First (Unassisted) Sit

When: This morning

Where: At Jack's house, a friend from music class

Details: Tali was at Jack's house this morning for a play date when she decided sit on her own for the first time. We've been practicing sitting up on our own for quite some time now (I sit her in the corner of the sofa and on the floor with minimal support from me) and I knew it was coming soon but I was still a bit surprised. She was on the floor and I moved my hand away from her back and she stayed! Part of this was because she was looking at all of the other babies, but she still did it. She then fell into the "tripod" pose (leaning forward with hands propping her up) and eventually tipped over. She sat a few times while she was at Jack's and again once this afternoon at home. I'm looking forward to her sitting up well on her own. I see how much the older babies can do once they sit and I'm sure it'll make a world of difference (read: less crying) for her.

Here is a picture of her in the tripod pose at Jack's. Sorry for the (very) poor quality, it was taken with my cell.

First Real Laugh

When: Last night

Where: In her room, before bed

Details: Last night, H came in to say goodnight to Tali and while he was holding her, I made a face at her (just opened my mouth really big and let out a sigh) and she had her first real laugh! Up until now, her laughs have been noiseless. But this was full of sound. After she repeatedly laughed at the same face I got the video camera, hoping to capture it before it stopped. Lucky for you, I got it. Enjoy the laughs!

Eat, Cry, Repeat

I took a bit of video (on my cell phone - explains the low quality) of Tali eating yesterday. I just wanted to capture the craziness that is my daughter during a meal. She's still crying between bites, though not as often. She also hates it when I use the spoon to gather the food off of her face or bib. You'll also see her latest trick: using her fingers to scoop the food off of the spoon and into her mouth. This is about 30 seconds of our feeding. An average feeding is between 30-40 minutes. So put this on repeat for a half hour if you want to get the true experience!

 

Today's Food Adventure

Sometimes I think Tali is smarter than I give her credit for. It seems like she's found a way to keep herself from crying between bites. Today she used her right hand to help me feed her (she likes to hold the handle of the spoon as it goes into her mouth) and she put her left hand in her mouth along with the spoon. What did this accomplish? Well, some of the food got in her mouth and some got on her fingers. So when I pulled the spoon away from her mouth she could suck on her fingers and still get food. Genius! 

Food Makes My Daughter Cry

There's an endless list of things that make Tali cry. Now I can add food to that list. No, it's not that she doesn't like it. It's that the food doesn't come fast enough. Tali is used to the constant flow of breast milk so the fact that food has to be put on a spoon which goes in and out of her mouth does not make her happy. When feeding her, she cries between bites because she's hungry and wants more. As soon as the spoon leaves her mouth (which isn't so easy because she tries to hold the spoon there) the screams begin. Once the spoon makes it way back to her mouth, she's content. This doesn't last the whole feeding, just the first half when she's really hungry. During the second half of the feeding she gets excited between bites. 

If I were to feed her in public, strangers would probably think I'm force feeding my child. I can only imagine the looks and comments I'd get. I'm sure this crying will end once Tali gets more used to eating. For now, I'll just have to live with a new type of food fight.

An Important Lesson for Tali

Dear Tali,

I've been meaning to write you a letter or two on this blog but never seem to have the time or know what to say. So this will be my first. Today, you learned an important lesson that I'm sure will stay with you until your teen years: go to the toy store with Daddy. Yes, when Mommy goes to the toy store she has a goal (and a list!) and gets what she needs and leaves. But when Daddy goes to the toy store, he spends two hours playing with everything and picks up lots of extra toys for you. On this trip we went to purchase a high chair but left with a lot more. You got six toys - from stacking rings to a percussion set - and Daddy also bought some candy. I know you are too young for candy but I will warn you now - Mommy isn't going to buy you candy very often. Daddy will probably be your go-to parent in that department. You'll come to Mommy for food, comfort and many other things. But bat your pretty blue eyes at Daddy when you want to be spoiled at the toy store.

Love,

Mommy

PS I promise to write a more serious letter next time. 

One of Tali's new toys.

Another new toy.

Best Abs in Town

Tali must have the best abs in town. Since she was about one month old, she has been doing leg raises when on her back. Now, she has begun to lift her head and neck up when laying down. It's like a mini stomach crunch. (I think she does this to signal that she wants to be picked up.) She could make her own work out video: Baby Abs of Steel. 

First Food

When: Saturday at her 3:00 feeding

Where: in the living room

Details: Yesterday was Tali's first experience with "real" food and she loved it! For the first week, babies eat rice cereal (then its on to oatmeal for a week and then real food). I was warned that she probably wouldn't eat more than a bite or two and probably push most of it out with her tongue. "Don't be discouraged," the doctor told me. "Just try again the next day. It could take a few days until she actually eats." 

True to her style, Tali bucked the trend and ate the whole thing! She was so excited for food that once she had a few bites she was bouncing, kicking and smiling - eagerly awaiting the next bite. As she got a bit more comfortable with the idea, she started to help me and hold on to my hand or the spoon and guide it to her mouth.  After she was done with the cereal (only one tablespoon of cereal and four tablespoons of milk for her first meal), I breast fed her. She ate all of that too. 

Today I am going to increase the amount of cereal and see how much she'll eat. And maybe her dad will try to feed her.

*Note: Below are some pictures from her second feeding (today). We recorded the first one and I promise to put a bit of the video up on the blog - once I learn how to work the camera!

Daddy feeding Tali

Mommy feeding Tali

It's not fun unless you make a mess!

Yummy!

Babies put everything in their mouth and Tali is no different. It can be quite funny to see some of the things that make its way in for a taste test. Here is what she "explored" yesterday (besides the obvious toys, pacifier, etc.):

Ziplock bag

my bra strap

my fingers

Savta's fingers

my shirt

my hair

Jackson's ear

strap of the baby carrier

her socks (while still on her feet)

her shirt

my cell phone

sofa pillow

TV remote

cordless phone antenna

her big toe

four of her toes at once

bath towel

I wonder which one tasted the best to her.

I've Got Your Nose!

Today Tali has made it her mission to eat my nose. Yes, you read that right - eat my nose. Every time I hold her, she opens her mouth up wide, leans in and goes for my nose. She's gotten it a few times and thinks its absolutely hysterical. It was cute the first time but now my face keeps getting wet. But if it makes her laugh then I'll let her do it. Anything to keep this kid happy.