6 Months Old

Jade was officially half-a-year-old yesterday... I am freaking out.

A Week in the Life...

Daycare... work... eating new foods... spitting out new foods... back-pain... growing-pains... teething-pain... distraction... toys... sharing... holding hands... smiles & laughter... baths in the kitchen sink... baths in the soaker tub... playing with cardboard boxes... packing out-grown baby clothes in cardboard boxes... more smiles and laughter... sucking on and playing with tiny toes... painting toenails (first time in a year!)... sharing a special look or smile... babbling non-stop... playing with "Dada" or funny "Mr. Pants-on-the-Head"... burping :)... trying to crawl but scooting like an inchworm... crawling off the couch to make dinner... putting everything in the mouth... cleaning everything before and after it goes in the mouth... grins & giggles... learning... cuddling... laundry... MORE LAUNDRY... living for the weekend... going to the park as a family... seeing everything again for the first time through a baby's eyes... being fascinated with mommy and daddy's eyes... drying alligator tears... overwhelmed with excitement... comforting and trying to stop the real tears... catching up with old friends... making new friends-young & old... hugs... picture taking... picture sharing... "talking"/slobbering on the phone... talking with family... missing family... visiting family... kisses... and more kisses... alone-time... quiet-time... sleeping...



In a word... LOVE.

NOTE: the camera died as Josh was zooming in to take a picture of me and Jade!

Happy Valarie Day!

I have a friend at work named Valarie--I emailed her "Happy V-Day!", and realized her name starts with a "V", and we could just celebrate HER! So don't buy cards, chocolates, or flowers for anyone you know UNLESS their name is Valarie :) Just kidding...

Jade Marie, Joshua and I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day--full of love and happiness and kind gestures shared between loved ones, friends, and anyone else who needs a smile. Instead of spending money on gifts, challenge yourself to simply make someone's day! They will remember your kindness much longer than the chocolates that would only increase their waist-size ;) (Getting off my soapbox now...)

We also wanted to share our sentiment on this happy day with everyone:
We love our friends and family so much--all of your love and support is amazing, thank you.

And, in case anyone is wondering what the weather is like in our neck of the woods:

Poetic and Moving...

Greatest version of Baby Got Back EVER!!! I think Josh and I may have a new song...

Finally - the pictures :)

Best seat in the house

Where her feet are lately...

What do you mean it's GONE?!

I'll open up for CARROTS!

But I'd like to keep the spoon, please.

First two teefers.

Drool on Dad!

Toes... YUM!

Another good seat...

I'm an AUNTIE!!!

I can now officially be called "Auntie Em"... my sister-in-law and brother had their baby this morning around 6am (don't know ALL the details yet), a healthy 6lbs 7oz baby boy! He is 19 inches long and his name is Kane Nazir Moore (don't know if I spelled that right). WELCOME TO THE WORLD, NEPHEW!!! And congrats to Tyler and Shari, who are both doing fine.

As if being a parent wasn't rewarding enough, now there is a new little baby to love--yay for babies!!!

She's growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!

No pics in this one--sorry, I forgot the camera today! I'll try to remember tomorrow and post some that go with all the exciting stuff I am about to write about. :)

Jade has chompers! TWO!!! I remember checking for teeth on Thursday (in the midst of our two-week-long sickness--all 3 of us), and nothing... then on Saturday Josh says "she's got teeth!" I, or course being the all-knowing, super-connected and bonded to my daughter Mother said "no she doesn't--I would know."

Low and behold--she has her two bottom teeth :) Excitement--and another lesson in humility! This also explains why she has not been feeling too well lately (aside from her mom and dad being sick)... but she has been grinning and bearing through all of it! Babies really are sweet and innocent--Josh and I bitched and moaned the whole time we were sick, and she just smiled and played and laughed and loved, all the while being sick and teeth coming in! She's amazing.

Also... she said her first word. DADA! I cried of course, but Josh got teary-eyed too. Now every time she says it, he gets all excited and picks her up and says "Yes baby--I'm dada!" and the baby-talk continues between them. I recorded it on my cell phone, but I am still working on how to possibly post that--we'll see.

She has been eating "food" now for a couple of weeks--so far just sweet potatoes and carrots, but she's doing really great! I've seen babies much older not get half as much down as she does... of course, she does love to play with her food though :)
Other than that, she can consistently bring her feet to her mouth by herself now--got some pretty cute pics of that, I'll make sure to post. Ivana made the comment that she is just "the perfect baby" because she is always happy and does all of the cute things that babies are known for doing, and not too many of the things that are hard to deal with (colic, poopy blow-outs, etc.). I'll have to agree! Planning to get 6-month pictures in a few weeks, and again I'll post the proofs from Sears' website when they come through.
At only 5 1/2 months old, she has dramatically changed our lives for the better... pretty big accomplishment for a little lady that can only say one word so far! I can't say enough how much I love her and how blessed we are. Thank you everyone for your love and support in raising her--it certainly does take a village! That being said, anyone wishing to give parenting advice can only do so if they've changed one of her poopy diapers ;) Just kidding...