What's up 4 Non Blondes?

This morning we picked up four of the new additions to this years flock. Say hello to - Ariel, Josie, Wendy and Ginger. Collectively we're calling them the 4 Non Blondes.

After losing the Spice Girls, our Barred Rock hens, last fall to a weasel we've been planning for our new flock all winter. Instead of sticking with just one breed, we're branching out to a variety of hens. The 4 Non Blondes are red babcock or hyline hens, bred for egg production. These ladies come to us at about 17ish weeks old which means we should be getting eggs within the next month.

In April we'll be getting 15 chicks - a mixture of barred rocks, cuckoo marans, and speckled Sussex. In the meantime Marc is busy designing, planning and building our new chicken coop which we will locate over by our garden instead of next to the wood pile on the driveway. I'm fantasizing about chicken tunnels and how to get the hens to do the weeding and fertilizing in the garden for me. Anyone who has visited in the summer knows the weeds are out of control in our garden and we need all the help we can get! 

Cooking with a Toddler - Blueberry Muffins

Lately I've started to invite Violet into the kitchen to cook with me. I can't tell you how excited she gets about the idea of baking together. It usually starts with "I need my apron" and crazy pointing at the drawer where it lives. Then she wants to hold all the ingredients and the measuring spoons and cups. Unfortunately it usually ends with tears when she realizes she has to wait for the baked goods to cook in the oven before we can eat them.

Today we made blueberry muffins. Violet learned how to use a whisk and the importance of folding the wet ingredients into the dry ones so as not to over mix. 

I have to say - the jumbo muffins turned out pretty good! 

And the best part of course is enjoying the treat for our afternoon snack. Happy Friday!! 

**In case you want to make these blueberry muffins we used this recipe, minus the sparkle.

Poppy - 3 Months

Weight - approx 13 pounds 1 ounce

Dear Poppy, 

Perhaps I should have addressed this letter to "smiley miley" because that's what I've been finding myself calling you as of late. I still can't believe just how much you smile - you really are a happy baby. There are three specific times that come to mind when your smile really gets me, (1) in the middle of the night when I'm trying to rock you back to sleep and you just gaze up at me and smile, (2) in the middle of a nursing session when you pause, smile, and then continue nursing and (3) your very large smile after you fart or when you finish pooping. That last one is hilarious every time. 

You have definitely started to become our little social butterfly. You are happiest when you are around other people. If we get up and move rooms for a minute you get upset and let us know that you don't want to be left behind. You also really enjoy sitting on someone's lap and watching the world go by. Unfortunately this interest in the world has led to the development of a bald spot on the back of your head from looking back and forth as you are lying down. You are definitely curious about what's going on around you.

This month you have started to discover your hands. You are able to get your hands to your mouth but you haven't really figured out how this is going to help you yet. You have also realized that the arms on your body can move your hands to bat at toys on your play mat - however, you'll need some more practice before I can say that you are purposefully reaching for them. Your Nana and Granddad also came back to visit you this month and my have you changed since they saw you last. You are definitely growing bigger everyday and are more of a baby then when they were here at Christmas. We are loving watching you grow and develop and I think even Violet is beginning to notice it. There are times when she wants to hang out next to you and help you learn more about our world. I think she realizes that one day, not too long from now, she might actually be able to play with you. 

Love, 

Your Mom, Dad and big sister Violet

Violet's Three Month Post

Violet and Poppy at 3 months

Poppy - 2 Months

Weight - 11 pounds 5.5 ounces

Length - 22 3/4 inches

Head Circumference - 15 1/4 inches

Dear Poppy,

Last month I remember noticing that your chicken legs were beginning to fill out and this month that continues with the development of some gorgeous little rolls on your thighs and the start of rubber band wrists. I absolutely love how squishable you are becoming - it definitely lends itself to lots of kissing and cuddling. You seem to enjoy it too by the way you are smiling so much everyday. It still melts my heart just how much your little face lights up as you break out into a toothless completely gum filled smile.

The first couple nights of February you were definitely boycotting sleep, as you were up for 4-5 hours in the middle of the night awake and crying every half an hour. We couldn't figure out what was upsetting you so we just spent the time cuddling and rocking you and trying to get you back to sleep. Thankfully it didn't last and, in general, you are sleeping abnormally well - with bedtime being somewhere around 8 and only waking up once in the middle of the night (around 2 or 3 am). Unfortunately you and your sister now believe the day begins at 6am which has been a little bit of an adjustment for me. However, I'll take an earlier start to the day as long as you continue to only wake once a night. Deal?

We can tell your vision continues to develop because we can see you taking in the world around you. You are more alert and want to be held upright so you can look around. We've started tummy time to help you strengthen your neck muscles but so far you are not a big fan. It is pretty effective at helping you get some gas out though. On the other hand both you and your sister seem to enjoy the exercise mat. She likes to watch you, you like to watch the animals that hang above you and I like to watch it all.

We can't wait to see what else you become interested in over the next month and how you continue to grow and develop.

Love,
Your Mom, Dad and big sister Violet 

Violet's Two Month Post 

Violet and Poppy at 2 Months

Poppy - 1 Month

Weight - 9 pounds 9.5 ounces

Length - 21 3/4 inches

Head Circumference - 14 1/2 inches

Dear Poppy,

One month and already you have changed so much! Your face has filled out and we are beginning to see creases on your forearms and thighs. Your eyes are still baby blue grey but they are beginning to lighten up a little bit and when you cry you are now producing tears. Your blonde eyebrows are starting to get a little color to them and you've lost the lanugo that used to be on your forehead. After a bath your hair looks more blonde, sticks up in all directions and is fuzzy like a little duckling.

We are now dressing you in 0-3 month clothes, no more newborn clothes for you. It seems like every time I do a load of laundry I am putting something into the outgrown pile. We have also moved you into cloth diapers which, so far, have been able to contain your blowouts. You really like being swaddled, resting in your swing with the music on and sleeping in your bouncy seat. You are not a big fan of the nosefrida, your wubbanub (pacifier) or diaper changes.

After a month your Nana and Granddad returned back to their home in California. Nana had a great time cuddling you as you grew this past month and Granddad enjoyed having deep conversations with you. We all appreciated everything they did to keep the house running - entertaining your sister, grocery shopping, laundry and cooking. They are looking forward to the next time they see you as you will be a completely different little girl.

In the next month we hope you will continue to sleep well and continue to be curious in the world around you. It's fun watching you have more and more alert time everyday and I can't wait to see even more smiles.

Love,
Your Mom, Dad, and big sister Violet

Violet's One Month Post

Violet and Poppy at 1 Month