Out with the Old, In with the New!

Anne Louise has had lots of firsts lately.  Thanks to technology, I’ve been able to document almost all of these “firsts” on my blackberry camera phone (which explains the not-so-great picture quality of the photos in this post).  She’s almost outgrown her infant carrier, and before we switch to the “big girl car seat” (thanks Grandi!!), we wanted to prepare ourselves for what’s ahead.  First of all, when we ditch the infant carrier, we are saying good bye to “baby in a bucket” – no more hauling her into restaurants for late night dinners in hopes that she’ll fall asleep in her cozy little carrier (for that matter, no more hauling her anywhere in hopes that she’ll fall asleep).  Also, no more pedicures while she naps. 

So, to transition to non-contained life outside the infant carrier, we’ve started using our portable high-chair/booster seat.  Here she is eating dinner al fresco (sounds fancy for someone who eats blended veggies) on Rich and Ave’s patio next door.  This was her FIRST time in the travel seat.  We LOVE this gift Linda and Angus – thanks SOO MUCH.

We’ve also started using the real restaurant high chair, too!  Since they are oh-so-sanitary, we use a super cute cover (thanks Heather), which also makes it very comfy for little Anne Louise.  Here she is in the high chair for the FIRST time, which was at Outback for Caroline’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Caroline!!!). 

(Can you tell she’s also working on her FIRST tooth with all that knawing, I mean, chewing?????)

Anne Louise is also learning how to use a cup.  She LOVES drinking water from a water bottle or a cup and starts shaking with excitement anytime we let her do it.  This isn’t her FIRST time drinking out of a cup, but Joan shared her water with AL at Carrie’s birthday dinner, so we got a picture.

This weekend, she also had her FIRST ride in a shopping cart.  She loved the “new” 360 view that she had . . . much different than the old baby-in-a-bucket-horse-blinder-like view!  (love love love that cover – she especially liked it by the third store when she was worn out and literally was lying down in the cart . . . still strapped in, of course). 

A few days ago, Anne Louise also got her FIRST piggy bank.  Nana found this SUPER CUTE one and ordered it for AL.  We LOVE it.  Best of all, it came with Mama’s spare change, which Anne Louise had fun dropping into the piggy.

Unfortunately, not all the firsts have been good.  Today, we found out that Anne Louise has her FIRST ear infection.  She’s had a mild fever all weekend (we chalked that up to teething) and has been somewhat whiny (which is VERY uncharacteristic of her).  Last night, she started having this PITIFUL hacking cough, so we called the doctor.  We went in this morning, and they said she’s dealing with the tail end of a cold, but that unfortunately included an ear infection.  Here she is at the doctor’s office NOT looking very sick.  Patrick said today was a hooky day for us. 

Here she is after her FIRST dose of amoxicillin – nothing like a little pink drool!  She still hasn’t said her FIRST word (plenty of babbling though) or taken her FIRST steps (I was a late walker and, honestly, we’re hoping Anne Louise takes her time to become mobile), but she’s had lots of other firsts these past few weeks!