Happy Halloween

Since Melita is a few days shy of being 5 months old today, I hadn't planned on her having a very 'spook'-tacular Halloween. I had decided to throw together an age appropriate and inexpensive 'costume' for mine and my mom's (who keeps her during the day) pleasure. And the picture potential. And then Reagan came home with a pumpkin to carve. AND then the grandparents offered to take her trick-or-treating while we went to the opening night of Wurstfest. An instant First Halloween!!

The reluctant witch.

Melita's first pumpkin.

Melita's first pumpkin after the morning after the deer feasted on it.

There are TWO!

After the last week or so of teething hell, we have progress! You can't tell in this picture (try looking really hard) but she has two teeth that are coming in on the bottom. They are poking up through the gums now and are pretty and white. I can't believe my baby has teeth. And two of them!

The First of Many

What I discovered when I went to check up on her after we left her playing in her swing while I made dinner.

Seconds later after the flash from the camera woke her up.

The Belly Shot

Not sure why she looks so pained but she was having fun seconds before.

Ms. Brightside

As the picture indicates, we are all smiles over here. It seems that we have either weathered the teething storm OR Reagan and I have finally got the hang of controlling it. I think it is a little bit of both. I did some reading yesterday and the best advice I found from seasoned parents was 'dose long and early.' Dosing being Tylenol. It worked. Melita got the sleep she needed and everyone else got some quiet time. Yay for Tylenol, yay for cooperative babies. Seriously, she sees the bottle of Tylenol now and nows the relief it will bring so she opens her mouth and swallows her entire dose in one go with no spit ups. This kid is amazing.

In other news, she is a pro at rolling over. When we put her in her crib at night she flops immediately onto her stomach where she stays for the night. A stomach sleeper just like her mother! She is also trying to crawl like a maniac too. It is too cute to watch her move her little legs trying to get some leverage to propel herself forward. She's got the concept down, I just don't think she can lift her chest high enough off the ground yet. She looks like a beached whale. Reagan seems to think she will be a full on crawling baby within the next few weeks. Sooner rather than later. I have to agree. It seems she mastered rolling over in about a week.

Watch out world, M-Rex is growing up!

Happy Anniversary

Two years ago today Reagan and I got married after 9 years of dating. This means that we have been together 11 years! We celebrated on Friday night with terrible Mexican food and a teething baby. Good times.

Melita is now rolling over one way. It's super cute and supplies hours of enjoyment for everyone. Her teething is still getting the best of all of us and she is needy as ever. At least when I'm holding her she is not crying. Always look at the bright side of things. Also, she has been eating rice cereal with baby food for the past week. She has mastered sweet potatoes, squash and now carrots! Seriously, time flies when you are having fun!

She also discovered that sucking her thumb is fun too.

Black and White

Today has been interesting. Melita's gums/teeth have really been bothering her causing one meltdown after another. After some Tylenol, she napped for a bit and now she seems content playing in her stationary activity center. Her meltdowns consisted of her only wanting me and wanting to be held. Which I don't mind. But it makes me sad to see her that upset. Also, we had been trying to start her on rice cereal without any luck. She'll drink it from her bottle but will not cooperate with the spoon. Helpful suggestions are welcome. Ugh. Despite the meltdowns, she has been super cute this week. She is amazing.

Thom Yorke reappears.

Still Growing

Yesterday Melita had her 4 month wellness check-up:

Weight: 14lbs. 8oz. (90%)
Length: 25 3/4 ins. (75%)
Head: 16 1/2 ins. (75%)

She's leaving the world of baby sprout and quickly heading towards green giant status! I would like to point out to Bethany that it appears her head is slowing down in the growth department. Whew! I was a bit worried. We also got the good news that we could start her on rice cereal at night. However, since she had 4 shots yesterday and experience has proven that it takes her roughly 36 hours to get back to normal, we are going to wait until Thursday or Friday to give it a try. I have a feeling she will love it and I will love the break from making so many bottles as well as buying formula. Go, Mooberry, Go!

Esther Williams Watch Out

Yesterday, we took Melita to the park to go swimming for the first time. Our local park is the source of natural springs and there are several wading pools. A perfect place to swim for the first time. Reagan and I swam there when we were little and couldn't wait to share it with our daughter. It wasn't 100% successful but, I think after a few more times we will have a hard time getting Melita out of the water. In her defense because the pool is spring fed the temperature of the water is 72F all year long. That's still pretty chilly to a newborn. All in all I think she did well. However, I think she had the most fun once she was out of the water and wrapped in a towel, chilling on her mom's lap watching the other kids play. She's a people watcher just like me!

Month Four

Happy Four Months Melita!

I'm a few days late in posting, but this picture was taken on the day. And this has pretty much become your standard expression: wide-eyed and inquisitive about everything around you. Your dad and I have so much fun watching you discover the world around you. You have become hours upon hours of entertainment for us. We can't believe we ever lived a happy life before you.
We love you!