How's the Weather at Your House?

It's a bright and warm 72 degrees over here . . . .

Inside.

I Can't Come Up With A Title. .

This is an interesting concern. Today, I needed to go to Walmart to do my weekly shopping a few days later than normal. So, I got dressed, got Aftyn dressed complete with 2 pig tails and bows, and got our little 2 yr old friend dressed with hair done also. I was feeling pretty good, what with it being 9:30. So, off we went to our local Walmart.
For all who may not know, having 2 kids in a cart is quite the juggling act. I have, in the past, just kept Aftyn in her car seat and put her into the cart with the 2 yr old in the kid seat. It works, but it's hard to get a whole week's worth of groceries into a cart already pretty full with a baby seat.
Today, I decided to try Aftyn sitting in the kid seat with a blanket around her to cushion any possible tippage. We actually had no issues, even with the 2 yr old walking around holding my one hand and me pushing with the other hand. (Boy what a hassle this will be when I have 2 of my own - good thing I get to have some early practice.)
The real issue we had was random people walking up to smile at and talk to Aftyn, especially when I was away from the cart. Talk about making me nervous! Is this common and I never knew? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the adults and kids who commented on how cute she was and how smiley - who doesn't like to hear that? I'm just a little uneasy with strangers around my kids . . .

Do I need to make sure Aftyn is looking unkempt and scraggly to ensure my peace of mind? I know there must be other stories like mine, who wants to share?!?

* Aftyn wanted me to add that she taught herself how to blow raspberries last week - and she's been blowing them like crazy ever since. *

6 months old! Can you believe it?

Thankful - And Proud of It !

Reed thinks Aftyn is looking more and more like me. So, I thought I would take a picture so I could see. I still think she just looks like herself. What do you think?

In the 6 months of Aftyn's life, as of yesterday, here are some of the true joys she brings into our lives :

- splashing and playing in baths. Reed LOVES to bathe Aftyn. I let it be his time with her when I can because he enjoys it so much.

- talking, even when it means we can't hear each other speak because Aftyn is being so loud. She is just beginning to find her voice, and we have so much fun listening to her at night when we're together.

- Changing her diapers. Aftyn loves to suck on her big toes, and is pretty flexible because of this. When you take off her diaper, she has decided it's the best opportunity to get to them. We generally have to separate her foot from her mouth in order to get the diaper back on.

- Getting her dressed and accessorized. Maybe that's just fun for me, but I love it when she looks cute and her hair is all done.

- Cuddling. Oh, I love it when she's in a cuddly mood. I think she loves to cuddle and be smooched on. She gets a big smile on her face and often giggles. So cute. She loves to touch our faces also when she cuddles.

- I love that she's so aware of the world around her at this point and finds interesting things to look at everywhere. I also love that because of her interests outside herself, she wants to move to get things. I think this is so exciting! I can't wait to show her all the beautiful things in this world.

- I love that she loves music. I sat her in front of Lawrence Welk this last Saturday, left the room and then peeked around the corner at her. She was in awe, staring at the tv screen with all the colors and music coming from it, with a big smile on her face.

- Most of all, I love the personality emanating from her little body. She is so dang lovable!

She just started this yesterday . .

Don't mind the "whining", she gets tired of her tummy sometimes. But also notice, she kind of gets up on her knees towards the end. That's the first time I've seen her do that. I was just showing/helping her do that a few minutes before, but she wasn't really getting it. If you can't tell, her "new" thing is moving her jaw up and down and making sounds while she does this and it makes NEW sounds. She likes to "talk" a lot.

The Many Faces of Aftyn

(This is her "oh-ing" face. She says "ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh".)

Can you believe her top is actually the

first dress she ever wore to church at a week and a day old?

What the Hay - it's Picture Day!

So, a little fly buzzed in my ear that it was time again for Photos With Aftyn, our weekly

debacle that starts with smiles and sunshine and ends with tears and naps.

So, older sis, what do you think? Aren't her legwarmers colorful and fuzzy? And if you've got anything bad to say about her mommy-made legwarmers, here's what Aftyn's got to say:

"Whatch-you talkin' 'bout Willis?!"

Post Edit: If you were one of the early viewers of my original post and remembered somewhat different pictures, let's just say I chose to take them out. I'm not sure they were the best specimen of my work in photography. I'm not looking for perfection, but too many people thought they were "weird." Whatevah.