Leslie's First Solids

We gave Leslie her first solid food yesterday afternoon.  We started with a multigrain cereal and she seemed to really like it.  At first she was a bit confused, but once she figured out she liked it, she started sort of lunging for each bite.  It was funny and cute.  And she made a huge mess.  Here are two videos and a bunch of pictures of the fun:

Swimming Daniel

On Saturday we went to a friend's birthday party at the pool.  Leslie and I hung out on the side, but Daniel got a new puddle jumper and the boost to his confidence in swimming was amazing!  He started out still wanting Daddy to hold his hands, but after a while, his independence took off!  There was a current that helped push him along.  Daddy called it the "fast lane" and once Daniel heard that, he was really excited!  It's kind of hard to tell in the video, but his feet aren't touching the bottom at all.

We had beautiful weather this weekend and Daniel wanted to play outside.  He spent most of the time riding his Ziggle.  He's getting really good with it, going faster and trying to get it to spin out.  It's a blast to watch him!

Video and Picture Updates

Recently, Leslie starting "blowing raspberries."  She mimics us well as you'll see in this video:

Daniel also continues to make his sister laugh.  This video shows how well the two of them "play" together and that contagious belly laugh Leslie has:

We also broke out the jumperoo for Leslie.  She liked it, but I don't think it will be too long before she'll love it!

Leslie celebrated her first St. Patrick's Day in style (and we managed to find a shirt with some green stripes for Daniel too):

NC/SC Trip

We just returned home from a wonderful trip spending time with family in South Carolina and going to Uncle Matt and Aunt Heidi's wedding in North Carolina.  We stayed with Grandmommy and Dondon and had a great time at their house.  Daniel helped do laundry every day and Leslie was, for the most part, our happy, easy-going baby.

Helping Grandmommy cook dinner - Daniel LOVES to cook now

We were also able to see and spend time with Great Granddaddy and Great Grandmommy.  This was particularly special because it was their first time meeting Leslie.

Leslie meeting Great Grandmommy for the first time

Playing with Great Granddaddy's remote controlled chair

We saw even more family at Uncle Matt and Aunt Heidi's wedding.  It was great to be able to be there to celebrate their special day and to spend time with everyone.

Daniel wasn't particularly thrilled to have his picture taken

Meeting cousins Alivia and Anya

Daniel playing with cousins Bennett and Oliver

Cousins everywhere!

Overall, the kids were amazing travelers.  They put up with an awful lot (canceled flight on the way home, 9 hours in an airport, etc) and were troopers through all of it.  They traveled so well that we are eager for our next trip!

I should also mention that while we were there, our baby girl turned 5-months old.  Wow...that went fast!

Picture and Video Update

A big event at the Gilliam household - until now, Daniel hasn't been interested in holding Leslie.  (I think he may have been a little nervous.)  Today that changed!  Here are the first pictures of Daniel holding Leslie!

A week or so ago we got the most snow we've had all season (about 2 inches).  As we're now embracing Daniel's desire to play in the snow, here are a few photos of the fun:

Daniel's first sledding experience

Daniel's first hot cocoa (yes, out of a shot glass... otherwise I think he would have downed the whole mug)... he loved it!

Leslie usually cries when she wakes up, but almost always, as soon as you go in, she is all smiles and so happy to see you:

Other happenings:

Daniel was very compliant but didn't love getting his haircut

Another picture of our happy baby girl

Daniel is learning how to use scissors

His tracing skills are quite good

TA DA!

Ring Ring

Two Things

Daniel, Leslie, and I were watching some TV yesterday morning.  Leslie was in my lap and Daniel was sitting next to me.  I looked down to see them holding hands.  So sweet!

And yesterday evening, Daniel wrote his name all by himself for the first time!