Abi’s nightly bath.

Followed by Daddy reading her a Dr. Seuss book.

See Abi crawl

Click here.  She can also sit up, starting from a crawling position, and has been using multi-syllable words today.

My little yogi

Mommy & Abi took a yoga class together.  Abi was the oldest baby in the class, and the only one sitting up.  The instructor said that Abi had a perfect yoga posture, and that the other Mommies should sit like Abi.

Daddy’s summary of Abi’s 6 month physical

Back from the 6 mo physical.  Everything looks good.  Weight is 14.4 lbs and height is 25.5 inches.  Both remain just below average, but the doc is happy with her growth.  New round of shots, so stinky is probably going to be cranky tonight.

I got my seasonal flu shot yesterday, so I’m suffering through a bad set of flu-like symptoms today.  I guess I’m in the large minority that have a reaction to the shot.  Stinky will get her flu shot early next week.

Abi is becoming mobile

She is crawling (dragging herself) forwards & backwards, and moving a greater distance each day.  Today, she got stuck under a big chair when she crawled backwards.  She sometimes gets frustrated when she wants to move toward an object, but unwittingly moves backwards.  Mommy & Daddy are very scared.

Here are some pictures of Abi from class last Thursday.

Grandpa Michael visited Abi

Grandpa Michael came up to walk with Abi in the race (see below).  Here they are having breakfast before the race.

After walk / running with Mommy, Daddy & Grandpa Michael

We walked / ran 2.7 miles in the Arlington Town Day race.  Abi was pooped.

Abi needs your help!

We just opened a college fund for Abi with Fidelity.  They also offer a no yearly-fee credit card with cash rewards that can be deposited directly into her account.  For every $2500 you spend, $50 will be deposited into her account.  So, if you normally use a credit card with crappy rewards, please consider switching to the Fidelity credit card, and help Abi go to college.

Send Mommy an email for a link to the credit card application and also for Abi’s college fund account number.

More on Abi’s weight

Mommy got a weight graph for breastfed babies, and it shows that Abi is consistently gaining weight, and staying on the same curve from birth (a little below mean, but not by much.)  The commonly used weight chart is based on formula-fed babies, which tend to get fatter than breastfed babies.)  Mommy & Daddy will still discuss this issue with Abi’s pediatrician, but Mommy is now less worried.

Mommy is sad

Mommy looked up the definition of “toddler”, and one of them is an infant who is learning to walk.  While Abi certainly cannot support her own weight, she is starting to take steps when both of her hands are held.  In one of her classes, there is a 7 month old baby who is clearly walking across the room with his Mommy’s support – and Abi is clearly following in his footsteps.  Mommy is not ready to give up the notion of having a baby in exchange for a toddler.  Poor poor Mommy.

My little musician

Less than 1 mile from our house, the Fox Library houses a resale shop of children’s clothing, toys & gear.  Clothing is in good condition, and generally between $2-$3 per piece.  Toys are generally in that range, or less. It’s a great store, and the proceeds go to a good cause (i.e., the Fox Library).

Mommy’s latest find is a xylophone.  Abi is enjoying it, and indeed learned to hit the keys very quickly.

Perhaps Mommy hopes that Abi will inherit Daddy’s musical talents – or perhaps Mommy is just a big fan of Rowlf the Dog.

More feeding news

Mommy has been trying to get to the bottom of Abi’s feeding issues.  Today, Mommy spoke to a lactation consultant, who pointed out that milk supply is a function of demand.  (The more milk that’s called for, the more that’s made.)  Since Abi is now fascinated (distracted) by her environment, she may be eating less, and hence Mommy is making less milk.  As an experiment, Mommy had Abi eat more frequently, and Mommy noticed that she was making more milk.  Also, to keep Abi entertained while eating (to prevent distraction from the environment), Abi now eats sitting up, facing Mommy, like a big girl.  Singing to her also caused her to tune out the environment a bit.  She definitely ate longer.  Mommy has also tried to put a wrap (very light cotton towel) over Abi’s head so that she cannot see her environment while eating, but Abi gets out of it.  We’ll see how tonight goes.

In other news, Abi now turns over very, very easily.  Front to back, and back to front. She also stood up today by herself, just by holding onto Mommy’s or Daddy’s shirt (once with each parent).  Go Abi!

Poor Daddy

Daddy has been changing Abi’s diapers since she was born, and has been a great sport about it.  The first traumatic poopy happened the day we came home from the hospital.  I was alseep, and Abi had a huge poopy.  It was so big that it got into her hair.  Grandma cleaned her up with Daddy’s help, and Daddy survived the trauma.  Today, Daddy faced yet another big hurdle, and this time all on his own.  Abi had the first solidish poopy from her cereal, again while Mommy was sleeping.  Daddy cleaned her up.  Go Daddy!

Does anyone have a broken keyboard that you no longer use

Abi loves electronics – the more valuable the better.  It thus occured to me that a broken, no longer working keyboard might be a great toy.  Please let me know if you have one such keyboard.

Another class and temper tantrums

Mommy & Abi are taking a “social butterflies” class at Isis Maternity, geared to the 6-8 month crowd.  As always, Abi is very friendly, and has quickly become the teacher’s pet.

Abi cozying up to the faciliator as she reads a book to the group.

The class will include a number of discussion topics, including temper tantrums.  Daddy pointed out that she already has temper tantrums.  Earlier today, he carried her into her room to put her to sleep.  Once she saw her crib, she arched her back, started kicking her feet, and yelled very loudly.  Daddy says it was a very cute temper tantrum.

Sleeping

During the last 3 weeks, Abi has been waking up every 2-3 hours during the night.  Mommy & Daddy are very, very tired.  Upon Grandma Linda’s recommendation, Mommy called the pediatrician’s office and spoke with his nurse.  The nurse said that her waking up is indicative of one of the following:

(a) not enough food

(b) being too hot or too cold

(c) teething

Since Abi has become much more mobile recently, Abi has been getting rice cereal in addition to breast milk for several days now, and is starting to sleep better.  Last night, she ate at 9PM, 3AM and 6AM.  However, Mommy was so used to waking up frequently, that she woke up at 1AM expecting Abi to wake up.  Hopefully tonight will be better.

A Great Time!

Grandpa and I were so happy to have Abi and her parents with us this past weekend as we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows. Daddy and Uncle Gregg made special toasts and made us very proud.  We had lots of friends and family to celebrate with – but Abi really was our special guest.

Mommy went kayaking with Cousins Sheryl & Mark

What Abi might look like in 8 months

(Daddy, age 14 months)

Labor Day weekend

Abi had an eventful Labor Day weekend. She drove down to NY on Thursday, and hung out with Grandma Linda & Grandpa Michael. She had a great time. Grandma gave her a bath on the kitchen counter, while Grandpa held his hand against the kitchen cabinet so that Abi would not hit her head against a hard surface.

On Saturday, Abi drove to Brooklyn, where she spent time with Grandma Elmira, Grandpa Leo & Great Grandmother Rakhil.  Everyone enjoyed watching her play – it was likely “baby tv”.

Sunday was a very special day in Long Island.  Grandma & Grandpa threw their annual Greek Night party, and renewed their wedding vows in front of their friends and family, in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.  Uncle Gregg and Daddy gave toasts.  Daddy said that it was his parents’ great relationship which showed him what kind of husband and father he wants to be.

Abi enjoyed the party, and everyone commented on how cute she is.

Daddy cueing the music for the ceremony

The happy groom

Here comes the bride

Another happy couple

Finally, on Monday, Abi returned to Brooklyn where Mommy’s relatives enjoyed more baby tv.