Happy 1/2 Birthday!

Well Joanna, I blinked and you're now 6 months old!  How's that even possible?  I want time to slow down, but yet I'm excited for what the next months will bring us.  

You're a petite thing like your sister. You currently weigh around 14 pounds, but will know your definite weight on Dec 1. You're still wearing a size 2 diaper and 3-6 months clothes.

You've had a big month.  You discovered your feet, can push up on your arms during tummy time, took your first stroller ride in the neighborhood and started eating solids.  You like sweet peas and squash. 

 You are still nursing around every 2 hours with the occasional stretches to 3 hours while awake. You do however become very distracted while nursing.  I can't speak at a normal tone or have Vivian dancing/playing around you.  You rather see what's going on vs eating.  Mommy has to go in another room with no distractions which a lot of times is impossible.  

You are the queen of 30 minute naps.  You take 2-3 naps a day and if you miss your 3rd nap, night time sleep is a mess.   You become overtired and wake multiple times a night and sometimes it can take anywhere between 1-2.5 hours to get you back to sleep.  If I can get you to take that 3rd nap, you wake 1-2 times at night.  Your in bed between 6-7 pm and sleep until 6-7:30 am, but lately you are up for the day at 6 am.  I do leave you in your crib close to 6:30 if all possible.  I guess I have two early risers on my hands!

You like Elmo, Sofie the Giraffe and books. Your favorite is 'That's Not My Lamb'

 

Sweet Joanna, you have the most contagious laugh.  Your entire face lights up and those dimples come out.  Truly melts my heart.  Vivian is the best at getting you to laugh.  You both look at one another and the laughter begins.  Music to mommy's ears!!

 You really don't have too many dislikes sweet angel.  You tolerate your car seat, but you don't love it.  I wish you would stay asleep anywhere we go like a lot of babies I  see!  You do get upset if you are awake too long.  You aren't a fan if mommy isn't in the same room as you and there are days you want to be held the majority of the day.  

You have been a true blessing sweet angel.  I love more than you'll ever know sweet girl. 

  

Joanna's First Food

On Sunday, Nov. 15, I took the plunge and gave Joanna a taste of her first food, sweet potatoes. That's what I started Vivian on, so I figured we'll do the same for buttercup.

  I have a Beabe Baby Cook that is now used to make Vivian's smoothies. It was great and easy to use making Vivian's food and I had every intention on doing the same this time.  Well, I added my diced sweet potatoes and started the steamer.  About 5 minutes in, I heard a loud whistling sound.  I came into the kitchen and the baby cook was leaking water and steam was all over the place.  I made the mistake of popping the top, while holding Joanna, and it was like a bomb went off from the pressure being released.  Thank God the wall of steam didn't smack Joanna in the face!  After that, I added the potatoes to a pot to boil.

Once the potatoes where finished boiling, I added them back to the baby cook to puree.  I think I had a little too much water that made the potatoes so bland tasting.  I also added a little frozen breast milk for a familiar taste.  I did try a little...not going to lie, I wasn't a fan.  I decided to give some to Joanna since she didn't know the difference, HA!  

When she saw the spoon coming towards her mouth, that girl was excited.  She was reaching for the spoon trying to get it into her mouth.  After that first taste she wasn't too sure about it.  She did continue taking bites.  Vivian wanted to try, but she spitted it right out LOL.  

After giving Joanna a few bites we called it quits.  I had to make a trip to the grocery store and decided to pick her up a few containers of food.  After she had a taste of the store bought sweet potatoes, she took a liking.  

Vivian didn't really like solids until about 8 months old.  I'm happy Joanna is ready to jump the gun with food.  Definitely a fun milestone!  Plus, Vivian can now help out and feed Joanna a little :)

 

Leafing Around

Fall.  What's not to love about this season?  Cooler weather, long sleeves, warm drinks and leaves.

At our previous home (our first home purchase), we had only pine trees.  Boo.  I really hate pine trees, simply because of the needles. This home has great trees producing awesome fallen leaves.

B had to rake the yard and made a large pile of leaves for Vivian to play, jump, have a grand ole time.  Amazing how the simplest things bring the biggest smile on a child's face.  I wish (pray) she keeps her innocence and always find happiness in simple things in life.

Here's to the first time jumping in a pile of leaves and definitely won't be the last :)

  

^^ loves blowing bubbles

^^ I can already tell she's going to be the sweetest and kindest little girl

^^  Daddy swinging Vivian into the leaves

 ^^ where did Vivian go?

  

^^  here she is!

First Bath Together

Since my mom has been here visiting and Joanna is sitting up on her own fairly well, I decided to have the girls take a bath together.

I had high expectations that Vivian would love having her baby sister in the tub with her and Joanna splashing around.  Not so much.  Vivian wanted to dump a bottle of water on her one minute, the next didn't even acknowledged Joanna was there.  Joanna was slipping and sliding in the tub after we tried using the Bumbo seat.  Apparently it floats in water.  And to end the bath, Joanna pooped in the tub.  Oh well.  I think we'll stick to separate baths for the time being.

 

Halloween

What a great first Halloween for both girls.  Vivian's first year to actually go trick-or-treating and Joanna's first Halloween ever.  We were excited for the day!

I whipped up a batch of pumpkin pancakes for breakfast that Vivian didn't want to eat.  Oh well, but they were delicious! 

Our local Whole Foods had a 'healthy' trick-or-treat for the kids that we decided to check out.  They followed pumpkin marks on the floor that had an employee waiting to hand out a treat.  Vivian got an orange, pumpkin balloon, organic apple juice box, string cheese, a small bag of candy corn and a stamp.  Hey, all she cared about was putting 'prizes' in her bucket.  

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch at the mall and Vivian rode the train.  Every time we go to the mall she wants to ride.  Whatever makes that little turkey happy!

Both girls took a nap that afternoon and woke just in time to get ready for the trunk-or-treat.  I kept Joanna in her Carter's skeleton jammies for her costume.  I thought about having her wear Vivian's costume, but decided to stick with comfort.  She made a cute little skeleton!

Instead of going to door-to-door since Vivian is still young we chose to do another trunk-or-treat at a local church.  They started at 4 pm which was great and Vivian got a lot of candy in a short amount of time.  Everyone loved her costume and she loved picking out her 'prizes.'  Next year we'll hit up a neighborhood :)

We used an old costume of Brody's to at least have a pic of him dressed up.  Halloween is his least favorite time of year.  Vivian loved seeing him dressed in a costume.

Happy Halloween!