The Blue Rocking Chair

When I was born, my parents bought a blue rocking chair. Thirty years later, the chair now resides in Amaya's room. Mom and Dad took a picture of me when I was about 1 or 2 months old, so I thought I'd capture a few pictures of Amaya in the same chair.

Can You Tell If I Like Green Beans?

A few words from Amaya

Mommy never EVER lets me near the computer - so today is a rare treat! I'm desperately trying to lift up the keyboard and see what it tastes like, but it's attached to some type of cord!

So the last few days have been a little traumatic for me. I had to get a few shots in my legs at the doctor's office. Mommy says that the shots will keep me healthy, so I have to believe that they know what they're doing. That evening, I got a little bit of a fever - I really don't like the thermometer! (I don't think Mommy likes it either, because she always cringes when she has to take my temperature!) Mommy kept feeding me some grape flavored Tylenol, but I still got a fever. The good thing about not feeling well is that Mommy and Daddy spoil and pamper me! Mommy held me while I slept, I had all my favorite toys, and when I cried and whined they said really, really nice things to me and snuggled with me.

Then, the greatest thing just happened yesterday which gave me even more sympathy from Mommy and Daddy! I'M CUTTING MY FIRST TOOTH!! Yahoo! Mommy discovered it yesterday morning, but could hardly see the tooth. Mommy says that it looks like I have a cut in my gums, but that the tooth should pop out soon. She was pretty excited - she even called Daddy at work! So, I've been a little whiny, clingy, and cranky, but Mommy and Daddy still spoiled me! It was the greatest!

Back to reality... Today, I didn't have a fever, so this morning for my nap, back in the crib I go. I was kinda hoping that I could milk the pain for a few more days of extra TLC, but no such luck. I tried whining this morning, but Mommy ignored that tactic. I tried to make Mommy feel guilty by crying a little longer than normal when she put me down for a nap, but nothing is working!

I've got a plan though! Grandma and Grandpa Horning are coming over tonight to play with me while Mommy and Daddy go out on a date. (They won't tell me what a date is. Mommy says she'll tell me about it when I'm 25.) Anyway, my plan - I'm going to smile and be all cute for my grandparents and then MAYBE I'll get some extra TLC from them! Besides, who can resist my cute face?

Six-month Stats

Amaya had her six-month shots today. I (Steve) was holding her arms while the nurse gave her the shots, and at first I thought she wasn't going to cry - but cry she did after about a 2-second delay. Strangely enough, she was happy (just like her normal self) after the shots were done.

We were going to go see Grandma Horning at the library, but upon arrival we discovered that Amaya had fallen asleep - and we decided that we better head for home instead.

As I write this, she doesn't seem to be suffering any ill effects from the shots - but at her 4-month appointment she didn't get a fever until the evening, so we'll see.

Her weight is: 14 lbs. 1 oz. (16th percentile)

Her height is: 2 ft. 1 in. (20th percentile)

Peas Please

Amaya graduated to peas this week! I was a little disappointed because we didn't get an award winning reaction from her. Our nephew, Joshua had the GREATEST reaction when he started peas! (Carol if you ever find that video you should send it in to America's Funniest Home Videos). Anyway, the verdict is still out, but we're pretty sure she's going to like peas - much to Grandpa Gustafson's dismay.

Sitting Up

Amaya has gone through quite a bit of changes lately and the most recent is her ability to sit up on her own - UNASSISTED! Yahoo! The last several weeks, she's been able to sit up with some help, but she's made a lot of progress these last few days. It's exciting and scary at the same time. She's a lot less frustrated because she can see her toys at a whole different perspective! Every so often, she loses her balance, but she's been doing great! The only problem is that now all she wants to do is sit up and stand. No more of this laying down on the floor - that's for babies!

Rice Cereal, Here I Come!

With a little hesitation, we started Amaya on rice cereal last week. She hasn't shown a HUGE interest in eating, but one night during dinner, she was eye-balling our food. Occasionally, Steve or I would put some food up to her mouth and she'd open her mouth, but this was infrequent. I was hesitant to start solids, because once you start - then what? How much cereal should I give her? Will she get enough food? Will she lose interest in nursing? What if she likes solids more than nursing? What if she has a food allergy?

So, that night at supper, our adventure begins... We hadn't bought a high-chair yet, so she sat on daddy's lap for her first "meal."



Hmmm... first bite wasn't so bad, but I think she liked the spoon more than anything.



The next evening, went to Babies R Us and bought her a high-chair. She was okay with it at first, because she was able to gnaw on the straps, but after a few minutes, she wanted out. NOW!

I've Discovered My Feet and they Taste Great!

A week ago or so, Amaya discovered her feet. Now whenever she can, they are in her mouth! Yummy....

Nebraska Trip

Amaya had her first road trip and did surprisingly well. We went to visit my sister, Carol and family in Pender, Nebraska. What was supposed to be a 5 hour drive, took us about 7 hours with stops to nurse Amaya, change dirty diapers, eat, etc. Amaya did really well up until the last 30 minutes or so both ways. I joined her in the backseat around Sioux City, Iowa but at this point all she wanted was to get out of her car-seat.

Amaya had a lot of "FIRSTS" during this trip as did our nephews (Joshua and Jordan) and niece (Hannah). It was Amaya's first time wearing a swimsuit (a bikini - gasp!) and go "swimming."





The kids thought it was pretty fun "taking care" of Amaya. Here Hannah is taking Amaya for a stroller ride. We were hoping Amaya would fall asleep, since she had a terrible night's sleep, but we didn't have much luck.



Joshua, Jordan, and Hannah wanted to feed her, change her diaper (crazy kids!) and get her dressed. After feeding Amaya, changing her diaper, and getting her into her jammies, Joshua said, "This is tough work!" Amaya really enjoyed all the attention.