No pics today -- I don't have any handy but wanted to post a few thoughts about Emi at 7 1/2 months. She has been giving me lots of spontaneous (and wet!) kisses lately. She's been trying to wave for about a month now but is getting better and better at it recently. She is a sweet baby but gets very upset when left alone to play. She much prefers having interaction or at least someone nearby. Loves to babble. Has been saying "da da da" a lot lately -- hard to tell yet if she knows who she's talking about or not (but that's how "ma ma" started, too). Several days ago she said "Ah ay ah," and I really think she was trying to say "Alaina." She also for quite some time says a sound like "heh" or similar when greeting someone. I think she is trying to say "hi" or "hey." Laughs when kissed right on her bottom rib on each side. Seems to be kind of bored with her toys lately but has no thought whatsoever of crawling and isn't quite ready for the next level of toys. Enjoys books but mostly the lift the flap kind and enjoys gnawing on books. Still loves being outside and going for walks. Loves people. Seems to really respond to music. If the TV is on and suddenly there's music, she notices. Sometimes will kind of move her arms up and down when she hears music. Sometimes vocalizes when I'm singing. She is doing really well with eating solids -- just gave her pear slices at dinner tonight and she fed them to herself (left little pear stumps behind). Has also fed herself very tender carrot sticks and some avocado. I've fed her mashed up sweet potatoes. She's had lots of baby food, cereal, etc., as well. Her favorite food so far, though, is organic Greek yogurt with some fruit mixed in.

Halloween and other recent pics

Getting bigger yet?

We've been busily trying to get lots of extra calories into little Emmeline. Sadly, she didn't gain any weight between her 4 and 6 month appointments. I don't want to write much about it here, but of course, I was shocked and sad to hear that. She's been eating very well for the past couple of weeks, so we're hoping she's showing that she can gain weight.

Also, for the past couple of weeks Emi's been saying "ma ma," and at first, I thought she was just babbling. But over time it's become clear that she knows exactly what she's saying, and it warms my heart. Now we need to work on "da da" and "Alaina." Alaina didn't say "mama" (knowingly) until almost 10 months, I think, and said "da da" first, so this is really fun for me. Emi is really a good natured, flexible, sweet baby. Her biggest peeve is being ignored. She prefers direct interaction as much as possible.

Six months old

First cereal:

Just hanging out as a 6-month-old:

Emi has really been babbling lately. She's saying "ma ma ma ma" a lot, and lots of "b" sounds, too ("mba" is frequently heard). Lots of m, b, g consonants and o and a vowel sounds. And some h sounds, too, especially upon greeting people. She's doing really well at sitting up, although she definitely still flops back or to the side after a while.



Five Months Old

These photos were actually taken yesterday, but today Emmeline is five months old! She loves to experiment with her voice, making soft sounds, low sounds, raspy sounds, and everything in between. She makes little coughing sounds a lot to get our attention when we're not looking at her. She loves being outside, going for walks, taking baths, and interacting with people. She does not like being ignored. ;-) She also likes pulling people's hair and putting it in her mouth whenever possible. She is very distracted these days, wanting to constantly interact with people and her environment. Little sounds that she would've ignored in the past have become very interesting. I often have to wake her from her morning nap to pick up her sister from kindergarten, and she always is pleasant, smiling, and ready to go!

Splish splash!

Emi loves taking baths! No matter how fussy she is, a warm bath always relaxes her and makes her smile. I think she understands the word "splash" because whenever I say, "Emmeline, splash!" she always starts splashing with her arms and legs. 

Emi and Alaina had a pretend campout in Alaina's tent. Alaina made a fake campfire with pretend smores, hot dogs, etc., and they both relaxed on pillows with stuffed animals.