First taste of food!

Well the pedi said since Isla if partially formula fed there is no need for cereal. That it just adds unnecessary calories and makes babies fat. But that we can start giving her stage one foods whenever we like. I don't know that I'll do too much of it before 6 months, but I was curious to see how she'd do. So I pureed a sweet potato while my mom broke out the video camera. Isla seemed to know exactly what she should do when that spoon neared her mouth. Although I suspect she just saw it as something else she could gnaw on if it would just get close enough. She was barely phased by the soupy orange goop sliding into her mouth. She looked curious but it only took her a few bites to start demanding more when I neglected to shovel it in fast enough. And she was furious when the bowl was empty.
It was terribly cute.

4 mos stats: 24 and 3/4 inches long, 40 cm head circumference, 12 lbs 13 oz

Rolling, rolling, rolling...

Yep. I've got a rolling baby. I put her down in her crib yesterday, walked out, and when I came back she was on her tummy! I was all excited until mom and Justin told me she's been doing it for a couple of days now. Thank for the update.
Apparently getting there on her own is much less traumatizing, because she doesn't fuss like she used to during tummy time. It also seems to put her to sleep. Often nearly instantly.
Toys have finally become interesting. We're finally getting some use out of the mobile, links, play mats, and activity gyms. Isla especially loves the makeshift activity gym I made out of her PNP changing bed and a couple of Lamaze animals. I imagine she enjoys it because I hung them low enough for her to reach and grab on to.
Working nights has been utterly draining. I'm finally done with them, for a while anyhow. That said, I worked all night last night and I am going to take a nap while Isla is occupied by the mobile. I'm expecting she'll be taking a nap soon too.
G'night!

First Fever and other milestones

I consider us lucky to have made it thus far with no illness or trauma. But teething has brought that to an end. Isla had her first fever 2 nights ago. Her temp got up to 102 and so I gave her a little tylenol and it was back to normal in under an hour. She's been a fussy mess every since though. She wants to nurse constantly, but won't take more than 2 oz from a bottle, and most of that she spits out.
Today I bought a little meshie feeder thing, meant for soft solid foods, and put an ice cube in it for her to suck on. She LOVED it. Every time I took it away she opened her mouth like a little birdie, begging to have it back. It was so cute. I certainly hope she gets her appetite back soon. I feel so bad for her. I hate to see her hurting.
She's also getting to be pretty clingy. My mom picked her up today and she screamed until mom gave her to me. But I can understand, when I don't feel good I want my mommy too. It feels nice to be loved so much.

And her newest trick is grasping and reashing for things! Last night she was laying next to my diaper bag and I noticed her reaching for the buckle. I decided to test her skill. So I got out her rattle and held it up and to her left side. Wouldn't you know she reached for it with both hands! Definitely a deliberate reach. She's not yet mastered the art of getting the larger heavier objects into her mouth, but fabric is fair game. Her clothes are always bunched up in her mouth now. And even some fabric I had cut and set in her car seat on the way to the check out counter had been thoughly noshed on in minutes.
I've also noticed her rolling her booty to the side when I change her diaper. She'll be rolling over on me before I know it.

Baptism and Giggles all in one day

Isla was baptized "Isla Xenia" into the Orthodox faith today and received her first communion. She was such a good baby and only cried for a minute or two after being dunked into a bath of water and olive oil three times. Father David did a beautiful job and his wife Nora graced us with her beautiful voice. Her godmother Pam hosted a great reception for us afterwards. Isla slept thru most of it. My Aunt Sally attributed that to the communion wine.
I chose Xenia of St. Petersburg (pronounced Ksen-ya) to be her patron saint. I loved her story and thought it was fitting that I choose a Russian saint as that is where I first found the Orthodox Church.

And tonight as I went to get Isla ready for bed I got some big giggles. I was lucky enough to capture them on video! Apparently she likes being bounced.

First 4th of July

Isla wasn't too interested in the fireworks. But she looked cute!

First day at the beach!

Yesterday we took Isla to the beach for the first time. We woke up EARLY (o'dark thirty) to get out before it got too hot. She really liked being outside. She was happy the whole time we were out there. I put her toes in the water and sand. She seemed surprised and curious by it all.
I got to ski and wakeboard and totally bust my face when I tried to turn from right to left on the wakeboard. (Seriously, I hit the water with my face...HEAD ACHE!).
We left by 10 am and she was just exhausted. When we got home she slept in her car seat while I took a shower. This is very rare, she usually wakes up and wants out as soon as we get in the door. And then she ate, and napped for an hour with me.
She was NOT a happy camper when it came time for bed though. She was way over-tired and screamed and screamed. Justin took her when he got home and stood by her crib shushing her until she finally passed out. I don't think we'll be interrupting her sleep in the morning again if we can avoid it.
Oh. and excuse the sideways video. My mom is technologically challenged.