Tuesday, January 28, 2014

January Bleakness Made Merry

We rang in the New Year with my mom and step-dad arriving for a visit.  Well, let me rephrase that, I ACTUALLY didn't ring in the new year as I was sleeping and had to work the next day, but I rang in 9:30!  It was wonderful having them here.  Being as it was January we didn't do much except baby snuggle, which I think was ok with them!



Trying to crawl

Modeling some Christmas gifts
During their time here we celebrated Miss Annalise's half birthday! 
At her 6 month check she clocked in at 15lbs 10oz and 26in.  50th percentile for length but dropped slightly to the 25th on weight, the doc says not to worry though since she is so active.  As is evidenced by the above photo she is starting to crawl.  She hasn't quite gotten the hang of the traditional crawl but is a master of the army crawl.  Nevertheless she can get to the dog bone she desperately wants at rapid speed.  She is full of giggles and smiles and is really just a delightfully easy baby.  She has her two bottom teeth coming in and hasn't even complained about it.  I am so in love I can't stand it sometimes.

Since she hit the 6 month mark it was time to start food.  We decided to go with the Baby-led approach after seeing how easy it was for my nephew.  It just makes sense to me.  She is still getting all the nutrients she needs from breastmilk so any food at this point is just bonus.  So why not let her explore and learn to enjoy food?  It is super simple and just cuts out the puree stage.  So we just feed her basically what we eat, just cut into baby-manageable sticks.  It's pretty fun to watch her, and, as evidenced by what comes out, she seems to be actually getting some food down!
First attempt on Christmas with Broccoli

Thoroughly enjoying pasta w/ sauce
  So, if you are looking for an alternative to spoon-feeding your baby bland purees, I highly recommend this method, read the book (Baby-Led Weaning... by Tracey Murkett), it just made sense for us.

Last week we took our first trip with A to visit by brother, sister-in-law, and my two beautiful, giant, nephews.  A visited the cockpit of course

And she really did great on the plane.  I'm glad there were two of us though, I don't know how I would have managed solo!  We had an amazing time, although it was too short, as always.  My nephews were so incredibly sweet with their baby cousin, taking turns holding her.  I think my favorite quote of the weekend was when my younger nephew was told to stop touching/messing with the baby when we were in the car, his response was "I just want to pet her!" 
Really trying hard not be jealous!

But really helpful too!



My 3 loves

Tantie's lap is happy once more

Very important to keep babies warm

Enthralled by her big cousin
It was just such a wonderful visit, but also heart-wrenching that our kids don't get to see each other all the time.  Luckily we already have our next visit planned. 

That about sums it up!  We are back to work and delving in to our new positions (oh, did I not mention it, Well, I took a permanent charge nurse position at work) and trucking along while watching in amazement as our sweet baby girl grows up before our eyes.


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Christmas wrap-up

Alright, well, I'm behind in updates to say the least.  We have been insanely busy the past month though, in my defense!  Anyways, Christmas... Christmas was so incredibly wonderful.  Here are some highlights.  My Dad was here to celebrate with us and it was great having him here.  He got lots of baby snuggle time and even proved to be quite adept at babysitting!
We spent Christmas Eve with our dear friends and enjoyed some great company and appetizers.  They were overly generous with baby gifts and Annalise got to get in some practice before the big event.


We came home and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before bedtime, hopefully the first of many Christmas Eve readings. 
Christmas morning came and I think I was most excited, even telling Eric it was time to wake up and open presents!  We started with stockings, of course. 
 Then moved on to the main event
Just began sitting unassisted right in time!

Put-out because she no-longer got to assist in all the gift unwrapping
We took a break halfway through for a baby nap and to eat the most amazing french toast casserole I've ever had.  I mean it, it was insanely delicious.  Here is the recipe.  We attacked it so quickly I didn't think to take a picture, it was beautiful though.  I used challah bread instead of sourdough, made it the night before then popped in the oven.  Super easy but incredibly delicious.  The leftovers heated well too.  Warning, this is a "once in a while" delectable treat, but totally worth the sugar and calories!  Our present-opening resumed post nap and sugar coma. 


Antique (100+ year old) doll passed down from Great-Grandma Vera

The aftermath


It was truly a the best Christmas yet but also just a taste of the years of wonderful Christmases ahead.  Stay tuned for a continuation of our busy month, including a visit from Mummu and Papa, half-birthday, and our first plane ride to the magical land of NJ!