Sandy Sara

Being able to sit up has opened up a world of possibilities to explore including SAND! Sara loves to watch her big sister make sand castles for her to destroy.

Baby with attitude

This is an all time favorite shot of Sara. No posing needed. Folding her arms is a new found skill. And who can resist that grin, how her eyes twinkle?

Sara managed to pull her blanket down over her and was quite delighted when Nikolai played peek-a-boo with her.

Sara's 6 month Birthday

before:

after:

I cannot believe the time has gone by this quickly. We celebrated on Monday with bear shaped carrot cakes and a "0" candle. As you can see, Sara went to town on her bear.

Sara has been going through so many major milestones this week, it's like she is all of a sudden growing up. This is a few new tricks all rolled into one... wanting real food and recognizing when you are eating and not sharing and protesting when you take something away or don't act fast enough for her liking... all signs my baby is growing up :( . She really wanted what her daddy was eating and was so upset that he insisted on getting a few bites in.

Sitting Sara

Today was a VERY exciting day for Sara. She sat for the first time! She was so close for so long but it was more like protracted falling then sitting then suddenly today she got it! She still falls over a lot but can got to a "tri-pod" position and back up to a real sit back and forth. I am so proud of her!

getting an earful

Sara was so funny tonight. She discovered Nikolai's ear and was so entranced studying it. She played with it until it was BRIGHT red. The funniest part was every time Nikolai tried to turn his face towards her she would take her other hand and push his face back over to the side so that she could get to his ear again. He is such a good brother, it hurt a little, but he just laughed it off at his cute baby sister.

Splashing Sara

Sara discovered how to splash about a week ago. Swimming pools and bath tubs are no longer safe to be around her. I moved her little tub into the big tub because when I was giving her a bath on the counter like usual, she splashed water 3 feet in all directions around her, soaking the bread, that days mail, and the floor.

She is also almost sitting up. She can by herself with the little assist of the ledge in the bottom of her tub and can for about 2 seconds unassisted.

4th of July

Kevin and Nikolai lounging in their "Freedom" shirts.

On MaryKate's request, I beaded her and Sara matching 4th of July socks.

MaryKate was so into Independence Day. She created a flag robe for her puppy out of a paper towel and markers.
Sara had so much fun just waiting for fireworks to start, she is squishing up her face in a giggle in this picture.
Sara was mesmerized by the fireworks. This is her just laying and watching. She kept one hand firmly under me and one hand firmly holding MaryKate's arm on her other side the whole time but didn't cry even with the big booms.

Nikolai and MaryKate were dancing to the music at MCC before fireworks started. We had just watched the guest "Popper" dancer on "So You Think You Can Dance" and this is Nikolai's take on it... Not too bad for a first timer.