Birthday Suit

Pajama day at school means diaper play at home! This girl loves to stand up and she loves to make music!

XO,
EAT

Testing 1,2,3,4

So I finally made the move from my trusty Blackberry to the iPhone. We are now complete Apple GEEKS! It makes me want to read the Steve Jobs biography...these products are just genius! We are all synched up with AirPlay and the iCloud. It is scary what technology can do but it is also pretty incredible at the same time. So here I am testing out the Blogger App. Here are a few pics of little Miss Teagan. I need to write about her latest tricks, feats, attempts, and non-stop adventures!

XO,
EAT

Weather

Weather is something that comes and goes and a fact of life that absolutely can not be changed. This was never more apparent to us than on our wedding day as the snow fell on October 11th! We talk about the weather, we gripe about it, we relish in it and it often times serves as a common ground amongst individuals. It happens several times a week in the elevator at work "How about this weather?" somebody says as we ride up or down. This week...actually, this month has proved to be the best March weather I can remember. We are talking June or July weather with bright blue sky's and temps reaching the 70's and several days in the 80's. It has been PERFECT! We are thoroughly enjoying getting out for stroller rides, laying in the grass, driving with the windows open and breaking out the spring and summer clothes. Here are some outdoor pics from the past week.

The Magnolia is in bloom!

All of this fresh air makes Teagan sleepy

Our walks through Churchill Woods are back

Play time on the deck. Favorite toy of the month: Fisher Price stacking rings

Tickle time with Daddy

XO,

EAT

Teagan - 6 months!

Dear Teagan,

You are 6 months old! 6 months as in half of a year :) Each month is our new favorite because of the things you do and the never ending joy you provide. We sometimes stop during play just to admire your pureness and watch in awe as you carefully figure out the world around you.

It is safe to say you are like your mommy in the sense that when not asleep, you must be in constant motion. It is in our genes. You are also extremely ticklish...thank mom for that and thank dad for tickling you until our tummy's hurt from laughing!

We have also entered the stage where you reach for EVERYTHING. And EVERYTHING goes into the mouth. You got your hands on an index card the other day and let's just say it was soaked with saliva and about half the size when I got it back. You turn to "feed" on our cheeks and I am convinced you are giving us kisses. Just like when we pick you up and your arms reach out for embrace, that is a hug :)
Watching you learn to crawl is just amazing. You are so determined and diligent in your practice. The swimming I once wrote about is now paired with getting up on hands and knees and rocking back and forth. Now you have added a leap forward like a little spring bunny emerging from it's nest.

You temperament is still extremely mild...thank you for that. We are more confident in our parenting and thoroughly enjoy the countless smiles and giggles that come as a result of you social and happy state of being.

You love your food. Your pallet has expanded to include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. You sometimes eye what is on our plates as if you can taste it through your eyeballs. Mmmm enchiladas sure beat these prunes!

Your 6 month stats are right on track and ahead of the curve. You are long, lean and strong! I often wish we could freeze time but each day is more exciting and rewarding than the next so we want to know what lies ahead. We love the emerging person you are becoming and know as a fact we were made for each other. You are the ying to our yang and the peanut butter on our jelly sandwich.

Love you always,

Mom and Dad

XO,

EAT

Everyday Beauty

I came across this old article in the Washington Post about a social experiment they conducted. I thought it was interesting enough to share/post/document. It served as a good reminder to just slow down sometimes. As a coworker often says "pump the brakes." Here it is...copied and pasted...

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Dear Teagan - 5 months

Dear Teagan,

You just turned 5 months old! The weeks and months just seem to cruise right by. We do our best to relish in the moments so time doesn't get away from us.

Your personality has certainly come out in the past month. You are so aware of your surroundings and you LOVE faces...daddy, mommy, dolls, grocery store employee, anybody! Eye-contact, tickles and conversation get you smiling and laughing in no time.

It appears you are starting to make conscious decisons. We place two toys in front of you and you choose which you reach for. We hope you remember you will always have choices in life and that you will be equipped with skills to ration and make the very best decisions.


You are so curious in our daily tasks. You love the hair dryer and you are the perfect sous chef. We talk you through the smallest tasks and you observe as if there will be a quiz to follow. Your personality is very mellow at this point. You just go with the flow as long as long as there is some sort of loose routine.

You sit up but still wobble a bit too and fro. We know your core is strengthening as your range of motion inceases. We used to watch you swim and now we watch you do the backwards tummy scootch. It is so incredible to watch you gain ground and sort of "figure it out."



Each and every day we look at you and then look at each other and just smile. We feel honored to be your parents and to share this amazing journey with you. There are days where we wonder if we are doing it right but your smiles, steady growth and wholeness you bring to our lives means we must be on the right track.

Love you little girl,

Mom and Dad

Teagan - 4 months

Little Ms. Teagan has crossed the 4 month mark! She is so much fun as she transforms into such a little lady. We are loving watching her grow and develop. Here are a few of her latests tricks and skills.

Rolling Over - I called it when I last wrote about her at 12 weeks. On December 6th she rolled over and hasn't looked back since! The daycare and Dr. thought it was a bit early but Teagan is on her own program. She has fully mastered the back to tummy roll and has demonstrated the tummy to back just a couple of times. This new trick has caused a few problems with sleep at night and during "naps" at daycare but we are getting through it just fine.

Swimming - Tummy Time is now called swimming in our house. Once she completes the roll over she balances on her tummy, wiggles her legs and arms in unison like she is doing the breast stroke. She holds her head up high, laughs and reaches forward for whatever toy is out in front. Her core muscles must be getting a major workout. It is clear these are the early signs of exploring the next swim stroke, the crawl!

Laughing - As Ms. Kim said, "Teagan has found her voice." She laughs and squeals all the day long. Her latest vocal feat is one we call the Pterodactyl. It sounds like she is auditioning for a voice over on Jurassic Park. It is a hybrid between a laugh and a hum and it gets increasing loud if we talk back to her. Rick summed it up the other day "there is no better sound than that of your daughter laughing." Agreed!

Awareness - Teagan is more and more aware of her surroundings. She follows us as we walk across the room and seems to gauge a room upon entering. We take a gazillion photos and she will reach out to the camera. I was reading to her last night and she grabbed the book and turned the page herself. She grabs toys that are placed within reach and even has favorites...the lion on her bounce house, the light-up flower pot, Lucy, the crinkle blocks and still likes cloth toys that can be gnawed on. She is able to play independently for longer periods of time although it is only a matter of minutes before Rick or I jump in to join the fun.

Her feet - She discovered that she has two feet at the bottom of those long legs! She grabs for them and holds them and rolls around. This makes diaper changes just a wee bit more challenging but entertaining nonetheless. Daddy pretends to eat her feet and giggles always follow! Maybe she is super ticklish like me.

Sleep - She had a little cold just before Christmas and regressed a little bit in the sleeping department. She was sleeping 7-8 hours and then went back to waking up every 3-4 hours. She seems to be back on track now but we know things can change any old day. We take it day by day and that just seems to work for us!

Food - Nursing is still going well although sometimes it is like trying to tame a fish out of water. I have been pumping at work which is also going well. We have the bottle prep, wash and repeat down pat now. She is growing like crazy 26" at the 4 month check-up and 14.5 lbs. The Dr. gave us the thumbs up to try solids sometime before her 6 month mark. We have started with rice and oats and will continue the "solid" food progression from there. She is a natural with the spoon...although a bit puzzled at first, she now licks the food from the spoon.

We have had the perfect mix of planned events and downtime at home as we enter 2012. We wrapped up 2011 with Teagan's first Christmas. We were able to make it to Christmas Eve with the Tiltges side and then a flight out that evening to Colorado. Below are some photos and highlights of the last month or so.

All snuggled in her snow suit Uncle E got her

Teagan was wide awake and loved watching the family bowl several games..so much action!

Babies first Christmas....with Aunt Cara and Cousin Ryker

Helping Mom and Dad pick out her first Christmas Tree

Hanging out with Uncle E on Christmas morning.

"I think I like this whole Christmas thing" With Grandma Janet.

This is how the flight to and from Colorado looked. She ate upon take off and then snoozed the rest of the flight. We were so proud!

Teagan asleep at a holiday party with the Weyants and Klines.

Bath time has always been a favorite...she is just starting to realize she can splash herself!

It was a mild start to the winter...This is January 7 - 50 degree day and a stroller ride with Riley and the Little family!

Pleasant surprise in January. Nobody likes cabin fever!

A visit from Oscar and Kim and little O! The kiddos were so cute together and fun to watch interact. Oscar and Rick have come a long ways since the days of college!

A Saturday play date with cousin Ryker. We strolled at the mall and then came back to our house to eat lunch and play. They get to spend every Wednesday together but we wanted to see them in action.

Well there is so much more but that was a good snapshot of what has been going on in the past months. We are heading to Cincinnati next weekend to visit the Helmers family including an almost year old Jacob!

XO,

EAT