Solids

After 6 months, Nora was finally introduced to rice cereal. We weren't sure how she'd do, but she loves it! After just one feeding, she's used to it enough that she can have the cereal twice a day. Dan and I were laughing the entire time she ate. Every time the spoon came toward her she'd dive for it. She just wanted more and more. Already getting better at opening her mouth and not getting as messy, but hey, it's fun!

She also gets to have a sippy cup with water in it with her meals

except she does not like the taste

Big Girls Do Big Girl Things

Like...

sitting in high chairs

helping mama cook

taking baths in "big girl tubs"

sitting in the stroller without a car seat

sitting up and reaching for all of her toys!

She's changing so FAST! I'm SO grateful I am home to see it all.

6 Months!

My goodness - half a year already! It's true what they say. Time really does fly. Here are some random pictures and the usual month ones.

having fun with Dad

We've been taking Infant Water Adjustment classes, which she loves, and this is her in her 'kini!

We are up to 3 rolls before the knee.

This was the first month she could sit up next to Freddie on her own. And the first month where she actually noticed him. You can just see the inquisitive look on her face. She spent a lot of time exploring him.

Always our happy girl!

She sits independently!!

Little Mermaid

Last weekend, Nora and I went to Alissa's (and Jake's) graduation party where Nora went swimming for the first time! She seemed to enjoy herself - sitting in her floaty like she does this everyday. I guess it helps when the water was as warm as a bath. I'm hoping to get the video of her pool time up soon. This makes me excited to start our swim class on Monday!

Nora's got her sea-legs!

Me, Nora, and her best buddy for the day, Tylie.

My personal favorite - she loved getting her toes splashed by the waterfall.

The Graduate

Jake and Nora

long day...

refreshed and happy!

Love this face!

Weekday Getaway

Last week we took a mini-trip up to Uncle Chip and Aunt Patti's lake house on Lake Michigan. It felt nice to do nothing but relax and read.

The view from the bedroom. Felt like we were on a cruise again -- falling asleep to the sound of waves (and the real thing... not just from a CD)

Watching the World Cup game

taking a walk

This is a mink. There's a mink farm right down the road. We learned a lot about mink after we realized what this place was. Did you know Wisconsin is the largest mink producer in the nation? Who knew?!

Baby's first mohawk!

Anniversary Date

Dan and I celebrated our four year wedding anniversary on Wednesday. Nora got to spend some Q.T. with Grandma while her mom and dad took the train into the city. Once there, we ate lunch at the Taste of Chicago. We have a new restaurant we'd like to try called "Carbon". Super good tacos!! After lunch, we walked around downtown looking at all the tourist hot-spots while making our way to take the Architectural Boat Tour. We had to wait about an hour and a half for our tour time so we walked to a local coffee shop, got some joe and walked back by the river to relax on the plastic chairs which were set up under the trees. Great tour -- I'd recommend it to anyone. Finally, a little sunburned and tired from all the fresh air, we headed back home. The weather was just perfect for us. It was a great way to spend our anniversary.

Buckingham Fountain

Chicago Skyline

Taste of Chicago

Courtyard Fountain outside the Chicago Art Museum

Crown Fountain

We took our sandals off and got our feet wet

The Bean

There we are

These are the boats for the Architectural Boat Tours

Wrigley Building

There was a painters group out painting along the river. It was neat to see what each artist chose to focus on while ultimately looking at the same scene.

The NBC Building -- what a beautiful blue sky

Trump Tower -- while on tour, we learned that the Trump Tower is the 4th largest skyscraper in the city. Also learned that The Donald didn't want the spire on top but Mayor Daley told him he had to.

pollination

The building on the right is made of highly reflective glass and is curved in shape to mimic the curve in the river.

the bridge to nowhere (which is actually used to drop sailboats into the river)

All new riverside construction is required to have a public access river walk.

Our paper is one of 50,000 papers that get printed an collated here every hour!

This is a private gated community... fancy schmancy.