Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Eat a cookie.

It will make you happy.

Irene is 6 months old!

Irene's stats this month at her 6-month checkup:

28+ inches long
19 lbs. 9 ounces
44 3/4 cm (head circum)

all are +95%

She is a big, healthy girl.

Some things she has started doing this month:

-sitting up very well.
-babbling instead of squealing.
-clapping...which includes clapping toys together loudly.
-she really likes the johnny-jump up as evidenced by video a couple of posts ago.
-started "scooching" on her back by placing her feet on ground and arching her back while pushing with her head...it is cute but annoying. we find her sideways up against the top of her crib (with her head stuck in the corner) frequently.
-eating solid foods...she loves sweet potatoes...but squash not so much.
-she likes it when we dance and sing.
-she still loves to kick the soccer ball.

We traveled to Minnesota for Christmas. She was a GREAT car traveler. We split the 13 hour drive up over two days (stopping in St. Louis for the night). She barely fussed/cried. We were thankful. She really enjoyed playing with her cousins and seemed to have a special bond with Annika (age 3). We had some funny/unique experiences like having her dedicated (at our old church, the LIFT) which took place the night of a snow storm! Aunt Rebecca sang a special song while nana played the keyboard, and the usual amount of LIFT shenanigans were experienced (like an acapella version of the little drummer boy). We went to the Mall of America several times and Irene seems to love people watching! We also saw Great-Grandma Irene several times which seemed to make both Irenes quite happy.

Check out the videos below and be sure to view the new album!