Spike

Her name is Spike. She is now 8 ½ months old. We call her that because she has a little portion of her scarce hair that stick up, as if it has been manipulated in the shape of a spike on the top of her head. The nickname fits! She growls, she is tough, she is Spike. She loves to smile, will smile at anyone and everyone. I'm tired of people saying, "look, he's already a lady's man".... no that's Jade Anise...my beautiful daughter...my second-born...my special little "LADY".

It's hard being numero dos.... it’s different than being the first. The first-born is watched, every movement is documented in photo, every change is detected meticulously...mom is there...she’s got it! With the second born mom is just trying to keep things rolling, to keep things under control. You've got one diaper changed...boom.... something else is waiting for you, ok now snack-time for the toddler (“I WANT MILK”).... stroll in the living room...and oh spikes sitting on her own...cool..."oh man where's may camera?"...."Oh shoot she's down!"...."Maybe I'll catch it next time!" And there you go, that momentous occasion has passed. The first time around I was there.... ready and waiting to catch the first baby push-up...ready and waiting.

Jade is a living doll. Each day she shows me that she needs me that she wouldn't survive without mom. Even though she says “Da Da", I know she loves me in a special way. As I walk from room to room, washing dishes, folding clothes, picking up little people, she follows me whimpering...crawling behind me from room to room till I pick her up. She is my special little one...the one that claws at my face in the morning till I wake up. She is a blue's singer...she really belts out the tunes...so emphatically...so sadly.... so deep and soulful...and the moment I relent and pick her up...she smiles. Instantaneously stopping. She is a delight...a joy...a challenge...always loving...always smiley...she has gumption...drive.... ambition...she is lovely.

She is crawling now, has been for about a month. Her latest achievement is pulling herself up to stand while holding unto Haze's activity table or the couch. The most hilarious thing is she will be standing there smiling, having a great time, then when her little legs get tired she starts to whimper, then the blues tunes come...she becomes fatigued and cannot for the life of her figure how to get down...she will learn.

She is petite...kind of small. Her head is perfectly round...her expressions are dramatic. You know when she is sad, happy, in need. She's kind of drama...but I like it...I know how she's feeling...she doesn't hide anything. I like the fact that she's passionate...I like it.


She has been eating solids for about 2 1/2 months. Started her out with the usual. Rice cereal. Her first meal was that of organic carrots...homemade of course. The list of her consumed foods are as follows (all organic, all homemade!!!):

Carrots
Zucchini
Celery
Corn
Avocado (did not care for it--Joe said it needed salt, pepper, lime, and tortilla chips)
Momma’s organic, homegrown Asian eggplant!
Baby pumpkin
Yellow Squash
Sweet potatoes
Green beans
Red potatoes

She's eating one veggie meal right now...I haven't introduced the second one (trying to introduce new and interesting veggies). She’s nibbled on a banana, thank to Hazey for “sharing”. She loves to nurse, is very passionate about that...looks forward to it...it is the highlight of her day. She likes to eat too, she is different than Hazel. Where Hazel would eat anything and everything...Jade has her preferences. She will actually refuse to eat certain things...I have to work harder with her to eat...she is not easily manipulated to do things she does not favor.... she knows what she likes. Now avocados...she does not fancy...and the zucchini...yeah not so much. She likes the carrots, loved the pumpkin, and really likes the sweet potato (sweet tooth?). The Red potatoes she hated (the texture was not her fav)...and my Asian eggplant...she thought it was ok! She is her own person.... she makes that very clear...she is strong...I like that!

When I work-out in the morning I usually put my 5lb weights nearby...she's there as I'm trying desperately to get through my push-ups, she's there as I'm floundering during my sit-ups.... perched on top of my belly. She tries to pick up my 5lb weights...."oh no baby...you're going to hurt yourself!".... She plays with the 1lb weights I have.... picking them up and putting them in her mouth (she is STRONG...small but STRONG). You should see the look on her face when we eat our meals...she reaches out for whatever we are eating.... as if you could plainly read the expression on her face, “uhhh I'll have a nibble of that...PLEASE!"

She attacks my face, gums my chin, and pulls my hair out of my ponytail. She loves to grab Hazel's golden curls, to which Hazel proclaims, "My aaaiiir my aaaiir" (toddler translation: "My Hair...My Hair!!) She is playful. A bit rough but nonetheless as sweet as can be. She loves her sister, watches her intently...wants to run around with her. I see so much in her eyes.... she is very observant...very passionate.... she has an awesome eventful life ahead of her. I'm interested to see her personality grow, develop & flourish. Our guess for her future occupation is...Roller Derby girl!!! She is the perfect puzzle piece in our family...she completes us. She is spicy...I love her to death!!!