Reese's 5 month birthday (we'll keep celebrating months till a year!), playoff hockey and of course more snow in Joensuu. That's generally what's been happening with us for the past couple of weeks. As this is a blog to inform everyone about Reese I'll start with her and move on to the other things later. Our little beaner is growing up too fast right before our eyes. If you miss a day you might miss a new milestone and definitely will miss a new special moment. She is sitting up mainly unassissted although she's still a little wobbly so we wrap the big boppy pillow around her so she doesn't tip over onto the hard floors! She still loves her bumbo seat but likes to be sitting on her own, free to explore her toys and books in front of her. She smiles a lot and laughs a lot but isn't as vocal as she was a month ago, I guess she's saving it for something special. We were experimenting with getting her out of her swaddle by putting her in a sleep sack and then wrapping her loosely and this seemed to be a good transition tool because as of about 5 days ago, she's been swaddle free for both night and nap time. She slept marvelously for the first full day and night without the swaddle, but it's sometimes a challenge for her (and us) because she's still getting used to having her arms free to roam. Catie has been on duty a lot because of all the games lately and sometimes Reese needs her Mommy in order to settle down so I found the perfect "mommy imitator" - Catie's day old shirt! I tried it in a pinch and it worked like a charm, although it felt weird putting a shirt over Reese's mouth and nose (very lightly of course!). It's usually like an instant sleeping pill...very funny to see. Now we've broken her of 2 things (swaddle and pinky finger for soothing) and introduced another (well worn shirt). That's how it goes when you're learning on the fly!
Reese had her 5 month check up and 2nd round of vaccinations with a local baby nurse on March 8th. She weighed in at a whopping 16 pounds even and 25 1/4 inches, both right at the 50th percentile for her age. Unlike her first round of vaccinations, she had a small but normal reaction that included a fever and body aches (we think!) which sent Catie into a small fit. Nothing a little baby tylenol couldn't fix in 2 doses and 24 hours though!
As for life in Joensuu for us, things are going well. We are up 2-0 in the best of 5 second round. The team has won 12 games in a row since the 1st game loss after I arrived. It was definitely good timing to join Jokipojat. We will try and wrap up another sweep tomorrow night at home. Wish us luck, although we shouldn't need any luck at this point. With that, looks like we'll be here at least 2 more weeks as long as we can finish off this round. It's been a long time since I've won a championship so it is an exciting prospect for me but also a lengthened year and more time in snowy Finland for Catie, which she isn't jumping up and down for! As I leave you, the skies are dark and it looks calm outside except for a few flakes of snow and the temperatures have returned to more manageable levels (0 to -10C) so things are looking up toward Spring...only 5 more feet of snow to melt now!
Scott (Daddy)
P.S. - By the time Catie was ready to post, we swept the our 2nd consecutive series with a 3-2 overtime win. We are off to the finals.
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