6 month photos- SNEAK PEEK!

We took Ginger last Saturday to take her 6 month photos, and here are two that our photographer gave us as a sneak peek. I was a little concerned about how these would come out, as I booked the session for 5pm, and Ginger is a little worn out by this time of day. So we didn't get as many smiles as we'd hoped for, and while trying to sit on her own, I looked away for a second and of course she feel straight back and bonked her head. So the rest of the session was a little teary, but of course it was mommy's fault!

Anyhow, I am SO happy with these two shots, I can't wait to see the rest!

Ginger's first trip to Palm Desert

It was 20 years ago, this year, that my Dad, Mom, Chris and I visited Palm Desert for the first time, in our (then) new villa at the Marriott Desert Springs. I was 10 years old, and still remember that first trip, and how it felt to be vacationing in HOT heat, LOTS of pools, and TONS of fun. Now 20 years later, it was Ginger's first trip to Palm Desert, and while I don't think she'll remember it, we experienced everything that I did on my first trip.

First, it was H-O-T! 118 degrees on the hottest day, and so that mean a lot of evening swims, and more time in the villa with my family. Julie, Sean, and their kids came out, and my nephews Zack and Josh came out from Texas as well. It was great to have the opportunity to spend a week with Ginger interacting with her cousins- we usually only get a day here, a day there, so she had a LOT of playtime with them, which was great.

Although a lot of people assume Ginger is a quiet, mellow baby, she definitely comes out of her shell after a few interactions and boy, was she vocal and playful on this trip. She is learning how to sit up independantly, and with the exception of a few bonks when she toppled over, I can officially say now that we are home that she is a "sitter". She also is now able to place almost all her weight on herself while standing (assisted still) but I'd like to think she learned these new skills by watching her cousins sit and stand with/around her during this week.

She went with us to a fancy restaurant (Lakeview, at the Marriott Hotel across the golf course) and was a perfect, well mannered baby. She ate (pureed bananas), drank (water from a sippy cup) and giggled and laughed at the adults, and baby at the next table (who brings babies to fancy restaurants?!? I know, I know, but it was a special occasion).

All in all, we had a great time, and although Paul could attend with us because of work, I was so thrilled that Ginger is now part of our annual tradition of the Palm Desert vacation!

The small things...

I always worry that by the time our family expands and grows older, I will forget the small stuff that is so cute about my little girl. So I thought it made sense to blog about just a few little things that I don't ever want to forget.

*I love the way Ginger falls asleep lately. I'm starting to put her down in bed not completely asleep, and so when I lay her down she turns to her side, grabs the blanket I lay over just her feet, and cuddles with it to comfort her to sleep.

*When she nurses, she is SOOO active lately. Her legs are usually up in the air, her hands playing with her toes, she hums while she's chomping away, and when I lift her up she now burps on her own, and thinks it's hilarious (sometimes we'll play the burp game where I make a sound that mimics a burp, then she'll follow up with a real one and she's so proud of herself she grins ear to ear)

*She has started to capitalize on her fake cough and use it strategically. At first when she started, Paul and I thought it was cute and we would do a little fake cough back at her, and all of us would giggle. Well, that was the WRONG idea because now she fake coughs all the time (just a little tiny huh-huh) and waits for us to play back with her. Sneaky little one :)

*She now knows the word "kiss" and will slober on your cheek when presented to her. It's still open mouthed, but we play the kiss game back and forth and she loves to give kisses. I'm hoping she'll start closing her mouth soon!

*She also knows the word "ribbit" and associates it with her frog on her jumper. Which is interesting, because her sign language DVD is teaching her frog both verbally and in sign, but when I use that word she won't look at/point to/reach over to the frog. But when I say "ribbit, ribbit" she goes right for the frog. Maybe the word ribbit just sounds more fun, who knows!?!

*She spits up. A lot. I think more than others, though the doctor says it's not reflux. She likes hanging out on her tummy, and when I put her down on her back, she flips right over on her tummy, which often time forces a little spit up back out onto her play blanket. I never go anywhere without a burp rag, and I swear it seems like more than other babies I know!

*I've found her more than a few times lately napping with one arm resting up on her bumper. It doesn't seem to bother her, but gosh it looks uncomfortable to have one arm practically in the air while sleeping.

*She no longer likes to snuggle in tight on the shoulder unless she is realllly sleepy. Most times she uses her arm to push off our chest and look around at the world. She'll rest her hand on my chest to stabalize herself, put she is interested in the world around her very much. I talk to her often as we're doing things, whether making coffee, picking up around the house, or walking from one room to another.

*This girl is OVER diaper changing, it requires too much stillness for her! She wants to roll and flip and do anything other than sit still and let me position the diaper. I hate to admit it, but when she does flip her little bum is soooo cute that I just stare at it and smile for a moment before I flip her back over.

That's all for now- just wanted to get it down on the blog before she wakes up from her nap- 2 hours and counting, I am blessed!!

Ginger's Dedication

I think I might possibly have the most wonderful child in the world. I know parents always say this about their kids, but Ginger was a CHAMP yesterday for the entire day and I just can't believe how blessed we are.

We arrived at the church just a few minutes before the service, which was technically 5 minutes late, but I was just happy that we made it showered, dressed, and ready to go. Ginger LOVES the first part of church service, because we go to a church that is contemporary and plays worship songs with a full band, lights, and great music. So she is usually thrilled to hear the music and dance along. Then came baptisms, which as part of our faith is a conscience choice you make, so babies aren't baptized- rather they are dedicated to the church by the parents, who commit to raise their child to love and know God. Anyhow, after about 5 baptisms, the pastor came to the front and invited Paul, Ginger and I (and godparents Shanna and Randy) to come on stage. Ginger was handed over to the pastor, and he held her up to the congregation (probably at least 500-600 people) who ooohed and awwed at how beautiful she was. Pastor even commented that she was gorgeous and how lucky he was to get to dedicate her. He spoke to us about how excited he was that we were committing to raising Ginger as a Christian, and then said the most perfect prayer for her. As we were praying I was tearing up with joy, so happy that my little girl was getting to experience this. She was an absolute doll- no fussing, no crying, just curiously staring at the congregation and pastor, it was so fantastic to watch. We were seated again, and Opa took Ginger into the family room to play with her while watching the sermon through clear glass doors. Apparently they had a blast together- my Dad found a plastic cup that cracked and crinkled when he squeezed it, and that's all he needed to keep her entertained.

After church, we took a few pics, and then came back to our house for a bbq celebration. A few friends came over, but it was mostly family...

Oh my gosh, I forgot to write about the BEST part of the morning!! So when we get to church a few minutes early, my whole family was already there standing around the area roped off for the dedication family, and I look over my shoulder and see....my big brother Mike. I'm tearing up as I'm writing this because I love him SO much, and after he and his family moved to Texas 3 years ago, I've missed them all SOOO much. Mike and I have a special relationship and are a LOT alike in many ways. It was a COMPLETE shock and so unexpected, I started crying when I saw him! I wanted to stop time and just hang out with him for a whole day but the show had to go on!

Anyhow, so he was at the BBQ along with the rest of my family, and Ginger got to play with her bestest friend Ryen, who is 3 months older than her and always teaches her a new trick. This visit, Ryen was crawling and standing with the support of the coffee table, and of course Ginger watched her in awe. Later that night, Ginger was rolling all over the living room and pushing up with her arms, trying to figure out to get her legs to move. She was FULL of laughter throughout the BBQ, squeeling and laughing while playing with her cousins and auntie/uncles.

The BBQ came to a close like a whirlwind- we turned around and it was already time for people to leave. I wished again that we could have just stopped time and enjoyed the company longer, but Ginger was pooped and others had a long trip home. It was the most amazing day, and I'll never forget it. My girl is now a child of God, and that makes her mommy so happy! :)

Here are a ton of pics from the day!

Baby's first 4th of July...

we had a small bbq and swim party for the 4th of July, and decided against going to a park for fireworks, as Ginger is usually asleep by about 8:30pm or so, and most shows started at 9pm. Our friends Josh and Kari came over with their two kids Jared and Emmie, and Ginger's godparents Shanna and Randy came over too. We had a great time swimming in the pool and of course, Paul outdid himself with a great bbq of chicken legs, carne asada, chorizo, etc.

Paul was amazed at how well Ginger is doing in the pool. We've been spending time in there while he's at work, and she's learned how to kick, how to sit well in her crab floatie, and we have started going underwater together a few times too! Her face is just precious after a dunk underwater- her eyes perk up HUGE and her little mouth puckers together and I know she is thinking "Why does mommy keep doing this to me?!?!" But she's a champ, and has reallllllly taken a liking to the pool.

After many drinks, good eats, more than a few shots of Yegger and Tequila, and some late night jacuzzing, the night came to a close. We set off just a few fireworks, for fun, but the fire station is nearby so we had to keep it quick. All in all, it was a great day, I just love our little family.

She EATS!

I'm a little behind in blogging lately, it's been a busy week and I've been meaning to catch up. On Sunday, June 28th, Paul and I sat down to feed Ginger solid food for the first time. We made it to our goal of waiting until 5 1/2 months to start her on solids, but boy was the last two weeks hard. She was beginning to reach for our food, and we felt guilty eating in front of her, as her eyes would widen and she would get this look on her face that said "FEED ME!!". We waited because I wanted Ginger to get the benefit of being exclusively breastfed for as long as possible, but we started last week so that on her 6 month check up, I would have already introduced her in case I had questions for the doc.

Well, anyhow, we decided to start on rice cereal, and I kinda wish we had just started with straight foods. Of course, Ginger LOVED it and took it down like a champ, she was practically reaching for the spoon to feed herself, she was so ready. It could have been anything on that spoon, she would have eaten it just to prove she was ready. I loved watching my eager little beaver slurp and chomp away, what a great moment.

After 3 days of rice cereal, we moved onto bananas and not surprisingly, she loves bananas. I think I ate at least 1 banana every day of my pregnancy, so I expected she would love them (and most babies do, anyhow). I've decided to make her baby food after reading and talking to a few of my friends, so next she'll have avocado, then sweet potatoes. It's going to start getting messy, I fear, but we're ready for it!