Out with the rice...

So after several days of doing better and better on rice cereal... Mia decided that she hated solids and wasn't going to eat any more... ever. She wouldn't open her mouth, and if you did sneak the food in, she'd let it run all out of her mouth. Or spit it at you.

I don't want to make a big deal out of food, as it seems to only make a problem worse, so we decided to take a break for awhile. She didn't seem to miss it at all. Crazy kid.

On the advice of some friends, I tried her on oatmeal today... and she LOVED it! She was practically launching herself at the spoon and ate the whole tablespoon! She actually swallowed it. Yay! Go Mia! And she didn't even want to nurse because she was full.

So maybe she just didn't like rice cereal? Or she wanted a change? Mia's doctor recommended switching every couple of days, so I may try that.

On to veggies next week. So excited about that!

Raspberries are more fun with cereal...

Or pictures of Mia's first solids feeding.

So, what's this I hear about solid food? Food comes in solid form?

First bite -- um, what?

Okay, I have it in my mouth... now what?

Yum! That's good! Gimme more!

Yay! That was fun!

Wait... that wasn't a one time thing?

Rubber Ducky, You're the One

So Mia is like Ernie... she loves her duckie!

What do you mean? She's my duckie!

She helps me practice my poses. I call this one "Blue Steel"

Out of everyone, Duckie, I love you best of all!

She keeps my secrets. See, like here? I'm tired. But she didn't tell Mommy. She's cool like that.

And she lets me eat her face. That's a true friend right there.

Yum, duck!

Mia on solids

Well, today my mommy fed me something called "rice cereal". It was... um... interesting. It came in a bowl, which is not my preferred method of eating. First, it wasn't attached to mommy. Second, it contained something... odd.

It was runny, but not like milk. It was sweet, for sure. But I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with it. So I just let it run out of my mouth. It made mommy and daddy laugh, so I guess that's okay. I did swallow a little bit of it, and it sure was good! So I'm going to try to work on that swallowing stuff.

But I tell you one thing... I really, really liked the spoon! It was so much fun to chew on. Mommy says we're going to eat again tomorrow. I'm so excited... yay for spoons!

(pictures coming soon)

Free at last!

Here are the rescued Easter pictures that were promised!

But Daddy, I don't get it... what is going on? A duck? In a basket? Left by a bunny? Its all so confusing.

Oh who cares... a duck! Yay!

Hello, my name is Mia. I will eat your face now.

The Easter dress that that she didn't get to wear for awhile. It was too cold! Weird.

So blessed

Mia can be... high maintenance, let's say. But she more than makes up for it.

Some things I love about my baby:
* Her laughing at me being silly
* Cuddling with her after she wakes up from a nap
* A smile to greet me every morning
* Watching her play and explore her world
* Her gorgeous eyes
* When she looks at me when nursing
* Her feistiness -- She'll stand her ground one day!
* The way she looks at her daddy
* Her baby "hugs"
* When she quiets down when I hold her
* When she looks at me all content

I'm so blessed. How could I ever exchange that for a baby who takes a bottle or sleeps?

The Graduate

Yay! I graduated! In the most ghetto graduation ceremony ever. Seriously. The video feed stopped working, the people who gave speeches didn't make one point, and there was the small incidence of a fire. Um, yes. The speakers started smoking!

Photographic evidence:

Sssssmokin!

But... I received my "diploma". Having really finished in December, this was a formality, but it was fun, and I'm glad I went. Being all graduated and stuff feels official now.

Mia's all -- meh, graduation... Can I play with Heidi now?

I'm not sure who is more proud.

Mom and Dad

The Davenport Clan

Mia's presents for Mommy

So I had a big week... a birthday (May 6), graduation from grad school (May 11) and Mother's Day. It was a great week, all around, and Mia gave me 2 great presents.

Tooth #1 appeared on my birthday.

Tooth #2 appeared on Mother's Day.

Thanks, Mia!

I'm not sure whether that "Thanks" is sarcastic or genuine. On one hand, she's much happier since the teeth have broken through. On the other... teeth. Nursing.

Need I say more?

We have yet to capture good photographic evidence of the teeth. Will post when we do!

5 months

How in the world is Mia 5 months already? How did that happen?

This kid... she wants to move. Seriously. She does the "squirm down" even though she can't go anywhere (yet) or sit up (without doing the "tripod"). She throws her body around to see what different noises are, and flops off your lap to lay on the floor.

Yet, she can't roll from back to belly. Weird. I'm not sure she's realized the motivation just yet.

Here's what's going on in Mia's life now:

(and wow... that's a lot of apostrophes)

* Roll from tummy to back on purpose

* Traps moving objects

* Sits while holding herself up

* Plays with her feet... they obviously taste great, too

* Has one tooth! (with one on the way any second)

* Babbles and talks

* Giggles

* Loves to stand -- while being held, of course!

* Loves getting her tooth brushed

* Thinks outside is the best place in the world

Here's my attempts at getting a 5 month picture... Little Miss wasn't quite happy about sitting still for the picture.

What in the world am I going to do when she actually starts crawling?

Here's her official 5 month picture. And the only one I could get without her moving.

Vacation Fun!

So... its been awhile! We were preparing to go on our first vacation, then vacationing, then recovering!

Mia and I went with Mark to Duluth, MN for a week. Mark had to be there for three weeks for a work trip, so we thought... hey! Why don't we all go? It was a blast. Mia did really good on the plane and had a great time seeing the sights. She had several "firsts" on this trip -- first plane ride, elevator ride, swim in a pool, stay in a hotel room, and trip to the zoo.

We continued the Garrett family tradition of visiting the zoo for every vacation, saw Gooseberry Falls, went to Canal Park, and went on lots of walks in the Sky Walk. We had fun getting to hang out with Mark, too, before he had to be away for awhile.

But what do you care about that... I know what you want -- PICTURES!

Mia is still not sure about this "hotel room" stuff.

Having fun with Daddy

Mark and Mia at the zoo (it was cold)

Oooo! Fish!

First time in a pool

The family at Gooseberry Falls