table food
For the first time tonight Samantha had the same dinner we did, grilled chicken and cheese quesadilla. She loved the cheese quesadilla and would have finished the whole thing if we let her. She was unsure of the chicken but tried a few bits after a while. It amazes me how old she is and what big girl things she is doing. Table foods, walking while only holding onto with one hand, throwing tantrums...the list could go on. It is so fun to spend time with her and watch her discover the things she can do.
a day at home
Today started off with a bang. I'm working with Samantha on finger foods so I cut her banana a little bit larger today thinking it would help in getting it from her tray to her mouth. She did get some of them but a lot still ended up in the high chair or floor. She had a few pieces left so I popped one in her mouth and just figured she'd scarf it down so I went to put the second in her mouth. It didn't take more than a second to see that she was choking, especially once she pushed the last piece out and was still making the face. Without thinking I shoved my finger in her mouth and hooked the piece out. Immediatly afterwards I was thankful that I didn't make it worse by shoving it down further.
The rest of the day was tame compared to that. That is until Adam got home and I went to walk Brody. Samantha followed me behind the couch and sat at the bottom of the stairs watching me. I had my back turned for one second to get my coat out of the front closet. I turned around to get the mail key and Samantha had climbed up the stair. There she was, standing on the stair/leaning on the railing smiling at me. It was like she had been doing it for weeks. Just another reminder she's not so much 'baby girl' anymore but turning into 'girl'.
In between the excitment of this morning and this evening, I had some inspiration as I found this photo blog. I busted out the camera at the perfect time this afternoon; there was great light in the living room and Brody & Samantha were chilling together on the couch. Yet somehow none of my photos turned out like those in the blog. Go figure.
gyming it
I am Samantha's human jungle gym. She loves to crawl over me, on top of me, up me, down my legs, etc. Most of the time it includes her trying to eat me as well but it is fun. Now if I only had a gym in this house. And a personal trainer. And a nutritionist. Then, we'd be set.
In all honesty I'm moving a bit more again now that Samantha's crawling. I probably walked 5 miles a day back when Samantha needed to be walked to sleep for all naps and bedtime. Then we did Ferber and all the 'exercise' stopped. I won't lie, I really think it made a difference in me. At least that what the scale says. Now that she's crawling I have to get up and down more often. Put her down, sit with her, play with her, watch and comment as she crawls to the kitchen, get up once she's inches away from Brody's food, bring her back to the middle of the living room, repeat.
She really is a good girl. I took her to Target today for diapers and new pacis and we used the cart cover for the first time. I think she liked it. She's smiling from ear to ear in the picture I took of her. Yes I took a picture of it. But I didn't have the casio so it's on my phone! I'm not sure how to get that online if I even can.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
I stopped wearing my wedding and engagement ring on May 9th last year. They still fit at that point but I was hearing the horror stories of people having to get them cut off because they're fingers swelled. Wanting to avoid that at all possible costs I stopped wearing them early. I felt weird the entire time...I definitely think that people thought I was a pregnant teen or something. After Samantha was born it took a little bit but I could slide them on again without much of an issue. It's just that I had gotten out of the habit of putting them on every day that I rarely wore them. Lately I've been wearing them (at least my wedding ring) daily and Samantha is so cute every time she catches a glimpse. We'll be playing and then all of a sudden she's transfixed on my bling. She pulls my hand towards her, moves them around, and tries to put them in her mouth; she loves them. Fancy girl.
It was an amazingly gorgeous day. The only downside was the wind. While we were running errands Samantha was taken aback by all the wind so I was weary of a walk. But at 5:30 I was aching to go out - as was Brody - so I busted out the Maclaren and off we went. She seemed fine and watched Brody prance along ahead of us. Whenever I bent down to see how she was doing she'd give me one of her grins and I knew she was ok.
What a day!
We had a great day! Of course we were off to a questionable start because Samantha woke up later than planned. But we managed to get her fed, bathed, walk Brody, get gas, and be on our way only 40 minutes late. Eek. You'd think we'd miss it, lol. We got there in great time and because she decided not to nap on the way there I didn't have to feed her before we walked to the river. We found a spot around dearborn and wacker right before 10:45 and Michelle, Josh, and Michelle's friend Laura met up with us. We thought we were golden. HA. About 40 minutes later we were still standing there and the river was still it's regular green. Finally I decided we'd had enough of just standing in the cold so after a few minutes of wandering around looking for other friends, we decided that the three of us were going to see if we could catch the parade. First we walked up the river a little further and tada, neon green river awaited us. To our surprise Samantha had fallen asleep in the stroller! Butch and I walked a bit and thought we found a great spot for the parade. It was about 20 minutes before we realized we were not even close to the parade. That's what yout get for following the crowd. It was getting late so we decided to get some lunch and then go home. Samantha only woke up after the second El went by on the way to lunch. She hung out with is in Cosi while we ate. Overall we had a wonderful time in the city even though nothing went like it was supposed to. That's life. The day made me more excited for the spring and summer than I already am. Samantha was great with the unexpected and I'd say that I did pretty well with it too. For the first time I breastfed in the public (I know, I know, only 6 months later)during lunch at Cosi and with no changing table in sight did with changing her diaper on a small area next to a sink. I'm so proud of how well she did.
We were only home for an hour before it was off to Chrissy's for Gungi and Grandpa's 50 Anniversary party!!! Another fun party, Samantha was a little crabby at this time. But wouldn't you know that by the time we got home she was all smiles. She's a stinker like that.
This is from her 1/2 birthday a few days ago on March 11
New Adventures
I feel like we just registered again! We are (95%) going to watch the river dyed green tomorrow so we are making sure everything's ready to go on Samantha's big girl stroller. We've adjusted the straps, played with the foot rest, practiced putting on the rain guard which we are hoping will act as a wind guard, and have it sitting waiting to go. I can't wait to start using it! It's the exact same feeling that I had after our shower. Pure bliss at the thought of using the baby goodies we had been gifted for our daughter. Ha, I told Adam that she'll probably hate being strapped in and after all our playing around one of us will end up carrying her the whole time. Oh well, it'll be ready to go when it warms up and we walk to the park! And go to the zoo! And go to Starved Rock! And go on family walks at night! And...you get the idea. Tomorrow is only the beginning.
It got super late but we really wanted to give Samantha some sweet potatoes. I think it's safe to say she really liked them. She was tired but her mouth was open waiting for each spoonful. And she ate her peas this morning! Success with two solid meals today.
The blog - or blurb or blag as my dad calls it sometimes 
- is getting around to more and more people. I have two choices. Continue to be honest about all my feelings and not leave anything out as we go forward raising Samantha. Or pull a typical Kathy and get embarrassed and make the blog less personal. For a few reasons I choose option A. First and foremost, this is my journal. I'm not writing down anywhere else all of the things Samantha does on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. I want to remember these times as thoroughly as possible including how it felt to watch Samantha hit all of her milestones as well as every day life. And lord help Adam if somehow this gets lost in cyberworld somewhere. Also because it's not as easy to get in contact with busy family and friends so the blog can keep those up to date that want to when they can. Another reason is I'm trying to be a more open person. How more open can I get letting family, friends, anyone who stumbles across this online to read about our lives unfiltered?
Peas!
We gave Samantha peas tonight, she did great! She didn't eat much but it was late. Grandma Sue was here to watch and Butch got some on video!! And she didn't get too messy either, yay! We made them yesterday, Samantha and I. I tried them and actually thought they were delicious. I'm not big on peas so I was surprised when I was making them and couldn't help myself from having some. If all goes well the next three days it's on to sweet potatoes.
It was gorgeous out today and we got out for a nice walk. I put Samantha in the bjorn face forward for the first time. She seemed to like it except when the wind picked up in a few places. She was talking to Brody and I as we walked. Ha, sometimes when I would 'encourage' Brody to pick up his pace Samantha would start talking right after me, almost like 'encouraging' him as well. I wonder if she'll be bossy like me.
Over the past few days Samantha is getting closer and closer to crawling. If I turn my head for a second she'll bee line right for the edge of her blanket and start playing with the carpet. I am not ready for her to be on the carpet daily. I hate it. Maybe while we're robbing the bank for the convertible car seat will make sure to take enough to get hardwood floors.