7 months old!

Maryam is now the big 7 months. She has just begun to cut her first tooth (and is not too happy about it). She's eating three meals a day, along with nursing frequently in addition to all of her peas, carrots, sweet potato, avacado, pears, parsnip, and squash (her favorites).

One of her favorite things to do lately is growl. She makes this gutteral, deep growling sound. We couldn't quite figure out where she learned it, until we saw Wayne growling at her, making her giggle. Her big brother is already teaching her things! Wayne loves to make her smile and giggle. He's really good at it. She'll see him from across the room and just smile at him. Wayne has lost his two front teeth, and can make some very silly faces at her.

Maryam has also figured out how to roll over from her back to her front, and she'll take steps while holding on to your hands. She still puts everything into her mouth, and she still smiles at every person who comes near her. She's a cuddler, a giggler, and the sweetest thing in our lives.

Hiking

A couple of weeks ago, Jim and I took Maryam hiking at our favorite state park. We went there while I was pregnant with Maryam, and again when she was just a couple of weeks old. It took her awhile to get used to the Kelty backpack, but she soon enjoyed it, especially watching her doggie go swimming.

6 months old!

Maryam was six months old on Saturday! Isn't she a cutie?? She had her 6 month appointment, weighs 20 pounds, and is in the 97th percentile for weight (and 50th or so for height, although she's probably taller since she screamed as they tried to stretch her out to measure her). Since she can sit unassisted, the doctor said she has the muscles to roll over, but not the motivation, or something like that. She's been making faces at all her food now. She's eating and frowning at sweet potato, avocado, rice cereal, apples, and bananas. Today, nothing met with her approval, although she did try to get to my Diet Coke.

In other news, we just bought a new grill. The old one was a hand-me-down, and only cooked on high -- otherwise known as 'burned'. So now Maryam can have blended burgers, cooked nicely :)

Easter

Ok, so we're going back in time.

Maryam had a wonderful Easter, because her aunt Mari and aunt Kristin came to visit all the way from Wisconsin. We went to the butterfly exhibit at the conservatory here in Columbus, played games, and just hung out. Kristin was able to bond again with Sera, who is her dog Harley's puppy. K, Sera still misses you! No one else lets her lick them on the mouth :)

Vacation! Part II

On Sunday morning, we flew to Washington, to see aunt Annika and uncle Nick, as well as Maryam's namesake, Maryam. Our stay was brief, but a lot of fun. Here are some pictures...

The first one is of Annika and Maryam, the second is of Annika, Nick and Maryam, the third is of Maryam and Maryam, and the fourth is Maryam questioning just how crazy her grandma is.

Coming soon.... Easter pictures with Aunt Mari and Kristin.

Vacation! Part I

Maryam had her first plane ride last week, on the 10th. She did pretty well, crying only when she was tired or bored. We flew to California to surprise my cousin Anita, who was married to a wonderful man, Joseph. Anita had no idea we were coming, although Joseph and Anita's mom did.

Maryam got to see her great aunts, cousins, and visit some more with grandma and grandpa. The first picture is with great-cousin Patty, the second is with great aunt Florence, the third is with grandpa, the fourth is with great aunt Ruth, and the fifth with mommy.

First Foods

Maryam had her first taste of solid foods last night - she had sweet potatoes and a little bit of rice cereal. She went nuts! I had known for the past two weeks or so that she was eager to start eating big people food, but I didn't know how eager. This morning, she ate a good half cup of pureed sweet potatoe, and could have eaten more if I had any left. The pictures are from her second feeding. The first was caught on video tape. In a day or so, I'll try some apples or avocado, and then maybe another vegetable. I had been told to expect Maryam to just play with her food, and to not really eat it at first. Not my child!

We intentionally waited until she was 6 months to start her on solids to minimize allergy potential, as well as to make sure her body was ready to handle real foods. I'm glad we waited, because Maryam loves her food.

Bathtime

Maryam loves her baths lately, although she's quickly growing out of her baby tub. She often takes baths with mommy, but today she spashed around on her own.

Oh, and Maryam wanted to show her grandma how much she loves her new outfit you sent. Thanks!

Sitting up

Maryam can now sit up on her own -- for about 30 seconds, at least!

We've been having beautiful, 70+ degree weather. And now that my horrible cold is gone, Maryam and I have spent some time outdoors. She, as always, loves watching the dog. I'm starting to get jealous :) She even drooled on poor Sera and attempted to chew on her ear. Sera took it like an old pro, loving every minute of it.

I finally finished sewing Maryam 12 pocket diapers, something I will never do again. It saved us considerable money, but was a huge pain in the neck, especially since I had to borrow a snap machine which made me have to rush. And all Maryam does is poop all over them.... :)

5 months old!

The pictures are as follows -- 2 months, 3 months, four months, five months, Maryam in daddy's hat ('cause she's bald, too!)

Maryam is now five months (and two days) old. She reached out to pet the doggie today, and was laughing when Sera licked her! Maryam is definately a dog-person.

Last night was hard -- she was wiggling most of the night. Jim got up with her at 3 AM for a while, because she was driving me bonkers. She played for about 20 minutes, then back to sleep, and up at 5 AM again.

She is grabbing at her feet, reaching for things (and the dog), and fussing much less (if you don't count today).

I'm busy trying to sew her some pocket diapers. She's pretty crabby today, because she was up so much last night. Her bottom is too big for the ones we bought.