Rachel is 6 months

My Rachel is 6 months old. 

She is 1/2 a year already!!! 

(and thats no April foolin.)

Rachel adores her big brother. 

She loves to watch him play and laughs with him all the time.

She is a full on roller. Thats how she gets around. and gets trapped sometimes.

She Planks and does crunches and stays pretty active.

Its easy to make her giggle and she almost ALWAYS wakes up happy and smiling.

Shes eating big girl food now, but isn't sure if she loves it.

Everyone at the gym daycare loves to see her coming and always says she a joy.

No words yet, but she makes raspberries all the time now! 

We love our baby girl.

Rachel is 5 months

She is so big! a little over 15 pounds and she has the littlest bud of a tooth coming in on the bottom.

She is eating well but does not want me to talk while shes having her meal.
She learned how to give raspberries.
She loves watching Kaleb jump around and He loves giving her kisses.
Rachel can roll over front to back, but not back to front yet.
She tries to sit up ALL the time, even when shes in her car seat.
She recently discovered her feet and TRIES to munch on them, but can't quite get them in her mouth.
She is such a happy baby and freely gives smiles and giggles to everyone.

Yay for our little big girl.

Rachel is 3 Months

She is growing and growing. 

Already out of newborn diapers. 

about 12 pounds

chattering and giggling.

Sleep schedule STILL not where it should be, but we enjoy our nights together. 

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A 2014 Update

I love video.
Watch this.
(and excuse the growling and occasional ignoring. He was playing his Innotab)


Yup. We're expecting our second baby - our first little girl - and Kaleb is going to be a big brother!
I'm 15 weeks pregnant.
She's due October 20th and so far everything is so good.

Shes sucking her thumb.

showing off her bendy legs and perfect spine.

Before anyone asks, we're not 100% on a name, but we do have some front runners.

(and for those of you who already know and have asked -- here is our baby registry http://www.target.com/baby/registry/QogbEhbRkPhX31f2G6yw3w )

So, yeah, I'll keep you posted. :D

Moving and Kaleb's first sentence.

Though we did all of our last minute CRAZY time packing yesterday... today we drove to our new home.

Kaleb did moderately well and mommy ate Mcdonald's.
Still, it was a lovely drive.

P.S. I think somethings wrong with Kaleb's toe.

Also, as we were setting up Kaleb's toddler bed, he said his very first sentence... ready for it...
"Dada, I toot!"

love it.

The Yo Gabba Gabba! Inflitration

Yo Gabba Gabba! (<-- the exclamation point is in the title. I'm not yelling at you.)
It kinda snuck up on us.

Like a sneaky cat that looks all friendly and you think "oh, I'll just toss him a scrap of bread". But then he comes back and he won't stop mewing, so before you know it you've got a 5lb bag of meow mix, a litter box in your bathroom and you're going collar shopping.

It all started at the beginning of this week. We're having some down time, flipping through Netflix. I've been trying to get Kaleb into Sesame Street. My MIL sings its praises and I figured it would be a nice educational show.

Well right next to the Sesame Street picture is the more brightly colored Yo Gabba Gabba! picture. Kaleb kept pointing to it and asking (I'm assuming) in his baby garble to see that one.
So, I've heard good things about it. Two guys from our ward stared and our wedding photographer is something like the producer (don't quote me, I'm not sure.) so I thought "What the hey. lets give it a shot."

5 episodes later Kaleb had dug up some Brobee doll (the little green one) that my cousin gave us in a box of other toys and books (I don't even know how he remembered it was in his toy box)
And my child is jumping up and down yelling "Gabba! Gabba! Gabba!" and signing "More" Whenever DJ Lance Rock says its time to go.

Now, although this childhood "obsession" (its only been a week, but I think this one is sticking) came on us quickly, its not necessarily bad at all.

The music is fun and there are tons of cool guests.
Its just awesome. I mean, come on... they have a 'BEAT OF THE DAY'

It may not teach reading or writing like Sesame Street, but I love the social skills they promote. Some of my favorites are; Don't bite your friends, Clean up your trash, Its ok to be afraid sometimes, Try it you'll like it and Different isn't scary.

Plus I find fun little hints at the creators beliefs in there every once and a while.

See anything interesting in this still from the Yo Gabba Gabba! short?

Its a fun show, and I'd rather have Kaleb watch this than any cartoon on TV.

So yeah. Not a lot happened this week, so this is has been a pretty dominant theme.

Kaleb's Knock Um Down Game

seriously, my son is a genius.

Kaleb Things to Remember

There are already things I'm starting to forget about baby Kaleb.
I want to make a list here to help me remember.

1. When he was crawling (just crawling, not walking like now) and I caught his eye, we would crawl as fast as we could to each other and crash. He would laugh and laugh as I picked him up and rolled over and kissed his face.
2. He LOVES having his face kissed. We discovered this when he was three months old and had a bad cold. He was super fussy and just a miserable baby. We had him in bed with us and Blake kissed his cheeks forehead and other cheek. When I looked at Kaleb's face, his eyes were closed and he was smiling big. Ever since, if I can grab him and keep him still, I'll kiss his cheeks, nose, and forehead and Kaleb will close his eyes and give me a big big grin. I love it. 
3. He is now 13 months old and is exploring EVERYTHING. He's even stopped looking so much like a baby. His face is thinning out, and he smiles with his four chomping teeth all the time. (with two more on top coming in fast).
4. He knows when hes doing something wrong now. He loves to play with the TV buttons, and when I catch him at it he smiles until I go over to him, then he runs away laughing. The little terd.
5. Hes dancing now too. Not with much rhythm, and only one move, but its the best dancing I've ever seen. He sort of bounces up and down grinning. Its amazing.
6. Kaleb colored and drank from a straw for the first time at Red Robin last week. 

I'll think of more and add it soon.

I miss nursing

Is that weird?
I don't think it is, but I'm still unsure.

Most moms I talk to to say they're glad to finally have the freedom, to not be bitten by their little milk vampires anymore.

and, though Kaleb never bit me, it is nice to have the freedom of not nursing.

But I still miss it.

I miss needing nothing other than my own body to calm, sooth and feed my son.
I miss him holding me tight and cuddling as he fed. I mean, lets be honest, he is not at all interested in cuddling right now.

Maybe its all part of me resisting (however slightly) him growing up.
I am so proud of my son. I love watching him discover his world and all the things in it.

Hes making decisions now.
My baby is making decisions.

Hes choosing when he wants more and when hes all done.
He knows what books he wants to hear at bedtime.
He decides when he wants to take a bath (which is whenever I ask him, but still)

I'm glad we weaned. It was the right time.
But I see the last small remnant of my baby slipping away.
In his place there is a curious, intelligent, independent and saucy toddler sneaking up.

I also feel unneeded.
Is it coincidence that weaning coincided with Kaleb's "Daddy" phase?
When he was an infant and cried when ever his dad (or anyone besides me) held him, in order to comfort Blake, I told him it was because I was Kalbe's food source. He didn't want me, he wanted lunch.

I didn't think it was actually true.

Now EVERYTHING is "Dada". He even carries around a picture of Blake (when he, Blake, is at work) and says "Dada!" most of the day.

I miss being #1.
And, alright, I'll admit it, I think I deserve to be #1 always. (until he falls in love, of course)

I carried him for 9 months! I fell in love with him when he was the size of my pinky. When Blake would occasionally forget he even existed. Not to mention the struggle of bringing him into this world.

I love him so much.
So completely.
I am a little bitter about being second fiddle to Blake.
(but I guess, if I have to be second to anyone, it should be him)

I expected that with girls, but not my boy.

So, now I have no milk, hardly any cuddles and all the baby weight in the world...

I guess I also have a strong, healthy, so smart toddler who, if I'm lucky, will give me a kiss or two and let me hold his bottle while he drinks.

Kaleb is ONE YEAR OLD

My baby is growing.
Technically a toddler.
He is constantly changing.
Always adorable.
Always mine.

I love you, Kaleb.

Because we already had a big party for Kaleb, today was very chill and relaxed.

We woke up and had baby birthday breakfast.

A Green Family tradition I fell in love with!

While Daddy was at work, I took Kaleb to "Picture People" for a free Birthday picture.

Honestly, I didn't think they would do a good job, but its free and something to do. Plus, they have cheesy props we dont. 

Not my standard, but still cute! I think the subject matter improves the image greatly. :D

Later that evening, we went to Grandma and Papa Green's and had a little cake and a little dinner.

It was a good day.

We have a bottle drinker! (finally)

After Kaleb turned (about) three months, he wanted nothing... NOTHING to do with his bottle.

Nursing and Mommy's milk only.

Overall, I had no problem with that, but I can't go anywhere or do anything!

Today, on a whim, I decided to give it another try. Keep in mind, I've tried, his Dad has tried, his grandma and aunts have tried. and he flat out REFUSED.

When I offered it to him, he held it himself and drank it up!

Hopefully he doesn't out right reject it again, but so far so good.

Kaleb is 10 months old!

Can it be? Really?
A whole ten months old?

Heres what hes up to lately

• His two teeth are as sharp as ever
• His crawling skills have reached lightning speeds
• He love eating crunchies and puffs, but his favorite is yogurt
• He can give very sweet very drooly kisses
• Hes a complete water baby thanks to swimming lessons
• He still isn't a fan of the bottle, but Aunty Jillian helped him to drink one and now he'll take a swig every now and then from mommy
• Hes pulling himself up and holding on with one hand
• He can walk wile holding mommy or daddy's hands
• Hes very attached to mommy, but after some time he might give you a hug
• His high fives are the best (Blake is still working on Knucks, we're not quite there yet)
• I think he knows how to say "no" but I dont think he knows what it means.
• He is REALLY into cars and blocks. 
• The only T.V. he'll watch is still Baby Einstein
• He loves cuddling and mommy and daddy love cuddling too.

My sleeper 10 month old guy

Kaleb is 8 months old

He is growing faster than I can track it!

He is super busy too...

• In one month he went from rolling around, to army crawl to full on baby crawl.
• He calls for me (nanannana)... that may also mean "feed me"
• He call for Blake (dadadada)... that may also mean "play!"
• He can clap his hands, but only when he decides. You can't really make him start.
• He pulling himself up. We even had to lower the crib because I was afraid he was going to topple out!
• Hes trying bits of food from Mommy and Daddy's plates. Its a hit or miss.
• At Grandma and Grandpa Green's house, we learned that he loves to gnaw on chicken bones (striped clean first, of course)
• He learned the baby sign for Milk, but he only does it while hes eating and wont do it to ask for milk.
• He has NO teeth. Zero. But I can totally see the bottom two just below the surface of his gums. They're ready.
• We're still facinated by him. Many nights, when Blake comes home from work, we'll all pile on the bed and watch him climb, clap and yell 

Though I sometimes miss my little ball of squishy, and sometimes look forward to having conversations with my son, I am COMPLETELY enjoying the stage we're in now. My little crawler, yeller, cuddly big baby boy. 

Homemade Sweet Potato Baby Food created with our Baby Bullet

Tonight I decided to take our Baby Bullet on its maiden voyage!

I was debating between Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes, but opted for the yummier of the two for Kaleb's first "big boy" meal.

Meet our star players. 

To make this most delicious of super food for baby, here is what you'll need:

One sweet potato. Not a yam. 

One baby bullet. We registered for ours when I was pregnant. 

One cup of water.

and a few of these cute little guys. Baby food containers that come with the Baby Bullet.

and most importantly, you will need a hungry baby
 who can sit up with support and knows how to turn his head away when hes done eating. 
(we've been practicing with baby cereal.)

First step is to peal the sweet potato. 

Quick and easy.

I then chopped up the sweet potato in to smallish cubes. 

Let me tell you, that sucker was harder than I thought it would be... granted I used a bread knife...

not quite cubes... more like "bits". 

Then I boiled the bits. You can also steam them, this is supposed to keep the nutrients in, but I found a solution...

I used minimal water

Then used one cup of the boiled sweet potato water to reclaim some vitamins and reuse in the recipe.

 I added my cup of boiled water and my potato bits to the baby bullet.

To activate the bullet, you push down and turn.

after about 3 seconds it had already reached a mushy consistency. But there were still too many lumps for my little one, so I pulsed (pushed down, but didn't lock)  the blender four or five more times.

So after just a few spins, everything had a nice, smooth "baby food" texture. Much more organic and "polished" look when compaired to mass produced, jar baby food.

See? Perfection.

Then I filled up my little baby bullet containers. 

The little containers that come with the baby bullet are awesome because they are tiny little things that are perfect size for baby and they also have a little dial on the lid so you can remember what day of the month the food was made. 

*Baby food will last only 3 days in the refrigerator, but up to 30 days in the freezer*

See the little "1". This baby food was made on the first of this month!

They even have a handy little tray that holds all six of the containers.

I had some food left over, so I put it in the frozen food tray that also comes with the baby bullet.

But now, the ultimate test.

Would he eat it? 

He seems intrigued... 

...wait for it...

SUCESS!

Heres a quick little video of his first bites. He may look like hes not enjoying it sometimes, but he really it. :D

(Does the video look pinkish to anyone else? It looks pinkish to me.)

 I had lots of fun documenting and making my baby his first "big boy" meal.
He took to it much faster then he did baby cereal, which is a good thing, right?

Hes just growing up so fast. And as happy as it makes me to see him grow and learn and become an even bigger little guy, its so bitter sweet.

Ok, I have to go cuddle with my sleeping baby now.