Solid 6 (and a half) months old

Julia, back on April 11, 2013 you turned 6 months old. We were still in New York City on that day, and then I didn't get home until the 15th or so.

So your 6 month pictures are more like your 6.11 day pictures but, in the grand scheme of things, I think they still count!

You're a solid 6 month old little girl. You love to roll all over the place, you can sit up (when placed in that position) and stay there until you're done, or until your brother "helps" you lay back down. You reach for toys and stuffed animals, and really like to chew on your brother's water bottles. But, you don't really have a favorite toy or item yet. Unless that item is called 'Mommy.' You certainly do loves you some Mommy. But, even though we were forewarned about a Mommy-only stage, you still seem pretty in to me. Unless I'm wearing a baseball cap (which I do rarely)...in that case you just start crying...probably because you don't recognize me. This is odd, because when I accidentally shaved my beard off the other day, you still recognized me...but add a baseball cap atop my head, and I'm a stranger worthy of crying and big crocodile tears.

Aside from that (and one incident in the car in New York), you don't really cry much. You're pretty much a happy camper.

Your brother makes you smile and giggle an awful lot. It's hard to tell him "don't do that Aidan, you're going to hurt her" when all you do is giggle and laugh when he tickles you and holds your hand. He's pretty gentle though.

You've started sleeping on your tummy and side and seem very happy about it. Lately you've been taking some extra long naps, so perhaps your growing even more.

But, you already seem pretty big, especially compared to baby Asher who was just born! Yay Baby Asher! You guys will be fast friends, I'm sure. But for now, you didn't really seem to notice he existed.

You're chewing your 'cud' constantly, and trying to nibble on toys, books, fingers, arms, hair, spoons, pretty much everything that comes your way. Teething ain't fun.

Sometimes your teeth bother you so much that you lose your smile. But, don't worry, you've got clearance for 1/2 tsp of infant tylenol, so that eases the pain of teething. And, we haven't had to medicate you too often. You always seem to find that smile again.

You also got approved for up to 3 solid meals a day. So, you're enjoying a bevy of new foods, including plum banana rice (which I had the pleasure of feeding to you over the weekend).

You're just a solid, happy six month old little girl. And we swear, it looks like you're about ready to figure out crawling. From a seated position, you lean over very far to get something out of reach and those legs are twitching to start moving you.

For now though, you like to roll and sit and smile and all three humans and two dogs in the house like it too: you lighten up our days.

You're now 16 pounds, 13 ounces- which puts you at 50-75th percentile for weight; and 27 inches tall- which puts you at 90th percentile for height.

You talk a lot, too. You seem to be telling all of us what you think. Soon enough we'll understand your words, but for now, body language seems to tell the whole story.

Happy 6 months to our beautiful, baby girl.

Sittin' Pretty!

We just got back and all settled from our trip to New York City. More on the trip itself more later, but while were were in the Big Apple, Julia, you grew up!

We'd seen the signs for a few days leading up to this, but when we got to New York, you learned to stay seated. Now, you can't get there on your own yet, but you can sure stay seated when you're placed that way.

Less than a week before, in our Easter photo shoot, your Mom had to keep her hands very close by, because you would teeter and totter and tip over every so often. But by our second day in New York, you'd mastered your new skill. 2 minutes...5 minutes...10 minutes...you just sat up, playing, reaching and not laying down until you intentionally wanted to do it!

We were very surprised, and very happy with your new found sittin' skills!

You sat in the house:

You sat in the park:

And of course, in this family, you never sit alone! So, you sat with company too!

Sitting up definitely has its advantages! Now you can eat in a high chair!

Another advantage? You and Aidan get to be even better buddies now! I think he's more excited about you sitting up than you are!

And that is really a sight to see. So keep on sittin' on, Miss Julia. You're six months old, you're sitting up (when placed there) and we're all loving every minute of it. We are so proud of you!

Passovster 2013: Family, Frogs, Fowl and Tigers!

Passovster 2013 was an amazing, epic experience, filled with fun time with family, Aidan's first face-painting, Julia making new friends with old family, eggs, frogs and baby poultry.

There were so many precious moments of family and friendship. Aidan, watching you bond with your older cousins was priceless; and Julia watching you melt many an adult with your cuteness was face meltingly awesome.

Pictures don't do the whole half-a-week total justice, but they do a pretty dang good job of telling the tale of our time with Aunt Rebekka, Uncle Ross, Great Uncle Zev (Z pop), Mimi, Pops, Aunt April, Uncle Taff, Autumn, Addison, Nana, Beau, Gigi, Ma Parker, Yaya, Baba, Uncle Joe and more.

So, here are a bunch of pictures and videos. I present the epic tale of Passovster 2013.

Looking for Bugs with Aunt Bekka

Julia and Z-pop

Instead of painting the Easter Eggs, you and Addison and Autmn ate about 6 hard-boiled eggs instead! 

And then turned into chickens!

Addison did a cartwheel

Autumn did a cartwheel

Aidan's "carthwheel"

Hiding the Afikomen

Your first face painting experience. You knew what you wanted to be: a tiger!

And you were so pleased with the results!

The Frog Survived! And you had so much fun!

"I'm fishing!'

4 generations of ladies

Kite Flying!

Not enough proof for you? And there are some videos too:

Weinstein family success on Passovster. You two are growing so quickly and experiencing so much. It's a pleasure to watch you experience the world with your loving family.

Next Year, we'll do it all again!