Sweet Cheeks's First Solids!

So let me start by noting I had wanted to wait until 6 months for Sweet Cheeks's first solids; however, my sleep through the night baby has all of a sudden stopped sleeping through the night and several people have sworn it's because she's ready to eat solids. So after about a week of waking up at some time between 2-4 AM with a baby who refused to go back to sleep until she had a full meal, we decided it was time. I've felt like a zombie at work and just have not been a happy camper.

So yesterday (July 2nd) we sat down with some organic brown rice cereal mixed with breast milk and got to work. We plan on making Sweet Cheeks's baby food, but we decided to go with commercial baby food because it's fortified with iron (which she will need as her store depletes and I don't pass to her in nursing). I will be making some avocado and sweet potatoes and freezing those for the ready this next week. Bananas are also on the list as I've read the three are great first foods.

First round went well. We took film of it too, but I'm too lazy to figure out how to upload it right now. we got some amazing photos and Sweet Cheeks seemed to know what to do (although the actual swallowing part is still being worked on). Second round went even better with Sweet Cheeks lunging at the spoon to get it in her mouth...what a wonderful milestone. Really one of my favorites to date.

Round One

Mommy & Daddy (well Daddy really) got smart 3/4 of the way through and put a bib on.

Round Two

Happy 5 Month Birthday Stinker!

Newest nickname bestowed upon Sweet Cheeks - Stinker.  Nick dubbed Sweet Cheeks Stinker because she's so stinking cute.  I like it although I still seem to call her Sweet Cheeks the most.

Sweet Cheeks smiles so much now, the photo shoot this month didn't take very long.  Go the money shot in less than 10 shots!

Today's day brought Sweet Cheeks's first zoo trip...she took three, count them three different naps during our day at the zoo, but did so well.  We didn't get many pictures, but here's what we did get...Mommy's not looking very thin, hoping Sweet Cheeks starts sucking even more calories away...

I love that she's discovered Mr. Owl...

I'm only 3/8 Italian, but it's enough...

So over tummy time...

Walked away with her playing in her "jungle gym" (aka activity mat) and when I came back, this is what I found.  The toy was obviously within her reach, but I didn't think it was that close!

So glad we got to see the pandas!  The line is usually super long so we skip it...good thing about having a baby - you're up so early, you get to places early.

Happy First Father's Day Hubby!

Nick's first Father's Day is near it's end...he's currently out with a friend driving around one of his presents.

Now before your jaws drop, it's a rental.  I have rental car points to burn so I thought we'd start the weekend off with a fancy car rental.  I had actually rented a Dodge Charger because Nick thinks it's "cooler", but the one they had for me hadn't been returned when it was supposed to on Saturday morning so Nick felt a Camero was a good second choice.

This weekend was filled with fun, firsts, and surprises for our family.  We started Saturday morning by picking up the Camero.  When I saw the size of the trunk I realized I wouldn't be able to smuggle Nick's Father's Day gift to our destination and that Nick would have to open it early.  Sweet Cheeks got Daddy the ukulele that he's been coveting for years...

We headed up to Orange County.  We went to Downtown Disney because they have a new Tiki lounge...Sweet Cheeks's first Tiki bar!!!  It's called Trader Sam's and it's in the Disneyland resort.  We had a good time and Sweet Cheeks enjoyed all the Tiki-tastic stuff to look at.  When people order certain drinks, thunder storms would happen or volcanoes would erupt.  Sweet Cheeks did fairly well except with the bell ringing and thunder storms.  I think the noises were just a little too loud.

The Uh Oa

 

I also had some hotel points to burn so we headed over to Costa Mesa and stayed at the Westin South Coast Plaza...Sweet Cheek's first hotel room!!!  Sweet Cheeks did so well, we were incredibly proud.  We brought her Pack n' Play which she hasn't seen since she started sleeping in her nursery.  When we put her in it to go to sleep for the night, I was shocked to see how big she's really gotten.  I'm not sure we're going to be able to use it for her to sleep in any more - when she's spread eagle her arms touch both sides!  I was anxious and worried she wouldn't be able to do it since we'd all be in the same room and she's used to quiet and privacy, but she did just fine.  One nice thing is that since she was sleeping, we tried to stay quiet so it forced us to get into bed at 7PM and, yup, we were both passed out with the TV on by 8PM.  The best night of sleep we've had in a long time.  I hadn't woken up feeling that rested in a long, long time.



Sweet Cheeks laying on the Westin Heavenly Bed...and if you've ever been in one, they are heavenly!



Sweet Cheeks in the morning...so proud of herself and who could blame her?

Daddy and Sweet Cheeks playing in the Westin Heavenly Bed



We were on the 16th floor and Sweet Cheeks loved staring out the window...I wish we had a view like that for her at home!



That day we had reservations at Don the Beachcomber's for a late lunch and Polynesian show.  After one meltdown prior to a nap for Sweet Cheeks, we headed on our way.  The meltdown was a typical one for Sweet Cheeks...I'm tired, but I don't want to nap.  The show was wonderful and Sweet Cheeks just loved watching the dancers.  After all of the excitement, Sweet Cheeks slept all the way home.  The restaurant also gave all Dads a t-shirt.

Sweet Cheeks rapt with attention (Mommy too!).

Yea!!!  A family picture...our second one.  I've seriously got to get better at getting these.

Sweet Cheeks's getting a little tired...she's ready to go.

Mommy's getting a little tired...I'm ready to go.

Afterwards we headed home and now Nick is out with a buddy driving the Camero around until it has to be returned.  Men and cars...so strange.  So the end of Nick's first Father's Day is drawing to an end and I'm so happy it was successful. It started off bumpy with the wrong car...and did I mention I spilled Sweet Cheeks's Zantac medication all over the place the night before and we couldn't pick up her refill before 10AM giving us a late start to the day?

I asked Nick what his most favorite part of the weekend was...for him it was when he looked over during the show and saw his little girl watching the show with complete attention.  I think he has a Tiki partner in crime now.