An attempt at rice cereal

So I know the dr. said to wait until 6 months to start her on rice cereal but most people I've talked to started their babies earlier and since she's only a week shy of 6 months ***breathes into a paper bag*** we decided to try the rice cereal and see how it goes. Like most of the books said, most of it didn't end up in her mouth and she kept trying to grab the spoon from me. Of course we were there with the camera ready for cute pictures and she didn't dissapoint.

Slightly tardy Mother's day post

Here is my first Mother's day photo. Not exactly the typical, cutesie, made up, dressy clothes kind of Mother's day picture. I like how it turned out though, because this is a true depicition of my first year (well half a year) as a mom. There will be plenty of opportunities for the "perfect"picture I'm sure. Mother's day was.... interesting. I don't know of any other way to describe it. It wasn't a bad day, but it wasn't a particularly memorable day either. We'll just leave it at that :)

Farrah has started using a few of her new toys this week. She's finally old enough to be able to actually do stuff instead of just sleeping, eating, and pooping. First was her new set of blocks. I was surprised that she even played with them.

She was a little confused though. A little more interested in chewing on the bucket they go in instead of the blocks but hey, whatever buys me 5 minutes to get some things done.

Then came her jumper. Didn't quite get the jumping part. Just looked at me with a confused stare.

And her $50 worth of bows and headbands came in. Here she is being her baby super model self. Definitely $50 well spent if you ask me. You will see more bows being modeled in upcoming posts.

A Saturday at the Naldjian's

For most people, a Saturday might include going grocery shopping, lunch with a friend, possibly a nap. Not at the Naldjian's! Saturdays are our busiest days. If I choose to, I work (and in case you haven't been on the blog in a while, go back and catch up because right now I definitely choose to. Abe usually tutor's in the morning, I drop off Farrah at my parent's house and go to work, then Abe goes off to his DJ job and gets his DJ on all night and I pick up Farrah from my parent's house in the evening. It's a little hectic but right now we're in "short term sacrifice for a long term gain" mode. I'm very fortunate to be married to a big thinker. If you want something, go get it.

Lots of pics to share, the first ones being from this morning before I went to work Farrah was looking so cute in her new hair bow. Ps I spent about $60 on hair bows and headbands for her the other day... that will be another post in itself. Please excuse all 6 of my chins being in the pictures. I didn't realize what a bad angle it was (or at least I keep telling myself that's what it is.)

5 months!

Dear sweet baby girl,
You are growing too fast. Slow down a little bit. Mommy and Daddy want to enjoy every stage before it passes. Love always, Mommy

As you can see by these pics, she can't quite sit up on her own but she's getting really close. She rolled over for the first time a few days ago and she did it several times in a row but now I can't seem to get her to do it again. She's taking her sweet time.

A note to all of the new mommy's

Yet another fabulous pic of Farrah napping on her daddy... so precious!

Mastering her tummy time!

Where does the time go? She's like a little person now!

Farrah's crazy Mommy... Farrah's representing Mommy and Daddy's Alma Mater... Go Gaucho's!

While the last thing a new mom needs is someone giving them unsolicited advice, I thought I'd write a few things down that no one could have possibly explained to me but I learned along the way. If you're a new mom, I hope it helps, but if not, don't sweat it... you've got enough to think about. If you have been a mom for a long time now, I hope it brings back some memories from when you were a rookie. And if you've never been a mom, I hope, if nothing else, it bring a smile to your face.

1. The craziness of the beginning goes away I promise. I almost forget what those first few weeks were even like because it's so different now. At the time I thought "what the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks did I get myself into?" But now I can't imagine life without this little girl. For many of you that had to be in my presence those first several weeks, I sincerely apologize. I looked a hot mess, I was snapping at people, I basically just wanted to go into my room and have someone else deal with it because I didn't think I could take anymore of it. I tell you this because it's the honest truth. Anyone that says those first few weeks are amazing and you have such a great time with your baby are lying. You're exhausted and you smell (showers are few and far between). But when you start to get into a groove, baby starts sleeping more (which in turn means you're sleeping more), the # of people in and out of your house dies down, and you start to learn about who your baby is as a person instead of just a eating, puking, pooping machine, you truly fall in love.

2. Speaking of falling in love, it is totally normal if you don't feel an instant connection with your baby as soon as they are born. It was a strange feeling for me looking at my baby when they first placed her on my chest knowing that she was my daughter and yet I didn't feel a connection. Ask me that question now and I'd tell you a totally different story. The best way I can describe it is your relationship with your best friend. When you first met them, did you feel an instant love? Probably not. You had to learn who they are first. Don't get me wrong, I felt love for her, but it took spending my days with her to learn who she is and fall head over heels in love with her.

3. It's ok to stick them on their play mat, or in their bouncer, or in front of their favorite Baby Einstein DVD (side note, pick up "Calm Baby" it saved my life!) for a few minutes every now and then. My husband has watched her for extended periods of time when I've been working or what not and when I come back he always says "I don't know how you get anything done besides watch her!" You have to be ok with letting them play on their play mat alone (by alone I mean me not laying there with her. She's still in my line of vision so no calls to CPS please.) while I do dishes or quickly vacuum. If I didn't do that he's right, nothing would get done. It's ok... they're fine!

4. Lastly, RELAX! Easier said than done I know but I think that's what's kept us sane and out of divorce court ;) If the house is a little messy, I know we'll get to it. If someone else who has offered to watch her is doing things a little differently than I would, let it go. There are so many things that are out of your hands that are inevitably going to stress you out when you have a baby so why get worked up over the little things. I think we did the same thing when planning our wedding and it made things so much easier.

The way I feel about that little girl is absolutely indescribable. I would do anything for her and I can't believe that a mere 5 months ago she wasn't even a part of my life (well sort of but you know what I mean.) And now here we are and she is my life. Crazy, huh?