Practical Parenting Advice....

I am not allowed to post too much (understandably so), and I hope this post does not lead to my privileges being revoked, but I wanted to share some sage advice I have learned about parenting in the last 6 months. The following illustrations are a good primer in basic baby care:

Growing so fast!

It is so hard to believe that Hannah is almost 6 months old. She has grown so quickly and we are amazed at how much she changes every day. Here are some of the things we are doing now:

-talking, talking, and more talking- She is making different sounds all the time!

-She has rolled over a couple of times, but is still working on this one. This baby seems just fine hanging out-no need to roll over if you are happy where you are!

-She is learning how to sit on her own. She does really well for a few minutes and then she gets excited and moves too much causing her to fall over.

-Our hands are very facsinating! She has learned that two hands are better than one and likes to hold toys while looking at them.

-Thumbs! When we are not sucking on a pacifer the thumb is usually in the mouth!

Sic' Em Bears!!!

I officially wore my first Baylor Bears T-shirt! Don't you think I look cute? I sure think so! Can't wait to see this Baylor place that my Mommy and Daddy keep talking about! Do you love my cheeks too? On this day Daddy thought it might be a good idea to wear my bow so people didn't think I was a boy!

A New View

I normally ride in my stroller facing backwards, but on this day I tried something new. I can see the world like everyone else!!! This direction is much better mom!:)

Prayer Request

We have some dear friends, Rita and Kevin, in our Life Group that need your prayers. They are expecting the birth of their twin babies in the spring. Rita had some complications this week that required her to go on hospital bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy. Please pray for them as they await the arrival of the precious babies.

Such a big girl!

We are learning how to sit up on our own these days. She does pretty well, but still needs a little support. I had to take these pictures really fast!What an independent little one! We are practicing holding our own bottle. She really does pretty good.

Don't you love Daddy?

Sweet Emma
Ok...so last night I went to visit a friend in the hospital. Dustin and Hannah spent some QT together before bed.( which they do fairly often:) Hannah has been swaddled at night for all of her life and sleeps wonderfully because of it. I know that someday she will have to be free, but I am having a difficult time wanting it to be now. Without my knowledge Dustin put her to bed with one arm in and one arm out...the first step. I was worried that she would wake herself up during the night and start crying. Dustin said we had to start sometime and she did great! I was glad afterall that we had done it. So then this morning I get her up and unwrapped the rest of her only to notice that she was wearing a onesie that she has not worn in a long time. It also looked a little snug. When I changed her diaper we figured out Daddy had dressed her for bed in a newborn sized onesie! She now wears size three to six months! Needless to say it was a little too small and I gave him a pretty hard time about it. I guess I forgot to take that one out of the drawer!

Sorry...it has been a very busy week!

Here we are just chillin' after our bath time! She likes taking a bath and getting all squeaky clean!
This is our new favorite face and sound. She puts her bottom lip under the top and blows making her lips vibrate. It is cute except when she has sweet potatoes in her mouth...they end up everywhere.
As she has gotten older Hannah will know snuggle for a little while if she is really tired. Here she and Daddyhad been playing and she was pretty tired!
On Sunday, I went to visit some friends in the hospital that just had a baby. His name is Carson Patrick Holland and weighed 8 lbs 5 oz. They are home now and adjusting well.

Are you trying to catch some flies?

So...it seems as if our little one is hoping to catch some flies. That sweet mouth is always open! And when you see that mouth wide open...you guessed it...DROOL! The poor thing has to change clothes at least three times a day in order to keep the shirt dry. We have learned that an open mouth means we are happy! In these pictures we are chillin' in our new car that Grammy and Big Daddy gave her for Christmas. As you can see she loves it! It is really quite entertaining for everyone. There is even a button under her feet that activates sounds when she pushes with her feet. Watch out for me on the street...I've learned to drive at any early age!

Five Months Old!

Dear Love Bug,

It is so hard to believe that you are five months old already! We have enjoyed getting to know your personality and seeing you change and grow. Here are some things that you do and love:

1. You love baby food! You are eating solids three times a day and love every minute of it! Oatmeal, apples, and squash are always a hit, but not so much with rice ceral. We love to watch you get excited and open your mouth when you are ready to eat!

2. You are starting to laugh more and more! Sitting on the floor and wathcing the dogs brings great joy to your face. You just think they are so funny. Although it is fun to play with the dogs sometimes Emma forgets to bring us back the toy! Oh well!

3. You still enjoy being swaddled for your naps and for the night. Last week you began sleeping for 12 to 12 1/2 hours at night! Boy you must be doing some major growing. Over break Mommy has given up the swing and put you in the crib for your afternoon naps and you have done wonderful! Silly mommoy for not doing it sooner!

4. I think you have figured out that life is much better outside the carrier. You are a good little girl when we go out still, but you don't want to sit in the carrier much. You would rather see the world and watch all the people go by.

5. Boy do you drool alot! We are always wearing bibs and changing clothes (good thing we have lots to chose from:))because you have drooled all over! We think you might be teething very soon! Only time will tell!

We love you so much pumpkin, and can not wait to see what the future holds! Sweet dreams!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

My First New Year's Eve

Every year it is tradition for the Alban, Rhodes, Burchett, and the Johnson families to gather on New Year's Eve. This year we had evryone over to our house to celebrate. Kaden and Hannah got to play some before they went to bed. I think they enjoyed their time together! However, Kaden wasn't really into the picture thing on New Years Day and Hannah thought that was pretty funny! The adults had a great time playing Apples to Apples and hanging out. We stayed up later than we had in a really long time! After a busy couple of days we relaxed at home to bring in the new year! Happy New year everyone!