Mia took her first steps! She's been taking a few steps walking to/from Andrew and I. But, she always knew someone was behind her (and thinking we were holding her). Last night was the first time she knowingly walked by herself - she went from the ottoman to Andrew. And, then later today, she walked all the way across her room - about 10 steps. She pulled up on me sitting on the floor and just took off toward the iPod playing her music. Unfortunately, we didn't get a shot of that one. But, here's a peek of her walking to me this morning (turn the volume down - we're yelling pretty loud).
A month or so ago, my mom (nana) taught Mia to drink from a straw. Now whenever anyone is drinking from a straw, Mia wants in on the fun. I don't let her have my sodas, but she was feeling extra sneaky yesterday. When I went to the kitchen to get something, she pulled up on the ottoman, grabbed my Diet Pepsi and took a sip - all in a matter of five seconds! So glad you taught her this little trick, nana!
For the past few months, Mia has done everything BUT crawl. She's been pulling herself across the floor on her tummy; pulling herself sitting up; and doing something that looks like the worm dance from the '80s. A few weeks ago, she started walking with our assistance and pulling up on furniture. So, we just figured she'd never crawl and would go straight to walking. But, FINALLY...she crawled on her hands and knees. Last Wednesday, she just decided to take off. And, now she looks like a pro! Check her out in the video.
Mia had surgery on Jan. 18, 2008, to remove a dermoid cyst above her right eye. It was basically a little hard cyst under the skin. The surgeon made a small incision on her eyebrow line and scooped it out. I, of course, was a nervous wreck. They made us give Mia medicine to sedate her so she would go with the anesthesiologist to the operating room. I just remember him walking down the hall with her in his arms - he was singing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider." And, the tears were flowing (until the nurses kicked us out of our little room and told us to go to the waiting room, so I quickly had to gain my composure). But, she exceeded all of our expectations and did extremely well. She was very groggy all day - not to mention sore. But, by day three, she was completely off her pain medication. This is a picture of her in her little hospital gown and socks before the surgery. You can see she's in a great mood and has no idea what's coming - I think that's what bothered me most!
Mia's first Christmas wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. She was a bit overwhelmed by all of the commotion. And, it's no wonder. That night after she went to bed, Andrew and I watched the Christmas video, and it was like she had the paparazzi swarming her all day. Flashbulbs were going off every second; someone (and by that, I'm including me and Andrew) was always in her face trying to get her to open a new present or play with a new toy. She was just too young to understand how much fun it is! Next year...
At six months, we had Fran, our wedding photographer, take some professional pictures of Mia. They all turned out great - it was hard to decide which ones we wanted to enlarge. This one, however, was my favorite of the bunch. It really captures her smile, which she does quite often. If anyone is looking for a photographer, I highly recommend Fran Fevrier. You can check out her Web site at http://www.fransimages.com.
At four months, we were given the ok by the pediatrician to start Mia on baby food. Here she is after her first meal - bananas (which is one food she now refuses to eat). She didn't get much down - mostly pushed it out with her tongue. But, in a week or so she figured it out. And, hasn't quit eating since. I swear sometimes I have no idea how she eats as much as she does with a tummy the size of a quarter.
At three months, we took Mia to Maine for a week to visit Andrew's aunt and uncle. Here she is asleep in her baby Bjorn getting ready to take her first flight. She slept the entire way - and most of the connecting flight which ended up being 5 hours due to thunderstorms. Our fellow passengers were quite pleased with that.
Since I just got around to starting a blog - and now Mia is 11 months old - I thought I'd catch everyone up and post some pics of her during the past year.This is one of my favorites. Mia is three days old and sleeping in Andrew's hands (no, they're not my hands - people have asked and Andrew now thinks he has feminine hands).
