7 Months

Movin on up in the world! I'm now fully sitting on my own and I can even stand while holding onto things.

I'm usually a very good eater and have had many yummy foods - broccoli, butternut squash, apples, sweet potatoes, peas, bananas, pears, string beans, and mango! I LOVE playing with my food on the highchair tray, and making designs with it. I also like to try to hold the spoon and feed myself. Also, I've decided to stop nursing.

Halloween was fun! I was a caterpillar. Mommy calls me her Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is one of my favorite books. My best friend David came over and he was dressed as a bear.

I have taken a new interest in Shmoopy, and when I see her I hoot and squeal. I've gotten to pet her a few times, but she mostly runs away when my hand comes near.

And finally...this past month marked my first vacation! We went to a sunny place called Puerto Rico. It was really hot there, and I really liked going in the ocean and the pool to cool off. The flight there wasn't so bad, but coming home I was really upset, and I let everyone on the plane know it!

6 Months

Happy half birthday to me! Well I've been in this world for 6 months, and what a whirlwind it's been...I've grown a ton and have learned, well, everything I know so far.

New developments:

I'm 15 lbs / 13 oz and 26" - this puts me at the 50th percentile for height and weight - a new record for me! (I was born at 10% for weight at 25% for height). The doctor said Mommy and Daddy are doing a good job :)

I've expanded my cereal repertoire: rice (my fave), oatmeal, and whole wheat (the worst). Next on the list is mixed. I've also started eating carrots! I like them mixed with my cereal, but gag on them plain (Mommy calls me a drama queen). I also like to hold a carrot while I'm eating. Also I've discovered that if I blow when the spoon gets to my mouth, I can make the cereal go everywhere and a funny noise comes out of Mommy's mouth.

I can almost sit on my own now (I may topple over once in awhile), and I feel like a big girl when I'm in my high chair. I also am very eager to stand but don't really care much about learning to crawl.

I LOVE my jumperoo - it lets me jump up and down and it makes funny noises when I do.

I like to hold my feet, and occasionally put them in my mouth. Sometimes I help Mommy out by holding my feet when she's changing my diaper.

I've discovered my tongue and the many noises it can make.

I HAVE TEETH!! 2 of them. They grew in together, bottom center teeth. right now they just feel like slivers (more like knives actually) - and oh what pain! i'm glad they are thru, now I don't ever have to worry about teething pain again....right??

5 Months!

Wow I've been busy! Lots of things to write about this past month:

Daddy and I had our first weekend home alone together while Mommy visited with friends in Ohio - Daddy did a great job of taking care of me (once he figured out how to put the diaper on...)

The next weekend was my first beach outing, and my first vacation! On Saturday we went to Point Pleasant NJ and had a really nice beach day - I napped in the shade and put my feet in the water. Then we drove down to Atlantic City where we stayed for 2 nights - my first overnight trip! I did very well sleeping in my pack & play, and I even let Mommy and Daddy have a nice dinner out by sleeping in my stroller the whole time!

On Labor Day (9/7) I had my very first taste of rice cereal! I was a little skeptical at first:
http://gallery.me.com/michael_ferrara#100286

But by now am an old pro :)
http://gallery.me.com/michael_ferrara#100315

I also started wearing my 3-6month size clothes (finally!) and have gotten a few new back-to-school outfits (see picture above).

And the best thing about turning 5 months...NO SHOTS!!

18 Weeks

OK OK so I've been slacking a little - but I've been very busy! This past Sunday was my baptism! Mommy and Daddy had a nice party for me, and although it might have been the hottest and most humid day of the year, it was a fun day. Here is a picture of me in my gown, which actually was the same one Mommy wore when she was baptised 30 years ago!

You can see all the pictures here!

I had my 4 month doctor's appointment on Monday, all went well. I weigh 13 lbs and 4 oz - still in the 50th percentile. I'm sleeping a lot better (usually from 9 to 5), providing much relief to Mommy. Hopefully I keep it up this weekend, when Daddy will have his first few nights alone with me :)

15 Weeks

This week I turn sweet 16! Weeks, that is...
We had a fun weekend, after running with Mommy yesterday we went to the Cranford pool with David and his parents - David and I both went into the water for the first time! And we both had the same reaction - didn't love it and didn't hate it. I was a little skeptical because the pool is very different than my warm bath water, but as long as I was in Mommy or Daddy's arms, it was OK.

I'm becoming quite the chatterbox lately. My favorite words are Boo, Hi, How, Me, and sometimes I just like to make cute noises that cause my parents to melt (and grab the video camera!)

School is going well, the teachers tell Mommy and Daddy that I'm a very good baby, I talk to them and smile all day long.

I'm also starting to lose my hair!! No one told me this would happen, I hope my Big Girl Hair is red also...

14 Weeks

It's official - I finally slept through the night! Last night I went to bed at 9 and didn't wake up until Mommy came to get me at 5. They are hoping I continue to repeat that pattern now, but only I know for sure...

Daycare is going very well, I'm becoming the teacher's pet. When I'm not sleeping or eating, I am smiling and talking up a storm. I'm sitting in the Bumbo seat more and more, which helps me hold my head up. They tried to put me in the Exersaucer but I did NOT like it one bit - maybe in a few weeks. Also this weekend we did an at-home photoshoot - I'm becoming quite the little ham for the camera!

Today was Daddy's first day back at work, he's feeling better but still not 100%. I hope he gets better soon! While he was home he made another video - back by popular demand, the sequel to the #1 smash hit, Welcome Mia Felicia, I give you: Mia's First Trimester Outside:

http://gallery.me.com/michael_ferrara#100220

Enjoy!

13 Weeks

I'll be updating the blog on the weekends now, because...I started daycare! My first week was fun but exhausting - I made lots of new friends and played with new toys. Each night when I came home I was pooped! It was also Mommy's first full week back at work, and she was pooped also. Daddy has been home recovering from his back injury, and the doctor said he has one more week at home before he goes back to work. He's doing much better and even has taken me for a few walks down the block, which I'm always up for. This picture was from our walk today.
So daycare is going well, besides the fact that I have diaper rash again. They forgot to use my Desitin the first day, and then it just got worse from there. But they are taking good care of me and changing my diaper almost every hour which keeps my bottom very clean!

12 Weeks

Daddy finally got discharged from the hospital on Friday, which made me very happy because I missed him so much! He is improving more each day, and following up with visiting nurses, physical therapy, and doctor visits. Grandma came again on Monday to stay with us and to help Mommy, now that she has 2 babies to take care of! Today (Wed) was Mommy's first day back at work - she did a good job and didn't cry, I'm so proud of her! We'll see what happens when I start daycare on Monday...

11 Weeks

This is gonna be a short one. Daddy has been in the hospital since Friday because he has 2 herniated discs in his lower back. He is in a lot of pain and has been on bedrest because he could not move from the pain. Each day gets better tho - today he walked down the hall 3 times! Grandma came to stay with me from Friday-Tuesday while Mommy stayed with Daddy at the hospital. Then on Tuesday I got to visit Daddy in the hospital for the first time - I missed him so much! I was very happy to see him. We went today also, and Mommy tells me we'll go each day until he gets discharged (hopefully soon!)

10 Weeks

On Friday we went to visit KinderCare, my new school where I will be going every day starting 7/20. Mommy and Daddy thought it would be a good idea for me to have a week of half days before going for full days, so on 7/27 I'll start full-time. I'm a big girl now!

On Saturday we went to Grammy and Opa's where I met my Uncle Harry, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Ziggy, and cousins Jeremy and Lily for the first time, and got to see Aunt Laura, Jack and Joe again too! Also I got to wear my bikini for the first time at the pool! Mommy put my feet in the water but I did NOT like it one bit - it was way too cold! I'll stick to my warm baths instead...

On Tuesday Mommy hosted a lunch for 7 local moms and their babies, all new friends for me! There were 3 baby girls and 3 baby boys (all born within a few months of each other), and a toddler who may end up babysitting us all someday :)

I'm still growing fast - finally wearing 0-3 month clothing! And one day my eyelashes were longer, the next day they curled up! Now my eyes are even more beautiful, and making Mommy very jealous...

Click here for week 10 photos

9 Weeks

Well we had a busy week again! Sunday was our first Father's Day so we celebrated with my very first Mets game! Daddy was able to snag some really great seats right behind home plate with access to a private lounge and everything! We sat near J.Lo and Marc Anthony, who were admiring me from afar - I'm so cute that even celebrities want to meet me...

In other news, I had my 2 month checkup with Dr.Panza - happy to report that I'm now a whopping 10 lbs 7 oz! That means I went from the 10th percentile to the 50th for weight - Mommy's been doing a great job of fattening me up. I'm 21 " tall and my head circumference is 15" - both 25th percentile. I also got my first shots at this appointment - 3 of them! But I was a trooper and only cried for a minute.

click here for week 9 photos

8 Weeks

Yesterday was my 8 week birthday! Daddy got a new camera for Fathers Day (early present) and has been taking pictures like crazy - just when I thought I couldn't possibly be photographed any more! I'm starting to smile more and make funny faces because I know how much my parents love it. I am also playing more, I especially love my Baby Einstein activity gym - the sun mesmerizes me with its colors and tunes.

On Saturday we went to David's house for a BBQ, and I met more friends of Mommy and Daddy's from PSU. On Sunday I went to church for the first time, and was a very good girl! I especially like the music, and I even liked it in Mommy's belly!

On Tuesday we went to Hoboken to spend the day with Sierra and her mommy Cheryl. We went to baby yoga which was lots of fun! I want Mommy to take me to yoga more often now. On Wednesday Grandma and Great Aunt Carol came for a visit, we went for a walk through the park and I spent the rest of the day eating and sleeping.

Click here for week 8 photos

7 Weeks

Another busy week of meeting people! This weekend I met my Aunt Laura and cousins Jack and Joe, and I got to see Grammy and Opa again. On Sunday I met Eileen, another one of mommy and daddy's friends who is pregnant - I was good practice for her. Then that night we went to my first Irish pub - I was a good girl while mommy and daddy had a much-needed date. On Tuesday I met a new friend Scarlett who is 2 weeks younger than me, and the first baby I've met who is actually smaller than me! On Wednesday mommy and I went to Rockin Joe's again in town to meet up with David and his mommy, and another new friend Eli and his mommy.

I'm starting to act like a real baby now! I'm able to smile and coo, and I now prefer my arms to be free of the swaddle. My hair is still light brown with reddish highlights, and my eyes are becoming a pretty grey color with some brown flecks. I just started wearing size 1 diapers and I'm not quite yet sleeping through the night - unless 4 hours counts as 'the night'??

Click here for Week 7 pictures

6 Weeks

Well it's official - I'm 6 weeks old! That means Mommy can take me places like the grocery store, Babies R Us, and church. We had a busy week - Grandma and Grandpa stayed over this weekend to watch me while Mommy and Daddy went to their friends' (Cori and Tyler) wedding. Then on Sunday my parents' friends all came over to meet me, including my San Diego friend Ellie (4 months old) and her parents.

On Tuesday I went to the doctor for my diaper rash, he gave me a prescription ointment so hopefully that will clear it up. While we were there I also got weighed - 8 lb 14 oz!

Wednesday was my 6 week birthday. To celebrate, Mommy and I went to lunch in town with my new friend Sierra (who is 1 week older than me) and her mommy Cheryl and David (who is 1 month older than me) and his mommy Lauren.

In 6 weeks I've come a long way and my parents are very proud. The other night I went 5 hours between feedings, I'm about to outgrow my first set of onesies and am almost ready for size 1 diapers! Life is good...

click here for week 6 pics

5 Weeks

Mia here. Now that I'm 5 weeks old I decided to take over the blog duties since Mommy's been slacking.

Things have been going well, I'm eating a ton and gaining weight which makes my parents happy. Last night Mommy stepped on the scale with me and it said I weigh 9.5 lbs! We'll see if that's accurate...

I've also been sleeping better during the night, sometimes giving my parents 4 hours between feedings! I know that's generous of me - I
figured, why not cut them some slack?

Right now I have this awful diaper rash, and Mom keeps laying me down half naked so it can heal, but I'm not a fan. Hopefully the Triple Paste will work. Not fun having these open sores down there...

Here are some links to my recent photos:
Week 4
Week 5

Introducing Mia Felicia Ferrara

3 weeks ago, a little angel named Mia Felicia came into our world...17 days earlier than expected. But after 2 weeks of bed rest and a 48 hour labor induction, we were more than ready for her!

Mia and Mommy on our first Mother's Day

View the very first photos here:
http://gallery.me.com/michael_ferrara#100033

And if you haven't seen the video montage that Daddy put together, be sure to check it out as well:
http://gallery.me.com/michael_ferrara#100041


Mia and Daddy on Mother's Day


We've had a wonderful 3 weeks together so far. It was a bit scary at first when we came home from the hospital because we couldn't get the breastfeeding thing down and so the little peanut (5 lb 12 oz at birth) was not eating and was losing more weight than she should have been.

So Mommy started pumping and now little Mia is gulping down bottles like a champ. At her 2 week doctor's visit she weighed in at a whopping 6.5 lbs!! And her appetite just keeps increasing - the plan was to move from feeding her every 2 hours to every 3 hours, however that plan has not yet been approved by Mia as she still wants to eat every 2 hours, no matter how much we give her.

And Mommy and Daddy couldn't be happier...

36 Weeks

Had another ultrasound Monday that showed the bed rest is working! The amniotic fluid has increased which is a good sign, and they will measure the baby in another 2 weeks (they need 3 weeks to see a difference). So it looks like a few more weeks of bed rest for me, and then they might induce at 39 weeks or so.

For now I am trying to be patient, babying myself and trying to eat well and drink as much water as possible, and trying to enjoy this time like everyone keeps telling me, because 'I'll never get it back'...

On Sunday we had a little fun and did a 'professional' maternity photo shoot (DIY style), thought I'd share some of my faves here. I think someone found a new hobby...this is practice for when the little one arrives!

Bed Rest

On Tuesday I had an ultrasound in the morning, and that night I got a call from the doctor saying that the baby's belly measurement is a bit on the small side (still within normal tho) and so they put me on bed rest.

This all came as a shock of course, but I'm realizing this is really baby's way of telling me to just chill out and take care of him or her :) Plus now I can finally read these baby books that have been overwhelming me...

Also my doctor said depending on how things go they might induce me early - so Baby Ferrara may be making his or her debut sooner than we expected!

35 Weeks

This weekend marked not only 35 weeks (5 to go!) but also my 30th birthday, and it was a perfect birthday weekend indeed! On Saturday the girls decided to come to NJ to take me to lunch which was very thoughtful and very much appreciated! (and yummy)

Saturday night we hung out with Cori and Tyler and went to see baby David (and Lauren and Dan too :) which was also very fun.




Then on Sunday afternoon we hopped in the car and drove down to AC where we stayed at the beautiful Borgata hotel. Had a nice surprise (peonies!) waiting for me in the room, courtesy of my dear hubby, followed by a ridiculously delicious dinner and some money lost at the roulette table...

34 Weeks

6 weeks to go!!

This week my belly dropped which has brought a slight relief from the heartburn and constant panting, however bladder capacity has now shrunken significantly.


Forgot to mention another highlight of last week - the arrival of Cranbaby! Baby David Aulson was born on 3/21 weighing 9 lbs! We got to meet him the very next day, and Baby Ferrara was kicking like crazy when I held David. Not sure if that was jealousy or excitement about a new best friend.

33 Weeks

This weekend was our Long Island baby shower at Aunt Laura's house, where Baby Ferrara was spoiled once again! Thanks to everyone for coming (especially those who traveled from afar) and for your tremendous generosity - this kid already has a full wardrobe (Mets gear included)! And of course thanks to Grammy, Aunt Laura and Aunt Jenny for a wonderful shower of love :)

32 Weeks

This weekend was full of nesting-type activities...
We put together the swing and bouncer which look lovely in our living room - just waiting to come home to find Shmoopy curled up in one of them...

The nursery is coming along nicely and has become somewhat of a sanctuary for me, with bright sunlight and warm cheery colors.
Thanks to all the wonderful shower gifts, Baby Ferrara will want for nothing! (Note adorable frog humidifier)

Belly's getting up there as the weeks go by. Lots of intense kicking, occasional rib action, and daily heartburn from Baby Ferrara.

I have one correction on my previous comment re: chivalry. Two men have given me their seats on the subway - one didn't speak English and the other wore a Penn State sweatshirt. So apparently chivalry does exist, provided you are not American or an American who went to Penn State...

31 Weeks

It's official - Baby Ferrara is the luckiest baby in the world, getting 3 baby showers! After the office shower weeks ago, the next was this weekend at Grandma Ferrara's house in PA. Froggies everywhere, we played games, ate and opened many presents! Thank you so much to everyone who was there, your presence meant a lot and we are overwhelmed by your generosity...
PS-Don't forget to take the new poll to the left - will Baby Ferrara be a Nittany Lion quarterback or cheerleader?