TJ And Nichole

Mia had her 6 month checkup yesterday (Thursday, February 5th, 2010) and received another round of vaccinations.  She is such a trooper!  She cries only when poked and as soon as they are done, she stops.  I am so blessed.  The doctor said she is doing great and growing, although large, at a steady pace.  She weighed in at 18.1 lbs (87.92% of growth percentile based on weight-for-age), and 28.25 in (99.54% of growth percentile based on length-for-age).  She confirmed that she is now wearing 12 month clothes so if we were going to buy this season for next year, we can be confident purchasing 24 month sizes.  That means she will be in 18 month sizes this summer.  I guess in someways she is twice the baby that most people get.  (I like to think she is twice as smart too!)  So if you are going to pick up something cute that you just can’t resist… make sure you remember her size is twice as old as she is

Just a quick snapshot of Mia at the Saint Louis Science center over the weekend demonstrating her new trick.

I have been researching backpack carrier/stroller combos lately.  Something like this fits our lifestyle perfectly.  Right now, I use a Snugli front carrier a lot and I love it!  I think Mia loves it too.  She can see and she is close to me, but before too long, she will be too heavy for the ones we have now.  Most have a weight restriction of 20lbs give or take a few and she is weighing in at 17.5lbs as of two weeks ago.  Time to find and alternative and it would be nice to have the flexibility of a stroller as well as the carrier.  This brings me to the fun things I have found:

The Taga bicylce/stroller.  This one seems like the perfect combination for Grandma Sina and Grandpa Don:

Bicycle / Stroller

Or this Kelty Carrier…

Kelty Backpack Carrier / Stroller

This is a fun little stroller too.  It is made by Quick Smart.  Their strollers fold up small and fit into a backpack:

Stroller in a Backpack

I think this one is the winner for my family.  It is the InStep Carrier / Stroller combo.  It gets rave reviews and happens to be available at a Once Upon a Child (a second hand store for kids).  Something like this would be great for hiking, walking around town, and vacations with Papa Cubby and Grandma Vickie.

InStep Backpack Carrier / Stroller

Of course with all of the natural talent in our family it is safe to assume that Mia too will follow suit.  Just to be sure, I am posting her first pieces of artwork.  I took her to an event called “Baby Van Gogh” which was hosted by the Fort Zumwalt School District’s Parents As Teachers program.  Mia enjoyed watching everyone first, then diving it.  TJ said it was so that she could learn how to be better than everyone else before she started.  What a dad!  While we were there one of the educators said that she was showing some pretty good skills ahead of schedule.  Even though we love her no matter what, that is always nice to hear.  Also while we were there Mia was showing off her new sitting skills.  She is getting pretty good at it.  Well, now to the art…

I am currently exploring home made everything in this book my Grandma Griesenauer gave me called “Make Your Own Groceries“.  Right now I am obsessing on the cleaning products.  They seem to work pretty well and are far less toxic than commercial cleaners.  The other thing I like is that they are pennies on the dollar!

The first one is this All Purpose Cleaner recipe that was in the book.  I tweaked it a bit.  Just mix after each ingredient and store in a spray bottle.  If you want to use it on your floors, use a 1:7 ratio of cleaner to water.

1/2      Cup of Borax

2          Cups of Boiling Water

1/2      Teaspoon of Dish Soap

2          Cups of Cold Water

1/2      Tablespoon of Ammonia

3          Drops of Essential Oils (Optional)

I am curious about laundry soaps too. . . maybe next month!  Until then, I will be cleaning the coins in my purse.

Mia is in this in-between stage with her bathtub and seat right now.  She is too long for the Safety First Tub and too skinny for the Safety First Seat.  I got to thinking about it and realized I had a bath pillow that I don’t use anymore and that it was small enough to fit behind her when she is in the seat.  We tried it out and she had a great time in the tub and didn’t fall over.  Success!

After it was dry I took it out of the cover and took a towel of hers and began trying to figure out how to design a supportive pillow that could be removed, but at the same time, stay put.  Well here it is!  It is perfect.  I am sure by using it I am voiding all kinds of warranties, but hopefully she won’t need it that long.  I attached elastic bands and velcro to allow for taking it off and putting it on again.

Mia has now discovered Oatmeal.  It is the newest grain on the road to solid foods.  It is an understatement when I say she loves it… because SHE LOVES IT !!!!  When I have some on the spoon for her she leans as far forward as she can with her mouth open wide.  Sometimes I haven’t even been able to refill the spoon and she is still sitting there with her mouth open looking for her next scoop full.  I hope she is this eager with all of the healthy foods she will be trying over the years to come and have a firm distaste for the unhealthy.  That way this love of eating won’t cause her have high cholesterol at the young age of 7.

Mia Food – Take 2 from TJ Oldani on Vimeo.

Christmas evening at my sister’s house last night. Mia loves her some M.I.A.

It may be after Christmas as I write this, but I’m still feeling the Christmas spirit. Or perhaps just the spirits. Regardless, here is a video of our Christmas this year with the Oldani’s/Lohmann’s. Now I must rest for New Years. And to all a good night.