When Formula Just Isn't Cutting it Anymore

After getting approval from her pediatrician and much reassurance from grandparents, daycare workers and of course the internet, that Anna is indeed ready for solids, we decided to give rice cereal a try tonight. Here's kind of how it went...



Rice What?!


Oh, Rice Cereal. This could be fun. . .



Is it time for my bottle yet?!
I'm not sure how much rice cereal was actually ingested, but I think it was a good first experience. Mommy and Daddy had fun (not to mention a few laughs and some cute video), and Anna is one step closer to mastering spoon-feeding. Somehow I have a feeling that it's going to take a bit of perseverance from all of us!

The Ever-Elusive Land of Nod

At least somebody is getting some sleep around here. . .



This was Anna early last night resting up so that she could then keep Derek and I up all night :)

Four Month Checkup

Anna had her four month checkup yesterday. So here's the scoop. . .

• Weight: 16 lb 15 oz (97th percentile)
  
• Height: 25 3/8 inches (75th percentile)

We discussed starting Anna on solids, so it looks like Anna might get her first taste of rice cereal in the next week or so. We'll definitely keep the camera handy for that adventure.

She also got her second round of shots. She cried for a little while, but the nurse was mercifully quick, and Anna calmed down as soon as I was able to pick her up and console her.

She experienced a few expected side-effects from the shots, especially fussiness! Nothing a little tylenol couldn't ease, though, thank goodness. My heart just broke seeing her in pain. Hopefully, we'll all forget how much "fun" this was by the time her 6 month checkup rolls around ;)

Baptism

Anna was baptized on Saturday, May 26, 2007. She was very well-behaved even though she didn't sleep through the whole thing as Mommy anticipated. Here are a few pictures. . .


Sleeping peacefully in the church before her Baptism


At the Baptismal Font during the Pouring of the Water. Water washes away the Original Sin and allows the child to share in a new life.


After the Baptism, wearing the "white shawl" placed on her by Katie, her Godmother. It represents purity and being washed clean of all sin.


After the Baptism, with her Godparents
Godfather - Jeffrey, Derek's Brother
Godmother - Katie, Jennifer's Sister
I didn't get any pictures that really show off just Anna and her beautiful Baptismal gown, so I plan on getting some studio portraits done fairly soon (before she outgrows the dress!) However, I do have this great picture of the little crocheted Mary Jane's with the pearl closure that she wore on her feet. Every girl knows that just because you can't see the shoes doesn't mean they're any less important...it's all about the details! :)



One last thing to share -

There are two different oils used in the Baptism ritual:

1. Oil of Catechumens -
   
   The oil of catechumens represents strength and preparation. The child is anointed on the chest to prepare it for the tough times that as a Christian, or in fact any human person, it will face.


2. Oil of Chrism -
   
   Chrism is a perfumed oil that represents being chosen for a special task. The child is anointed on the head with this oil after the Pouring of the Water.

The Oil of Chrism has a very strong odor, and it made Anna's hair really greasy. I left it on her all day, but was kind of looking forward to bathing her that night and having her smell like "my baby" again. Wrong! Talk about staying power! After washing her hair once that night, twice Sunday morning, and again on Monday and Tuesday, the scent of the oil still lingers.

First Artwork

Last Friday, Anna did her first "artwork" at daycare, and I got to take it home with us when I picked her up. I laminated it as soon as I got home so it could never get messed up, then I scanned it so we'd have a digital copy just in case ;) I'm just getting to share it now because we had a really busy weekend. . .

From what I hear, she really seemed to like the feel of the paint on her hands. Maybe our little Anna is a starving artist in-the-making....nah!

Two Month Checkup

Anna had her two month check-up with the pediatrician this morning.

Here are her new stats:

• Weight: 12 lbs. 1 oz (90th Percentile)
• Height: 22.5 Inches (50th Percentile)
• Head Circumference: 15 Inches (50th Percentile)

She also got her Pediarix (DTaP/IPV/HBV), Hib, PCV and Rotateq vaccines. One was oral and the other three were shots (one in the right thigh, and two in the left). I was really worried about how much crying there would be because it just breaks my heart to see her hurting. But she surprised us - cried very briefly as each shot was given, but calmed down as soon as it was all over and I picked her up. At the doctor's recommendation, we gave her some Tylenol before we left his office, so hopefully she won't have any side effects this afternoon.

We're so proud of our brave little girl!