Smith Family Weblog

I commented to Tom that he looked pretty good with a baby, and he admitted to never having held one before.

Newly-married Eugene with his signature pose. I wonder if this showed up in his wedding photos?

Olivia is six months old today.

You might expect that such a milestone would please me, or at the bare minimum, not drive me to tears every time I write the date. Instead, I shout furtively from my desk, “How did this happen? I was paying such close attention!”

I am consoled only by the fact that six-month-old babies are absolutely wonderful. Olivia’s gleeful greeting is bested only her by attempts to smash her face into mine whenever I pick her up. This primitive kiss makes my heart soar…and my throat catch.

It looks like I offered Olivia lemons, but really, it was just applesauce. She was not a fan.

I mentioned that Olivia really loves to snuggle up to blankets or other soft things as she’s falling asleep–not exactly the safest habit ever. I usually let her have something until she’s out, then I snag it from her crib so it doesn’t pose a danger later in the night.

Olivia’s Aunt Debbie had a great solution–she made her two small blankets with a very loose knit. They’re soft but completely breathable, so she can keep them all night. Livie loves them!

Now that we’ve introduced rice cereal, oatmeal, avocados, green beans, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes and carrots, I thought it would be safe to sneak in something a little sweeter: Bananas!

The verdict was still out at first…

But by the end of the dish, she was bouncing with each bite.

Carrots!

…and potatoes…

Yeah, that’s right—two new foods at once. As my friend Lanis said, “That ‘one food at a time’ rule is just for your first baby.”