Peekaboo

This afternoon we realized that Lauren understood the concept of peekaboo. I mean, she has giggled when we did it for her for quite awhile, but now she's actually peekabooing (yes, I made that a verb) us. It's so crazy to realize that this tiny little baby understands such things and can play along (even, apparently, under protest). I know I've said it before, but she is more and more fun every day.

Lauren's First Hike

A few weekends ago, when it was unseasonably warm, Sean and I took off to this park in Kansas City that a friend told us about for a hike. Before you chastise us for the fact that we were wearing long sleeves and Lauren was in short sleeves, let me tell you 1) Sean and I were sweating like pigs, and 2) Lauren overheats in the Bjorn.

Now, moving on, Lauren had a blast. She loves to look at trees, so this was a dream world for her. Oh, and Sean and I had a good time, too.

6 Months Old!

Lauren turned 6 months old on November 4th, and we celebrated by taking her to the pediatrician and getting her several shots. Happy half birthday, L! The week before we had to go to the emergency room late at night because Lauren was wheezing, and, we thought, having trouble breathing. Turns out she had croup, which was not nearly as bad or as scary as the breathing made it sound. She was a trooper through it all, and, I must say, looked pretty cute in her Looney Tunes Hospital gown.

Then, the day before her 6 month checkup, Sean took her to the pediatrician's office because she just wasn't right and because of the croup we wanted to make sure we were taking proper precautions. At this visit, Lauren was named the proud owner of a double ear infection. Awesome. This is her second round of ear infections, and tubes could very likely be in our near future. But, through it all, Lauren is happy and smiling and generally the most adorable baby I've ever seen.

You would like her 6 month stats, you say? OK, drum roll please. Lauren weighs 16 pounds and is 26 1/4 inches long. Her length is in the 75th percentile, but I don't remember what he said on weight. I would guess 65th or so. Her motor development is proceeding quite nicely. She can sit up on her own, and roll out of the TV room, down the stairs, and out the back door. OK, so she can roll from her stomach to her back and her back to her stomach, but seriously, she can cover some ground doing that.

Lauren Tries Sweet Peas

Lauren is a very good eater, and up until sweet peas, had liked everything that she tried. Carrots took a little getting used to, but she never hated them. Sweet peas, however, do not look like they will be liked any time soon.

Lauren is now eating cereal and fruit at breakfast, vegetables at lunch, and vegetables and fruit at dinner. Her pediatrician said that we can introduce meats as well, but we haven't gotten that far. Each week we introduce a new fruit or vegetable, but only one, so that if she has an allergic reaction we know what has caused it. So far, Lauren's repertoire includes: peaches, sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce, prunes, and (kind of) sweet peas. Although we're holding off on sweet peas for now. While I'm sure it's not the sweet peas' fault, Lauren was up ALL NIGHT last night, and so out of an abundance of caution we'll bring those back in a couple of weeks for a Round 2 try.

Funny story: Lauren's teachers at school told us to get her some prunes to get the mail moving, if you know what I mean. Sean and I, always thinking "little good, more better," proceeded to feed her prunes for days. Multiple times each day. After several impressive blowouts (picture it coming out of the end of her long sleeves) the teachers figured it out and told us to limit her prunes to once or twice a week.

Halloween!

Aunt Arie came over to do a photo shoot of Lauren in her hedgehog costume. Words cannot describe how fun she is right now. She is so interactive, so interested in her surroundings, so... wonderful. I realize I'm biased, but if she isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen there might be something wrong with you.

Lauren is a Thrill Seeker

I took this video from our back porch, through our back door. Lauren can see her reflection in the window and loves to feel like she's about to crash through the glass. She also likes to get to the edges of beds and couches and hang her head off, then ultimately she tries to push herself off and crash to the ground. Luckily we've learned that we can't leave her alone, so, much to her chagrin, we've caught her on her daredevil attempts thus far. Let this be a warning to all of you.

Miller is So Over Lauren.

Lauren is as crazy about Miller as a six month old can be about anything. Miller could probably do without Lauren; he's not crazy about his new status as second-class citizen. Mostly he tries to be where Lauren is so that he can get some attention, but ignores Lauren (see video). In Lauren's defense, she isn't in the eye poking or tail pulling stage yet. In Miller's defense, even if she was he would still take it.

Last night we took them both on a long walk. It was the first time we had Lauren in the Baby Bjorn for a walk instead of a stroller. She LOVED it. She thought it was the greatest thing ever that Miller was coming. She laughed, she screamed, she kicked her little legs. Maybe it's the screaming that turns Miller off. We think it's pretty cute, but can see where it might get annoying in the future. Perhaps some of her screams are at a level where only Miller can hear. That would make sense.