(T)arina and (A)tkins in Chicago

We decided to start giving Liora solid foods a little early. She was really showing interest in our food, watching us eat and staring at our forks and spoons.
About a month ago, when she was around 4 months old, we decided to try a little rice cereal. Atkins held her and I fed her. My dad took pics. Here’s one:

Liora did very well. I had mixed the rice cereal pretty thinly with a lot of breastmilk. It was barely a solid, but I didn’t want to upset her tummy. I decided after that, however, that I would wait a little while to begin again. Long story short, I read some information and decided to hold off a little while.
That brings us to October. Once again, we tried the rice cereal. She seemed to like it okay. Nothing thrilling.

I fed her in this little chair that hooks on to the table. I couldn’t get right in front of her and I think she is just a little bit too small to really handle sitting completely upright and eating. She’d lean forward too far sometimes and it was a bit of a mess.
So, today, I decided to feed her in the bouncy chair. She’s reclined at a little bit of an angle and I could sit right in front of her. We also have been trying oatmeal for the last couple of days, which is decidedly tastier. She did very well today, which was our first day with two meals. She seemed happier:

Though it was still very messy!

Before too long, we’ll be trying veggies and fruits! I’m going to wait a couple (maybe a few) weeks until we have this cereal schedule down before adding new foods into the mix.
I can’t believe how big my little girl is getting!

No surprise, but Liora has accrued quite the stuffed animal collection. Hm, why on earth would that happen? There are still plenty of my old stuffed animals to keep her company. Once she’s a little older, I will have to go through them and pick out the good ones. Or let her pick the ones she likes… either way.
Anyway, here is Liora with a bunny that Aunt Judy gave her. She immediately started giggling when she saw it. I think the fur reminded her of the cats. Yes, she can see the cats now. They are a source of endless amusement for her! I take her to look at the kitties when she is upset because it almost always calms her down.
Okay, on to the pics.

This other one is one of my new favorites. I wish the lighting were a little better. Anyway, that’s a tiny little giraffe that I picked up somewhere along the way. Apparently his head is the perfect munching size.

She is getting so big! She grabs things and puts them in her mouth. She is also sticking her tongue out at us and making razz noises. She’s not quite rolling over yet, but she is getting close. Her feet are endlessly entertaining. She always grabs them when I get her diaper off. I can’t believe it was almost five months ago that she was born!

Hi, everyone. I’m going to read you this story.

Wait, what’s that out the window?

Hm, nevermind. Back to the story, and it’s a good one! What do you mean you want to see the book? Don’t you trust me?

Okay, you win–there’s no words. Just a bunch of fun patterns. I still like it, though!