7 Months!

I'm 7 months old today! And what a great 7 months it's been! So here are some of the fun things I've been up to:

• I'm eating all sorts of Stage 2 foods
• I especially love pears
• I'm almost crawling - and am a speedy scoocher!
• I have two teeth, right on the bottom
• I'm in size 3 diapers and size 9 months for clothes
• I really love my exersaucer and new swing
• Sometimes I wave when people come in the room
• I'm really close to clapping
• I still wake up some nights (much to my mom and dad's dismay)
• I can sit on my own for a pretty long time
• I can go from sitting to my tummy to start scooching towards whatever toy I have my eye on
• Riesling is my best friend!
• I'm a very happy little girl

Our Summer Vacation

Hi Guys! My mom has been remiss in updating the blog this past month, so I'm here to tell you what we've been up to in a pictorial essay.
In August, I started scooching my way around. I love being able to follow Riesling all over the family room!

I watched my buddy, Jackson, become baptized into the Catholic Church. I had my baptism a few weeks before his, so I knew what to expect.

In the middle of August, Mom and Dad strapped me and Ries in the car and drove all the way up to the Cape. I really enjoyed the lovely sunrises each morning.

We went to the beach.

I hung out with my Grammy and Grampy.

We went to the Band Concert. I enjoyed the lively music, but loved my glow stick even more.

I ate some sand. I hear it's good for the digestion.

I went on a boat ride too!

It has been a great summer. I loved seeing all my grandparents, great-grandmothers, aunts and uncles, and playing with all sorts of dogs and stuffed animals. Sand is my favorite. Swimming in the pool is also my favorite. Swimming in the ocean is NOT my favorite! That water is too cold! Maybe I will like it more next year.

6 Months!

Laura is 6 months old! It's hard to believe how quickly the last 6 months have flown by. I feel like I was just taking her to the pediatrician for the first time (in between snow storms)! She has grown so much from that first visit. Here's a retrospective.

Laura, One Week:
Laura, Two Months:

Laura, Four Months:

Laura, Six Months:

To date, Laura weighs 15 pounds, 11 ounces, and measures 26 1/8" in length. She is exactly in the 50th percentile for everything! Perfectly healthy, and perfectly beautiful.

Three Years!

September 2002:
July 2007:
July 2010: We made the best decision of our lives when we chose to become a family. I love you, Nate!

Lady Godiva

Isn't she so cute?

We are having so much fun watching Laura explore the world. Lately, she's really getting into her toys. She loves balls, dolls, books, rattles, Ries... anything she can get in her mouth, really!

This weekend, Nate sat for the Certified Financial Planner exam - a two day intensive test. We'll find out how he did in two months. Nothing like a little suspense following such a big test! Nate studied really hard for the exam. Laura, Ries and I are feeling very confident.

Laura and I went into Baltimore for Artscape while Nate took his test on Saturday. It was HOT, but not too humid. We enjoyed a little sun, some good music, and an afternoon with the Nelson's!

God Bless Laura

God smiled upon our little family yesterday afternoon, by offering a sunny break from the humidity, as He welcomed a baptized Laura into the Church. Laura, Nate and I were surrounded by family and friends on this special day. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, to everyone else who had us in their prayers.

Happy 4th!

Laura sure knows how to celebrate a holiday:
Relaxing in the pool!

Visit with Uncle Taylor!

Taylor and Julia joined us for dinner Friday night, and offered up a delicious apple pie for dessert. Laura helped! We love having Taylor and Julia near enough to visit us often!

Staff Picnic!

Laura joined me at work last Thursday for the annual Smithsonian Staff Picnic on the mall. It was a bright sunny day - perfect!

Note the staff onesie Laura sported. She's a team player.

Laura and I also took part in the 1st SI staff photo - which happened to also be the largest human sunburst ever, with about 3,500 staff members in attendance! If you look real closely, I drew a red arrow to show where Laura and I were standing. It was a really fun experience!

June Recap

Holy cow! It's already July, and I never posted anything about June! I can hardly remember what we even did all month... So here are some cute pictures instead.

Laura riding Riesling - they are best buddies

Laura in her Peruvian dress with a real llama - thanks Aunt Maria!

Laura celebrating Aunt Torie's graduation with her Great-Grammy