Christmas!

So, this was Alyssa's first Christmas. She had a lot of fun with Bryan's family on Christmas Eve, then with us on Christmas Day. She was such a good girl!

Daddy worked midnight Tuesday night & only slept about 2 hours Wednesday morning. Alyssa didn't get a very good afternoon nap on Christmas Eve, so eventually she passed out with Daddy in the recliner.

"Santa" (aka Bryan) made an apearance on Christmas Eve. Alyssa didn't seem to mind getting her picture taken with him!

Christmas morning we slept in until about 10:30. That was nice for a change. I know in the years to come, we won't get that lucky. So, we will take it this year :-)

Alyssa loves her new Rainforest Jumperoo!

She got a lot of fun stuff & a TON of new clothes. She loves Mickey & Minnie. She now has 1 small Mickey, 2 small Minnies & 1 big Mickey & Minnie.

We are very blessed to have such a great family. We are looking forward to many more Christmases with her (& hopefully another 1 (or 2) more kids).

Silas' Birthday

So, Alyssa & I were very blessed to be able to make the trip to PA to go to Silas' second birthday party! I was so happy to be able to see everyone, but sad that Bryan couldn't be there with us!

It was nice to see all of my neices & nephews together. They are all getting so big. I hate that I don't get to see them more often. I would love it if Alyssa could grow up with her cousins, but sometimes that's not how life works out.

It was so cute to see Lydia & Alyssa together. Lydia sucks her fingers, but was so nice to share them with Alyssa to chew on for a few minutes!

I can't wait to see all of my family again soon!

Cereal

So, I finally got over myself not wanting Alyssa to grow up so fast & gave her cereal for the first time. Actually, Daddy gave it to her & I took the pictures!

She wasn't too interested in it at all. She took probably 5 - 6 bites before she had enough. We will try again next week!

Here are some pictures. When she was finally finished, she just spit it out & started playing with her hands. She is my precious, silly little princess!

Best Friends

So, when my husband decided that he wanted to get a new puppy, I was a little skeptical. I was worried about having a new puppy & a new baby. I was hoping that he wouldn't bother her & that I would have enough attention for everyone.

Well, here lately, they have really taken to each other. I guess since Charlie is only 5 days older than Alyssa, they can grow up together & they will be best friends forever!

First Formula

So, I gave Alyssa her first bottle of formula today. The first try, I made a 4 ounce bottle, but didn't warm it. She just gagged on it, then got really mad at me, so I just nursed her. At the next feeding, I tried the formula again, but this time, I warmed it.
At first, she didn't want to take it. I figured it was because I was holding her like I normally would to nurse. So, I held her away from me with her head in my hand. She sucked the formula right down! I was so proud of her.
She had a little bit of gas, but that's all. I hope the transition goes well! I am hoping that by the time we go to Ohio/Pennsylvania next weekend that she is mostly switched over to formula & that will make the trip A LOT easier on both of us I think.

Christmas

So when we went Christmas shopping on Saturday, we found a kiosk that personalized Christmas ornaments, so we got Alyssa's first ornament there. Isn't it precious???? I can't wait to put the tree up so I can hang it on there :) Hope you all are enjoying decorating for Christmas.

My BIG girl!

Well, Alyssa had her four month appointment today. She weighs 13 pounds 11 ounces and is 25 3/4 inches long. She is getting so big! She is in the 98th percentile for her height & the 50th percentile for her weight. The doctor said she is slender for her height.

She is now able to start on cereal & once she can eat it at oatmeal consistancy, she can start on fruits & vegetables! The fun begins!

We have made the decision to switch her to formula. It was a very hard decision to make. It took almost a week to make it. Up until this point, she was exclusively on breastmilk. It's gotten to the point where she wants to eat more than I can give. Also, I am having trouble pumping a bottle, so it's hard to go anywhere. I believe that this will be the best decision in the long run. I am just feeling very guilty & not sure why.

Her next appointment is at 6 months on February the 9th. She will get her 6 month shots then & also have her tounge clipped. She is tounge tied. The doctor wanted to do it today, but Bryan wasn't there & I couldn't do it alone. I feel bad that she has to have it done, but some things you have no control over.

Other than that, she is happy & healthy & growing like a weed!

4 Months

Well, today Alyssa is four months old! I can't believe it! She is growing so fast. She has her 4 month appointment tomorrow & I am very excited to see how much she has grown.

She is changing so much each day. She is "talking" and laughing all the time. She is teething. She loves to watch SpongeBob! My little baby isn't much of a little baby anymore.

She used to love to snuggle with Mommy, now she would rather talk herself to sleep. She used to sleep all day long, now I am lucky if she takes a nap longer than 20 minutes. It's amazing that last year around this time we found out we were going to have a baby, now she is hear & becoming her own person. She has her Mommy's attitude & she is loving like her Daddy (or maybe it's the other way around?) LOL

I am trying to teach her to talk early, which may backfire on me in the long run. She can say Whoa (when she wants) & Uh Oh. Yes, I know she is young, but as her Daddy says, she is an "over acheiver."

She once was so tiny, she could barely see over the strap of her bouncy seat.

Now, she is almost as big as her bouncy & she plays with the toys!

I will post another blog once I know how big she is! Maybe now things aren't as hectic I really can try to keep up on my blog.