National Traveler (stopping in to say hi)

This past weekend Little Bird and I, flew to SLC via Baltimore to visit family. I was a little worried about how the flights would go, especially the 5.5 hour one. But while she only slept for 2 short 15 minute naps the entire 9 hours of traveling, she was a surprisingly happy little girl. We were both very happy to arrive and head of to Grandma's house.

Little Bird had a great time with Great Grandma and my parents and I enjoyed a little relaxing time before the busy schedule began. Being in a different time zone threw things off a little, but she adjusted pretty well. Great Grandma had a lot of fun new toys to try out. Little Bird even found another dinosaur and chewed on its tail since we left hers at home.

What's a trip to Utah without stopping at a few quilting stores? They have so many more out there and carry a very different selection than the stores close to home. Less of the traditional calico/reproduction stuff and more of the stuff that appeals to my aesthetic. A couple purchases made my bag going home a little heavier. My dad did a great job watching LB while we were gone and even handled her blow out like a pro.

Saturday night, we got together with some of my dad's family who live in the area. Little Bird got to meet great aunts and uncles and Grandma I.  We enjoyed some delicious Robintino's pizza and cookies from Aunt Donna.

Sunday was church and relaxing for most of the day. Then in the evening we had all the local relatives on Mom's side get together. We decorated pumpkins and had good food. Little Bird was thoroughly entertained to watch all the action and get passed around.

Monday we headed over to Kattie's house to hang out with the cousins, Millie-Vanillie, Anna-Banana, and Will. The girls were very curious about Little Bird--looking very closely at her and then reaching out to touch. But if she would reach out to touch them, they were not sure they like that. It was pretty funny to watch the interactions.

While we were at their house we visited Justin's new apartment, started some projects, and spent a lot of time playing on the floor. Little Bird had fun trying out their Johnny Jump-Up. She also really had a good time playing with all the "big kids" toys.

We had a great time on our trip to Utah and before we knew it, it was time to take off again. This time for KC. After a much shorter day of traveling, we met Caleb at the airport and then headed off to Nellie's house, where Little Bird got lots of love from her auntie.

Friday we drove out to Topeka to visit some of the grandparents. Little Bird got to meet Grandma Georgie and Bud. She had a great time showing off her smiles.

The gave her the funny doll that laughs when you squeeze it. She thought it was the funniest thing. It was a good distraction to get her to look and smile at the camera. And it has a hard plastic face that she like to try to eat too.

Next we headed over to Grandpa Fisher's. Caleb took a drive in the old Corvette that he is having fixed up and Little Bird tried to get the tv remotes on the couch.

That evening we hung out at Nellie's and did some moon gazing. Next time we go to Portland, we want to try out that new telescope we heard all about. Sounds neat.

Saturday night was the family Halloween party. We spent the day getting things all ready for it. Little Bird was an Owl and we were both trees. Everyone was dressed up and ready to have fun.

There were so many aunts and uncles and cousins for Little Bird to meet. She got to meet Grandma Marcell at the party too.

There were several games (pumpkin TP bowling, ring toss, etc) and a haunted garage and of course some Wii Just Dance.

It was a great trip, although a thoroughly exhausting 10 days of being away from home. But we had a great time and are glad that Little Bird got to meet so many relatives and even some good friends.

Visitors

Last weekend we had a fun visit from my brother and his family and Little Bird got to meet her first cousin, T-nugget. Their first afternoon here we went apple picking. The season came (and ended) early this year but we made it in time for the last week. Isaac was particularly handy at picking the apple that were way up high. We got a good selection--Gala, Empire, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious.

Saturday we headed to a pumpkin patch extravaganza. They had all sorts of things to do in addition to picking pumpkins. A burlap sack slide, trikes for big and small, a train ride, animals to see, a hayride, a corn maze, pumpkin catapult, etc. Later that night, I roped Isaac and Francie into helping make and can homemade applesauce. It turns out we got way to many apples.

Sunday, after church we headed out to Palmyra to see the Smith farm and Sacred Grove.

We had a great time. Come back and visit again soon.

Six Months

Little Bird has gotten so big. She is now 17 lb. 3 oz. and 28.5 inches long. That means she is still on the tall side, so much that the nurse re-measured her to make sure it was right (that is a normal 11-12 month length). Her favorite part at her doctors visit was trying to eat the paper sheets. Least favorite was getting two more shots.

 She now has 5 teeth--the bottom two and now both top lateral incisors and just got the left central one too.  Her poor little gums look all puffy, so I wouldn't be surprised if the rest are on the way before too long. She is chewing on everything, blankets, clothes, toys, hands, seat belts...

She has conquered rolling over and now using that to make things a challenge when it is time for diaper changes. She still loves pulling her feet up to her mouth.

Baths are still fun. We have still been using her baby tub in the kitchen sink (so much easier than hunching over the bathtub) but she has gotten so long that we won't be able to delay much longer. She tries to reach out and grab the water as it is dripping down. If she can get ahold of the washcloth, she immediately pulls it up to her mouth and starts sucking the water out of it.

Her big accomplishment of the month is that Little Bird is sitting up on her own. She becomes a weeble wobble after a little while, so we surround her with pillows to protect her head. She likes sitting up so much that sometimes she tries to sit up out of her carseat or bouncy chair.

Her favorite toy is her dinosaur. It has all a girl could want--crackling legs and spikes, rings in one hand and a rattle in the other, and best of all ribbons on the tail. She loves to play with those ribbons in her mouth. Other favorites are the seal, flat giraffe, and elephant.