3 years ago
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Letter Month 7
Dear Sena,
I'm not sure how you came to be seven months old already. But here you are. Eating up a storm, smiling, and showing more and more personality every day.
Fall is officially here, and we've been able to get out and enjoy the fall colors. You seem to find your walks a bit more entertaining these days; I'm sure you like my narration of everything that's going on, too. (I can see it already, "Mom, I see the birds myself. You don't have to tell me every detail as if I wasn't here!") Since the weather has turned a bit cooler, we've pulled out your "winter" wear. Please note: Although all of your coats have little ears on them we did not do this on purpose. It truly is just a marketing ploy.
These photos were taken in our backyard...
Oh, joyous food. After only a few weeks of uncertainty, you seem to have adapted to your new job—eating solids—quite well. Favorites? Peaches for sure. Unfortunately, I only made you a few peaches from our farm share this year (yes, as bad parents we ate the rest), and am now scrambling to figure out how to get you organic peaches (not from Mexico) in the middle of the winter. Hmm. Otherwise, you like sweet potatoes, squash, pears, and even tofu! Over the next month, we're hoping to introduce you to peas, carrots (again), potatoes, and yogurt. You're absolutely hilarious when it comes time to eat. For the most part you're very serious about eating.. not allowing whomever is feeding you a moment to pause between bites or you're "eh,eh,eh-ing" at us, which we've come to assume means "more, please." We're trying sign language with you, but I'm not sure that I'm teaching you much other than how to make a bigger mess with your hands after they're full of pureed food.
Grandma Sheree bought you a Cowboy's cheerleader outfit (size 12 months), that you're already fitting in quite nicely, so you've been wearing it on Sunday's while you watch football with papa and grandpa. (This is the only day we allow t.v.- we have our limits!)
You love to dance, or to watch us dance in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could know what you were thinking. It cracks me up to think that right now our dancing is the funniest thing in the world, but in just a few years it will be cause for hiding your face in your hands. Oh, parents.
You've been playing with your friends Will, Tristan, William, Natalie, and Reed every week or so, and see Will quite often as his mommy, Juli and me try to find every opportunity we can to get out of the house and explore with you two in tow. The picture here was after an afternoon of shopping with Juli and mama. I think we may have shopped too long; you and Will just konked out on the way home.
Finally, we've pulled out the pack n'play for you to play in while we try to make dinner, go to the bathroom, blow our noses, etc. We figure that its better to try this now than when you're older and really think we're putting you in jail. Thus far, no attempts to break out. In fact, you seem to think it's pretty funny being in there. You're always so delighted when we pop our faces above you. "Ahh, there you are!" I love this photo. You've got bedhead and such attitude. We love you.
love,
mama
I'm not sure how you came to be seven months old already. But here you are. Eating up a storm, smiling, and showing more and more personality every day.
Fall is officially here, and we've been able to get out and enjoy the fall colors. You seem to find your walks a bit more entertaining these days; I'm sure you like my narration of everything that's going on, too. (I can see it already, "Mom, I see the birds myself. You don't have to tell me every detail as if I wasn't here!") Since the weather has turned a bit cooler, we've pulled out your "winter" wear. Please note: Although all of your coats have little ears on them we did not do this on purpose. It truly is just a marketing ploy.
These photos were taken in our backyard...
Oh, joyous food. After only a few weeks of uncertainty, you seem to have adapted to your new job—eating solids—quite well. Favorites? Peaches for sure. Unfortunately, I only made you a few peaches from our farm share this year (yes, as bad parents we ate the rest), and am now scrambling to figure out how to get you organic peaches (not from Mexico) in the middle of the winter. Hmm. Otherwise, you like sweet potatoes, squash, pears, and even tofu! Over the next month, we're hoping to introduce you to peas, carrots (again), potatoes, and yogurt. You're absolutely hilarious when it comes time to eat. For the most part you're very serious about eating.. not allowing whomever is feeding you a moment to pause between bites or you're "eh,eh,eh-ing" at us, which we've come to assume means "more, please." We're trying sign language with you, but I'm not sure that I'm teaching you much other than how to make a bigger mess with your hands after they're full of pureed food.
Grandma Sheree bought you a Cowboy's cheerleader outfit (size 12 months), that you're already fitting in quite nicely, so you've been wearing it on Sunday's while you watch football with papa and grandpa. (This is the only day we allow t.v.- we have our limits!)
You love to dance, or to watch us dance in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could know what you were thinking. It cracks me up to think that right now our dancing is the funniest thing in the world, but in just a few years it will be cause for hiding your face in your hands. Oh, parents.
You've been playing with your friends Will, Tristan, William, Natalie, and Reed every week or so, and see Will quite often as his mommy, Juli and me try to find every opportunity we can to get out of the house and explore with you two in tow. The picture here was after an afternoon of shopping with Juli and mama. I think we may have shopped too long; you and Will just konked out on the way home.
Finally, we've pulled out the pack n'play for you to play in while we try to make dinner, go to the bathroom, blow our noses, etc. We figure that its better to try this now than when you're older and really think we're putting you in jail. Thus far, no attempts to break out. In fact, you seem to think it's pretty funny being in there. You're always so delighted when we pop our faces above you. "Ahh, there you are!" I love this photo. You've got bedhead and such attitude. We love you.
love,
mama
Monday, October 6, 2008
Hey, Hey, Hey
This weekend our friends' John & Lauren held their wedding reception at Red Rocks, which was a pretty stellar venue if I say so myself. Anyway, kiddos were invited, so we dressed miss Sena up in her little blue dress with some tights and headed down there. She did wonderfully, and we got quite a few great photos of the family, and of course Sena.
Afterward, we looked at the clock and figured that she'd probably end up taking her nap en route home, so since we were going to be in the car anyway, why not take a trip up into the mountains to see the Aspen's changing colors? Great idea- right? She napped pretty much until we got to the top of the peak and then woke up. Temporarily, she was happy, and then it became quite evident that it was time to, uhh, grunt her way through a bowel movement. Hoping it would stay contained (and feeling lazy), we decided to take a different route and start heading home. About five minutes on this new road, Sena began to really let us know she wasn't happy- it was either her diaper, or her growling belly- but she was saying 'ENOUGH ALREADY MAMA AND PAPA. STOP THE $#$% CAR!' Well, at this point we got stopped alright- by a train passing, which gave me time to check her out, and her tights were barely containing her lovely poo. As soon as we could, we pulled over. Where were we? Not sure. Signs everywhere said, "No dumping," though. Ironic. Steven climbed into the backseat and proclaimed, "Shit!" And, I said, "What?" And, he replied, "There's shit everywhere!" And, sure enough it was down her back, over her leg, and on Steven. It took us awhile, but we finally figured out where to change her in the car- in the front seat. (Yes, she's six months old and has never to my recollection been changed in the car.) But, this plan quickly backfired as our seats are slightly bucket-style, and she kept rolling toward the back, which just happened to be toward the poo. At this point, we're laughing, and Sena is looking at us like, "Seriously? You guys are this slow?" She never cried, just let us take our stupid time while she was probably freezing a bit in the alpine weather.
After finally getting her changed, I moved to the back to feed her and Steven moved to the front. When Sena was finished and she realized her papa was in the front seat, she was pretty pleased...
Afterward, we looked at the clock and figured that she'd probably end up taking her nap en route home, so since we were going to be in the car anyway, why not take a trip up into the mountains to see the Aspen's changing colors? Great idea- right? She napped pretty much until we got to the top of the peak and then woke up. Temporarily, she was happy, and then it became quite evident that it was time to, uhh, grunt her way through a bowel movement. Hoping it would stay contained (and feeling lazy), we decided to take a different route and start heading home. About five minutes on this new road, Sena began to really let us know she wasn't happy- it was either her diaper, or her growling belly- but she was saying 'ENOUGH ALREADY MAMA AND PAPA. STOP THE $#$% CAR!' Well, at this point we got stopped alright- by a train passing, which gave me time to check her out, and her tights were barely containing her lovely poo. As soon as we could, we pulled over. Where were we? Not sure. Signs everywhere said, "No dumping," though. Ironic. Steven climbed into the backseat and proclaimed, "Shit!" And, I said, "What?" And, he replied, "There's shit everywhere!" And, sure enough it was down her back, over her leg, and on Steven. It took us awhile, but we finally figured out where to change her in the car- in the front seat. (Yes, she's six months old and has never to my recollection been changed in the car.) But, this plan quickly backfired as our seats are slightly bucket-style, and she kept rolling toward the back, which just happened to be toward the poo. At this point, we're laughing, and Sena is looking at us like, "Seriously? You guys are this slow?" She never cried, just let us take our stupid time while she was probably freezing a bit in the alpine weather.
After finally getting her changed, I moved to the back to feed her and Steven moved to the front. When Sena was finished and she realized her papa was in the front seat, she was pretty pleased...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
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.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, September 15, 2008
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.
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.
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