1st Christmas

Raya was a huge fan of Christmas.  Her absolute favorite thing in the whole world is paper.  So of course there was nothing better than tons and tons of wrapping paper and tissue paper to rip, crinkle and take a quick bite of when nobody was looking.  She did great opening up the presents --- but then was not at all interested in what was inside.  She could have spent all day playing with the paper.  Christmas at my parents was so mild that the kids had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows and played football outside!

Her first tooth finally poked through!  For real this time!!!  The lower front left tooth popped through on Saturday.  The kids were at Jakes parents for the night and I felt her mouth on Saturday for teeth and then again Sunday when we picked them up and sure-enough... it FINALLY made it's way through!  woohoo!

She's starting to change so quickly now.  She's always trying to pull herself up and really wants to crawl... just can't quite get the hang of it. This stage is so bittersweet.  It's so fun to watch them learn so fast but at the same time makes me sad thinking about how fast she's growing up.  Gives me baby fever!  Yes, I realize how crazy that sounds because she's still a baby.... but the itty bitty baby part goes by so so fast!  And nobody get your hopes up.... there's not another baby!

Typical baby with bow on head picture

Glimpse into 2 minutes of Raya's life

Gma and Gpa Hemmah
Oscar (3 weeks), Raya (7 months), Easton (3 years)

Raya (7 months), Gretta (5 years), Easton (3 years) Stella (6 years)

quick photo update

Practicing crawling

Loves playing with her new doll house - Thanks Auntie Mary and Uncle Eddie

So scared of the ducky bath tub.  We had to put it away.  Just looking at it would make her cry.

Funny glasses from Mary and Eddie's wedding

7 Months

I'm pretty late with Raya's 7 month post.  We've been so busy lately that I just haven't had a moment to update.  She had her 2nd flu shot at 7 months and she weighed 17 pds 4 ounces... she gained a whopping pound in a month!   It's funny that 1 pound in a month seems like a lot; when I can gain 3 pounds in a day!

Raya still is not a good night sleeper.  Jake and I are walking zombies.  I imagine one of these days we'll say it's time to try to cry-it-out but as of now we just can't get ourselves to do that.  Maybe when she starts eating real food better so we know she's not hungry at night.  Which brings me to the next 7 month topic... food.  She still doesn't like baby food either.  I bought a little thing that resembles a pacifier that you fill with food and she will eat it a little better out of that.  Hopefully in the next couple weeks she'll take to eating better.  She's also starting to roll and scoot around the floor if she wants something out of reach.  Today she held herself up on all fours for a second and occasionally she'll stand next to furniture helping her a little.  But other than that she's pretty content with sitting in one spot and playing.  It's a pretty nice change of pace from always-on-the-go Easton.  Looking back at Easton when he was this age and they are completely different!

When Raya get's excited, it's the funniest thing ever.  I really need to get it on video.  She makes a crazy face with her mouth wide open and growls all while her legs go stick straight and she twirls her feet in circles.  It's hilarious!

I'm almost certain she can say, "hi" and has been for a month. Otherwise, no other 'real' words yet.

She continues to LOVE Charlie and Easton makes her laugh daily.  All he needs to do is talk and she bursts out laughing.

Auntie Mary and Uncle Eddie got married last weekend - so we had a wonderful time celebrating their love.  I was the maid of honor, Easton was the ring bearer (pulled the aisle runner down) and Jake was the usher (filled in for Mason who was sick and helped Easton pull the aisle runner).  We were all so honored to be a part of their special day.

First time seeing each other.  Such a special moment. 

My brother is soooo loud! 

This is her when she's excited!  It's even better in a video.  

Always going after the puppy

Mrs. Mullin

Love this - so much! 

Raya is not quite sure about this