Strong like ox

Petra continues to grow like crazy, and she's already tired of this sitting up thing- it's so last week. Now when we hold out are hands so she can pull herself upright, she continues on up until she is standing, only using our fingers to balance! To give her the strength she needs for all her standing, she is eating solid foods like they are going out of style. She'll plow through half an avocado in a sitting, sweet potatoes and carrots like crazy. The only thing we've found that nearly makes her gag are bananas (which daddy's not too crazy about either).

And it was a busy week for foods. Our good friend Vicky was in town to meet and greet Petra, so we did a lot of eating out- Sierra Bonita cafe (Avocado for Petra), the Magic Carpet (squash), Loteria Grill (calabacitas, black beans, papas con rajas), and the cafe at the Getty Villa (more avocado). Essentially, she got a little of whatever we were having, and she liked it. I'm starting to think that she might even prefer the solid foods to boob, but then only the boob can soothe her when she really melts down.

Vicky's visit also prompted an outing to the newly remodeled Getty Villa to see the remodel, the antiquities, and the "Antiquity & Photography" show curated by my friend Claire Lyons (et al.). The Villa is (and always was) gorgeous, and the renovations are (for the most part) an improvement to the site. Petra was an absolute doll for the whole trip. She slept in the car on the way there, and in the stroller for the first 1/2 hour of the visit. Then she was great in the Bjorn, and happy and giggly all through lunch. She only got a little fussy once, and then a little boob put her right to sleep for the rest of the trip. It IS possible to visit a museum with a baby! We won't be completely without culture.

This week I started putting Petra down for her naps in the bassinet, as the first step towards getting her to sleep on her own. She conks out at the end of a bottle, and has been sleeping well for her morning nap (she isn't as easy in the afternoons, but I did get her to sleep a couple of times). Our goal is to get her sleeping flat, alone, in time for when she starts child care in 2 weeks. Lofty goal. Wish us luck!