Throw 'Em A Bone

Mommy and Daddy are suckers and total competitors at heart. If I show favortism in the slightest, the other one gets quite pissy. So, here are two pictures for today.

Here's a picture of me with Mommy's hand.

And, not to play favorites here's one of me with Daddy.

Dr. G, Medical Examiner

So, we both know that a medical examiner is really a coroner, but somehow Dr. G, Pediatrician doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

Mommy gave me Beechnut rice cereal Friday night and I accidently ate a little and then puked a little. Saturday, against Daddy's wishes, Mommy shoved said rice cereal down my throat. I'm only slightly exaggerating here. I then proceeded to puke my guts out. Mommy called the pediatrician and scheduled a sick visit.

Why can't Mommy see that I don't like rice cereal?



I would rather eat plastic!




We went to the doctors and Mommy said to the receptionist, "I know the kids on the sick side are sick and I think Samantha has a food allergy. We're going to the well side". Apparently all the other parents were delusional about the state of their kids because six sick kids wandered over to the well side. Mommy was a good shield every time a runny nosed kid came to check me out. Thank goodness!


While we were waiting guess who came for a sick visit of her own? Bridget! The whole family came so we got to say our holiday wishes to Danny and their parents as well. For those who don't remember, Bridget is the awesome friend who kindly grows out of her super cute wardrobe quickly and lends me her gently used clothes.

We met with Dr. G and he confirmed that I don't have a bacterial or viral issue. I am in fact suffering from an "aversion" to rice cereal. No kidding, sherlock! We discussed a potential allergy, but would need a blood sample to confirm that. I cried at the thought and they agreed to postpone all rice cereal for a few weeks and let me try oatmeal and such to see if I puke that up.

I received clearance to stop the nasty solid foods until we're back from a not-so-sunny-California. Woot!

My mommy's dear friend Kevin was supposed to hang out with us and his flight from Boston was cancelled. Now I won't get to meet him until I'm much bigger. Hope he's lifting weights because I'm already 15 pounds, two ounces and I take my feedings seriously. (Mommy snuck in a weight check at the doctors and discounted my weight by 1.5 ounces due to clothes and dry diaper.)

Later that evening, Daddy had to run an errand so Mommy and I were left up to our own devices. For those who've been asking what exactly we do all day by ourselves, I'll let you in on our little secret.

We take lots of pictures! Yep, Mommy really is that dorky.



We also hang out on Mommy and Daddy's bed.
Fake to the left.




Now, to the right. Fwomp!



We also passed the time by going through Bridget's 9 month clothes to see what we were going to pack on the trip. I vote a pink hat!



Mommy can't resist taking yet another picture when I'm so gosh darned cute.


Mufasa doesn't seem to care, so long as she can rest in my Boppy. Silly kitty. Boppies are for babies, not kitties!

Sunday was a mad dash up to Bridgewater to visit Lucinda, who came all the way from the Bay Area to visit me. Well, maybe she wanted to spend the holidays with her family and celebrate her 30th in NYC. I'm sticking with she came all this way to see me!

We met up at Chipotle. I tried my best to help myself to Mommy's burrito, but she's a quick one. Darnnit!

We had so much fun visiting with Lucinda. She was my Mommy's roommate many moons ago, but they don't get to see each other very much these days. So, visits like this are extra special!

I wasn't too sure about the camera all up in my grill.

Then Mommy and I went back home to start packing for our expedition to Orange County, California. Can you tell I'm in denial that the weather report is calling for rain?

Sherlock Mommy

So Mommy finally figured out what I've been trying to explain to her. See if you can figure it out faster than she could.

Friday: Eat rice cereal, wait a bit, then puke my guts out.
Sunday: Eat rice cereal, wait a bit, then puke my guts out.
Thursday: Eat rice cereal, wait a bit, then puke my guts out.

Any guesses? Yep, rice cereal and I don't get along well.

Update: Dr. H called Mommy back and said that the organic, probiotic crap might be too hard on my sensitive belly. He said to try once more and get the Beechnut plain jane kind. If I puke again we all know who to blame!

I'm Still Alive

Operation Lockdown sucks. I miss my friends. The only places I've been allowed to go this week are to Mommy's office and the Post Office. Booooring!

Since I don't have a single story to share with you, here are some pictures taken over the last few days.


Burp cloth on the head!

Rice cereal- possibly the cause of my mystery ailment.



In my ExerSaucer. Woot!

Look In The Mirror, My Friend

Everytime Mommy sets me down and walks away I chide her a bit for ditching me. She responds back by saying 'no fussing' and continues what she was doing. Have you ever met my Mommy? She could give lessons in complaining and she's telling me to 'be a Burt and not to fuss'. Daddy thinks it's pretty funny, but he sticks up for me. Yeah for Daddies!

Lockdown

A couple of nights of puking my guts out and Mommy freaked out and canceled all my play dates this week. Something about not being sick for the plane ride to California next week.

This blows. Literally.

See Ya Later, Alligator

Mommy and Daddy ditched me. Yep, that's right. They up and left me for a whole night so they could get their party on. Thank goodness Auntie Joan came to spend the night with me.

Now, I wasn't at the party so I can't tell you what really happened, but Mommy and Daddy took some pictures that I'll share with you.


Mommy calling to check on me. I was totally fine!





A self portrait.



At the party before Mommy kicked off her three and a half inch heels.



By morning Auntie Joan and I totally bonded, but I was a bit too sleepy to smile for the camera.




Thanks for taking such good care of me, Auntie Joan. I sure hope you can come back so we can share some more pizza!

Christmas List

I was thinking that I should probably get a list started if I want anything good for Christmas. I don't need much, so here it is.

• Tissues. I feel really strong when I can rip them apart. Oh, and they change texture when you put them in your mouth. They're kind of tasty, too.
• Feet. Now that I can put feet in my mouth, there's no stopping me. Sometimes I have socks on. May I borrow your feet?
• Wash cloths. Mmmmm. Especially wet ones.
• Phones. I love to push buttons while Mommy is speaking with someone.

Thanks!

Sweet Potatoes

Mommy gave me sweet potatoes for the first time on Thursday evening. It was so different from the sweet, sweet bananas that I thought something was wrong with the food.

Taste test #1. Not too good. Let's give it another try.

Taste test #2. Still bad.

Taste test #3. Getting worse. What's in this stuff?

I'm concentrating really hard to will you away, sweet potatoes.

Enough said.

Don't mind if I take that spoon away from you. Sweet potatoes over. I'd rather suck on my thumb than ask for more of your nasty grown-up food.

Well, maybe I'll try this nice plastic tray. Yummy!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

On Thursday we had a fantastic play date at our house. Thank goodness we had such great friends who were willing to venture out in the yucky rain. I felt badly that it was a lunch date, they came all this way and all they got was a healthy salad. For those of you who know my mommy, she can go a little off the deep end with this healthy kick. One of the mommies asked about having juice at the play date. Mommy said that was a great idea.... and served V8 Splash. When I'm at summer camp, please send real honest to goodness candy!

We had a lovely time. We read fantastic books, had lots of food, great conversation (read screeching, giggling and a little crying for good measure).

Here are all of our guest enjoying themselves. Mission accomplished!

Anna loved the ExerSaucer. So many toys, so little time. Which do I play with first? Oh, this one makes music!

Baby Henry enjoyed the book, but he loved looking at me instead of looking at the pictures. Really, can you blame him?

Posing for the camera! Mommy, not me. I'd rather pinch her chubby cheek.

Ah, must tank up for before heading to the farmer's market.

We had such a great time and hope that everyone will come visit us again really soon!

Happy Birthday To Me

Today I turned five months old!


Here I am in my big girl jeans. Aren't I cute?





Here's another one of me.




Ah, I bet you can guess we're at Handsome Henry's pretending the tree is ours. He had his six month check up today and he's a whopping 21.5 pounds and 28.25 inches. Don't mess with me or Henry will take you outside and defend my honor!


Here we are in some impromptu flirting interrupted again by the camera. Dude, this is a camera-free play date!

Milestones and Such

So, I've reached an unwelcomed milestone. Turns out that Mommy and Daddy don't love everything about me. Huh?

I've learned how to use my pincers. I now claw at faces, necks and arms. Man, can I dig my nails in deep! I can also pull out Mommy's hair like a champion. Got glasses? Be warned- they're fair game around me.

Tummy time is almost extinct these days. Mommy plops me on my belly and I promptly roll onto my back. We'll see how long it is before she learns that I'm not a trained seal.

I'm getting really good at grabbing cups at the dinner table. Not so much fun when the stuff inside spills out all over me. But, super funny when Mommy is the target. Sweet!

We ran over to Handsome Henry's house today to see his holiday picture. He is such a cutie! My cutie also outgrew his prized Bumbo chair, so he graciously lent it to me. Check me out.

I'm chillin', how bout you?





Got any popcorn to go with the entertainment?

Anything For A Fundraiser

Daddy wisely decided to be the family photographer at breakfast yesterday morning. I'm not sure what his hesitation about feeding me is. Don't I look clean, sweet and innocent?



Let the feeding commence!





Yummy. Crap cereal.




Did any of it actually get in my mouth?

After our cereal adventure I gulped down a power bottle and we headed off for a pancake fundraiser breakfast with Daniel and Bridget. Woo-Hoo. Save some for me!

I totally thought Daddy was going to let me have some pancakes of my own but Mommy put the kibosh on that idea. Something about the toothless wonder not being worthy of a $4 ticket until next year. How rude!

Thank goodness Daniel and Bridget's grandma gave me a much needed break from the parental units. Here I am playing with Bridget. I'm inspecting her shirt very closely because I think I get to borrow it in about 2.5 years. Woot!

We had so much fun hanging out that Daniel brought his buddies over and all crowded around me. Mommy couldn't capture it on camera, but there was a lot of peek-a-boo going on. Imagine three sets of eyes trained on you. Talk about center of attention and I loved every minute of it!

We had so much fun. Well, except for the strange really old lady who stuck her face right past my personal safety zone and ended up in my grill. No thanks!

I'm looking forward to visiting Bridget and Daniel's house soon so we can take pictures in front of their tree and, years from now, Mommy can tell lies about how it was my special tree for my first Christmas. Tricks on her- I know the truth!

I Must Be Out Of My Mind

Daddy worked from home all day Saturday so Mommy and I stupidly decided to brave the mall to return some stuff. I must tell you that visiting a popular mall in a densely populated state such as New Jersey should be avoided at all costs during the mad holiday rush.


Here I am ready for our outing. I'm smiling because we hadn't yet ventured to the mall.



Check out my big girl clothes. Yep, a real belly bearing shirt and JEANS!




Always with the exercises. Here I am practicing my standing. Tippy toes all the way. Here's a future balance beamer in the making.

Mommy was worried about the almost freezing temperature outside and dressed me up in the super cute sweater and hat that Aunt Kathleen gave me. I absolutely love how comfy this set is and there's no doubt I'm a girl wearing this get up around town!

Welcome snow. I'm ready for ya!

For those who noticed my socks in the pictures above, please forget about them. At the mall I took the requests for donations seriously and kicked them off my feet when Mommy wasn't looking. She was a little less than impressed with my sense of giving because lots of well meaning busy bodies came up to us and reminded her how cold it was for a tyke like me to be without socks. Oops!

Group and Friday Night Frolicking

Yeah for Friday Group! Today Mommy decided to dress me up in something special, so I donned the cupcake dress. A big thank you to cousin Bridget for lending me such a cute outfit. I wear it well!

Mommy, who never leaves home without her camera, forgot the camera today. Thank you to Isla's Mommy for taking these pictures and capturing the moment so perfectly.

Straight out of West Side Story- I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

Here I am looking at Baby Emma off camera.

Take a look at my saggy baggy elephant legs that only a mommy could love.

We then headed to lunch with the ladies to the usual spot. Someone needed a diaper change and Mommy had to get creative and changed me in her lap at the table.....Can't wait to see what she comes up with on the airplane in a few weeks. That reminds me, if anyone knows of good baby fake-a-tan-in-a-bottle let me know because I don't want to be the only pasty white baby in Southern California.

Daddy came home and his BlackBerry died. Yeah for email free playtime!

Ready for take off?

You betcha!

Now for some ExerSaucer time. Mommy stop distracting me, I've got important business to attend to.