A Very Merry Un-Birthday! 6 months old!

Half a year already!  At her 6 month check up Braelyn weighs a whopping 17lbs and is 26" long.  It really is amazing how you become accustomed to their growing weight.  When Braelyn was 3 weeks old our friends brought their 6 month old over and she weighed about what Braelyn does now.  I remember thinking geez this kid weighs a ton!  Now we carry her around all day!

Braelyn's latest accomplishments include FINALLY deciding she likes food.  She really likes yogurt, strawberries, apples, pears, and bananas.  She'll tolerate peaches but their not her favorite.  As for veggies we haven't found one she doesn't like yet.  YAY!  She's had squash, corn, sweet potatoes, peas, and green beans.  We just started her on meat and so far she really likes chicken but isn't too sure about the turkey.  On deck is ham and beef.  We'll see what she thinks of those. 

She is now sitting up all by herself.  She likes to play with toys and really likes her little lamb, Pinky.  She sleeps with it and anytime you hand it to her she squeals and bites at it.  She has gotten really good at reaching for things she wants and passing it between her own hands.  She spins around her excersaucer playing at all the different stations and causing it to play music constantly. 

She is a full fledged baby now, the infant stage is behind us.  She has her first tooth, which arrived right in time for mommy's birthday.  It's on the bottom, and she is still getting used to this sharp thing in her mouth.  Every once in a while while sucking her thumb she bites down too hard and ends up crying. 

She is learning to play with her sounds and frequently squeals and screeches at the top of her lungs just to hear herself.  She laughs afterwards.  She loves it when her daddy flies her around the room and bathtime is still her favorite part of the day. 

We are having so much fun playing with her and enjoying this time.  It's hard to believe that 6 months is behind us and we are inching closer and closer to that epic 1 year.  The next 6 months will be filled with all kinds of new fun experiences, and we can't wait!

Sitting all by myself!

She loves her excersaucer



Braelyn and her favorite lamb, Pinky



Happy Valentines Day!

Our friend and photographer, Kristen Carter, made this amazing valentines day card from one of Braelyn's 6 month photos.  We loved it and hope you will too!

Superbowl and Switzerland!

For the first time in 10 years we spent Superbowl at home.  The friends' house we were supposed to go to had a sick kid, so we spent the day at home.  This year was also interesting because Braelyn has a friends that are big fans of both teams.  We were Switzerland!  LOL.  Braelyn's friend Lily is a big Packer's fan and her good friend Lauren is a HUGE Steelers fan. Daddy was stoked either way since he got to spend that all important day with his all important lil girl.  It doesn't hurt that she loves to watch football.  Check out the pics from their special day!

Chillin' watching the big game

Daddy and his lil football fan

We're a little young for that, mommy thinks...

Leave me alone, the games' on.

Braelyn's friend and Steelers' fan, Lauren

Braelyn's cool older friend and Packer's fan, Lily!

5 Months Old!!

How has the time flown by sooo much??!!! My baby is already 5 months old.  I can't believe what a big girl she is getting to be.  Braelyn is sitting almost completely unassisted.  She likes to play with rattles, keys, and even likes mommy's phone.  She is reaching for things and is always quick to flash a smile or squeal in happiness.  She loves her daddy and really likes the feel of his mustache and beard.  She is more and more interested in what we are eating and drinking.  She has tried to master the art of straw sucking but doesn't quite have it yet.  She prefers her food cold (I know weirdo).  The wonderful girls at daycare figured that one out!  We still can't get her to do tummy time.  She's not a fan.  She has become very interested in the kitties so we are trying to get her used to them and vice- versa.  Lots of looking close and petting the back side... away from the teeth and claws.  She's a pro in her excersaucer and she likes to be thrown up in the air.  Here's pictures from January!  Next up, as my friend and favorite photog says, Her Un-Birthday!

 

My Winter Visitors

So Grammy, Grandpa, Uncle James and Aunt Sarah came to visit in early January.  We did all kinds of fun stuff and went to lots of places that even I hadn't been.

First outing was to Out Of Africa If you haven't been to this "park" then you are missing out.  It will ruin all other zoos for you.  They offer shows like Tiger Splash and a safari tour.  Sarah fed a tiger and even got kissed by a giraffe and a camel.  Braelyn got to see all kinds of new animals and could actually focus on them. 

Next up was a trip to the Goldfield Ghost Town.  This was a place I had never been.  We took a mine tour, walked through the mystery house and took a train ride.  Not a bad place to spend the afternoon especially since we got a wanted poster for Braelyn! 

We went bowling and had some great family time.  Grandpa even babysat so Grammy, Aunt Sarah and I could go get pedicures for a couple hours.  Braelyn got to spend some really good time with my side of the family.  And now there are even plans to go see them in MN in the spring!

New Year brings New Experiences!

So first thing New Years day Braelyn got to hang out with daddy.  Mom left to go on a last minute trip to Vegas leaving dad and Braelyn for the first overnight without mom.  Dad decided that this was a good time to accompany some friends up to the snow to give Braelyn a look at that cold white stuff. 

If she looks a bit like a marshmallow its because we didn't have a snowsuit (even though offered one by Cousin Kelly who knew we would go to the snow?!).  So Dad bought some 6 month onesies and layered her up!   

She did alright for a little while.  Then dad noticed that lil nose turning red and put her back in the car with the heat!