Thanks and Thinking of You FOUR

I've spent the last hour reading Uncle Bills family blog about little A's adoption...no comment box so here goes...

Many thanks for letting us all in on so many current details as we count down the days until we greet you at GRR! (Hopefully... but will completely understand if a big overwhelming welcome might be too much for A and her new family) My family have witnessed many (refugee/MEETINGMARCOS/L-R homecoming) exciting and emotional arrivals there. While A's homecoming doesn't involve our fam's household like the others, I imagine it will compare (tissue factor) to seeing 5 month old M for the first time.

S-You are going to be an excellent big brother. I really enjoyed what little time we spent together last week at the zoo. You are a mature young man and I'm lucky to have you for a cousin.

I love the photo of Bill pointing to his nose and A studying intently. Reminds me of looks I've seen on M's face...everything new...so much to learn.

So...Happy Birthday to S!
All my love!
Jill

Sitting

This is one for the babybook! She sat for about 2 minutes. Linnea...after evening bottle and cereal, before bath and pjs!

Baptism in E's Lansing

Grandma, L and I headed east today to attend cousin E's baptism.


Little E with her family and priest.




L with G'ma and G'G'ma.

If you zoom in on the picture below you can read the history (partial...Uncle Paul and Bill's dates are listed on the back) of E's baptismal gown.

Note to Self...

After an hour's car ride, always check/change diaper so as not to spring leak/wear pee shirt(mom not babe) and always have spare/everything in case of such accident.

My Sweet

Linnea, captured prenap, after tossing her pacifier...it usually lands NEXT to her cranium...not ON it.

Saturday night after Mom put L's hair up in a piggy tail for the first time.

Today...

Happy Anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa R! We love you both!

Spring is Blooming Babies!

Babies are suddenly everywhere! It was so much fun to see so many out of winter hibernation and bundles. And Linnea was one of them. She had a very active weekend: Meijer, Grandma and Grandpa's, and Applebees. Lots of floor time, too. SO nice not to have to have her buried under a pile of blankets everytime she's outside. She took a nap on Grandma and Grandpa's front porch and played in the exersaucer, too.



L was sleepy when we got to Applebees today, but she sat in a chair for about 10 minutes. There was a cute 3 month old at the next table over...hopefully they didn't hear L's grunting and straining just before we left. It was so funny watching her red face (you know what she was doing) watching her dad eat.


A little formula before her first taste...

....of banana!

Just ah Moment...

As I fed L her last bottle of the evening, Sean sat down next to us, tying shoes, minutes from leaving for work. Crazyhungrysleepy L, noticing that Dad was in the close by but couldn't see him, pushed bottle from mouth and shifted to see around Mom and flash Dad milky smile. Repeated 3 times before being handed over for goodnight hugs-and-kisses. Good L...didn't spit up on work clothes!

The Wide World of Solids and a Note to Self

Linnea will be trying REAL food tommorrow. Sean has the night off and I want him to enjoy this "first."

I've been reading up on feeding solids and going mad by all the theories...when to start, what to offer first. The more I read, the more I worry.

Dr. M's office got a call from me today with a question about L's lack of interest/talent at rolling. Nurse T said not to worry, but she'd run it by the doc. Mary, my visiting nurse also got a call....she reassured me that all is fine, some skills are learned before others and don't last long before working on the next skill. Dad...knows all...that Linnea is her own little person who knows herself!

Note to Self: Stop reading baby care books, magazines...milestone carts. Rely on momstincts (ew...that doesn't work, does it? Mom...stinks...momINstincts). Rely on observations of family, friends, and care providers who know and love L, but can see things that I cannot. (ie...too small socks...THATs why they kept falling off)

A Brief Sit While Getting Dressed

NOT...All Thumbs

Linnea eats her cereal a couple times a day now. We start with half a bottle or more and then she's taking around 2 tablespoons of cereal. She had barley cereal for the first time a few days ago and chows on it the same as the rice. It is MUCH harder to clean up, though. Eww. I tried it today...not bad.

After cereal Linnea finishes her bottle. While I'M not ready for her to be feeding herself yet, I've been encouraging her to hold the bottle after her cereal. Oh, thumbs. For now, they are mostly for sucking!

While Linnea is still lazy with the rolling thing (has to get really upset on her belly before she'll do it), those chubby little arms are beginning to support her. The bathtub seems to be the most interesting place for her to sit up. Her hands go right down in the water and she's sat pretty steady for 45 seconds. Yes, I DID count.