Allie's 1st Bite of Real Food

One day short of 6 months, Allie got her first bite of solid food.  It was rather funny to see her grab the carrot sticks (that I think I didn't cook long enough) and gum them and suck on them.  I don't that Allie has any idea about what to do with "real" food yet. 

After a bit of research, Todd and I decided to pass over the baby cereal and pureed baby food and go right into real solid human food.  Would you want to eat mashed up peas and beef?  The theory is that babies who follow this type of feeding, will be better eaters in the long run and willing to try more foods in the future.  I have also learned that babies do not need solid food until really they are a year old...everything before that is just for fun and play...to teach them how to eat so they will be prepared when they do turn one.  My friends think I'm crazy and my pediatrician says she won't get enough iron.  I guess we will find out at her 9 month check up.  I'm not worried.  I just want her to have a good experience with food...and a non-stressful experience.  I don't want to play the airplane game and I don't want to force feed her just because she needs to finish the jar.  This way seems much easier...and I'm an easy going person.  It's a perfect fit. 

Shots...Round Two

This doctors visit was a little better than before.  I made sure to give Allie Tylenol before her shots.  Last time she developed a fever.  Most likely she would this time too.  The shots were awful...again.  I had to hear that painful cry.  The one where she hyperventilates and she doesn't breath and her face turns purple.  The one that basically screams, "Why did you let them do this to me???" 

Allie survived and so did I.  She is fast asleep in her crib hopefully not dreaming of big long needles sticking her chubby little thighs.

Giggles, giggles and more giggles

Recently I found out that Allie is pretty ticklish.  I really got Allie laughing here...I love it!

Allie is Baptized

I was not raised in a faith, although I did celebrate Easter and Christmas.  Growing up, I considered myself a Christian, even though I wasn't baptized or attended church (hardly ever).  My mother was raised Presbyterian and whenever we travel down south to Kentucky, we would usually go to the Presbyterian church my mom when to as a child.  That was about all the exposure I had to God. 

I met Todd and quickly learned he was Catholic.  Born and raised within the faith, he attended a Catholic grade, middle and high school growing up.  I was happy and a little relieved when I found this out because a part of me wanted to belong...somewhere.  Before we were married I took the classes, was baptized, confirmed and accepted communion all in one ceremony.  It was a packaged deal.  Todd and I were married in the church his parents were married in, Divine Child. 

Allie's Godparents

Today was the day that our Allie girl was baptized.  She was baptized at the church Todd and I belong to now, Holy Family.  We had a hard time deciding who Allie's Godparents would be.  After all, they should be two people who will have a close relationship with her, who will be good role models to her, and will be there for her with any religious questions she may have growing up.  Those are the responsibilities of a Godparent.  We were honored when our good friends Mark and Kathleen Ader accepted the job.  We love them like family and they are very close friends...after all, they do live around the corner from us.

The way our church baptizes children is so...they pour or dunk the baby in water then you take the baby to a private room and change into the baptismal gown.   Todd and I decided that we would only have the priest pour water on Allie's head.  However, at the last minute I had second thoughts.  It must have been peer pressure.  Every other baby was being dunked into the baby-sized swimming pool, except Allie.  I whispered to Todd if he thought we should have Allie dunked too and he said, "no."  So I just went with it. 

Allie did very well at the ceremony.  She only whined a little when the water was poured over her head.  Her Godmother helped her change into her vintage gown.  This gown was worn by Todd's mom and aunt, Todd himself and his sister, and Todd's two nieces.  I'm very appreciative that Todd's mom's agreed to let me hang it up in Allie's room as a decoration.  It is beautiful and stunning.  It looks gorgeous in her room and Allie looked gorgeous wearing it the day she was baptized. 

Now that the ceremony is over, the party food and cake are eaten, and the thank you cards are in the mail (yes, I'm fast) I'm started to regret my decision to not have Allie dunked in the water.  I don't really know why.  I don't have a very good reason.  But, if I could do it all over again, I would have Allie submerged in the water completely.  The photographs would have be spectacular.

My Little Hostess

Allie hosted her first play date.  She was so excited to have all her friends over...and I was so excited to see all of my friends!  Allie invited her friends...Jack, Tommy, Ellie, Julia and Sawyer.  The babes had a fun time playing in the jump-a-roo, exersaucer, swing and on the play mat while the mommies chatted and ate some lunch.  Allie was rock'n her fun legwarmers.

No Allie, that is Jack's binky!

Mommy's 1st Mother's Day

This year mother's day fell on my birthday.  It was a double special day...my very 1st mother's day and my 1st birthday with my family of three.  Today was a beautiful warm Michigan day.  The Ader's invited us to meet them at the zoo for a short time.  Todd's parents joined us also because it is her mother's day too...and Allie loves her Grandma and loves spending time with her.  Allie rode around in her stroller and enjoyed looking at the animals.  I think the monkey's were her favorite.  I really didn't want this day to end.

Allie and Grandma

Allie with her friend, Austin

Houdini

Allie is our little Houdini.  From the moment she was born, we swaddled her up in receiving blankets and special baby swaddle blankets.  However at night she always managed to un-swaddle herself.  No blanket was a match for her.  This was a problem because her arms would jerk around and eventually wake herself up...and then wake her mom and dad up.  After a bit of research on the Internet, I found something called the Miracle Blanket (aka: the straight jacket).  This blanket guaranteed to keep Allie's arm's down and in place.  To some, this may seem like cruel and unusual punishment.  But to a baby, it as natural as being back inside a mother's womb.  Allie loves when we put her in the blanket.  She knows it time for sleep and she's off to dreamland in no time at all.  

Allie in the Miracle Blanket at 3 months old

Allie in the Miracle Blanket at 4 months old

Within the past couple days, Allie has finally graduated from the swaddle blanket to the big baby sleepsack. 

Allie in the Sleep Sack at 5 months old