Anna can now tripod! Woohoo! I've attached a picture below. She also can rotate 360 degrees in her exersaucer and knows how to play with all the different features on it! She's noticing the phone and the remote control now- wanting to taste them and hold them.

I'm looking forward to Mimi coming to stay with us and Aunt Lori (John's sister) visiting this weekend. Pops will also be here this weekend but will be busy with a soccer tournament. And next weekend is great-grandma's 94th birthday- we're having a cook-out here and all the cousins will be up! I can't wait for the 3 monkeys to get back together again!!

My little girl is so smart. This morning when I put her down for her nap, she rolled over, then propped herself up to look over the new bumper to see me. She knew I hadn't left and was curious to see what I was doing (putting away clothes). That's the first time I've seen her actually prop herself up to look- before she just kind of stayed in one place and didn't notice much if it wasn't right in front of her. Now she's exploring! I have a feeling she'll be mobile soon! She's kicking her legs a lot more when she's on her tummy, and scooting her knees up under her when she sleeps...very cute, by the way. I'll have to get a picture soon!

How I eat my carrots...spoon, then thumb.

I love carrots!!

I don't know why I consider this a milestone, but buying the next size up in diapers gets me sentimental!! Anna is now in size 3!! We weighed her the other day and she's a little over 16 pounds...but I think her chunky thighs are what puts her in the bigger size diaper! Anyway, after 2 leaks we realized it was time for a change (of course AFTER I bought the new pack of 2's).

I heard Anna's belly laugh today for the first time and it was fabulous- it made me so happy I got tears in my eyes and I wish I could have recorded it!! I can't wait to get her to do it again!

She now has peas on her menu, but they're not her favorite- I'm tempted to try some fruit, but am afraid she'll prefer those and not want her veggies anymore. Today I added a tiny bit of apple juice to her rice cereal. She loved it!! She seemed a little constipated after the butternut squash and carrots, so I figured a little apple juice might help that situation!

Our 5 month old looking more like a little girl every day!

Anna's now eating butternut squash and carrots- yum! Just one time a day, and we've learned to just feed her in her diaper and bib- she loves to suck her thumb after she eats the food off the spoon- it's a mess but so cute!

Anna's buddy Madeira

Getting puppy kisses (more like snuffles)

This past week we had Mimi stay with us to watch Anna while John and I worked - it was absolutely wonderful to have her at home with Anna- unfortunately it made me wish we had a nanny- it was ideal to leave Anna at home and not have to take her to daycare, as we were able to follow more of a routine and not expose her to excess germs and stimuli she doesn't need right now! She is starting to teethe and I can see the outline of her bottom 2 teeth on the inside of her gums! I just found out tonight that this teething process lasts for at least 2 years....geez I have so much to learn!

Anna's favorite tummy time blanket

I can't believe I didn't try this out sooner- she loves feeling the fringe on the blanket and it helps her forget she's on her stomach! My manager's mother made this blanket for her- I love it!



Anna and the otter at Maymont!

We had a great day at Maymont Park- Anna enjoyed seeing all the animals, and her mom and dad look forward to the days when she can run around and spend all of her energy here!! What a great FREE place to go right here in Richmond!

I had no idea how many animals lived there- I can't wait for Sean and Braxton to join us at this park when they come visit!






Anna watches John feed the goats

Attempting rice cereal

Right now, there's more cereal to clean up than she's eating, so we're just trying it out a little at a time to get her used to the texture and flavor (is there any?)

Anna and I both have minor colds right now. So far just stuffy noses- I realize this is the first of many since she is in daycare, but I hate it just the same- my milk supply seems to have dropped off and Anna's not sleeping as well- we're trying a vaporizer in her room and Vicks BabyRub- both seem to help! Wish us luck!