May 2nd was Sarah’s gastroenterologist appointment.  The doctor recommended that I add back everything except dairy and soy back to my diet.  She also had me collect some specimens to have tested and if they come back clear than she recommends an x-ray.

Last weekend we went to the strawberry farm and Ted and I filled a bucket while Pat and Sarah supervised.

Sarah had her first solid food on May 7th.  Ted fed her her first bite of rice cereal.

Sarah is very mobile now.  I remember Ted went through a phase where I could sit him down and he would stay right there and happily play with his toys because he was not yet crawling.  We seem to have skipped that phase with Sarah.  Any time I put her down on her back she flips right over and starts scootching away, backward.  She can do a plank and is already pushing up on her knees.

Also, she got her second bottom tooth this week.

She’s 5 months old and has a tooth now!  No solid food to use it on yet, but that’s coming up in the very near future.  She handled the teething part well, only getting a little fussy and sniffly.  She acts like she’s ready for food, and I think she’s jealous when she watches us eat.

And she weighs 15 lbs!  Fifteen pounds, 10 ounces according the the doctor.  We went to the gastroenterologist the other day to find out why she’s got some poop weirdness.  Kate’ll probably fill in the details in an upcoming weekiversery post.  Other than weird poop she’s doing great, happy and healthy.

She enjoys playing with toys – she’s got a little baby activity center that she can play with for a little while.

And she scoots around on the floor, sort of.  She can push up on her arms, and then push up on her toes and sort of inch around sideways.  I don’t think she’s in control of where she’s going, but she’s very intrigued by the idea of moving around.  It will soon be time to re-child-proof our house.

Also, five-month old Sarah continues to do a pretty great impression of five-month old Ted.

Ted recently completed his first (and second) guy’s road trip.  He and I drove to and from New England last month (while the ladies flew).  He did really well, thanks most likely to the DVD player, Leap Pad, and the free-flowing snacks.

Here’s a photo from that trip. On Easter morning Ted put the squeeze on GG.  She got him a Transformer for his birthday this year, and a hug was totally in order.  Wish he could spend more in-person time with his great-grandmoms, as their lack of of email and skype put them a little out of the loop sometimes.

The next pic was also taken at Newport Creamery, home of candy-covered pancakes and the four-year-olds who love them.  He and Jack love these pancakes so much, they suited up for the occasion (and maybe for Sarah’s baptism).

Wish we got more photos from that morning, as cousin Abigail and her parents were there, too!  Ted did pretty well for having to get up super-early Easter morning.

Forty-nine month old Ted has built up a formidable collection of cousins and step-cousins.  While visiting Grandpa and Grandma, he and Sarah squeezed in together with Sophia, Matthew, JJ, Jake, Jack and Ben.  I hope Ben always stays as happy as he is here.

Here’s Ted chillaxin with Grandpa on their back porch.  Ted got to try his first soda! He seemed to enjoy the drink, the company, and the sweet sweet cable tv they were watching.

Forty-nine month old Ted goes to a lot of birthday parties these days for his classmates.  We went to two last month and have at least two or three more upcoming.  They tend to be a at high-energy bounce house kind of places and he loves it.

He still very much likes to ride his bike, and we try to get him on it at least once or twice a week.  He’s -almost- figured out how to coast.  For a while it was either peddling or braking to a full stop.  No in-between.  Getting him to not peddle full-speed downhill has been a challenge.

When I was younger and imagined my Mom dying I always thought I would just stop functioning.  That the world would be completely dark and empty of happiness.  Now being a mom, myself, to two amazing children, I can’t deny the beauty of the world.  I can’t deny the joy they bring me.  Because of my children this is the happiest time of my life.  Because of Mom’s death this is also the worst time of my life.

How I wish she were here to meet Sarah.  And to see what Ted is like as a four year-old.  To Skype with whenever I felt like it. To celebrate holidays.  To ask her opinion.  To get her reassurance.  And just to tell her things.

I have been trying to keep her in my life, by especially noting the things she loved.  The first crocus and daffodil, parades and celebrations of all kinds, art, and especially family.  I see her in Sarah’s giggle.  In Ben’s huge smile.  In Ted’s friendliness and positive attitude.  In Jack’s leadership and devotion to family.  In Kim’s celebration of events, making everything special and Christine’s listening and advice.  I am so lucky to have these people in my life.  And of course Patrick, who helps me navigate this world.

This past weekend I got Sarah all dressed up in her baptism outfit and took a million photos.  Here are some of my favorites.

Also have to mention she sat up on her own for the first time.  Each time is less than a minute, but she is on her way!

During this time Sarah used the Exersaucer for the first time.  I also set up the Jumperoo, but she is not really into jumping yet.  We also have been sitting her in her high chair at the dinner table when we eat.  I am pretty sure she is totally ready to start actually eating with us, but we are going to wait until six months to introduce food.

She has been practicing up with a probiotic though.   I put the powder on a spoon and she eats it right up.  Her digestive woes continue.  After a very promising looking week, I tried adding wheat back in to my diet.  It didn’t go well, so I cut it back out again.  Of course I still don’t even really know if these diaper issues are allergy related or just coincidence.  May 2nd I will be taking her to a pediatric gastroenterologist.  Hopefully I will get some answers or at least some direction.

Also during this time we headed up to New England for Easter, Sarah’s 6am Baptism, and a birthday party for Ted.  Sarah got to meet tons of her family for the first time.

Staying hydrated is key.

The first day out we took it for quite a ride (while I walked/ran to keep up).   He did great, lots of peddling (something he struggled with before) and figured out how to turn and use his brakes.  He only went off the trail a few times, and got right back up.

Ted wanted a pool cake.  He got it.

Even Sarah got into the water.

Ted demands group hugs frequently: