Bethany's first visit to the park

It was a hot and humid day in Minnesota today. I think the temp was in the upper 80's but with the humidity it felt a lot warmer! After bringing out the boat to the cabin this weekend we spent our Sunday afternoon taking naps in the comfort of our air conditioned home and then ventured out to the park. Dan found a Chariot Cougar stroller, jogger, bike trailer on craigslist and we've used it a few times so far this year. Today we took it to the park and Bethany tried out the swing, slide and sat in the toy car. She really like the swing. I sat on the ground in front of her and every time she'd swing towards me she'd giggle and laugh hysterically!

She is really getting good and reaching for things and grabbing. At the lake we'll walk around outside and she'll be hanging over my shoulder pulling at the nearest leaf or flower. She likes to grab paper - like junk mail or fliers we get - which is fine for her to hold, but everything goes in her mouth these days so it just comes out a messy, soggy blob. She gets extremely upset if we try to take her paper away from her, so we'd better come up with something else equally as fun soon! Actually I think she just likes everything we have. So, if Dan or I are on the computer, or phones, or reading mail she will reach and grab and try and get whatever it is we are doing. Another funny thing is that while playing with a toy if we happen to walk by and she thinks there is a possibility that we'll pick her up, she'll throw the toy sideways as far as she can away from her and reach her hands up towards us. I think she's trying to say "I don't have anything I'm playing with, really, so just pick me up!" It is very cute and flattering. Dan said that when she's in her teens and doesn't think we're 'cool' anymore we'll think back to this stage when we are her favorite people in the world.

Sliding down the slide? No thanks, I'll walk down

Bethany's new thing is to bite her lower lip - she looks like she is really concentrating on driving in this picture

Daddy and me

I LOVE to swing!

After bath time hanging out in her giraffe robe from Grandma Bauman

Some more pics of Bethany with her monkey: 6.5 months old

Mother's Day 2010

Today was my first Mother's Day! I guess Bethany wanted me to know how much she needs me because she started out by fussing during the night which she never does anymore. In order to get some sleep I let her cuddle with me in bed for awhile but she was still sleeping very fitfully. When we got up (early) Dan made me breakfast in bed and I was about to dig in when Bethany decided she needed to eat - right then. So, after that fussy moment she was ok for awhile, but then started crying again and only wanted me to hold her. We made it to the early service at church and then she went down for a short nap before brunch with my family. Charlie slept peacefully through the whole meal at Redstone but not Bethany. She would be good for awhile, but then fussy again until I fed her and she took another short nap in my arms while I tried to eat. I'm getting rather good at eating while holding her! After brunch the guys watched the babies at home while my mom, sister and I celebrated at a spa in Edina with a massage and pedicure. It was very relaxing! Once we got home Bethany needed me again so I carried her around with me, fed her some dinner and got her to sleep. Although it was an abnormally clingy day for her, it was a nice reminder that she loves her mommy and I love her! I can make everything better and love it when she reaches her arms up towards me to pick her up.

Bethany - I never knew how much I wanted to be a mom before you, and I never knew how much I could fall in love with someone that I've only known for a few months. You are my beautiful, happy, cuddly baby and I love you so much! Thank you for being my sweet little girl.



Brunch at Redstone

Playing with ducky during bath time

Sitting all by herself, playing with her toys

I am 6 months old and have 2 teeth!

Bethany's real half birthday was last week and for everyone that knows that tradition in my family it was fun to celebrate it for the first time with Bethany. Even Dan sang every other word to Happy Birthday for her!

Bethany pushed through her first tooth on April 23rd, and the second one on the bottom came through a few days later right around her 6 month birthday. She was really fussy and had trouble sleeping for that first tooth, and was very drooly too!

Here is a picture - it is hard to get her to let me see them but we can really feel them!

After bathtime in her ducky towel

Her feet are one of her favorite toys right now! I consistently find her with soaking wet socks, and sometimes they are stained if she chews on them after a meal of fruits or veggies.

I don't mind doing laundry when I have this little cutie to watch me

6 month picture by her monkey!

6 month stats:

15 lb 12 oz (50%)

25.5 inches (25-50%)

Everyone thinks it is so funny that Bethany is average for weight and head but not for height! Maybe she will have a growth spurt later on, or maybe she just has the short recessive gene. The Dr. said she is doing really well and said we can keep feeding her anything we want at this point in puree form. We borrowed her friend Alyce's jumper and Bethany loves to bounce up and down with a big smile on her face. It is in viewing distance of my piano keyboard so she has been jumping to "The Entertainer" these days. Bethany has found she can make high pitch noises and we hear her happily screaming and laughing to herself about the funny noise she makes. She loves to grab anything near her so walking through a store I have to watch or she'll grab clothes off a rack behind my shoulder, or try to "help" me brush my teeth. She is still perfecting her sitting and practices flipping from front to back and back to front, but her favorite thing is still to stand! We love you Bethany!