Seriously -- Six months?!

Likes: chewing on stuff, grabbing her toes, grabbing in general, wiggling around, throwing herself backward (especially in a Bumbo or walker to make it move), talking, being tickled, being tossed, reading and chewing on books, chewing on her index and middle fingers, eating, snuggling into her Piglet blanket to sleep (more on that later, I think it's a mom's worst nightmare in the SIDS era), snuggling at all, kicking her long legs, the ladybug that used to hang from the carseat handle, rattles, "lovies", sneezing, listening to music, Samson and his whole-face kisses

Dislikes: being more than arm's length away from someone, being hung upside down by her feet, being in her carseat, having her nose wiped or "sucked"

Claire is growing fast, but is still so tiny. (Case in point: in the picture above she's wearing 0-3 month pants with room to grow, but not length!) I might have to buy her a new carseat not because of weight but because of length. She is doing well sitting up on her own, but tips over frequently just because she squirms so much. She laughs almost constantly when the boys are around to tickle her and is starting to enjoy more physical playing, like being tossed in the air. She babbles and coos, and likes to "sing" while she eats which makes for a long mealtime. She has also started on solids, and is loving oatmeal, bananas, and pears so far.

Today, I am Thankful for... (day seven)

Today I am thankful for a warm house to stay inside of while the stupid snow is out to play, and excited to start some fun "first snow" traditions with Mason. I really hate the snow, so I'm trying hard to find a way to make it fun. I would like to avoid ruining his view of a winter wonderland, because he is so very excited to go build a snowman.

I would be extra thankful if he would stop the tantrum throwing so we can have some fun. If he does, I will be back to post some cake pictures on the food blog later today. Also, I have finally finished one of the projects I wanted to do for Claire's room, so maybe I'll get pictures of that up as well.

Today I am thankful for... (day six)

Today I am thankful to be the mom of a sweet, beautiful daughter who loves to sing while I'm trying to feed her, enjoys being rocked to sleep, and grabs my shirt so tightly during either activity that she is always attached to me (no need for a sling at our house).

I also love watching her adore her brother and dad. She has always been quick to give them a big smile, bu she's starting to not mind when they play a little rough with her. Beyond that, she loves it enough that the little giggle she gives is infectious.

I'm grateful we decided to have another baby. She completed our family in a really fantastic way and I'm so excited for the opportunity to watch her grow, to get to know her better, and to be her mama.

Today, I am thankful... (day five)

Today I am thankful to be the mom of such a healthy, energetic, silly little boy. I am also thankful that the day is going better now than it did at the beginning. He helps me live in a world where a wonderful day is simply a picnic lunch in his bedroom and his bed is the slide or the big bridge or somewhere to bounce. It's a truly magical place and I need a little of that! Now if I could just borrow a small fraction of his energy...

Today, I am thankful for ... (day four)

Today, I am thankful for the lovely gift of a comfortable rocking chair to snuggle my baby in when she can't breathe all night. And for the gift of wit that will make it possible for me to make it through the day after sleeping sitting up, because at a certain point all you can do is laugh about it!

I am also thankful for our good health. The last two nights are among the first I've spent sitting up with a sad, sick baby; I've been very lucky not to do that more often. We, unlike many others, usually only have doctor's bills from regular check-ups, have not been to the hospital unless we're visiting dad at work, and hope we continue to be so blessed.

The more I hear from friends who are suffering through something unimaginable, or whose children are suffering, the more grateful I am for this. Problems are possible at any turn. I've been very fortunate to have two healthy pregnancies and to give birth to two healthy, beautiful children. It would be ridiculous not to recognize the gift that is as I hold my children close every day and watch them grow.

Today I am thankful for... (day three)

Today I am thankful for brave men and women who defend my family, my country, and my lifestyle so that I am free to live it. They go where no one else wants to go, do what no one else will speak of, and are expected to come back and live happily after all that. I am sincerely grateful for their sacrifices.

My brother-in-law was in the military (specifically in the Marine Corps.) for a few years. It's no great secret what he gave up in the end. He is living a great life now, but will have physical challenges to overcome for the rest of his life. And he was one of the lucky ones.

While he was enlisted, he missed many family events. Some were major, some were minor, and we planned what we could around the times he would be home. But he wasn't around when Mason was little. I know he missed the little guy and he was very anxious to be a part of Mason's life once he was back home.

Again, though, we were one of the lucky families. He didn't forego a honeymoon or miss the birth of his own child. But these incredible people give up all that and more for our security. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am for them. I'm equally grateful to the hospital personnel (who I believe are also enlisted, but I'm not sure) who stitch them back together when things don't go as planned.

I could go on about this forever and kind of already have. I feel silly joining the group by thanking them on Veterans Day when it's foremost in my mind more often than that. But today is a good day to start.