Day 97: Green Beans!

Michal's Maryland grandmother had some errands to run down our way, so we met her for dinner and some baby time.  I ordered a salad that came with some green beans (or haricot vert, for you cultured folks), so I gave Michal one to eat play with.  She absolutely loved it.  To the point where we had to start stockpiling them for the eventual demise of the spear to the greenbean graveyard below.  If I did not replace one quickly enough, she definitely let me know it.  A kid who LOVES her veggies?  I'll take it.

Don't come any closer... I'll bean ya!

The restaurant had an amazing ceiling, with really interesting lights and ceiling fans, two of Michal's favorite things.  Every once in a while, she'd peer up above.

It's a wonder she didn't topple over.

Day 96: Zikhronah Livrakha

Bit of a sad day today.  After picking up Michal from day care, we took the dog for a walk and spent some time playing in the living room (before dinner, bath, and bed).  Instead of a lengthy blog post today, I thought I would put up a few pictures of my favorite girl.  Her beautiful face just makes everything a bit brighter.

Looking at... you guessed it.  The Bailey Dog.

Playing with her toys.  Such concentration.

And of course - dinner would not be complete without blowing raspberries 

through your peas.  My glasses were just one of the innocent bystanders.

Day 95: Chompin' Broccoli

It was another crazy day with the crazy kid.  We had a good morning (and a good morning nap for both of us) before getting ready to head out to work.  Here she is, sporting her jeans and new shoes, looking like such a big kid!  I was barely able to snap this picture with most of her still - if you see, her right foot was bouncing around.

It is not an uncommon occurrence for us to meet someone in a supermarket who expresses surprise at discovering Michal is 7 1/2 months old.  She has always been big for her age - in height as well as weight - and when she is in jeans and shoes, that is really enhanced.  She is really growing up quickly!

We had a pretty decent day at work, although my normal late evening at work was cut short because of Josh's work trip and knowing that there was little chance Michal would make it at work until 9:30.  She was clingier than usual, tolerating hanging out in the exersaucer or wanting to practice standing on her own, using the chair for balance.  

There is a little bit of the crazy in her eyes here.  Love this face to bits.

When we got home, I pulled out a piece of broccoli I steamed for Michal last night.  After her brief adventure with the veggie this weekend, I thought she might enjoy playing with it a bit more.  She played with it for a while but did not eat much of the florets, if anything.  I think she was intrigued by all the textures.

And one more for your viewing pleasure.  After allowing her to play with the broccoli for a bit, I pulled out the squash puree that was her real dinner.  She ate a decent amount before I was given the gift of squashy spray.

I guess she was done.

Day 94: Negotiating Naps

Michal was not particularly interested in her afternoon nap today.  She had a great morning nap of about an hour and a half, but her normal mid-afternoon-nap-in-the-car-on-the-way-to-work did not start until we were about five minutes away from work.  Which meant that she woke up when I transfered her to the stroller and did not seem particularly interested in going back to sleep.  Apparently her cat nap completely refreshed her, and she was ready and raring to play and have fun.


Later in the afternoon, as she neared her normal afternoon nap time, it became clear that she was beginning to melt down.  After a little bit of a bottle, some time crying and complaining in her stroller, she finally fell asleep. 

She does not normally sleep with a blanket, but with a sleep sack, 

so I was a little surprised to see her pulling this one all the way up.

I think she might be comfy.

Post nap, someone is refreshed and VERY happy to see me.  

Day 93: Daddy's Girl, Redux

Michal is so clearly her daddy's girl.  She lights up when he enters the room, her arms and legs pumping with excitement.  I was able to catch this adorable moment this morning before leaving for work, as he gave her a morning bottle.  It's obvious the feeling is mutual, made all the clearer with Josh reluctantly leaving for Los Angeles this afternoon for a work trip.  While there is a certain novelty to work travel, since neither of us do it with much regularity, it is always difficult leaving for a week.  Even more so with a 7 1/2 month old growing and changing with every moment.  Michal proved that by making her first attempts to pull up to standing, shocking me and making me a bit sad that he was missing these baby steps to a big new trick.


After we dropped Josh off at the airport, we headed home where we took Bailey for a nice long walk, basking in the warming of quickly (we hope!) approaching Spring. 

I enjoyed this view, especially as she kicked her feet here and there.  Michal only has a few pairs of shoes so far - these courtesy of her friend n - and these are among my favorites of the new arrivals.  

This one CRACKS me up.  It's totally a sneak preview of surly teen years.

Just one last quick photo from late last night (technically this morning).  Michal is definitely a tummy sleeper these days, and this shot was too cute to miss.

Day 92: Ups and Downs

Today was quite a day.  The morning brought a visit with one of Josh's former co-workers, who loved on Michal and sang and danced with her.  Michal showed off all of her tricks (sitting nicely, talking, using her pincer skills to snag some puffs, standing, etc.), and had a nice time.


Then it was off to a first birthday party for Michal's boyfriend, K.  The party was filled with a ton of kids of all ages, and Michal just took it all in.  She got to try some broccoli (and loved it!), and everyone remarked on how adorable she was, especially with her new bow headband from our favorite Etsy shop.  Here she is with K, just moments after some cute poses and hugs with his older sister.

I think she's jealous that he has mad bottle-holding skills.  

Either that or she's thinking, "Hey!  I want some!"

Along with all of these fun and happy get togethers, Josh got a text that a family member was at the hospital.  Since we were only 5 minutes away, we headed on over, thinking that Michal's cheery personality would bring some smiles.  She got to meet some cousins (first cousins once removed?  second cousins?  I'm not sure about the geneology there) and charmed the entire waiting room.  Until she started to get cranky as a result of not getting long enough naps during our busy day.  

Not even grandma's visitor badge could get a smile once she was in a mood!  Poor kiddo.  (She did get a nice good nap in the car on the way home, at least!)

Day 91: April Fools

Michal and I had a fun lunchtime treat when we met up with my grad school friend, Rebecca, for a vegetarian Indian buffet lunch.  The last time the two met, Michal was slightly lumpish, so she trotted out all of her new tricks.  She sat in a high chair like a big girl, attempted to eat her puffs and yogurt melts (she is fantastic at picking them up... and then holding them tightly inside her clenched fist as she attempts to eat her thumb instead), talked... a lot, and was generally adorable.  Here are a few more pictures from the afternoon:

 Flirting with Rebecca, smiling and chatting

 "A-dub-dub-dub-dub-dub.... a-dub-dub-dub-dub-dub.." (she was very emphatic in this)

Cutie patootie