Happy Baby Pose

My little babe is famous!  The studio where we took our Mommy & Baby Yoga classes just updated their website and used a pic of Gwen for the homepage.  Once you click the link, just wait a few seconds, and you'll see Gwen's pic!

B Yoga Center
Here is a screen shot, and the photo that they used:

I'm such a proud momma :)

Lovin the Summer Sun

We've been having a lot of outdoor playdates lately and it's made me wonder what the heck we're going to do when the weather turns colder!  Oh well, for now, things have been great - we're loving sprawling out on blankets with yummy picnic lunches and great friends to play with.

my happy girl

Ava and Gwen taking a break from browsing at a craft fair in Gloucester

there was a great playground at the park where the craft fair took place

Swinging with Ava

Picnic lunch with Reese

A relaxing afternoon with Ava and Callie

Pre-Hurricane Irene party with the nursing group babies!

Hurricane Irene's a-coming, so we'll have to spend the next few days hunkering down indoors.  See ya after the storm!

Big Girl Stuff

Last week, we went out to eat, and normally we'd simply pull the stroller up to the table but she's gotten to the point where she needs to be entertained, so the stroller wasn't cutting it because she sat so low in it.   We decided to try out the restaurant high chair instead (which was probably slightly overdue), and it was a HUGE success.  She loved being up at our level.

Yesterday we headed to the grocery store.  Usually if I have big shopping to do, I'll wear her in the Baby Bjorn while pushing the cart around.  If it's just a quick trip, we'll use our Uppababy Vista, with it's lovely, ginormous basket.  Today I decided to put her in the cart and she was loving every second of being pushed around in it.  Her arms were out the whole time and she kept twisting her body all around to check out her surroundings.

Gwen has tried out the infant swing before, but today was her first time without an insert to keep her upright.  As soon as I put her in it, she put her hands down in front of her and flopped forward (I probably shouldn't laugh at these things, right?).  So I made a little adjustment, and she was able to stay upright.  Not too sure how she felt about it...I'm thinking she may have inherited her daddy's aversion to rides...

 

I'm so proud of my big girl :)

DIY Headbands

I love putting headbands on Gwen (maybe it's because she's lacking in the hair department? hehe), but I can never find any in person, that I like.  I've been meaning to order some online but I just haven't.  Not too long ago, I was searching around on Pinterest, and came across a few DIY instructions for headbands and rosettes.  I went to JoAnn Fabrics the other day and armed myself with all of the necessary tools.  Gwen has been taking some pretty substantial naps lately, so I got to work..

The first one I tried was the double ruffle.  I know, it's seriously sloppy!  But it was a first attempt and I'm calling it "shabby chic".  I plan on doing this one again with different fabric and I'm hoping that I can get it a bit neater next time.

Double Ruffle Headband

It's so hard to make her smile while I'm taking the pic.
lol she cracks me up with her serious model face

This one I kind of just figured out on my own.  I bought fake flowers, but when I took them off the stem,  the plastic piece was too bulky and would've been uncomfortable for Gwen.  So I took the flowers apart and then sewed them back together before I attached them to the headband.  I anticipate making many more of these, all different sizes and colors.  I love the way it came out.

Pink Ranunculus Headband

Donna just gave me a TON of this pink fabric, so I started making these rosettes.  Guess what I'll be busy doing next week :)

seven months

At seven months old, here are some of Gwen's favorite things:

• Board Books.  Especially small ones that she can hold (and chew on) easily.  Her favorite bedtime book is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?".  I usually read 2 or 3 books to her each night, and just about every night, this is the last book that we read.  She loves the bold pictures, the repetition, and she loves helping me turn the pages.  The other night, when I took it out to read, she squealed with delight!

• Water.  Put a water bottle in front of her and she's happy as a clam.  She also enjoys sippy cups, cold glasses of ice water at restaurants, and small cups of water (just a little) to practice with at dinner.  I don't let her drink much of it, but sometimes she's happy just to lick the glass or suck on the water bottle.

• People and Other Babies.  Make eye contact with her (on line at the grocery store, in a crowd of people, walking down the street) and she expects your full attention.  Lately, she smiles shyly, giggles and talks to anyone who gives her any sort of attention at all.  Turn your back on her after you've become friends and she'll yell at you, demanding your attention again.  She's always loved other babies too, squealing, and reaching out to touch them (or poke them in the eye).

• Baby Einstein Music.  A yoga friend of ours burned 2 Baby Einstein CDs for us, and it was probably one of the best gifts we were given. They're magic.  Fussy baby in the car? Flip to CD #4 and within the first couple of notes: insta-quiet.  Anne and Kristen can attest to this during our Maine day trip-al la-constipation.  I keep the other CD in the house and if she doesn't want to nap, the CD goes on and within minutes she's in dreamland.  It's probably not meant to put her to sleep, but it does, and I'll take it!

My big girl is standing unsupported!