Mmmmmm...rice cereal

Matea had her first taste of rice cereal last week and loved it! We couldn't believe how well she did with the spoon and actually keeping the food in her mouth. She didn't have any issues with her tongue thrust pushing the food back out and immediately had the instinct to open her mouth when the spoon headed her way. She's so advanced (Hmmm, which one of you reading this won't know that was a joke? But seriously, she is). We tried bananas last night and she had her first encounter with a sippy cup today. She's definitely a booby girl and does not like the bottle so it's nice to know now that I can actually leave her side for any length of time and she can survive via cup or spoon. This weekend she went five hours between feedings (usually only goes three) just because she didn't want the bottle.
Just before I typed this we were talking about how we won't ever go through these "firsts" with any more babies (thanks to Steve getting the big "v" a few weeks ago) but I guess that's what grandkids are for.

Growing Girl

Matea is growing up so quickly. She had her four month check up today and is doing well. She weighed 15 pounds, 9 ounces and is 27 inches long. She's in the 75th percentile for weight and off the charts in height. The poor baby had to get four separate shots but only cried for about 5 seconds once they were finished. She's rolling from her tummy to back, bearing weight on her legs, laughing hysterically at Bella, and practicing her sitting up. Dr. Teaford gave the green light to try rice cereal with her so we might do that tonight. She's still waking up several (that's right, several!) times a night so maybe the rice cereal will help fill her tummy a little.

Holiday Party

Last night was the MOMS Club holiday party and both girls had a great time. Bella loved Santa and dancing and singing for the crowd and Matea loved watching her big sister (you can see her smiling and laughing at Bella in the picture where she's standing up). I thought the girls looked too cute in their matching dresses and yes, I forced them both to wear things I crocheted for them for at least a few pictures. Bella was really well behaved, especially compared to some of the monsters who were tearing apart the clubhouse. As you might be able to tell from the pictures of Matea, she's in full teething/drooling mode. She chews on everything, usually her fingers, and her collars always have a ring of wetness.

Crochet Projects

My mother in law was nice enough to give me a quick crochet lesson while we were in town this weekend and when we got back home yesterday I made a hat for Matea and a headband for Bella. Now I'm totally addicted and can't stop. I'm doing lots of sewing right now for a vendor faire Devin talked me into participating in in a few weeks but hope to play around more with crocheting when I'm finished with all my sewing. Alissa made me promise a long time ago that I would stop forcing the girls to wear my creations once they entered school so I guess I only have a few years left of using them for my crafts.

Thanksgiving

We went to Lemoore and Stratford for the long Thanksgiving weekend. This was Matea's first long car trip and she cried pretty much all the way there Wednesday night. Bella had a lot of fun playing with her cousins, Haley, Ethen, and Hana and babysitting her Grandma and Great Grandma. Matea seemed unsure about being away from home at first and just wanted Mommy but got more comfortable with her surroundings by the end of our trip. Bella had her first taste of sparkling cider at her Nana's house and loved it as much as her Mommy does.

Bella had school pictures a few weeks ago and we got the proofs back this week. The pictures turned out pretty well but much to her grandma's dismay, Bella made a last minute style change and decided not to wear her pink blazer for the photos. I'm pretty bummed too, I thought she looked very cute in her ensemble. "Very smart" as Trini and Susanna would say on the BBC's "What Not to Wear".

Did someone ask for a smile?

Apparently Matea finally had time to read that memo I sent her about smiling and looking directly into the camera. These were taken right after she woke up from a nap, when she's at her happiest. Would you believe someone actually said to her the other day, "You look just like your mommy." Huh? Did she realize I'm her mother? I just said, "Well, you've obviously never met her Papa."

Matea's 3 Month Pictures

Here are Matea's 3 month pictures. I'm really happy with how they turned out and I think they capture her developing personality. Grandparents, these will be on their way to you in the next week.

Two Halloween Cuties & One Weirdo

Bella was a butterfly and Matea was a flower. Steve surprised us all by dressing up as a sumo wrestler. Of course, Bella has no idea what a sumo wrestler is so I think she was mostly just confused. Bella had a little Halloween parade at school, we trick or treated at a few neighbor's houses, and then spent the rest of the evening handing out candy at home .

Pumpkin Patch

We took the girls to the pumpkin patch today in their matching "Big Pumpkin" and "Little Pumpkin" shirts. Unfortunately, we didn't get any great pictures. Matea was due for a nap and Bella is against the idea of cooperating with anything mommy wants.

Gonzalez Family Blog

Inspired by our friends, The Olson's, we decided to start a family blog rather than email pictures and updates every week. We hope you enjoy keeping up to date with our family and watching the girls grow. Feel free to post comments and we'll share them with the head of the family, Bella.