More darling Annika

One last long run of pictures before Seth's submarine leaves. These pictures were taken last Sunday. Niki must have known that she was all dressed up because she sure hammed it up for the camera.



And here is proof that she can touch her feet, And get them into her mouth.

She loves sweet potatoes for some unfathomable reason (didn't get that from me!).
She ate so much of them that there was hardly any left to make a mess with. Look at how clean that tray is!
This is Niki helping me sort the laundry. Apparently it was hard work.

And finally a brief video of Niki talking because I know Daddy misses the sound of her voice.

So what am I supposed to do with this?

That's a question that we've both been asking over here. I asked it when I walked into her bedroom and found her sleeping like this:

I mean the medical and maternal world spent nine months drilling the necessity of putting baby to sleep on her back, and now five months later, she undoes everything. I think she likes it better this way.

Niki asked it when I introduced her to cream of wheat (the grown up version because none of my stores have baby cream of wheat).

She wasn't too keen on it. We moved on to sweet potatoes directly.

About the only "person" around here who isn't asking such questions is Max, who knows exactly what to do in any situation.

For Daddy

Some pictures for Seth:
This one is my favorite. What a kiddo!

Niki would like to send a message to her daddy too. Here she goes:

"v julibvvvvvvvvvvvvp-'

[?pxxn vc'[-p;

'sskzfdddddddddddddgtbnbnc rn c ,[nujhymu5trrygfdg0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-hhh"

Roughly translated, that means, " Look, Daddy, I've discovered the black and white shapes on the keyboard. Aren't you proud of me?"

Love you, Love. Enjoy.

Tales of de Feet

Groan. Bad pun I know, but it seems like this week has had a footish theme. It all started Saturday evening when I looked down at my left foot and noticed that it no longer matched my right foot. It was broader and flatter, and it ached. In fact, my whole left side ached. So I made a doctor's appointment. Then yesterday I noticed that my left foot was actually a whole half inch longer than the right foot. How did that happen? Yes, I know that one foot is always naturally bigger than the other, but half an inch. Come on. I started freaking out a little.

I mentioned my predicament to a friend and she said, "Yeah. Didn't you know that your feet spread when you're pregnant?" (referring to Niki, of course). I knew that, but why was only one foot spreading? "Because you carry her on that side, and the hormones that loosen the tendons for labor are still in your body a little bit." And she was right. I always carry Niki on my left side. And I walk around barefoot or in my slippers a lot of the time for comfort, so I didn't have a lot of support. So my left foot spread, and now I have to put insoles in my slippers and all my shoes to make sure it doesn't happen more. Who'd have thought?

In other foot news, Niki succeeded in grabbing her right foot this morning. She didn't get it into her mouth, but she had a very solid grip on it. She almost succeeded in getting her sock off with her hands (as opposed to just letting it fall off).

Finally, Niki and I have new walking buddies. I don't have pictures, but I made the acquaintance of the cutest little boy, Hayden, and his mother, Julie. They live down the street from us. She invited me to pop over last week, so I popped over today, and Grandma answered the door. Julie was in the hospital, giving birth to her second son. So Grandma and Hayden and Niki and I went for I walk, and I found out that little Hayden has leukemia. Hwe just got out of the hospital two weeks ago. He's not even two years old. So please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Mm-mm good!

Niki started on solid foods last week, but today she really got into her cereal and bananas.

(P.s. Love you, Love. Enjoy.)

Baby's first 1/2 camping trip

Seth left for Guam on Saturday, but I haven't been alone with myself yet because my family is camping out in Belfair which is not far away. So Niki and I have been surrounded by people who are intent on entertaining us, or at least they are intent on entertaining her, and I have been entertained inadvertently. Here are my sisters trying to make Niki smile. My dad bribed Niki to sit on his lap with the cookie monster. She still hadn't learned that Grandpa is not a monster at this point. We thought she had a fear of facial hair (she also reacts that way to Seth's dad), but as you can see above and below, she seems to be getting over it.

In fact, she seemed to be fascinated with facial features in general,

both those of the family members

and her own.

She was also fascinated by new foods and even ate a tiny crumb of garlic bread (not that whole piece that Laura has; just a crumb), though she spat out the bit of carrot we tried to mash for her. She borrowed Grandpa's hat too (I forgot her hat, as well as a change of clothes, chairs, and many other useful things. I did not pack well.) and found that she liked hats. I tried one on her today, and she actually laughed.

We had a lot of fun, Niki got a lot of attention, and I got good comfort and distraction.

Belfair State Park is beautiful place. I wish I had thought to bring old shoes or my swimsuit. It was a perfect day for swimming, and the water was almost warm. We did dabble Niki's toes in the water, but my Dad has those pictures. I'll have to wait until they get home to get those pictures.

Growing up so fast!

I always knew she was ahead of the pack -- unusually alert and all that -- but this is ridiculous! I mean, her taste in books is really advanced for her age. Just look at her devour that book.

And her taste in beverages too. No rice cereal with formula for this girl. She goes straight to the good stuff. This picture sequence would make a good commercial -- You're never too young for your first Henry Weinhard. (That's orange cream soda for those of you who can't read the label. We do not approve of underage drinking here.)

And just look at her explain deep philosophical matters to Grandma. But for the most part, she's engaged in all the things babies are supposed to be doing, like charming grandparents. And enthralling parents. And just generally being cute.