Family Resemblance

Michelle's last doctor appointment went really well. The doctor was pleased with her weight gain (she's up to 15 lbs 8 ounces now) and said she's the picture of health. (If you missed my previous blog on the subject, my doctor was concerned that Michelle hadn't gained enough weight since her last appointment and wanted to see her again in a few weeks. I was worried because I was already breastfeeding her every 2 hours and also giving her solid food. She eats constantly but she burns it all off because she's so active.) I was so relieved to hear that she has gained now so I can relax. The doctor said I don't need to bring Michelle back for another checkup now until she's 9 months old! Wow. That seems a lifetime away. I wonder what she'll be doing at 9 months. She already seems so different than she was a couple of months ago. So much happens in a month, even day by day. I'm glad that I get to watch each babystep in her journey.

We had a nice visit with my Mom and my sister after the appointment. Michelle showed Auntie May how she can put one foot in front of the other, as long as you're holding on to her. It was cute watching her take little wobbly steps. It will be so exciting to see her take steps on her own someday soon. My Mom keeps telling me not to be too anxious for those milestones because she will be even more of a challenge once she's mobile. I know that I will have to change several things before she can walk. I'll have to install the baby gates and child safety plugs, move breakable things. She's so curious already and tries to grab at everything. When she can get around on her own it's scary to think how many things she could get into. I'll just have to watch her like a hawk. I used to be able to put her in her Bumbo chair for a few moments but now she scooches along the floor in it and leans out of it so far she almost falls. She's got this new leaning habit going on. It's very difficult when I'm trying to carry her with one arm and she starts twisting and leaning. I know she's only 15 lbs but it feels like 20 or more when you're trying to balance her on one sore wrist!

My nephew James

Most people who see Michelle say that she looks like me. Though I hate to admit it I can't help but see a lot of her father in her but she definitely looks like a Pincivero. Several of us in fact. When I was at my Mom's she showed me a baby picture of my nephew (my brother Mike's son) James. I couldn't believe the resemblance. He's almost Michelle's twin! I never realized how alike they were, especially the eyes.

Baby James

I looked around my Mom's place for another photo of James and found this one of him sitting up. I can't believe the similarities in their face structure, eye shape and colour, complexion, hair, just about everything. It's almost uncanny. It's been several years since I saw James as a baby. I didn't really remember what he looked like. I never could have imagined at the time that one day I'd be having my own child that would look so much like him. It's still so surreal to me that I'm a Mom. I watched my siblings having children over the years and just assumed I would always be the proud Auntie. I never expected to have a little girl of my own. It was the furthest thing from my mind. I remember sometimes when I would hold my nieces and nephews as babies and they'd look up at me I'd feel a small twinge in my heart but I denied it. When people asked if I wanted my own I always said no. I just couldn't imagine being a Mom. Now I can't imagine life without her.


My sister May with my nephew Dan

The first time I became an Aunt I was 13 years old. I was so proud of my little nephew Danny (my sister May's first son). Everyone remarked about how much he was like me with his red hair. When my sister first saw Michelle she said how much my baby looked like Dan. To some degree I guess all babies look alike, especially when they're newborns. They come out all wrinkled up, almost bald. Many of them start off with blue eyes but that can change later. I'm pretty sure Michelle is keeping her baby blues.

Of course my Mom says that Michelle is a mini me. She is as fair as I was as a baby, with red hair and blue eyes. I was a tall, slim baby too and very active but my Mom didn't worry about me being underweight because her doctor told her I was healthy even without the proverbial "baby fat." When I see baby pictures of me I definitely see the similarities. She even has the same expressions, the same smile. Of course Michelle is a better, updated version of me! From what my mother has told me about my moodiness and lack of sleep as an infant, it sounds like Michelle takes after me in many ways.



















I love this photo of my Dad and me. We both look so happy. The portrait that James Harvey did of Michelle and I seems to echo it. Michelle has almost the same smile and she's even wearing white. My Mom and Dad make such a fuss of Michelle whenever we visit and Michelle just adores her Grandma and Grandpa. My Mom said seeing Michelle is like having me as a baby again.

I feel so blessed to have my family. Though Michelle and I are a little family of two, she also gets to be part of a bigger clan, a fun, loving bunch including Grandparents, Aunt and Uncles and six cousins.