Cry Baby

Detail

This is what Hazel, who is almost 5, thought Lena looked like the night that they babysat for us. Here's her dad, Josh, holding Lena with her mom, Jen, on the sofa next to him. Lena cried almost the entire time we were gone. We're so lucky to have good friends to put up with our crying baby while we went out for our 4-year wedding anniversary. We had a great time! I can't say the same about Josh, Jen, and Hazel.

Drawing by Hazel Rose

Dinner Time: The Movie

This is not for the queasy-stomached. Food goes in and out at the same time, but in a really cute way.

Food!

 

Lena had her first bites of rice cereal mixed with breastmilk on Sunday. Todd has those photos on his camera, so let's look at Day 2: Monday. She seemed eager to suck on the spoon and slurped out as much food as she slurped in. Actually, I'm not sure she actually ate anything. There was food everywhere, but she enjoyed it. She even tried to hold the spoon herself and played with it after we were done. Success!

What's new?

Todd just sent me a new batch of photos from his camera, so here they are. What's new with Lena, you ask? Today, she sat in her booster seat for the first time. I've bought the rice cereal, but I haven't opened the box yet. Maybe this week Lena will start solids? She's 5 1/2 months now, so it should be coming soon. Her favorite song is still "The Bear Went Over the Mountain." We only know two verses: mountain and river. She's going to be shocked when she hears "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." She is reaching and grabbing and touching and turning pages. We think she might be starting to teeth, but it's hard to say. She can nap in her crib during the day now, but still sleeps very sound in the green baby sling that I wear. It's a good trick if she's cranky but exhausted and wants to be near. Though today, she fell asleep while playing in her crib. She still loves bath time and kicks and splashes really well. I haven't even introduced toys to bath time yet. She really likes her stationary musical jumper and her door jumper. Her legs are very strong. She scoots around on the floor, but isn't crawling yet.

And, she's an expert at making funny faces!

Lena just waking up from a nap in the sling

Lena in her booster seat

Lena still dressed up after returning from Emily's baby shower for baby Tilly

More Modeling

My friend Misty came over Friday and shot these pictures for me of Lena modeling my baby hoods and ponchos and for my Modest Ambition Etsy shop. Lena showed off her perfect posture and modeling face - lots of lower lip biting. I'm so happy to have these and look forward to showing off my baby when listing my baby wear. Lena and Sydney got along really well. This is the first time they really noticed each other. There was lots of attempted hair pulling and gouging by both girls.

First Piano Recital

Todd took this video with his iPhone of Lena playing on his iPad, so, of course, I had to put it on her blog! She is such a tech-baby. Look at how delicate her fingering is on the baby piano. Genius.

A World of Toys

Lena has so many options for playtime. Here she is on the floor with her car seattoy attached to the floor gym. She sits up great, but will fall back dramatically when done.

Lena Rules the World

Here's Lena on the quilt that my mother made for her. It's a great blanket for play time. This particular day, Lena was checking out squishy blocks. Later, it was time for some serious play in the crib with the wooden gym. Lena is very steady at sitting up.

Glamour Girl

Lena on a blanket in her room

Todd put together this batch of recent photos for his mom on her birthday this last weekend. They are gorgeous photos so I had to share. Our little Lena is so cute. My favorite is the second from the bottom. Her eyes are so blue. Todd promised he didn't photoshop her eyes. In the last picture you see Todd holding Lena on Sunday, yesterday, during our outing to Park Lane, the new development at Park and 75 across from North Park. We checked out lots of shops including Old Navy, The Children's Place, and Carter's, had snacks and went grocery shopping. We met a little boy named Thorian at the frozen yogurt place who was 6 1/2 mos.

Anne and Lena in Lena's room

Lena sitting up in her crib

Todd and Lena

Jump, Jumperoo

I finally found a place in the house where the jumper fits -- her closet door frame. The rest of the door frames are too wide. It's an old house. She seems to really like it now! She's twirling around and checking it out. Bouncing a little, not quite jumping yet. It's a nice addition to her toys.

Little Swimmer

Group circle, we're in the top middle

My parents came to watch Lena's swim class today. Next week is our last class. I hope to come back next summer. We've really enjoyed the class. By the way, Lena turns 5 months on Saturday. She's sitting up all by herself now.

Lena in a motorboat; kick, kick, kick

Lena sitting up on the tummy time mat with Jose