February 19-26

Tuesday was Olivia's 6-month check-up.  She's 17 lbs 14 oz and 28 inches tall.  The doctor also told us we could start her on some rice cereal, although we're planning on pretty much using baby-led weaning.  I bought one box of cereal so that she gets used to chewing before we just put food in front of her.  We mixed up a tablespoon of cereal and let the amusement begin:

As you can see from the pictures, she was excited to hold the spoon, but less than pleased with the resulting food.  :)  For more pictures, continue reading after the break.

Rice cereal?  Eww.
Mom's hair?  Yum.

I didn't realize the sun would
be so in the way...

Thursday we tried rice cereal again, and Olivia was even less impressed than on Tuesday, if possible.  She didn't even try to eat it, preferring to spit it out instead.  Good thing I like rice cereal.

We also found a bow in the wrapping paper when I was putting a bag away.  She really wanted the paper, but she was content with the bow.  Then I discovered that it had a little bit of sticky on it still, and she wore it in her hair for a while.  :)

Friday Bryan took off work and he and his dad spent a couple of days building a prayer room in our basement.  This was their second weekend of work, and they finished!  It looks very nice.  I'll post pictures next week.

This morning, Olivia discovered what an array of loud noises one baby can make in a resonant building (such as a church).  I don't remember my mom spending over half the service standing in the back of the church with a happy but noisy baby...

February 12-19

Monday Aunt Justine and WD-40 came to visit for the week.  It's a good thing she called when she left, because I had forgotten she was coming...

I tried to get a picture of the teeth...
It didn't work.  :)

Tuesday was a cranky day, but that pesky second tooth finally came in.  :)  Justine, WD-40, Olivia, and I went walking at the mall.  We were moving at a pretty good pace, but still got lapped by a more ambitious mall-walker.  Twice.  We reasoned that we were allowed to be slower because there were four of us and one of her.

Olivia is sitting up quite well now.  She only tips over when she straightens up too much and falls backwards.  She's careful not to reach too energetically for toys since she doesn't like losing her balance.  I've decided that she must have developed her inner ear.

The remainder of the week was spent going for walks -- a couple days were nice enough for outdoor walks -- and playing music.  Olivia liked the music, at least until she decided we weren't paying enough attention to HER.

Friday we drove to MI to see my family, where Olivia was MUCH more pleasant than last time, and even decided that these people who all look way too much like mom when you're tired and hungry and just want food and a nap maybe aren't so bad after all.  :)

For more pictures of the week with Justine (although it's hard to tell, because Justine actually doesn't feature very prominently in most of them):

February 5-12

This week I learned that babies don't slouch.  Olivia seems to have forgotten how to roll over, but she's compensated by beginning to sit up very well.  I pile some blankets on the floor to cushion her from the hardwood in case she falls, give her a couple of toys, and let her have a good time.  Every day she's a little less wobbly and sits longer before tipping over.  Watching her Wednesday, I noticed that she has great posture: Her spine is straight all the time.  She leans and tips, yes, but it's always her whole upper half that's moving, not just her shoulders.

We're working very hard on getting another tooth right now.  She wants a matching set, after all.  :)  I can feel a second bottom one just about to poke through.

January 29-February 5

Friday was Olivia's half birthday.  We had a BamBam photo shoot to celebrate.

We also went to the mall, where Olivia learned to drive in the parking lot.  They grow up so fast!

This morning we were standing in church.  It was near the end of the service, and Olivia had stopped squirming and was sitting contentedly on my hip, one thumb in her mouth.  Suddenly she yanked her hand away from her face and started crying.  Loudly.  I hugged her, I bounced her, I swayed in place...  Nothing was working.  I couldn't figure out what would have set her off.  Unless...  I stuck a finger in her mouth and felt along her bottom gum.  Sure enough, there were some little points sticking out, just (her) left of center.  A tooth!  My best guess is that she bit her thumb with her newly cut tooth.  I'd be upset, too, little girl.

More Pictures: