Month 6

Our little model

Silly girl!

Dear Reese,

Happy 1/2 Birthday! This has been the best 6 months of our lives...hands down! Thanks for all the memories, lessons, and smiles you have given us so far in your life. We feel so blessed to wake up to your beautiful face every morning!

You've spent this entire month hanging out with mommy, since she has the summer off. Both you and mommy are completely spoiled. I don't even like the sound of the word "August." :-( Our days this summer have consisted of jogging (you have the easy job), swimming, visiting the zoo, and giggling & playing at home. I feel so lucky to have a job that allows me to have the best of both worlds- spend lots of time with my beautiful daughter and teach my "older" kids.

Check out those cheeks!

Supermodel stare!

Reese LOVES Aunt Alice! We're so glad to have her in Wichita this summer!

Can't get enough of this girl!

We spend quite a bit of time jogging...

Rough life!

The swing does the trick every time.

I am too cool for school!

Just sunbathin' with my tongue out...

Swimming is hard work!

I have this new cell phone...

It sure does taste good!

Sometimes we visit the zoo...and Reese woke up to a goat nuzzling her feet. She was not impressed.

Our happy pajama girl!

So peaceful!

One of my favorite pictures this month. Such a diva!

Loving her new car seat. Mommy couldn't carry you in the other one and your feet stuck out! 

You are getting so active! You are rolling like crazy, mostly from your back to your tummy, since you just learned to do that a few weeks ago. In fact, your dad and I were both standing next to you on the changing table and you still almost managed to roll right off! You love to grab your feet and roll. If you're in the swing, you push yourself up so that you're completely upright. You do the same thing in your bouncer. Like I've said before, you are a go-getter! When you're in your highchair, you usually turn your body completely sideways so you can watch the cat and dog circle the floor below you (waiting for food to drop). By the way, you are obsessed with dogs & cats, especially Lucy and Sophie. Your face lights up from ear to ear when the cat runs by or the dog licks your hand. They aren't sure what to think about you (you're a little unpredictable with your hair pulling and excited screaming), but you still adore them! Maybe you'll be a veterinarian! Along with the dog and cat, you watch EVERYTHING that's going on around you. You are starting to love shopping at Dillons and Target because of all the people-watching opportunities. When we turn corners in the grocery store, your head is always turned completely around, gawking at some other shopper. And you sure do know how to turn on the charms too. When strangers interact with you, you give them the sweetest, most charming grin ever and they just melt. Everyone always comments on how pretty you are with your big brown eyes and long eyelashes. We never get tired of hearing this. Just don't let it go to your head. ;-) We want you to be known for being smart and kind, not just pretty. A funny thing you started doing this month is pursing your lips and giving a "fake" smile. It is so funny to see you do this and we wonder what you're thinking when you do it. I also think you're going to be a sensory kind of person. You love playing with the tags on your tag blanket. You are also constantly scratching different textures on books and toys and whatever else you can get your hands on. Daddy thinks it sounds like nails on a chalkboard. I think one of the sweetest memories I will have of you at this age is when I'm feeding you, your hand always seems to find its way into mine. So sweet.

Cheesy laugh!

Silly monkey!

Our little rollie pollie...

"Wow. These toes taste pretty good."

This month you've continued to try lots of new foods. You loved ham & pineapple, sweet corn, pears, oatmeal with bananas & peaches, apples & cherries, apples & blueberries, and raspberries. You thought lima beans were a little "blah" and you made a very sour face when you tried apricots and mango, although you've started to warm up to them all. I've also started to make some of your favorite foods (and some of your not so favorite). So far, I've made lima beans, sweet potatoes, pears, apricots, peas, and corn. We also put some whole fruit in a net apparatus for you to suck on. You really enjoyed this and it's something that you can actually feed yourself. What a neat (and messy) invention! All in all, you are a great eater! At your 6 month check-up you weighed 21 lbs 7 oz. and were 28 inches long. That puts you in the 99%ile for weight and the 98%ile for height. Here's to hoping you'll be tall like daddy!!!

Frozen fruit in the "net."

Feeding myself mashed bananas. The spoon was the tastiest part.

What a mess! I think a little actually made it in your mouth.

Not sure what to think about pears...

I love it when Aunt Alice feeds me.

The week before the 4th of July, I decided to dress you in all your red, white, and blue outfits. I'm not sure how you accumulated so many patriotic outfits, but it only seemed right that we make sure they all get plenty of use. When it comes to holidays, you'll learn very quickly that mommy believes in the saying, "go big or go home." Here's your tribute to America. 

Mommy painted your toes red, white, and blue while you slept.

<3

Our little firecracker!

Another milestone you achieved this month is sitting up without much help. After a few minutes you start to topple over, but you're pretty good at it. Now that you know you can see the world from that angle, you never want to lay down! Uh-oh! We're in trouble now! You've also started to creep and push yourself backwards a little. Here's a cute video of you screaming as you crawl backwards.  

Our big girl sitting up and playing.

I hope you never outgrow those duck pajamas.

I don't think you have enough toys to play with.

We are really enjoying this stage in your life. You aren't too mobile yet, so you can't get into too much trouble. And you are interactive and excited to explore the world! Get ready world, Reese is rockin' and rollin'! :-)


Love, 


Mom

Elliott's First Father's Day

Elliott's First Father's Day was pretty low-key. My 10 year high school reunion was the night before and someone thought it was his reunion and had a little too much fun. So, we spent the day relaxing, which was perfect too. I didn't really plan anything (thank goodness) because I always schedule our weekends and I thought Elliott would appreciate not having to stick to a schedule (he's more "go with the flow" than I am). Reese and I were busy the week before putting together a little gift for him, so I thought I'd share it.

Reese wore her best father's day shirt and then proceeded to spit up all over it. Good thing she had plenty more in her wardrobe!

The card we made just for him!

The poster of Daddy and Reese moments. These two do lots of napping together.

The hand print craft Reese made. It's true

Daddy's basket of goodies.

All his favorite treats!

Reese and I are so lucky to have Elliott in our lives. I couldn't have chosen a better person to have a family with. Here are the top 3 reasons he is father of the year in our eyes.

3. He tolerates the bows, nail polish, and extensive baby wardrobe. We've even trained him on the correct way to put on a bow. 

2. He takes the night shifts...even though he LOVES to sleep. 

1. I hear insanely loud giggles coming from Reese's room when the two of them are playing. She absolutely adores her daddy.

We love you, Elliott! Can't wait to celebrate many more father's days in the future. :-)

Erin & Reese