Miss Independent

We had a big party for Independence Day. All of the residents and their families came over and we grilled and played. Some kids even swam in the pool. Don't worry about the ugly tent, Mommy and Daddy hung an Iowa State flag to counteract it to some degree. The tent would be so much more attractive if the black was replaced with red. I can't wait until I'm big enough to blow bubbles!
I played in my exersaucer and looked at all of the exciting new sights.
Mommy took some pictures of me in my special outfit from Grandma D. I was really telling her something interesting. She was proud of how well I sat on my own. I crawled around and looked at the TV in fascination. Daddy got more HD channels yesterday.
I love feet. Maybe I'll be a podiatrist someday. I sucked on Mommy's toe this morning while she was pumping mommy milk for me. She giggled.
This is my in serious need of some kissins face.
Mommy had planned on trying to take me to watch the fireworks, but she fell asleep with me at about 8:30. So did Daddy and we all woke up at 10:30. They took me up to bed and we all slept until about 6:30. Mommy enjoyed getting more than 7 hours of sleep.We haven't been doing a whole lot today. Daddy is in fixing a mandible fracture (AKA broken jaw). Some guy was probably minding his own business after having a few beers and some other guy hit him out of nowhere. That's how it usually happens. Daddy has lots of work to do today, but he has the day off again tomorrow.

Special Day

I got to go visit Daddy and hang out with him during lunch today. It was so fun to see him on a Wednesday! Mommy went to meet her friend and her baby named Issac. She said he's gorgeous and such a special little boy. I'm about six times as big as him right now, but he'll catch up to me someday. I can't wait until he's out of the NICU and we can meet. I fell asleep while Mommy was eating with Kim, much to Mommy's relief. For some reason she thinks it's easier to talk when I'm not requiring any attention.

In other news, I've slept the last two nights without being swaddled. I slept extremely well last night (from about 8:30pm-6:30am with minor fussing at around 10pm that didn't require any assistance). Mommy is going to pack away the SwaddleMe blankets and invest in more Halo sacks.

Daddy has the 4th of July off of work for the first time since he started his residency. He's glad to not be on call since they're usually really busy on the 4th. We're having a party at our house for the OMFS residents and families so it's going to be a big day.

Naked Night

Mommy and Daddy repurposed this picnic blanket. It feels great to air out. I asked Mommy to edit the goods.This is the first picture taken of me sitting up without my arms on the ground for support. Oops! Who needs dignity?I did my best to roll off the blanket. It's a soft fleece so it felt good. I crept toward Mommy in an attempt to grab the camera.
I'm beautiful and I know it.Aren't you done taking pictures yet?The big finish!

Half Birthday

I had a fabulous half birthday yesterday. I was in a great mood since I got plenty of sleep. In fact, I've slept well for the last three nights. Mommy is convinced it was a growth spurt that was causing the problems because I'm back to my normal behavior and personality again. The highlight of yesterday was my afternoon nap. I took a two hour nap nestled in my daddy's arms. I love to give him snuggles. Plus, I can sleep better with him than with Mommy because he doesn't make me hungry.

Mommy tried to take some pictures of me to commemorate my day, but I was moving really fast. It made for some interesting photos. I was up on all fours. Later on I even crawled a tiny bit. I have a feeling I'll be able to move much faster once I master this crawling thing.

I always try to reach out to the camera. I love to have my picture taken. I was in the process of creeping/doing the army crawl in this picture.
I was moving so fast that my head got out of the frame. Hehehe
I crawled over to the bottom of my jumperoo. I figured they'd get the hint that way.
I had loads of fun in my jumperoo. Mommy thinks my new faces are hilarious. I just started sticking my tongue out at her all the time yesterday. She laughed all during supper.
My gift from Mommy was to get two meals yesterday. Now I get a morning and an afternoon solids meal. I love food! She doesn't feel guilty for feeding me anymore now that I'm six months old and the AAP recommends solids for babies 6 months and older. The only reason she fed me earlier was because it was what my doctor recommended.

Mommy said that I should tell people what I can do these days for the record:

-I can keep my head level with my body when I'm pulled to sitting.

-I can say "ah-goo" or similar vowel-consonant combinations and babble combining vowels and consonants like ma-ma-ma and da-da-da.

-I can bear some weight on my legs when I'm held upright.

-I can sit without support (although I usually try to fall over so I can go exploring).

-I can turn in the direction of a voice.

-I can razz, squeal, and bark.

-I can stand if someone holds my hands.

-I get annoyed and react when someone takes away a toy (or remote or other electronics).

-I can work to get a toy that's out of reach. That's my favorite thing to do!

-I look for dropped objects. I especially enjoy dropping things off of my food chair.

-I can pass objects from one hand to the other.

-I could probably feed myself if Mommy would let me. I feed myself fists of dog hair at times.

-I can creep.

-I can be pulled up to standing from sitting by my hands. I insist on it at times.

So that's what I can do developmentally these days. Mommy had me go down the list on "What to Expect the First Year" and I can do almost everything it lists as possible for my age. Go me!

I'm Back!

My evil twin officially left yesterday afternoon. I had a nice long nap on Mommy's lap (Mommy slept too) and then we did some retail therapy. I love to go shopping! There are so many interesting things to see and so many strangers to talk to.

Here's a picture Mommy took of Fussy McGrumpy Pants. Doesn't she look like loads of fun?

I was so happy after we got home from the mall.Mommy wants to show off her great bargains. She got tons of stuff with coupons, gift cards, and sales and spent less than $100. All of the clothes for me are for when I'm bigger. She finally got a strainer to help with her baby food making endeavors.Yes, you're seeing things correctly. Not only that, but Mommy had 20% off her entire purchase so that made each piece of this outfit $.80.

I slept for 10 hours straight last night. Mommy and Daddy gave each other five this morning when they woke up at 6:30 and realized that everyone got a good night's sleep. I did fuss in my bed for a few minutes last night right after I got put in my crib, but no one came to my rescue and I settled down all by myself. My parents would love to be able to put me to bed awake every night so that was pretty great. Mommy was also able to make a bunch of milk this morning since I didn't eat off of her all through the night. That made her very happy! It's going to be a good day.

Fussy McGrumpy Pants

Hi all. This is Mina's evil twin posting for her today. My name is Fussy McGrumpy Pants. I take 20 minute naps maximum, cry if Mommy has her shirt on, let out stinky toots, fill up my pants with vile human waste, and generally spread misery. I also enjoy biting while nursing and refuse to sleep in the bed alone. I don't enjoy going on walks outside in the stroller. All of my toys are frustrating and deserve to be yelled at. My feet hurt from kicking everything in sight. Every laugh will turn into a cry if you don't maintain eye contact with me. I'm still incredibly cute and Mommy loves me just as much as my sweet twin, but I'm much more difficult to deal with.

Seriously, it stinks to be teething, going through a growth spurt, and learning how to manipulate both physically and emotionally all at the same time. Mommy feels bad for me. She wishes she could make me happy, but so far, it's just not happening. She also wishes she could get more sleep at night since it's been a while since she's gotten more than a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Sure, I don't make her get up every time, but I wake her up in the middle of the night just the same. I can't help it that I feel yucky though. Daddy was on call last night and he had to help out for a while. Poor Daddy is probably even more tired than Mommy. They need to figure out whether to attempt to sleep train me now that I'm old enough. Mommy hates to hear me cry, but she can't be as good of a mommy when she's grumpy and exhausted.

We took a few pictures while we were away. I showed off my army crawling to the family. My knees are carpet burned! I'm wearing my baby legs every day now to protect them.

Here's a picture of Leif looking like I looked last night (only he's about half my size).The original baby hog, hard at work.

If anyone hears from Mina, then please send her back to her mommy. She's getting sick of the grumpy version of her sweet girl.

Challenge Schmallenge

My internet was down all day so I couldn't get the blog updated. It's probably some residual flood issues or something.

Mommy had a lot of fun with me yesterday afternoon. It all started when I played on my new towel. She took some pictures of me as usual and then decided to challenge me to crawl. I've been army crawling or doing the inch worm better and better every day. Either that or I roll wherever I want to go.My biggest incentive is the remote control. I love it as you can clearly see!I squirm around just to get closer to it. Sometimes I push it forward and then inch my way after it.
Mommy decided it would be fun to take away my favorite toy to see if I could crawl and roll my way towards it. This was pretty close to my starting position. I already started moving as soon as she took away the remote.

The first phase was to roll off the towel. I played peek-a-boo for a little bit, but then I was able to get over the edge.
Next, I rolled towards the entertainment center so I would be able to get some leverage with my legs.
Once there, I just needed to push off with my legs and inch forward.
Piece of cake!
Sweet victory!

I was pleased to make goofy faces for Mommy while I did my victory wiggle. This is flirty face! Mommy had to take a brief break to give me some smooches.
I reached for her because I hadn't had enough kisses. Plus, I love the remote, cell phone, and camera. They're the best toys!
I thought she might relent and let me play with the camera if I gave her a really cute look.
Later on, Mommy caught me in action in the crawl position. It's blurry because I was moving quickly and Mommy didn't want to miss it. It's cool to have my tummy in the air.
Daddy and Mommy took me on a walk once Daddy got home from work. I take after my mom with my love for sitting strangely.

This morning I crawled around and managed to put on Daddy's tie while Mommy was getting herself some breakfast. Mommy thinks she might need to get the Pack 'n Play out again to use as a baby prison since I move quickly these days. I tried to wrap myself in the lamp cord, but Mommy got to me too fast to do a thorough job.
Mommy is still making my food for me at home. She made winter squash (butternut to be exact) while Grandma H was visiting. Isn't it beautiful? So far I've had rice cereal, sweet potatoes, bananas, avocado, peaches, and squash. I'll probably get some sort of fruit next.
I was very interested in the squash this morning. Grandma H gave me a small sample the other day, but this was my first squash meal.
Delicious! Good job, Mommy!
Mommy is taking me to FD tomorrow because she has a funeral to attend. "Uncle" James' mom died yesterday. She went way too young and was such a warm, kind, fun, classy woman according to my parents. She'll be missed by many! Daddy and Mommy spent many happy days at the cabin at Twin Lakes and she always made them feel so welcome. I never got to meet Mary Ann because she was too sick when we were going to visit. Cancer sucks.

-

Mommy just found out that her friend, Kim, had her baby at 31 weeks yesterday. She asks you to keep Kim and her tiny baby boy in your thoughts.