Seattle, part 1

At the beginning of January we were lucky enough to take Penelope on her first plane ride up to Seattle to see Grandma and Grandpa Bill, Grandpa and Grandma Peggy, and meet her Great-Granddad! We stayed with my mom and Bill in Coupeville for the first half of our trip and the second half we stayed in downtown Seattle at the Hyatt (fancy shmancy!).

I was a bit stressed about traveling with a baby for the first time. I had visions of those families with so much crap, an anxious mom and children screaming their heads off. Luckily we weren't those people, at least I hope we weren't. Penelope did really well on the flight! I nursed her while we took off and she slept the majority of flight. I think she slept a little too long during the flight because trying to nurse her while we were descending was like trying to tame a wild beast. Arms flailing, legs kicking, giggling and smiling at everyone- nursing was a lost cause. I was worried about the altitude change hurting her ears but I eventually lost the battle. She was well rested and ready to party. Penelope 1, Mom 0.

My mom and Bill threw a house warming/Penelope party the day after we arrived. It was wonderful seeing everyone and showing off our giant Penelope. She wasn't too sure about all the attention at first but it didn't take her long to get comfortable. More people meant more people who could hold her hands while she walked around the house. Score! 

Here are some of our adventures from the first half of the trip, pictures from the remaining half are soon to come:

Taking a walk in the Austin airport before boarding.

 Hanging out with Grandma in Coupeville.

Penelope's first taste of a table. She wanted me to tell everyone they are delicious.

 Penelope's first ferry ride!

On the way to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.

One bundled up baby.

Penelope loved walking around with Grandma and Grandpa Bill.

Baby Food

Last Thursday was a big day in our household -- Penelope had her first solid food.

 

I have been so excited to begin making Penelope's baby food and the time has finally arrived. We decided to make her own food so we know exactly what she is eating. None of that processed, chemically injected, filler crap for my baby. No thank you. She will also have a primarily organic diet. We haven't, however, decided whether or not Penelope will be eating meat or not. I was a pescatarian (only meat I ate was seafood) for 4 years before getting pregnant, I couldn't give up sushi. Before getting pregnant Aaron and I both experimented with veganism for 6 months, it was the healthiest we have both felt. Even though we felt good it took a lot of work. We had to cook every meal from scratch and read every single ingredient label. And at this point in our lives we simply don't have the time for veganism between work, school, and caring for Miss Penelope. But if we decide to give her meat it will be in very small quantities on rare occasions. Its just another one of those 'just wait a see' circumstances of parenthood. There seems to be a lot of those.

 

Of course we videotaped Penelope trying her first food...oatmeal!

She is hilarious. That child is pure entertainment. She kept gagging which of course made us laugh hysterically.

 

 I'm having a hard time upload pictures so its just videos for now. Hopefully I can figure out whats wrong...

 

 

6 Month Update

Before I recap the past 3 months I thought I would catch everyone up to date on Penelope and her developments.  On Sunday she had her 6 month birthday! We were traveling back from Seattle but made sure to give her extra kisses and sing her 'Happy Birthday.'

 

Today was her 6 month check up with the pediatrician and we are pleased that she is as healthy as can be. Here are her stats:

 

Weight: 18 lbs 14 ounces - 94th percentile

Length: 27 inches - 90th percentile

Head Circumference: 17 5/8 inches - 96th percentile

 

...yup, still a giant Penelope.

 

She can sit up unassisted, roll over, scoot backwards, and walk with assistance.  She puts everything in her mouth to chew and drool on. Her Great-Granddad introduced her to the spoon which is her new favorite restaurant menu item. She is still exclusively breast-fed but we will be starting solids in the next few days. She is most happy when she is walking. We think she will walk before she crawls - turns out crawling isn't a developmental milestone anymore so there is no problem with her skipping it. We usually hold her hands while she stomps down the hallway but for Christmas Santa brought her a Radio Flyer walker. This video was taken yesterday and is of her walking without our assistance for the first time, needless to say we were amazed:

 

 

And we're back!

I bet everyone thought I had fallen off the blog planet but here I am.  Its been almost 3 months since my last post.  I wish this wasnt the case but between Penelope, work and school I have little time for anything else.  When I do get a free moment to myself I dont want to have to think at all, thus my addiction to the Bravo! channel. Damn you Real Housewives of Atlanta/Orange County/Beverly Hills, Shahs of Sunset and all the other trash shows I find myself watching.

With school starting back up I will have less time for anything outside of Penelope, work and studies.  I dread going back to school.  But this upcoming semester I am going to attempt to keep up with this blog.  Not only does it keep friends and family updated with our adventures but its nice to reflect upon.  Time has never gone as fast as it has since having Penelope.

Yesterday we sang Happy 6th month Birthday to Penelope on the flight back to Austin from Seattle.  I cant believe its been 6 months! I have a 6 month old! Weird.

Tomorrow I will post an update on everything that has happened in the 3 months that I have been away from blog land.