Planting Flowers

At our house, we had really let our flower bed go.  I mean, if you know Ronnie, you know it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't as pretty as it had been in the past.  We had talked about planting flowers for a while and finally we found some time to get it down.  Avery was none to eager to help!

Now then, let me say that Avery would wear a tutu skirt, sparkly shirt and tiara everywhere she went if I would let her. But for planting flowers we settled on a pink skirt and an old t-shirt, tucked in. I'm glad I have one child I can still pick out clothes for.

This is the before. Ugly right.

We bought a whole slew of flowers. With Avery's input of course.

And then we got to work!

There's always time for a picture break!

Of course, Ronnie had to step in and show us how it's done correctly!
Dig a hole.

Look cute and take a picture.

Make sure hole is big enough and flower will fit.

Squeeze container and release flower.

Gently break roots.



Cover remaining hole with dirt.

Yep, Ronnie is way better at planting flowers and way more precise than I am. 





But he has the bestest of helpers! Now here is where I would show you an after picture. But I don't have one. I assure you though the flower bed looks 95 times better, especially with the black mulch I picked out!

And where was Ellie during all this? Napping of course. She's got the right idea!

Sisters

I think sisters have a special bond and it makes my heart happy.

And daddies have a special bond with their girls. And that makes my heart happy too.

High Chair Fun

Ellie has been able to sit in her high chair for a few weeks.  It's really nice during dinner time because she can play in her chair and we can eat.  I love having the family together at dinner time!

Laughing at her big sis.

She is getting so good at picking up her toys!



Ellie is really getting to be such a little big girl!

Spa Day

So the other day Avery wanted to paint me toes.

Avery: Mommy, can I paint your toes with pail polish (nail polish).
Me: Sure!
Avery: Really?! All by myself?
Me: Yep! That sounds great!
Avery: Yay!  We can play nail store.  I will be the nail store manager. You can call me Rainbow.

Seriously! Where does this girl come up with this stuff? 

I let Avery pick out my color.  Pink.  Big surprise.  And then I let her paint my toes all by herself.

It's very serious work being the nail store manager! Avery takes great pride in her work.

I've never had a better pedicure by a 4 year old!

  Avery was so proud to paint my nails. I'm pretty sure I kept them that way for several days because I was too lazy to fix them so Avery would know how much I loved them.

It was a fun mommy daughter time. I'd do it a million times!

Starting Solids

At Ellie's 6 month appointment we got the green light to start solids.  I remember with Avery we started solids sooner that 6 months but this time around I guess things have changed.  Our peditrician recommended waiting until 6 months and quite frankly that was fine by me.  Adding solids to our routine was just one thing I wasn't ready for.

But finally we figured it was time. We started Ellie with rice cereal.  Let me say, baby girl LOVED it.

Couldn't get enough.

Was grabbing my hand and pulling the spoon toward her.

I'm pretty sure I could have let her feed herself if I wanted to.

And because Avery can't be left out, Avery was loving her corn on the cob that night! She's such a big girl (with wild and crazy hair).

I can't believe we are feeding Ellie solids! It just doesn't seem possible.

I can't decide if time goes by faster for the second child. It certainly seems like both these girls are growing up too fast!

Next up on the menu: Acorn Squash! Sure to be a big hit!

6 month Appointment

Ellie had her 6 month check up Friday and it went great!

weight: 14.5 lbs

length: 26.5 inches

head: 43 cm

Ellie was a little under average for weight (she always has been) and a little above average for her height.  Hopefully she will continue to be long and lean.  Her head circumference was a little above average as well.  We know she has a big brain so she's bound to be something amazing when she grows up.

Dr. F discovered that Ellie has her first tooth coming in!  How did we miss it?  She's moving right into that infant stage and nothing is stopping her.

We got the okay to start solids and will do that in the next few days! I plan to make Ellie's baby food so I'm thinking I better get started on that!

Ellie had to get 3 shots and 1 oral vaccine.  She was a real trooper.  Avery, however, was traumatized by the event.  I'm pretty sure it was more traumatic seeing Ellie get shots than it was to Ellie.  But that wasn't anything a sucker and a Hello Kitty sticker couldn't cure!

Don't ask me what Avery is doing in this picture.  There are times I don't understand the girl.

Ellie Bo Belly is getting so big!  I can't believe how she's grown. 

Apparently the doctor has faith we can manage this little one because we don't go back until she's 9 months old!  Oh, I can't wait to see what she's doing by then!

Ellie Abigail-6 months

Ellie Bo Belly,
I really cannot believe you are six months old today!  Where has the time gone?  You are halfway to one! I can't believe you've become such a happy baby too.  We had some rough days in the beginning but those are barely a memory.  Now you are happy, smiley, sweet and the cutest thing ever! This time has been the best and we are so glad God gave us you.  You have made our hearts bigger and taught us how to love deeper. 

At 6 months you:

• wear cloth diapers on the medium snaps.
• wear size 6-9 months clothes.  Although, if you are in a disposable diaper your pants and skirts fall right off!
• wear size 1 shoes.
• still don't have any teeth.
• still have those dimples that makes everyone swoon.

• have officially discovered your feet and think they are a pretty fun toy in a pinch.
• are no longer swaddled at night!  That is a true miracle! You don't even need a sleep sack anymore!
• have learned how to blow spit bubbles. 
• are usually in bed around 7:30 PM.  We put you in bed wide awake and you are asleep within a few minutes.
• put yourself to sleep at naptime too.  I never thought I would see the day!
• prefer not to snuggle too much before nap and bedtime.  This makes mommy a little sad because I want to smell you and give you kisses.  But you start to get restless and that's when I know it's time to lay you down.
• have extended your wake up time a bit.  You are usually up by 8:30 AM.  I know you are ready to be up because I hear you talking and laughing in your crib.  You LOVE to see Avery come in to say good morning.

Watching her big sis.

• take between 4-5 6 oz bottles a day.
• are starting to sit up pretty good all by yourself.  You can sit for about 5-10 minutes before toppling over. You do great if there is a toy in front of you.
• have mastered transferring items from one hand to another.
• love bathtime.  You can really splash!
• have started sitting in your high chair and playing with toys during dinner.  You have also started sitting in the seat of the shopping cart at the store.  You are so big!
• LOVE to be standing.  We can't wait for you to start walking and chasing your sister around the house. 
• still haven't started solids although you had a couple licks of ice cream and even tried a cheeto.
• have gotten to have some juice due to a couple of issues.  But that's all cleared up and you are doing fine!  
• usually take 3 naps although sometimes there is a 4th nap squeezed in.
• don't really roll too much.  I guess there are more important things to do.
• have started waving although i'm not sure you know what you are doing.  
• have you appointment with Dr. F later this week.  I can't wait to see how much you've grown since your 4 month appointment.

I had Avery with me trying to get Ellie to smile. In a rare instance Ellie actually looked at me and smiled instead of Avery.

Ellie, you are so big and getting bigger by the day.  Life is complete with you.  We love you baby girl.