First Meal

 Food!  We started feeding Alex some solids in late July, about a week shy of 6 months.  She likes the novelty of the whole process, but does NOT like to be spoon fed.  She likes to grab the spoon from us and it is a big wrestling game.  I am not going to do as many purees with her as I did with Kate (who was content to sit and be fed like a little bird) and move on more quickly to finger foods.  I don't think I have a choice!

 According to our pediatrician, the AAP has relaxed their recommendations in the last couple of years and now they basically say all infants need until about 10 months is breast milk and iron.  Food is just for practice and to introduce new flavors/textures.  This takes a lot of pressure off!

 I'll take that...

 LOVES Mum Mums

 Loves anything she can do herself

 New family configuration.  We will wait to get her her own Tripp Trapp until she is 7 months or so.

 Not crazy about bananas. Or peaches.  Or fruit in general.  So far her favorites have been spinach and lentils!  Rover understands this...

Butch and Butch

We went to a birthday party for one of Steve's college friends' 3 year old and guess who was there?  The original Butch (Kate calls him Butch The Man).  Butch and his wife Amy gave Kate her beloved Butchie when she was 5 months old.  We jokingly called the monkey "Butch" and it just stuck. They were inseparable by the time she was 8 months or so.  Butch the Man and Papa were college roommates 18 years ago!

 Kate couldn't wait to show him

 All of the Wheaton offspring.  Greta is holding Alex!

Baths!

Tired of giving Kate and Alex separate baths, I purchased a bath seat for Alex so I could bathe them together (and you think you won't have to buy anymore gear with number 2... already bought a new baby carrier, a Moby, a go-pod, bath seat, diaper bag, highchair....and clothes.).  Makes life a bit easier!

Kate LOVES having her in there and they have a great time (although Alex looks skeptical here...)

Kate blowing bubbles for Alex

Alex: 5 Months Old

July 2011

 Alex can sit up in her chair, roll around like crazy, suck on her toes, and giggle.  If you stick your tongue out she will stick hers out back at you and smile.  She does not like to sit still and Kate calls her the squirmin' worm.  She loves her sister and being a part of all the craziness!

 She spends most of the time in my baby carrier, but enjoys being in the stroller from time to time (when Kate lets her...she suddenly gets 'tired' if I put Alex in there...).  It is good to have with us if we are spending the day at the park or in Boston for no other reason than to have a place to change diapers and put all of our STUFF.

 Alex loves her toes!

 I left Alex with my parents so I could go to the dentist.  When I left, she was happy in the Bjorn.  When I returned an hour later....well let's just say she may be experiencing separation anxiety already!  My poor parents and my poor baby.  Hopefully she will get used to my mom soon (an then worship her like Kate does)

 Hard to contain on her mat these days :-)

 Loves playing with a spoon.  We will try to wait until 6 months to start food, but it is so tempting!

 Loves pulling Kate's hair!

 What a beautiful baby (I am a little biased...)

 A visit from cousin Ben (who will be one in Sept)

 MMMMMmmm...foot

Sleeping.  Not going well.  Last month I said she slept until midnight before being up frequently.  It has actually gotten worse, and is now up every 1 to 2 hours.  If we put her down at 8, she is up at 9, 10, 11, 12, etc etc.  Whether we co-sleep or she is in her crib, it doesn't matter.  She can't sleep without nursing, and is pulling on and off, twisting, spitting up, kicking, rolling, farting, scratching, burping, and is fussy.  It is sort of sleeping with an angry cat. A drunk angry cat.  NO ONE is sleeping.  I have made an appt with her MD to discuss.  I want to make sure nothing is neurologically/physically wrong.  I know babies need sleep and that she isn't getting any! Oh, and I am tired too.....She doesn't nap either.

But despite this, we are having a great time getting to know our little Alex and we are sure it will get better (it has to, right???)