North Ave Beach

Chicago has so much to offer... nice beaches are just the beginning. Today was Ramey's first visit to our "local" beach. Ron and I have been here 10 years and have only gone to the beach a handful of times, I think this is about to change...We had a great day with the Ciaccio's. Ulla made a sand castle while Laila and Ramey ate sandy cheerios!! LOL!!! Ramey started to venture off the blanket and crawl in the sand (something she wanted nothing to do with while in Puerto Rico) It was a beautiful sunny day without a cloud in the sky... While there we were surprised to see Kathryn and the kids walking up... They stopped by the park and decided to head over to the lake for a few minutes while they waited to pick up Paul... It was great to see them!!! Funny how a city so big can be so small.

Eight Months

While in Puerto Rico people would ask how old Ramey was... I would always respond 7 1/2 even though she was just a few days shy of 8 months old... I just couldn't bring myself to say 8. Guess I better face the facts, she is 8 months old and one day will be 8 years old... my they grow up so fast!

A few of Ramey's latest accomplishments:
~Stands while holding on (one handed at times, occasionally she'll let go with both but immediately goes down)
~ *walks* holding onto furniture
~ Drinks for a sippy cup
~ Has 8 teeth
~Plays well by herself (that is until she sees me) and with others (It was so cute to watch her and Laila play* with each other over the weekend) *crawl up to each other and pat each other on the head
~Not a fan of napping (still doing 30-45 min naps, hoping this improves this month)
~We've added meats and dairy to her diet.
~ Shows preferences when feeding self... will clearly reach for preferred foods (puffs/cheerios)

It's hard to tell but she is starting to do this nose crunch thing with cheesy smiles...The pic of Ramey and Ron (in the Puerto Rico post) she is doing the nose thing too

Hello Sunshine!!

Ron had a work conference in Puerto Rico and took the family along!!

Ramey did great on the plane... on the way there we had an extra seat so she was able to move about. Ron even took her for awhile and I was able to watch the in flight movie!! (Bride Wars) The flight home was over sold, so no extra seat but Ramey handled it well... she talked and laughed the whole way home (only slept for about 30 min as usual) Was only able to catch some of the movie on the way home (He's just not that in to you) so can't complain

We had a great time and enjoyed the beach and pool

Not a fan of the beach

(We have video but it's on the camcorder and will have to wait for Ron for it)

But LOVED the pool

Ladybug fun!!!

Lunch in the rain

Napping pool side

Four No More

Not 5... not 6... not 7

but EIGHT teeth!!! That's right we have 8 teeth now!

We had a few rough nights while in Puerto Rico in which I think the teeth made their appearance.

It's hard to look at my baby with a mouth full of teeth and still think of her as a baby... Only big kids have toothy grins

Spring time in the city

We had fabulous weather over the weekend and spent Sunday at the park. With our starbucks in hand we headed over to our neighborhood park.

We also got a shot of the in coming top teeth. It may still be a few weeks but as you can see they are well on there way!!!Click to see top teeth buds...

Seven Month stats...

We went for our (second) follow up for Ramey's ear infection today....

drum roll please....


All clear!!! Both ears look great. She is weighing in at 15lbs 8oz!! (Still hasn't doubled her birth weight)
The Dr. was impressed with all her skills. Ramey then got her six month shots... she did great!! I was so proud of my little girl!! (until after her nap when she wouldn't let me put her down :-( )

Don't look at me...

I didn't do it... it wasn't me...

It must have been Lefty...

I'm sure I'll be seeing more of this face in the future.

We've got a real talker over here...

Ramey must be related to me... she never stops talking :-P

No real words yet, just a bunch of babble...



A lot of EEEEE's.... ya ya ya ya .... ga ga ga, gee gee gee.... aye aye... and sometimes a combination of aye ya, aye ya, aye ya... and what sounds like hey as well as an occasional daa daa daa daa

A day at the Park...

Or at least a few minutes before the rain hit.

Seven Months... Already?!?!

click the pic to see the four teeth

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again and again...Where did my baby go?!?! They grow up so fast

A few of her latest accomplishments:
~ Crawling
~ Pulling herself to standing
~ Sits without support and gets into sitting position by herself
~ Transfers toy from one hand to the other
~ *Talks* to toys
~ Has 4 teeth (and a fifth one on the way!!)
~ Working on her downward dog
~ Prefers to feed herself: cheerios, puffs, bananas, peaches and pears

We started Water Babies and Baby Bijorn class at the gym and Ramey is loving it.

This month Ramey will have her first beach experience!!! Hope she loves it as much as her mom does!!