Our Day at the Arts Festival

Here are pictures from Finley's Six Month "Photo Shoot" at the Arts Festival:

All About Finley

It's hard to believe Finley is actually six whole months old!  It seems like such a big milestone for such a little girl.  I can hardly grasp how much she has changed in the last six months and yet every morning when she stretches, she makes the same face she did when she was born and I am reminded that while she will spend the rest of her life maturing, there will always be certain aspects of her that will remain the same.  

She weighs 13 pounds 13 ounces and is 24.5 or so inches long.  She has REALLY filled out in the last month and is ALMOST chunky!  However, on the growth charts, she is still only in the 3 percentile.

She did go bald, but has grown most of her hair back now.  It has come in lighter so she still looks bald even though she does have hair.

She is still on a 4 hour schedule which has been really nice.  She has adapted really well to fewer feedings with more ounces and fewer, but longer naps.

She is beginning to understand Peek-a-boo.

Her eyes are still blue and beautiful.

She isn't and has never been particular about having a dirty diaper.  She could care less if she is wet or dirty.

She is intrigued with babies who are crawling.  She is getting closer to being able to crawl.  She can scoot herself all around.

She loves looking in the mirror.

She still LOVES standing up and as you can see in this picture, absolutely loves her exersaucer.

She can almost sit up by herself.  She sits up well in the Bumbo (when she isn't trying to eat it) and can sit with the Boppie behind her as well.  She can also stand by herself while holding on to a toy, but only briefly.

She's moved into size 3-6 month onesies, but is still mostly in 0-3 month clothing.  

She looks to Devin and I for her reaction.  I can usually convince her to smile instead of cry just by my tone of voice.

She gave up on nursing once formula was introduced so she is officially "weaned" now.  She is taking about 7 ounces a bottle, five times a day.

She is no longer obsessed with her head, but has found a new obsession with her feet!  This is a milestone I have been waiting for because I think it is absolutely the sweetest thing when babies eat their feet.  She loves to play with her toes.

Singing is the magic cure to whatever is upsetting her... from being overtired, to being stopped at a red light, to needing her fingernails clipped.  She absolutely loves when I sing to her.  And yes, she is the only one who could love my voice!

She is much more efficient at getting her pacifier back in her mouth.  I almost never have to help her anymore.

Trying to wean her from her swaddle blanket is NOT going well.  :)

She is fascinated with watching other people drink.  She was so curious about our water bottle at the zoo that Devin let her have her first sip of water.  She didn't know what to think of how cold it was, but loved playing with the bottle.  We have also been letting her practice with a sippy cup.

She is still enjoying rice cereal, but we have added sweet potatoes to the mix as well.  I will spare you the pictures of her with them smeared all over face.  She is actually doing pretty well with the spoon and attempts to feed herself every once in awhile.

She is a shrieker.  She squeals so loudly that it hurts my ears.  I think she may have gotten this from me though Beth reminded me of how loud Devin can be at an OSU sporting event so who knows!

She has a ridge on top of her head.  It's always been there, but you can see it even more since her hair is so light.

Her profile is beautiful.

Putting on her pajamas is one of the best parts of the day.  She is a bundle of giggles.

She is still in size 1 diapers and they are beginning to fit better.

She is a big-time drooler these days.  She has to constantly wear a bib.  No tooth yet, but all the signs of teething.

And....
She is truly the most wonderful, beautiful baby ever and I love her more than I can stand!

For Such A Time As This...

I love how Esther 4:14 ends... "For Such A Time As This."

In fact, it may be my favorite verse in the whole Bible because no matter what I am going through, be it rejoicing or affliction, peace or despair, I know that such a time as this.

As I was driving to Stillwater on Saturday to help Beth with some wedding planning (and to finally see her GORGEOUS ring!), this verse crossed my mind.  

For Such A Time As This...  

Time to finally plan Beth and Kenny's wedding.

Time to look for the perfect day, perfect reception site, perfect photographer, and perfect dress.

Time to create memories and start new traditions.

Time to love and be loved.

Time to remember what is important and what isn't.

Time to focus on God's purpose and direction and enjoy this time...

For such a time as this...  

And it will never come again.

To be honest, this is a GREAT time for me... I think helping plan Beth's wedding might be more enjoyable than planning my own.  All the fun without the stress of budgets, final decisions, unreturned phone calls, and trying to please everyone else.  I am literally giddy as I look forward to the next few months of planning.  Did I mention we are going dress shopping tomorrow!?!  It is going to be an absolutely beautiful wedding and I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

On a side note, while in Stillwater, we stopped at my FAVORITE children's store, Wiggles and Giggles, where I bought Finley another pair of my latest obession... Baby Legs!  Like hair accessories, these baby leg AND arm warmers are so super practical (their one size fits all can be worn by ALL ages!) while also being incredibly adorable!  I had no idea that they could be used as arm warmers and am a bit aggravated as I think how many times I tried changing Finley's diapers through her layered onesies.  So frustrating!  But don't worry... this winter, I'll just slide some baby "legs" on her arms to keep her warm underneath short sleeved onesies and shirts.

By the way, I meant it when I said I am obsessed with them.  I bought her 3 more pairs today! 

Here is Finley modeling a few of her current Baby Legs: