Swimming

A few weeks back, Kendall and I made the trip over to our local YMCA to sign up for swim lessons. Kendall loves bath time, and we would love for her to be comfortable in the water, so what better way to do that than swim lessons? We went over, signed up, and I took Kendall to look at the pool. My hope was that this would somehow make her familiar with the lay of the land, and therefore freak her out less when we went for lessons. I took her over to the viewing area and her face lit up like Christmas. The kid was enthralled by the pool. A good sign.

So today was our first swim lesson. Kendall was totally into it. She was very serious, but really enjoyed playing in the water and watching the other kids. She only got a tiny bit upset when water got in her ears, but she came back really quick. No tears, and lots of smiles for mommy that did not make it onto camera.

Kendall was also EXHAUSTED after swim lessons - which is a win-win for mommy & daddy.

If you are wondering what a swimming class looks like for a 6-month-old, here is short highlight video. I'm warning you, I am very pale and in a mom suit, so I recommend focusing on the baby.

We are signed up every Saturday until mid June, and Nate, Kendall, and I are all really looking forward to the classes. Hopefully Kendall will have as much fun as she did this week.

Serious

Kendall was very serious about getting the blog updated today.

Fear of the Auto-flush

Before it got warm and we could walk outside, Nate and I would take Kendall to the mall to walk around. The mall is an interesting place for a kid, lots of colors, movement, and people to stare at until you pass out from exhaustion. And mom gets to shop. A win win for all involved (except maybe daddy who has to go to the mall).

When I am at the mall, I always like to use the restrooms at Nordstrom. If you were not aware, Nordstom keeps an excellent restroom. Spacious, bright, nicely decorated, and almost always clean (or at least cleaner than the other mall restrooms). Nordstrom at least makes it a less scary experience, or so I thought.

* Not me, but this is a Nordstrom bathroom lounge. You can find anything on the Internet*

When you take the baby to the mall, inevitably you will need to change a diaper. As I have been using the Norstrom facilities for years (very frequently while pregnant), I knew there was a great changing station. So off we went to use the restroom.

Things were going well, dirty diaper was getting changed, no crying, and then, the toilet. Dum, Dum Dum...

* Again, you can find anything on the Internet. *

Guess what? Norstrom has auto-flush toilets, and they are loud. And sometimes they flush at random when no one else is in the room. Kendall does not like this at all, not one bit. Uncontrollable screaming ensues. You would think someone just tased the kid for all the screaming due to a toilet flushing. It took a lot of rounds of the ABC song while in the bathroom lounge to calm her enough that I was not embarassed to take her back into the store. (I hate screaming kids in stores.)

I was hoping this was an isolated incident. I was wrong. Champs also has auto-flush toilets. And they are also loud. I'm pretty sure most public bathrooms have them these days. And apparently Kendall's fear is not an isolated problem either. Other children are experiencing this same fear - For Children, a Scary World Out There (in There, Too). My child is not alone.

I'm hoping to break her of this. Maybe sounds of toilet's flushing on the iPod? Either way, for now, we are changing diapers in the car.

Swinging Sunday

With the weather so nice, we have been getting outside more. Taking walks around the block, enjoying the warmer weather and the chance to get outside. With all this outdoor action, we have been meaning to go check out the new playlot in the complex. Last summer the playlot was redone, taking out the equipment that had been there since the 1970's. The play set was vintage.

This past Sunday, we finally got around to getting Kendall out there - and onto the swings. Kendall is a dare devil. Loves to bounce and be up in the air at home, as well as dive off your lap at a moment's notice, so we figured the next logical step was the swing set.

And we were right. Kendall really did dig the swings, we finally had to take her out to continue on our walk. As she swung, she talked to us, smiled and giggled.

We also tried out the slide, but I don't think that was as interesting. Probably not as much excitement silding with Mommy. Kendall likes to move faster, and that was a small slide.

Overall, a succesful Sunday playing. I think we will be spending a lot more time in the play lot going forward.

Seriously? 6 Months?

Today is Kendall's half birthday, and Nate's actual birthday. Happy Birthday Nate! Kendall and I hope he enjoys his present.
Lots of happenings this past month. Lots of firsts and new things to see and do. Kendall is starting to get mobile, and is very frustrated that she is not more mobile. She wants to get into EVERYTHING, and we are really lucky she is not able to get around since we haven't gotten around to that baby proofing just yet.

But it looks like we need to get on that this weekend. (Pardon my voice, I was excited)

Kendall at 5 months
Weight - 17lbs 10oz (90th percentile)
Height - 26 inches (75th percentile)
Sounds like - Mostly we hear the sound of the jumperoo bouncing up and down and shaking, but outside of that Kendall laughs, and does a fair amount of screaming. She also likes to say ooohhh, a lot. Mostly when looking at her feet.
Likes - Jumping, jumping, and jumping. In the jumperoo, on your lap, on the counter, you get the idea. Grabbing her feet - they provide hours of fun. Sweet Potatoes and green peas - tasty! Cows - they go MOOOO (and it is HILARIOUS when mom moos)! Of course, the Winkle, Violet, and Sophie are on the list as well.
Dislikes - Napping - naps are for sucks. Sitting still, Kendall likes to be in a constant state of motion.
Things she can do - Sit up, almost completely on her own. Still a little wobbly, but working on it. Stand up assisted. Grab EVERYTHING (good thing I cut off all my hair). Eat solids. Laugh and laugh some more. Put foot in mouth - literally.

Kendall at 6 months
Weight - 18 lbs 5 oz (90th percentile)
Height -27 inches (90th percentile)
Sounds like - Kendall is quite the talker. She is constantly "talking" and "singing". She giggles a lot. Making Kendall laugh is one of our favorite activities.
Likes - Squash. Acorn & butternut squash. Kendall can't get enough of the stuff. Still with the jumping - loves that jumperoo, jumping on Daddy, and kicking her legs while lying down, sitting, standing, or being carried around. Kendall also loves to be part of everything. Sitting at the table while we eat, facing out in the stroller so she can see the world. She likes to interact - but she is very serious about it, no smiling at strangers.
Dislikes - Not very fond of apples. Being still - she likes to be doing something at all times. Not being swaddled - she likes to be snug as a bug when she sleeps.
Things she can do - Sit up on her own. Roll to her side. Stand up assisted. Get up on her hands and knees (see video above). Eat solids (acorn squash, butternut squash, peas, apples, sweet potatoes, oatmeal - and the list grows every week).

Can't believe that it has already been 6 months - they have gone by quickly. Kendall has changed so much from the baby we brought home. She is a ball of energy, going, going, going untill she can go no more. She is getting more and more personality every day, and we can't wait to see what she does next.

Plight of the minions

You may recall Kendall's minions. Over time, Kendall has learned to not just tolerate, but to love her minions, and as a result, is treating them much better. Instead of screaming, she is now encouraging them. She sings to them, smiles at them, and is generally much nicer to the minions.

But, Kendall still holds a grudge. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Pretty sure she has just been nice to the minions so that she could do this to them.

MOVE, MINIONS! MOVE!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from The Greaney's in the 'Heights! We had a fun family day, and even got out for a walk to enjoy the beautiful weather. Nothing like a beautiful day for Easter. Next year, the egg hunt is so ON!

There are those PJs again. Enjoying playing with the mamma in the morning.

Then, of course, it was time to visit the jungle before putting on a dress to go to Grandma & Grandpa Greaney's. Can't spend the day without talking it over with the giraffe first.

And then a little ball to round out the day.

Kendall had such a great time at Grandma & Grandpa Greaney's that she refused to nap. She got to see some family, had a bottle with Grandma and played some peak-a-boo with Aunt Lis. After a long day, she was definitely spent, and slept like a champ - much to mom & dad's delight.

Happy Easter!