Food Face

A couple of weeks ago we started giving Renee solid foods!  It took her about a week before the food we put in her mouth actually ended up in her stomach.  But she's got the hang of it now.  She's eating fruits and vegetables and sometimes rice or oatmeal cereal (the cereals constipate her, so we don't give it to her very often - sorry if that was TMI!).

It's strange how changing one little thing like what we feed her has opened up a whole new can of worms on baby care.  Before, I just nursed her and we were done.  Now, I have to defrost her food (I made a whole bunch and froze it in small portions), strap her in her high chair, put a bib on her, then feed her, then clean up the mess.

This should give you an idea of what kind of a mess I'm talking about:

How does that happen you wonder?  Like this: Mom puts food in baby's mouth.  Baby puts hand in mouth.  Baby gets food all over hand.  Baby rubs hand all over face.  Mom takes picture while laughing at food covered baby face :D

Just One of Those Mornings!

• Got up and started the coffee while Jeff showered.
• Changed Renee's diaper and got her dressed.
• Prepared coffee for me and a to-go cup of coffee for Jeff.
• Nursed Renee.
• While nursing Renee I also: kissed Jeff goodbye, drank some of my coffee and tried to trim Renee's nails.
• Showered and got myself dressed while simultaneously entertaining Renee by singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" over and over again - she loves that song.
• Finished trimming Renee's nails (they were long and she was starting to scratch herself - had to be done!).
• Blow dried my hair while eating a bowl of cereal, not very successfully. 
• Changed Renee's diaper again, this time it was poopy. 
• Brushed my teeth.
• Banged Renee's head on the door of the bathroom (an accident of course, and thankfully not part of a typical morning).  
• Calmed Renee down by nursing her. 
• Gathered breast pump supplies.
• Dropped the frozen hard  ice pack that keeps my breast milk cold all day on the floor about a foot away from where Renee was happily playing, scaring the living bejeesus out of her!
• Calmed Renee down by going outside and looking at the trees and singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".
• Tried to feed two dogs while holding an upset baby in my arms.  
• Spilled dog food all over the floor.  
• Let the dogs clean up the mess.
• Gathered Renee's food, diapers and blankets for daycare.
• Gave the cat her medication.
• Rinsed out my half full cup of coffee and half eaten bowl of cereal. 
• Made sure both dogs went to the bathroom. 
• Crated Kirby.
• Checked the house for things Sophie could and would get into (i.e. garbage can, food on counter, etc.).
• Made sure all the windows were closed. 
• Grabbed my purse, Renee's diaper bag, food bag and two blankets, my car keys and my sunglasses (forgot my cell phone, but didn't realize that until I got to school) all while holding Renee in my other arm.
• Finally got out of the house, locked the door, buckled the baby into her car seat, packed the car with all the stuff and left!!

Whew, no wonder I'm exhausted today!

Jumping Bean

We went to my aunt's house on Sunday for a family get together, and my mom brought a jumper for Renee (apparently she's going to be the spoiling kind of grandma!). 

I thought for sure she was going to cry as soon as we put her in it, but she loved it immediately!  Not only does she get to stand, but it has a mirror and a bunch of hanging toys for her to play with.

It really is a great thing, it keeps her happily occupied for a good 10 minutes in the mornings while I get ready.  Every little bit helps!  Thanks Grandma Denise!!!

Oh, and I had to post this adorable picture of Renee and her second cousin (my cousin's son) Credence getting to know each other.  So cute :D

In other Renee news, I started giving her solids this week!  She's been eating rice cereal mixed with baby food veggies.  I use the term "eating" very loosely of course, most of the food ends up on her face, chin, hands, etc.  But, some does get in her mouth :D  We're working on it!

And, I finally put up the July pictures on her Gallery page, so go check them out if you're in the mood to see more of her cuteness!

Sittin' Pretty

Renee can sit all on her own!!!  She was hanging on to the roller coaster toy (see the previous post) and she just let go.  Of course I was ready and waiting to catch her, thinking she was going to topple over like always, but she didn't. She just sat there :D

She doesn't have the hang of it 100% yet, every once in a while she wobbles, but then catches herself.  And then sometimes she still falls down (I catch her, don't worry!).

And here is close-up of that beautiful smile:

Ohhh, that picture makes me melt into a giant puddle of gooey mushiness.  I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much!!!