Happy Halloween / 7 Months Old

We spent this weekend visiting my parents, we celebrated my dad's 61st birthday and Leah went "trick-or-treating" at Nonni's. We also visited Grandma and Grandpa in Clinton during the week. Leah is now 19 lbs, and eating all sorts of vegetables. She is also learning to love fruits. So far she's tasted bananas, apples, prunes, and pears. Bananas are taking a while to enjoy. I'm mixing each fruit with her cereal so it's a little easier to swallow. HA! Today, Sophie and Tyler came over so we could get a picture of the girls together. We also took Leah next door so our neighbors could see her dressed up as a ladybug. It was a great weekend all around!

Big Girl, Good Week

Leah has been having a great week at daycare! She's loving playtime with her little friends there and they are so good to her (obviously, Cole is letting her smack his face)! HA! Leah is also sitting up on her own now. One of pictures shows her playing while sitting all on her own. Such a big girl. She's also had some diaper only time at daycare while LaDona tries to transition from a shirt with spit-up to a fresh onesie. Leah loves "naked" time. We have a fun weekend coming up. We are going to Nonni's house for my Dad's birthday and so Leah can "trick-or-treat" there. I am So glad this week is over and I am definitely ready to see my family.

Good Sleeper

Today, Leah took her first 3 hour nap at daycare! I couldn't believe it! I tried to think about what's changed and came up with these two ideas. First, she is finally free of snot, shots, and cough. Second, we have been putting her to sleep awake. Although she fusses for a bit, she also can squirm until she finds her happy spot. I am so hoping this continues. She woke up so happy and had a great afternoon! Her afternoon was so great, she decided she should multi-task during floor play. She was using hands and feet! ha!

"I Do It"

Although those words are not yet spoken by her, her actions say it all. She is definitely gaining more independence as the days go on, and today "I Do It" came during the hiccups. I put some water in a bottle to try and get them to go away. I think she noticed that this was a smaller bottle than usual, and obviously there was no milk in it. She quickly pushed my hand away and continued to drink on her own.

Napping Injury

No, that is not a lipstick kiss on her forehead. This is a picture of the indent of Leah's pacifier on her forehead. Apparently, she spit it out and then rolled right over it for the remainder of her nap. Luckily, she doesn't complain that it hurts. It must just look worse than it actually is. I couldn't resist...

What Kind of a Face is That?

This is Leah's current facial expression for everything: excitement, exhaustion, saddness, etc. I can't help but laugh hysterically every time she makes this face, which I'm sure is part of the reason she continues to do it. Hopefully, she will grow out of this before holiday pictures...stay tuned...ha!

Teething is Exhausting

Although Leah has been teething incredibly well, she still has moments where she reminds me of a small puppy that has found a big bone. Usually, teething keeps kids up. However, I think Leah exhausts herself by trying to bite everything. She has never been a good napper, but she still sleeps great at night. Unfortunately, she still enjoys sleeping face down...her entire face plastered to the mattress. Hopefully she will soon grow out of this strange habit.

Food Mesh Ring

Leah's pediatrician said that we could start all fruits and meats. So I busted out the food mesh ring. I remember the kids I used to babysit using these and loving them. I can not say the same for Leah. I have frozen fruit pieces, or just put an ice cube in it for teething purposes and it has been a success. Maybe it's just because it is something new, but I am hoping she continues to enjoy this.

Rader's Pumpkin Farm

We spent some time at Rader's Pumpkin Farm in Normal yesterday. I LOVE the pumpkin farm, Trevor could care less. However, this year, we decided it was a must as a family. The weather is due to get really cold, so we took advantage of a sunny (still chilly) day. Leah was so excited. She refused to sit in her carseat, so Trevor ended up just holding her and I pushed an empty stroller...yes we are those people, ha! Of course, what is the pumpkin farm without an apple cider donut? So we got some kettle corn, a donut, and enjoyed walking around. We got some great pics these are some of my favorites.

Getting Into Everything

Leah is doing the army crawl very well. She can quickly get from one spot to another, just hasn't lifted her belly off the floor quite yet. We have been very aware of where we place her, and what she is close to. Yesterday, she got to the fire place and pulled the vent toward her exposing ever wire, only an arms length away. Luckily, I was right there. We are definitely going to make better use of our basement now that she is mobile, as it is wider and has less objects that she can get into.

A Face Tells a Story

For the last couple weeks we have been enjoying all the new things Leah has been doing, mostly with her face. Who knew a little kid could make an adult laugh, smile, and cry all within a matter of minutes? Well, okay, maybe only a mommy does all those things at once. But, seriously, I can't get enough of her. Being a working mom makes me appreciate this sweet face every time...even during those 2AM-4AM times.

Big Girl Bed...I think not!

Leah is a party animal. If we have company she wants in on the action. Last night I was up visiting with my mom and Leah fell asleep on her. We continued to chat and when we walked up the stairs to put her down, she perked right up and smiled at us. We were up playing with her for the next hour and decided to go hang out in the guest room. She started rolling all over the bed, so we joked that we were going to tuck her in so tight that she would be forced to fall asleep. Well, her face says it all. "Mom, get real...this is not happening!" Hopefully, when it's time for a "real" big girl bed, her facial expressions will be a bit more positive.

Napping with Uncle Joe

My family came down to spend time with Leah while Trevor and I went to Starved Rock today. Leah absolutely loves Uncle Joe. It makes me laugh, because to me, he represents all scary things for a kid: dark hair, beard, deep voice, big & tall. There's something about him though that Leah just adores. She must just be an intuitive kid that senses love. This picture just melts my heart.

6 Month Check-Up

Yesterday was Leah's doctor's appointment for her 6 month check-up...and 3 more shots! Ugh, poor kid. She was a champ, again! She weighs 17.6 lbs, and is 26 inches long. Her weight is in the 80%, and height in the 30%. Our little shorty! Her shots have caused her to be a little clingy, but no fever! She is still a little congested and has a raspy cough. Same issues as the last round of shots. She is still a smiley girl though! Bless her!!

All Better

Leah has a little spell of sickness at the beginning of the week. Luckily, Nonna was able to stay with her so she could have 1-1 care before we brought her back to daycare. We believe it was mix of nasal drippage, a cough, and teething. She was better by Tuesday afternoon, so Wednesday she went to daycare. Her little friends were very excited to see her, and she was stoked to be around kids. She definitely gets bored with us! The weather this week has been so crazy for October, in the 80s, close to 90 degrees on some days. This has been great news for the daycare kiddos because they have been able to continue enjoying outside time.

6 months old!

My baby is half a year old! She is doing wonderfully! We don't go to the doctor until Friday, so I will post her numbers then, but she is happy and healthy...and oh so fun! We have had a minor issue with a cold, but I am thinking it is teething. This afternoon we get her 6 month pictures taken! Fingers crossed for a happy, cooperative baby! =)

iPad fun with Aunt Haley

Today, we are spending the day in Clinton. Trevor and his dad are working on planting a tree (one that grew the month that Leah was born). The girls just hung out inside. We read books, played on the floor, and then aunt Haley took out her iPad. Leah has seen daddy's iPad before...but aunt Haley actually let Leah touch hers! ha! She has some educational apps that were bright and loud, just what Leah likes. She actually focused on this for about five straight minutes just fascinated! Hopefully, we can find some cheaper items for Leah's Christmas list to Santa! =)