Sunday Dinner at Auntie's

Sunday afternoon was spent at Auntie Keri-Ann's condo. We had a great time, delicious dinner, and Laine took a very nice nap in the guest room, where we set up the Pack 'n' Play. Of course, we toted along her sound machine and sleepsack, because...well, why mess with success!

Jumping on Auntie's couch.

Hungry baby!

Playing with Grandma

Reading with Grandpa B.

Happy Birthday Greyson!

Laine went to her first birthday party on Saturday. We helped celebrate Greyson's first birthday with Chad, Nicole and all their friends. It was a great time, only poor Laine needed her nap! We stayed for an hour and a half and then had to split.

Psi U babies: Tyler (Max and Kristin) Greyson (Chad and Nicole) and Laine

Shoeless, as she kept eating her sandals.

Ya got any teeth in there?

Finger Foods

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I have been terrified of giving Laine any finger foods thus far. The books all say that when a child is close to crawling, has a pincer grasp, and can handle thicker solids, they're ready to try something more than pureed foods. She's been capable of this for at least a month. We finally bit the bullet and put ONE Happy Baby Organic Apple Puff in front of Laine on Saturday night. It took her 20 minutes to get the thing in her mouth, and when she did, she put it right in the middle of her tongue and it triggered her gag reflex! After a cough, she gummed it good (they dissolve pretty quickly) and gone it was.

Today after a banana and some peas for lunch, I put another one on her high chair tray. She pincered it right up and proceeded to pass it from hand to hand delicately between her thumb and forefinger. She grasped it in her palm and got frustrated when she couldn't figure out that she needed to release her grip in order to allow the fingers on her other hand to pinch it. She waved it around and shouted with excitement. She fumbled it and dropped it down under the tray.

The bottom line is, that my daughter who wants to put her feet, her hairbrush, my sweatshirt zippers and ties, the remote control, her shoes, napkins, my hair, any sort of strap that she can reach (on purses, stroller, high chair), her clean diapers, and anyone else's fingers or toes into her mouth--played with this FOOD and did not once put it anywhere near her lips. Sheesh.

Today, I was at QFC and saw something called Mum Mums, a baby rice cracker that a friend of mine had mentioned her son enjoys. I gave one to Laine when we got home and they were a much bigger success! I think she liked the control she had over holding something a bit more sizable, and quite honestly I think she was afraid of the puffs since they made her cough the first time. We'll stick to Mum Mums for the next couple of weeks, and then see where we stand with the puffs again.

Gettin' Artsy

A number of weeks ago, I discovered a site called Picnik that is great for quick, pretty uncomplicated photo editing. I certainly don't have the time to take photos with a camera that requires detailed focusing, but this site can do some cool things with just a click. Before I found this, my editing consisted mostly of cropping. Below are some of the techniques that I've enjoyed so far (focal softening and a cross processed look).

Fun With Friends

We had two great playdates last week! On Tuesday, my childhood friend Dakota brought her darling girls over to play. Claire, Grace and Laine had a fun time together. Dakota and I had fun catching up! Claire and Grace are so sweet. We look forward spending more time with them!

Claire shows the babies how it's done.

On Wednesday, my AGD friend Jen brought two month old Kyan over to play with Laine. Funny enough, they both slept most of the time (Laine was taking a very long nap in her crib) but once she was awake she was very interested in this little angel!

Smiles all around!

Stick with me, kid. I'll show you the ropes!

While Jen was here, I got a disturbing call from US Bank that my debit card number had been used at a Tennessee Walmart. It was declined, of course, because it was suspicious, but YIKES! They immediately cancelled and are sending a new card. Rather puzzling to me too, as I only use my credit card when buying things online, so I'm not sure where they got the number, etc. The bank employee told me the person had gone to great lengths--a false card had actually been made in order to use it at the store! It just goes to show that even with precautions, you can still have something like this happen.

Laine at Eight Months

Changes everyday. Since turning seven months, Laine has tasted mango, blueberries, prunes, peaches, quinoa, green beans and even cinnamon (added to her morning oatmeal!) She's a confident sitter now, hops up on her knees and rocks back and forth, and will be crawling any day. Just yesterday she got from her tummy into a sitting position before I even knew what was happening. She's been busy playing with her tongue (and anyone else's who is willing to stick theirs out,) and can "click" it. On Father's Day she clicked her tongue, Jayson clicked back, and she clicked back to him! It went on for quite some time and I had to come sit near her to see that it wasn't just Jayson making the noise--it was so loud that I didn't believe it was her doing it!
Laine very much enjoys watching the baby in the mirror. She shrieks and laughs and waves her arms, and tries to grab that other baby! She really enjoys other REAL kids too. At our PEPS meeting on Friday, Laine came on a little strong towards two of the baby boys. She talked so loudly and was so excited that she made them cry! She isn't always so animated with lots of people around--this is a new thing--her voice is very strong and I think she will be better at asserting herself than her mommy is.

Even though she's not really crawling yet, she still gets herself around. On Sunday while Jayson and I were getting ready for the family to arrive, Laine backed herself under our bed. Just the other day she moved one hand forward...her knee forward...her other hand forward...and then stopped just short of moving that other knee to make it a real crawl!

She also has her two top teeth in. The one on her left came in first and about three days later the other appeared. I think another is bubbling under the surface, as we've had some unexplained fussiness the last few days. On Thursday night, she woke suddenly at about 8:00 and cried and cried. We gave her some Tylenol and then she laid her head down to rest on my shoulder and put her thumb in her mouth. This may not sound like much, but this is my little lamb who isn't much of a cuddler. Even as a tiny baby she didn't want to sit back and be cradled, she was happier sitting up and facing her adoring public. It's been MONTHS and MONTHS and MONTHS since she fell asleep in my arms, but on Thursday she decided she wanted a cuddle. I sat in the chair in her room and rocked her. At first, she laid her head down and sucked her thumb, but every few seconds she'd pop her head up and twist around, looking out her bedroom door to see where Daddy had gone. After she settled down, she sucked on her thumb and after much movement and repositioning on her part, she ended up laying in my arms and falling asleep. She sucked her thumb until it fell out of her mouth. She smiled in her sleep, something I haven't witnessed since she was very tiny. I was in her room rocking her for almost an hour, and every minute of it was wonderful.

Jayson's First Father's Day

On Father's Day, we gathered the families together and had a little BBQ. The weather didn't exactly cooperate, so we ate our hamburgers inside! Regardless, it was a wonderful day spent with daddies and grandpas.

Grandpa Buechler- Thank you for your love and special attention. You're so caring and gentle with Laine and she knows just how much you love her, and she loves you too! Laine B. and her Grandpa B!

Grandpa Good- Thank you for all your help and for being so protective. It makes me smile to see you with your granddaughter...it's almost like reliving my childhood from the outside looking in. Time together is so precious.

Jayson- It's a daily joy to watch you and our little Peanut. Playing with her, reading to her, giving her baths. She loves her Daddy so much and I look forward to watching your relationship grow. She adores you and I know she has you wrapped around her little finger.

Busy Weekends- From Laine's Eyes

We've had a few very busy weekends! Two weeks ago, we went to the Issaquah Farmer's Market, where Mommy and Daddy showed me all kinds of fruits and veggies, and (shhhhh...don't tell,) gave me the tiniest taste of homemade cherry ice cream. I had a great time, although a few times I suddenly started crying. I was fine after a few seconds, but the crowds scared me a bit.
We stopped by Fisher Meats in Issaquah to pick something up for dinner. When we got home I played and laughed for the rest of the afternoon, and Daddy brought my Command Center outside so I could jump on the deck while they grilled steaks.

I haven't learned to crawl yet, but I am more mobile than ever before. The past two weeks, I've learned how to get up on my haunches and rock back and forth, and then scoot backwards. That's how I ended up by the coffee table and found Mommy's plastic apples!

Last weekend was what Memorial Day SHOULD have been like. It was beautiful all weekend and we were busy again! On Saturday, I was a very, very good girl. I played on the deck surrounded by cushions (just in case I tumbled over) and watched Mommy and Daddy work in the yard. Then, it was time to meet a pony!

Our neighbor was turning four and she thought I might like to sit on a pony and have Mommy take my picture! Mommy's pretty sure I didn't even know that I was sitting on an animal, but I did see the horsie's face and gave him a once over.

I got lots of time to cuddle with Daddy and give him loves.

Then it was time to go swimming! Mommy blew up my new crab pool and even though it has a cover to keep the sun away, Daddy put it in the shade. Mommy also put sunscreen on me anyway--boy are they protective! I heard Mommy say that my skin and hair are so fair that it would be easy for me to burn. I see a lot of hats in my future!

I had a great time playing with toys in the water, and wearing one of my new bathing suits. I kept busy for a long time and was pretty wound up--I knew I needed a nap but I didn't really want to take one. I finally dozed off and woke up in time to eat dinner and practically go right back to bed!

On Sunday, we met up with Andrew, Kate, their son Ben and their new baby Ty. We ate at Kona Kitchen and I sat in a restaurant high chair for the first time! I played and looked around, and chatted with everyone. Mommy was so proud of me.

We headed over to the Maple Leaf park nearby, but poor Ben wasn't feeling well and the Heidergotts headed home. I hope Ben feels better soon, I was looking forward to playing with him! I also wanted to get my picture taken with him and little Ty. Next time! We stayed for a little while and tried out the swings, which I liked even better than the ones at OUR neighborhood park.

When we got home, Mommy did more yard work and prepared for Desiree, our favorite photographer, who was coming on Monday for my second round of pictures. I'm looking forward to next weekend, when I can cuddle with Daddy on Father's Day, and give my Grandpas kisses!

Welcome To My Crib

Videoooooos!

Laine chatting with her current favorite buddy, Puppydog. He's her fave (even though she slams him to the ground at the end).

Musical talent already.

Pears! This was a few weeks ago, it's now one of her favorites!

Rainy Spring Day

We spent today indoors. We...

had some giggles,

played with all the toys,

tried blueberries for the first time,

helped mommy cook babyfood (prunes, green beans and quinoa,)

took a nice, long bath,

read the same story over and over,

and gave her favorite page (panda bears) lots of kisses.
(This was totally unprompted!)