Pictures from our day at the State Fair

Our Adventure to the State Fair

Well, we did it! We braved the State Fair with a 5 month old and actually had a wonderful time! Wren was a dream baby. She only got fussy a couple of time and other than that, she slept in her stroller, hung out on Daddy's shoulders, chilled in Mom's wrap, or watched everything going on around her (she did this the most.) I thought she would sleep the day way, but not my child! She only slept a total of 1 hour (a 45 minute nap around 2pm and a 15 min nap around 5:30). Meanwhile, Brance and I had a wonderful day snacking through the fair on corny dogs, a turkey legs, a caramel apple, potato twirls (with lots of ketchup- see picture), and, our adventure food, a fried grilled cheese sandwich. Unfortunately, I had a cold and could not taste anything except the turkey leg, but Brance said it was all pretty good. Brance and I also enjoyed seeing the domino man, the butterfly garden, the cars, and the bubbles at the science museum.

We proved to be shameless parents at the bird show. Before the show began, they were playing a song about what we will leave behind for our future generations and throughout it, they would pan out to the audience and flash cute kids up on the big screen. We were sitting right next to the platform that the birds fly to, so thinking our kid was pretty cute, Brance stood her up on it and we waited with the camera aimed and ready. Sure enough, a few minutes later, there was Wren on the big screen, looking mighty cute in her cowboy dress (thanks Mimi and Poppi!). Did I mention that we were shameless?

We walked a lot and rested every here and there. Wren was so tired by the end of the day that I thought she would fall asleep on the way home, but no, she was awake the whole time talking to her pacifier and trying to figure out the buckle on her car seat.

First Words!!!

Last night Wren was super tired but wanted to play with Dad. She was in the state of happy, sad, happy, sad- so tired she didn't know what she was. He was holding her and talking to her and she suddenly hit the brick wall of tired. She started crying and all of the sudden we heard, "Mama" clear as a bell. Brance handed her over and she stopped crying immediately. We count that as the official first word :). Now we have to work on Daddy!

Personality- Here it comes!!!

Wow! Brance and I are in for some fun times when it comes to parenting. Our sweet little almost 5 month old daughter showed her true colors the other night at dinner. Brance had on a name sticker from a training that morning. He gave it to Wren to play with. At first she just held it, touched it, tried to drop it (but it stuck to her hand :), etc. She was happily playing with it, perfectly content until it started to head for her mouth. Brance said, "No, no Wren" in a very sweet voice and took it away. The result- a shriek of anger and crying. Brance and I looked at each other and said, "Surely this is coincidence. Surely she isn't angry because we took away her toy. She is too young for that." So, as an experiment, we gave the sticker back to her. The crying stopped and she began to happily aim for her mouth. Once again, Brance took it away. The result, a shriek of anger and crying. Yep, we are going to have fun raising this one.

Happy Baby

Wren has been with us for almost 5 months now!!! I cannot believe how the time flies!!! Wren is just a little ray of sunshine. She continues to be such a happy baby. She is still sleeping through the night (yeah!), but I am thinking teething is on its way. She has always been a chewer but now she is drooling! Hopefully she keeps her content disposition through teething (at least mom can hope, right?)

Of course, Wren is changing all the time, but here are a few of the fun highlights:

• "Panting" when she gets excited
• Rolling over (only to let us know that she can- she doesn't do it often)
• Laughing at funny faces, funny sounds, and peek-a-boo
• Kicking her legs when she is excited
• Putting everything in her mouth
• Reaching for everything
• Trying to drink out of a cup
• Playing in her exersaucer
• Holding up her legs while I change her diaper
• Standing for long periods of time
• Trying to sit alone
• Talking during movies
• Not napping
• Hanging out in the maya wrap (sometimes catching a nap through Wal-Mart)
• Coughing (sometime fake)
• Watching TV, computers, and/or cell phone screens
• Going on walks with mom and many more!

I hope you enjoy the pictures!

A Quick Update

Well, Wren just had her 4 month check up and everything looks great! She is now weighing 14lbs 15 oz and is 26 3/4 inches long. She is in the 96 percentile in length (I wonder why...). She has hit all the milestones except for rolling over. She is sooo close, but really hates tummy time. It's probably my fault for not making her be on her tummy more. Oh well. She loves her exersaucer more and more each day and loves to be standing!!! I wonder if she is going to go straight to walking...

She is so social. I can hardly get her to eat of someone is talking in the room. It's like she really wants to be part of the conversation. The little toot is still not napping unless held. She has us trained up real good. Side note- she is sleeping pretty much from 7pm-7am! I am truly blessed!

Kisses for Daddy

Wren was so sweet to her Daddy yesterday. He came home after his 1st day as a 5th grade teacher. He was pretty wiped out as all teachers are on their first day and Wren was there to greet him with kisses. She is such a great baby, full of giggles, blabbers and smiles. She is almost rolling over! She is an expert at grabbing her toes and bringing things to her mouth. I have also started letting her cry herself to sleep. Two nights ago it took 20 minutes, but last night it took only 10 minutes! I am hoping it gets shorter every day. It's so heart-wrenching, but she really does stay asleep long and I am much saner. Before I would rock her, put her in bed, she would wake up, and we would repeat the cycle for about an hour. This way is much better for everyone! The little stinker is still not really taking naps well. I tried to let her cry it out at nap time, but after 45 minutes of screaming, she was still going strong. I hold her for nap time :). That is the wonderful thing about being at home with her. I can just hold her and rock her. I love these times!