Triple firsts

Nummy bananas. Naomi
can't get enough, so she
figured she'd help.

Naomi is happy to announce that she likes bananas! And avocados! And oatmeal! But applesauce is a bit tart, and barley is just weird (not to mention an unhelpful texture that might work better at a later time). That's right: this week, Naomi officially sampled her first, although I had let her suck on not-too-ripe banana and washed lettuce stems, at her particular request, a bit earlier. She likes food, and in fact, has started to get annoyed if she's not offered any--especially lettuce, which is just so green and neat-looking.

We began on Wednesday, with mashed banana, a cute bib, a pink spoon and a camera. The big sisters, who had been eager for the baby to eat "mushed-up food" for a good year now, made for an enthusiastic and even helpful audience. Having sucked on a banana before, Naomi took to the taste immediately, even though it was mixed with a bit of formula. She sucked on the spoon and even managed to swallow quite a bit, adeptly spitting out any chunks I hadn't mashed quite as well.

The baby ate most of what I had to offer, letting me know she was done by screaming to get out of her chair (fortunately, at our second encounter with food she simply turned away). Loud and clear.

With each new food she's tried, the first few bites, at least, garnered a face that suspiciously said, "What in the world is going into my mouth?!?" Meh. Meh. And I'd wonder if bananas would be it for a while, But as long as the texture was super-watery, she'd keep going after the initial adjustment.

Naomi seems to want to eat more, so we'll be adding a second daily meal sooner rather than later. Any guesses on whether it'll help her sleep better at night, as the old wives say? I think no.
____

Build-A-Bear and Build-A-Pup! Elise
wore her puppy outfit to match.

I fully realize that "First Build-A-Bear" should most definitely not be a milestone. And it won't go in the baby book. But it was still a pretty big experience for Elise.

You may remember that we last experienced Build-A-Bear three years ago, as a Big Sister thing for Kalina. I'm not quite sure how we avoided making another animal in the meantime (unless you count the one for Aunt Nancy...), seeing how it's directly up our alley, but we did. Now that I mention it, that might be one of my proudest parenting accomplishments!

Kalina was more than happy to introduce Elise to the wonders of Build-A-Bear. I announced our plan the day before, and Kalina dug out her old B.A.B. cat and got her freshened up to meet a new friend.

Upon entering the store, Elise immediately became overwhelmed. So many people, so much glitter, and so many choices! Such expensive taste. I somehow managed to steer her past the My Little Ponies and Disney cats to the section of affordable animals. I'd prepped them for this a dozen different ways: "Now, what happens if the one you love costs $25?" "We can't get it." "Are you okay with any animal they have, or do you have to have a kitten?" "Okay with anything," they both assured me. That's the challenge of B.A.B.--getting out of there with all four limbs, and with no major arguments in the meantime. ("No, you may not get the stuffed car. [Don't be ridiculous, are you out of your mind?!?]")

Kalina, to her credit, contentedly bypassed the adorable multicolor bears she was initially attracted to. "We can't get these, Elise, they're too expensive," she said, not me. I could've bought her one then and there for her super attitude, but she happily settled on a more reasonable soft, pink bear with a heart for a nose. Elise wanted a puppy, but the Reasonably Priced Puppy was "too dark." I couldn't blame her--I wished they'd lightened it a shade. Finally we agreed on a lighter one that was super fuzzy, and probably a bit pricier than I'd planned. B.A.B: 1, Me: 1.

The three girls in the same rocking
chair their mommy was rocked in.

The girls grabbed at outfits with both paws as we waited in line to stuff the bears. And then it was our turn! Elise was assertive enough to answer all the questions herself, spell her own name, and even mention to the associate that she wanted her puppy to be "softer." (So was Kalina.) Soon, both animals were stuffed to perfection, and we turned our attention to outfits in earnest.

Elise liked anything with sparkles, and we found a sweet, glittery dress with a lollipop accessory and lollipop-shaped wings. We dressed her puppy, and then Elise stood clutching Pink Bear and the pup and taking in the scene. While Elise makes up her mind quickly and sticks her landing, Kalina likes to hem and haw. Fortunately, her mommy does, too--to a point. Kalina wanted a winter outfit that matched Gray's, but there were none to be had in the store. We found a cute substitute.

I considered letting them pick out cute bows as accessories. I then mentally nixed the idea: we have hair do-dads at home. And then they received free little bows at the register, along with the famous, bulky box homes! Fabulous! I forgave B.A.B. for at least one arm that they'd charged me. Then we created birth certificates. Elise's creation was named Licky Lick Lick, possibly changed to the Poky Little Puppy after she noticed some resemblance today during storytime later in the day. Kalina named her bear Rebecca.

Back at home, Elise has happily dressed and undressed her puppy several times already; fed her carrots with cinnamon on top in the play high chair for one meal and crocheted pizza, milk and banana for another;  provided birthday cake (it is, after all, the dog's birthday); and put her into and out of her house a dozen times. Kalina's armful of stuffed animals has happily expanded as she works her hardest to make sure Rebecca feels welcome, quietly talking to her about what to expect as a stuffed animal of the household. Thank you, Build-A-Bear! And Daddy...
______

Little girl at a big piano.

Kalina performed in her first piano recital! Held at her teacher's house, it was the perfect mix of casual and "real," and enjoyable for all, except, possibly, Elise, who caught wind of the treat table right behind her seat and couldn't wait for the music to be over. Naomi, for her part, didn't make a peep in the mei tai.

Kalina has been working hard since June and has been described by her teacher as quite talented. Her attention span, coordination, good attitude (even when she wanted to quit) and mental capacity have helped her breeze through various challenges, surprising us all. And with that, I'll be done bragging. She no longer wants to quit, by the way.

She chose her own program based on a theme: horse, and horse-like animals, and those who ride them. She practiced her pieces, Cowboy Joe, Rodeo and Donkeys Like Carrots, daily, and couldn't claim to be more than a little bit nervous as the day approached. The performers all sat cross-legged on the floor for lack of chairs, and volunteered to play when they were ready. Kalina, the youngest by two years, managed to be the very last.

She confidently answered her teacher's questions for the audience, and sat down to play. Her pieces couldn't have gone better, and since she's only five and hasn't quite moved on to Beethoven, her performance was quickly over. Soon, she was happily savoring a lemon bar while Elise devoured as many treats as she could grab.

_______

Naomi enjoying the soft puppy her
sisters picked for her before she was
born.

Naomi also had her 6-month checkup! She's growing at a consistent rate: she's 13 lbs. 8 oz. (in the 7.41%), and 25.5 inches long (34%). Apparently, she allotted most of her milk to height these past two months. She received her shots, but was smiling again by the time we checked out, having been more concerned about the fact that total strangers were poking and prodding her.

I bemoaned her horrible, awful sleep (I keep saying it can't get worse, and it always does--so I will not say that anymore), and the doctor reassured me that a bit of cry-it-out will not only help, but not hurt.

Big sisters, under strict instructions to wait patiently and not mess around, actually waited patiently and didn't mess around. Plus, they made a new friend in the waiting room who was a little too fond of Naomi for someone who'd been wheezing (according to her grandma). Aaargh! Fortunately, I was able to whisk Naomi to safety, my height being an advantage over the 4-year-old's.

On the way home, I remembered that Naomi could now have ibuprofen! With a cheerful, mellow baby, two well-behaving big girls and a husband who wanted pizza ingredients if I happened to be out, I decided that it'd be worth it to risk a trip to Target. My efforts paid off--not only did no one cry, but Naomi was fussy the rest of the day and night and the next day, so I was grateful for our infant Advil.

For the record, no, I can't believe she's halfway to 1. The part of me that's not utterly spent wants her to slow down!