Little Baby, Big Love: Weekend activities

Yesterday was the March of Dimes Annual March for Babies and we were so happy to donate to a wonderful organization and walk with family and friends for a great cause. We were a little nervous that the weather wouldn't cooperate but it was a beautiful morning. I was holding back tears (occasionally losing that battle!) all morning because when I heard and saw so many stories of loss, heartbreaking diagnoses, and roads much longer than ours, I realized once again just how lucky we are. The March of Dimes was very supportive of us during Gabriella's hospitalization and knowing that we weren't alone in our journey was comforting. I am hoping that we will be able to pay that forward one day.

Feeding has continued to go really well and so far, Gabriella has liked everything we've given her. She's had sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pears, oatmeal/barley cereal, and avocados. Her favorite combination seems to be avocado, pear, and cereal- she had that yesterday morning and couldn't get enough! I've been making her food, not in an attempt to be Martha Stewart, but it actually is really easy, doesn't take a lot of time, and is less expensive than buying individual jars. Our freezer is filled with ziploc bags of pureed fruits and vegetables and I just pull out one or two little cubes in the morning of what I am going to give her. We thin it out with formula, thawed breastmilk, or pear juice, and so far it's working well. Over the next week or so we're going to try peas, apples, and prunes.

Project Make-the-Baby-Nap is going a lot better than I expected! I'm glad our pediatrician told me to push her a bit to take longer naps, in her bed. He was so adamant that napping would lead to not only a happier baby but would lead to her sleeping through the night. She is now taking 2 45 minute-1 hour long naps in the morning and 1 or 2 45minute-1 hour long naps in the afternoon. I think the 2 separate naps will eventually merge into 1 nap in the morning and 1 in the afternoon but for now, this works and she is happier, more rested, and is sleeping through the night!

Activity wise, she is so curious and gets so frustrated when she can't do something. Gianni and I joke that Gabriella is a toddler trapped in a preemie body. I feel bad when she gets worked up and upset over something but her frustration is definitely helping her catch up developmentally. She is on the cusp of sitting independently; she can sit up for long periods of time with my hands supporting her hips so her physical therapist is bringing a small chair for her to try out tomorrow. She can roll over from her belly to her back and is just about able to roll from her back to her belly. Her neck and head control is awesome and she is grasping at and holding a variety of objects. She's also entered the stage of chewing on everything and pulling everything- hair, earrings, necklaces, shirts, lips, eyes, the cat... nothing is safe :)