Baby Cereal

Dr Hayes suggested Rachel start eating cereal at her four month check up because of her size (chubby). He thought she would appreciate cereal and that nursing might not be satisfying enough. I felt four months was still too young. When Rachel turned 5 months old and was grabbing our utensils at meal time I thought we would give it a try. We gave her a bit of cereal but she wasn't very into it. I am debating what to do in a few weeks when she turns 6 months old. I am thinking we will try a little cereal every morning. Here's hoping she learns to love it!!

Beach

We made a trip to the beach while in California. I can't believe I used to lived so close to it and went so little! Even though the water was freezing Mary loved it! She thought waves were the greatest and liked being knocked down by one. This little girl is a wild thing! Rachel spent most of the time snoozing in a cool pack and play meant for outside that Auntie Shawna brought.

Parker and Mary

"Dada" and "Mare-wee"

Miss Rachel

Bury and tackle

Orange Picking with Grandma Baker

During our trip to California we went over to visit with Grandma. It was nice visiting with her. She is one AMAZING lady! We picked some yummy oranges too.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

It has begun! Rachel is on the move! She rolled over for the first time for Murray! Yes I am with her all day but she saves the good stuff for Dad. Yesterday she started rolling over every time I put her on her back. When Mary and I cheer for her she gets an adorable smile on her face. She is also making a growling sound A LOT. It is truly funny. Mary and I giggle at her all day.

Thursday School Graduation

Mary had her last day of thursday school. She took flowers and chocolate bars to her teachers and gave them hugs goodbye. Her favorite teacher Ms Tricia sent a thank you note to her in the mail which she really enjoyed.

That night we curled Mary's hair and dolled her up for the graduation. They sang the songs they learned. Mary's favorite was "This Little Light of Mine." It was very entertaining to watch 2, 3, and 4 year old wiggle around, cry, yell out they needed to go potty and show their very fun personalities! We can't wait for the fall session!

I was relieved to have put a diaper cover on her. She was only this way a for a split second, I promise!

Video of Rachel - She won't be like this for long

I made a slideshow of pictures of baby Rachel and put it to music. I did a similar thing for Mary when she was just a few months old (Video of Mary). Rachel is such a sweet and wonderful baby. I love having her around. She is growing up so fast and I can't believe she's been here for over five months already. Margaret and I realize this is a special time and it won't be like this for long, so we are trying to cherish every moment.

Hope you enjoy the video.

Rorschach Pudding

What is Rorschach? It is a test that uses symmetrical inkblots. The pudding on Mary's face looks a lot like a Rorschach test to me.
I bought these divided plates as another effort for Mary to eat more well balanced meals. She has been enjoying canned green beans and carrots latley. When she finished all of her food I told her she could have a pudding cup. I left her alone with the pudding cup to go feed Rachel. I found quite the mess when I came back but I am glad she had a good time and I am really glad she was in a high chair!

Octopus Pool Please

Monday morning Mary and I were eating our oatmeal breakfast together and looking through the ads from Sunday. Rachel was with us too, just not eating oatmeal and looking through the Sunday paper. Mary asked for the Walgreens ad because she spotted some swimming pools on it. Usually she looks through whatever I hand her but this time she made a specific request. She pointed to the "Octopus Pool" (because there is a yellow octopus toy stuck on the side of it) and told me "Mary want that one". I needed to go anyway and thought she had a good idea. We spent the afternoon blowing up this pool and watching "Rudy". Mary really likes that movie, especially when the stadium chants "Rudy" at the end. Of course it was too cold to use outside that afternoon but we did go out the next day. Mary now knows she can get things she sees in the paper, uh oh.

Rub a Dub Dub

Rachel and Mary had their first bath together. They both love the water and each other. It is a bit easier bathing them at the same time too. Rachel likes to kick around, squeal and suck on her lower lip. Mary could play endlessly with some foaming Elmo soap we got her. Mary has also begun asking to take showers. These girls LOVE water!

Happy Mother's Day

Mary made me this beautiful card in nursery. Murray, Mary and Rachel gave me other cards as well and they were perfect. Thank you!!

The girls wore these pretty dresses from my Mom. Mary's dress looks just like the dresses I wore growing up. I wore dresses with smocking for a long time, a little too long.

Yellow Roses?

We planted yellow rose bushes in the front of our house, so we thought. Some pretty roses bloomed but yellow they are not.

Parkers House

Murray went to check out a pediatric residency at Southern California College of Optometry. So, while he did that the girls and I spent the day with Shawna and Parker. It was a lot of fun! When there is ice cream and a water table involved you don't need much more for a good time.

Thank you Shawna for making us so comfortable and making it a fun day!

Knotts Berry Farm

Mary went to her first amusement park while in California. Gail watched Rachel at Shawna's house 5 minutes from the park. As much as I wanted to take Rachel she was much happier with Grandma, Auntie Shawna and Parker. My friend Chandra met us there with her little girl Sydney. It was great to see them! Mary was the smallest child on most of the rides and one of the bravest. Any concern we had for her being scared disappeared when we saw the way she reacted to turbulance on the airplane. At times the older children around her were crying but Mary was all smiles. It was so much fun to watch her! Being a parent really is so great.

This ride kind of threw you forward similar to what happens in a car accident. I kept wanting to throw my arm across Mary, I did a few times.



Watching the Peanuts show.

Her first ride, after which she requested to go on the giant roller coaster across the way.

Murray and I went on Supreme Scream. I can't believe how many times we went on that thing when we were teenagers. Once was plenty this time.

Thanks for spending the day with us Chandra and Sydney! Even though it was HOT

California Love

It had been 9 months since we had gone to visit family in California. We spent the week Murray had off between his 2nd and 3rd year of school with family there. We left on a Saturday and I made every effort to pack lightly but I just don't have it in me. Mary was so happy to see Papa at the airport and go to "Grandma and Papa's house". We had a great meal waiting for us when we got there. Mary went to Alex right away and wasn't shy for Shawna, Kyle or Parker. Mary pretty much talked non stop about each family member if they weren't in her sight and when they were she was asking them what they were doing. These girls got plenty of love and attention and they enjoyed every second of it!

Mary, Rachel and a few of their belongings (everything they own).

Naturally it rained the day we flew out.

Mary got her own seat. We discovered Mary really enjoys turbulance. We experienced major dips on the way there. I think I had a genuine panic attack. Mary was all giggles shouting "wee".

Chillin' with Alex

Sunday morning I caught these two playing "Jesus Came to John the Baptist" (Mary's favorite). I had to take a picture. We went to Church in the building Murray attended since he was four and where I was baptized. Then we went for the must have - an AMAZING Grandma Baker dinner. I couldn't find my camera while we were there. Mary and Parker played, played, played! We got to visit with Grandma and enjoy ourselves.