I Fed Myself All By Myself!!

During this morning's feeding (December 31), I decided that I wanted to hold my big bottle myself. So, I took the bottle from Mommy's hands and held the bottle while eating for a few minutes. Mommy ran to get the camera for some reason and started snapping pictures. She thought it was pretty amazing that I was holding my bottle so well, being that I'm not yet 5 months old. I didn't do it for the praise, I did it because I was hungry! : )

My Doctor's Visit

I saw the doctor yesterday. Well, at almost 5 months old, I weigh 17.2 pounds and am 27 inches long. The doctor said that I look very good, and now it's time to up my cereal amounts and add in vegetables. Sounds yummy.

I also got three shots yesterday. I cried and then fell right to sleep in Mommy's arms. Mommy says that I was such a trooper and a good little girl. (Thanks, Mommy.) I'm not feeling so great today because of the after effects but hope to be back to my normal self soon.

New Computer = Funky Baby Pictures

Mommy and Daddy bought a new computer for Mommy since she is going to be doing regular freelance editing from home now. Of course, Mommy used the opportunity to take pictures of me...you see, this new computer has a web camera that also takes pictures and makes cool effects with them.

Here I am in the Baby Bjorn carrier getting my picture taken. By the way, Mommy and I LOVE the Baby Bjorn.

Christmas, Part II

Since we didn't see Daddy's family on December 25, we made plans to have dinner with them on December 26. It was like Christmas was two days long! What fun, and again, so many presents for me. It was overwhelming! And a lot of fun!

That's Aunt Bonnie holding me, and my cousins Katie (left) and Samantha (right). Katie and Samantha both helped Mommy and Daddy with watching me, playing with me, and even feeding me! Thanks, cuzs!

Christmas Night

Grandma and Grandpa L. bought me PJs to wear for Christmas night. And a hat too...my Mommy and Grandma love hats, especially on me!

Christmas at Greatgrandma's House

We saw Mommy's family for Christmas. Here I am with my cousin Ryan (our mommies are first cousins). Ryan is about 7 weeks older than me. Everyone was laughing at us because we were staring at each other and Ryan was putting his arm on my head and around my back. Then I tried to eat Ryan's arm and a couple of times we even held hands! It was by accident, of course, but it still counts!

Christmas Morning...No One Was Stirring, Except Me, Mommy, and Daddy

Mommy took the pictures and doled out the gifts. Daddy held me and helped me to open the gifts.

I got so many nice things---a drum, outfits, books, money for my college fund, a toy chest, a book about my name, blocks, a Cabbage Patch doll, teething toys, and much-needed PJs. Mommy and Daddy say that I am lucky to be loved by so many wonderful (and very generous) people.

Fresh Air!

Here I am about to take a walk with Grandma a few days before Christmas. It was the first time in almost two weeks that I had been out of the house (because of my cold). The fresh air did me good; not only did I fall asleep immediately during the walk but I got better shortly afterwards...thankfully, just in time for Christmas.

Long Time, No Post

It's been almost a full month since my last post. Unfortunately, I've been sick most of December with a cold (very stuffy nose, low grade fever, etc). In fact, I was supposed to get shots at my four-month "well visit" at the doctor but was so sick that the doctor sent me home and told Mommy to keep doing what she was doing to get me better; Mommy then had to reschedule.

But despite being sick, I still was learning and growing and doing. Here's a quick recap.

On December 1 (shortly before my 3-month birthday), I laughed out loud for the first time. What fun laughing is!

A few days before that I "found" my feet and now regularly enjoy stuffing my right foot (with or without sock) into my mouth. Even before that, in late November, I learned very quickly how to turn the crib toy on and off with my foot. One day, I woke a very tired Mommy at 5am, and she positioned me in front of the crib toy and showed me three times how to turn the toy on and off with my foot. Three times was a charm and I was kicking it on and off. I credit that toy with helping me to find my feet.

Mommy and I had a long day of picture taking mid-December for our family holiday card. Instead of fighting crowds, Mommy did my photo at home and then printed it through Walgreens. (Perhaps you've seen the card?) I'm posting only a couple of the 40 or so outtakes that Mommy and I went through that day. It was tiring for both of us but well worth it, Mommy says!

Late December I started recognizing the bottle and trying to hold it by myself. I can almost do that with the little 4-oz. bottles but not the bigger bottles. Instead I now just guide Mommy or Daddy's "bottle hand" to my mouth. Boy, do I love that bottle.

Oh, and say goodbye to the mobile...late December, I learned how to pull on the mobile hard to get the little characters into my mouth. Mommy is sad to see the mobile go...it was a good morning playtime toy.

Christmas was fun...but more about that later.

And now tomorrow, I go again for my 4-month doctor visit, although I'm closer to 5 months now. (And today was such a good day...now I have to worry about getting shots---yuck!)

So, that's the highlights in a nutshell. I know that I am missing some but it's 9:45pm and I have a big day tomorrow (remember, I'm getting shots. boohoo). I promise to post more often now that I'm feeling better.

Merry (Belated) Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy New Year!