View from the top

Isabella really enjoys to be held. Not only because she likes to be close to us but also because she likes the view from the top. Since she can sit up with only little support necessary, Gary started taking her on his shoulders. She really enjoys this. She started pulling Gary's hair therefore he is wearing now a hat!

More solid foods

We have been feeding Isabella for the last 2 weeks rice and oatmeal cereal which was very adventurous and took plenty of time to get some in Isabella's mouth. She does not seem to be allergic to either one, so therefore we moved on today to start trying vegetables. Since today is a Saturday I thought Gary should also enjoy feeding Isabella with a spoon. Our lovely friends Lane and Jason were so nice to let us use their highchair. So, with putting Isabella for the first time in a highchair and trying the veggies I thought this must become very funny and I was prepared for everything. Isabella took everything pretty well and seemed to be excited about sitting in the highchair and seemed to really like the tendersweet carrots. Unbelievable! She is showing off with Gary and make me look as if I am making it up that it took forever with the cereal and was very messy. Well, I am glad she liked it. We will try the carrots for a few days and proceed with peas, sweet potatoes, squash, and green beans. Let's see how she likes them.

Enjoy the new pictures!

Introducing solid foods

When I went last week for Isabella's 4 months check up the pediatrician recommended to start solid foods. Isabella has been eating like crazy and sucking those bottles away in no time and almost every 1-1/2 to 2 hours. I am still breastfeeding and the pediatrician thinks that she needs more calories which she does not get from the breast milk. Isabella is meanwhile 24-3/4 inches tall and weighs 13 pounds and 6 ounces. It is incredible, she has jumped in height up to the 90 percentile and is seen as a tall baby. Unbelievable, since she was so tiny when she was born.

We started this week to give Isabella rice cereal. This is the most common one to start with and most likely not to develop allergies from. We started very soupy since Isabella needs to learn to eat from a spoon, experience the flavor and the texture. The first couple times were not very successful, but yesterday and today went pretty well. Still most of the cereal ended up on the chin and bip but it is a start and she did not cry as much as she did the first couple times.

We will keep you posted how we are progressing.

Favorite toys

Isabella has selected in the last few weeks some toys she prefers to play with or hold close. Her absolute favorite one is the bumblebee. It has in the front a mirror and she loves looking at herself or the baby she sees.

Here are some cute pictures.

Isabella and her 1000 faces

Isabella had right from the beginning shown that she has a great personality and expresses it. Sometimes she's happy or sad or really upset. But overall she is a good baby. She definitely has the Italian/Sardinian temper. Even though she is only 25% Italian/Sardinian. The rest is composed of another 25% German and the 50% American with Scottish or who knows heritage. Maybe it is also because of her sign being Aries.I heard they are really stubborn and have a strong will. Oh boy, that's going to be entertaining the next 18 years!

Boppy Time

We like to use the boppy to practice for Isabella to strengthen her back and neck muscles. Sometimes she likes it and other times not. Depends on her mood.

Here are some "boppy" pictures.

Sleepy time

In the beginning Isabella was able to sleep or nap at any time and anywhere. Things have changed. With four months now she sleeps through the night but takes during day time hours only naps between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Our pediatrician told us there is nothing wrong with this, it is just her personality.

Here are some cute nap and sleep pictures.

Belly time

We try every day to give Isabella some "Belly Time" to practice rolling over and crawling. She has not rolled over yet and it looks like she moved on to practicing to crawl. Sometimes she gets a little frustrated because it is not working yet, but she found a way to soothe herself making rasperries in the air. I can't wait until she can move around and sit up. She will have so much fun.

Tante Maria visits from Germany

It was really great when my sister Maria from Germany came to visit for 2 weeks. We had a great time and reconnected immediately after not seeing each other for almost 2 years. We enjoyed the time with Isabella and Maria was just great to have around as company and help. I wish you could have stayed longer. But we will see each other soon in October in Florida! Yippie Yeah!

Proud parents

Here are just some pictures of our little angel and her proud parents. Notice that I don't write a lot? I let the pictures speak for themselves.

Grandma & Aunt Ann visit

When Isabella was 3 weeks old Grandma and Aunt Ann came to visit. We had all a good time and we were happy to have some help in the beginning.