best friends

A couple weeks ago we went up to Fresno to celebrate Ruby's dedication with our good friends the Brooks. Child dedication is so special and important and we were honored to be there and show our love and support for their family.

Sadly, I did not get any pics of the event, but I did get a few of the baby girls in action.

This is the only shot I have of Kate and Sandy in their adorable dresses.

Sometimes, you just need to change into comfy clothes and roll around on the floor.

And sometimes you need to wrestle.

And sometimes (especially when its your party) you decide you would rather not play. And instead look for someone to rescue you.

And sometimes your parents decide to stuff you all in a chair and take a precious, perfect photo.

And then sometimes this happens.

And then this.

 And then your parents accept reality and call it done.

feeding my baby

This week Kate turned six months old. I am still trying to internally process that, which is why I haven't updated this little blog with her weekly pics. (excuses, excuses)

This week also marked an important milestone: the introduction of real food! Yes, I am one of those who waited the full six months to start real food. More than anything else because the thought of feeding my daughter actual food stressed me out.
What should I start with?
How often?
How much?
What about allergies?
Poop issues?

you want to feed me WHAT?

Up until this point, feeding Kate has been quite easy. (not counting those agonizing first couple weeks when I cried every time she latched on. the pain. oh, the pain) Although I lament that she wont take a bottle and still pretty much eats every 2-3 hours, I really have nothing to complain about and I am very thankful. I produce a lot of milk. I am home and dont have to mess with a pump. She gets hungry, I feed her. Easy. And lets be honest, I have not tried hard enough with the bottle. I should have started it earlier and been more consistent. But I was afraid. So I didnt. And I have come to terms with this is just the way it is. Until I stop nursing, my baby is, quite literally, attached to me throughout the day.

There will be many more years of freedom and longer than two hours to myself. There wont be many more years of nursing my babies. (a reminder to myself when I am drowning in a pool of breastmilk and self-pity)

{side note: I have more opinions and criticism thrown at me for this than anything else. No, my baby will not take a bottle. Yes, I have tried different kinds, methods, times of day. Yes, I realize I could have more time to myself/husband if she did. Maybe she still will. Maybe she wont. Maybe next baby.}

So for some reason the thought of starting food was not exciting to me. We have had a good thing going, and I wasnt ready to throw something else into the mix. But after talking more with friends and researching a little more, I began to finally come around. And I will admit, making the food was fun! I love being in the kitchen and cooking for my family, so this is just a new addition. The Beaba makes it easy and fun and I like knowing she is already eating food made by me.

Not sure how long I will do just purees. She already wants to use her fingers. But for now, sweet potatoes are all the rage over here.

Yeah, she may have only ingested like a teaspoon of food, but I consider it a success!
Next up: avocados and pears.

five months

Another big month for our little Kate. I will admit, some days have been a bit challenging. Teething plus nap times full of tears make for VERY long days. She is still sleeping through the night most nights, so I am willing to take that over long days. I have also had to come to terms with the fact that I dont really have a cuddly baby. Kate definitely prefers squirming and scooting and standing over snuggling with Mama. She is a very busy girl and loves to move and roll all over, but we wouldn't want it any other way.

dodger game

I am way behind on posting this, but oh well. I want to document it anyway.

At the end of June, we took Kate to her first Dodger game. Obviously, this was a momentous occasion for this Dodger loving family (especially Peter). We were fortunate enough to have tickets in a box (thanks leftover points from an old credit card) which was perfect for our little one. She was able to spread out and play and I was able to nurse her {sorta} discreetly.

 the best we could do. she was VERY distracted.

 

very worried about the Dodgers performance

 

The ride home was a little rough (i.e. lots of tears), but overall the trip went great! Obviously, Kate wont remember any of it, but I know we will look back and smile.

swimming

Kate went swimming for the first time with Peter a couple weeks ago and loved it!

She especially liked it when he would glide her through the water really fast. With the super hot summers, we are thankful both of our parents have a pool!

 crossed ankles. her signature pose.

Hopefully we have a little water baby on our hands!

third of july

As per our annual tradition, we celebrated the Third of July with a backyard bbq at our house. Of course this year was a bit different with all the new babies - juggling hostess duties with nursing a baby and managing fusiness. But I have to say it was my favorite year yet. The food was yummy, the weather was not too hot, the babies were sweet, and the company was great. I love having people over and I am so glad we can continue this tradition (even if it no longer ends with late night libations, board games, and loud rap music).

4 months

This month was full of growth and new tricks for our sweet Kate. I joke that someone is sneaking her growing beans every night, but a part of me really thinks its true. (My guess is Scully) I feel like every morning she wakes up just a bit heavier, a bit longer, and with a new trick to show us. Exciting and sad at the same time. Kate was a cuddly newborn for such a short amount of time. I want to erase every time I thought that it wasn't good for her to fall asleep on me or when I complained about being on the couch with her all day. She is 4 months going on 4 years and what I wouldn't give for her to fall asleep on my chest again and sleep for hours.

BUT, we are loving this stage as well. Kate is very active and sweet and loves to smile. She takes one good nap which allows me to work but not get much else done for the rest of the day. And that is ok. She loves playing, rolling around, sucking on toys, nursing, being cranky when she is tired, looking at the dogs, being held by her family, and going on walks.

She is our delight.