Naomi really does have teeth!

I first noticed a little sawtooth on Friday. When I decided to check on its progress on Sunday, I found a second one. They are too small to really get a picture of yet, but they are definitely there. Funny thing is, now that she could actually do some damage, she doesn't even try to bite down on my fingers. She has been in the habit of gnawing on them lately. I guess the need has passed. (I'm not sad about this -- baby teeth are incredibly sharp.)

Roy and Naomi

My littlest brother, Roy spent the weekend at our house. It was a ton of fun. We are thrilled to have him living so close (Fort Worth) to us for the next few months. I think it is very accommodating of our brothers and sisters to come to us, since we aren't too likely to be able to come to them (there aren't many army installations near our families -- at least not that we want to be stationed at). I hope they are all planning to move on with us, when that time comes:)
Naomi had her six month check up today. (Yes, she is nearly seven months -- holidays got in the way...) She weighs 21 pounds and is 29 inches tall (or long). That puts her in the 98th and 99th percentiles. Her development is right on schedule, except that she absolutely refuses to eat solid foods. She hates and despises them -- all of them, as far as we can tell. We have tried rice cereal -- no (I agree on that one, but is it really worse than formula??). Applesauce with rice cereal -- no (and I'm talking, gagging and spitting 'no'). Applesauce -- short moment of thought, then 'no.' Ice cream (yes, I'm getting desperate) -- no. Vanilla yogurt -- no. Small piece of white bread -- no. Chocolate -- no worries, she said 'no.' Blackberry Pomegranate yogurt -- 'perhaps' (She swallowed, with only minimal grimacing and no gagging, a whole spoonful, before turning her head and reaching for her bottle). And it is to that 'perhaps' that I cling. I like it when my babies start eating solid foods. I like the full tummies it creates and I love the independence that comes with finger foods. I also like that it cuts the formula intake (and cost...). Perhaps......

Janina

It's that time again -- another kid to highlight! Here's Janina's picture story:

Janina was a deceptively peaceful newborn.
Held warm and comfortable by those who love her:
At four months she loved Grandpa!
Grass was a tasty treat to this adorable 11 month old.
Dirty faced, but bubbly as could be at 19 months.
At almost 2, she was ready to apprentice herself to Santa.

She was her mom's girl at 2 1/2.
At almost 3, she was happy to see the butterfly go free.
Weddings include lots of food and Nina enjoyed the food at Meg's.
"Ride 'em cowboys!" (and girls) -- 3 1/2
Brotherly love (from the affectionate 4 1/2 year old sister)
After the haircuts at almost five.
After 5 1/2 long years, she is no longer the only sister!
Happy Halloween, 2008!
Happy Thanksgiving, 2008!
Merry Christmas to our Princess (in November?) from Grandma.

Happy Birthday, Janina!(Can anyone tell what Michael gave her?)

Letters to Santa

Our children wrote letters to Santa, which they left laid out under our Christmas tree. We have never done that before, so we asked where they learned about Santa letters. They told us they learned to write them from Charlie Brown's Christmas movie. I'm sure Charlie Brown would be proud.

Also, Jon, as a very knowledgable first grader, told me he knew about Santa. Now, we have never really pushed Santa, but we've never told our kids there isn't a Santa, either, so I was intrigued. His clarification: Santa is just a guy who drives his car around, uses a ladder to climb onto roofs and then enters homes via chimneys. Derek's interpretation: Santa is a cat burglar.

Michael noted, after analyzing what he had received for Christmas, that Santa hadn't brought him anything, because we had bought it all. DJ, on the other hand, attributes all of his gifts, including those that were labeled with a from line, to Santa. Isn't it fun to be young?

Thanksgiving and Houston

Yes, I know I am very behind. I would like not to be, but it's way too late to prevent it, so I'm left with the next best thing -- rushed and abbreviated catch-up, leaving out many of the delightful details you've all been dying to hear. Sorry about that, but it's nearly Christmas and I cannot be two holidays behind!

Alas -- I am now two holidays behind...

Here's Thanksgiving: (remember, a picture is worth a thousand words -- this is quite the essay)

We are still here

Yes, I know I haven't blogged for a long time, (I have meant to, life just gets busy sometimes) and this won't really be much, but I'm working on getting Thanksgiving and Christmas photos up. Maybe this year??? (I still have a couple of days...)

Anyway, tonight we were eating dinner and Michael was tasting the sprinkles on his cookie. He told me it tasted "familiar -- like a great big, giant hippopotamus."

Naomi can sit up! She's been working at it for a while and over the past couple of weeks, she's perfected it. She likes it quite a bit. Sorry about the red eyes. I'm hurrying!

Naomi's teeth!