Happy 4th!

Well, Happy (belated) 4th of July everyone! It's been awhile since I've blogged so I thought I would try to get caught up. I found Annie and Mia matching tank tops (Annie loves to match her sissy.) for the holiday. And even though it was 10pm when we took these pictures, they were both in good moods. Mia did great with the fireworks. I told Scott that if I didn't know she can hear just fine I would want to have her ears checked--she didn't even flinch! The fireworks weren't coming in a fast enough succession so she would look around at the ground or something, but when they would catch her eye, she would just stare at them! It was nice (this was teh first year ANnie made it through the fireworks without noise-reducing headphones on!)-- I guess if there was a positive of all her months in the NICU it is that she will sleep through anything and doesn't seem to be bothered by noises!! Mia goes to the doctor next week for her 9 month check-up! So, no current weight, etc... She is starting to wear 6 month clothes, though--very exciting! And she's made her way through all the stage 1 foods-fruits & veggies-and even stage 2 meats. We started meats last week again and now she does just fine with them. She even seems to like the turkey (blah!!). She rolled from her stomach to her back a few days ago, but hasn't repeated it. She's really trying to roll-she'll get there! She's gotten herself on a pretty good schedule, too. Up at about 6:30, breakfast, playtime, a bottle at about 9:00am and then down for a nap at about 9:30. She sleeps for about 2 hours, lunch, playtime and another bottle at about 1:30ish, then back down for another nap at 2:30ish for another two hours or so. Then she's up, has a bottle, plays, and wants a botlle and bedtime right around 8-8:15, PERIOD. If she sleeps later and has a dinner bottle at 6:30 even, she'll want to get ready for bed at about 8:15. She's usually in bed by 9-9:30, since we're also trying to get Annie in bed at about that time, too! She sleeps through the night very well. There was one night she woke up at 1:30, but she ended up fussing herself back to sleep, so, it's been great. I just need to go to bed earlier and take advantage of both the girls being in bed early, but whatever! She's been vocalizing more-we've been workig with her by repeating the sounds she makes back to her. Annie is enjoying summer (as you can see by her great tan!). She's been to the waterpark a couple of times, to the city pool, and over to play at almost all her friends' homes. I'm just trying to remind her that she doesn't have to go, go, go all the time!! But, she's does have swim lessons once a week, karate twice a week and starting next week, gymnastics three times a week. So, so much for a quiet summer!!

When Annemarie was a baby, I would dress her up, pose her and take pictures of her. Well, the other day it was Mia's turn. This yellow outfit was Annie's and it has always been one of my favorites. I love the animals on it because they actually match her nursery theme.

This pink dress was also Annemarie's. It was made by a very dear friend of our family's who has known Scott a VERY long time. Her name is Sis. Branscum from the church Scott's dad used to pastor in Coachella, CA. It's a beautiful dress, but I just can't believe she made it! It has such detailed stitching in the front. I tried to get a picture of it, but you can see a little of the detail in the front.

This is such a great picture!! I love it!! My sister supplied Mia with a few onesies so that we wouldn't forget her (like we could!!).

Hmmm, I wonder where this onesie came from :-) ??

When I was pregnant with Mia, I bought these last two onesies. I thought this one was appropriate and that it shows support for my husband :-)

And really, this is the best. If you're in this family, you know you've thought it at one (or more) point in your life!!!

Mia in her first pair of tennis shoes, that no longer fit, but I sqeezed her foot in there long enough to get a picture (no, they weren't THAT tight.....) and her first pair of jeans. In the second picture, yes, she is sucking her thumb and no I am not discouraging it at this point. It makes her happy; orthodontically speaking it's now considered better than a pacifier and it makes her HAPPY!!! Annie loves to hug and love on her sissy. It reminds me of that cartoon character, "And I will love her and squeeze her and hug her forever!!" I know she won't always feel this way, but it's nice for right now!!

More pics....

When we were in California in May, my sister bought Mia this seat. I've seen them called a Bumbo seat or something like that. Whatever this particualr version is called, Mia likes it. She likes to sit in it and play with the toys that hang from her gym. And, as always, she lets me know when she's done! One of these days, I have to get a picture of her pitching one of her fits.....no one believes me but this sweet little girl can SCREAM and arch her back....the whole bit!! I just like pictures that are close up of babies. This is what Mia looks like when she's tired and I'm sticking a camera in her face--more scared than anything! Mia really likes her swing! And if you look closely you can see her little Sock Monkey onesie (Aunt Cathy is so proud!!).

Tummy Time!

Neither of my daughters have ever enjoyed tummy time. But we do it, because if we don't, Mia's Physical Therapist can tell and then I get in trouble. And, I know that they say that kids won't crawl unless they get ALOT of tummy time.....soooo, here's Mia on her tummy.......She's actually doing alot better lately, since my mom and I found her this little mirror toy. It has little buttons for her to push and it plays music. In the second picture, Mia has caught a glimpse of herself. In the third picture, well, she's just trying to eat the little animals (and this is usually what she does when she's done, except with alot more screaming!!) And in the last picture, well, she just looks like her dad!! Raised eyebrows and all!!!