Please Show Me How to Puree!

So, as a mama in midst of product recalls and contaminations, I'm very set on making Sena her own baby food. I did buy a few Earth's Best Organics jars to have her "taste test" different foods before I go to the trouble to make an entire batch. However, I'm running into this lovely problem- ALREADY- that she doesn't want my cooking! She seemed to love carrots yesterday (Earth's Best), but today she didn't want mama-made carrots. She was gagging in fact. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I mean, how difficult can it really be to puree something. If any mama's are reading this, please let me know your suggestions! I have batches of apples to make.

Letter Month Six

Sena,
I can't believe you're 1/2 year already. Although the first few months seemed to sometimes go pretty slowly, especially when we weren't sleeping, the last few seem to have flown by with a speed I'm not very comfortable with.

At your six month appointment yesterday, the doctor confirmed what we already knew- that you're perfect. He also told us that you're 17 lbs. 4 oz, which puts you the 75% for weight. (No offense, but we all had guessed you to be much bigger than this, especially papa who weighed in at 18lbs.8 oz.!) You're still tall at 27 inches long (I guess we can thank great-grandpa Schermer for those tall genes.)

This morning we added sweet potatoes to your morning breakfast. When it was mixed with your rice cereal you seemed to really dig it. By itself, however, you kept making faces like the sweet potatoes were tart! Hmm.. if you think SWEET potatoes are tart I'm not sure what you're going to think of mama's homemade green beans. I guess we'll find out soon.

As we approach and pass this half-way mark around the sun, I have to thank you for being such a delightful baby. (And give papa and me a pat on the back for coming so far in our "parenting" skills!) There are certainly days that are tougher than others.. just this past Sunday you decided that one morning nap (that ended at 10 a.m. mind you) was sufficient for your daily rest, despite the fact that you were SUPER CRANKY. It is amazing, however, to watch you as you learn and process everything going on around you. You've recently become very interested in the following:
• watching the dogs do anything, and letting them lick you. You've also decided to try and pet them, and put your hand in Cash's mouth the other day. Thank GOD we have good dogs.
• grabbing anything and everything. You're especially interested in the newspaper, and whatever we're eating. Remote controls seem to strike your fancy, too.
• Water... running in the sink, running over you, etc. I'm hoping you'll be a water baby. Time for swim lessons soon!

You still have no interest in being on your belly, despite all of the toys and props. The doctor did assure us, however, that "crawling is no longer seen as a developmental milestone." I suppose that's good, although you're too young to crawl. Actually, you're too young to be interested in standing and walking, too, in my opinion, but you seem pretty convinced that you should walk before we get the house child-proofed. What fun.

love you,
mama

bedhead & cereal face

Since returning home from our trip to Montana, we've transitioned Sena to her own room and crib, and apparently she loves it. Maybe she grew sick of trying to sleep in the room with us and with her papa snoring...She's taking longer naps, sleeping even longer through the night (12 hours last night), and even putting herself to sleep. She wakes up in the morning with the most serious case of bedhead though. It's a riot. I'm not sure if it is because she's sleeping more soundly or if the sheets are somehow causing this new hair-do.

This morning she woke-up at 6 a.m. and didn't seem all that interested in going back to sleep, so considering we were all awake we figured everyone should get to have breakfast- Sena included. So we mixed up her first batch of cereal. At first she seemed to really dig it, opening her mouth each time the spoon came near her. But then she realized that she could probably do a better job herself and took the spoon. It made it to her mouth several times, but not once with the cereal still on top. What a big girl.

feeling chatty

Right now I'm listening to Sena talk to herself. She's supposed to be going to sleep, and I'm sure in a few minutes she'll realize that I'm not there and cry, but for now, hearing her chat is pretty funny and sweet.

This past week, I didn't to hear her talk or laugh as much as she usually does because she was sick. For the first time in her life. And, not for the 3-5 days the doctor predicted- for 10 days. I was heartbroken. I finally understand what Steven must have felt like in the delivery room when I was in pain and he could do NOTHING about it. Sena couldn't even tell me what hurt.. and for all I knew she hurt everywhere. Everytime she cried I wanted to break down and call the doctor. And everytime they told me what the REALLY BAD WARNING SIGNS would be, and of course, thank God, she didn't have them. But that didn't mean she wasn't sick, or feeling bad.. and going even one hour without seeing her smile is hard enough- but several days is just plain hell.

Anyway, that's why I'm listening to her talk right now and not feeling frustrated that she "should be asleep". She'll eventually go to sleep. This I've learned. And, her voice is too precious to ever be quieted. At least right now.

Letter Month Five

Dear Sena,

Due to your erratic nap schedule, I'm two days behind in posting this letter to you. I know, I would rather spend time with you than writing this blog, but you're growing up so fast that I want to be sure I record all of your moments.

This last month you've cut two teeth that show-up each time you smile, and you've almost learned to sit on your own. This seems really early to me, but probably not to you. I can tell you get frustrated when you see your buddy Will sit-up all by himself while you lie on the floor and stare up at him.

Speaking of Will, Will's mama, Juli and I decided to carpool over to the playgroup this past week, putting the two of you in the back of the little Honda. We thought you might entertain one another. Not quite. Will could see you, but you couldn't see him and were pretty content none-the-less playing with your butterflies (thanks grandma Sheree!) The trip home was a different matter, however, as the two of you took turns yelling at Juli & I, questioning why we kept you at Tristan's house for so long. (We blame Tristan's mama, Tara, for this mistake- she made fabulous watermelon margaritas. Some day you'll understand.)

Unfortunately, this past month also contained the first night that I had to be away from you. I went to Denver to help Jessica celebrate her upcoming wedding, while papa stayed home and took care of you. Of course he did a wonderful job, but I wanted to be home with you. I'm glad I was able to help Jessica celebrate, but at the same time, I didn't want to miss even one night of putting you to sleep, kissing you good night, and seeing your beautiful smile in the morning. Everyone keeps asking when I'm going to start traveling more for work, especially since my "work travel" is to visit spas. But to be honest, despite my affinity and love of massages, I'd rather bounce you to sleep and wake-up and see your smile- even if it is at 5:45 a.m. like it was this morning.

This next month promises to be a big one. In a week, you and I are going to take our first plane trip without papa to Montana to see grandpa and grandma Scott. And, when we return, we plan on giving you a taste of REAL (aka mashed to a pulp) food. As always, every day is an adventure. Each day that you learn how to do something on your own you move one step closer to independence, and although I'm very proud of you, I also just want to keep you protected and in my arms forever.
love you,
mama

I love Toys!!!!

So, considering that my daughter is an active thing, I finally sprung for an exersaucer. After pulling the contraption out of the box, I think Steven was secretly cursing me for buying such an obnoxious, colorful, in-your-face toy for our nearly 5-month-old daughter. Wouldn't there be plenty of time in the next few years for these things? But, alas. She loves it. The pics here prove it.

First Trip to the Mountains

For Steven and my birthday's we packed up the car and headed up to Vail, for Sena's first spa vacation. And, like her mother, she loved it. She was all smiles for most of the trip, loved dining at 4-star restaurants (as long as they were outside and let her have her butterflies to chew on), and hiked every day with mama and papa. Papa did the work though.

Here are some pics from the trip.