Kendree - 6 months

Kendree had her doctor's appointment today, so I decided to delay this post by a day.  Her official stats:
Weight: 16 lbs. 10.5 oz. (70th percentile)
Height: 26 1/8 inches (70th percentile)
Head: I never remember the actual measurement, but it was also in the 70th percentile. 

Gotta love those proportional kids!

Can you believe it's been 6 months?  Yeah, me either.  The craziest part of this milestone for both of my babies is that in my family, my grandma (and hence my mother) has always told me that it takes 6 months for you to integrate a new little someone into your family completely (and they should know, what with the 13 children between them) and it is so true!  Now, going to the store with both kids, doing a night-time routine for two, bath time for two, feeding, napping, etc. all seem totally normal.  I can't imagine Kendree not being a part of our lives.

It's when I feel somewhat in control that I know I'll be getting a curve ball thrown at me any day now! :)

Kendree continues to be such a good baby, but is finding her voice a bit more.  Most of the time, the noises she makes are just LOUD, not that she is upset.  It was just this week at church that I wished for the first time that she took a binky more regularly.  It was really nice to just shove one in Easton's mouth when he was being a noisy boy.

Kendree has still not rolled from her front to her back.  I continue to leave her on her stomach for extended periods of time, to encourage her to roll both ways and all it has done is make her really like being on her stomach (which isn't really a negative thing).  She'll get there eventually, I'm sure.  She's scooting around (slowly, and mostly not on purpose), and it has made me start to actually think about what is on the floor, around her, etc.

She has decided this month that she would like her feeding at night again, and is waking up around 4am every night.  I imagine (fingers crossed) that that will extend back out to 5 or 6 when she is eating cereal/solid foods.  [side note: I think I mentioned with Easton, but due to some research regarding the time you nurse vs. allergies, we have chosen to nurse exclusively for the first 6 months with both of our kids.  Kendree will be starting rice cereal in the next week or so.  Don't you worry, the large rolls on her thighs, arms and cheeks will assure you that she is nowhere close to hungry. :) ]

We continue to work on a consistent schedule with her naps.  I'll admit that most of that is my fault, as she falls asleep within minutes of getting in her car seat, so when I run errands she will always take an unscheduled nap and mess up her schedule.  Oh well, such is the life of a second child!

Kendree has decided this month that she is done with the swaddling.  She began not really settling down for the night unless her arms were out, and after a few nights of that, I gave up.  It's nice to not have to worry about whether the swaddle blanket is clean.

Kendree has no signs of teeth coming in anytime soon, but she sure has started to enjoy chomping on things (her finger, your finger, chew toys, blankets, etc.)  I always say that my kids can wait as LONG as they want to get those little chompers.

I, myself, have yet to make her really belly laugh, but all Easton has to do is look at her the right way and she will die of laughter.  He will do anything to ensure she will continue laughing.  It's one of the only things he can do with her, hence it is one of his new favorite activities.  I just can't seem to stop the most lively session from being right before we need to be getting them both to bed!

Her current favorite toy is the diaper wipes package.  I'm constantly worried about her getting a little piece of plastic off of it (thanks to Ashley), but if she can see it, she will do anything within her power to get over to it.  It's also the first thing that has made her cry when I take it away!

When in her car seat, she prefers to have the tag blanket I made for her above everything else.  I'm so glad I got that out sooner with her than I did with Easton (I really didn't make his until he was done with that kind of thing).

As always, we love our little Kendree-girl (who Easton has recently started calling Kenny-bear.  You would die of adorable-ness if you heard him say it).

I wanted to get this post up ASAP, so I'll be adding the pictures at a later time.  Hopefully very soon!

But sometimes, they just have to deal for a while

So, you all know we are moved.

I haven't mentioned (at least in any kind of detail) that the kids and I will be traveling to Laramie one day a week for my work.  All in all, my kids are great travelers (something that comes from being forced to travel?).  I'll admit I do rely on the DVD player, maybe a bit too much, but coming up with things that Easton can do without any help from me has been difficult.

Which brings me to the title.

In the three trips I have made as the driver to Laramie I've learned that I have no skills.

Skills to do things other than actually drive, that is.  So when our DVD player decided it was done two days ago, I was a little panicky.

Don't get me wrong.  I can hand something to Easton, and take a drink, but anything much beyond that and my stress level greatly increases.  All I can think about is the rollover stories, the police sirens and lights, the ambulances.

I try my best to get both kids as settled and prepared as I can before we take off, but inevitably Easton drops his game/book/toy or can't quite reach his sippy cup and begins to go into meltdown mode (did I mention that the trip home to Cheyenne is when he is really, really, really ready for a nap?).  Sometimes, there is an exit coming right up and I can pull off, get him re-situated and then be on our way, but other times we are in a classic Wyoming situation (no exits for 10+ miles) and he just has to deal.  Kendree, the little angel, has fallen asleep within 10 minutes of leaving every. single. time.

Am I alone? Does everyone else have mad skills while driving?  Am I totally missing out on some secret?

Card Winners

Random.org has spoken.

Comments number 3 and 9 are the big winners!

That means a big congrats for Aubrey and Erica!

I have both of your addresses :) so I'll get those out to you right away!

And no, this wasn't rigged.  The fact that it was two family members who actually both have the same last name is a total coincidence.

Silence

I never would have guessed how much I would enjoy sweet, sweet silence.

I've been traveling back and forth from Laramie a few days this past week and on my way home to Cheyenne, the kids have both fallen asleep every time.

What do I do with my silence?

Revel in it.

Who needs the radio?  Give me a few minutes of calm silence any day!

Burning Questions or I am not yet unpacked enough for a different post

I've loved your answers to my "life or death" questions.  As soon as Ronnie, ahem, I mean Donnie, makes a decision, I'll be sure to let you know.  As for the duplex/townhouse, the picture is of the general idea of the one we live in, but not a picture of the actual building.  Ours doesn't have the pretty rock and trim, unfortunately.

So, because I haven't unpacked, and the kids and I are just kicking it--I decided it was time for another round of burning questions and this time there is a prize involved!  I'll take everyone who comments and then randomly select two winners.  Each will get 6 of my handmade cards.  For an idea of what they look like, you can go here.

Without further ado:
1. Is a Dustbuster or similar vacuuming apparatus worth your money?  Would a carpeted dining room sway your vote?

2. What slightly obscure kitchen tool (even if you don't use it that often) could you not live without? 

3. What book can you read over and over?

4. Honesty here people, how many times have you read the Twilight series?

5. How often does one who lives by a mall actually go to the mall?

6. What child TV/movie program do you detest the most?

7. What are your favorite go-to snacks for kids (or heck, for yourself)?

1. I've looked at them at the store no less than 20 times, but have yet to come home with one.  The more days we live on our carpeted dining room, the more I think it is an absolute necessity.

2. Apple slicer/corer.  Dude, cutting an apple any other way is way too much work!

3. The Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke.

4. Four

5. I've lived in the same town as one for coming up on two weeks and have yet to make a trip there.  I'm afraid if I start to go, I won't be able to stop! :)

6.  It's obscure, but Howdy Town.  I could KILL the theme song, you know, if it was alive.

7. One of my favorites is dehydrated apple slices and I offer them to Easton almost daily, but he has yet to eat them.  Other than that, we do pretty standard stuff: grapes, string cheese, cheese slices, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, raisins, etc.

Moved

We're here.

With all of our stuff.

Three trailer loads (just ask my dad--he can probably tell you the number of boxes).

I really, really hate moving.

I thought that if I talked myself up before it happened and continually chanted "Moving is great!" it might help.

It did a little.

But not a lot.

Hopefully we can dig ourselves out of the boxes in the next few days!

P.S.  I'm sending an email out with our new contact info.  If you don't get one and would like one, let me know.

This is Life or Death, People

Life or Death situation #1:

Let's say, hypothetically, that your name is Donald.  Your entire life you have been going by Donnie.  You are now in a position professionally and personally (at church, etc) where you could change and start to go by Don.  Is Don the more professional name?  Does it even matter?

Life or Death situation #2:

See this picture here?

Is this a townhouse or a duplex (please note that the left side is not connected to another building--it's kinda hard to tell)?

Your help is, as always, appreciated.