Monday Morning Mia

(Updated with photos)


Mia's new toy from Ikea. (Sorry, pictures won't post. Will fix later)
One should never go to Ikea with a few dollars in one's pocket and an empty stomach. Ben, Mia and I trekked out to Ikea yesterday in the hopes of getting me a new desk and Mia a toy or two. We succeeded on both fronts, but also came home with a new duvet cover, a wine rack, plastic cups, and magazine holders, and we almost bought a new kitchen island. Perhaps they add a little something special to their cinnamon buns? We'll never know. We then went to Costco, which is next door, and bought a huge box of diapers (which will last probably 4 months, since we only use them at night and on trips), wipes, baby food, formula, Cheerios, and assorted other items. Suffice it to say we had leftovers for dinner.



Mia is now getting a bottle of formula here and there, which has been hugely freeing for me, I have to say. Ben can give her a bottle at night if needed, we don't have to worry about thawing out frozen milk and then watching it go to waste, and I can send her with formula to babysitting and if she doesn't want the bottle I don't feel horrible throwing it out. Mia seems to like it just fine, too. She's still nursing like a champ so I feel less guilty about the formula than I might otherwise. She is eating baby food and enjoying it, but not really taking to it that much. I think once she gets the finger foods she'll be very excited to eat, but in the meantime a tablespoon here and there is all she's interested in.

Big changes are about to happen here, we think. Mia is almost almost almost crawling, as you saw in the video. The mere anticipation is enough to keep her from sleeping. Naps have really stopped. But she's not upset, not at all. Just doesn't want to sleep, not one bit.

As soon as it happens, we'll be sure to update.

Learning to crawl, almost

It's been awhile since we posted a video, so here's your fix. Corrie called me in to the room in a panic to witness her crawl, but of course, she grew camera shy. Perhaps it just took a lot out of her, but we're getting real close these days. Walter has been providing a great example.

To wean

We have taken away the binky.

Three days have passed and I think we've managed to break her spirit. At our last Dr. appointment, it was strenuously recommended that we take it away from her before it's too late, ie, she's old enough to go out and buy her own at the 24 hour binky district downtown. Co-workers shared stories of their kids, wandering around the house forelorn, pleading, "Binky, why hast thou foresaken me?". We wanted to nip this in the proverbial bud, and so embarked on operation cold turkey.


(Just one more pull, that's all I need)

Given our great kid, it really could have gone much worse. For the most part, she really needed the bink just to fall asleep, so on the first day, she just didn't sleep. Oh she had fun playing with her toys and being carried/pushed all over tarnation, but try to put her down for a nap and she would launch into an aria of screams and wails. finally, after some 15 hours of playing, she hit the wall and was down for the night. Day 2 followed much the same pattern, but on day three she finally took a nice morning nap, and a short break in the afternoon. Day three went more or less like any normal day.

The only question remaining now, is does this maker us "wean-ers" and her the "wean-ie"?

Seven months + one day

Mia is now seven months old. She is growing so quickly it makes us a little sad. She's no longer a tiny baby but an independent girl who learns more and more each day. She's now 15 pounds 13 oz (according to the ped's scale) and 26.25 inches long. She showed off her new skills of getting up on her hands and knees and rocking and trying to sit up yesterday at the doc. She is trying to pull herself up and loves to hang on by my thumbs if you pull her up to standing. She has learned to bang things together and shake the rattle to make it make noise, which amuses her to no end. She also has learned to gently pet Walter, which she loves (as does he).
Happy seven months, Mia.

Monday Morning Mia-Geneva Edition

We're back from our Swiss excursion, well-rested and full of cheese and chocolate.
What a great trip! Geneva is a beautiful city, complete with the best of both modern and ancient Europe. We took many walks through winding old neighborhoods and along Lake Geneva. We drank strong coffee in beautiful cafes and pretended that we could speak French. We saw the world's tallest fountain and the world's longest bench. Mia traveled much better than we could have even dreamed. She befriended all of the flight attendants and several passengers on the plane both ways, and everywhere we walked people wanted to smile at her.
It's back to real life now, alas. At least we have a few bars of chocolate and the memories of a wonderful time.

Monday Morning Mia

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.








Busy week here. I'm defending my dissertation proposal tomorrow--FINALLY! Then Wednesday, we're off to Geneva. Photos to follow. See you next Monday!

bath time

Where once we were able to wash our baby in the sink with the rest of our dishes...



She's graduated to the big girl bath.



I think she prefers being bigger

All we are saying

Is give peas a chance.
Food photos never get old.






So far, peas good.
Bananas not good.
Sweet potatoes and avocado, so so.
Stay tuned for pears.

Monday Morning Mia--Labor Day Edition

Just a quick post for our loyal readers.
We're back from Florida, safe and sound. Mia was a champion traveler--friendly to everyone on the plane, caught a few winks on each flight, very little crying other than landing both times.
It was a whirlwind trip, but well worth it. Mia got to meet her great-grandmother, her uncle, her aunt andher cousin. She saw her grandfather again and met Moira for the first time.
A few photos should suffice:
More later this week.