6 Months Old!

Hannah had her 6 month check up. The Dr. said she is looking great! Here are her stats:

Height: 27.5 inches 95-97th%

Weight: 18 lbs 1.5 oz 75-90th%

Head: 44.5 cm 90-95th%

At 6 months Hannah is becoming so much fun. Well, she's always been fun but she is a lot more interactive and developing quite the personality. She reaches for EVERYTHING. So we have to be careful about what is within her reach. And within her reach is about twice the length of her arms because that girl can reach. When I am feeding her there have been multiple occasions where she has either knocked the food out of my hand or kicked the food off the table. You'd think I'd learn after the first time....apparently not. She loves to look at people until they look at her too and when they do she gives them a huge grin. She is not very shy at all but she played this game with her Papa when we were in Sun Valley. He would look at her and say "Peeeeee Pie!" and she would give him a huge smile and than duck her head into my shoulder. She would do this every time he said that to her. When others would try she wouldn't give them the same reaction, so that was funny. She has also become a little amateur parrot. When Mimi was saying goodnight to her she said "I love you" and than Hannah replied "Ah luv oooo" and we all looked at her like, did she really say that? And than Mimi said "You love me?" and Hannah said "uh huh". It was unbelievable! Soooo precious. Another time Jake was telling her how much he loved her and he said "I...." and she replied "I......". I know its hard to believe, but there were witnesses :-) She sits up on her own really well and rolls both ways with ease. She also has a new trick where if she is standing up and I put her hands on a coffee table or her crib railing she can hold her self up while standing! That girl is buff! She is also becoming possessive over toys. If she is playing with something and I take it away she will start to cry, and when I give it back she stops crying. She is also Mrs. Photogenic! Every time someone pulls out a camera she immediately stops what she is doing, looks right at the camera, and smiles! She just loves the camera. It becomes problematic when I am trying to film something cute she is doing...as soon as she sees the camera she stops and smiles. She was sleeping wonderfully, about 7-9 hours and even 10 hours one night. However on our trip to Idaho she started waking up during the night and has continued to do so. Hopefully that stops soon. We just can't believe she is already 1/2 a year old. But what a sweet, beautiful, angelic, happy little addition to our family she has been.

Sun Valley Trip

On Thursday morning we packed up and drove to Sun Valley, ID to spend the week with Jake's family. The drive there couldn't have been better. We left at 8am, and with Hannah being a late riser (usually up at about 11am) we figured she would sleep most of the way. Which she did. She was only awake for about an hour of the 5 hour drive and only cried for about 20 minutes, which worked out great because it was the last 20 minutes of the trip. When we arrived we met his family for lunch at this scrumptious deli and then headed back to the condo after checking out a couple of shops. For dinner Jake's mom made some yummy ravioli's using a secret family recipe. Luckily I'm a part of the family so I know the secret :-)

Friday was a fun and relaxing day. Jake and his dad woke up early and went golfing. Unfortunately they got drenched in the rain and headed back after only 9 holes. We then spent most of the day relaxing and watching TV. After a yummy dinner out we all went bowling. Jake and Mike dominated the scene while I was just happy I broke a 100 :-)

On Saturday we went to lunch and then did some shopping. Jake and I bought this awesome game called Hit or Miss. The game was definitely a "Hit" that night :-) The boys then took the kiddos home while the girls did some quick shopping of their own. I bought a few things for Hannah and Mimi bought her these could little glittery Mary Jane shoe-socks. That night I cooked Holly's vegetable lasagna (the recipe that I recently posted) and everyone loved it.

On Sunday we went to church and then went out for an afternoon bike ride while Mimi and Aunt Aubrey watched the babies. It was a beautiful ride which was luckily mostly down hill :-) We thought we would be gone a couple of hours, but ended up making it back home in an hour. We then watched Mall Cop and played Hit or Miss once again.

Monday morning we went out to breakfast and did some more shopping. I bought a Sun Valley sweatshirt and these awesome "switch flops". The straps on the flip flops have Velcro on them so you can change out different color straps (pictured below). I am sooo excited about them.

While we were shopping Jake and his dad went golfing again. They had a great time and the weather was much better this time. When we got back Aubrey made this yummy sesame pork and broccoli noodle dish that we all enjoyed. After dinner we threw Jake's dad a little retirement party fool of pie and a cape and crown :-) On the crown we wrote 31 reason's why we love and appreciate him because he worked 31 years. After dessert we watched the movie Fireproof which I highly recommend. It was a wonderful movie on marriage and the importance of keeping Christ in the center of our lives.

Monday morning we ate breakfast and hung out until the afternoon when we all headed home. It was such a fun trip and we loved spending time together as a family. Hannah was wonderful with her Mimi, Papa, Aunt Aubrey, and Uncle Mike. She warmed right up to all of them. My only complaint about the whole trip, well besides the rain, is the car ride home. Hannah took a nap an hour before we left, which was a BIG mistake. She cried most of the way home. I didn't know babies could cry that long. The 5 hour trip turned into 7 miserable hours. The hardest part is that she was so angry that she even refused to nurse, which was not only very uncomfortable for me but kinda nerve wrecking. Needless to say we made it home and will plan much better from now on.

And now some pictures from our trip:

The peaceful ride to Sun Valley. Hannah asleep with one hand on her book and one hand on a water bottle.

Hannah and cousin Katelynn having fun with Papa.Katelynn and her Uncle Jake.
Mimi loved rocking and singing Hannah to sleep. It looks like Hannah loved it too :-)

Hannah and Katelynn sitting in their Bumbo Seats.

Hannah wearing her daddy's hat.
They are going to be best buds! They are soooo stink'n cute together.
Silly girls. Check out Katelynn's dimples. She has atleaset 4 of them!
Our pretty little princess.

Pregnancy Tag

1- Where were you when you first found out you were pregnant?

I was at home in our guest bathroom.

2- Who was with you?

My husband, Jake.

3- How did you find out that you were pregnant?

Home pregnancy test. We were in Walmart and I was a couple of days late so while we were there I picked up a pregnancy test, not really thinking much of it because I had been pretty sick that month.

4-What was your first reaction to finding out you were pregnant?

Thrilled!! I screamed and Jake ran into the bathroom thinking something was wrong but by the time he got there I was jumping up and down with joy. We had been trying for a year and I was beginning to think it would never happen for us.

5- What main symptoms sold it for you?

Breast tenderness and frequent urination.

6- Who was the first person you told?

Jake! And than my mom :-)

7-Did you plan to get pregnant?

Most definitely!

8-Was everybody happy for you?

Yup!

9- Did you want to find out the sex?

Yes, very much.

10-What was the sex?

A beautiful girl.

11-Did anyone throw you a baby shower?

Yes.

12-If yes, who?

My sister-in-law, Rashell.

14- How much weight did you gain?

30 lbs.

15- Did you lose all of the weight that you gained?

I lost all 30 lbs by the 6 week check up....but in the following months I have gained some of it back.

16- Did you get a lot of stretch marks?

I got a few on my bum :-)

17- What did you crave the most?

I went through phases. But mostly anything with homemade potatoes.

18- Did you crave anything crazy?

Nope. Well, besides dirt (j/k).

19-Who or what got on your nerves the most?

Just the waiting and not knowing when she would get here.

20-Did you ever resent your husband for "putting you in this situation"?

No way.

21- Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?

None.

22-Where were you when you went into labor?

Sleeping in my bed.

23-Did your water break?

Yup, as I was getting into the shower before heading to the hospital.

24- What were you feeling when you knew your baby was almost here?

Excitement, joy, love.....pretty much every good feeling there is.

25- Did you go early or late?

Late! Well, according to my due date she was a day early. But when she came out her skin was all dry and pealing, which meant she was about a week late.

26- Who was in the room with you when you gave birth?

My husband and mom.

27-Was it video taped?

They started video taping as soon as she was out.

28- Did you have any drugs for the pain?

A lovely epidural. :-)

29-Did you go natural or have a c-section?

Natural.

30- What was your first reaction after giving birth?

I cried because I was so overwhelmed with happiness.

31- How big was the baby?

8 lbs 12 oz and 20 inches of pure heaven.

32- Did your Husband cry?

He got teary eyed.

33- What did you name the baby?

Hannah Joell.

34-Was it difficult coming up with his/her name?

Kinda...but we decided on it about 6 months into the pregnancy.

35- How long were you in labor?

Contractions started 12 hours before she arrived. But from the time my water broke it was 9 hours.

36- How much time did you get with your baby before they whisked him/her away?

About an hour.

37- Did the baby(s) have any complications?

There was meconium in the amniotic fluid so they had to drain her stomach and treat us both for an infection. I was also pretty close to having a c-section because of fetal distress during the contractions.

38- How old is your baby today?

5 1/2 months! (I can't believe it)

39- When is the next one(s) coming?

In a couple of years.

40-If you could, would you do it all over again?

Yes.

41- What do you wish people would have told you before you got pregnant?

I was pretty well informed.

Amazing Vegetable Lasagna Recipe

So my friend Holly recently posted a recipe on her blog that I decided to try yesterday.  Turns out it is a keeper.  It was so good in fact that I would like to share it with my friends too.  Try it, you won't regret it!

1 pkg oven-ready lasagna noodles
1 15oz container ricotta
2 eggs
1/2 cup or so parmesan cheese (if you have grated on hand, that would taste the best)
pepper to taste
dried (or fresh) basil to taste
bell peppers (I like to use a couple different colors: red, orange, and yellow)
broccoli
1 onion
a couple carrots
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
A few handfuls of mozzarella

Use about 4 cups of chopped vegetables combined (use more or less if you want). Dice the veggies--couple handfuls of broccoli, 2 whole peppers (at least), whole onion-, and grate the carrots. As you chop them up, put them all in a big microwave safe bowl with a little bit of water and microwave them for 6 minutes or so until they are tender. 

While the veggies are "cooking" mix together the ricotta, parmesan, eggs, pepper, and basil. Then add veggies to this mixture.

Then assemble lasagna: pour some pasta sauce in a 13 x 9" pan first then add a layer of noodles. Then cheese/veggie mixture, sprinkle with handful of mozzarella. Then repeat layers starting with pasta sauce until you run out of toppings. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour and 15-30 minutes. Let stand for 15-20 minutes to firm up. 

Mimi and Papa's Visit

Jake's parents drove down from Idaho to spend his birthday with us. Hannah had a lot of fun with her Mimi and Papa and warmed up to them immediately. Within a few minutes upon their arrival they had her smiling and laughing. They arrived on Thursday which was Jake's 27th birthday! I can't believe he is 27. We started dating when he was 21...time just flies right on by. For Jake's birthday we went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant, The Happy Sumo. Then we went to his Aunt and Uncles house to have dessert. Jake got some money from both sets of parents which he is planning on putting toward some golf clubs. The following day Jake got off work early and went golfing with his dad at Cedar Hills. While the boys were golfing us girls went shopping at the Holy Cow Boutique. Hannah made out like a bandit! Mimi bought her a new swimming suit and cover up, sun hat, leggings, socks that look like ballet slippers, this cute little onsie, and some embroidered socks. On Saturday morning we went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe and than had to say goodbye. It was so much fun having Mimi and Papa here, but the visit was way too short.

You should get one too!!

A couple of mom's in my branch were talking about how they are all getting Seven Peaks Season Passes this summer and suggested that I do the same. They mentioned that in the summer it get's too hot to go to the park, so they take their children to the water park. It sounded like a blast so I got one! I am way excited. Hannah loves bath time, so I'm thinking she will be a big fan of the pool. I did some searching online and found some good deals on swimming suits for Hannah and I. They arrived yesterday so I just had to try them on Hannah. Here are some cute pictures of her in the adorable swimming suits. They are for ages 6-12 months...but I'm guessing she won't be able squeeze in it at a year old, I just hope they last the summer. I tried mine on too, but I'm going to spare your eyes and not document that :-) For any of you moms that are reading this, you should get a season pass too!! It is only $49.95 for the summer and children under 4 are free.

Hannah is quickly becoming a pro at sitting up on her own.

5 Months Old!

Our little girl is growing up so stinking fast.  She is becoming a very busy and active girl.  She is always trying to reach for anything in her view.  Her favorite thing to play with is a water bottle.  Yes I know...easy to please.  If only we had known this before we bought her real toys :-)  She is becoming very smart too.  Yesterday Jake gave her one of his empty Gatorade bottles to play with.  Than he held a bigger empty bottle in front of her and she immediately dropped the smaller one and reached for the big one, it was precious.  She just recently started sitting up on her own.  I have been playing with her on the floor and letting go while she is sitting to see if she could balance and a couple of days ago she did.  She sat there for a couple of minutes just playing with her toys.  Yesterday she showed daddy her new trick when he placed her in the corner of the couch with her back supported by the couch, and when he came back she sat up on her own and played with her toys.  She is still very talkative but has decided to show us her not so pretty voice which consists of grunting and squealing.  She never fails to keep us entertained. 

She sleeps in a variety of different positions.  Ranging from crooked neck positions to side sleeping while covering her face.

This is how her daddy discovered her and how he quickly found out that she can sit on her own.

She reaches for everything!  From the camera while I'm taking a picture to the mirror above her swing...

to her cute little feetsies.
Propping her self up while sitting.

She is such a happy little girl and never fails to brighten up our days with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.

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