Friend's at First Sight...

...well, maybe not FIRST sight, but adorable nonetheless.

Water Aerobics?

Learning to roll over brought a whole new meaning (and more splashing) to bath time. ...and Mallory discovered just how hard it can be to catch a runaway toy.

Laughter

My cousin Brooke stopped over this morning while Mallory was in rare form. Please note that Brooke is talking to Claddagh, not Mallory. :)

I'm 6 Months Old!!

What's for Lunch??

It's fun to watch Mallory "discover" things...she might move slowly, but you can tell each move is as deliberate as the next. Hope this makes you laugh too.


Ah yes...what's for lunch? Hmm...Cadbury Mini Eggs are Mom's faaaavorite, I'll give 'em a shot. Darn rules, no candy before lunch, she says. Fine. Dad loves sunflower seeds...I'll crack those open...we can all use more protein. Oh, forget it...child proof. What else have we got around here?

I swear Mom said these Chocolate Crackles were to die for, but we obviously have different tastes. I guess it will be a liquid lunch again.

Edit: I promptly ate the cookie as it was the LAST one from the weekend! I'm not above being the one to eat the LAST cookie in the jar ... not in my own house anyway.

Crib Craziness

When it sounds like someone is attacking the baby monitor, it's a pretty good bet that someone (the baby) is attacking the baby monitor. Last night was the last night the monitor will be IN Mallory's crib. Hello, choking hazard. And no, she didn't go to sleep with her head against the end of the crib. Squirmy McSquirm wiggled her way up!

I knew it would only be a matter of time after figuring out how to roll over that I would find Mallory facing a different direction during or after a nap. Well, today was that day! Hello, Miss Sock Monkey, you look good to chew on!

Rolling Around Town

I wish I would have taken a better picture so you could see how far it is from here...
...to here! Mallory is a rolling fool now, not that any of you are surprised. I saw her rolling that way, but laughed when I looked up to find her here. Yes, I realize it looks like she's coming out from UNDER the couch, but it's not the case.She looks like, "Hey Mom, look what I found under the couch."

I am amazed at how she can wiggle this way and that so quickly.

Funniest thing ever...I put Mallory in the bumbo on the floor so I could let big dog out (couldn't very well leave her on the table, could I?) When I came back in, I filled both dog dishes and watched while she looked on.

Well, apparently dogs are hilarious when they eat...she couldn't stop giggling. She notices everything these days...actually, you wouldn't know it from looking at the picture, but she is VERY aware of loud noises in recent months and doesn't take too kindly to some of them. She SCREAMED when I filled Claddagh's dish with food. She was not a fan of the sound of the hard little nuggets hitting the metal dish. (I'm smiling looking at this picture now, it looks like she's not wearing pants. Well, she's not, but she does have a diaper on, of course. And about two minutes after taking the picture she tried to eat her pants. I'm not judging...)

My friend Stephanie stopped over last night. Mallory was rolling all over the floor and ended up just about in Steph's lap.

*Sigh* It's been a long day...I need a rest.

Mallory's Baptism

We had Mallory's baptism at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Saturday. Casey and I were married there four years ago. I wish we had thought to record the ceremony - Father Jerry did a great job.

We are very blessed to have such a beautiful little girl. She looked fabulous in her white gown covered with little embroidered shamrocks and enjoyed the day so much she actually laughed out loud (LOL?) when we walked up for communion. Casey was walking behind me, Mallory looking over my shoulder at him, and he must have looked especially funny because the people in the aisle seats were smiling in reaction to her laughter.

Mallory reached straight for the pitcher the first time Father poured the water on her head.

She looked like she might have something to say, but decided to keep it to herself.

Casey, Mallory and I with Father Jerry

My brother, Kevin and Casey's sister, Shannon

(Left to Right) My mom and her husband, Dan, my dad and his fiancee, Lynn, my brother and his wife, Jill holding their daughter, Ember and my Grandpa Hammen.

With Casey's mom and dad

(Left to Right...sort of) Casey's sister-in-law, Megan, her son, Braden and Finley's foot. (The kids all did extremely well during mass and the baptism (after mass) but pictures were pushing it...Finley was behind Megan for this picture :)) Casey's sister, Shannon, brother-in-law, Steve, far right. Shannon has their son Cole and Casey's mom is standing with their son Kane. But you all knew that already, since the only people that are reading this are members of Casey's or my family. So yes, there will be a test.

Cute and yummy cake (and in the background...the tastiest cookies on the block. Chocolate crackles...look like a cookie, taste like a brownie. Scandalous. Thanks, Meg!)

My cousin, Megan..."Is it 'legal' to drink a beer with a baby sleeping on your shoulder?" In hindsight it unintenionally looks like a shameless plug for Miller Lite.

Fun Friday

A day in the life...

Freak mama out by mysteriously turning on mobile after my nap...
...with my foot, er...toes. {check}

Look super cute and innocent, as always. {check}

Get visibly excited when cousin Ember comes over to play. {working on that}
"Hey cous, um...what do you want to do?? You like to kick it without socks on too, huh?"
Get alternate view of living room by moving to different chair. {check}
"Yea, I like this chair better too. We were so far apart before."
Discuss the many hairstyle options available to me. {check}
"Don't be upset. I've noticed your hair is a lot fuller lately, Ember...just be patient."
Remember to save hair care conversations for play dates with Aubrey. {check}

"Where did Ember go? I'm bored."

Teach Ember leg lifts to build core muscles. {check}
"Lift them up and then slowly lower. It gets easier with practice."See what Ember has to say. {check}
"Okay, Mallory, enough exercise. Where's your mom?"

Take advantage of nice weather. {check}
"Hey Aunt Kari, we're in serious need of fresh air. Can we go for a walk?"

Hide enthusiasm for walks. {check}
"I feel you've been holding out on me for the last 6 months. There's a lot to look at around here, Mom."

Contemplate life in general. {check}
"I wonder what we're having for dinner tonight..."

What an exciting day! My brother dropped Ember off after work on Friday so he could go pick up their new vehicle. It was one of three nice days last week, so when Mallory and Ember asked to go for a walk, I couldn't refuse. Imagine the looks I got pushing a 6-month-old in a stroller while carrying a 3-month-old in a baby carrier. Hmm...good times though! Both girls were super happy to be outside (I'd like to think) and you can't even tell that Ember has a nasty cold!

Mail Call

Mallory received an envelope in the mail last week with a very distinctive handwriting on it...that of a familiar 6-year-old. Her cousin, Braden loves to color and sent her a picture. It looks great - thanks, Brady!! Keep the pictures coming!!