Happy Holidays

Every other week, a special lady comes to play with me for a few hours. She has great ideas on how to play with babies. She taught Mommy how to help me extend my reach using objects around the house. Instead of just sitting the toys in front of me on the floor, she said to hang them off of my mini-crib.

I am looking a little puzzled on this one

I think I know what Mommy wants

I got it!

Dearest Little Friend,

Mornings will never be the same at daycare. You were there when I tasted rice cereal for the first time. When I learned to sit up, you were there cheering me on and smiling. RIP, my little friend. You will always be my first "boy-friend." We will play together again one day!

Carter Richardson Hampton

March 19, 2010 to December 1, 2010

Homegoing December 8, 2010

Did you know that November is Prematurity Awareness Month? Well, I could tell you a few facts on preemies in general:

• we are little survivors with big missions,
• we are pint-sized fighters, and
• we are darn cute!

And then share a few facts about fabulous ME:

• born at 28.3 weeks,
• stayed in the LaNICU Hotel and Spa for two months,
• supreme raspberry blower at 7.5 months!

Kiss a preemie soon!

that I am going to surf one day!

Prunes and raspberries. Pureed prunes and blowing raspberries. Blowing raspberries while eating pureed prunes.

I think Mommy is going to have to get me a new baby-docking station. I am outgrowing this one.

Happy Halloween!

the interior costume . . .

the exterior costume . . .

the loot . . .

the loot catcher . . .

Pie anyone?

I'm so fly, I got Uggs
So that's good enough reason to buy the things I buy
I'm so fly, I'm on point
And I could tell that your jealous just by the look in your eye
And when I crawl by
I don't care, E-Wangari's going straight to the top this year
Preemie, I'm so fly, I got Uggs
So that's good enough reason to buy the things I buy

I want to personally thank God, my Moms, and all my Preemie-Unit fans. A big shout out and thank you to C-Kidd for my fly-diaper Uggs.

Happy Friday! Mommy took this photo this morning at school. She took the picture right before my morning breakfast of organic rice cereal with apples and a few pureed pears.

With three dogs in the house, I have learned to keep what is important to me close by when asleep.

Hey Ella Girl,

God has blessed you to be beautiful and healthy and bring 6 months of Love, we are so happy you are getting stronger everyday. You have work to do (tire out YO Mama), keep up the good work.—Love You Auntie C

Dear Wangari,

Congratulations on your 6-month birthday cutie pie! Hope you are having a fun day with your playmates at Daycare and that mommie has something special for you at home! Sophie and I are looking forward to your growing big and strong and to our future playdates!

We are blowing kisses your way!!!!

R and S (also a March baby :)

"Happy 1/2 Birthday Ella Wangari!"

Your namesake, Dr. Wangari Maathai was a warrior. She was a strong woman of many firsts. The first East African woman to receive a PhD and the first African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. Her birthday is April 1st, just days after yours (you both are Aries). You, little Mama are a warrior too. A fighter from birth. On this your 1/2 birthday, I just want to let you know that you have accomplished more than some people have in a lifetime---and you are just getting started!!!! Continue to grow and thrive, and know that you are surrounded by many who love you. Hope to see you on your first birthday!!!"

Love, your TT

S

Happy Half Birthday to Me!

I am six months old today! Yea! Over the past half year, I have survived (or am fighting) a level II intraventricular bleed, chronic lung disease, hypertension, bilateral clonus, plagiocephaly, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, blood transfusions, and being licked and sniffed by three doggies.

Mommy's Little Warrior Girl

No More Carrots, Please!

I am a big girl now!

Yes, I am tickled pink!

my first playdate was tons of fun!

My little friend came over on Saturday for our first playdate. Check out our hip little dresses with tights and baby legs.

Mommy and I went for a nice walk with my little playmate Saturday. We stopped at our neighbors house to admire his hard work. Do you like my snazzy little baby legs?

Mommy made this for me last night to help protect me from the chilly mornings.

that smiles are great!

Mommy should let a sista get some sleep!

Mommy bought me a pair of really fancy pants yesterday. She couldn't wait to put them on me this morning. She even dressed me before she took her shower.

my big girl bed, my big girl bed, my own big girl bed

don't cha wish your crib was cute like mine

don't cha wish your bed was cute like mine

don't cha, don't cha

that my new crib at the new babycare is nice!

that we both need a little sleep!

My very tall uncle Arinett came to see me this summer. Here he is looking rather silly.

that you should keep your good friends close

that I am a little hot Mama in my bathing suit*

* and Mommy is rather boobilicious too!

Today I went for my first child development appointment at the hopsicle. The docs said that I am doing very well for my adjusted age (almost two months) and that I shouldn't need a physical therapist or occupational therapist. They do want Mommy to give me tons of tummy time but no tv, dvds or videos (oh well, i guess I won't be tuning in to the new season of Glee this fall) and to continue giving me boobie milk.

Weight: 9 pounds 14 ounces

that I am bubblicious indeed!

Sweet Potatoes Rule!

My Mommy tried a few spoonfuls of organic sweet potatoes with my milkie-milkie the other day. Despite what the photos show, I did swallow a few of them.

that this activity mat is cool!

My Mommy puts me on my activity mat in the morning. I love to grap at my "forest of rings" and my friend, Beatrice Butterfly.

my namesake is a Warrior-Queen!

Wangari Muta Maathai (born April 1, 1940 in Ihithe village, Tetu division, Nyeri District of Kenya) is a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastics College and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights. In 2004 she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” Maathai was an elected member of Parliment and served as Assistant Minister for Environment and National Resources in the government of President Mwai Kibaki between January 2003 and November 2005.*

*Taken from the Wikipedia website. For more information on this phenomenal lady go to www.greenbeltmovement.org

Yes, I can*

-Life one leg in the air when I pass gas.

-Smile when my Mommy makes funny faces.

-Not blink an eye nor shed a tear when my doctor gives me a shot in the leg.

-Roll from my back to my tummy.

-Travel to places far and wide in my mini crib when placed on my tummy.

-Eat a third of a jar of organic sweet potato baby food.

*Tagline co-opted from my favorite POTUS' political campaign.

"The Cupcake"

throwback Thursdays are here!

This used to be a jumpsuit down to my ankles in the NICU but now Mommy can't even get it snapped around my thighs. Wow, look how much I have grown.

I am contemplating great things.

my Mommy should be ashamed of herself!

Mommy, you should be punished . . . for not helping a "sista" out. You know what I was trying to do.

Wangari

today is a good day to send a few burp-outs!

Burp-outs? They are like shout-outs but since I can't send a real "holla" to my preemie pals yet, I will send a few burp-outs. Right now, there are two things that I am good at, burping and passing gas. Burp-outs are much better than the alternative, don't cha think? So, here goes . . . I would like to send a special burp-out to:

-my special Care Bear nurse friend who always checks my blog

-my special "Angel" who sent Mommy those nice pictures of me on her iPhone

-my nurse pal "Toinette" who took the first pictures of me nursing.

Burrrp!

waking up is hard!

Dearest Mommy,

Please let me sleep. I am perfectly satisfied savoring the scents from my diaper.

Wangari

Cupcakes are coming. Cupcakes are coming. Check your mail for your strawberry and chocolate cupcakes.

throwback Thursdays are the bomb.

Ok, Ok, it isn't Thursday but Mommy broke her camera and she is just getting around to posting these pictures. Well, here is a picture of me in one of my preemie outfits. Throwback Thursdays show how far that I have come on my journey. Look how big this shirt was on me in the NICU.

I am back! Mommy broke her camera, BAD MOMMY, BAD MOMMY, and had to get a new one. I think she shed a few tears when she gave the nice man her debit card. Oh, well, it is for a good cause--so she can take pictures of ME!

P.S. Send my Mommy a little love. She has an ear infection and doesn't want to take any medicine since she is nursing.

Hey,

Check out the sneak peek of my baby photos (3) at www.galhousephotography.blogspot.com. Scroll down in the blog until you see my pictures, I am the June 22, 2010 entry.

Wangari, AKA The Cupcake

that mornings are wonderful!

Mommy took this short video of me practicing my Tai Chi in the morning.

Weight: 7 pounds 6 ounces

Length: 20.75 inches

Dear Mommy,

As many people have told you over the last few months, your life is not your own once you have children. So, please wait until I am finished nursing to eat your roast beef sandwich. I really don't appreciate you licking the barbecue sauce off of my forehead and thigh. Yea, yea, I know you promised me that I would get a taste of it tomorrow but can't you wait until AFTER I am finished with the boob.

Sincerely,

Wangari

P.S. Please change my Onesie, the barbecue sauce stain isn't cute.

that Mommy adores me!

Mommy held me close today and whispered my birth story in my ear. She told me how much she loves me and how scared she was when she went into premature labor. Mommy shared with me all of the emotions she felt on March 27th. She told me that I came into the world on the right and perfect day. We will celebrate my birthday with the world on March 27th but June 16th is our special day. She then kissed my little cheeks and told me that she will always be there for me.

P.S. Today is also the day of the child in Africa. We shall remember it together.

that today is the day that I graduate!

Goodbye gestational age, and hello world. Mommy told me that her formal due date, like I know what that means, is today--June 16th. After today, my adjusted age will start. So, I will be one day old tomorrow in adjusted age. I think that is how it goes anyway.

that I am getting a little fat roll

Yay! This is the start of something good.