Solids...here we go!

We officially started solids with Collins about two weeks ago. After her 6 mo apt, the pediatrician gave us the go ahead. 

We "set" the table for C so that she can learn to recognize and associate with the tools we use for eating. She loved the spoon, but didn't have the slightest bit of interest in the sippy cup. C has a specific bottle preference (literally, she refuses to eat from all but one brand) so this isn't very surprising. Hannah lunged for hers immediately, so we may have our work cut out for us. 

We started solids with whole grain cereal. It didn't go over great, but we managed to get in a few spoonfuls before she clamped down. W did the honors 😃

We did two rounds of solids the first day, both being whole grain cereal. We are following the new every 2-3 day rule for introduction. So far, so good! No adverse reactions. To date, we've introduced: whole grain cereal, oatmeal cereal, banana, apple, green beans, green peas, butternut squash, and sweet potato. I tried a teething biscuit yesterday as well. She loved it!

She's really doing well and generally finishes the entire portion. After the first few days, I started messing around with texture. She will definitely eat thicker and creamier textures (as opposed to the thinner, runnier ones), so that's exciting! I tried to leave a few small chunks in the banana mixture, but she had a little trouble with it at first. The same thing happened with apples. I puréed the apples with the skin on so she'd have some texture to it. She wasn't a fan the first time. Now, she's really getting the hang of it. 

We had great success using sign language with Hannah, particularly when it came to meal time. We felt like it really saved all of us a lot of frustration. We began exposing Collins to it this month and hope that she'll have the success her sister did.

C is also beginning to grab our hands in an effort to bring the spoon to her mouth. We're encouraging that, but also handing her her spoon and encouraging her to dip. She definitely doesn't understand that concept. It's really just exposure at this point. 

So exciting times!!!

Happy 6 months!

It's officially been a half year since Collins came into the world! In some ways it seems like a life time ago, but mostly time is flying by too quickly.

Stats:

Weight: 13lbs 15oz (13th percentile)

Height: 25.25 inches (32nd percentile)

We are finally wearing size 2 diapers and moved fully into 3-6 month clothing. 

Collins' little personality is beginning to come out. It is so fun to watch! She loves to participate in "conversation" and mostly sounds like a baby bird or a flock of baby birds 😉. One of my favorite moments this month was at H's preschool. I took her in to pay tuition and the ladies were commenting on her cute little ruffle bum. They were all doting on her and she would laugh and then bury her head into me and then babble and bury her head into me. It was seriously the cutest thing! Another favorite development this month: when I pick C up from her crib, she buries her head into my shoulder and snuggles into me. I love it! She is very into faces this month and loves to grab, clasp, pat, and pull at anything on your face. 

This month has brought some fun milestones:

 We have an official sitter! The month started off shaky, but daily practice finally turned into a new milestone. Collins is loving the new view! She still topples if she stops paying attention or gets tired. We  put a triangle of pillows or soft blankets behind her, just in case. 

She can pass objects back and forth between hands and definitely searches for dropped objects.

I can't remember if I've recorded these, but she's definitely doing the following:

*Making razzing noises

*stringing sounds together e.g. "ah goo"

*turns head in the direction of a noise sounded

*notices even small objects

Collins loves:

*Hannah

*Daisy

*Bath time

*Putting her hands behind her head to signify she's sleepy.

*Paci

*Pulling her lovey to her face

*exersaucer/jumparoo 

*putting everything into her mouth!

We did have a few firsts this month including a trip to the beach and to meet great, great Aunt Vivian (94)

Stay tuned... We will be starting solids this month. So fun!