5 Months Old

Jill is 5 months old now. She weighs about 18.5 pounds, and is 26 inches long. She's grabbing both of her feet now, and is close to getting the left one into her mouth. She's starting to sleep better some nights, but last night we saw her every 3.5 hours, even though she doesn't eat that often. We don't know whether it's teething, a growth spurt, or she just misses us, but she's got 2 tired parents! She's eaten rice cereal and oatmeal so far, and we're going to start fruits or veggies later this week. She still hates her car seat, but now that she can play with the toys hanging from it she allows them to distract her for a moment or two every once in a while. Her first Thanksgiving was pretty good, except for the fact that she clung to Mommy and Daddy and didn't want anyone else to hold her. She seems to be easily overwhelmed by so many people around her in a strange house. I think she just likes her routine, though because she rarely does anything like that at home when people come to visit (unless she's really tired), which happens pretty regularly. All in all she's our favorite girl, who is happy, smiley, and making "Mommy I'm awake, come look at me noises" in her crib right now! Enjoy our 5 month old girl; we sure do!

Smiley girl in the Jumperoo

Jill and Daddy

Sitting with Mommy...notice how she's only wearing half of a sock

Standing up...my very favorite position

Look I pulled my sock off!

Tickle, tickle!

Oh Daddy, you're so funny!

First Babysitter

Jill had a night away from Mommy and Daddy last week! This was the first time we had been away from her together since she was born. We were a bit nervous until we actually left, and then all was well. We left her with Sam, one of Michelle's former sixth grade students who is now a senior in high school. She is wonderful and we are very lucky to have her as our sitter. We went out to dinner and came home and watched a tv show while Sam kept watching Jill. We all had a great time and we're hoping to be able to see a movie next time. Here's a picture of the Bean with Sam.

The World of Solids

Jill was doing well at sleeping through the night and suddenly stopped. This prompted her sleep deprived mother to try solid foods because she read that a change in sleep habits can indicate readiness for solids. Jill is a cereal lovin' girl! Check this out.

I want to do it myself

Open Wide!

I like to eat my hand after every bite

Yummy!

Waking Up

Here's Jill, upon waking. She's a happy girl in the mornings!

Jill the tv watcher

Jill LOVES "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" on Playhouse Disney.  She most especially loves the intro.  When she sees Mickey coming up the path, she smiles in delight.  Check it out!

20 Weeks Old

Well, we did it. We've made it 20 weeks so far, and we're doing pretty well.  Jill has begun laughing, she's grabbing her left foot, and she's talking up a storm.  She's showing an almost obsessive interest in drinking glasses, water bottles, mugs, and anything else we put to our lips as long as it contains a liquid.  We're thinking a sippy cup of water is on the horizon.  She's not interested in food yet, so we're holding off on solids for now.  Enjoy the photos and video!

Playing with Jacques the Peacock

Eating her links

Ready for a nap in her new snow hat

crazy hair

Jill laughs...it's at the end, but it's very cute!

Jill makes her elephant sounds in her swing.

Jill does her "thing" and makes us laugh.

More of "the thing."

Happy Birthday Grandpa Mike!

Here's Jill in the Roxy jeans you bought for her when you were here. She loves them and she loves you!

More video fun

Here's Jill just being Jill.  Talking it up, as usual. Notice how carefully she forms her mouth when she says, "mmm," and please, ignore the incessant drooling. She can't help it!

Election Night 2008

We had a great night on Tuesday. All of our favorite candidates won, AND the Democrats will be leading the country again.  Now we don't have to move to Canada where yes, it's not as warm as it would be if we went south, but at least they have socialized medicine!  (Seriously, I was looking at real estate.  We couldn't handle four more years, not with a baby.  It's just too...well, too something I can't say on a family blog, that's for sure.) We can't wait for inauguration day!

 A celebratory kiss

Jill and Mommy with Keith Olbermann...one of our favorites

Watching carefully as David and Chuck give us the news

Jill was very involved

Things are looking GREAT for the country now!

Sweet, sweet victory!

Our Weekend

Jill had a pretty good weekend. She...

cried because SOMEONE keeps rolling her over and she hates being on her tummy

scratched herself under her eye, even though we trim her nails daily

held her own bottle like a big girl

jumped in the Jumperoo

and took a nap on good old Daddy

Happy Halloween

Here is Jill on the big day.  She didn't dress up, but we will next year for sure!  We took her to the doctor earlier in the day and he ruled out ear infection, so it really was a happy Halloween!