Talia - 27 Weeks

Talia is 27 Weeks old! This week marked the first week of solid foods (rice cereal) and a few nightly tubbies in the big bath with Daddy (she LOVES splashing and chasing the bath toys around the tub)!

Talia became more adept at four things this week - sitting (still using her hands to hold herself up), talking (she now speaks in Tally sentences), falling asleep on her own (we have laid her down awake every night this week with a snuggly blankie) and jumping (she gets better at this every day)!

Alysia

Tally's 1st Christmas

Talia's first Christmas was so much fun. It certainly broke all previous records for longest unwrapping sessions! Christmas started around 8:30AM after Tally's breakfast and ended just before tubby time around 9PM. Yep - presents all day long! Of course, in between presents were meals, naptime, and a stroller walk around the neighborhood.

Here is the letter Santa left for our little girl and all the goodies he dropped off from his sleigh! Look at the size of that stocking (thanks Mrs. Tripp)!

Santa left a special present for the entire family with this note:

A gift for the whole family I did bring,

With it you can accomplish some Tri-City touring.

I placed it is a spot for you to find,

A flight of steps it is behind!

So we raced to the basement to see what it was. Wow - can't you just see us riding to the Farmer's Market next summer! Now, Mommy & Daddy just need to purchase some bikes:)

Talia was certainly spoiled with tons of gifts from everyone (those were piled so high around the tree we couldn't attempt to even capture them all). She sends her thanks to her Aunts and Uncles, her Nana & Poppy, her Grandma & Pappy, her cousins, and Mommy & Daddy. She definitely hasn't had the opportunity to play with all of her goodies, but has already taken a huge liking to her keyboard from Santa and her fish aquarium from Nana & Poppy. She also loves all of her stuffed animals, clothes, and books - we are going to have the most intelligent little girl - she needs her own library! Here are some pictures from our day and a clip of our littlest Mozart. She seems to compose best with an aquarium in one hand and the ivories in the other. Enjoy.

Alysia

Our Beautiful Christmas Baby

Tally got all dressed up for church on Christmas Eve.
She was the perfect angel and enjoyed the music throughout
the service (the choir, the organ, the bells, singing)! She
truly didn't make a peep for the 2 hours we were there.

Alysia

December Playdate

Matt & Lisa hosted the December playdate last Monday evening. The kiddos made ornaments and exchanged gifts. Tally wasn't in the best of moods after receiving 4 shots and starting her antibiotics for her ear infection, but she did stop to smile while opening her presents from her buddy Taylor (thanks for the books and clothes!).

Alysia

Rice - Nice?

On Talia's 6-month birthday - she began the journey of solid food! She's started with rice cereal.... at first once a day and now twice. Here's some footage of her first few bites:

Notice the teeth!

Unfortunately, Tally hasn't been nearly as enthusiastic since the very first session. We'll keep at it, but she just isn't all that interested in eating.... until she sees a bottle!

Alysia

6 Month Checkup

Talia had her 6-month checkup yesterday with the pediatrician.
Here are her stats:
Weight: 13 lbs 13 oz (15th percentile)
Height: 25.25 inches (30th percentile)
Head Circumference: 17.75 inches (50th percentile)

You'll notice that Talia has taken "the plunge" on the growth chart. Apparently, genetics start to prevail between 6-9 months. As the stats were being recorded, I could feel Mike peering in my direction...... haha. She just might have the petite genes.

She received her third round of immunizations, and she was so brave! She cried for only about 2 minutes and was easily consoled with some bouncing and singing.

The unfortunate (but somewhat relieving) news is that she has an ear infection in her right ear. It's likely the aftermath of the bad head cold she had for about 10 days just after Thanksgiving. She's on a round of amoxicillin and we're crossing our fingers that this is the cause for her sleeplessness.

Alysia

Talia - 6 Months

Stats: 13 lbs 13 oz; 25.25 inches

TALIA FUN FACTS
Favorite Pasttimes: Talking, Chewing on anything she can get in her mouth
Favorite Toys: Exersaucer, Johnny Jumper, Jack in the Box
Favorite Noises to Make: Blowing Raspberries, Ba-Ba, Ra-Ra, Giggling
New-found "likes": Large Froggie; Mommy & Daddy's cozy bed; other babies

Talia's Sleeping Habits: NOT SO GOOD RIGHT NOW. Always starts the night in her crib. No longer uses a sleeping wedge and goes to sleep with a cozy blankie for comfort. Wakes periodically, screaming with her eyes shut (night terrors?). No longer needs any food in the middle of the night, just comfort. Usually ends up in her swing for the second portion of the night. Sleep training - here we come.......

Talia's "Schedule": Typically in bed around 9PM - usually has to be awoken around 6:45AM. Talia spends the day playing with three other babies at In the Beginning from about 7:15AM - 5:15PM, usually taking two 2-hour naps during the day. The evening is full of playtime!

Froggy chair shots (1 week, 3 months, 6 months below):

Alysia

A Trip to Santa's House

Here are some pictures of our trip to Midland's Santa House. We were there for about an hour waiting to see Santa. Talia didn't mind at all though because there are so many neat things to look at inside! It's set up to look just like a toy shop in the North Pole, moving parts everywhere, and even a burst of snow falling when the clock tower rings.

She wasn't scared at all - she was enthralled with Santa's beard.

Alysia

The 12 Outfits of Christmas

Talia received so many Christmas outfits last year (before she had even arrived) - so she's been dressing for the holiday since last Monday. Here are just a few pictures of her spreading her holiday cheer.

Alysia

Talia 26 Weeks

Talia is 26 Weeks old already! That's half a year - can you believe it?

This week, Talia kept herself quite busy once again.

• On Sunday, she attended church and was the perfect angel. She quietly sang herself to sleep in the middle of the service, gaining the attention of everyone - but in a good way:
• On Tuesday, Mommy and Daddy picked her up from daycare at lunchtime to take her to Ann Arbor for a doctor's appointment. A few months back, we had been finding small amounts of blood in her diaper on occasion and had her checked out by a pediatric gastroenterologist. We've had tests run and she checks out perfectly - clean bill of health. Phew!
• On Wednesday, Talia's second tooth came in! The other bottom one. All she wanted for Christmas was her two front teeth...........
• On Thursday, Talia tried out the shower with Daddy again. She liked it a whole lot more this time - even cracking a few smiles.
• On Saturday, Talia met Santa Claus (pictures in another entry) and opened her first Christmas presents!

This week, Talia's foot finally made it to her mouth. Her foot has been inching closer and closer each week - and now she can shove the whole thing in. Haha - captured in on camera!

Alysia

Miss Chatty

Talia has discovered she can make different noises this week. She opens and closes her mouth now to form words like "baa baa" or "raa raa". She chats all the way to daycare and back, while she's playing on her back, and sometimes while you hold her. Too cute not to share...

Alysia

Talia - 25 Weeks

I had a great week this week! I still have the sniffles, but I don't really mind. I've gotten used to that blue rubber bulb Mommy and Daddy squeeze in front of my face, so I don't give them a hard time anymore. Plus, being sick has its perks..... extra snuggles, extra attention, and even early morning naps with Mommy in bed.

This week I got my first tooth. Mommy noticed it on Wednesday evening. It may have come in Tuesday, but Mommy was sick the first part of the week and was doing her best to stay away from me. Everyone seems so excited about my tooth and I have no idea why. They tell me I'll use it someday to eat...... so I thought I'd practice while Mommy & Daddy cooked dinner. Mmm... spinach!

I made a new friend this week. He's been hanging out on my crib for months, but Daddy finally introduced him to me. I LOVE HIM! I especially enjoy trying to find my way out from under him when Daddy places him on top of me!

On Friday, I got to go play with my friend Caden while Mommy & Daddy hit the town. We had a great time! And then I finished the week with 2 parties and decorating the Christmas tree. I love the feel of the tree limbs on my fingers. Mommy let me touch the tree a bunch before the ornaments were hung. Now I'm apparently not allowed. I suppose I'll get over it.

Talia