And we're back!

Mia says hello.

So much has happened since my last (and first) post. I am a mum now. My daughter is going to be a happy 7 month old in two days! I believe I can be forgiven for my disappearance now - I did have a valid reason. The pregnancy was eventful at times and bizarre at some others. Waking up in the middle of the night three or four times is not uncommon at all; but lying in wait to feel that one magical kick (of Reassurance) before even moving to the other side - well that is extremely, unbelievably not uncommon. But, more on the pregnancy some time later. Soon. :)

I have been busy with other things besides being pregnant and being a mom, by the way. The house is (not so much, really) functional. I am constantly restocking my pantry and have yet to establish a formula that will save me a weekly (biweekly to be more precise) visit to the grocery store. I am perfecting that one out and will update you on that soon. Have a cortexful of things to update here.

So as I was saying, my happy daughter is getting bigger everyday. How do I know she's happy? Well, a normal happy human being is supposed to smile and be friendly (read jump up and down) when they like something and make a specific sad, droopy face when they do not. Right? So yes, my baby is a person and I can say with quite some certainty that she is a happy little girl :) It was a couple of weeks ago that I began listening to people tell me that my daughter seemed to be losing weight. Fewer things are more tragic for a mother: the weight that was earned with so much effort - every ounce felt and counted - is decreasing.

After the hue and cry that I have to make for every unperfect comment I hear about Mia, my rational mind did kick in: It is impossible for a well-fed baby to lose weight. Yes she could have grown taller and shifted that weight around from her chubby thighs to her longer legs. And yes, it might be that she was gaining weight but at a slower pace than before - slowing growth rate, so to speak. My consequent trip to the doctor confirmed both. Relax, already!

Some useful tips for fattening her up: 

• Try increasing the quantity you give her as a first step. I am already giving her more than three tablespoons at one meal and she gorges it up. 
• Then increase the number of meals you give her: from one to two, two to three. At her age that is the limit, though. 
• You can also add a bit of olive oil to her cereal. 
• Also, gradually start lacing up her food with with some fruits (apple, banana and pear are great options). If you're worried she will become a sweet-tooth...please, do not. If she loves fruit when she's older, she'll be a happier person. 
• Another old-wives tale (which I have tried myself): add some butter when you're boiling rice for her.

Feed frequently and make sure she has fulfilled her caloric requirement for the day when she hits her crib at night. Most important of all: make extra effort to make her an even happier little girl.

Have fun!