Ada discovered paper today. She liked the way it crinkled, and really wanted to eat it.

Ada’s new trick is waving at people. I am not sure when or how she learned this, but it is impressive. We now have a party trick.

For about a month Ada has been sitting. Recently she has gotten much better at it. I enjoy sitting her down, giving her toys, and knowing that she will stay put and play. Ha Ha Ha, not for long. She can now get from sitting on her bottom to laying on her front. She has also learned how to slide backward, so mobility is in our future, and it is close.

Years ago someone on a music discussion board posted a link to http://www.thebabywearer.com/ I book marked it because I knew that someday it would be information I would need. As soon as I knew I was pregnant I registered for the site and began my research.

Judy bought us both slings, and when Ada was tiny we would wear her nestled against us.

The weather was against us, so in an effort to keep her warm, while we tromped over the many feet of snow, I started carrying her upright in a ring sling tucked under my coat.

Once she gained more head control we started using the Ergo.

My favorite way to carry her is in a woven wrap.

Seven months ago I went to bed feeling tired, anxious and a little sore. I thought I was close, but wasn’t going to say anything this time, in case nothing was happening.
Tonight my girl is asleep in my arms, looking both tiny and huge.

I grew this little person in my womb. She is here because I carried her in my body and provided her with the nutrients she needed to grow and develop.
For five months I have fed her milk that I created.
Today was a happy day and a sad one. Today was the day Ada had her first solid food. We started her on avocado and she loved it. She was ready for food and took to eating like a champ. I however am a little sad to no longer be the source of all nutrition.

Ready to eat

First bite

Let me try

I think I like this eating business

Ada is five months old today. She is an amazing critter. She is mostly cheerful with a laugh that is part seal bark and part cackle. She is happy with her whole body. When she is sad, she has the saddest sad face in the history of the world.

Shannon and I are parents. That means that our top priority is our girl.
I am amazed at how fiercely I love her and want to protect her. Talking to another mother, a frustrated mother whose girl is all grown up and hurting, it was horribly clear to me that although I will always worry, at some point I won’t be allowed to parent my girl the way I want to. I will have to parent the way she needs me to.
For now I will snuzzle her, love her and teach her how to navigate through the world the best she can.

It is amazing to me how much I love my little person and how much I love my husband.
Five years ago I was alone. After years of living happily alone I was finally lonely.
So much has changed since then and it is amazing how much I love and how much I am loved.
We are a family.

Snow people

Life has been super busy. The storm of the century hit Baltimore. We survived. Being able to wear Ada saved us from being snowbound.

Ada took her first airplane ride. We made it through security with no problems. She was her happy pleasant self the whole day. She slept on the way to Boston.
In Boston she met the bulk of my family and our friends. She spent the day with her cousin Tatum. They were both agreeable during a very long photo session.

She was especially happy on her visit to the nursing home to visit with her great nana.

Ada and Nana the Great

Her DeeDee and Grumpy were very happy to see her. They introduced her to musical toys, life will never be the same. Ada finally got to meet Simon and Kara. They got along famously.

Ada and Simon

The flight home went as well as the flight up.
Ada is growing so quickly. She has amazing head control. She has the funniest giggle ever– it is a cross between hiccups and a squeak. She is noticing her toys more and engaging better with people. She is a fabulous happy little person. I fall in love with her more and more everyday.