The things we do for . . . photos?

When it comes to photography, I've found that 'Just Keep Shooting' works best when your subject is a baby or child.
To illustrate:

You get a lot of this

(which is cute, yes, but not adorable) before you end up with this

Remember our weekly growth photos? Well, those are particularly aggravating to catch.

She has to show me how far up she can lift her feet (far!)

Then we practice rolling for a bit

After fixing the blanket and re-positioning the baby, she lifts her feet again before I can grab the photo. Eventually enough is enough, and you just wind up with the best of the pics.

Still not perfect, but meh. Good enough.
Good gravy, she's getting big.

So big in fact, that we have to get her a new car seat really, really soon. We've decided on the True fit, which is an insane piece of technology. Not unreasonably priced, not pretty at all, and it will hold her in a 5 point harness until she's 65 pounds. That's 25 pounds beyond most car seats! I wanted to get her the 'Bella' which is really pretty -- until I read up on the True Fit. Sometimes you sacrifice - and in the face of my daughter's safety, I'd give up pretty any time.
So now we just have to procure said car seat. I'm hoping Toys R Us has them in stock.

This being home stuff works pretty well around the holiday season. I've got most of our Christmas shopping done already. Minimal muss and fuss, avoiding insanely long lines. It's pretty nice, for a change.

The glamorous life of a lactating momma

Full, Eventful, but not exciting to write about.

It's been one of those weeks. You know the ones. Where you're busy, busy, busy, but nothing really happens? One of those.
I got all the Christmas shopping for other people's kids done. I did things with friends (always a good thing, don't get me wrong. But my friends are not blog fodder). I knitted.

I read a blog that stated "people going through break ups are boring." People going through break ups, and people with babies.

So here's more on Sweet Pea!
She's really working on cutting a few teeth. Poor little girl is so miserable! Anbesol and Tylenol are our friends.
"I don't KNOW when the teeth are comin' momma, but I wish they'd hurry up too!"

Sweet Pea's version of a milk mustache.

She's still working on perfecting her tummy to back roll, which is really frustrating to her. She's discovered her feet and likes to catch them. I don't think she knows they're attached yet.

She wore ruffles on her bum!
She got a toy from the Netherlands.

And decided sippy cups are good for chewing on.

Today she's a grumpy little monster.
Ah, my glamorous life! Poop, spit-up, laundry, and hair pulling.

Growing Pains

Ah, my Sweet Pea. Why are you growing so fast? One day you won't need me anymore - everyday brings us closer to that point. That makes me a sad mommy. BUT, there are lots of days between now and then - let's enjoy them together!!

Sweet Pea has dabbled in the solids in the course of the last week. Yeah, I know I kind of pitched a fit over switching last month. I've since come to realize that it's the baby who is in the driver's seat. Not the health practioner, not the mom, the baby. And this baby is interested in what we're eating. So we let her experiment. So far she's had her spoon dipped in vanilla yogurt (which have since learned is bad, and she won't be having again until she's much bigger), and plain squash.

Sweet Pea is a little chip of the daddy block. Here she is tasting squash for the first time:

I like to think she makes her feelings on the squash front clear, but just in case she didn't properly convey the message, here is what squash is good for:

Spitting back out, of course.

And my favourite photo, the final verdict:

"Why Momma? Why?"

Second round of immunizations was completed yesterday. I will spare you the tale of the 45 minute screaming fit that took us by surprise 4 hours after the shots, but I will share with you the happy conclusion of the screaming fit. Thanks be to Infant Tylenol.

Oh ho ho ho

Elle a un peu de sang français. 1/4 à être exact.

Baguette! Champagne!

The finger mustache was all the rage for Mr. W and his buddies many years back. I just about peed when he did this to Sweet Pea at Thanskgiving. And she couldn't have been happier to be getting so much attention. Look at that squealing face!!

The answer to your burning question:

How Do I Do It?
That's How.

Sweet Pea's really big day. Actually, 2 days.

It was a big day. Really big. Gigantic even.

Thinking it over, I have got to say it's wonderful to have such an easy-going baby. She makes life so easy.
Let me recount. We'll begin at the beginning.
First, there was merriment and mirth while she showed off her 'Weenie outfit.

Yes, there are photos more in focus than this one, but the smile! The Smile!!

Then there was some serious playing



Then we met Grandma and Grandpa for lunch - and everyone who passed our table commented on what a charming little boy my daughter is. She's a master of disguise!

After that we went 'downtown' to post our mail, and print some photos. Our travels took us past the children's consignment shop, where they FINALLY had an excersaucer at a reasonable price. Since Sweet Pea loves to stand, but also loves to play - and cannot do both at once, I picked it up for her. I'm going to leave this photo kinda big so you can see the look on her face.

She made that face for 20 minutes. It was AWESOME! Astonishment, mingled with amazment. I think it was worth the purchase price of the toy.

Of course, there was the obligatory parade of trick-or-treaters. We almost ran out of candy . . only 9 pieces left! And then we dressed our girl for her trip to Nana's.

WARNING: You could die from 'teh cuteness'.

BUNNY! Know how I could tell?

Puff-ball bum! That's how. Well, that, and the ears.

So after a trip to Nan's to drop off Mr. W, day one was complete.

Day 2 was Alison's wedding. Yeowza. What a whirlwind.

I shot well over 600 photos for her, I do believe.

Sweet Pea spent the morning in her carseat, the afternoon in her infant chair, and the evening in the arms of about 2 dozen friends and family - most of which were strangers to her. And she didn't have one single melt down! She didn't even cry, unless she was hungry. Best. Baby. Ever.

Alison wore her 'stolero'.


And she looked great!

Sweet Pea wore her dress, and her wrap, and she looked great too!


Two such lovely ladies.

. . . So all of that's done. Now we can sit for a few minutes and catch our collective breath.