I need to take her out more.

Last night I took Miller to Publix, and she got to ride shotgun in the buggy for the first time.  Saying she liked it would be an understatement.  She smiled at everyone and bounced up and down most of the time {which was a pretty long time, since we walked around for an extra 10-15 minutes because she was so happy.}  The closer people got to her, the bigger she smiled.  She even laughed when the guy that bagged our groceries told her he liked her hair {I also laughed, because he had spiked hair too!}  Here are a few pictures I took with my phone... 

We might be spending a lot of nights at Publix, since she isn't nearly this happy at home!

I took some pictures tonight...

This tricycle has been worth every dime we spent on it.  I'm seriously thinking about getting another one just like it, because he LOVES it.

He did not love it when he tried to pick a rose and got stuck by a thorn.

But one camo band-aid later, we were back in the games.

Of course little sister was there too, trying to escape the rocker.  And the humidity made her hair lay down!

6 month-old Miller

Miller turned 6 months old on August 17th.  I can't believe she is half of a year old.  It's so funny how with your first child you get so excited about every milestone, and with your second you just want time to slow down a little bit {except for sleeping-- I am all about some sleeping through the night, regardless of age.}

Now, for the "baby book" information...

At her six month appointment, Miller was 19.1 pounds and 27.5 inches long, which puts her in the 95th percentile for both height and weight.  It's neat, because Trent, Miller and I were all 27.5 inches long at our 6 month appointments:)

I know I've said it before, but this girl is nothing like her big brother.  Trent cried every single time he went to the church nursery from the age of 4 months until he was 2 years old.  Miller has never cried when I've handed her to other people.  I'm pretty sure we bore her, because she's super fussy at night when it's just the three of us; but, if we go to someone else's house, she is a happy camper.  She likes constant entertainment/stimulation.

She rolls and scoots anywhere she wants to go, and I've even caught her rocking like she's thinking about crawling in the past couple of days {God bless us, I'm not ready for a crawler.}  She sleeps on her belly, she's got the sitting up thing down pat, and she has two teeth.  She still has reflux, and it's common for her to spit up 20+ times a day.  The Prevacid helps the pain associated with the reflux, but this child lives in bibs, and we change clothes constantly.  She takes six 5 oz bottles a day {I'd love to give her more ounces and less bottles, but with the reflux and spit up issues, we are stuck at 5 oz right now.}  She had formula for the first time last week, and she took it well.  She sleeps from about 9-5 most nights, and she goes right back to sleep after her 5:00 bottle until I wake her up around 7.  I really wish she'd cut out that 5:00 feeding, but it might be a while, because she still wakes up twice a night about once a week.  We haven't found a baby food she refuses yet, but I'm sure it's bound to happen.  Her hair is still growing straight up:)

Silly girl in the tub

Having fun playing with paper at the doctor's office

"Wait, did you say shots?  I don't think so..."

First Day of School

Trent's first day of 3-year-old preschool was yesterday.  He said that he had so much fun.  He also told me that he's in 3-year-old class now, and he named his teachers... but that is all he said about it.  I tried to ask questions, but I'm learning that little boys aren't as chatty and detail-oriented as little girls.  I guess it's a good and a bad thing:)

Below is a comparison of yesterday's picture and a picture I took in January (seven months ago) when he started 2-year-old preschool.  They grow up so fast!

Buffalo Chicken

Other than heating up frozen casseroles, I'm pretty sure this is the only thing I've cooked since I moved over six months ago.  I got this recipe from my friend Mindy, who brought it to me many times and started my obsession with it:)  I actually copied and pasted the email she sent me below.  It is FABULOUS and very addicting!

Here it is..

You'll need:

Crockpot

3 lbs frozen chicken breasts

1 bottle Frank's Hot Sauce - Buffalo flavor (avail at Kroger, Publix, etc)

1 dry Ranch dressing packet

8 oz cream cheese block

baguette

margarine or butter (2-3 Tbsp)

colby jack or provolone slices (if anyone wants cheese on their sandwiches)

 

Cook time is about 6-7 hours total, so I usually start it around 10:30 am.  Prep time is literally less than 10 minutes.

 

- Put frozen chicken breasts in crockpot.

- Pour entire bottle Buffalo sauce overtop.

- Sprinkle 3/4 ranch packet on top of sauce (use whole thing if you want very mild buffalo chicken).

- Add cream cheese in dollops around crockpot.

- Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours.

- Remove chicken breasts from mixture and shred with two forks in a large bowl.

- Return shredded chicken to crockpot, add 2-3 Tbsp butter and cook (still on low) for another 45 mins to an hour to allow chicken to soak up sauce.

- Serve on toasted baguette with (or without) cheese of choice.

In other news, Trent's summer preschool class had their end of the year party on Friday.  They have a week off, and fall classes start August 20th.  

And this little girl will be six months old at the end of this week.  That's another post that hopefully I will get around to writing soon:)

A tooth and Mr. Useful

This little girl cut her first tooth yesterday, and I expect to see another one very soon.  I'm not sure if they are the culprit of her waking up between 1:00 and 3:00 am and at 6:00 am every single night/morning this week, but I sure wish she'd start sleeping well again.

She rolls over and sleeps on her stomach now, and she manages to wiggle her way to get things she wants.  I was kind of hoping she'd just enjoy the sitting stage for a few months.

She'd rather pull on blinds and play with breast pump parts. {Seriously, I'm not sure why, but she's always grabbing for them!}

As we were walking around Publix last week, Trent asked me, "Mama, is baby Miller useful?"  I don't  think I've ever laughed so hard in Publix.  After I explained how baby Miler was useful {I got pretty creative,} he asked if he was useful.  As soon as I said that he was very useful, he started listing the reasons he's useful... "I follow directions, I keep my hands to myself, I clean up when asked...." These are things that they talk about at school, so I'm glad he's paying attention:)

Letters

I love this picture!  I have always been big on writing letters- especially when I don't feel like I can express my feelings in a verbal conversation.  {Unfortunately, this meant I often wrote letters when it was not appropriate, such as breaking up with boys in high middle school.}
When my parents moved 10+ years ago, I had to throw away a big box of letters {many folded just like this, complete with the "pull here" tab and "private" descriptions} that had been under my bed for a LONG time.  I even saved a few of them.  Maybe I can use them one day to show my children that I've "been there," ha!
It was a sad day when my mom enforced the "If it comes through the laundry, I read it" rule.  But after tiny pieces of paper ruined lots of laundry, I can see why she came up with this idea; and it worked pretty well:)
It makes me sad to think that my children will likely only communicate through text and emails.  Don't get me wrong, I love technology and have even taken advantage of emailing thank-you's, but I think personalized letters are special.
Speaking of my mom, Mama D celebrated a birthday last week.  Happy Belated Birthday Mom!  We love you!