Orange vegetables - Thats what we have started introducing solids with, why you ask orange? Well they are generally sweeter on the vegetable periodic table and non/low risk allergen foods. Now baby K has hit 5 months old and was showing signs of being ready we have started the process of solids introduction - we are 4 days deep. We started on Saturday as a family so Nic also got to be part of this exciting stage (there is so many things mamas get to see or lead in development being as we are home so anything I can time to be as a family I do!) We started with orange kumara for the first 3 days which she seemed to like and have just transitioned to carrot for the next 3 - She opened her mouth first shot for the spoon (also tried to grab it haha) but when the puree hit her mouth she didn't really know what to do with it, adorable as they push it all round their mouth with a stern look of concentration of hmm this feels weird, what do I do haha! đĽđĽ
It was really fun making all the puree from scratch on Friday and popping it in portions all ready - I have the Closer To Nature baby food steamer and blender so its super simple once you have prepped! We are starting with our solids post her first nap of the day and after a milk feed so she's not super hungry (while we intro in small amounts) and this is her happiest time of the day and food should be a happy, fun experience for the family! Just like us afternoons she is the most tired so that will be one of the later meals we add in. So this is just the start and it will be so cool to see how she goes as we intro things - fruit is used as a base in A LOT of baby food that you buy, personally I am not going to introduce fruit until a later date (once she's on a full meal a day) because I don't want her to get a super sweet tooth! Personal choice but something we have agreed on for our little family.
MY BABY GIRL IS 5 MONTHS OLD - your cheeks are chubbier, laugh is louder, eyes brighter, coordination is better, cuddles are snugglier and you love love love Your bunnies, balls aand teething rings! I cant believe it, its flying by and I love watching you grow đđ
Something cool we got to be a part of this week was a photo shoot with Amy Cope who is one of New Zealands top newborn photographers. đˇ We are going to feature as one of the mums and bubs in a book she is releasing later this year to raise money for Kids Can. We are yet to see the photos (next weekend we have the viewing) but it will be so cool to purchase and hold the book as a keepsake for when she's older. It will feature around 100 NZ babies and their families! It was super cute seeing her sit on a little chair for some of them - until she tumbled forward off of it đ he was completely fine as we caught her but it happened very very fast! And you always get the huge mum guilts when you see the frightened face and little tears well! She was so good and we had lots of smiles but also a lot of chewing our fingers haha!
Kinsley had her first swimming lesson at Hilton Brown and it was so freakin ADORABLE, they pop them on kick-boards and kick their feet, paddle their arms and we sing lots of songs while moving around. She really enjoyed it and was super comfortable the only part she didn't like was when we had to collect some bath toys and pop them in a basket because she wanted to keep it đđ It was a great workout for mama to being in the water squatting and walking on her toes. Afterwards she had crashed out in the car before I got 200m down the road and we successfully transferred from the car to cot at home and she slept for an hour (this is huge for her she's a day napper) it really took it out of her - Cant wait for the next session. Its all about getting them comfortable with water and guiding those early cues of kick, paddle, breath in the first stages. I knew she would love water as when I was pregnant we LIVED in the bath! Aunty came with us to help out and also took some adorable photos hehe đđ§
It has chilled down a lot in Auckland the week, winter is creeping its way in and its actually exciting! Yes I LOVE winter as it means snow, crisp air, mountain hangs and super cute baby beanies and knits for Kinsley hehe! We have got the beanies and merino out this weekend as we had our first family outing to soccer with the Fels family, home ground of Waitemata and it was so cool to see Nic watching with Kinsley because finals last year we were watching with her in my tummy!! lovely afternoon sipping on a G&T with the fam. I can't wait to see K running round in little gumboots someday like the nephews used to!
We have a running joke (well its actually backed up by growth stats haha) that Kinsley has a big head (like me) and when she goes super cheesy smile its shaped like a block haha. last month it had a huge growth spurt (on cue with the developmental leap) and that surely it wouldn't get bigger this month - well it did and gosh it makes me laugh haha another 1.5cm. Yass girl grow that brain. Super helpful tip for your future from your mama is you will suit sunglasses and hats super well haha you won't ever look like a fly! Growth everywhere else was steady and we have clocked over 7kg of chubby now hehe! We didn't get a plunked visit this month so Aunty Amby did all the growth measurements for us when her and uncle Joe visited, was so so nice to catch up and for Joe to finally meet the little squirt - Her new fav game with him is putting bunnies on her head haha!
Exciting fortnight for our family and it ends with daylight savings which screws up the sleep schedules a bit haha so its early nights and early mornings over here at the moment so if you run into me and I'm a little crazy thats why hehe! Chat soon, I am about to eat Thai and watch Shorty Street after a HUGE day
-A x
Tips for the week:
- When Just Jess Cake Co is at the coastal markets get there early or when you surprise her with her biggest littlest fan in tow she would have already sold out of donuts hahah! It was her first market and her baked goods flew out the door. We popped down as a family in the sun for a bite or two (and to do some crystal shopping haha) to support her and as I stood their watching I couldn't have been more proud - Baby sis aka Aunty you are killing it!!
- Woolbabe sleep sacks are AMAZING and I highly recommend, we are currently using the 3 seasons as our house is quite warm and will move to a duvet weight as we get deeper into winter. Nice and heavy so bus feels like they are snuggly and tucked in but no hassle of blankets coming off or getting in the way. Nice and cosy as merino too!
- Make sure you surround yourself with other new mamas, its actually so vital as mamahood is hard, challenging, exciting, fun and just a beautiful chaos really but having other mamas you can ask, vent, chat, cry, celebrate with is such an awesome feeling. I have said it so many times but I feel blessed to have the group I do its a super exciting time seeing all my nieces and nephews progress haha! Also awesome that the Dads have other men to chat to if they need or just to have a beer with haha!
- If you love beautiful fairy wands, wings etc check out Numero 74 within Concrete Blush - they are stunning!! Kinsley is the proud new owner of a powder wand thats been added to the shelf for now.
