The Beagles don't get enough credit

I can't tell you the number of times we've been asked when we are going to get rid of the dogs now that we have a baby. Like you can't possibly have both.

George and Molly and a pain in the butt in general - and I mean that in the most loving way possible - but they have been excellent with Lauren since she arrived. Considering their worlds have been turned upside down they deserve more credit than they often get. Yes, there are a few issues, and there is no way Sofie is going to live much longer if George has anything to say about it, but so far nothing has happened that would even remotely be close to a reason for them to go.

Molly seems to be the most in-tune with Lauren. She gets very upset when Lauren gets very upset - which as you know is common. She will pace in front of her crib if that's where Lauren is, or come and find us in another part of the house as if we may not have heard the baby is upset. She is clearly concerned and seems as though she is offering her services in any way she can.

George could care less, all he wants is that damn giraffe!

Are we doing something wrong?

This is an old photo but her facial expression is still the same most days.

This kid cries all. the .time and has since birth.

First, everyone told me it was gas, then colic now teething. Really? Is it possible that all of those things have caused her to be so miserable for the past five months straight, or is it just her personality? She is not happy laying down, being held, in her car seat, swing or exersauser. She is just never content. I have been trying to get her on a schedule where she eats every four hours but she wants no part of it. I just don't know what we're doing wrong.

We went out today for two hours. She didn't make a sound. The minute the car pulled in the driveway she lost her mind and continued to do so for the next 90 minutes. I don't get it. I'm sure now, it really is teething, so I've been giving her Tylenol here and there to see if that helps. (it doesn't but at least it makes me feel like I'm doing something.) We're trying teething rings, frozen washcloths etc., but nothing is helping and so far there are no teeth. I really don't get it and I'm starting get really frustrated.

Major Milestone Reached - We have rolling!

Lauren rolled over back to front for the first time on her 5 month birthday. Five months and one day and she has successfully done it several more times. I managed to catch it once on video. We are on our way to being mobile! Looks like there wont be anymore naps on the table for this girl!

5 months old

Lauren is 5 months old today and it is also Valentine's Day. This is not the best photo, but you get the idea. She's cute. She also cries a lot. There is no change there. It's true. When you think you've got things figured out, she changes them on you. I thought she thrived on being in places where there is lots of action, noise and excitement, but suddenly that is no longer the case. Oh well, maybe next week the winds will shift again and we can take her to her first mosh pit.

Attachment

First, how cute is she?

Laure is nearly five months old now - I know right? How did that happen? - and she seems to be getting to a stage where she is attached to me. I can't leave the room or be our for her sight for long without her freaking out. When we left her with her grandparents the other night for a few hours she was hysterical. In some ways, yes this is slightly redeeming, knowing that she loves me that much. But for many other reasons I don't like it. Unfortunately there really is no way around it at this point in time. I spend all day every day with her. She constantly hears my voice, smells my scent (which by the way these days is a mixture of stale barf and diet coke). We play, I sing horrible made-up songs and the number of kisses she gets hovers around excessive. She knows if I say "One, two, three..." something exciting is about to happen. I know she can be fun, but I want other people to experience that too.

I know she is still very young and will probably vacillate in and out of this stage throughout the next few years. I want Lauren to grow up adoring her grandparents just like I did (do) I want her to have sleepovers and go on trips with them and not be scared if I'm not with her.

I know what you're thinking. She's five months old. Get a grip. All right fine. Maybe I`m the one whose too attached.