New bath pal

My 'lil guy looking oh so cute during his bath tonight.

He loves his new pal.

hair everywhere

Here, there, hair everywhere!

I'm shedding globs and globs of hair I'm a bit surprised I don't have a bald spot yet. It's a good thing I had lots of it to begin with.

I researched about postpartum hair loss to ease my mind and to have a better understanding of why this is happening. Of course the culprit once again are hormones. It's completely normal and yet alarming. It's hard to stay calm when handful of hair strands are coming off.

Dealing with extreme hair shedding 5 months after Leon's birth just made me realize even more just how much work ones body go through to bear a child. It's insane!

To all the momma's out there with multiple kids- hats off to you.

I was browsing the net for reputable sites that could educate me on the most beneficial foods for Leon and I found www.wholesomebabyfood.com

When I went on searching for the benefits of mashed avocado as baby's first solid food, I found a very informative page that lists all the nutrients this brain food provides. Check it out here.

So for any of you new moms out there who is looking for something more nutritious to give to your 'lil ones besides the rice cereal as a first food go on ahead and mash an avocado and see how your baby will like it. Leon definitely loves it. This morning I gave him a bit more than the usual I prepare. When he finished the small container I turned to look at him and he still had his mouth open waiting for the next spoonful. So so so cute!

yes to avocado

Solid food update:

Leon LOVES smashed avocado! It's so adorable to watch him make sense of this new eating thing he has been doing. His facial expression is great. He looks at me after a spoonful and then if I say "yay" with a smile he gives me a wide smile back.

So far so good and next week we will venture unto something new. Maybe some pureed carrots or green peas.

Bouncy! from Anna Cherubini on Vimeo.

We purchased this bouncy seat a bit too soon and so it's exciting to watch Leon grow enough so his 'lil feet touches the ground. It's amazing how quickly he gains weight and grows taller. I look at him every morning and swear that he gets bigger overnight it seems.

Our weekend...

Mark and Joy visited along with their

adorable boy Aidric

I'm so happy to see Leon's chubby legs and arm rolls

all from breast feeding... amazing!

Getting some love from Karen

Making funny faces with Dave

Tooth sighting

(4 months 19 days old)

It's official! We've definitely had an actual tooth sighting this morning. It explains the extreme fussiness, sudden outbursts and waking up in the middle of the night more often than usual. Teething has not been for us. Our poor boy is suffering through this stage and I really hope the pain subsides soon. Even though I did not expect his first tooth to come this soon- I can't wait to take a funny picture of him showing off his very first pearly white.

Morning fun

I love our mornings together. Everyone is in the best mood- including Lucy. Leon is not quite ready to sit on Chris' shoulders yet but we thought it would be fun to give it a shot (with a lot of support of course). They both have the funniest faces here.

Baby Food

I'm so excited to prepare Leon's first solid foods and of course it's home made. Joanie- my sweet mom-in-law gave us the "baby cook" machine and a baby food cook book from Williams and Sonoma. Our pediatrician advised I offer Leon his first rice cereal some time next month when he turns 5 months old. After a week of cereal then I'll give him a taste of the veggies I pureed. I'm really excited for him to try real food although I'm well aware from reading online- that he may not be as eager to eat at first. So far I've made some pureed organic green peas and organic carrots. I especially adore these cute little containers to freeze 'em in that I got from the Pump Station.

I'm 32!

(photos from morning after my birthday)

My birthday was such a calm and peaceful day. I LOVED spending the day with my babies- Lucy and Leon. To top it Chris came home from work early with the most beautiful orchid arrangement, we waited for our sitter, made sure Leon was sound asleep then we were off to our date.

Went to see Eat Pray Love the movie- and I must admit that I was quite disappointed. I bet if I did not read and fell in love with the book first- I would have appreciated the film. The film felt very "Hollywood" and it seemed as if they tried to pack too much of the book within 2 hours and 20 minutes. I actually had a moment wondering when the movie would end while still in the theatre. I feel as if while reading the book- I created a better movie in my head- page by page. Perhaps it's an unfair judgement I'm making- how can any film top off something that is very personal to a reader.

I am so grateful for all the blessings I have and I can't ask for anything more. I told Chris on our way home from our date that now is the happiest I've ever been in my life. It's unnerving and joyful at the same time. Whenever everything seems to be just in the right place a tiny bit of fear crops up. Mostly fear of things being too good to be true or too good to really last. But hey all I can constantly remind myself is that all I really have is the present and if I'm happy now then that's all that really matters. I don't need to worry about tomorrow.

4 months and 1 week old

Leon is so cute sometimes I just can't handle it! Love the baby chub rolls, his pudgy fingers, the most perfect 'lil chin and his irresistible kissable lips.

He really is beginning to understand more of the world. I notice that compared to when he was a newborn- he is now more chill and relaxed about things. He can sit in his car seat for longer periods of time without losing it. He responds to new faces and definitely has a preference for familiar ones. He stays awake more during the day and I can tell from his body language that he just can't wait until he can run off and play.

Recently he has learned to fall asleep all on his own. It was such a huge relief because for the longest time- it seemed as if the only thing that would lull him to sleep was his bouncy seat. Yesterday I hardly bounced him at all. I waited 'til I knew for sure that he was very sleepy, I laid him down in his crib awake and wrapped up in his Woombie then I left the room. I listened as he entertained himself with cute sounds he made most likely while looking up at his favorite baby mobile. Moments later I peeked and found a peacefully sleeping baby. WOW! I'm so so so proud of him.

Eat Pray Love

For my upcoming 32nd birthday all I wish for is a simple celebration with Chris and Leon. Almost all past birthday parties I've had were either at a bar or a club/lounge- a great contrast to what I currently envision as a good time. Right now- the more relaxed, less crowded and peaceful it is, the better. My life has changed so much. What I value and how I would like to spend my time is completely different from just a couple of years ago.

Ever since I have found Chris and especially now having Leon in our life- I no longer feel like I'm missing out. All I need to make me happy is at home in the people I love.

Chris is taking me out on a special movie date at Gold Class Cinemas. Should be interesting since this is our first time at a theatre that serves a full dinner menu, a full bar menu and has super plush lounge seats. It's an all out luxurious movie experience.

My all time favorite book "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert is now a movie and the opening day is on my birthday August 13. It's just so perfect and I'm so excited!

I remember when I first got a hold of the book- about 4 years ago. I don't recall how I found out about it but I'll never forget the feeling of not being able to put it down. I used to take the bus going to my old job selling window coverings. This book made me so excited to get to the bus stop so that I could give every page my undivided attention. I had moments of tears, laughter and definitely a lot of pondering. I was so drawn to Elizabeth Gilbert's personal story because the woman that she was prior to her journey of eating, praying and finding love reminded me of myself.

When I was single and dating I put myself last and I failed to honor who I really was. So much so that when I got involved with someone- I lost myself and turned into the person I thought my boyfriend at the time would want to be with. It took me heartaches and tears to realize that by recognizing my true self and honoring myself only will I find peace. I did not need to fit a mold to be appreciated and loved- all I had to do is be at peace with who I really am- with all my flaws, my weakness and my strengths.

The person who embraced me broken and loved me whole is the one that won my heart and is the one I am so blessed to have as my husband.

Happy 4th month Leon!

Our sweet boy is officially 4 months old! I can't get over how fast time flew right by. Leon is no longer a newborn- I realized this not while I watched him hold his head up on his own nor when he started rolling over. It dawned on me when I began to set aside his tiny newborn clothes.

It's been quite a fun adventure so far. It's an amazing experience to get to know this 'lil being with his own unique personality and temperament. Chris and I are looking forward to many more memorable moments.

Wawa

It seems that no matter how much I prepare myself for Leon's vaccination appointments- I still walk away distraught. I'm not sure if there's a mom out there who can handle holding her child while he takes 3 needles in his thighs and stay unaffected.

Today was especially hard- Leon really let it rip. Thankfully Chris came with us- at least I had him to remind me as soon as it was all over that it was indeed done and that I should breathe and let go. He has always been good at that.

We have a couple of months before we have to endure it all over again. I sure will be so glad when we don't have to get any more vaccines.

We watched Leon grab one of his toys for the first time today. He got major applause from Chris and I! We have been waiting for this day to come all the while thinking that his Woombie swaddle may be causing the delay of this major milestone.

It turns out there was no need to worry- everything does come in its own time.

Leon holds a toy for first time! from Anna Cherubini on Vimeo.