Still Down by the Loire

[wayfaringwordhack]

(Sorry in advance for the wacky formatting with the photos. I uploaded them to flickr and then posted here and LJ wasn't too kind about letting me play with the layout.)

I believe kids should explore their environment, hence letting Sprout play on the beach, but I know not everyone believes that babies should come into contact with "germs."  If such things bother you, look away...

If ever there were pictures of my daughter putting some pebbles in her mouth, I probably wouldn't post them.  Not that she would do such a thing.  

Poor mite didn't want to go home. Er, yeah, right. That's not really why she was crying. Mean Mommy took a rock from her instead of letting her put it in her mouth.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Those are awesome pics. She's, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen.

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

My mom's pediatrician used to say that babies should eat a cup of dirt per month. :P

Exposure to germs is good for them! It gets their immune systems good and strong and reduces their risk of developing allergies and asthma! :)

And, your baby is gorgeous.

~D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*nods* to the germ comments. I don't believe in sanitizing everything, and there is no anti-bacterial soap in our house. :P

How are your kiddos doing?

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

Good, thank God. We saw the eye doctor a little over a week ago, and much confusion ensued due to the fact that the doctors who usually see Hallel are on vacation and this particular doctor always tends to have a very different idea of what his ideal care should be. She sees no reason to implant lenses now and thinks it's a risky procedure that's not worth taking at this point. We had been led to believe by the other doctors that there was no question... we have a date set up for an eye examination under general anesthesia, which may also be surgery. I'll call at the end of August when Dr. Anteby gets back and see what the plan is. I don't think the other doctor is wrong, I think she has a good point, but Dr. Anteby knows his case best and I want her opinion.

Raviv is adorable. He's cruising away :) Still not crawling on all fours and still not climbing up to standing on a shoulder-level surface, but everything in its time. He might just skip the all-fours crawling and go straight to walking, who knows... he'll be 11 months on Thursday.

~D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Reassessing sounds like a good thing. It is hard to know what to do when doctors have conflicting views on the best way to proceed or care for your child.

11 months already! Where does the time go? So close to a year, he is; he must be quite the little gentleman. Does Hallel like to play with him?

[mindseas.livejournal.com]

In 2nd from last and 4th from last she is the very picture of a victorious Roman crowned by laurels! I think the blk & white is my favorite. What a priceless expression!

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

Oh yes :) They are SO CUTE together. Raviv follows Hallel around the house and they play hide and seek with lots of giggles. In the bath they splash each other (and me... and everything else within a 10-foot radius...) and take turns shrieking like banshees. Of course, Hallel is only 2 and 2 months, and he does hurt Raviv sometimes by pushing him down or standing/sitting on him/running him over with his cars/whatever, so we need to keep an eye on them... especially when Hallel is upset about something. But he also feeds him, kisses him, hugs him and gives him toys, and he asks about him and particularly requests his presence when he takes a bath or hangs out in the kiddie pool. He calls him "Yayeev". :)

~D

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I love the shadows of the leaves on her forehead! And I really, really love her serious expression in the first couple of photos!

[clarentine]

In my household, growing up, it was a peck of dirt the kid would eat, but yeah - exposure to germs leads to robust immune systems. Please don't let the germ freaks change the way you're raising this little charmer.

[mana-trini.livejournal.com]

I like the pics
I like your comments
I love my daughter
and I love you!!!!!!

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

She looks awesomely thoughtful in those first few...

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes, thinking: How can I get a handful of rocks in my mouth before Mommy stops me?

:P

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

How sweet. Makes me want a sibling for Soëlie. :P It will happen if the Lords wills it.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Hehe. No worries. No will do!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*lol* I think you are right! She does. :D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was having so much fun photographing her with that shadow lace. She, however, was only middling in the cooperation department. :P

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

We love you, too! I wish you could hurry home.

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

I remember you writing back then in the midst of the crazy first few months that you're not sure you could handle this again. (I wrote then that the second one is way easier, but I don't think everyone experiences it that way; Raviv has been a particularly easy baby...)

Do you think your perspective has changed since then?

If the parents are willing and able, I'm a big fan of siblings. :) A sister or brother can be an invaluable asset and I think it's harder (though of course possible) to teach an only child how to share and not see him or herself as the center of the universe.

In your case, you guys are moving around a lot; I don't know if the plan is to continue to be so mobile and adventurous, but if it is, I think Soëlie will greatly benefit from having one playmate/friend who moves around with her. I can say that as a 10-year-old, when we moved to Israel, as complicated as my relationships were with my siblings, having them there as we adjusted and adapted together was really helpful. I didn't realize it then, but we gave each other a lot of companionship and support, in our own teasing, silly, obnoxious sibling-rivalry ways. ;)

Anyway... everything in its time, with God's help. :)

~D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes, I distinctly remember saying that about another pregnancy. I don't want to dismiss my feelings or fears with the stamp of "hormones," but I do know that they played a big part. The fear of having to care for such a fragile being and assuming motherhood for THE REST OF MY LIFE felt unbearably potent at times. But now that the scary days of newborn and first-time mother have passed, I think I could do it and, indeed, would like to.

I wholeheartedly agree that it would be wonderful for S to have a constant playmate and confidant. THAT IS A VERY GOOD POINT. Sorry for the caps lock. :P one-handed typing with a nap-ready baby on my lap. :P