Big Moments

Seoul, a 6-month-old? Believe it or not, it's true! She is growing like a weed and is the happiest girl. Yesterday was her 6-month appointment. I think she knew the shots were coming because she didn't want to lay down for the nurse. Fortunately she cried just briefly during the shots and then smiled again once we picked her up.

Stats:
Weight - 15 pounds 5 ounces (50th percentile)
Length - 27 1/2 inches (95th percentile)
Head - 16 1/2 inches (40th percentile)

This is her in the afternoon when we got home from the appointment. She just loves to stand and play at the coffee table. Happy, sweet, baby girl!

She has teeth! Last Friday I rubbed her gums and there was a little sharp spot on the lower right. When I looked there were two spots next to each other and this morning I discovered the lower left is also starting to poke through.

I do believe our little girl is beginning the stages of learning to crawl. When she's sitting she picks her bum off the floor and leans far forward as if she's going to get on her hands & knees. When she is on her tummy she will push herself to her hands and knees and rock back & forth a little.

Crawling or walking first? Well, until recently I thought that she might be a walker first. She is really only happy when she pulls herself up and stands. With support she can even take steps and walk around a little. In this picture she actually pulled herself up on the car seat and crept along the side until she went from one end to the other. We'll see if walking or crawling wins!

Front to back, toward the left side only....


















We introduced the sippy cup. She uses it mostly for a teething toy right now but if we put a little water in it and tip it then she can suck it out. Her expression is always confused because it's a new taste.

A couple weeks ago we went exploring. We found a covered bridge... and a place that does renaissance fairs. Yep, I didn't know they really existed outside of movies. Too bad we missed it for the summer - ha!

Then we went and picked a few pounds of blueberries. We didn't stay out too long since it was hot but we got a few pounds of blueberries - yum!

She still loves eating. We have been doing solids at 2 meals a day, and now we will start adding another one for 3 meals a day. She eats rice cereal; loves her veggies: squash, carrots, zucchini, peas, and green beans. She tolerates spinach as in the picture below, and today I discovered she refuses to eat oat cereal. I have been making all her veggies from fresh veggies. I tried making oat cereal this morning and decided to stick to commercial cereals. The oat cereal I made this morning was kind of gooey so maybe it was the sticky texture she didn't like.

One evening we had some friends over to play Rock Band. Seoul even tried out the drums! It was good times... food, laughter, music, and fun!

Sweet moment: the other day she was extra cuddly so I decided to rock her to sleep for her morning nap. It was such a perfect moment bonding with her and sharing love. I would recommend to every mom doing it every once in a while... enjoy the time they are little babies.... they grow so fast!

Lately she chatters non-stop... it's adorable! Plus she loves to share her smiles with everyone, you included :)

Swimming! Swimming!

Seoul had her first swim in a little pool with her friend Randy a few weeks ago. It was fun! The only swimsuit we have is a 12 month old size from Auntie Klorissa, Uncle AJ, and Cousin Cason. It did the job, though, and it's super cute!

Look at me! I'm going to try swimming!

Ok, so she doesn't look like she's having so much fun... the first 2 times I put her feet in the water, she wasn't such a fan. Plus she didn't like the feel of the prickly grass when I took her out of the water.

The 3rd time in the water she alternated between whining and watching Randy. Soon she was just fine standing and even decided to sit down.

After a while she did get a bit daring reaching out for toys. Her diaper got ginormous so it threw her sitting off balance a bit. Good times!












The next swim was with Daddy in her very own pool and it only took a couple tries to get her comfortable in the water.

Since then she is good with it right away and enjoys the water... well, she really just likes to stand up in it because she is just not a sitter. It's fun for the mommy and daddy, though!

6 Months and Blessed

Seoul grows more beautiful with each passing day. We have so many pictures I couldn't choose which ones to post... so I went simple - one from each month birthday. We are so blessed to have this little girl in our lives. She is strong and healthy and brings us so much joy.

Seoul's birth day. Mommy and daddy love. Our sweet girl with all her sad tubes & monitors - thank goodness there are no lasting effects from her traumatic entry into this world. Finally, look at that beautiful, pure, innocent little face.

1 month old - bundled for church. Seoul already showed her strength by gripping things, pushing with her legs, kicking, and holding her head upright and steady.

2 months old - right before her doctor appointment. Seoul started smiling and already loved people. She loved to be held and cuddled and held upright to see the world. We are lucky that she was already sleeping through the night by this point. She started to really find her voice and her giggle.

3 months old - playing with her best animal friend, Jasper. Seoul started really playing with toys and reaching out for things. She discovered her toes! She started enjoyed tummy time and she chattered all the time. She was so aware of people and what was happening around her.

4 months old - playing! Seoul learned how to blow some serious bubbles... and really became animated - "talking," wiggling, smiling, giggling. She enjoyed sunshine & walks & people. She really started grabbing at things (and putting them in her mouth). She was fascinated by hands. She hit a growth spurt so she got to feast on rice cereal. She learned to sit up by herself and play!

5 months old - playing with her toys. Seoul discovered facial expressions - always something going on with her face. Her "talking" progressed in pitch and syllables... dadada.... mamama. She rolled over front to back. She started pulling herself to standing positions. She takes steps every now and then. She loves her veggies for dinner - with this next doctor visit we may get to increase how much we feed her - lucky her!

5 1/2 months - I couldn't help but include this photo.
"Look out! I'm in charge of the remote now!"

6 months old now - What will the next month bring?

Great-Grandma Salway and Other Stuff

We went to visit Seoul's Great-Grandma Salway and Seoul loves her! She got to meet Charlie, Grandma's little dog. She was fascinated by the constant movement and fluffy hair.

Grandma, Seoul, and I. I need to get a picture with my mom and Grandma so we can have a 4 generation picture.

I think Seoul is teething these days, although no teeth poking through yet. She chews on everything, pulls her ear, and drools.. including blowing bubbles. She's still pretty good natured about it so far. Oh, the bubbles... her new thing is to do a rhythm so the bubbles go in and out of her mouth - it's funny.

The usual pose these days... feet in the air. Sometimes she sucks her on her toes... it can get loud she's so enthusiastic about it.

"Helping" me fold the clothes. Kelley discovered what I meant by "helping" when he was folding clothes the other day... she just ate them or threw them. Haha!

Another common picture... Seoul chewing on her hands.

4th of July - we went to the ward breakfast & flag ceremony. Seoul enjoyed the swing and she took riding this bike thing very seriously by her expression.

Seoul's Blessing

A post long overdue...

Kelley blessed Seoul May 3rd. Surrounded by family and friends, it was a beautiful day. The blessing Kelley gave was perfect... simple yet inclusive of all the gospel principles we hope for Seoul. It was so special to hear Kelley call upon the power of the priesthood to bless our baby girl. The ONLY thing wrong was that Seoul CRIED. Yes, the minute he started the prayer to the minute he ended the prayer. Literally. She is just a stinker! Kelley did a fantastic job of staying calm and not rushing through the prayer. I so love our little family!

Pictures of the baby of honor - Seoul Elizabeth


Pretty nieces - how they love Seoul!



These are just classic!
(She really does love her grandmas!)



Chill with Grandpa.


Sleepy baby.



Our cute little family.


My mom made Seoul's blessing dress. Kelley's mom provided the headband and booties. All of it was perfect and added to Seoul's beauty. Thanks!

Our friend Amber Wishoff took the photos impromptu. Her company is called Star Photography by A. Wish. Let me know if you're interested in her work and I can pass along her contact information. Thanks Amber!