MomZilla

It has become a joke with my family and friends that I am MomZilla. I think it started because of a stop sign I have hanging on Melia's carrier. I got it from the hospital and thought it would help keeping strangers from touching her. I don't know why, but people think it is acceptable to touch other peoples children. I don't know you or where your grimy hands of been, so back off my kid. Obviously, my friends and family don't read how many gross, nasty, germy bacteria and things you can pick up from people not washing their hands! (just ask my Dad!)

Anyway, I have gotten tons of positive comments from strangers and moms about my sign. And they all agree that people don't think twice about touching a strangers baby. This sign has more than once stopped people from getting their grubby hands on my princess!

The other day I was in the grocery store. Two ladies behind me were talking about how great my sign is before they moved to another line (I have a habit of picking the SLOWEST cashier every time!). Another lady came up behind me and actually touched the sign and said how cute it was. THEN, the crazy &*^%* touched Melia! Being the nice person I am, and not wanting to get arrested, I gave her the death stare. SHE CONTINUED TO TOUCH HER! Finally, I just moved the basket and told her to have a nice day. Crazy lady almost ended up with a broken nose! Don't mess with MomZilla and her baby!!!

Carrots

Melia started baby food July 1st. We started with rice cereal and have been working our way through veggies. We finally started fruits (apples) this week.

Chris said feeding her rice cereal is like spackling a hole in the wall. Thick paste you try to jam in a little opening. She did ok with rice cereal, but it isn't a favorite.

Solids isn't nearly as fun as I thought it would be. I was used to feeding Lisa's kids jar food. By the time I started feeding them they had already been doing it at home for awhile and had the hang of it. It is much messier starting from the beginning! But we are both improving.

When I was a baby I hated carrots. My parents have a picture of me after I spit it all back out during a feeding. My daughter LOVES carrots. They are the first food she really kept coming after the spoon for more. They are also the first food she was able to finish the entire jar in one sitting.

I didn't think she was digesting any of the solids at first. It seemed like there was more on the table, bib, her head, etc... than going in her mouth. But the carrots definately went in the mouth - I found out when they came out the other end. For those that have read The Scoop On Poop there has been a change. Not drastic, but the color was interesting! I am told this is just the beginning!

For pictures of Melia's love of carrots and first attempts at baby food visit our Webbsyght and view some of the July pictures.

Ugly Babies

Let me start by saying I have a BEAUTIFUL baby! I might have a little bias, but I think others would agree. Some friends and I were discussing how cute Melia is when the conversation turned to "how do you know your baby is ugly".

We decided that no one (even your friends and family) is going to tell you that you have an ugly baby. So, how do you know???

We came up with a few things that people might say if your baby is not the cutest. Feel free to comment and add your own!

- Look how big he/she is getting
- What an adorable outfit
- Oh my, how old is he/she
- That is a great color on her/him
- Look how much hair he/she has! (also a sign that your baby may look like an ape)

Now, these comments can come AFTER someone has said how beautiful your baby is, but if they start the conversation this way, chances are you don't have a cute kid!

Baby Showers

Yesterday was a baby shower for one of my dear friends. I love baby showers! I have always been a "practical" baby shower gift giver. And after having my own, I really appreciate those people that give practical baby gifts. I was super impressed with myself this time. I got a diaper wreath as a gift at my shower and loved it, so I decided to make one as a gift. (it's on top of the pile of presents in the picture). Not the typical practical gift I usually give, but everyone can use diapers!

At the shower they had cards for people to write advice to the parents. This was hard, because I feel like I could write a book after the past 6 months. Here is some of my advice (that you don't find in baby books):
* kiss and hug your baby as much as you can - they really do grow fast (faster than you can imagine!)
* take tons of pictures - even the fussy faces. It is amazing to see the differences in Melia in just 6 months - they are memories you just can't get back
* You will not spoil your child by holding them - no body ever grows up and says "I was loved too much"
* You know what is best for your child - even people that have children older than yours can not tell you how to raise your child
* Being clean or protecting your child is not a bad thing - Yes, I am momzilla, but that is why my kid has yet to get a cold or sniffles (even after traveling all over the state and riding on airplanes)
* Did I mention Kiss and Hug your baby as much as you can???

The Scoop on Poop

Not sure if this post is to vent, share information or get some advice.

First - why do babies insist on blowing out their diaper when they wear an outfit for the first time? Can I just make it through one new outfit without fighting poo stains?!?!

Speaking of poo stains - why does a liquid diet of milk make poo that stains????

Second - why do babies wait until the dirty diaper is off and their bum is all wiped down to poo again? Or why do they decide they need to poo some more after you have just changed them AND gotten them dressed again? Or why do they decide to blow out a diaper when you have already put them in the car seat and are on the way out the door (usually running late already!)????

Lots of people have told me that breastfed baby poo is really not bad. It is runny, but the smell is not horrible. I agree with that statement. If it wasn't for my dog (more on that later!) we could throw her diapers in an open pail and the smell would not drive you crazy. My dog apparently agrees as well with this statement. She thinks that Melia's poo smells so good, that she has (on more than one occasion!) gone into the trash and pulled the dirty diaper out to eat!

I have been warned that starting solids really changes a baby. We have been trying solids for about 2 weeks, and so far I haven't noticed much change. I think because more of the solids end up in her ear, hair and on the table than in her mouth.

So now I have completely grossed everyone out, that is my scoop on poop!

WebbSyght

Since our friends and family are spread all over the world, we want to make sure they are included in Melia's life as she continues to grow and amaze us. We have a photo website that we update regularly with LOTS of pictures. (I am a new mom and a little photo happy!) I recently figured out how to upload the little videos I take on my camera too! Feel free to visit any time! http://webbsyght.shutterfly.com/

Happy Half Birthday!

Today is Melia's 6 month birthday! It has gone so fast. She is really turning into a fun and active baby. Rolls both ways, on the verge of crawling, tries to sit on her own (she does a great tripod!). We introduced rice cereal last week. I am not real sure how much she actually ingests versus spits out onto the bib, but we are trying. We also are introducing the sippy cup. Just water so far, which is a good thing since she is really good at dumping it on her head.

Today was also Melia's 6 month check up and first visit to the new pediatrician. She weighs 14lbs 3oz (25th percentile) and is 24 1/4" tall. The doctor said she is very proportionate and is growing well. Melia did great with her shots and is at least done with that for a while. She has had a small rash under her chin (on her neck) for the past 2 weeks. I assumed it was from all the drool (teething) and sweat (Florida in July!). We have been keeping it clean, but it hasn't been going away. The doctor gave us a cream to put on it, so hopefully it will clear up soon.

Next doctor visit is at 9 months (unless she gets sick). Still nursing and being momzilla with people washing their hands, so knock on wood we won't be back until August!

Blessings

I count my blessings every day that Melia has come into our lives. When we decided we were (FINALLY) ready to have a baby I wasn't sure what to expect. I have 2 sisters with kids. One gets pregnant if her husband walks into the same room as her, the other struggled with infertility for a long time before she was able to conceive. Luckily for us, pregnancy came much faster than expected.

The reason we started this blog was because of the complications we were having in my last trimester. It was a very scary time for both of us and our faith helped get us through. Melia was born healthy and has continued to thrive. A blessing I will be eternally grateful for.

Another blessing occured last week. One of my dear friends and her husband have been trying to conceive for years. The have tried numerous fertility treatments and IVF. About a year and a half ago they decided to start the adoption process. When they started the process everyone thought they would get picked right away. They are 2 of the most amazing people I have ever met and they will be amazing parents.

God answers in mysterious ways sometimes. After they started the adoption process, B got sick and needed surgery again. Then M discovered more health problems and needed yet another surgery. And still no call from the agency. M's surgery went great and she is recovering faster than expected. B is doing amazingly well after his surgery and recover process also. And last week, they got the call that they have been picked. They have waited a long time for their blessing, but I think that she is coming at a perfect time. They are at a point in their lives where they can put past health problems behind them and move on as healthy, happy parents with a healthy, happy baby. It really is a miracle.

Congratulations to Melissa and Brian on their little blessing! We are so happy for you!