the food

(this is my favorite pic...too bad it's out of focus!)

So, as you all know, I took a serious look at the introduction to solids after Eli. Not that we did anything wrong. In fact, we did everything by the 'books'. Sometimes though, the books are wrong. Really, I am not a nutcase. I sometimes think that you just have to question what is considered the 'norm' and ask yourself why. So, Adam and I did that. We have vowed this time to take a very much relaxed approach to solids. No grains. No purees. Just chunks or mashed up food. It's that simple. So, we started with avocado. I really was waiting as long as possible and I made it a little past 6 months. But, she was ready. We are just doing a little bit here and there. Not more than once a day. If she doesn't like it or want it, that's okay. So, here is the succession of her first try

And, sometimes, she would rather just eat the toy!

A little love for the DG and Papaell

This post might just make Uncle Andy and Auntie Megan so jelous that they just might have to come visit!!!

Eli loves her DG and Papa. Even through her seperation anxiety(thank you church nursery) she readily goes to them and loves them so much!

** and although it really doesn't have to do with this post! Congrats to my dad on his retirement...aka:spending more time with Eli and Teagen!

**and congrats to Uncle Andy who instead of working the crappy night shift has now been upgraded to the inspector gadget level where I hear he even wears a tie. (Okay, really a detective but inspector gadget seems way cooler!)

(sigh) 6 (weep) months (gasp)

Today my little dainy thing turns 6 months old. I am not going to repeat what I(or anyone else for that matter) says on their blogs about time going by so fast and how I can't believe it's already here. How I can't imagine my life without her. How I can't imagine our family without her. I am just not going to do that. That would be repeating the already repeated and that, well, that would be boring.

Awhile ago, I read a fabulous idea somewhere about taking the time to write your children a letter for each birthday documenting the occassion and the things about the past year. I immediately started it with Eli and also with Teagen. So, I count 6 months as a birthday. It is such a monumental time. Out of the infant and into the baby stage. Now, if I was even more sentimental, I would hand write these letters. But, really, in 20 years from now I wouldn't have a clue where they are. So, on the blog they go to be printed in their annual 'blogbooks'!

But first, 6 things you are dying to know...

1. she has only rolled from her back to her tummy 1 time. Just like her big bro.

2. she is sitting up but the diaper 'fluff' kind of topples her over

3. she is scooting backwards and just today was trying to get up on her knees. I am not lying.

4. she loves to laugh. She thinks I am pretty darn funny.

5. she eats her feet. It is hilarious to watch

6. she grabs everything but especially food.

I will post more 'first food' pics later

7(just beacause). she loves stuffed animals and soft 'girly' things

Dear Teagen,

Today you are 6 months old. The past 6 months have been such a blessing. I believe you have always 'been' in our lives. I can't imagine my life or our family without you. You have showered us with love that we never dreamed possible.

Your little spunky personality and your go lucky attitude make you the happiest baby around. There is nothing that you would rather do than to lay on my lap and chew on a toy. If you are not in my lap, I am not far. You follow me around like a hawk follows their prey. I am never out of your line of sight.

You are also very content watching your big brother. You have this love for him that is indescribable. It's like a fifth sense. You know where he is, when he is unhappy and when he comes into the room. You love to 'chit chat' with him while lying on a blanket and he loves teaching you all about his tools.

I can see the sparkle in your daddy's eyes everytime that he looks at you. He loves bathing you at night and I always hear this roar of laughter coming from your bathroom.

These past 6 months have been so very special. You always wonder if your heart has room for more. How can you love your children the same? The answer is that you can't. You don't love them the same because they aren't the same. You love them for being themselves, for the individual that they are. Does this mean that you love one more? Absolutely not. Your heart doesn't have room, it grows. It grows and your love takes it over. This has been an amazing feeling for me over the past 6 months. I love you so much. You make my heart smile everytime that I look at you. I can't imagine my life or our family without you.

Love,

Mommy

*T has been sick so I have yet to do her official '6' month pictures so stay tuned...maybe this weekend!

just a little

Here is a little taste of what our dainty thing has been up to lately. My time to post has become so few and far between but I am trying for atleast once a week. For my own record really but also to satisfy that very needy aunt whose name starts with an M!(not too mention any names or anything). 

We are approaching 6 months. Please excuse me while I pull my jaw up from the floor. That is just crazy. Much more to come during her 6 month post but for now...

she does this cute little lip thing

smirky smile

pushing up

always looking where her mama is

cute little cloth diaper butt

(C- doesn't that make you wanna convert??? just saying!!)

discovered my hands...fascinating creatures

suckin my thumb...much cuter now than 2 years from now but I wouldn't change it

just melts your heart

the fav

This little tamborine is T's favorite toy. She likes to scratch the top of it with her nails and listen to the sound that it makes. 

I think this was Adam's from when he was a wee-little-one, so that just makes it extra special!

she's-a-growing.

I took Teagen to the Dr. the other day for a little 'rash' on her feet. It was nothing but I got to find out that she was 16 pounds 8 ounces. Holy crap. She has grown. If it was at all possible, I think she has gotten even cuter and sweeter! Her eyes are still this amazing hazel color like her daddy and big brother. I secretly hope they stay that way. They are so beautiful. 

She was actually standing and looking in the box for quiet sometime!

This is her signature smirk

Our wonderful neighbors let us borrow this jumper for our doorway upstairs so that I didn't have to lug the big Jumperoo up and down the stairs. She loves it so much. She spins all around so that she can see me walking by and has just really started to bounce!

sophie

In my effort to be more green, I am really on a kick to rid the house of plastic toys and invest in some quality toys for the kiddos. This is no easy feat. I have been doing it slowly, everytime I buy a nice wooden toy, atleast 3 plastic ones go out. This has greatly reduced the clutter in our house but it also makes me feel better knowing that they are playing with safe toys. I just cringe when teagen picks up a plastic toy and starts chewing on it. Just the other day, she was gnawing on a plastic turtle

 and when she was done, I picked it up and noticed that the paint was chipping off. Great. That's just fantastic. Needless to say, mr. turtle found his way is the garbage.



That's when I bought Sophie, the giraffe. Really, twenty bucks for a chew toy seemed a bit obsessive. Was it worth it? All the reviews online seemed to think that it was. So, I made the plunge and bought it. That thing is awesome and Teagen loves it. Sometimes she will just hold it and cuddle with it. Other times she knaws on its foot or an ear. It was so worth it. Not to mention the fact that I don't cringe everytime it goes in her mouth.