6 Months and counting!

Wow has it really been 6 months since Taylor entered the world?  Okay, I finally believe all the other moms out there- it really does go fast!
6 months old and still a peanut.  That's right, Taylor was a whopping 13 lbs, 3 oz at her doctor's appointment yesterday.  She did grow 2 inches since her last appointment so at least her height is increasing nicely.  Our little girl is only in the 6th percentile for weight!  I guess the good thing is, we're getting lots of use out of her clothes.  Too bad I'm not sure she'll fit into all the summer clothes my sister bought for her last year.  I guess we'll just have to hope for an indian summer.
Even though her weight is less than impressive, the doctor said she is doing very well developmentally.  Taylor is quite the little babbler.  We're exploring consonant sounds like b, d, and g.  And what kind of teacher would I be if I didn't tell her what letter corresponded with the sound she was making?
Also, even though she can't sit up on her own yet (although she can do a nice tripod) Taylor is starting to get pretty mobile.  She can scoot backwards when laying on her back and she can pull herself forward a bit when on her tummy.  This morning she turned herself around in circles on her mat for a good half hour.  Perhaps this is because she likes fans so much.  I have never seen anyone stare at a fan for as long as she does.  And now she talks to them too.  She seems to like them so much that I have even started using the word fan in sign language (that's what you're supposed to do- sign words that the child is interested in).  I'm also signing "milk" and "juice" for obvious reasons. 
Food-wise, Taylor has started eating sweet potatoes and peas.  So far, both have gone down pretty easily.  I love using my Beaba Babycook to make her food.  I highly recommend one to all parents of younguns'.   It makes me feel really good that I know exactly what is going into her food.  Plus it's so much cheaper!  From just one bag of frozen peas, I was able to make about 12 oz of food!  And from 2 sweet potatoes I was able to make around 16 oz.  I need to get some more Green Sprouts food storage containers (they look like ice cube trays) before I can make any other kinds of food.  I just wish I could find them in a store around here so I wouldn't have to order them online.  
Hopefully we'll get 6 month pictures done soon.  I'm kind of dreading it since photo sessions have been steadily going downhill.  

Traveling ain't so bad

Last week Taylor and I went on our first trip together (sadly Walker could not come).  We left Wednesday after school for Midway airport to head out to Arizona.  Taylor was quite good.  Our flight ended up being delayed so we made several laps around the concourse (always bring a stroller to the airport!) which helped pass the time.  Even though our flight was late, we were blessed in the fact that the flight wasn't that full and I was allowed to bring her carseat on and place her in the seat next to me, which means I got some much needed sleep.
We had a great time in Arizona.  We stayed with my dad and stepmom in their newly renovated house.  Our first day we went to the botanical gardens but it was pretty hot and Taylor got fussy (poor girl isn't used to temps in the 90's!).  The next day we went shopping at a few different stores.  One of them was Buy Buy Baby (which I think is owned by Bed Bath and Beyond).  This store was great!!!  We even found reusable swim diapers in her size (unlike the disposables which start at 16 lbs!).  And that evening we all relaxed in the hot tub.  The good news is Taylor is not afraid of the water!  She loved splashing water on her and me, and she kept trying to catch the bubbles- so cute!  And on Saturday we had a really nice dinner with Linda's kids in honor of Mother's Day.  Too bad Taylor was very very fussy- we think she was just overstimulated.
Sunday we left to come home and again Taylor did great on the flight.  No such luck with spare seats so she had to ride on my lap but she did really well.  Unfortunately the car ride home from Midway was absolutely awful.  You know that stretch of I-80 you have to take to get from 294 to 57?  It took us more than 30 min. to travel that!  Stupid construction.  We had to stop 3 different times on the way home and Taylor screamed the last hour of the ride.  All in all, definitely not the way I wanted to spend my first Mother's Day but I'm really glad we got to go so I don't regret it.  Besides, it was great to get away from school for a few days!

Ready, Set, Travel!

This Wednesday, Taylor and I will be headed for Arizona.  I have to admit that I'm more than just a little nervous about traveling with a 5 month old by myself.  Thank goodness I was able to get direct flights!  Any tips for flying with a baby would be much appreciated!
Other than the flights, I'm really looking forward to this trip.  First, it'll be nice to get away from work for 2 days (who wouldn't love that?).  And I'm very excited to see my dad and Linda.  And I don't think I've ever been to AZ!  It'll be nice to experience 80 degree weather without the 90% humidity that IL usually gets!   The best part?  When I return, I'll have less than a month left of school!
And Taylor wants everyone to know that feet/socks are great for chewing on.....