New Things, Shiny Things

Dear Isadora,

This month, you started eating rice cereal for the first time.  Mommy and daddy weren't sure when you'd be ready, but we noticed that, lately, you seem to be really interested in what mommy and daddy are eating.  Anytime we eat something, you stare at us intently, studying our food and our mouths.  On top of that, you  started cutting your first tooth!  (It's on the bottom, right in the front.)  Both of these things convinced us that it was time to start you on the path to eating.  Grandma was still here visiting and got to see you enjoy your first bites of rice cereal.  Each time I brought the spoon to your mouth, you held your hands up to grab the spoon closer to you.  Mommy couldn't scoop it into your mouth fast enough.  You still need a lot of practice, but for your first time, you didn't do too shabby.



This week, we also discovered a new interest of yours... shiny wrapping paper.  Daddy opened up some birthday presents this week from grandma, and you went ballistic!  The sights and sounds of the wrapping paper made you just giddy.  Daddy described it best: you had madness in your eyes.  As daddy ripped through the wrapping paper, the sound of tearing paper sent you over the edge.  You started flailing your arms in excitement.  Noticing your excitement, daddy gave you some of the paper to play with.  You became even more animated -- kicking your legs and ripping the paper feverishly apart.  It was a sight to see.




Looks like mommy and daddy know what to tell Santa to get you for Christmas.... Shiny paper!

Love,

Mommy

Your First Thanksgiving

Dear Isadora,

For your first Thanksgiving, your grandma, Joyce Irene, came down to visit for the holiday.  She hasn't seen you since your first month of life.  (You've changed so much since then!)  We were so excited for her to see all the things you can do now.



Not only did grandma come to spend Thanksgiving with us, but your Aunt Jeanine, Uncle Terry, and Cousin Jake also came to feast with us on Thanksgiving Day.




On Thanksgiving day, you didn't get to eat any food, but this was the meal that was prepared:




As you can see, it was quite delicious.  Even though you aren't eating solid foods yet, you are starting to teethe like crazy.    Aunt Jeanine even offered you up a turkey leg as a teething ring...




Mommy and daddy have been hosting Thanksgiving ever since we got married.  It is one of our favorite holidays.  When you get older, I hope it becomes one of your favorite holidays, too.

We are so thankful to have you in our lives, Isadora.  You are more than we had ever hoped for.



Love,

Mommy

Your First Picture with Santa

Dear Isadora,

Today we went shopping at the Crabtree Valley Mall.  Although we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet, the mall was already decorated for Christmas -- garland, Christmas lights, and ornaments were hanging from every crook and cranny.  As we approached the center of the mall, mommy noticed that Santa was there, waiting for children to visit him and tell him what they wanted for Christmas... but there were no children in sight.  Usually, the line to see Santa is very long, but not today.  He looked sad, so mommy decided to introduce you so that you could put a smile on his face.

Izzy and Santa, 2011

Mommy was a little nervous, but you did great!  You had the biggest smile on your face.  Because of that, mommy decided to capture the moment for posterity and order some prints of you with Santa.  Santa said that you were a very good baby.  When we got home from shopping, we showed your pictures to daddy.  He got a kick out of them and was impressed with your smile.

Who needs Christmas lights with a smile like yours?

Love,

Mommy

Oh the Things You Can Do!

Dear Isadora,

You are almost five months old now!  At the beginning of the month, you had your four month old immunizations.  With this second round of shots, mommy and daddy were better prepared than your last visit.  We gave you an infant's dose of grape-flavored tylenol before your appointment to help ease the pain from your shots.  And guess what?  It worked!  You were such a trooper.  You wailed for only a minute and had no tears!  (That's our girl!)




At the appointment, the doctor did a quick physical, too.  He measured your head and asked if big heads ran in the family.  Unfortunately, for you, they do... on both sides.  Upon our confirmation, he said that explained it... The doctor informed us that you were in the 98th percentile for head size.  Wowza!  You also came in weighing 15.6 lbs.  And you measured 23 3/4 inches.




This month, you've been starting to engage in play.  One of things you've grown to love is your Jenny Jump Up.  You are able to sit up in it and touch your feet to the ground.  You still can't jump up and down in it yet, but you love to use one leg to spin around in circles.  I have to tuck in a blanket or a burp cloth when you're in it, usually, because you've also taken up drooling like a St. Bernard.  (When are those pesky teeth going to come in?)


 


This month, you've also been really into daddy.  He makes you giggle constantly!  And you always share with him the cutest laugh!  I can tell you're going to be such a daddy's girl.




Another new thing you've started this month is chewing on your thumb.  You went from eating your whole fist to just chewing on your thumb (or two fingers).  Progress!





We've really enjoyed your four month mark.  It's been so great for us to really see your personality start to shine through.





You'll always be our little princess.


Love,

Mommy