The Half Birthday

There are some big things happening around here while Eliza is turning 6 months. She is sitting in her high chair for the first time.

Eating food (avocado) for the first time and really enjoying what little she was able to get in her mouth. 

And being transferred to the pack-n-play in our room from the rock-n-play without being swaddled. This is leading up to the soon transfer to her crib in her own room. 

At her 6 month check-up today we discovered Eliza has gained 3 lbs in two months, now weighing 15 lbs 2 oz and in the 35th percentile. She is still long in the 85th percentile with a length of 26.75".

Celebrating the Fourth in the Great Pacific NW

We went to our annual Fourth of July party at Jeana's house on Lake Sammamish. Z headed straight for the kiddie pool on the deck

while Eliza and Daddy hung out. 

But it didn't take Z long in the pool before she was swimming in the lake with Uncle Andrew. 

And more swimming with Uncle Wes. 

Before we left we attempted a family photo. 

I would say it was a successful Fourth of July. 

Five Month Flexibility

This happy little baby turned 5 months yesterday. She is beginning to have such a sweet and cute personality. It doesn't take much to make her smile, giggle and talk to you.

Shortly after she turned 4 months, she began rolling over from her stomach to her back. When she is on her back she goes to her side but can't quite make it to her stomach. She has recently discovered her feet and how good they taste, so that is distracting her from rolling over.

She is just as expressive with her eyebrows as Z was.

If she is not nibbling on her favorite chew toy, her toes,

she is chewing on her fingers.

Her third favorite thing to chew on is this toy.

Boy is she teething and drooling all over herself, but not a tooth in sight. 

Aloha

At the end of April, we did a crazy thing; we took a 3 month old and an almost 2 year old on a family vacation and had a realization that "vacation" will never have the meaning it use to until the kids are out of the house. 

We went to Oahu, Hawaii and don't get me wrong, we had a blast.  

When we arrived at the hotel, we got lei'd.

Our morning view as we ate breakfast.

Lots of time was spent in the pool ...

and going down the water slide, again and again and again.

Z knows the meaning of the word, "vacation".

Z played in the sand for hours,

while Eliza snoozed in the shade

and basked in the shade.

Z wasn't a fan of the inner tube, she would much rather the floaties on her arms. 

But I was a big fan of enjoying a drink pool side while watching James and Z play. 

Our pink palace (hotel).

Oh, I forgot to say the main reason we went to Hawaii was for a friend's wedding, which we were able to attend kidless. 

The wedding was on the Northshore, which gave us a beautiful afternoon drive to get to. 

It wouldn't be an Hawaiian wedding without a selfie stick picture before saying I do 

or fire dancers at the reception. 

 Aloha Hawaii and we will be back for another family vacation but maybe when the girls are a couple years older.

Twooooo...

What a difference a year can make! When Z turned one, she had just started crawling (from scooting), could only stand by holding on to things and the only word she said was dog or doggie. Now she is running everywhere, climbing everything and saying more words than I can count. 

Z's favorite things at TWO years old are:

paw patrol

music

dancing

reading books (over and over again)

blueberries

cheddar cheese

bubbles

playing ball

jumping (on her trampoline or bounce house)

playing outside and in water

playing in her kitchen

Toby and Matilda and dogs in general

Eliza (baby)

going for walks with the dogs in her pink car

Four Months

Four months and still growing long: 97th percentile for height, 26th percentile for weight and usually one sweet smile on her face. Eliza loves her big sister. She sits in her bouncer and follows Z around with her eyes, giggling at every little thing she does. In the past month Eliza is starting to grab things, including her feet. She is starting to roll to her side while on her back and is trying real hard to roll over while on her stomach. Looks like she will be on the move before we know it. 

Mama's Day

It was a special Mother's Day this year with Grandma G in town. 

We started off the day with brunch and bowling. 

And it ended with this sweet girl giving me the best Mother's Day present ever: 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. 

And of course we can't forget to wish a very special Mother's Day to Eliza and Z's Nana and my wonderful Mother. I don't know what I would do without her. Thank you for teaching me how to be the best mom I can be. I fill truly blessed every day to be the Mama of my two little girls.