6 month check-up

Juliette had her 6 month check up today. She looks good and strong according to the doctor. She weighed in at 16 lb 14 oz, 75th percentile. She measured 26 inches, 52nd percentile. She got some more shots. I didn't even shed a tear this time. I guess I must have toughened up since Tuesday. She really enjoyed playing with the paper on the exam table.

Finally broke down.

Well, I finally broke down and got Juliette a costume for Halloween with thanks to Grandpa Weldon. It was only $10 so I don't feel too bad about it. She's going to be a traditional pumpkin. She looks pretty cute in the costume. I have yet to get some pictures of her in it.

This has been a very busy week. On Tuesday, we picked up Grandpa Weldon from the Peoria Airport. Juliette did well on the hour drive there but the drive back was a different story. She started crying 15 minutes into the drive. I ended up pulling off at the rest stop to feed her thinking she was hungry. Not the case. She continued to cry after being fed. Finally, we stopped off at Sam's Club 20 min from home to switch drivers. My dad drove and I sat in the back with Juliette while giving driving directions. Then later that day Juliette and I went to the Sale Barn where the health department was have an H1N1 vaccine clinic. I ended up waiting in line 2 hours for Juliette to get her shot. Thankfully, I had her in her carrier and she was good the entire time we waited in line. She even managed to fall asleep among all the noise 10 minutes before she was to get her shot. Luckily, the nurse was able to give the shot to her while she remained in the carrier asleep. She woke up briefly from the prick of the needle but went back to sleep shortly after. I think I shed more tears than she did. Yes, I'm a big softy. I really had to hold back the tears while all the other little kiddies were getting their shots, lots of screams and crying.

Grandpa Weldon has been busy playing with Juliette. She's been giving him lots of smiles. Today, we went shopping for her Christmas presents from him. We had a good time looking at all the different toys. We even helped Grandpa Weldon wrap the presents too.

Juliette goes for her 6 month check up this Friday.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to sub for the first time this year. I really enjoyed being back in the classroom and working with the little ones.

This is from awhile ago. Bryan is playing peek a boo with Juliette from behind my laptop.

Sitting up

Juliette is sitting up on her own now. She particularly enjoys playing with her toys while sitting up. She still isn't a big fan of being on her stomach which leads me to think she will be a late crawler or just skip that altogether and walk first instead.

Juliette continues to be a good sleeper at night, only with the occasional mid-night wakings. I have been able to get her to go back to sleep in the middle of the night after a diaper change on her own in her crib. Very helpful.

Last weekend, we took a trip to Rader Farms, with Grandma, on the outskirts of Bloomington. We took a lot of really good Fall pictures of Juliette and managed to get a good family picture too. Juliette did not enjoy walking through the barn with the animals. I don't blame her, it was pretty stinky. I'm really looking forward to her going next year. I think she'll really enjoy it, lots to do for the little ones.

Yesterday, Bryan and I dropped Juliette off at Grandma and Grandpa's for the day while we went to see Michigan State play Illinois in football. The game tickets were one of my birthday presents. Bryan even bought himself a Michigan State t-shirt. I must say he looks good in green :) We really enjoyed the game. Bryan especially liked the guys who sat behind us. They were Illinois fans but they kept on making fun of their own team. This allowed Bryan to speak freely about his hatred for the Illini. Michigan State won! While we were at the game Juliette showed Grandma and Grandpa how loud and long she can cry and scream. Grandma gave her a new toy. Stack & Roll 'em cups. Juliette really enjoys these, as do Bryan and I. They are so much fun and you can do so many things with them.

Bryan is working on getting some of the videos of Juliette edited and shrunk for your viewing pleasure. This week Juliette turns 6 months and I think it's about time we get some videos of her posted for everyone.

With great suprise today, I discovered that Juliette's two lower front teeth have already cut through her gums. My little girl is growing up. I did not expect this so soon. This probably explains her increased irritability and difficulty sleeping at night.

Learned something new.

Yesterday, Bryan and I decided to attend our church's Irish Pumpkin Festival/chicken dinner with Juliette. Juliette, however, had other plans. She did not enjoy the Festival at all. She cried, more like wailing, the entire time under the big tent. She did not like all the people or the loud music. We had tried giving her a bottle, walking her outside the tent away from the noise, which helped a bit. We ate our meals in shifts. Finally, we decided to leave before we had even finished our desserts. We just couldn't get her calmed down. Now, I was fully prepared for her to cry the entire way home since she doesn't enjoy being in her car seat. However, as soon as I put her in her car seat she calmed down. Conclusion: Juliette does not like loud music with lots of people.

Juliette continues to amaze us. After her shots she had a bad week. She was extremely cranky. She wasn't sleeping through the night, waking up every 2 hours screaming. Luckily, whatever was bothering her whether it was illness or a growth spurt it has passed. This past week she started to eat solids. She seems to like it. The key is to feed her in the mornings when she has the most patience. So far she has had rice cereal and squash. Tomorrow she gets to try either apples or sweet potatoes.

Juliette is getting much more vocal. She's making all sorts of sounds. Juliette enjoys being held, carried in the sling, jumping in her jumperoo, playing peek a boo, and playing with mom and dad. Juliette is even kind enough to play by herself sometimes so that I can get some things done. She also enjoys our daily outings. I try to get out of the house everyday with her for a change in scenery. She enjoys going grocery shopping with me. She especially loves all the compliments she gets from strangers while we're out, many comments about her big blue eyes.

Smudge has really warmed up to Juliette. He'll give her kisses which she smiles at. He is extremely protective of her when we go on walks in the subdivision. He goes nuts when anyone approaches unless its a construction worker. For some reason he doesn't bark at them.

This past Sunday, we went to 7:30 am mass. Juliette was very good except for when she decided to babble during quiet times. The acoustics in the church made her seem really loud. I guess I should be grateful that she wasn't crying.

On Saturday she got to have some Daddy-Daughter time while I went to a baby shower. She was very good for Bryan, much better than in the past. They enjoyed watching the Purdue Football game. Each time Purdue got a touchdown he would raise her in the air and do push-up with her.

It's hard to believe that next week she will be 5 months old.