Eating with Daddy

Microsoft Picnic

Yesterday, I got to attend my first official Microsoft Picnic with Mommy, Daddy and the Nichols family. I wasn't really sure what to expect but I was definitely excited to check it out. Wow, I have never seen so much free food in my life! Don't get me wrong, I love Mother's Milk... but seeing all of that delicious food made me want to start eating solids! Unfortunately, the weather wasn't super nice so I didn't get to try out any of the baby water rides- maybe next year... To help me look extra cute and comfortable, Mommy dressed me in my first outfit from Grammy. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt made me look and feel like a real little girl! Mommy even put a pair of sneakers on me! Everything was still a little big, but I didn't mind... it is fun to wear new things! I am already excited about next year's picnic.

Mystery Solved

About a month ago, I received a very exciting package- a onesie with a postage stamp on the front with my name and birth information. I was so excited to see something personalized in such a special way... I really was a "Special Delivery." Because there wasn't a note and the return address was somewhere in Virginia, I didn't know who the package had come from. Mom thought that it might be from my Aunty Angela since she had called a couple weeks earlier and told her that something personalized would be coming for me soon. We even wrote a thank you note to Uncle Graham and Aunty Angela. Then, just last week, a big box came from the Whitney family with a basket full of goodies for me, including a personalized blanket. So, I was left wondering again, "Who sent me the onesie if this is my gift from Dad's sister and her family?" It was up to Mom to do some investigating. After sending a couple of emails, the mystery was solved- Mom's Godfather (does that make him my Great-Godfather?) had the onesie made for me. I can't wait to be big enough to fit into it!

Two More Shots

Mommy and Daddy finally made a decision about what immunizations I need to have to be healthy and happy. Mommy took me in on Tuesday to get two shots- one in each leg. While each shot hurt A LOT at the time, I felt much better once the Snoopy bandages were put on. I overheard Mommy telling Daddy that hearing me cry made her want to cry- it wasn't that bad- I mean, I stopped crying after just a few minutes. I am a strong little baby and now my immune system is stronger, too!

Arms and Hands

Did you know that those things attached to the side of your body are called arms? And, the things at the end of your arms are called hands? Well, I just discovered that I am in control of these arms and hands. I mean, I remember seeing them flailing around me since the day I was born but I did not realize that I am in control of what they do. The best part of having this control is being able to suck on my hands. This is super soothing, especially when I am in my crib all alone. I just put my hand in my mouth and I feel comforted instantly. It is not quite as good as being in Mommy or Daddy's arms, but it helps get me through! I wonder what I will discover next about my body...

Pools

It has been incredibly hot here in Seattle the last few days. To help me feel more comfortable, Mom and Dad have let me go in nice, cool pools of water. My first experience was in the wading pool at a place called Greenlake. Mom and her friend Sue (the one who was there when I was born) put me in feet first. It felt great on my legs and feet, although I wasn't so sure once Mom tried to sit me down in the water. I let Mom know of my uncertainty by crying a little bit when I was in the water and not crying at all when Mom brought me out of the water. Even though I didn't want to be completely in the water, it definitely cooled me off. My next experience was in the plastic kiddie pool Mom set-up in the backyard. She filled it with water and left it in the sun to heat up. Later in the day when it was really hot, she and Dad got into it with me. Mom even tried to get Trev-dog to come in but he wouldn't. I liked sitting with Dad in this pool a lot better than the one at Greenlake. I hope that I get to go in the water again soon!

I Am So Cute

A Surprise for the Baby

I heard Mom talking about a special surprise that she had coming for me any day in the mail. Well, today was the day it came- super cute cloth diapers! Yippee for me! These are no ordinary diapers. They are called "Bum Genius." They have a soft liner with a thick cotton insert for super absorbency. Mom picked out super cute colors, too- grasshopper (green) and butternut (yellow). On top of all of the other great features, these diapers will grow with me so Mom and Dad will never have to buy a bigger size! I am so excited that I am finally going to be a "Green" baby! I love all of nature and will do anything to help protect it!

Another Blow Out

I just love making Mom and Dad squirm when I do something really disgusting. The best part is that I am really good at keeping it a secret- I don't cry or cringe or do anything that might get them suspecting something isn't right. For example, this morning Mom and Dad were taking a shower and I was sitting in my bouncy chair. When they got out of the shower, I was just sitting there like a little angel. Dad noticed a little yellow spot on my onesie to which Mom replied, "That's okay... I am going to put her in something different anyway. In fact, I will change her right now." She didn't have any idea that the little yellow spot was actually a clue to what awaited. Mom only had to lift up my arm to see my little (or should I say big) surprise- another diaper blow out! My entire back was covered, not to mention that I left a nice chunky pool on the bouncy chair! My favorite part of the situation was when Mom told Dad it was his turn to deal with a blow out since she had to take care of the last one by herself. Dad was a little clueless... he wanted to put me in a tubby with all of my clothes on! How was that going to help me get clean? Luckily, Mom decided that Dad shouldn't suffer too much and she finally helped him get me cleaned up.

Fountain and Shower

Recently, Mom and Dad have started letting me experience totally new things with water. Just last week, we walked by a fountain spraying cool water in a park. Dad took me out of my stroller and walked me through the misty parts. The water felt great, especially since it was SO hot that day. Then, Mom thought she would see if I liked going in the shower with her. Again, I loved feeling the water beat down onto my little baby body. I overheard Mom and Dad talking about setting up the baby pool that was left in the backyard when they bought the house. I can't wait to splash around in it! It sounds like SO much fun!!

Big Changes

So, I just had my second night of 8 consecutive hours of sleep. I think that Mom and Dad are loving my new nighttime sleep pattern. I hope that I can keep it up! In addition to my sleep, Dad introduced me to drinking mother's milk from a bottle. He says that it is so Mom can have a little more freedom. I guess it is kind of hard for her to do things that take more than a couple of hours since she has to be back to feed me. I like that I get to spend extra time with Dad- we have a lot of fun when he is feeding me. Another change is I no longer need (or like) to be fully swaddled. I feel secure enough and am able to sleep well with only my legs wrapped up. The thing I like best about not being fully swaddled is now I can suck on my hands. I like this a lot! It is very comforting! I hope that I can keep up with all of these changes!

8 Hours

How quickly things change in my life... just a few days ago, I was getting up twice in the night and last night, I didn't get up at all! Last night was the first time I have ever slept for eight consecutive hours! To be honest, it doesn't feel much different than the nights that I only sleep four or five consecutive hours... I mean, I am already tired and need my first nap of the day. The only reason I was able to make it was because I didn't really take any of my daytime naps yesterday. I still can't figure out why I didn't get hungry before morning... especially since I didn't really eat very much at either of my evening meals. Maybe it was because it was so warm outside... I'll have to do some more experimenting and get back to you.

Dunked... Twice!

Mommy did a crazy and super fun thing with me in the bathtub... she and I were taking a nice warm bath together when she started counting to three. The next thing I knew, my head was under the water. I am not sure how long I was down there... it was long enough to take in a great big mouth full of water, but not so long that I was scared. When Mommy brought be back up, I coughed a little but quickly realized that being under water isn't all that bad. Mommy seemed super proud of me, too! She said that Daddy loves to swim and that he would be excited to see that I am already okay with being under water. I just hope that that next time Daddy puts me a pool, I will be able to handle the icy cold temperature!

Sleep and a New Friend

Last night was the third night in a row that I woke up to eat twice instead of once. I am not sure why I am so hungry lately. Maybe I am growing... anyway, I am a little disappointed that I am having trouble making it through to 3 or 4 a.m. How is it that I could sleep that long last week and now all of a sudden I can't? Being a baby is so confusing sometimes! On a more positive note, I met my first friend today. His name is Fynn and he is 5 months old. He is much bigger than I am... he can sit up and play with toys all by himself. I can't wait to be able to play with things! Hopefully, the next time I see Fynn we will be able to play together (today I was a little sleepy).