Carrots & Avocado...Mmmm!!

We started introducing some new foods to Dawson.

Last week we tried carrots.

I gave him the whole carrot after I had peeled it so he could get some of the flavor.

He liked it!

Although it might have just felt really good to chew on with those sore gums.

He seemed to enjoy his first few bites of the pureed carrot...

...then he wasn't so sure.

This week we tried mashed avocado.

He seemed to like it a lot more than carrots.

Next week it's on to sweet potatoes!

Friday the 13th...

...was a good day!

We started out by going to Maia Wantz's 2nd Birthday party. John & Jama made it so fun for all the kids, they even had a bubble machine!

Dawson played with Adelle, he was fascinated with her baby leggings.

She's so cute! Tried to get a shot of all the kids but we're missing a few. Birthday girl Maia is the 2nd one in on the left with baby brother Ezra.

After the party it was off to Dawson's 6 month check up. While we waited Dawson had a blast ripping up the crinkly paper on the table. The doctor said Dawson is doing excellent! He was very impressed by his motor skills and his quick reactions, not to mention all the teeth-he sees signs of 2 more teeth coming soon which would make 8...bring on the cheerios! Here are Dawson's stats:

Weight: 17 lbs 15.5 oz (55%)

Height: 27 1/16" (75%)

Head: 43.5 cm (50%)

The only bad part of the day was that Dawson had to get a couple shots. He was so brave though and cried at the initial poke but was fine immediately afterwards. It's a little hard to see but I was trying to get a picture of the cute little Snoopy band-aid on his thigh.

At the end of the day we decided to try out the new Sonics in Ferndale. For those of you who don't know, this is a big deal right now in Ferndale. Let me just say that I have never seen flaggers directing traffic, a staging area for the overflow of cars, and 2 police cars standing by just to eat fast food. Pathetic I know, but we waited (only 10 minutes) to see what all the hype was about. I'll admit, I was impressed.

Am I a little camera happy or what?!

Dawson looked so cute hanging out the window looking at the bright menu board and

watching all the carhops on their rollerskates. Dawson looks like he's the one who just ate a fattening Sonic's burger!

Help! I'm Stuck!

When Dawson goes down for his naps he seems to move all over the crib. Lately he's been getting stuck. When I heard him wake up from his nap (crying) this is how I found him. I'll admit it was a little mean to run grab the camera rather than helping him out but it was too funny. Don't worry, I have a "breathable bumper" on order to keep all his limbs inside the crib.

Back to the Library

More pictures Mom?! Hmmm...what book do I want today? This one looks good.

Got my books and I'm ready to go!

Dawson's 6 Months Old!!

How has half of a year gone by already? My baby is growing up so fast, it's exciting and it makes me want to cry all at the same time. He has such a personality and truly lights up with a huge smile anytime mom or dad come in the room. My absolute favorite thing right now is his laugh, it doesn't take much and you can get the deepest belly laugh that is the most adorable thing you'll ever hear. I also love his sweet chubby cheeks that get so rosy after he eats, his eyebrows that he will raise and give me "the look" when I'm being a big nerd, the rolls on his thighs that are so fun to massage with lotion at bedtime, the way that he flaps his arms all around when he gets excited, how much he talks & sings when he's so tired and trying not to fall asleep, and the way that he's starting to hug around my neck when I hold him, I really just love everything about him. And...he's sleeping good now! It's wonderful, I'm actually beginning to feel well rested. He sleeps 10-12 hours at night (but I do get up to feed him once) and he's taking 2-3 naps during the day that range from 45 min. to 2 hours. Yay! Dawson's a pro at sitting up on his own now and is continuing to roll over and always wants to be on his tummy. I (unfortunately) think he's going to be crawling soon, he gets up on all fours and does the rocking motion and has even taken a couple of knee steps before toppling down. For now I'm cherishing the time we spend playing on the floor in one spot! My big boy now has 5 teeth, 3 on the bottom and 2 on the top (the 6th one is just about to break through on the top). His 6 month check up with the dr. is on Friday so I'll post his stats and what the dr. has to say. Here is Dawson's 6 month picture and some of my other favorites for the month...oh, and you can view his 6 month Sears pictures at https://www.searsphotos.com/?shareid=S206708757l85X6U6GVCN - they turned out so cute!

Dawson on his 6 month birthday-2/7/2009. Look at that face! He looks like such a big boy. Couldn't resist taking a few shots when getting him undressed.

I LOVE this picture!

Isn't he sweet?

Daddy's so much fun to play with!

How cute is this?!

My baby's sweet smile that makes it impossible to ever have a bad day.

My Little Monkey

This picture speaks for itself!

He moves all over in his swing now, I'm going to have to start strapping him in. If he's on his back, chances are he has a foot in his mouth!

First Trip to the Library

I took Dawson on his first trip to the Ferndale library today. I think he had fun, he was smiling and talking the whole time. He helped pick out the books he wanted to check out (I held him close to them and whatever one he put his hand on was the one we got). Some of the fun books we're going to read are Pig Enough, The Prince's Bedtime, I Know the Moon, and The Stuffed Animals Get Ready for Bed. I picked out Hickory Dickory Dock and Other Favorite Nursery Rhymes, since Dawson was born I've realized that I cannot remember hardly any nursery rhymes. I try singing them to him and end up improvising most of it, and not very well...poor guy. Oh, and I also picked out Big Daddy Frog Wrestler because the title made me laugh. Now we're all ready to read bedtime stories.

Sitting Up & Tooth #3

Dawson's doing really well sitting up on his own!

He's showing off his 3rd tooth! It appeared on January 20th on the bottom to the right of the other two.

Look at that balance!

(And look at those socks...if anyone ever finds a brand

of baby socks that actually stay on their feet

please let me know).

Birthday Bash

On Sunday we celebrated Grandma, Grandpa & Uncle Jim's birthday's. My parents hosted with an incredible meal as always and we enjoyed spending time with the family.

Happy Birthday!

Dawson's face in this picture is so funny!

He was playing with a new toy from Great Grandma & Grandpa. Dawson's checking out Ryan & Megan's dog Cassius. Cash (for short) is an adorable black lab/boxer mix.

Dawson with Grandpa's brother Jim.

Childbirth Class Reunion

On Saturday our childbirth class got together for a six month reunion. It's so nice to visit with all the other parents since the babies are so close in age and swap stories and ask questions. I can't believe how much all the babies have grown and changed since we last got together in September!

Here is the group shot from oldest to youngest.

From L to R-Jack & Andrew (twins), Maxwell, Mason,

Riley, Alena & Dawson. Here is the group shot from September in the same order.

A close up of Riley (7/24/08), Alena (7/25/08) & Dawson (8/7/08).

Close up of the 3 from September.

Dawson & Alena played together on their tummies

and shared toys.

Isn't she a cutie? You should have seen her bright pink

converse shoes!

Riley joined in on the fun showing off how well he sits

up on his own.

After playing with all his friends Dawson was exhausted!

Right when I put him in the car he picked up his book and then

completely passed out.

He Scoots...Backwards!

Dawson just started moving around on his own. When he pushes all the way up on his arms he can scoot backwards.

He started out on his blanket...

...then scooted right to the edge.Look how far he got!