Joanna's First Food

On Sunday, Nov. 15, I took the plunge and gave Joanna a taste of her first food, sweet potatoes. That's what I started Vivian on, so I figured we'll do the same for buttercup.

  I have a Beabe Baby Cook that is now used to make Vivian's smoothies. It was great and easy to use making Vivian's food and I had every intention on doing the same this time.  Well, I added my diced sweet potatoes and started the steamer.  About 5 minutes in, I heard a loud whistling sound.  I came into the kitchen and the baby cook was leaking water and steam was all over the place.  I made the mistake of popping the top, while holding Joanna, and it was like a bomb went off from the pressure being released.  Thank God the wall of steam didn't smack Joanna in the face!  After that, I added the potatoes to a pot to boil.

Once the potatoes where finished boiling, I added them back to the baby cook to puree.  I think I had a little too much water that made the potatoes so bland tasting.  I also added a little frozen breast milk for a familiar taste.  I did try a little...not going to lie, I wasn't a fan.  I decided to give some to Joanna since she didn't know the difference, HA!  

When she saw the spoon coming towards her mouth, that girl was excited.  She was reaching for the spoon trying to get it into her mouth.  After that first taste she wasn't too sure about it.  She did continue taking bites.  Vivian wanted to try, but she spitted it right out LOL.  

After giving Joanna a few bites we called it quits.  I had to make a trip to the grocery store and decided to pick her up a few containers of food.  After she had a taste of the store bought sweet potatoes, she took a liking.  

Vivian didn't really like solids until about 8 months old.  I'm happy Joanna is ready to jump the gun with food.  Definitely a fun milestone!  Plus, Vivian can now help out and feed Joanna a little :)

 

Leafing Around

Fall.  What's not to love about this season?  Cooler weather, long sleeves, warm drinks and leaves.

At our previous home (our first home purchase), we had only pine trees.  Boo.  I really hate pine trees, simply because of the needles. This home has great trees producing awesome fallen leaves.

B had to rake the yard and made a large pile of leaves for Vivian to play, jump, have a grand ole time.  Amazing how the simplest things bring the biggest smile on a child's face.  I wish (pray) she keeps her innocence and always find happiness in simple things in life.

Here's to the first time jumping in a pile of leaves and definitely won't be the last :)

  

^^ loves blowing bubbles

^^ I can already tell she's going to be the sweetest and kindest little girl

^^  Daddy swinging Vivian into the leaves

 ^^ where did Vivian go?

  

^^  here she is!

Halloween

What a great first Halloween for both girls.  Vivian's first year to actually go trick-or-treating and Joanna's first Halloween ever.  We were excited for the day!

I whipped up a batch of pumpkin pancakes for breakfast that Vivian didn't want to eat.  Oh well, but they were delicious! 

Our local Whole Foods had a 'healthy' trick-or-treat for the kids that we decided to check out.  They followed pumpkin marks on the floor that had an employee waiting to hand out a treat.  Vivian got an orange, pumpkin balloon, organic apple juice box, string cheese, a small bag of candy corn and a stamp.  Hey, all she cared about was putting 'prizes' in her bucket.  

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch at the mall and Vivian rode the train.  Every time we go to the mall she wants to ride.  Whatever makes that little turkey happy!

Both girls took a nap that afternoon and woke just in time to get ready for the trunk-or-treat.  I kept Joanna in her Carter's skeleton jammies for her costume.  I thought about having her wear Vivian's costume, but decided to stick with comfort.  She made a cute little skeleton!

Instead of going to door-to-door since Vivian is still young we chose to do another trunk-or-treat at a local church.  They started at 4 pm which was great and Vivian got a lot of candy in a short amount of time.  Everyone loved her costume and she loved picking out her 'prizes.'  Next year we'll hit up a neighborhood :)

We used an old costume of Brody's to at least have a pic of him dressed up.  Halloween is his least favorite time of year.  Vivian loved seeing him dressed in a costume.

Happy Halloween!

 

5 Months Old

Sweet buttercup, how is it possible you're already 5 months old?!  It truly has happened in a blink of an eye.

You weigh around 14.5 pounds and I can tell you've grown in length.  You can still wear a few 0-3 months, but primarily wearing 3-6 months clothes.  For diapers, you are in a size 2.  

For feedings, you nurse every 2-3 hours when awake.  You are still a quick nurser unless you nap/eat at the same time.  

You are still my cat napper and nap on-the-go in the car.  Once in a blue moon you'll stay asleep in the car seat when we go into a store or park, but usually wake not long after being wherever we are.  

You're usually in bed between 6:30/7pm and usually wake 30 minutes to an hour later to eat again.  Sleep 4-7 hours, anywhere between 12-3 am, wake to nurse, back asleep until 4/5:30am, have a diaper change and nurse, back to sleep until 7:30-8:30am.   Less than a handful of times you've slept all the way until 5 am to nurse, and only a few times you've slept an entire 12 hours.  I pray we'll reach the point of sleeping 12 hours, maybe once you start solids.  Until then I'm going to enjoy the extra snuggles.

You love your play mat still.  There are times you get so excited with the music, you start kicking and babbling/squealing away.  This month you've been introduced to your exersaucer and starting to really enjoy being in there.  Vivian will show you the animals and make things spin.

You are starting to figure out this sitting up business.  Mommy is ready to plop you down without any support.  

Tummy time still isn't your favorite, but you'll tolerate it for a few minutes.  There have been a few times you've rolled from your tummy to back.

You love looking at your hands.  It always looks like you're studying them.  So cute!  You haven't found your feet yet, but you like kicking them in the air.  I'm just waiting for you to do the 'happy baby' pose.

You love to smile and giggle.  Sweetest sight and sound! You have sweet smiling eyes as Memom calls them.  

 You are an easy going little girl.  You are happy most days and the only time you really become upset is when you're tired.  Can't believe how lucky we are to have you in our lives.  You are an absolute blessing my sweet angel.  I love you oh so much!!!!

Vivian loving the Christmas bows :)