Loving Lately

… Emma getting a bath in her new bath ring

… 2 date nights in one week

… Emma giggles

… Emma’s first kids meal (refried beans + chicken = yummy)

… free nachos at Freebirds

… holding a sleeping baby after nursing

… celebrating dad’s birthday

… long walks

… ordering prints for our gallery wall

… not procrastinating on buying a wedding present

… Emma sleeping through the night

… elephant footie pajamas

… frozen yogurt with Austin

… Emma talking up a storm

… cooler mornings

… hazelnut coffee creamer

… producing enough milk for my baby (still no formula yet!)

… all of the new foods that Emma tried this week (peas, refried beans, ground beef, chicken, guacamole, queso, peaches)

… seeing an old friend (from junior high and high school!)

… Wes handing all of the shopping for the bridal shower

Park Time

Before meeting my parents for Hatch Festival at Central Market.  We decided to swing my Trinity River Park and check out the swings.  At this point, I had still not seen Emma swing myself.  Well we got there and the swings were way to hot for her little legs so we opted to try out sliding.  

Up on the slide, not sure about this thing mommy!

First time, with a little help from daddy!

All by my own self!  I am not ready for her to start saying these words.  I would settle for mama or dadda or  brother starbucks.  I am not picky :).

Two hands in her mouth- really confused!

The aftermath- love what the static electricity did to her hair!

No, we didn't let her slide down this by herself!

LOVE park time with my girl :)

Adventures in (Making Our OWN) Baby Food

From the very beginning of even thinking about giving Emma something other than milk, I have wanted to make my own baby food or do a version of baby led weaning.  We were at Target one day and I gave in and just purchased three containers of baby food.  Emma loved them.  They were cheap.  They were easy.  Win Win Win.  But I didn't want to completely give up on my notion of making baby food.  So recently when Wes went to the store, I told him to get some fresh green beans.  

It took a couple of days, but he humored me and made them.  First, he boiled them.

Then, he put them in the blender (with a little water).

Stirred them up- added a little more water.

And, below is the finished product.  Taste tested them and said it was a go (note: I did not taste test them because I still hate green beans).  I don't think there is anything that will change my mind.  I don't like them at all.

Now, time to give them to Emma.  A little bit of hesitation (and looking scared) at first.

Then, the look of pure disgust.  FINALLY- she is just like her mommy in one department :).  

We still buy a little baby food, but we try to give her what we are eating when we can (including all fruit).  For example, at dad's birthday party, she had deviled eggs.  Here she is going in for them.

And here she is after devouring them.  She loved them and went to town.  

She has now also had baked potato (no cheese or butter), refried beans and chicken.  It is so fun to watch her discover new foods- the facial expressions are priceless :).  

Favorite Quote

I came across this quote on a blog that I read, recently, and I cant get it out of my head.  I think it applies to Emma perfectly and I hope to hang it up somewhere in her room.  

"And though she be but little, she is fierce."

- Shakespeare

Loving Lately

…time at the park watching our baby girl swing and “slide”

…Emma giggles

…Nonni coming to visit Emma on a weeknight

…wine with dinner

…no more nightly conference calls for a month

…sleeping in past 5:30am

…the sound of rain in August

…waterpark with the hubs

…trying out dad’s Vespa for the first time

…home cooked dinners every night

…Bailey getting a haircut

…Emma getting so excited about food

…International Delight Mocha iced coffee

…anything hatch related (rolls, hamburgers, quesadillas, eggs, ect.)

…Emma getting to spend extra time with daddy

…baby rolls

…the gallery wall we are creating

…new throw pillow

…eating breakfast at Los Lupes before Ikea

Time with Great Grandma

Wes snapped these pics on a recent Sunday morning trip to see Bobbob and Grandma (my grandparents, Emma's great grandparents).  I really treasure the time that Emma gets to spend with them :). 

I can just imagine the conversation they were having- too precious :).

Wordless Wednesday

Letter to Emma: Six Months

Length: 24 3/4 inches (10th Percentile)
Weight: 14 lbs 8 oz (20th Percentile)

Dear Bah Boo,

HALF A YEAR- I cannot believe that you have been here that long with us!!!!  I fall more in more in love with you every day.  Time is going by way too fast.  I keep trying to tell time to slow down, but it is not listening to me.  I cherish every moment that I get to snuggle you, kiss you, sing with you and just generally love on you.  You are the sweetest baby.  Your daddy and I couldn't be luckier that you are ours.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe it.

This month was a month of changes for you:
- You finished up your awesome vacation in San Francisco and Santa Clara (more on that to come)
- You attended a ton of family events (Pinterest Party, time with Kelli and Cecil, family bar-b-que, time at Nonni and Pops, time with Ally)
- You started rolling from your back to tummy and tummy to back (and just keep rolling)
- We finally gave into peer pressure and broke you from your swaddle (now you prefer to sleep on your tummy)
- You fell out of your swing and gave daddy quite a scare
- Out of the blue, you just started sitting up and never looked back
- You make the funniest noises when you are in your office
- You are still the most well behaved baby at church
- You started eating food and appear to be starving everytime we feed you
- You discovered your favorite food is carrots
- You now sit in a highchair at restuarants
- You want to crawl really really bad, but just cant quite lift that belly up
- You blow raspberries less often and now stick out your tongue more often
- Your giggles melt my heart
- Your favorite toy is a water bottle and key chain
- You still use your pacifier
- You are still an awesome nurser- we made it 6 months with no formula (to which mommy is very very very proud)
- You continue to go for swims
- Your favorite nursery rhyme for mommy to sing to you is the one I made up (called I love you Bah Boo)
- Mommy still prefers to call you bah boo, daddy prefers to call you Emma or baby girl
- You still have no teeth
- On a typical night, you still wake up one time to nurse
- Your favorite fur baby is bailey, although Starbucks is starting to warm up to you
- You are starting to develop a little attitude when something gets taken away from you (read- tortilla)
- Daddy swears he heard you say mamma the other day (although I still haven't heard it)

Mostly importantly, you still have our heart strings.  You are the center of our world and we love you to pieces.

All my love,
Mommy

Baby Food Expressions

                        

Emma LOVES food.  She has had carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, avocado, bananas, strawberries, eggs, potatoes, tortilla and a little dollop of ice cream (shhhhh dont tell!).  Carrots are by far her favorite and also happen to be the messiest :/.  It is so exciting to see her try new things and see that little brain of hers work!