Parent/Infant swim class

Tonight was our first parent/infant swim class! The water, for an indoor pool, was a lot colder than I expected but after we adjusted to the temperature we had a really good time. Akyah loves to kick her feet, play with the toys, and splash the water with her hands. We practiced jumping in the pool, swimming toward a toy, and did water activities to songs such as "Wheels on the bus." Here are a few shots from our first lesson:

All ready to go!

Akyah in action.

Sharing toys

She was so distracted by everything that was going on it was hard to get her to look at the camera

Akyah met Kaleigh & Kameron!

Akyah FINALLY got to meet her half sister and brother in California this week! Kaleigh is almost 8 and Kameron is 6, they live in Concord, CA with their mom Jessica, step-dad Vic, and younger brother Rivers who is 10 months old. I was devastated when the children weren’t told until a week before Akyah was born that they were having a baby sister and have been in agony for months desperately wanting them to meet, bond, and have a relationship. It’s my spring break and simply could not wait until the summer so we went down Monday - Wednesday. It was 79, sunny, and very hard to leave and so quickly.

Jessica and I are committed to work together to ensure the children have a good relationship. Kaleigh who once kept asking if I was going to be her step-mom now calls me “auntie Stacy” and understands that I am her friend and Akyah’s mommy. Kameron is autistic, doesn’t talk much, but knew exactly who we were and didn’t want us to leave. I already miss hearing him say, “Hi Stacy” and “Hi Akyah.” Rivers is a very happy baby who played and bonded well with Akyah.

Kaleigh, Akyah, and I had a “girls day” on Tuesday. After Kaleigh did my hair we walked to Taco Bell for lunch and then to park where we played for 2.5 hours and back at the house we made fresh squeezed orange juice popsicles and cleaned Kameron’s room to surprise him. We went to Kaleigh’s soccer practice that night and had pizza after, Kameron’s favorite!

I wish we lived closer so Akyah and I could spend more time with them- we love and miss them dearly. Kameron is really struggling right now, trying to find the right medications, and is in desperate need of therapy so we are praying for that and hope you do too.

Wednesday, before we left, we got professional pictures taken of all 4 kids and I, of course, took pictures throughout our time there. I have not scanned the professional pictures yet nor have I taken the other pictures off of my camera. I am feeling under the weather tonight but will post them soon.

Akyah's First Park Playdate

Akyah and I went to portland yesterday for a playdate with her aunt Kersten and cousins, Karter and Miles. We had such a good time. We walked to get lunch then to the park where we ate and were off to play, it was such a beautiful day all around. Akyah rode in the swing for the first time and loved it! It was really neat to see Karter, who I remember being 4 months old, running around playing. Akyah and Miles shared the swing, Miles was having an off day due to teething but Akyah kicked her feet, smiled, and giggled the whole time. Back at their house the fun continued while the kids played with toys and Akyah had some one-on-one time with her auntie. Here are quite few pictures, I got so many good ones it was hard to chose any less:

Akyah with her auntie Kersten

adorable cousins

Miles is ready for the park!

Someone asked Kersten and I if Miles and Akyah were twins?!? Cousins with chubby cheeks? Yes! Twins? No!

Karter, looking a little like Punky Bruster, having fun on the swing

Akyah having a laugh out loud good time with her aunt

Cutie Patootie

Akyah's first swing!

7 months

Akyah is 7 months and 4 days old today. We just took a little trip and to no surprise she did wonderful on the plane and I got the usual comments; "she's so cute" and "she is such a good baby." Akyah has made it through all the "Stage 1" solids with no problems and I will soon start Stage 2 but I'm in no hurry, I don't want to rush her or her digestive system. Akyah is still solely breast fed by me, I gave up on stressing about trying to make extra milk for the times she's not with me so she's formula fed during those times which isn't what I wanted but oh well.

Akyah got her first swimsuit today! I signed us up for parent/infant swimming classes starting at the end of this month so I am really excited about that. Akyah loves the water so it'll be such a joy to see her in a pool splashing around. I am also hoping to make friends with some other moms.

Speaking of firsts, Akyah fell asleep in her high chair today while she was eating lunch. Her uncle Jason and I took a couple pictures, it was really cute. I will post those pictures and some from our trip some time this weekend.