New Hair Curt

Elliott: 6 months.

Elliott:

It's your half birthday!  I can't believe your first year is half over.  You are growing so fast, I'm trying to soak it all up, but it's moving too quickly.  You are already getting so squirmy, making me miss the days when you would just snuggle with me.  I'm gonna blink and you'll be driving!  You are so fun now though.  You laugh, smile and squeal all the time.  You are such a happy boy.  Here's what you've been up to this month:

- You weigh around 15 pounds, and measure about 26 inches long.  We go to the doctor on the 16th for your 6 month well check, so we'll know your exact measurements then.  You had another ear infection this month, this time in both ears.  You were put on another round of antibiotics for the ear infection, and are still taking Zantac twice a day for reflux.

- You're still not napping much.  You might take one or two 45 minute naps each day.  You are still sleeping great at night though, going down between 7:30 and 8:30pm and waking between 6 and 7am.  You nurse as soon as you wake up and go back down for another hour and a half after you eat.

-You are wearing 3-6 month clothes, with the exception of a few 0-3 month pants and shorts.  You are in size 2 diapers.

-You started eating solids this month!  You eat two tablespoons of either rice cereal or oatmeal mixed with an ounce of formula or breast milk (when I have extra) twice a day.  You eat 2 tablespoons of fruit in the morning and 2 tablespoons of a veggie in the evening.  You've tried bananas, apples, pears, avocados, sweet potatoes, and peas.  You have eaten everything we've offered you, but you weren't crazy about peas unless they were mixed with your cereal.  Your favorites are apples and sweet potatoes.  You are still nursing, but have dropped from nursing 6 times a day to 5 times a day.

-You still go to daycare only 3 days a week.  You take three 5oz. bottles of expressed breast milk when you go.  You love your teachers, Ms.Virginia and Ms. Leslie!  You participated in the baby olympics this month.  Winning a medal for the "swimming" and "passey pull" competitions. :)

-You are reaching and grabbing for everything.  You love long hair and necklaces.  Momma is sporting lots of ponytails! 

-Your first (bottom) tooth broke through the gums this month.  I love seeing it when you laugh and smile! You are still drooling and chewing lots, so I'm wondering if you have another one coming soon.

- You can roll from your tummy back to your back now, making rolling your primary form of transportation.  I think you'll crawl within a month though.  You can scoot to get a toy if it's about a foot away, and you've started pulling your knees under you and moving your feet when you're on your belly.

- You are jabbering more and more.  You've started making the mmmmmm sound.  I get so excited thinking maybe you are trying to say Momma.  I repeat "ma ma ma ma ma" anytime I hear you making mmmmmm sounds, hoping to encourage your first word.  We are getting more laughs out of you these days.  Your laugh is the absolute cutest sound I've ever heard!

-You spent your first night away from Mom and Dad, staying over with your Pia and Poppy.  You did great, and your grandparents had a ball keeping you!

It's been 6 months, but we're still in awe of you, gushing over your every move. We think you are perfect, and we thank God for every day He gives us with you.

Happy half birthday,
Momma

Happy 4th!

I spent my day relaxing with these two, enjoying time off work, food and family. I'm so thankful to have been born and raised in the USA. We are truly blessed. Hope your 4th was full of fun!

I have slacked on the Show Us Your Life home tour lately, so I'll have to show you my bedrooms and dining room later, but this week I'm linking up to show you Elliott's room[s]. I've shown his nursery on the blog before (I'll share again though for those who may have missed it), but I'm excited to also share his playroom with you. We closed in our screened in porch last summer to make more room for our growing family, and I've yet to show off the finished product. We have gotten so much use out of our new space, that functions as office, playroom, and sunroom. I think it was a wonderful investment, and it was certainly a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Elliott's room.

Changing table/dresser.

Bedding and handmade quilt made by my friend, Laura.

Pintrest inspired alphabet wall.

Elliott's playroom.

Daybed.

Toy storage #1.

Momma's desk.

A corner for his books and art (someday).

Toy storage #2.

These are the spaces devoted to our little guy. Can't wait to see your kid's rooms to get ideas for E's future brothers or sisters. Go link up!

Getting away to Arkadelphia.

Gary's grandparents on the Grant side have planned a vacation for the entire family every summer since he was young. They call it the "Grant Getaway." As everyone has gotten older, they have planned the getaways a little closer to home. This year we all gathered in Arkadelphia, where his grandparents live. This was Elliott's first Grant Getaway, and the first time for several family members to meet our little guy. I think he was a hit, especially with Gary's cousins, Zachary (7) and Isaac (5).

This getaway was extra special because we also celebrated Gary's grandparents 65th wedding anniversary. The family surprised them with a dinner and gift presentation. They are such an inspiration to us all.

4 generations of Grant men.

Elliott and Zachary

Our family with Meemaw and Pawpaw

Elliott with his great grandparents.

Another successful Grant Getaway for the books. Looking forward to next year!

Homemade Baby Food.

Elliott started eating solids about 2 weeks ago, and he is loving exploring new tastes and textures. Gary and I both agreed that we wanted to start him on a strictly organic diet. He has a pure, clean slate, so we want to make sure the food we put into his body is 100% pure. So, I ordered a Beaba Babycook to make his baby food. Much to my surprise, it was really easy. We made peas, apples, and bananas to start. Here's an outline what I did for those Momma's who might be considering homemade baby food:

I used "The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet" cookbook, given to me by my friend, Brooke, to make each of the purees.

Using the Babycook, you can steam and blend, meaning no dishes. If I had to use pots, pans and a blender, I don't think I would be able to stick with it, so I feel like we made a good investment.

Once the food was blended, I poured it into covered ice cube trays for freezing. One cube is one serving, so all we have to do is defrost a cube and serve it up.

When the cubes were frozen I put them into freezer bags labeled with the food and the date. The frozen fruits and veggies will be good for 4-6 weeks.

I gave each a little taste test before freezing, and they were pretty dang good. I'm looking forward to letting E try them all.

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

[1] New toy. [2] Cuteness. [3] Listening for Elliott.

[4] Downtown stroll. [5] Future Tiger. [6] Movies in the Park.

[7] Loving Aunt Wesey. [8] Bridal hair.

Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day to the two best father's I know, my Daddy, and my husband. We had a laid back day today, celebrating Dad and Gary in Hot Springs with breakfast, followed by more celebrating with my Papa over lunch at my Aunt and Uncle's in Benton.

My Dad has always been a source of constant encouragement in my life. I wouldn't be living my dream as a salon owner had it not been for his encouragement, support and advice. Watching how he loved my mom, and led our family spiritually growing up, molded my standards in choosing my mate.

Gary is a loving, encourager as well, providing for our family not only as a financial leader, but as a spiritual leader. Watching him take on his new role as "Dad" the past 5 months has been truly wonderful. I didn't think it was possible for me to love him more until I saw him with Elliott.

Praising the Lord today for blessing our family with these two men!