6 months old!

Zeke you are 6 months old. What?!?! How in the world did that happen?!? Time flies when you're having fun... and learning to take care of a baby... and learning to be a mother... and still being a wife. Here's what's been going on with you in the past month:

6 month picture

- You are now wearing size 2 diapers and mostly your 3-6 month clothes. Not that the 3 month ones don't really fit, but I figured we might as well get out and wear your summer clothes.

- You are sleeping better and better at night!! Most nights you've been doing a 7-8 hr. stretch now!! You typically take two great naps, around 9:30 am and 1:00 pm and then sometimes an optional third nap.

- You roll around a lot. It was so funny, this past Saturday you were taking a nap and I came in to check on you. You had moved all the way to the top of your crib and had found your Nemo stuffed animal and were holding it and talking to it.

- We bought you your first sippy cup a couple of weeks ago. You haven't quite mastered it yet, but you think it's fun to hold on to!

I like my sippy cup because I'm a big boy! 

- You have been growing so much! I'll post your stats after your 6 mo. appointment, but here at home you're about 14 lbs. and almost 26 in. long -- you've grown a lot this past month! **Updated, at your doctor's appt. on 7/31/12 you weighed 13 lbs. 14.5 oz. and are 25.5 inches long!**

Nemo keeps shrinking! 

- You love eating! You've now had: bananas, apples, apples w/ strawberries, pears, green beans, sweet potatoes, apples w/ sweet potatoes, squash w/ corn, oatmeal, pear juice, baby mum-mums, carrots, peas, avocado (worst one so far!) and just this week you tried mango and butternut squash (that I cooked and made for you) for the first time.

Butternut Squash

- We got out your exersaucer and you have so much fun jumping around in it. There are lots of toys to play with, it lights up when you bounce, plays music, and gives you more independence.

Exersaucer fun!

- We went to the pool again and now that the water is warmer you didn't mind getting in as much. I put you on your tummy and you like to splash your arms in the water. We went this week and you got your face all wet (and Mommy's!) because of the splashing.

- You love the walks we take in your stroller. I try to go most evenings because that is the time you are awake the longest and it gives us something to do. On Wednesday night you went for your first jog. You didn't fuss so I think you liked it ok.

- You love bath time -- splashing and playing with your toys. You splash more and I can tell you want your toys, but sometimes you just stare at them hoping they'll come to you instead of moving toward them.

- You laugh and smile even more now. We really like to make you giggle. We've started playing peekaboo and you think it's funny. The other day I picked you up from the nursery after church and one of the girls was tickling you and I heard you laughing as I came up to the door!

- I am teaching you some sign language so you can begin communicating with me before you can even start talking. We're working on: more, eat, Mommy, Daddy, cat, grandma, and grandpa.

- You roll much more from your back to your sides than from your tummy.

- Your hair is coming in so light now! When it's drying after your bath it is very blonde at the roots. I look back at pictures of your hair when you were born and can hardly believe how different it is! And I just don't even know what to do with it. The top is so long (and a little curly, so it has some volume), but I'm not ready to cut it. And it's growing in nicely underneath. It's just funny because it looks like you have a mohawk (or extra hair) all the way down the middle.

- You are starting to notice Dora more often when she's near you. Your hands are still a little out of control, so we have to be careful you don't pull her whiskers and make her mad.

- You like coming outside with me to water the flowers and plants. You like to play with the vines and leaves that hang down.

You are such a sweet, lovable boy! Life has changed so much since you entered our lives and we can hardly remember what we did before you! You bring smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts. Sometimes you'll bury your head/face into my chest when someone talks to you, but for the most part you'll go to just about anyone. The Lord has truly blessed us by giving us a wonderful son like you!

To life... full of learning about life!

MMM: Staying Cool at the Pool

It is just plain hot here. The other day it was 106* and Jeremiah wanted to go to the pool. I had considered waiting until it cooled down some, but the pool is fairly shady, plus I felt like the water had actually been too cool for Zeke to enjoy it before so we decided to go for it. I got in further than I had before as well. It was great! Jeremiah took a ton of pictures... enjoy!

Looks like he's really listening to me! 

Moving slowly into the water

A little further

Let's try floating on top of the water

Here we go

Isn't it fun? 

Looks like we're discussing something very important

Siiiimbaaa! 

Splash!! 

I think he will learn to swim early. 

Look at that fountain, Mom! 

Snuggles in the water

To life... full of water acclimation!

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Last month Jeremiah went on a trip to CO. On the day he was due to return home I made him these orange creamsicle cookies. He is more of a fruit > chocolate guy, so at times I do try to accommodate his preferences. Although when I do give fruit desserts a try I find I enjoy them greatly. These were a wonderful cookie to add to our rotation. You should try them too. I found them at Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

Here's her recipe:

Orange Creamsicle Cookies
*Note: These cookies should bake up puffy not flat. If your cookies are flattening, try adding another tablespoon or two of flour to the dough (up to 1/4 cup if needed). Also, the orange extract is optional but really enhances the orange flavor of the cookies.

*Makes about 30 cookies

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
2 tablespoons orange zest (from 1-2 oranges)
2 cups white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, silpat liners or lightly grease with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and creamy. Beat in egg, vanilla, orange extract and orange zest until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture and white chocolate chips, mixing until combined.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown around the edges, taking care not to overbake. The cookies should be rounded and full, not flattened. Remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Recipe Source: adapted slightly from The Girl Who Ate Everything

To life... full of cookies that taste like an ice cream treat!

MMM: A Visitor

Aunt Teresa came down for a sweet summertime visit. We got out Zeke's exersaucer/jumper for the first time. He barely reaches the floor! But he seemed to love it. There are so many fun toys to play with. It lights up, plays music, allows him to jump/kick/do the running man, and in general, have a good time. 

"What's this do?"

We played. We cuddled. We laughed.

We painted. We **attempted to** make a purse. We watched "Unstoppable."

Precious Smiles

We ate Whataburger. We took pictures of Zeke and Aunt Teresa together (finally!). We took a walk.

We read. We went shopping. We ate ice cream from Chick-Fil-A.

We sang. We went to church. We had a wonderful time!

We love you Aunt Teresa! Thanks for coming to visit.

To life... full of making memories.

A Poll

I happened to find a picture of Jeremiah the other day that was labeled as him being 5 months. Since those are hard to come by, I decided to find one of me at 5 months and scan them into the computer. Since Zeke is 5 months now I thought it would be fun to do a little comparison. So tell me, who do you think he looks the most like?

To life... full of family resemblances.

MMM: Go Rangers!

Last month we went to Zeke's first Rangers game. Someone had given him a Rangers baseball hat and T shirt, so we were happy to take him to a game so he could show them off!

Checking out the Chick-Fil-A suite with Daddy 

Watching the game with Mommy 

He seemed to enjoy being at the game. Some of the loud noises did startle him, but he did a great job. We were able to watch 6 innings before we decided it was time to go home and put him to bed.

Go Rangers! 

Everyone asked us on our way in (and during and as we were leaving), "Is this his first game?" And proceeded to tell us we could get him a certificate for his first Rangers game. It's pretty cool! I am glad they told us about it :o) 

My first game certificate! 

"Another picture, huh?"

We had a great time at Zeke's first game and it seems he did too. Another exciting adventure for our family of three! 

To life... full of America's favorite pastime! 

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July! 

"Happy Birthday, Grandma!" 

To life... full of fun fireworks!