pulls to stand constantly, stands for a few seconds on her own, and she may even learn to crawl instead of scoot on her behind. We had a physical therapist here last week and she was very reassuring (in addition to being amazed by Gemma's remarkable scooting style and speed). I know I will be complaining when Gemma does learn to walk because this girl is fast, assertive and into everything. Oh, and did I mention she has loads of personality!

Red House in Winter

Our neighbor in Cotuit and amazing photographer, Paul Rifkin, took this photograph of our house. What a lovely view from the bay.

Only 18 years until we can live there year round!