The Magic Box

I'm not a big believer in tv for babies. I won't allow Baby Einstein in the house. However that hasn't stopped Fiona from loving TV, especially watching football with Daddy. I think it has to do with the bright colors and all the action. This weekend she discovered the key to the "magic box". Fortunately she hasn't figured out what to do with it (other than drool on it).

Over the River and Through the Woods

We spent this past weekend at Jeff's parent's house in South Bend. For the most part Fiona travels well, especially if we leave in the morning when she takes a longer nap.

She didn't do so well on the way home. She got tired of being cooped up in her carseat, got overtired and hungry. It was a relief to get home!

MeeMaw got a chance to feed Fiona cereal, gave her two baths and lots and lots of hugs and cuddles! Fiona just ate it all up (pun intended!).

On Sunday we took Fiona to pick out her pumpkin and I couldn't resist the photo op. As you can see from the hay on her pants, she took a face plant into the hay (I'm such a good Mom). However it didn't phase her and she sat patiently (with a little help from Mom) while we took a ton of pictures. Doesn't she make a cute jack-o-lantern? She even has the open mouth grin down! However, for Halloween she's going to be a big, red lobster. Pictures of that to come later.

Walking In Sunshine

Even though it was cool outside, yesterday was too beautiful to remain cooped up inside. So, Fiona and I went for a little walk. Here are the before and after shots of our journey.

I'm all bundled up and ready to go Mom!








I think we need to get her a smaller hat as this one kept sliding down over her eyes. Notice that even in the stroller she assumes her sleeping position!



Usually when the stroller stops moving, Fiona wakes up. This time she was so sleepy that she stayed asleep so I was able to park her on the back porch and work out in the garden for awhile.

Assume the Postion

This is how we know Fiona is tired. She places her right hand up and turns her head so her cheek is resting on the hand. Her eyes tend to roll up, too. Too cute!

Busy Baby!

Fiona and Grammy

We've been super busy the last few weeks. My mom came out to visit both her sister and of course Fiona. My aunt lives down in Brown County so Fiona and I spent a few days down there, leaving Jeff to hold down the fort in Speedway. It was the first time Fiona and Jeff had been away from each other at night. Needless to say, they both missed each other. Fiona was very glad to be back in her own bed and to see all her toys again.

Fiona has learned to roll. It all started October 11th when she flipped from back to stomach for the first time. She'd semi-rolled before, but each time her arm remained stuck under her belly. This time she completely flipped over and then looked around surprised to be in that position. That night all she wanted to do was practice, practice, practice. She was so tired she was crying, but kept working at it and wouldn't go to sleep, but continued trying to roll when I placed her in her crib. She finally wore herself out. Then this past Saturday while I was working, Jeff had her on the floor while he read the paper. She was being awfully quiet so Jeff looked over and she'd made it to the front door! Since then we've had to keep watch over her. Our days of putting her down on the floor while we try to get stuff done elsewhere are over.

Luckily we now have an activity center she can go in and she loves it!

I've spent the last few days trying to get the garden ready for winter. It's been sorely neglected over the last year due to pregnancy and Fiona's arrival. The lilies and irises all need to be separated which is a BIG job as we have a lot of them. Sigh...luckily Fiona likes being out and about and spent some time yesterday helping me.

We even saw a praying mantis. I felt bad disturbing his habitat, so I left some of the plants up.This is the second one I've seen in the garden this year. I guess not doing anything to the garden (weeding, pruning, etc.) made it a haven for the bugs. There's still a ton of work left, but it's satisfying and the compost we get from all the leavings will only enrich the soil and hopefully make even prettier flowers next year.

Feeding Time

At Fiona's 4 month doctor's appointment, the doctor gave us the go ahead to start giving Fiona cereal. I had planned on waiting another month, which the doctor agreed was fine, especially if Fiona was sleeping through the night. Well, after the appointment, Fiona stopped sleeping through the night and has gotten up at least once every night since (usually at 2 am, though last night it was 4:30). So, I decided to try giving her some cereal. Needless to say, thus far she's not a fan. More of it ends up on her face than in her mouth. She doesn't seem to like the texture,

and makes the most disgusted face. Hopefully she'll get the hang of it soon so I can get all my beauty rest! :-)