Who is Juniper?

 

Recently, friends and family who haven't yet met Juniper have asked me, "What is she like?"

It's an interesting question and causes me to stumble and pause over the words I could use to describe our baby. I mean, she's a baby. Only 5 weeks old. What of her spirit can be communicated?

In essence, the question 'What is she like?' leads me to the bigger question of 'What makes a person?'

At 5 weeks old, there are these things that define her identity: her ethnic and cultural background, the economic status within which she's been born, the way she looks and how we dress her. But none of that indicates her unique spirit as an individual.

So, who is Miss Juniper Maya Rohr?

Here is what we know so far:

Juniper loves her pink chair, green froggy toy, and red caterpillar rattle - especially because they vibrate and make fun buzzy and crinkly noises.

The best little chair in the whole world. 

She has alert, big eyes which often appear to be looking carefully at fabric, especially striped patterns, and the way light falls over gathered folds. 

She also likes to look at the butterfly print over her changing table. 

She makes some of the funniest faces you've ever seen right before falling asleep, and often, it appears as if she is dreaming intensely. 

She loves to be outdoors, pushed along in her stroller over a steady rhythm of bumps that soothe her to sleep. 

Outside, she can sleep through the cacophony of sirens, traffic, construction, and the sometimes filthy and ferocious Chicago wind. But inside, in an environment full of strong artificial scents and artificial lighting, she is very uncomfortable. 

She loves to eat. (But what baby doesn't?) A girl after my own heart.

She loves being swung in long, swooping half-circles when seated in her car seat.

She loves to move and stretch, kick her legs, wave her arms, move her fingers.

She cannot be bound. No swaddle will soothe her. She even gets upset if her hands are in mittens for too long. She must be able to move freely!

She likes music with a strong beat. 

Finally, and my favorite, she loves to hug and hold hands. Of course, she has to be in the right mood, but if she is…oh, what a snuggly bear! 

In conclusion, I am left with the notion that we truly are what we love. 

Spring in Our Step

Today, the sun is out. Birds are bouncing happily from tree branch to tree branch, where buds bloom. Tulips and crocuses are popping up through the earth everywhere. Spring is upon us. And it is a beautiful day for a walk. 

Juniper watching the world go by.

One of the most enjoyable activities we've found is walking around the neighborhood with Juniper. It helps us get exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. And we live in a wonderful neighborhood, with lots of parks and little shops, so each day is a new adventure. 

Preparing Juni for the not so warm Spring weather a few weeks ago.

Grumpelstiltskin

Another sleepless night. Sigh. The grunting, squealing, crying, waving of arms, kicking of legs, arching of back for hours; It's moments like these that make parenting feel impossible. Unsoothed by food, clean diapers, being held, her favorite chair, walking, talking, singing, bouncing, etc.. Juni is most certainly "working something out," as her Aunt Elizabeth would say. I sure wish you could talk, kid. I would love to give you what you need. If only I knew what that was. 

Juni with Aunt Elizabeth.

Andy trying to soothe our grumpy baby during a previous sleepless night.
The yoga ball does wonders! 

Lately, during moments like these, I've been singing Juniper the song from this adorable video my mother shared with me while she was here: 

I can't get that song out of my head, or the dream of having this kind of creative, supportive relationship with my daughter.

Juniper with my mother, Nanny J., who wants a ukelele now. 

Mini-Milestones

April 22, 2014

This week Juniper is one month old, and she is growing quickly! Just this week: 

• She started to make direct eye contact with us and smile (though we're still not sure if her expressions are the result of gas.)  
• She is starting to sleep more at night without waking up. Yahoo! 
• She is shedding her hair and her jammies are starting to get a bit tight. Won't be long before she's wearing clothes for 3 month olds, and has a whole new head of (brown?) hair. No change with her eyes yet. She is still a blue-eyed baby. 
• Yesterday, we gave her a bath before bedtime. For a baby born in water, it didn't go as easily as we expected, but she did like her rubber ducky. 
• She is starting to respond to toys! Her favorite is a big green frog with a crinkly leg. 
• Andy has been working hard on giving her a bottle in preparation for when I go back to work. This morning, she drank one whole ounce from the bottle. Breastfeeding has not been so easy, and introducing the bottle - an equal challenge. So, this one ounce is quite a feat.  
• Today, Andy went back to work, so it's just baby June and Mommy at home. We're going to try and go grocery shopping later. Wish us luck! 

Waiting for Juniper

Juniper's shower invitation arrives in the mail. 

Seven months pregnant in the bathroom at work.

Juniper's room, awaiting baby. 

The odd assortment of home birthing supplies.

Andy inflates the tub where Juniper will be born.

The first weeks

Me & Juniper on Day One - March 26th, 2014

Juniper's first outing - Day Two. Off to the pediatrician!
She loves her carseat and her hands.

Juniper sleeping in Dad's arms.

A happy sleeping baby.


The best feeling in the world.


June in her crib with Bunny. (One of many awesome photos by Dad!)