The Proper Feeding of Infants

First, mix cereal according to directions on the box. I like to run the hot water until it's rather warm and it cools naturally while I stir, until it forms a runny, beige mush. MmMMmmm, anyone hungry? I find the type of spoon to be immaterial, but little spoons do fit in little mouths a little better. Scoop up a small amount on the tip of the spoon and bring it to your own lips to test for appropriate temperature. Be certain to have something to wash that taste away quick! Smile big at your baby saying “oh so yummy!” with as much enthusiasm as you can muster with lukewarm mush stuck on your lips.

Scoop up a large spoonful and smear it on your pants. Next put a little on Baby's chin, then shake the spoon vigorously until you have sufficient splatter across your shirt and at least a few specks in your hair. Smear a sufficient amount on baby's cheeks and nose. Drop one large spoonful on the floor, and then leave the bowl on the very edge of the highchair so that as you lean down to wipe up the little drop Baby can reach said bowl and tip the entire contents onto the floor. Take a moment to notice that you and Baby need a bath, half the kitchen needs to be cleaned, and the bib is spotless.

Well, what she lacks in proficiency she makes up for in enthusiasm!!!

Love the Chub

You know you have a chubby baby when:

- You clean lint out of a roll in the middle of her leg

- You give her a bath and realize afterward that you missed one entire chin.

- You never get tired of nibbling her cheeks, kissing her neck and giving her raspberries just to hear that wonderful sound.

A Little Chrism

Welcome, Anastasia - Precious Child of God, with the sweetest smelling juniper head!













Way to party, Anastasia!












Pictures courtesy of the talent of my brother, Eric.

Bella does not like to be completely outshone by her little sister. A special play day with cousins and friends, for her!

Cleansing

Although Anastasia was baptized at 2 days old in the hospital thanks to the drama surrounding her first few days, we're finally having her "welcoming ceremony" this Sunday, in which she will be annointed with holy chrism and recognized as a baptized Catholic.

How important is Baptism? I am mopping my floors to prepare. Now, before you mistake this for routine preparation for a party, let me clarify that I have not mopped for any party since Isabella's Baptism party. Yup, it's just that important. And, perhaps, it's also because my floors are just that bad.

So, for those in the area we'd love to see you! Come celebrate with us at the 11am Mass at St. Peter's. For those we are not fortunate to have in our area, please pray for Anastasia... and the rest of us while you're at it.

Quotable Quotes

Bella, upon waking in the morning and hearing her baby sister crying downstairs: "I need to go see Anastasia. I need to make Anastasia happy."

She has been gaining a lot of confidence lately with regards to climbing and going down slides, largely in part to her fearless cousin Rachael, and at the park last weekend Bella climbed right up to the tallest slide and sits down without a second thought. I raced to the bottom, knowing full-well that she was not going to be as enthusiastic after the fact. She lands at the bottom on her back, looks up at me and very seriously says "not again."

Bella fell in love with the "merry-round-and-round" at the park, saying "I dizzy", laughing, and then "again round and round again!"

On a happy Saturday morning, Patrick took both girls to Mass and let Mama sleep. I vaguely remember him telling Bella "ssshhh, Mama's sleeping." When they returned Bella looked at me and asked "have good nap, Mama?"

Stooped down with her hand just 6 inches from her furry crawling friend, "come, pateciller!" You can imagine how well that worked.

Bella successfully used the potty yesterday after bath, and received 3 M&Ms, which I placed back on the counter and returned upstairs to bathe Anastasia. I turned a few moments later to the sound of a gentle thump coming up the stairs, and the proceeding sight of Bella with the whole 3 lb bag! "I can reach counter!" When Daddy asked her about her special treat, she echoed the same response as her reason for receiving M&Ms.