Soupy Cereal

Well, I finally was able to upload the video of Willa's first experience with solids cereal. Actually, it was her first experience having liquids by a spoon. Per the directions on the box, we mixed 1 T. of cereal to 4-5 T. of formula. Willa reminds of a dog lapping at water. We were at least smart enough to strip her down to just a diaper.

That afternoon during the next feeding I omitted some of the formula. We had a much better result and heck of a lot more food in Willa's stomach versus the bibs.

First Foods

Yum! Cereal!

Our pediatric surgeon and the nutritionist didn't want Willa to start eating solids until she turned six months old. I actually listened and waited. We first tried oatmeal when she was six months and one day. I followed the instructions on the box and made the oatmeal pretty watery. Yes, we took a video. Unfortunately, I'm having technical difficulties and can't upload it to the blog.

We are adding coconut oil to her food to encourage weight gain. Amazing fat content in that oil. There is 14 grams of fat in one tablespoon. We are able to give her 1 teaspoon of oil to four ounces of food. We will plump up this little girl!

Sweet potato surprise

I also want to try to make her baby food. We've already had some successes and some failures. Sweet potatoes have to be the easiest thing ever. Just bake them up and scoop out the insides. Done. Peas didn't work so well. I didn't get anything of substance. Green beans worked out great. Pulled out the ol' food press from Grandpa and Grandma Keizer and got rid of the bean "peal" and strings. Presto! Food for my baby.

This weekend Willa tried apple sauce (by Gerber) for the first time. She absolutely battered it. Daren got her to eat about a tablespoon worth on Saturday. Yesterday, over two feedings, Willa finished the

Green beans with a smile

started container and polished off the second container. I was elated. We found a food that Willa will eat willingly and happily. She actually had her mouth open for me before I could got the spoon loaded with food. Well....nothing is easy around here. We think Willa is either allergic to the apples or the pesticides used in the orchards. Willa got her first butt rash and rash around her mouth. Brutal. I'm not giving up. I'll try making her some apple sauce using organic apples. Fingers crossed that does the trick!

Willa's first foods in order -
Whole grain oatmeal
Avocado
Sweet potatoes
Green beans
Peas
Apples

The Start of Summer

This past weekend we took a quick weekend trip to our friend Theresa's lake house. Packing and planning for a trip less than two hours away was slightly stressful. Even though we made a list we forgot one very important item - Willa's sleep sheep.  Thankfully, Willa was able to drift asleep to the sound of waves because of an app from a borrowed iPhone.

The weekend was filled with food, fun, and cornhole. Sadly, we didn't do much in the water due to the water temperature hovering at 64 degrees. That is just a bit chilly. A few of us did take out the kayaks for a bit of exercise. I'm thinking that is when I got bit by a tick. BLEH!  Oh, I'm not impressed with Theresa's redneck neighbors fireworks display on Saturday night. They woke up Willa and she was pretty much inconsolable. We had to use the vacuum to calm her down. So glad that little trick still works.

Hoping our next visit we can actually go in the water. So, Theresa, when are you inviting us back??

Relaxing before the rest of the gang arrives

Green beans!

Cornhole on the porch due to rain

Mommy teaching Willa how to heckle

Willa trusted Jeff for this feeding b/c of his Mickey shirt

First Ear Infection

We made it almost 6 1/2 months before Willa got sick. I think that is a pretty good considering how often she has appointments at the hospital. Willa had a stuffy nose for about two weeks. A slight cough started on Sunday.  The cough turned a bit chunky on Monday. I kept wondering if I should take her to our pediatrician and actually called to make an appointment for Monday evening. I was talked out of the appointment by the receptionist (my assumption of her position) because Willa didn't have a fever.

Tuesday afternoon I got a text from daycare Sharon that Willa wasn't able to make a sound while crying. That did it. I immediately called and made Willa an appointment at our pediatrician.

Willa was diagnosed with an ear infection and showed her displeasure by tossing her cookies on the exam table.  Actually, she gagged when Dr Woodrum tried to look in her mouth using the tongue depressor. Note to self for next appointment - Don't feed Willa two minutes prior to the doctor walking in the room.

Moral of the story is that ear infections don't always come with a fever.

Always Be Prepared

Always check the diaper bag. Always.

Wednesday was one of my favorite days of the year - Athletics Play Day. Everyone in our department has the option to play golf, tennis, line dance, or go for a walk. I always choose to "play" tennis. The final part of play day was a department picnic at the UNC baseball game. The baseball game started at 6pm so I needed to make a quick grab and go of Willa from daycare and Daren at the house.

I think we were about five minutes from Chapel Hill when Willa started grunting and grunting and grunting. We are sure to have a mess when Willa poops while sitting in her car seat. It was once the smell hit me that I got to thinking about the diaper bag...it didn't have a spare outfit. In hindsight, I should have told Daren to turn the car around and head back home.

We pull into the parking lot and get ready to inspect the damages. Thankfully, I still had the awesome plastic sheeting in the back of my car from when I went plant shopping at Lowe's because we needed it. I could see the poop down the inside of her pants as I took her out of the car seat.

We had to tag team the clean up process. Daren held the legs and I manned the wipes. Well, until we ran out after wipe number four. Unbelievable. Thankfully, I had some napkins in the glove box. I got to a point where I felt Daren could handle the last bit and I took off in a sprint for the game. I figured someone would have some wipes and an emergency outfit we could borrow.

One co-worker's wife gave me wipes and a t-shirt out of her bulging book bag/diaper bag. Back I went sprinting to Daren who had started started strapping Willa back in her car seat wearing a diaper, socks, and a zip-up hoodie. I told him to toss her in the back of the car and lets double check her since we had more wipes and lose the hoodie for the t-shirt. At the same time, another co-worker was heading to the game with her family. They also have a new baby and I asked if they had any spare clothes. Yup, we got a pair of pink pants. Now Willa had a very cute outfit that looked thought out.

We were finally ready to head into the game. I do feel sorry for the person who had to change the trash can right outside of Boshamer Stadium. I'm sure it stunk pretty bad.  We were able to enjoy the rest of the evening. It was great seeing all my co-workers and their kids. Also, the Heels have a pretty good baseball team. So far they are 2-0 with Willa in the stands. I'm thinking she is their good luck charm and has played a major part in their 44-4 record.

Remember the moral of the story: a bulging, overfilled diaper bag wins every time.

Map of the United States

Looking for support? There might just be someone in your town, area, or state.

**Disclaimer - I didn't create this map. It is maintained by someone who is a member of the MOO's facebook group. Oh, and the map is of the entire world. Very impressive.

Six Month Pictures

I took 41 pictures during Willa's six month photo shoot. I would say about 25 or so of those pictures are worthy of being posted. I'm not that mom who would post 25 pictures. Here are four of my favorites. It is easy to see how much longer Willa has become. Sadly, we are still struggling to put on weight. Willa is still hovering at the 10 pound mark. Maybe I need to take my older sister's advice and puree a cheeseburger for Willa.

The Fifth Month

For those keeping track, it is time to see how far Willa has come developmentally through the fifth month as compared to the milestones listed in What To Expect The First Year.  Again, I'm not going to list those milestones previously accomplished.

What your baby may be doing -

...should be able to:

• on stomach, raise chest, supported by arms Daren and I are kinda "eh" about this one. Willa does a combo raise of arms and chest. A lot of time I find myself quoting Titanic "I'm the king of the world"
• squeal in delight We have a squealer and a rather high pitched one at that. 
• keep head level with body when pulled to sitting This is a fun game for Willa. She loves to get pulled by her fingers into a sitting position. She is all smiles and she raises in elevation. Just recently she has been able to control her head. 

...will probably be able to:

• roll over one way Done and I've posted video proof.
• bear some weight on legs Yup

...may even be able to:

• pull up to a standing position from sitting Nooooooo...that one is a long way off.
• stand holding on to someone or something I gotta think it is going to be a few months before this happens. We need our little girl to bulk up and increase her muscle mass. 
• work to get a toy out of reach Daren said she will try but isn't very successful.
• pass a cube or object from hand to the other This happens usually when she is chomping on her Sophie giraffe or her sassy ball
• look for a dropped object Thank goodness no b/c that would mean she is dropping things
• babble Nope. Her "talking" still consists of fingers in her mouth and just making noise.