Finley: 6 Months Old

***Warning*** This is long.  Of course it is for you to enjoy, but more than anything I write it all down so I can remember what happened each month.  So when Finley asks me in 10 and 20 years I just might have somewhat of a recollection of what happened when.

6 MONTHS!

I can't believe you are so old!  It literally feels like yesterday that I sat on the couch all day everyday holding you while you slept and ate the newborn stage away.  Now you sit up on the couch beside me and play with your toys while I drink my coffee!  Where did my tiny little baby go?

Well actually you are still pretty small.  For the longest time you were average (that's a good thing), 50th percentile.  Now it seems you have dropped to closer to the 25th.  You don't care much about eating, you are much too busy for things like that.  It seems you and your friend Lofty-bear may have that in common.  At your check-up this month, you weighed in at 15 lbs 3 oz and were 25 1/4 inches long.  Despite your small weight, you have your fair share of rolls particularly at your wrists and ankles and your upper inner thighs.  

(Adults are cringing but on a baby it is so cute!)

You also have your first ear infection.  Sad day for mommy and baby.  You have been taking it like a champ per your usual self.  I love that about you.  Always smiley and happy no matter how much or little you sleep or eat or how crummy you feel.  I think you get it from your Daddy.

This month you have gotten pretty close to mastering sitting up.  Of course the time I leave you alone on your blanket you fall over and hit your head on the jungle gym (that's what I call her Baby Einstein bouncer/play saucer.)  Oops.  A fall every now and then will make you tough...I guess.

You are pretty proud of yourself.

The doctor was super impressed with your sitting up abilities which is good considering you don't have much of a desire to do a lot of rolling.  You are capable of rolling from your stomach to your back but you don't do it much and you haven't attempted the reverse.  Oh well, you'll learn at some point.  

If I didn't learn anything else in my kagillion years of grad school, it's no two babies are the same and stressing about a baby following the "rules" of development too much is just silly over-protective parent stuff.  A good lesson for moms to remember.

This month in pictures...

You love "drinking" out of a cup whether its the water at Painturos with everyone cheering you on or Daddy's morning coffee.  You love being a "big girl".

Paisley continues to be your best friend.

I must say these are some of my favorite pictures.

You got a lot of cousin time this month with all your favorite "C" named boys....Caden, Copelan, Coleman, and Crockett.

 Neet-ney loves her babies, too.

 Early morning play time with her Cubby.

While at Aunt Candy and Uncle E's, we spent some time at the park.  Finley got to enjoy her first time in a swing and on a slide.

 Finley loved laughing at her silly Copelan and Caden at Patty's.  She loved their crazy antics.

Finley also had some sweet time with her friends!

 They were so cute together.

I hope Annabelle and Finley enjoy as sweet a friendship as I share with Heather.

Finley took her first train ride.

You ate your first mum-mum which you loved!

In general you like to eat anything you can get your hands on...including my camera.

Which makes taking your monthly photos a challenge...

You are such a silly girl.  And still quite the talker.

Sorry this is a long video.

 Your hair has really grown this month.  You started wearing bows without headbands for the first time.

Happy 6 Months to my Happy girl!

He is Risen!

Easter was a fun and beautiful time at the Steele household.  We so enjoyed celebrating the joyous fact that we serve a risen Savior!  As our first year with a little one, this year was even more special.  Naturally, at 5 1/2 months old, Finley is unable to fully participate in the holiday festivities or understand the magnitude of the gift we are celebrating, but she enjoys the extra attention nonetheless.

We started the festivities a week early at JaJa's and Cindy's (that "Crazy lady" as she calls herself to Finley) spring show that included a visit from the Easter Bunny himself.  (Thanks Uncle Seth!)

She LOVED the bunny!

She was also very tired.  One of the things she does when she is tired is nuzzling you but not in a gentle way.  

Our home celebration on Easter morning included a visit from the Easter bunny.

Finley's first Easter basket.

She loved digging through her basket of eggs, bubbles, mum-mum's, a bunny purse (from JaJa) and a bouncy ball (not pictured).

Family pictures.  Everyone is a bit tired...especially Mommy.

After church, we had lunch at my parent's house with my grandfather.

She loves her Papa Cross.

4 Generations.

These girls love their Big C!

Kisses for Big C.

She doesn't get any affection as you can see.

Poor Aunt CiCi usually gets pictures like this.

Then finally a good one.

 MoMo got some love too.

Doing her pterodactyl yell.

Obviously, our crazy, smiley girl had a great Easter as did we.  Hope you enjoyed your family celebrations as well.

Finley: 5 Months Old

I can't believe you are almost a half year old!  You change so much every day!

This month you were full of personality!  Smiles everywhere.  A giggle here and there.  And the occasional full fledge drama-mamma!

(She gets her drama honest as you can tell.)

Although you smile constantly, a laugh is tough to come by.  You don't pass out your mirth to just anyone or for just any silly face.  You prefer the open mouth silent laugh.

But Daddy got your giggly by being the silliest Daddy around.

I wish I could have gotten a better video.  She was distracted by the camera.

This month you have really started to notice Paisley.  You absolutely love her, despite her incessant licking.  I'm excited to see you girls as blossoming best friends!

You are always trying to pet her and I must say Paisley has been a champ because your petting is more like hair pulling.

As Spring has sprung, you got your first two pairs of sunglasses!  You love them and look like such a stunner in them!

Thanks Papa and Aunt CiCi for the gifts!

We made a quick trip to Curve to see your cousins and help JaJa come home after helping Aunt Candy take care of Crockett and Coleman.  

You absolutely love them.  And your Cubby and CrocCroc loves you.   

I think this is the sweetest picture.  While we were getting them ready for bath, they were having the biggest time playing on the floor together.

Again this month, SMILIEST BABY IN THE WORLD!

You seriously smile all the time, which is one of the few things that makes waking at night with you bearable.  Yes Yes folks.  This is my hungry little snacker who depending on the night might sleep like a champ or want to eat all the time.  Week to week things are different around here.  Oh well.  Every time I think I might not survive another night of random waking, God lulls her to sleep and quiets her upset tummy and she sleeps forever.

You have really enjoyed getting to try some fruits and veggies over the past month.

Silly girl!

With the chilly weather this February/March, you often rocked your sweat suit and bunny go-go booties!  

Favorite toys this month:

Books.  

Particularly your soft books.  You love that they crinkle and make noise and are so fun to eat!

What's not these days?

 Your Monk-Monk

 Great gift Daddy!

And...finally you have enough hair to put a clip in.

Although, I admit from a distance your hair is so light that it looks like it is just glued to a bald head.  Oh well.  One thing at a time.

Happy 5 Months, Ninnybear!

You look much chubbier than your light weight would suggest.