Sweet potatoes for my sweet potato

Yesterday Madi turned 5 months and that was when I wanted to start her on soilds.  We originally did'n't want to introduce her to them until she was very close to 6 months but I knew she was ready for them.  So today for lunch Madisyn had her first real solid food (besides rice and oatmeal).  I decided to have her try sweet potatoes first because I heard that's what a lot of people first started with and their babies LOVED it.

So this morning I got up and went to the grocery store and bought fresh sweet potatoes and came home baked them and pureed them up.  It was SO simple! (thanks to my awesome new Ninja food processor- which I highly recommend).  I'm excited to be making all of her baby food.  It's healthier for her and I know how it is getting made because I'm the one doing it!  It doesn't take much time either.  Everyone should do, you can save so much money!!

She seemed to like them.  I think when I started to give it to her she was more tired so kind of got fussy towards the end.  We will try again tomorrow and see how she does.  Then I think in 4 days (since there is the 4 day wait rule to make sure there are no allergic reactions to a certain food) we are going to try bananas :)

Busy!

I haven't had time to blog lately and that makes me sad :(  So let me fill you in on what has been going on in the Arneson household the last few days.

Our beautiful nephew was born on the 11th!  He's a cutie!  9lbs 1oz big healthy boy!  Madisyn didn't really have any interest in him yet.  She looked at for for a few seconds but that's about it.

Remember how I said earlier that we co sleep with Madisyn?  Well as of Friday she has been sleeping in her own crib, in her own room!  She has been doing fantastic!  I was so surprised.  I have been camped out on the couch in the living room (which is right outside of her bedroom) incase she wakes up, which she has for her paci then goes right back to sleep.  We don't have a monitor yet, but will soon be getting one because I would like to sleep in my own bed with ease lol.  The first night I was in and out of there constantly checking on her.  I only checked on her once or twice last night, so I'm getting better!

I often go on this website called Etsy- which is a website of TONS of different little shops that people can sells their homemade stuff in.  You name it, you can find it somewhere! Baby headbands, hats, clothes, scarves, home decor-ANYTHING!  I look at a lot of baby stuff on there like the headbands and things like that and I keep telling myself, I can make that stuff!  Yesterday I came across some GORGEOUS diaper wipe cases and I looked up a tutorial on youtube on how to make them and its SO easy!  It would cost me like $5 to make them and the people that sell them, sell them for about $20- some more!  I also and going to try and make some really cute layered hair bows that I seen.  I think it might take me a few tries to get them perfect but I think I can handle it!  WISH ME LUCK!

This week is suppose to be BEAUTIFUL outside so I think I'm going to attempt to take Madisyn and Chumlee (our boxer puppy) on a walk!  We will see how that goes :)

First play date

Today was Madisyn's first play date.  We went over to Jessica's (an old friend from high school) house.  She has a son who is almost 7 months.  One of her friends also came over with her son who is 7 months.  I had met her before at the library for baby story time (which Jessica had told me about and she also told me about the baby and me work out classes that Northpointe Wellness offers).

Madi did pretty good.  I knew she was tired because she hadn't had her morning nap before we left and she had fell asleep in the car on the way over to her house, so half way through the play date she got crabby and FINALLY fell asleep after awhile.  I felt bad for her screaming, but then I realized..DUHH they are new parents too and went through the crying already lol so they are used to it.  That's one nice thing about hanging out with other mommies.  They understand and get it.

Day 6

Day 6-  A picture of the person you would like to trades places with for the day:

Hmm this is a tough one!!


Lady GaGa because she is crazy and out there and people love her for it!  And of course I'd want to be one of the most famous people in the world for a day!!

Photo Shoot..

Madisyn and I had a photo shoot today.  Here are a few pictures:

Sleeping after story time at the library

"Okay mom, that's enough!"

I am always trying to find new things for Madisyn and I to do together to get out of the house but there just isn't much around here.  We did hear about the story times at the public library.  They have a baby story time which we have been to a couple of times (they only have them once a month) and today we went to a children's story time was they have every Wednesday morning for kids 0-6 years old.  It was fun.  Madi loves to watch the other kids.  I am hoping she learns what NOT to do! haha.  We have also done the baby and me workout class.  Other than that there really isn't much to do around here.  I looked for a gymboree class but the closest one is about an hour and a half away.  I told my husband Alex that one of these weekends we need to plan a trip to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  I heard it is worth every penny.  I'm excited to go!  I think Madi will really like it.

I hate not taking Madi out of the house because she does SO well.  She loves to look around and watch the people and take in all the new things.  I think its good for us to get out every once in a while.  And we cant really go outside yet because it's too cold.  I'm def. looking forward to spring and summer!

Day 5

Day 5-  A picture of your favorite memory

Right after I had Madisyn.  My mom was in the room with us and I had to tell her to quick grab the camera to take a picture of Alex cutting the cord.  My labor happened so fast that the camera was still in my bag!  This was almost a missed picture.

Favorite Things..

Here are a few of mine (and Madi's) favorite things that I don't think I could get through the day without having!  In no particular order.

1.  Bright Starts Teensy Turtle Cradling Bouncer

It took awhile for Madisyn to want to be in this but now I can put her in it when Im doing dishes and she will sit in it and watch me and right now I am using it when I give her her cereal.  She also likes to watch tv while in it!

2.  Dr. Brown's Orthodontic Pacifier

Madi's favorite Paci.  It's a true lifesaver!  What would we all do without the paci's!?

3. Sophie the Giraffe teether

Best teether in the world!  Madisyn loves it.  It is also one of her favorite toys!  She loves nawing on the head and legs.  It squeaks too!

4. Boppy

A must have.  this is what I had to use to get Madisyn to start wanting to be on her tummy!  She hated tummy time at first.  Great for feedings and when little kids want to hold the little one for extra support.

5.  Ocean Wonders Soothe & Glow Seahorse

Helps Madisyn fall right to sleep and if she wakes up in the middle of the night I can just press it and she will go right back to sleep.

6.  Little Lamb Swing

Madi can sleep asleep in this in no time.  She also likes to play with the tray that it come with.

7.  3-in-1 Saucer

It can be an activity mat, saucer and when baby is able to stand it turns into an activity table.

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