7 Months Old

Here is Jill on the big day, 1/28/09

Ready to eat those rings

always reading, even in the bathtub

happy baby girl

first thing in the morning

sucking on the tag, her favorite part of any toy

big brown eyes

Weekend Fun

This weekend we took Jill out to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa.  She had a good time at the restaurant, and afterward we took her to REI where we bought a backpack for taking her hiking.  She liked being in the backpack in the house, and we hope to take it out soon for a real test.

in the highchair with the giraffe

in the new backpack

Ok, Daddy, I'm ready to go!

With Mommy and Grandpa, sad because we took the water away for a photo op

Hey, did you know we're at Azteca?

If I Could Stop Time

Six months is absolutely my favorite age so far.  Jill is so much fun, so curious, so loving, and SO cute right now.  (Well, she's always been those things, but now more than ever.)  I'd love to have a bit more time at this age, before she begins to crawl and I spend my days chasing after her.  We're in the throes of separation anxiety (from me) and stranger anxiety (a stranger is anyone who is not Steve, Henny, or me).  This makes it challenging for me to do anything without Jill, and for us to go out without her, but I really don't mind.  I love spending time with her and she's just entered this stage wherein she is constantly giving the sweetest little hugs.  It's adorable.  Here is some photo evidence.

Just a year and a week ago...it's a girl!

Telling Mommy a story

silly drooly face

all bundled up for a walk in the fog

ready to walk with Daddy

playing on her blanket

there's that tongue again

having a heart to heart with Daddy

hugging Mommy after breakfast this morning

To Answer a Question

Lots of people have been asking me lately about whether or not I miss working. The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!  The only thing I miss is the people I worked with for 6 years.  I still love the kids I taught, and I run into many of them and/or their parents on a regular basis.  I enjoyed teaching, and it was rewarding in its own way, but it was nothing compared to being able to stay home with Jill.  I don't know when/if I'll return to teaching.  I don't know how I would be able to devote the time and energy to Jill that she deserves while teaching full time.  We'll see what the future brings, but for now I am more happy than I've ever been in my life. Being a stay-at-home mom is my dream job!

In case you think I'm crazy and you wonder how I could say that, here are a few reminders:

Chubby cheeks in the stroller

Smiling on the blanket

Always sticking out her tongue, since the moment she was born

seriously concentrating on getting that ball

Chubby legs (and arms) asleep after lunch

Reason #367 Why She's the World's Cutest Baby

Even More Fun

Jill's a ton of fun, especially when she's sitting on your lap while you're trying to post to her blog.  Enjoy!

sitting on Daddy

jumping

reading with Daddy

sitting in the rocking chair

big girl in the rocker

Enjoying 6 months

Jill has been having lots of fun this month.  Last night we had dinner at Red Robin and she sat in a restaurant high chair for the first time.  We forgot the camera, but she had a great time eating her carrots at the table like a big girl.  She is quite the accomplished sitter now, and she gets better at it everyday.  By some miracle she's begun sleeping 6 and 7 hours at a time this week, and we hope it continues!  She has a little tooth that has appeared just under her gums.  It's more visible than touchable at this point, but soon she'll have her first tooth to show off to everyone.  The biggest thing, though is her rolling.  She's been able to roll over for 3 months now, but it's become almost impossible to change her clothes or her diaper, and giving her a bath is a new challenge because ALL SHE DOES IS ROLL.  It's amazing and exasperating all at the same time.  She's starting her version of crawling too...plant the shoulder and cheek, plant your feet, stick the rear end up in the air and push.  She can scoot quite well like that, and it's funny to watch.  We just hope her methods improve some because she's in for months of rug burn on her cheek if this is the way it's going to be from now on! Here are some photos from our last couple of weeks.  

Talking

Eating the mouse

Hi people

Hey, it's you!

reading all by herself