New Friends

Since having Shannon I have joined a mom's group. Not something I thought I would do, but not many of my friends have children Shannon's age) so I thought it would be a good idea. The group is here in our town and is specifically for working moms which makes it great because play dates and mom's events are after work and weekends. I'm getting to know a few people in the group better.  Today we met at a park just 1 town over.  It was a bit chilly by 4:00pm but Shannon was ready to go in her new fall jacket (new hat to come soon). 

She was kind of interested in other babies but not for too long.  She did love watching all the action and swinging on the baby swing like our park has. 

Her new friends Zach and Mikey joined her on the blanket and Leo and Kyle are old enough to play in the actual park, so we didn't spend much time with them.  So many boys! Todd and I have started warning her about boys and to be careful of them as she gets older- I hope she is listening. 

7 Months Old

September 26, 2008- Shannon is 7 months old! 

She:

has 2 bottom teeth

rolls both ways

picks up and holds things with both hands

sits independently

scoots and reaches to get toys

loves cereal, fruit, & vegetables, carrots not a favorite but she eats them

extremely curious 

lunges in your arms to reach whatever is within range

laughs out loud

gets a kick out of being startled

enjoys playing with her feet

loves music & when daddy plays the guitar & sings "Uncle John's Band" by The Grateful Dead

goo-goo's and ga-ga's

is impossible to change- it takes 2 of us to keep her wrangled! 

New Teeth

I had a good vigil going. Religiously checking for those teeth every day. Finally I could feel the tips, they had broken through. A few days later they were up and rising. They are so cute (for now) and kind of turned in a little. Thank goodness they are only baby teeth. I am kind of picky about teeth and I'm sure as soon as I get the go ahead (if needed) for braces I will be all over it!

My mom told me (after the fact) that it's an old wives' tale (Italian tale?) that the mom is NOT suppose to be the one to find the teeth first or it brings bad luck. What? How could that be? How come I never heard of it? I see her more than anyone else. I think other mom's who follow this tradition and let "someone else find them" are lying... sorry. 

Happy Birthday Grandma & Grandpa

We have a lot of September birthdays in our family. Today we celebrated Grandma Marilyn's and Grandpa's birthday. We missed grandpa's birthday in August so we combined them today with a simple pizza dinner with ice cream cake and cheesecake for dessert.  We hung out in the yard and Uncle Mike came too.

They got the best gifts! Now that I am back working full time we can't just take off for days trips to their house as much as we'd like to. So, the next best thing is a webcam!  Todd will set it up for them and then they can see Shannon when ever they want!  Since they have a new patio set we bought them outdoor dishes, bowls, cups, etc.  Grandma got some fun odds and ends like a new shopping recycling bag, a grandma magnet to match the "Shannon" one she has, and an Italian book about Italian families.  Lastly, they received a subs

cription to Grand magazine, designed just for grandparents. 

Visiting Great Grandma

Shannon is lucky enough to have 1 great grandma, my grandma on my dad's side, Grandma K. who will soon be turning 96!!  Every so often we call up grandma to make a dinner date.  Unless we request a different menu, the meal is always pasta and homemade sausage purchased from Jimmy who lived in "the old neighborhood".  It's delicious and everyone who has it says "this is the best sausage I've ever had, where did you get it?"

Great Grandma loves when we visit and enjoys preparing dinner.  It is so nostalgic for me as we've had pasta dinners ever since I can remember.  My baby book (an Italian Dr. of course) even wrote that at 6 mos. I could have pastina (small pasta pieces).  I'm looking forward to Shannon enjoying this tradition as well. Because of that, I don't often enjoy Italian food at restaurants (except for a few) too often. 

Grandma hadn't seen Shannon in a while and was so delighted that Shannon would sit with her and smile and didn't cry. We love you grandma! 

Another First

I think the best thing about being new parents is all the "firsts". A friend of mine who is the mother of a 25 year old daughter who lives out of state made a comment that I know is very true, "Don't wish it away, it will be over before you know it."  But I can't help it.....I am so excited to share and experience things with Shannon. So...her first real visit to the park was exciting for me. We live 5 houses from the park and have walked there many times to see the kids play and watch the activities, etc. But today was the first time we "went" to the park to PLAY!  Since she is able to support herself sitting up these days, the timing was just right. 

As you can see she spent some time relaxing on the blanket, then she relaxed more while mommy pushed in the swing, and then she cooled off with a refreshing drink from her sippy cup. She loves that thing, but just can't figure out how to hold it on her own yet and actually get liquid from it!