Five months!

At five months, Violet is ready to play with sister's computer!

Cora still loves playing with her baby sister. In fact, when I have to wake Cora up from a nap - never a great thing because she often wakes up crabby - I like to bring Violet with me because it usually improves her mood.

Nice bracelet?

I steamed our carpets this week, so Violet spent a night in our room in the playpen while her carpet dried. I read a book on babies (Babywise II) that recommends using the playpen regularly, for a safe place for baby to play, and to get them used to sleeping in places other than their own crib. Cora was a great sleeper from three weeks old, but she slept so well only in her own bed. Vacations weren't good at night with her until she was two. I'm hoping we can improve that with Violet.

Peekaboo!

I was forced to switch our stroller setup Thursday after Stroller Strides. I've had Violet in the main seat, all the way down, which is the setup when you have a tiny infant and a bigger kid. She turned herself over and could have come out if she had tried hard enough (and I wasn't paying attention). I liked her back there because it was so shady; with her in the back seat properly, she is in the sun, and it's been too hot for long pants and sleeves.

Violet can sit on her own for about 30 seconds now! She is so strong... I have to be determined and quick to get her buckled into her car seat when she doesn't want to be strapped - she can flip over fast, or arch her back with power. I also notice her strength when I'm trying to burp her and she would rather keep nursing - she'll wriggle around and fuss.

We went to the doctor's today to finish up her four-month shots. She was 15 1/2 pounds on the doctor's scale, wearing clothes and a diaper. Other Violet five-month tidbits? She loves laughing at her sister's silliness, has started noticing the cat (who is still doing pretty well) and loves to spit, or blow raspberries. She especially likes doing it to the baby in the mirror, and loves to make us laugh by blowing raspberries.