Hot fun in the Summertime

Well our busy bee is six months old now.  I often wonder what we ever did without her.  I ask her frequently with a smile, “Are you REALLY mine?  Did you really happen?” 

Sorry I haven’t been regular at this.  Life is far too chaotic for regular updates, which is ok because I’d rather not post enough because I’m too busy, rather than not having anything to post about.  So yep… here’s the rundown…

Six month pedi appointment went well.   Happy and healthy through and through.  Rolling all over, and we’re right to the stage of pushing up on arms and figuring out how to army crawl.  She loves standing with assistance, maybe she’ll be one of those that goes straight to walking.  It’s the season of swapping equipment.  We’ve stopped using our infant swing, and now have a outdoor swing out on the back patio. It’s perfect for hanging out as we gab around the table, or as Daddy works on his tractor nearby. I can get the bouncer boxed up too.  Just moved into our 6 month wardrobe and size 2-3 diapers.  Anita’s vocal as ever, and it’s cute watching her test out different octaves.  We love to hear her laugh, for sure the best sound in the whole world.  We celebrated her six month birthday by introducing rice cereal.  And since then we’ve tried avocado a few times, and tonight will be mashed taters.  Fun and messy times and the poop is definitely starting to smell like POOP.

We’ve been busy, but not too much.  Made it to a ranch party with our friends, and had fun splashing in the river, and watching as our friends handed Anita around and got their fill of her.  I just love sharing her with all you wonderful honorary Aunties and Uncles.  We had plans to camp at Alturas lake last weekend, but cancelled due to the terrible fires and heavy smoke in the area.  So hopefully nothing of the same sort ruins our plans for the Upper Payette reservation we have on the 6^th.  This weekend we get to attend our neighbors wedding at Albertsons’ Park.  Looking forward to dressing up and celebrating Anita’s little friend Addie and her parents big day.  Also excited for football season coming up.  Speaking of which, Daddy has an action item to get over to the college and outfit Neeters with some Boise St. gear.

  Chilling on the beach with Auntie Ilona

My "wake up'" look

Playing in a pool o' beans at the fair.

Hanging with Dad at the fair.  We had our tractor there this year!

Bathtime with Mom

Hurt feelings

"My kids never had a blackout curtain"

"Maybe she'd be crawling by now if you'd..."

"Your growing her up too fast"

"Her milk isn't warm enough"

"Activity gyms are dangerous"

On.and.On.and.On...AND ON.

Being a new parent is not easy.  You try your BEST every day.  You JUDGE yourself every day.  The last thing you need is to critiqued by those around you.

Mind you... 

She's healthy.  Not one sniffle.  Never a cold or flu.  No diaper rash.  Clean.  No excess spit up or upset tummy. 

She's HAPPY.  Pretty much all the time.  She likes her me-time, daddy-time, mommy-time, tummy time, bed time.  We don't have a fussy kid.

She eats well.  I made it to the four month mark breastfeeding, and dammit it would have been longer had that pump not tortured me to the worst extent and pushed me to the last brink of pain tolerance.  But you know what, our sweetheart adapted just fine to formula and continues to gain weight at a healthy pace.

I digress.

Point is...we're doing a great job.  We are great parents.  I know those snippy little comments are most likely off the cuff and not meant to hurt, but wow...some days they just do..  

Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel

My sweet girl, this is our song. 

Anytime, everytime it comes across the radio we stop whatever we're doing, pick you up and dance. 

 

2013 What we've been up to

Well hello there my dearly deprived DiMaria blog! 

We've been busy in the most magical way and our time has been spent loving up on our sweet little miracle, Anita Grace.  It's easy to say that this is by far the best year of our lives.  Amazed every day, I just can't get over it.  We're parents now! 

http://anitaandco.blogspot.com/

Aside from that, the usual.  We like playing outdoors as much as possible.  Not cooking near as much, instead perfectly happy to pick up easy fixes so we can spend more time with the above mentioned cutie.  Work is good, busy this year with a large scale merger.  Animals are happy and healthy. House is still standing.  What more could you ask for? 

Other Babes of 2013

Hi Love. 
So the world is all giddy today with headlines of a new Prince across the pond.  I thought it was the perfect excuse to catalogue some of the famous babies you'll be growing up with...

Born July 22, 2013

America adores this newly married couple!

Welcome a sweet new prince - His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge

Born April 13, 2013

Jenna Bush and Hubby welcomed little Margaret Laura ‘Mila’ Hager
It was fun watching her pregnancy updates on The Today Show

(Your Daddy's favorite President, George W. Bush - his 1st granddaughter)

Born April 6, 2013

One of our favorites, three-time Olympic gold medalist

Kerri Walsh Jennings & newest baby girl Scout

We watched her in the 2012 games and found out afterwards she was pregnant at the time

Born August 29, 2012

Giuliana & Bill Rancic welcomed baby Duke

I list this baby because its near and dear to your Mamma's heart. 

This couple had struggles getting pregnant just the same as your Daddy and I did.  I watched sadly their reality television show that documented the fertility process they went through.  IVF didn't work for them as it did for us, but thankfully they succeeded with a surrogate.  Such a sweet and happy ending!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And for some not-so-famous, but definitely famous in our hearts...

Here are the following friends and family who have recently welcomed babies too! 

(I'd post photos, but I didn't ask permission)

~ Daddy's cousin Susan and her husband Jason welcomed baby boy Logan.  You two almost shared the same birthday! (Michigan)

~ Mommy's cousin Holly and her husband Andy welcomed baby boy Paxton. We're hoping to meet him at Thanksgiving in Ohio with our Batey family. (Chicago)

~ One of your Daddy's best friends, Roger and his wife Candie welcomed a little boy Luuc.  He's the cutest thing ever and we like to refer to him as "Anita's boyfriend".  (Michigan)

~ One of your Mommy's high school friends Chrissy and her hubby recently had a baby girl Audrey.  We sure wish they lived closer so we could see each other more often!  (Arizona)

~ Mommy's cousin Kiely and her wife Jenna welcomed baby boy Emerson.  We couldn't be happier for this sweet family of three!  We got to meet him on his 1 month birthday, and even though he was three months younger than you, he already matched you in weight.  A big boy indeed! (Idaho)

July fun in the sun

~ Anita's first time to church

~ Meeting Great Grandma Geri

~ First time to our favorite summer hangout, the Treccani Ranch and first dip in the river

~ First camping trip to Sagehen Resevoir

~ First ATV ride in the mountains (note to parents everywhere...don't forget nap time!)

~ Watching fireworks from our cul-de-sac with Grandma and the neighbors

~ Lying on a blanket in the shade (two wasp stings included for Mom)

~ Morning walks to the store with Daddy

4 Months Old

Dear Anita,

My sweet girl, you are growing up too fast.   Now 12 pounds and 24 inches long.  Size 1 diapers.  Size 3mo clothing, some being snug and most fitting just right.  Won't be long before we hit the next size.

We are having so much fun.  Every day you change and develop a new skill it seems.  In the last month you've learned to roll over, grab toys, and are full-on cooing and laughing.  I swear girl, your as loud as your Daddy (and that's LOUD).  No longer sleeping in your swing, but your pretty crib instead.  Your also too big for your swaddle,  and with starting to roll over its not safe for you to sleep in anymore.  I suspect this might give us a few interrupted nights of sleep, but we'll get there. Your favorite toys right now are your Taggie's blanket and your activity mat.  You're also starting to drool, which is a definite sign of teething, so your Sophie the giraffe has been in your mouth quite the bit too.

 

            

We recently took you on your first mini-camping trip, up to Tim & Di's cabin in Donnelly near Lake Cascade.  It was the three of us, Tim and Di, April, John and they're boys Brad and Tyler, as well as Timothy.  We took the camper and four wheeler.  You took your first ride on it with Daddy and he said you LOVED it.  You and I hung out at the cabin soaking up the sun and playing in the creek while Daddy went fishing with John.  They came back with 27 big perch and we had a fish fry that evening.  We did so well away from the house equipped with all the right gear and that was the most important part.  Oh except for that very important part Mamma forgot for herself, the flanges to the breast pump.  This required Daddy to fabricate something homemade out of a water bottle, but we got the job done and thankfully didn't have to leave early and go home.  The best piece of gear we had was the mosquito net to use over your pack n' play and your jogger.  It worked great that evening when us ladies took a stroll down to the boat launch.  A part of the walk was mud bogging your super cool jogger through a field.  I got a few bites, but you were just fine.  That night was the first time sleeping away from your swing, and I thought for sure it could be a long and sleepless night.  But as you do, you took it like a champ and cuddled in between me and your Daddy and slept like the angel you are.  And with that going so well, is when we figured we'd try the crib when we got home.  You little rock star, you!

Another big thing right now is your transition from breast milk to formula.  I had always planned to nurse you through to the six month mark, but with going back to work full time its turned into a painful, cloggy experience.  Your pediatrician at your 4 month checkup said I should switch you over, so we started last night.  So far so good. It'll be a slow process to wean completely, but I'm looking forward to more time with you away from that dreaded pump and less pain and anguish.  My heart breaks though, I miss nursing you so much.  A special chapter closing.  I try not to think about it, otherwise I get tearful.

This weekend a most exciting something is happening.  YOU GET TO MEET YOUR GREAT GRANDMA!  This is my Daddy's Mom, Geraldine Burbank.  She lives in Ohio and is flying out to visit us.  I can't wait for her to come off the plane and finally meet you, oh what a moment it'll be!  Hopefully while she's here we can go to the park and feed the ducks like she did with me when I was a little girl, and take a stroll on the green belt.  This will probably be her last trip out visiting Idaho, so we have to make it extra special.  After this its up to us to go see her, which we'll gladly do!

A few holidays have passed this last month...

Mother's Day - We started the morning off with a visit to Grandma Vicky's.  She loved seeing you.  We then headed up highway 21 to Idaho City. over to Crouch and north to Silver Creek Plunge.  It was just what I wanted to do for the day, take a nice drive and show you the pretty mountains of Idaho.  It's my favorite place to be!  We took our time, looked at all the pretty colors, and just enjoyed being a family.  Our dog Cody was with us too, she always loves a trip to the mountains.

My 32nd birthday - Not so great.  I was terribly clogged for 2 days and stayed home suffering all day long trying to remedy the situation.  The good part is that you were there with me.  You got me the sweetest birthday card complete with an outline of your hand print inside.

Father's Day - I was camping the evening before with my girlfriends, but I got up early and made it home by 9 a.m. to spend the day with you and Daddy.  You and I hid cute little notes, quotes and music lyrics all over the house for Daddy to discover.  He loved it.  We also bought him an outfit perfect for walking with you to the store.  We spent the afternoon in the backyard playing on a blanket while Daddy made his tomato cages for the garden.  It was a lovely, relaxing day. 

That's about it for our four month post.  You're just a super sweet and easy girl.  Summer is here and there's nothing quite like lying with you on a blanket in the yard and staring up at the blue sky and watching the green leaves dance.  Let's do that tonight k...