I have been very remiss in updating our blog, but here’s a quick recap of the last few weeks; again, it included many “firsts”, but not only for our little girls, but also the “big girls”.
First Baseball GameThe Indians vs. Detroit Pistons? Just kidding, I think it’s the Tigers, no? It was Fiona’s first game and Sofia’s first LIVE game (we had been to Progressive Field last year to watch a telecast).
In any case, we had to leave early for bed (the girls didn’t seem to mind, but I wanted another beer) and we left before the fireworks display. The Indians won, so the fireworks were well earned.
I could hear the fireworks at home.Fiona’s First Plane Ride & The Big Girls' First Trip to ChicagoI had to go to Chicago for a work meeting and I decided to brave the skies with both girls! I had Fiona in the Ergo carrier and Sofia in her little pink umbrella stroller. Joe took us the airport, helped check us in and then I had to make the trip through security. Fortunately there were very little people in line, so I didn’t feel pressured to race through. Especially since I had to take off both, Sofia’s AND Fiona’s, shoes! I find that whole process inane; but don’t get me started.
In any case, the girls did well on the plane. I distracted Sofia with snacks, books and a magnetic doodle toy. Fiona slept through most of the trip. I tried looking disheveled and pathetic so no one would sit next to us and it seemed to work. My parents picked us up from the airport and the ride to their house was more painful. Fiona cried the whole way.
My mom babysat the girls while I was at work and while I think she enjoyed the time, she seemed quite exhausted. Unbelievably I forgot Fiona’s bottle (the only one she’ll take) and so she didn’t eat the whole day while I was at work, and then again the next day.
Joe joined us in Chicago a few days later and we had a few days to visit with Joe’s parents, brother and his family, and my brother and his family who stopped by the house.
In between we had the pleasure of hosting the Cleveland Bongornos for a morning in the Second City. They were in town for a wedding, so we picked them up at their hotel and took them to "Feast" in Wicker Park for brunch. We "showed off" the full-on gentrification of the neighborhood, but admittingly the 'hood has some great restaurants and funky stores. We also pointed out "Estelle's" the lovely tavern where it all began for Joe and me. We posed for pics, but they also have some great photos of the cityscape and cute pics of themselves on their
site .
Fiona LOVED Wicker Park and Sofia made off with a cute pair of pink Vans
The Happy Bongorno TrioI braved the skies again on my way home. Unfortunately the flight was full so we had someone in our row, but both girls did fine. This time, though, no one met us in Cleveland and I had to find our car in the remote parking lot (Joe had left one of our cars in the lot before they left). We didn’t have luggage, other than a diaper bag, but it’s a little unnerving to walk so far alone, with two small children, in such isolated places. Anyway, we made it home, I got Sofia down for her nap and Fiona and I also napped for a little while before Joe and the Girls made it back.
Fiona’s First Night in Her CribI had to go to Evansville, IN for a meeting last week and stayed overnight. I was concerned that Fiona would have a hard night since we co-sleep and she’s used to nursing when she wakes up at night. Thankfully it wasn’t too bad, according to Joe. She woke up a couple of times, but fell back asleep before Joe even warmed up the bottle.
The next day I got home pretty late and she was already asleep. Joe laid her in her crib and I expected she’d wake up, but she slept through until about 8AM the next morning! It was bittersweet for me since I hadn’t seen her for two days, as a result. We decided to try it the following night and we’ve been doing it now for almost a week. She has woken up and I’ve had to nurse her, at least once a night, and other times Joe had rocked her, but most times we turn on her light projector (remotely) and it seems to lull her to sleep. I miss her in our bed, but I do feel a bit more rested since I’m sleeping a little more deeply, I think.
Fiona’s First Splash in the BathWe placed Fiona in a sitting position in her little tub, versus lying on the sling, and she enjoyed splashing for the first time.
Fiona’s a big girl now! She turned six months on September 30th.
Check out the water action!Fiona’s First Solid FoodNow that Fiona’s officially six months old, we gave her a few teaspoons of rice cereal.
Her “before” shot
During
“After” and she’s got the hang of it!Fiona’s First Fall SeasonWe went “pumpkin” picking this past weekend and also got some cornstalks, hay bale and yellow mums to dress up the porch in preparation for our annual Halloween party.
Sofia enjoyed climbing some of the hay bales and posing for pictures.
It was a beautiful, warm day
Sofia the Friendly Ghost
The Boyd Witches
The girls packed in with the corn stalks…notice Fiona’s foot in the corner of the photoMiscellaneous EventsWe met up with several families in the neighborhood for a weekly Saturday morning coffee in the park.
It was a beautiful day and Sofia always enjoys the swings and slides, as well as sneaking in a donut.
Joe & Sofia on the swings on the far left.
Sofia picked out that outfit herself!Later that day Joe decided to try a new recipe that called for cheap beer and a chicken.
Notice the beer can sticking out of the chicken’s rear end. The bottle nipple (to the left) wasn’t included in the recipe.
Just a cute pic of Sofia. She wanted me to take her photo. The stork she’s holding was the one I gave Joe when I told him I was pregnant with Sofia. The Boyd Stork has a little bear in its beak.Finally…As I packed away a lot of Fiona’s clothes yesterday it occurred to me that I wouldn’t use these little outfits anymore. We decided, before I even got pregnant the second time that we would stop at two but packing away those cute, little outfits made the decision tangible. It made me sad, but I’m very happy with my little girls and can’t imagine adding a third!
