More Pictures from CA

No More Mother's Milk

Early last month, I decided that I would rather have formula from a bottle for my daytime meals (10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.). This worked better for Mom, too since pumping at work wasn't very easy for her. Well, this morning, I thought, "Why not have all of my meals from a bottle?" In reality, I am more focused and able to eat faster from a bottle than from the breast. So... I am officially done with Mother's Milk. More formula please!

Look What I Found...

I don't know where Mommy was hiding these pictures... but I found them! That cookie was delicious!!

Family Portraits

While Grammy and Grandpa were visiting in October, Mom and Dad arranged for us to take some family portraits. Mommy has finally taken the time to go through them and put them into a shared album. Here is just a small sample of the pictures that Mommy's friend, Jessica took of us- http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CcM2TZm1cucg&emid=sharshar&linkid=link5

At Langston's Game

A couple weekends ago, Darrel and Molly invited Mommy and Daddy to watch Langston play soccer. Apparently, it was the big game of the season- 2 undefeated teams going up against each other. Anyway, I wasn't too interested in the game, but I did have fun hanging out with Langston's grandma, Maya, and Maya's friend.

My 1st Thanksgiving

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving! We ate at the Nichol's house and I tried some of the most delicious food ever- mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and homemade sweet potatoes. I also got to see Baby Fynn again. Boy is he scary! Not only is he twice my size, but he is really loud! Every time Mommy and Daddy put me near him, he let out the highest pitched squeal I have ever heard. All I could do was cry with fright. I was much more comfortable when he was on one side of the room and I was on the other. I think that Molly was able to get a couple pictures of Fynn and I together (before I realized just how scary he really is). I will post them as soon as Molly sends them to Mommy.

California

Our trip to CA went relatively well. I was a super good baby on all of our flights and I didn't have any trouble sleeping in Grammy's new rental house. While we were there, I spent a lot of time with my Grandpa Bob. He is a lot of fun... I especially like his bushy beard. While I was hanging out with my grandpa, Mom was searching for treasures in Grammy's burnt down house and Dad was talking motorcycles with Uncle SP. I also got to meet a lot of the neighbors from Smiley Park. They were really excited to see me. Some of them even knew Mom when she was my age. I even got to meet Grammy's new puppy, Zeus and Uncle SP's dog, Scout. Scout is REALLY big and Zeus is pretty small. I am not sure when I will see Grammy and Grandpa again... maybe for my 1st birthday (hint... hint).

Favorite Foods

Favorites

- carrots

- apple sauce

- mashed banana

- soft bread

- peas

- inside of french fries

- sticky rice

Least Favorites

- green beans

- rice cereal

- oatmeal

- mashed potatoes

- avocados

Foods that I like sometimes but not always include: winter squash, sweet potatoes, blueberries, peaches, and mango.

Hearing Study

A couple of weeks ago, Mom got a call from the University of Washington for a special infant hearing study they are doing there. They wanted to know if I could participate. Mom thought that it sounded safe so she agreed to three visits for $15 a visit (I sure hope that I get to keep that money since I am the one doing all of the work). Anyway, I have already been to two of my visits. The testing is not bad at all. I get to sit on Mom's lap with a little device in ear. Every time I hear a sound, I get rewarded with a fun television show or moving stuffed animals. While am waiting for the sounds, I get to look at a lot of fun toys. Today is my last visit. I wonder if they will tell Mom how I did? All I know is that I have a great head turning reaction.

Popcorn and Movie Night

Over the weekend, Mom was in charge of hosting a popcorn and movie night for one of her students (actually, it was the student who bid the highest during the Walk-A-Thon silent auction). Anyway, I was the special surprise guest! The girls were so excited to see me! Mom and Dad even let them hold me. It was fun to be around bigger girls. Before I know it, I will be one of those big girls! Too much fun!

Sitting Up

I am getting stronger and stronger everyday. Now, I can sit up all by myself for a short period of time. I usually lose my balance and fall backwards or to the side. My big cloth diapers help me with balance. Sometimes, Mommy and Daddy use my stuffed doggy pillow or Mommy's Boppy to help me, too. I will be an independent, big kid before you know it!

Trip to California

Mommy just told me that we will for sure be going down to CA to help Grammy look through what is left of her house. I am a little nervous about the burnt stuff being bad for my baby health, but Mommy assured me that she will get me a little mask to protect my lungs. I am super excited to be able to see Grammy and Grandpa again so soon... not to mention, I will get to see my Uncle S-P again, too! Less than two weeks to wait!

Halloween

Halloween is the most fun holiday ever! Not only did I get to dress up in a super cute baby turtle costume, but I also got to collect my very own candy (thank goodness I have pretty much mastered the grab technique). Good thing that Grammy made me a pumpkin collection bag. Daddy carried me all over his office to get candy from all of his workmates. Candy has the best wrappers I have ever seen! So many colors and textures! I can't wait to do it all again next year!

6 Month Check-Up

I had my 6 month check up with Dr. Brunner on Wednesday. I have come a long way in the last couple of months! Dr. Brunner was really impressed with my ability to sit up (almost without any help), interact, and stay focused on everything that was happening around me. She was also excited to hear about how well I am sleeping at night. I know, I know... I am a SUPER baby! I am still pretty little in terms of weight... just about 11.5 ounces. That's okay... I might be small, but I love life and that is what is most important!

P.S. I don't really like the nurse there... she is always trying to get Mommy to do things she doesn't want to do, like give me extra shots and leave me laying by myself on the table while I am getting my shots. Good thing Mommy speaks up for me! I don't need any extra shots and I would much rather be in Mommy's arms while I am being poked with a needle.

Grammy and Grandpa's Visit

Grammy and Grandpa Bob just left yesterday morning to head back to California. They had been visiting since last Saturday. Mommy and Daddy tried to convince them to stay a couple more days since the fires are still burning and they won't be allowed back on the mountain for awhile but Grammy really wanted to get back... I overheard her telling Mommy and Daddy that her house burnt down. Mommy was REALLY sad about it since it was the house she grew up in. In addition to Grammy losing everything she owns (including her car), Grandpa Kiemel's memory trunk was also lost. Mommy doesn't know all that was in it, but she knows it had important mementos from Grandpa's life. Luckily, Grammy and Grandpa were here visiting me during this horrible time... I kept their minds' off of the tragedy. We did all sorts of fun things together including an apple tasting party, the salmon hatchery, Triple X Rootbeer, shopping for new clothes, and a lot of eating out. Grammy and Grandpa introduced me to eating table foods. At each meal out, they always found something to give me... sometimes it was bread from their sandwich or the inside of a french fry. All I have to say about that is, "Mmm! Yummy!" We also had a lot of fun just hanging out together. I loved Grandpa's fuzzy beard and Grammy taught me all kinds of new things to do with my hands. Mommy says that we will see them again really soon since she and Daddy are planning to go down to California in a couple of weeks to help with Grammy's house. I can't wait!