Posts tagged anthea by month
Apr
5th
Fri
Anthea is 13.5 months old, and it’s been the best month yet. She’s turning into such a cool little person. Though she has a fierce little temper and gets mad when you try to redirect her or take something away she’s not supposed to have. I can’t believe we were here not that long ago. It seems like I was just holding a newborn.
She talks all the time, non-stop babble that mimics the tone of our voices. She can also use a number of real words properly. Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye, Mmmm, and maybe a few more that I can’t think of.
She’s started sleeping better the past month. She still wakes once or twice a night. But, now, I can nurse her and lay her back down and she’ll go to sleep without endless rocking. I used to have to rock and nurse her until she was completely asleep, and it would take hours. I didn’t do sleep training. She suddenly just seemed to be uncomfortable being rocked and held that long. I laid her down and she fussed for 60 seconds and fell asleep one night. She sleeps with her bunny lovey, and in her sleepsack, and is a pretty comfy little girl. She is down to one nap now, which has been a slow change. She now naps from about 12:30 to 3. Which overlaps with Rosemary and is bliss for me!
Suddenly, Anthea’s slimmed out and her baby-chunk seems to be disappearing. She still walks with that toddler bow-legged sweetness, and she can almost flat-out run. She’s learned to navigate hills, small steps, and obstacles at the playground. She can walk over sticks, pinecones, and on a variety of surfaces with no problems. She can also stand from a sitting position with ease. It’s amazing how far she has come in a month. She’s very physically capable, and can even properly climb off the sofa and beds.
She loves goldfish crackers and strawberries macaroni and cheese, and has stopped eating much else. Ha. Teething really bothers her, and on some days, she relies on nursing and whole cow’s milk for most of her fill of calories. Her absolute favorite food is Chipotle beans and rice and guac. She inhales it when we go. She also likes bites of almond croissants and other “adult” foods, that you wouldn’t think a toddler would eat. We’ve offered her some bites of sweets, like ice cream, and she totally balks. I’m curious to see how her tastes evolve.
She loves to cuddle up and sit on my lap, and had had her fair share of clingy days lately. Rosemary was never able to sit still for cuddles, so I’m enjoying my Anthea snuggling while it lasts!
Anthea loves her dada and will run to the door yelling “Dada” and flapping her arms when he gets home. She also loves climbing in the cozy coupe, and has started getting more elaborate with her play—She puts lids on things, puts her toys in the doll stroller and pushes it, puts the princesses in the Little People castle, and tries to mimic most things her sister does. She also loves being outside, especially slides and swinging. She spends a lot of time trying to get into the shoe closet, and opening cupboards and dragging stuff out. Especially open cereal boxes. She still likes it when we watch Toy Story, and has a special penchant for Minnie Mouse.
I don’t know where my little baby went. But I’m loving this kid who’s rapidly replacing her. It’s so fun spending my days chasing this girl. I can’t wait to see where those pink-shoe’d feet take us. 

Anthea is 13.5 months old, and it’s been the best month yet. She’s turning into such a cool little person. Though she has a fierce little temper and gets mad when you try to redirect her or take something away she’s not supposed to have. I can’t believe we were here not that long ago. It seems like I was just holding a newborn.

She talks all the time, non-stop babble that mimics the tone of our voices. She can also use a number of real words properly. Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye, Mmmm, and maybe a few more that I can’t think of.

She’s started sleeping better the past month. She still wakes once or twice a night. But, now, I can nurse her and lay her back down and she’ll go to sleep without endless rocking. I used to have to rock and nurse her until she was completely asleep, and it would take hours. I didn’t do sleep training. She suddenly just seemed to be uncomfortable being rocked and held that long. I laid her down and she fussed for 60 seconds and fell asleep one night. She sleeps with her bunny lovey, and in her sleepsack, and is a pretty comfy little girl. She is down to one nap now, which has been a slow change. She now naps from about 12:30 to 3. Which overlaps with Rosemary and is bliss for me!

Suddenly, Anthea’s slimmed out and her baby-chunk seems to be disappearing. She still walks with that toddler bow-legged sweetness, and she can almost flat-out run. She’s learned to navigate hills, small steps, and obstacles at the playground. She can walk over sticks, pinecones, and on a variety of surfaces with no problems. She can also stand from a sitting position with ease. It’s amazing how far she has come in a month. She’s very physically capable, and can even properly climb off the sofa and beds.

She loves goldfish crackers and strawberries macaroni and cheese, and has stopped eating much else. Ha. Teething really bothers her, and on some days, she relies on nursing and whole cow’s milk for most of her fill of calories. Her absolute favorite food is Chipotle beans and rice and guac. She inhales it when we go. She also likes bites of almond croissants and other “adult” foods, that you wouldn’t think a toddler would eat. We’ve offered her some bites of sweets, like ice cream, and she totally balks. I’m curious to see how her tastes evolve.

She loves to cuddle up and sit on my lap, and had had her fair share of clingy days lately. Rosemary was never able to sit still for cuddles, so I’m enjoying my Anthea snuggling while it lasts!

Anthea loves her dada and will run to the door yelling “Dada” and flapping her arms when he gets home. She also loves climbing in the cozy coupe, and has started getting more elaborate with her play—She puts lids on things, puts her toys in the doll stroller and pushes it, puts the princesses in the Little People castle, and tries to mimic most things her sister does. She also loves being outside, especially slides and swinging. She spends a lot of time trying to get into the shoe closet, and opening cupboards and dragging stuff out. Especially open cereal boxes. She still likes it when we watch Toy Story, and has a special penchant for Minnie Mouse.

I don’t know where my little baby went. But I’m loving this kid who’s rapidly replacing her. It’s so fun spending my days chasing this girl. I can’t wait to see where those pink-shoe’d feet take us. 

7 notes ()
Feb
21st
Thu

A year ago today, we welcomed Anthea into our lives. What a joy it was to find out who’d been inside me for those long months. A beautiful baby girl, placed in our arms.  I will never forget that February 21, those first moments, or this first year when our helpless infant changed so much into this spunky kid.

Anthea is now walking (but still prefers crawling for speed, and man, can she fly on the crawl!), clapping, waving, dancing, banging on things, and doing a little talking. She says mama and dada discriminately, and just learned “bye-bye,” too. She will also shake her head no, and sometimes yes. She will also imitate sounds, my favorite (and the most infuriating) being whispers and “shhsssh” as I attempt to rock her to sleep. She will try to stack toys or put lids onto empty containers, and enjoys putting things inside other things. Including herself. If left to her own devices, she will climb into drawers, cabinets, and boxes. And climb up onto stools, couches, the beanbag chair, and anything she can get to (like Rosemary’s trike).

She loves her bunny lovey, and doesn’t go to sleep without it. Every night, we read stories before I nurse and rock her to sleep, and she loves Good Night Gorilla, That’s Not My Bunny, and books with touch-and-feel pieces. She also loves watching Toy Story and Yo Gabba Gabba, and Dora with her big sister.

Anthea is not a picky eater, but she’s very particular. She likes vanilla yogurt, green peas, outer-space-shaped goldfish crackers (but only the yellow moons!), macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, and rice and beans. She prefers to feed herself. If I come at her with a spoon, she smiles and shakes her head “no” in the most dramatic way.

She loves push toys, especially the Cozy Coupe the Brio cart, and the doll stroller. She also likes the Little People princess castle and her Rody horse (Rosemary always makes sure Anthea has the purple one, because that’s Anthea’s horsey), and just pulling books and stuffed animals off shelves. She also likes things that aren’t toys, like dumping out cereal boxes or emptying the utensils from the kitchen drawer or emptying clothing from drawers. Her favorite entertainment is chasing her sister around. 

Anthea is pretty much down to one nap, she’s dropped her morning one, and naps around 12:30 or 1 in the afternoon and that’s it. Sleep at night has been a bit more difficult. She wakes twice to eat on a good night. ‘Nuff said.

I will have to update with physical stats, as our one-year appointment isn’t until next week. Suffice to say, Anthea wears at least a 2T, and is quickly getting too tall for her sister’s old 24-month pants. She also wears a size 5 or 6 shoe. Her hair is growing now, and I’m pleased to say it’s curly, especially at the back. She has five teeth, and uses them to gnaw on everything.

Anthea, you really are such a pleasant and wonderful baby. When I look back on your past months and weeks of updates, I am overwhelmed by your beauty and brilliance and what a powerful amount of changing you’ve done. I cherish every snuggle and smile, and every amazing facet of your personality. Happy birthday, my darling. We love you so, so much, and are proud and honored you are ours.

Love,

Mama

13 notes ()
Jan
26th
Sat

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Dear Anthea,

One thing about being the second child, I realized, is that I perpetually think of you as my baby. But you are 11 months old now, beautiful girl. After a momentous year of firsts, you are about to turn the first big number.

It’s not that I compare you to your sister…far from it. I just have two sweet babyhoods so close together, that I compare them by nature. At first I bought you the same things that your sister liked, because I knew no different. But now I find myself with two very distinct little girls. “Anthea likes this,” I think as I shop for sour cream and onion veggie puffs, vanilla yogurt, mango-flavored things, rye bread. You have your bunny lovey. Your feet are already a size 5. You will pull your socks off while nursing and do insane things with your feet unless you are in a Grobag. You will occasionally snuggle against me, your head on my chest. You love watching the Partysaurus Rex short, and hate having a toy taken away by your sister. You like bouncing and dancing and music.
 
And what can you do now? You can clap. You almost walk unaided. Certainly, you stand alone, the world waiting for your next move. The control you demonstrate going up and down is like that of a timed elevator. You push things away you don’t like. You are very determined to get what you want. I’m sorry this age is one of doing and not understanding. How frustrating this big puzzle is for you sometimes, kid. You say “mama” discriminately, and I don’t know when that happened. But you reach for me, pleading, and I always comply.
 

You are continually tall, but thinning out as you explore with boundless energy. You mostly wear 2T clothes, and 3T pjs with the legs rolled once at the feet. Sleeping at night is sometimes a challenge. You love to wake up for a nursing snack three or four times. You nap well, usually once in the morning in the Ergo while we are out and about. And again in the afternoon. Collapsing after we put your sister down.
 
We brush your teeth now (of which there are FIVE) and I read you stories before bed. Your favorites are Good Night Gorilla, Black and White Baby Animals, (both of which make you laugh) and anything that’s touch-and-feel.

 
I’m delighted by you. Continually. By the months you’ve spent growing and changing and becoming more you. These last days of true babyhood are so bittersweet, it’s overwhelming. To my beautiful baby and little girl, and always my daughter. I love you.
 
Mama
6 notes ()
Dec
22nd
Sat

Dear Anthea,

You turned 10 months old yesterday. You change so much in even a week, it’s difficult to imagine what you’ll be like tomorrow. You are so sweet and easy-going, but you’ve got so much personality and joy. Each month is such an expansion on the last.

The biggest changes this month are your shear determinedness. You know what you want and you go after it with fearless tenacity. You are cruising furniture, climbing things, opening cupboards, and exploring toys and objects with intensity. You can climb the stairs on your own in about 2.5 seconds. Scary. You book it for the christmas tree, the shoe closet (like a puppy, you love to chew those bad-boys, ick!), and the fireplace screen. It’s a nonstop chase. You hate being confined to the pack n play.

If you are diverted from something or we have to take something away from you (like an old shoe), you get SO mad. Like, the saddest baby in the world face. Your heart is absolutely broken. The world is yours for the taking. Just we have to keep you safe.

You are very vocal. So many squeals and trills and peeps. You like to mimic our sounds, especially singing ones. 

Your favorite thing to do is chase after your sister or get into whatever she has. You also watch her intently and seem bored when she’s not around to entertain you. You like to ride the Wonder Horse with her, teeter totter and bounce on things with her. You also have fun in the bath together every night before bed.

You are not a fan of bananas. But enjoy most crunchy things. Puffs are your favorite, and every day at lunch you eat a whole carton of yogurt. You are proficient at drinking from a cup and drinking with a straw, and you like to seek out cups of juice or chocolate milk your sister leaves out. You also had a first lick of Haagen Daaz bar the other night. 

But you are mostly a huge fan of breastfeeding still. You wake up three times a night for a snack, but go back to sleep really easily. You also nurse before bed and naps. You will only really nurse in the dark of your room, in the rocking chair. Unless you’re super hungry, and then you will nurse in the driver’s seat of the parked car. 

You are kind of a mama’s girl. You reach for me, and light up with excitement when you find me. Your face cracks into a gorgeous smile and your body wiggles with happiness.  I’m savoring the times you tuck your body against me, your head resting on my shoulder. You are steady for just the span of a few breaths—if even that—and those moments are wondrous, my baby.

I love you more than ever.

-Mama

2 notes ()
Nov
30th
Fri
Anthea had her nine-month appointment on Wednesday.
She weighs 23 pounds and is 32 inches long. Weight percentile is sitting in the 90s, and height percentile would be very much far off the charts. It always makes me laugh. She is exceeding all of her developmental milestones (she’s crusing, and even dancing and saying “mama!”) and our pediatrician is always sure to remark on how happy and mellow and cute her smile is.
Anthea had to get her second dose of flu shot, and she also got a tiny drop of blood taken from her toe to test iron levels. She didn’t even cry or seem bothered by the latter.
Anthea is fast at getting to wherever she wants to get. Given a tiny bit of freedom and followed closely, she is under tables, going up stairs, climbing up cushions on the sofa, following her sister, trying to get into the cozy coupe, and pulling things off shelves. I’ve done my best to babyproof and contain her to safe areas. I like to let her explore her physicality (albeit safely!) and I was so glad we made it to her appointment without bruises or bang-ups (I really wish she’d figure out that the benches at our table are not tall enough for her to sit under!)
As usual, I never really have questions for the pediatrician. But this time, I did make sure to ask how much water and such it is ok for her to drink from a cup. Anthea really goes to town whenever there is a cup within reach (as oftentimes Rosemary leaves them around), plus she gets a sippy of water at every meal. Kiddo can even drink very proficiently from a straw, which I found out when she guzzled about 4oz of Rosemary’s chocolate milk before I got to her. I do offer breastmilk frequently and on-demand, but it’s certainly hard to know what a good balance is since nursing isn’t measured, and I don’t want her to be thirsty. She also really likes Odwalla superfood mixed with water in her cup…which, hey, if you wanna drink Jerusalem artichoke and pureed spinach, child, I am not about to take it away.
I’m feeling grateful that I have a pediatrician I trust and agree with in most matters. My girls have had a few small issues that, of course, scare the bejeezus out of me (thanks in no small part to my friend, Google). The things you do not ever know about until you know about them, I tell ya.
We’re so thankful for Anthea’s continued health. And curious to see where we’ll be at her one-year appointment (hard to believe that’s her next one!)

Anthea had her nine-month appointment on Wednesday.

She weighs 23 pounds and is 32 inches long. Weight percentile is sitting in the 90s, and height percentile would be very much far off the charts. It always makes me laugh. She is exceeding all of her developmental milestones (she’s crusing, and even dancing and saying “mama!”) and our pediatrician is always sure to remark on how happy and mellow and cute her smile is.

Anthea had to get her second dose of flu shot, and she also got a tiny drop of blood taken from her toe to test iron levels. She didn’t even cry or seem bothered by the latter.

Anthea is fast at getting to wherever she wants to get. Given a tiny bit of freedom and followed closely, she is under tables, going up stairs, climbing up cushions on the sofa, following her sister, trying to get into the cozy coupe, and pulling things off shelves. I’ve done my best to babyproof and contain her to safe areas. I like to let her explore her physicality (albeit safely!) and I was so glad we made it to her appointment without bruises or bang-ups (I really wish she’d figure out that the benches at our table are not tall enough for her to sit under!)

As usual, I never really have questions for the pediatrician. But this time, I did make sure to ask how much water and such it is ok for her to drink from a cup. Anthea really goes to town whenever there is a cup within reach (as oftentimes Rosemary leaves them around), plus she gets a sippy of water at every meal. Kiddo can even drink very proficiently from a straw, which I found out when she guzzled about 4oz of Rosemary’s chocolate milk before I got to her. I do offer breastmilk frequently and on-demand, but it’s certainly hard to know what a good balance is since nursing isn’t measured, and I don’t want her to be thirsty. She also really likes Odwalla superfood mixed with water in her cup…which, hey, if you wanna drink Jerusalem artichoke and pureed spinach, child, I am not about to take it away.

I’m feeling grateful that I have a pediatrician I trust and agree with in most matters. My girls have had a few small issues that, of course, scare the bejeezus out of me (thanks in no small part to my friend, Google). The things you do not ever know about until you know about them, I tell ya.

We’re so thankful for Anthea’s continued health. And curious to see where we’ll be at her one-year appointment (hard to believe that’s her next one!)

5 notes ()
Nov
21st
Wed

Dear Anthea,

I can’t believe how big you’re getting. You’re barely holding still these days.

This month you celebrated your first Halloween, started dancing, are really cruising around furniture, had a tiny taste of ice cream, had a bad cold, and your first allergic reaction, went in a bounce house, got two teeth, and gnawed the corner off a book.

You’re wearing size 18 month clothes, because you’re so tall. Everyone who meets you comments on your smiley, happy personality, and your pretty blue eyes. I keep having to pay for you at toddler gym, because even though under-1s are supposed to be free, they don’t believe me. You’re too advanced!

You have started playing with a lot of your big sister’s toys. You love all the Little People things, stuffed animals (especially ones with colorful hair), and the circus tent that your dad bought at Ikea. You’re often bored unless Rosemary is around to entertain you. Last night you stuck your tongues out at each other for a while and you both laughed so much about it. And you tolerate her overzealous hugs, kisses, and some not-so-nice touching as well.

You aren’t too fond of your jumperoo anymore, because you don’t like being penned in at all. Same with the pack n play. You just want to go go go. I’m sure you’ll be walking very soon, and then I’ll be in trouble.

You still like sweet potatoes and you’ve never turned down a yogurt, but you have tried some more complex foods and are getting better with chunks. Broccoli cheddar soup was a hit, as was a big slice of garlic bread. You still nurse on demand, which I’m happy to provide. But you could cool it with the fourth and fifth night wakings. Just saying.

You’ve started to really notice the TV and seem to enjoy Curious George quite a bit. You also love your bunny lovey, and sleep with it tucked against you in your arms.

Probably my favorite things is your deep connection to me, your mama! We went out to a movie last weekend and left you with grandparents. Even though you were perfectly happy to spend the afternoon with them, you were ecstatic to see me when I walked in the door. You bounced and smiled and glowed with joy. Also, you snuggle against me for random love occasionally, and you take a morning nap almost every day in the Ergo, your sweet head against my chest, and a warm patch of drool in the same spot on all my shirts. How I will miss that closeness someday soon, when the world is bigger for you and you refuse to tire. You are never (or rarely) any trouble. And such a sweet girl.

I’m so excited for your first Thanksgiving and Christmas. You love the lights and decorations already. You are so bright and beautiful, kid. We love you more than ever.

Love,

Mama

5 notes ()
Oct
21st
Sun

Dear Anthea,

We counted in days, and then in weeks. And when those numbers got too high, we counted in months. And now, we are inching toward the first big number at the speed of light. The singular spectacularness of one. The details of your tiny hands as a newborn, your utter helplessness, your days of fitting in places you can no longer inhabit (including your wardrobe), it all fades. Your dark hair has been replaced with warm brown fuzz, you weigh more than 26 pounds, you are long enough for 18- and 24-month trousers. And like all these things and what they mean, you are moving away from me.

Right now: the tiny edge of your bottom left tooth is so close to breaking through (sometimes I feel an edge, sometimes I don’t). You’ve just put together the manner of hand movement required to crawl and the living room is yours. So, I bought a rug shampooer. You eat more of what we eat (favorites being bread, crusts of things, and you may have even sampled a french fry). You’ve started wearing shoes (mostly bunny booties). You have started to be able to drink from a straw and a cup. Rosemary calls you solely “baby.” (Is that how the girl in Dirty Dancing got that nickname? I wonder?) You now play peek-a-boo! You hate being strapped in your car seat. You love standing and bouncing and going.

This month you traveled to Las Vegas, had your crib lowered, took your first trip to the pumpkin patch, laughed a lot, visited the children’s museum, the library, your sister’s ballet class. Kept mama up a lot. A LOT. You took some tumbles as you figured out mobility and tried to keep up with your sister.

It’s so bittersweet to watch you grow, baby girl. But so amazing to see you on the cusp of everything. I’m so excited for your first holiday season, your birthday, your first steps, waving and clapping.

For now, I get to hold you a little bit longer. Waving bye to a tiny infant and hello to a bigger baby girl. Happy 8 months!

Love, Mama

4 notes ()
Sep
21st
Fri

Our sweet Anthea Ruth is 7 months old today. Hard to believe that it was so long ago I held her for the first time, so small and so much we didn’t know about her yet.

She is not crawling, but that’s not stopping her from being mobile. She starts in a sitting position, lunges forward til she’s on all fours, and then drops to her belly and rolls a few times. After that, she’s stuck, and tries to get herself up by doing a sit-up. Abs of steel. But she ends up about six feet from where she started, so that’s fun. She also likes standing and holding herself up using the beanbag or sofa. At the park, it’s all I can do to keep her in my arms. She wants to get over to that climbing stuff, dude.

When I think about our girl, I think of her as such a happy thing. She’s always smiling and giggling. She laughs with her whole body. Everyone always says, “Oh, look at her beautiful eyes!” and it’s true. They are intently focused and sparkling at all times, two bright baby-blues.

She was ready for solids at the perfect time, because she’s spent the summer sampling all the delightful fresh fruits and veggies that this time of year brings. She eventually ate an entire mango (which I had pureed and portioned out) that was two times the size of her head. She ate fresh peaches, pears, plums, papaya, watermelon, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, green beans, cauliflower, you name it. She’s loved most of it. Her favorite is the acorn squash I’ve been roasting for her. As well as pizza crust to nom on. She currently eats fruit and oatmeal for breakfast, an entire carton of yogurt for lunch, and then a veggie or whatever we’re having, as appropriate. She doesn’t like dramatic food combos quite yet, but I let her try things we eat (taco soup, spaghetti sauce, thai curry, etc). I also breastfeed on demand, which usually is before naps and bedtime and first thing when she wakes up.

Sleep has gotten a lot better. She takes a bath, and then I nurse and rock her to sleep around 8pm. Sometimes it takes her a while to settle down—I’ve been in there for hours before, ha! But once she’s out, she usually wakes up only once a night (between 2 and 4am) for for milk. She goes back to sleep and wakes up for the day sometime between 6 and 8am. I’ve been working really hard to get her to nap around 10:30, and again around 2pm. This makes for a much easier evening for us. We’ve really hit our sleep groove the past few weeks, and I’m so happy to be able to say that!

Anthea is so easygoing and sweet. She loves to watch her sister, and she spends a lot of time sitting next to her sister and trying to grab toys. She loves Sophie the Giraffe and her jungle bouncer. But really enjoys grabbing her sister’s things—Elmo, the turtle dump truck, Rosemary’s sippy cups, etc. She loves baths, grabbing her feet and eating them yoga-style, her bunny lovey, being tickled, peek-a-boo, and kisses. She loved the fair we went to early in September…so much to see!

She dislikes the vacuum, being hooked into her car seat, clothes covering her face, bananas. And that’s seriously all I can think of. She’s amazing and amazingly smart and wonderful.

We love Anthea so much. It’s such a pleasure to see her changing and growing. I’m so looking forward to taking her to pick out pumpkins, crunching her feet on some leaves, and seeing her finally get a Cheerio into her mouth. On to month 8!

3 notes ()
Aug
21st
Tue

Happy half birthday, little one!

Development-wise, Anthea is really starting to take off. She’s figured out how to really use the jumperoo recently. So much bouncing going on. She loves having her ribs tickled and giggles a lot. She also talks and babbles nonstop. 

She has eaten a lot of different things—she loves eating!—and definitely has her favorites. She loves mangoes mixed with her oatmeal and broccoli mixed with applesauce. She also really likes nomming on things at restaurants, like breadsticks or steamed veggies or rice rusks.

She has her six-month check-up in a few days, but we weighed her at home and she’s about 20 pounds! (Rosemary didn’t weigh that until 18 months, haha). 

No teeth yet, but lots of drooling and some rough nights.

Speaking of sleeping, napping still seems to be our main issue. She also will only breastfeed in a dark, quiet room, so that makes it challenging to get out and about. But mostly, she’s a very go-with-the-flow kid. Happy to star and play. There is a lot of grabbing going on—everything from my hair to salt shakers and my iPhone to anything I’m trying to hold. Anthea is most entertained by her sister, who lavishes her with kisses and head patting and puts on shows by jumping around her while she lays on the bed. Eep.

I think she gets cuter by the day. I love this stage where they move from being an infant to someone with so much personality. She is already trying to stand and can roll herself around pretty stealthily.

How is she half a year old already? My sweet girl is getting so big. 

6 notes ()
Jul
23rd
Mon

Our sweet Anthea turned five months old on Saturday. This was a big month for her. She took her first plane rides, moved to her own room, and tried solid foods. So far, she has tried baby oatmeal cereal, baby rice, apple sauce, bananas, and peaches. She loves it all, but loves milk the most. She sits in her high chair while we eat and plays with her toys.

She is in the middle of her first summer—warm days and toes dipped in the kiddie pool and a fan on in her room at night. She takes it all in. Staring seriously, and breaking into smiles and giggles as she sees fit.

She is so capable and changing so quickly. She can sit on her own, roll over, bend forward to reach something and reposition herself back to where she was once she retrieves it. She will lay on her belly and push most of her body off the ground like she’s about to crawl. Slow down, baby!

Every day, I make a point to spend time making her laugh. It is the sweetest sound. She is very vocal and will squeal and shriek and grumble. She loves bouncing in her bouncy seat, jumping in the jumperoo, and eating on Sophie, and lazing in the bath each night. We use a natural baby wash, and when I kiss her head, she smells of lavender and honey and tea tree. Naps continue to be a challenge, as she prefers to sleep on me while we rock, but it’s getting easier for all of us. I am giving her as much of myself as I can. Knowing that even though it’s tiring, I truly enjoy rocking her to sleep each night, even if it takes an hour or two. 

She is a big girl, wearing 12-month clothes and weighing over 17 pounds. Her chunky cheeks continue to amaze me.

She could not be more fantastic. I look forward to every day and every milestone. Happy five months, baby bee!

4 notes ()