Weekend with the Wrights

Last weekend the Little Miss was happy to host her Grammie and Grandpop Wright for a visit.  The Little Princess was showered with cuddles, playtime, outings and attention galore.  Life ain’t too bad when you have two doting grandparents at your beck and call!

 

Getting ready for a walk to the park to show off the Little Lady's new swinging skills

But there’s more!  The Little Miss was also able to spend the weekend playing with her cousins, Ethan and Luke, who were over a lot while their parents did some home renovations. This included some extra special playtime with Luke, who on Saturday decided that he would much rather play with his cousin than take a silly ole nap.  And who could blame him?!?

They rocked out in their new band, “The Chubby-Wubby Cheekers”.

And then, spent from their musical revelries, they plopped down with Daddy for some storytime (“Nurse Nancy” – Luke’s choice).

Low and behold, my Little Darling turned into a Little Bully!  Sweet Luke put up with all of her shenanigans without a peep.  He’s going to make one super Big Brother very soon (less than 3 months until Baby Girl Wright arrives!)!

And where, you might ask, was Ethan all this time?  Why taking a nap, of course, like a good little boy!  But worry not, my dear readers…he joined in the fun soon enough.

Ethan: "Hey, can I be the lead singer in the band?" Annabelle: "We'll take it under consideration."

And lest I forget, our pooch also received a big helping of lovin’ from the visiting Wrights last weekend, which he relished.  Poor fella…Despite Teddy’s attempts to sit on our laps whenever the Little Miss is out of sight, he’s not the baby anymore!

 

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Adventures in Eating

At our 6-month check-up a while back, the pediatrician asked me how the Little Miss was doing with eating solids.  The question just made me laugh, because despite our exciting beginnings…

…my Little Miss Independent had made it very clear that she was in no hurry to expand her culinary repertoire beyond breast milk.  On one hand I was a bit relieved, as I am in NO rush for my baby girl to grow up.  I swear, any minute now I’m going to turn around and she’ll be asking to borrow the car…or date a boy…or get a tatoo.

And yet I also had these dreams of introducing her to one of my very favorite things in this world – FOOD – and inspiring her to share my passion, one delectable nibble at a time.

So I persevered.  Armed with my baby food cook books and grocery bags, I got to cookin’.  Well, more like steamin’ and mashin’, if that counts.  And then day after day I presented my Little Princess with different culinary masterpieces…to which she pursed her little lips and replied:

“Sweet potatoes?  Can’t I just be your Little Sweet Potato?”

“Bananas?  Boring!”

“Peas?  Puuuuhhhh-lease!”

“Apple sauce?  More like sour sauce!”

“Carrots?  Lord have mercy!!!!!”

For one brief second I thought she liked avocados, but then realized she was really just interested in playing with the green goop.

Sweet, savory, creamy, chunky…it didn’t matter.  My Little Lady was an undiscriminating-food-disliker.  What was a Mama to do?

Relent, I tell you!  Cry uncle!  Wave the white flag!  …And so we took a break.

A few weeks later I caught the Little Miss eyeing me as I ate some yogurt.  When I looked up again, she was scooching her way over (she pushes up on her hands and knees and then throws her body forward onto a big belly flop).  I thought, “why not?” and offered her a taste.  Surprise, surprise, she loved it!

Though she may not be dining on a vast array of delights just yet, we are making progress…slowly.  And I continue to dream of all of the yummy foods we will try out together.

So what’s the moral of the story?  Parenting books and pediatrician recommendations mean squat if your baby isn’t interested – she’ll reach her milestones when she’s good and ready.  And despite all of the food we’ve wasted over the past few weeks, I love that Annabelle is an independent, free-thinking Little Gal.

That’s my girl!

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