Today you turn 6 months old—at least we think so, seeing as you only have a half birthday every four years. Sorry about that, Peanut. We’ll celebrate instead on February 28. We’re glad you’re not 28 lbs., though. We weighed you this week and you’ve started to slow down—hard to believe, with those chubby, chubby cheeks. Fully dressed you top out at 18 lbs. 6 oz.

Not a whole lot has changed this month. We’re still waiting for you to roll from your back to your tummy. You’re just as close now as you were a month ago. We tempt you with toys, but you can’t seem to figure it out!

You still love to play in your Exercauser.

You still like to play with your Marty.

You will still play on your own for about 25 min. We often come down when time is up to find that you’ve pulled your headband off and are sucking your thumb.

You still love to stand on your own two feet. We’ve made up a number of different songs that you now like to shake your hips to. My favorite?

I’m a little Peanut, two feet tall.

I like to sing and I like to dance.

When I get all worn out, then I fuss.

Just put me to bed for a nice, long nap.

You’ve become much better about sitting on your own, though. I bet before too much longer you’ll be sitting like a pro. I can’t wait for the day when I can just set you down and you can stay all by yourself.

I will say, this though, Amelia, you really have improved your naps. After a long battle (in which my “Amelia Channel” really came in handy), you’ve decided that taking a long morning and afternoon nap is something you’ll do willingly. I just have to make sure you get down right on time or you’ll wake early and fuss. I have to say, nothing makes me happier than when you get your full sleep. You wake up happy with nice rosy cheeks and will offer smiles to anyone within your sight.

And I’ll do just about anything to get you to smile—even talk in high squeaky voices for hours on end and give myself a sore throat. You’ve also become more willing to giggle, we just have to find the magic trick that will set you off. When we do, you’ll just keep laughing until we stop.

Dad’s a sucker for your smiles, too. He is a great daddy-sitter and every time I return home I can always be greeted with a funny tale. I’ll never forget the time I returned home to hear the newest musical creation—to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”—”The tummy on Amelia goes glug, glug, glug…”

This is so true! Nearly every time we shake you or move you, we can hear the milk sloshing around. Not for long though! This month you’ve hit a big milestone. Last week we started to feed you solid foods.

Your first meal consisted of noodles, steamed carrots and steamed broccoli. Apparently, you’re not such a huge fan of broccoli. I’ll be real honest with you and admit that I don’t blame you—only recently have I started to eat broccoli. You seemed to be a huge fan of sweet potatoes, though. It is fun to put food in front of you and see what you do. Although, you seem to be more interested in sucking your thumb than eating anything off your tray. I think it will just take some practice…

We have had record amounts of snow this year in Columbus, so you’ve gotten plenty of chances to play outside in the snow. We’ve played with friends, thrown snowballs and gone for walks. It’s funny to see you blink and squint when confronted by the bright, white outdoors. Sun isn’t something you’ve seen a lot of in your life!

Just this weekend we went tubing for the first time. I think you had a good time sliding slowly down the hill. Your father and I are determined to make sure you have an adventurous streak in you, so we are starting you out at a young age!

There isn’t anyone better to teach you to be adventurous that your Grandma Bonnie, so it was a good thing she came to visit. You’ve had fun playing with her and are always willing to give her smiles and giggles.

We’ve had a good month together. I feel like we’ve finally settled into a groove—which means it’s probably about time for something to change! I can anticipate your needs and plan for the days ahead, it’s really rather nice.

More than anything, though, I just like to be your mom. I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to stay home and take care of you each day. There is nothing more fun than watching you grow and change on a daily basis. Thanks for providing me with the opportunity to be your mom!

The enticer of many smiles,

Mom

Amelia Marie | 4 Comments »

With the out-of-doors so unappealing at this time, we’ve (ironically) taken to swimming more than we ever have done before. It might have something to do with this little chubby, thigh firl… who looks so adorable in her pink suit. In any event, we love showing off our white, white skin.

We will often head to OSU’s RPAC, where we can all get in for free during family hours and enjoy their warm pool.

Amelia doesn’t particularly relish the water, but she is content to just enjoy it and practice her skills. She is good at floating on her back (with a little head support) and ducking under the water for a brief second.

One Saturday, we went to the indoor community pool in Dublin, with our friends the Allen’s. It was fun to go down the slide, swim around in the lazy river, and spend time with our good friends.

Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff | 2 Comments »

Scott came home a few weeks back to announce that he had a surprise for me. I hurried outside to find little flower-blub shoots just barely breaking the surface of the dirt. I don’t know what they were thinking. Obviously, they were a bit quick on the uptake (pun intended).

Since then, Columbus has received a record 26″ of snow in fourteen days. Schools have declared no less than four snow days, roads have been icy and even Ohio State shut down for the day on Tuesday.

Cabin Fever is running rampant around here. I’m feeling a bit snowed in. I realized yesterday, that I hadn’t left the house—stepped out of my front door—in close to three days. That’s pathetic.

But it’s hard to think about going anywhere when these Icicles of Death, Destruction, and Doom hang over your back door and drip menacingly anytime you step foot outside.

And when your car is snowed in under four feet of plowed snow, it’s a bit difficult to pack up your currently sick baby and think of driving off anywhere down icy and snow covered roads. That’s assuming I actually have someplace to go—which I don’t.

Aren’t you excited to come visit, Mom?

Here’s to fond memories of spring, green growing things, and little seedlings…

Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff, Proof of the Existence of Four Seasons | 4 Comments »

The ridiculous amount of snow has made some huge icicles.  The icicles overhanging our windows weren’t even particularly big, but Lonica and I had a great time knocking them off.

Thank you Dave and Candace for the snow shovel, we would be buried without it.

…and repeat. Eventually we got the broom and started swinging it like a baseball bat to bust the big ones off. Lots of fun.  Hopefully the roof doesn’t cave in on us, with no warm weather in sight.

, Life in OH-IO | 2 Comments »

My self-declared snow day ended Saturday morning with shoveling–which is no easy task, bathroom cleaning, and dishwasher unloading. Super exciting.

Things picked up again, though, with impromptu snow-man crafting and snowball throwing.

Plus, there was the not-so-successful snowy “hike” (where we didn’t even make it out of the car because of the blast of chilly wind and the instant hold-you-breath-and-spit reflexes of the Peanut) and attempt as a good-quality snow picture. Nothing is more exciting that surreptitiously sneaking onto private property and quickly trying to adjust your camera settings and snapping away before a big dog (or something similar) chases you off the grounds.

We’ll try some snow fun again today, though, as we are currently hibernating under a good two-feet. Eight inches of which fell in the last 24 hours.

Lonica Stuff, Proof of the Existence of Four Seasons | 4 Comments »