Picture on the left was taken just hours after Aleah was born. Everything had settled down and now it was time for everyone to sleep.  

....Except I just couldn't. Even though I had not slept since my nap about 3 P.M. the previous day, (and it was now about 8 in the morning) I was still not could not sleep.  

I'm wired funny.  

Cade was fast asleep, sleeping better than a baby (or at least, better than this baby did, for a looong time).  And I was trying.  

But then she got the hiccups and well, hello, she had to be held.  

(Clearly I'm not the reason she is so needy and expects to be held or given attention all the time...clearly.)

So I held her and took this picture for my parents.  It was the first time I noticed the red in her hair.  I sent, "Is that by chance...red hair?? :)"

That red hair from her Dad is so fun to me.  I love it!  Can't wait to see how it changes or looks as time passes.  

Our firey red head...

 

 Why can't money grow on trees?  

This rocking chair at Cracker Barrel is cute and she loved it.  

Sixty bucks....mmm, I'll wait on that purchase for now.

This new suit kills me! It is so cute! One picture just is not enough--so you're welcome for three.

And thank you pinterest for exisiting..  Swimming has gotten just a little bit more fun for us!
1, 2, 3! UNDER! :)
"How to teach your baby to swim (6-12 months)"
Here is that link:
http://domanmom.com/2012/06/how-to-teach-your-baby-to-swim-6-12-months/

Craft gone so wrong. Turns out, food coloring is not very washable...noted.

 Another three shots. I want this girl to grow hair quicker, can you tell?  I keep trying to do ponytails or hair clips....it's not time yet.  A little taste of what is to come though when her hair gets a little longer. :)

Seven Months

Month seven ends tonight.  It was my very favorite age so far..  Could that be because Aleah made it a habit of sleeping through the night?  Or possibly her personality is coming out more than it has before?  Maybe the silly forced fake laughs...or the waves hello that actually resemble the sign for "milk" in baby sign language, (oh those sweet waves!)... I think it's all those and more.  It was such a good month.  Even with the fits that I can't believe she throws.  It was my favorite.  Hoping month eight is just as good!

And here is my attempt at documenting our fun month....I hope your expectations for my blog posts are low enough by now...  Because this is about to be a really sloppy and unorganized post with pictures that aren't going to add up and annoying spaces galore.  Enjoy.  

 My parents and brother came in to town and it was such a nice weekend with the whole family!  Even though I'm about to post too many pictures...I'm pretty sure that I didn't take enough that weekend.

We went to the zoo....

  Giraffe jammies and Grandma Koyle :)

...Golfed, played at the park and had a bbq with the Hatfields where we also rode horses (thanks Talise!), shot a few guns and played with cute little german shepard puppies. A lot of fun!

  

And a little bit of everything else from the last little bit...

 Welcome home daddy!

Pulling faces in the morning :)

Hanging at the pool. She LOVES the water!  And I've never enjoyed swimming so much until this summer!

Lunch with Mommy, her fortune (thanks Panda guy for two fortune cookies!) said: "Keep your plans secret for now". Um...check!

I put two little ponies in her hair and then decided it just wasn't quite working out...so instead of taking pictures of two little pigtails...we have here a shot of our little Ace Ventura.  She's so happy about it too..

Poor dog.

Playing with her baby and binki

 Fun at Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's!

 The best shots I could get today...

 Annnd Goodnight!

Today..

I'm pretty sure my (almost) 8 month old could give any ("terrible") two year old a run for their money in the throwing fits department.  Maybe not...but I really can't believe this girl some days.  Parenting....  I thought I knew everything before.  I'm experiencing a mean case of karma these days for all the judgments thrown out about other parents and the way they parented.
Cade's out for a bit.  My baby was onry (sp?) and needed a nap (I thought).  But I really have no clue what she needs.  We both need some time away from each other that is for sure...no it's not, it's just for sure that I need some time away from her.  I have my "Love and Logic" book open and I was just eye rolling at all the cheesy stuff I would never enforce and wishing I could fully grasp and enforce the other stuff I agree with.  Aleah is pretty pissed off at me though right now though, screaming in her crib....and I just don't know what to do.  Oh....karma... 
Anyways, one day this will be comical I'm sure....when Aleah has her own strong willed child, that's when...(and she better! :) Ha.) 
Happier posts coming soon!  I have a good few pictures I am in need of posting..