Week 20.5: Pumpkins and Rice Cereal

Dearest Sammie,

Today's been such a big day for you that I couldn't wait until next Thursday to post.

As we get into the fall season (which is finally here, thankyouverymuch), I have been getting more and more excited about the holidays to come. More specifically, I have been excited about starting new traditions with you, ones that you'll look back on fondly when you're a little older. Seeing as Halloween is right around the corner, I have been excited about going to the pumpkin patch and getting awesome pictures of a smiling and happy Samantha hugging pumpkins.

Um...yeah. While the pumpkin patch happened, the smiling and happy Samantha didn't. The sun was so bright that you didn't want to look up to the camera (much less smile), and when you did look up, you screamed. A lot.

So it's a miracle we got these pictures at all:

Riding the tractor...where the tears began.

Hanging with Daddy by the cornstalks.


With Mommy in the pumpkin patch--note that you're not interested in looking at the camera.

Trying to get that all-important baby by the pumpkins picture.

Finally, I got the bright idea to go behind the hay bales and hold you by the back of your shirt while Uncle Tom, Aunt Beth & Daddy all tried to get your attention.

This picture of us isn't half bad. We caught you in-between screams.

It had been a while since we took a picture of the three of us, so we snagged this one.

I rather like it!

Needless to say, you fell asleep on the way home (hmmm...maybe you were a little tired?).

Later on that night, after your bottle, I decided to be a little daring and feed you your first solid food: rice cereal. Most babies are given the go-ahead to sample solids at their four month check-up, but, due to scheduling, you aren't getting your four month check up until Monday (two days from now)--which is more like five months. Sooo...I decided to give it a whirl and mix up some rice cereal. Again, I had visions of getting the all-important baby-covered-in-food shots. Fortunately, I succeeded in this mission.

Here's your before shot. You were rather bewildered at the bib and bumbo with a tray set up.

The "during" shot. You grabbed for the spoon any chance you got,

so I think rice cereal is officially a hit.

And, of course, the "after" shots.

Love you lots,
your mommy

PS I realized that I still had the old blog title (Sarah and Jay and a Baby on the Way) from when we were waiting for you. Oopsie. I changed it tonight to "Dear Samantha Joy." I think it fits what we talk about a little bit better :-)