What's for Dinner?

Shortly after you turned 4 months old, your dad and I went to Babies R Us to buy you a high chair.  You were "protesting" your bouncer on the floor during dinner time and I knew that you would be much happier if you" joined the party" with us at the table.  You were getting pretty good at sitting up (with help of course) and I knew as long as you were strapped in you would love it...and you did!  Dinner time was much more enjoyable as you sat happily in your high chair with some of your favorite toys and we thought it would stay like that for a while until you were ready to start solids.

Happy girl in her big girl chair!

"Wow!  This toy is so cool, it spins and makes noises and everything...how does it do that?"

 Just sitting in your high chair at dinner time was very short lived.  A few days after we bought it, you decided that you HATED sleep.  You were awake all the time, during the day, in the middle of the night...you name it and you were up!  After a few sleepless nights (and days) I was desperate for a solution!  I thought we were doing it all right, we had a bedtime routine, we tried adjusting your bedtime, we tried letting you cry (only for a few minutes), we tried soothing you, eventually I just gave in and nursed you back to sleep.  I decided to give the pediatrician a phone call and they told me to start you on some rice cereal and then introduce solids.  They claimed that you were waking up because you were hungry and that eating solids would keep you full longer.  Although this was against my original "plan" of waiting until 6 months, I decided that you were showing some signs that you were ready.  You were loving your high chair and you appeared very interested in what we were eating.  You would stare us down as we ate.  I thought we would give it a try and if it was a total disaster than I would just hold off a few weeks and try again.  I was very hopeful that this would be the solution to our sleepless nights....WRONG!  It didn't help your sleep AT ALL (no worries, we eventually did find a solution - check back at your 6 month post for more info!)

Back to the food - we started with the rice cereal and you weren't really a fan.  You made such a mess the first time that I'm pretty sure nothing actually got in your mouth.  We stuck to it though and after a few days you were doing much better with this and we decided to give sweet potatoes a try.  You HATED them!  I mean you made a face, gagging, spitting it out...you did it all!  I felt so bad for you, but it was hilarious and your dad and I couldn't help but laugh.  We also took a video and if I figure out how to post it I will add it later!   After a few days you decided that sweet potatoes weren't that bad and you didn't happily eat them, but you didn't protest them either.  I considered this a success!  The pediatrician recommended to introduce you to a new food every 3-4 days, so that's what we did.  Next up we did apples and then pears, with a little bit of prune juice thrown it there - I'm sure you can read between the lines to figure out why.  You loved all 3 of those things and started to love eating!  Since then you've also tried green beans, avocado, squash, and bananas.  I would say right now the favorites are squash and avocado, but you will eat just about anything that I give you!  You are a happy girl who loves her food and your chubby thighs are proof of that!

What's for dinner next you ask?  I just made you some peas and I'm sure you will love them!

"Mom, what is that stuff?  It's orange and disgusting, gross!"

"Hmm...actually it's not so bad!  It would be even better with some cinnamon sugar though!"

"More please!"

My first baby food making day was a success:  avocado, sweet potatoes, squash, and apples! 

Pittsburgh Trip Highlights

Our 10 day trip to Pittsburgh was very eventful.  We were lucky enough to spend time with the Castello side of the family, relax by the "pool" on Fieldstone Beach, meet Max and Charlotte, hang out with cousin Bryan, and end the week in Akron with the Hall side of the family...throw in a holiday, graduation party, and Pirate game and that about sums up our trip.

You are an expert at taking road trips, you travel prepared with all of your favorite toys!

Golfing on the 4th of July...Fore!

Our red, white, and blue cutie

On Saturday we went to cousin Domo's graduation party.  While most of us enjoyed stuffing ourselves with amazing food, you decided to snack on your toes instead!

On Sunday, we cheered on the black and gold!

After our busy weekend, we spent the majority of the week hanging out by the pool with Aunt Kristen, Uncle Jeff, and Pap.

On Wednesday, we went over to the Hendry's house to meet Max and Charlotte.  Charlotte is about a month older than you and Max is 4 months to the day younger than you.  There is so much cuteness in this picture, I can't even handle it!

You love when cousin Byran comes over to Pap's house. 

Your first ponytail!

You turned 5 months old when we were in Pittsburgh, stop growing up so fast!

On Saturday, we drove to Akron for your Great-Grandma's surprise 80th birthday party.  Here you are with all of the great-Grandkids.

Cousin Bryan with the babies...Anna is 11 months, Bryan is almost 6, and you are 5 months.

How cute are these 2?

Uncle Mark, here is your documentation that Addie is the first baby on my side that didn't cry when you held her.  Addie loves her great-Uncle Mark...even if you scared the crap out of me when I was little lol

The whole group!

1st Pirates Game

These shirts were part of your dad's Father's Day gift.  This is one of my favorite pictures of the 2 of you!

We went to the Pirate game when we were in Pittsburgh for the 4th of July.  It was the first game for both you and your dad.  I would say that your dad was much more into it than you were!  You did not like the loud noise, so any time they had a big play and the crowd roared...you cried!  Overall, it was a fun time with family and we look forward to many more Pirate games in the future.

Your dad and I enjoying the game while you were hanging out with Grandma.

View from our seats

Family photo

All smiles for Aunt Kristen

Uncle David had much better seats than we did, so your dad went to sit with him for a little bit.

Hanging out with your cousin Timmy and Maria.

Your Daddy, Grandma, Aunt Kristen, Pap, Maria, Cousin Timmy.  Your Uncle Tim, Aunt Judy, Uncle David, and Uncle Bob were also there with us, but sitting in much better seats!

Daddy trying to protect you from the loud cheering! 

Family photo at the end of the game

All worn out from the game!

Red, White, and Blue

 

The 4th of July is your dad's favorite holiday so it has always been an event for us.  In the past we have spent the 4th on the beach with drinks, followed by fireworks.  This year was a little different, instead of heading south to sun and sand, we headed north to family and friends...and it was one of the most memorable ones yet!

We started our day at the baseball field watching your cousin Bryan's last game of the season.  He did great and you loved watching everything around you.  Baseball is a big deal in this family, your dad spent many, many hours on the field growing up and even played in college.  But, another person who absolutely loved baseball was your great-Grandma, Nanny.  Nanny passed away the summer before you were born, but she knew that I was pregnant with you and I know without a doubt in my mind that she is looking down on you every single day.  Another highlight of our 4th of July was that we got to see the bench dedicated to Nanny overlooking the baseball field at Scott park.

After the baseball game, you spent some quality time with you Grandma while your dad and I went golfing.  Yes, I went golfing and it pretty much made your dad's day.  He has been begging me to go for a while now and I finally gave it.  We went to Bob's golf course, a par 3 course where you pay $5 per person to golf all day long.  It was the perfect beginner course and meeting the owner, Bob, was just icing on the cake.  He was a character!

The 4th of July isn't complete without a cookout and that's just what we did.  We spent the rest of the evening with family and friends...and lots of good food. 

Happy 4th of July Addie girl!!!

Holiday outfits are so much fun!  You looked adorable in your red, white, and blue!

Our first 4th as a family!

Hanging out at the baseball game, cheering on cousin Bryan...and rocking our shades of course!

We love you Nanny!

Team 1:  Uncle Jeff, Shelly, Aunt Kristen, your dad, and myself

Team 2:  Cousin Anne, Dave, Uncle David, and cousin Gina

Team 3:  Pap, Cousin Timmy, Maria, and Uncle Tim

Don't I look like a pro, flip flops and all!

The whole golfing crew

My Favorite Things - Month 5

Here a few of my favorite things from month 5, along with some of my favorite pictures!

We went to the bay to watch the sunset one night and it was  the first time you enjoyed the beach.  You played in the sand and smiled the whole time, it was awesome!

How lucky are we that this is where we live!

-I love that it is summer time and that I get to be home with you again.  Some of my favorite memories so far have been when it is just the 2 of us (while Daddy is out making money of course!) 

-You continue to have the cutest smile in the entire world and you just smile all day long.  Your dad and I can't get enough of your smiles!

Seriously, how cute is that smile?  You light up the whole room when you smile!

Looking cute in your strawberry shorts, you have the most fabulous summer wardrobe!

-You have started touching my face while I nurse you and I love it.  It's like your saying "I love you Mom" with your hands and it melts my heart every time. (This has not been documented for obvious reasons.)

More smiles!

Looking stylish and sassy in Aunt Kristen's sunglasses

-Your dad and I have really enjoyed all of the "firsts" this month.  From playing with your toys to rolling over to eating solids you are getting big so fast...slow down Addie!  It truly is an honor to be your mom and I love watching you learn and grow, I can't wait to see what next month brings (hopefully a laugh!)

Not to sure about sweet potatoes...

-You've found your toes...and they are in your mouth...a lot...and it is hilarious!

-Your hair.  I love your hair, even in it's constant craziness as it grows longer.  I refuse to cut it any time soon.  So instead, you rocked your first pony tail this month and it was adorable!