Six months old

Yesterday was quite the special day.  Hannah turned six months old and was baptized at First Presbyterian in Midland.  Her baptism was so special.  I could go on and on about it, but will just say that for Hannah to be baptized in the church where Melissa and I were baptized and grew up, surrounded by so many people who have always been so supportive was incredibly meaningful.  I really had to fight becoming too emotional, but witnessing her baptism was a truly spiritual experience for me.  After she was baptized we were given a lit candle, and told that we should light it every year on the anniversary of her baptism and use it as a discussion tool.  I think this will be the most wonderful way to celebrate her half birthday each year, while reminding her of God's sacrificial love for her and our commitment to raise her to serve Him.

Hannah looked so beautiful in her Christening gown and she behaved wonderfully throughout the service.  She babbled a little bit during the baptism, then smiled as Steve sprinkled her with water and walked her up and down the aisle.  So many people commented on how wide-eyed and engaged she was.  Afterwards, we celebrated with lunch at La Bodega.

Tanner and I are very much enjoying being the parents of a six-month old.  Hannah had her six month appointment last Monday and weighed in at 16 pounds, 5.5 ounces (50th percentile) and measured 27 inches (90th percentile).  Dr. Hoefner said she just looked wonderful.  She is now eating two meals a day most days - usually rice cereal and fruit for breakfast and a veggie for dinner.  She does not seem to be a big fan of sweets.  Green beans are her favorite, and she seems to dislike sweet potatoes and bananas.  She tolerated her shots well and continues to have an extremely pleasant disposition, although we can tell she is in pain from teething at times.  Last Monday, Dr. Hoefner said she could see the two front bottom teeth starting to break through, and now a week later, they are still not in.  Last night she cried out a few times, and when I went to check on her she was clutching her mouth and whimpering, while still sleeping.

She is now sitting up, and her very favorite activity is bouncing.  We bought a door frame bouncer last week, and she just squeals in delight as she jumps up and down.  When held, she also expects whomever is holding her to afford her the privilege of bouncing until her heart is content.  My arms are sore.

Life is so sweet these days.  I struggle to put into words my level of gratitude for all of the blessings in my life.  Oddly enough, I find myself anxiety-ridden at times knowing that in order for us to appreciate the view from the top of the mountain, we have to endure the valleys.  I truly feel like I am standing at a peak right now, and sometimes I worry that I have nowhere to go but down.  There is so much suffering in this world, and we have done nothing to deserve the blessing of a healthy, happy, vibrant daughter or the love of endlessly supportive family or our comfortable lifestyle. I have to remind myself to enjoy all of the good things that fill my life right now, but to practice humility and to rely on the Lord as steadfastly all the time as I do in times of crisis.  (Although even writing that feels silly, as I have never encountered hardship in my life anywhere close to what a significant portion of the population suffers on a daily basis.)

I did not really intend to take this post celebrating the life and baptism of Miss Hannah in such a tangential direction.  So I will end this with a verse that is weighing heavily on my mind:

"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." -Luke 12:48

MLK Day at the Aquarium

Melissa and I took Hannah to the aquarium for MLK Day.  I thought it was kind of silly and assumed she would be too young to appreciate it.  I was way off base.  She loved it.  She giggled as the brightly colored fish swam towards and away from her, appeared interested as she observed downtown Houston from the top of the carousel and smiled as she rode the shark train.  However, the carousel was hands down her favorite activity at the aquarium.  She squealed with joy as she sat on her sea horse, then rode a whale with mommy.

Checking out the fish

Playing dress-up



Scary dinosaur



Loving the pink seahorse



Can we do this again, Mom?



Sharks are kind of scary

...but interesting

On the ferris wheel

and finally, time for a nap!

Milestones

Rolling Over (FINALLY)

Last Friday I had a call that took up most of the morning and then Tanner and I were headed to Austin, so I just worked from home.  And I was so glad I did.  After months of spending an average of an hour a day trying to get Hannah to roll over, she finally did.  Emily happened to be at the house and called me in from the kitchen so I even got to witness it.  Hannah refused to roll again over the weekend (of course we were with my parents who would have loved to see it).  Then on Monday I was in the kitchen and when I walked back into the living room where she was having tummy time, there she was proudly lying on her back.  Since then, tummy time has ceased to exist for more than a few seconds.

My mom commented that she hoped rolling over is not a teachable skill, and I have to agree.  It took Hannah a long time to figure this one out.

Sitting (sort of)

Hannah is sitting by herself for a few seconds now, and does great if she has anything to hold onto to stabilize herself.  She loves sitting on her "rocking ladybug" (a Christmas present from Grandjackie and Granddaddy).

First Longhorn Basketball Game

It was a good one.  Hannah saw the Longhorns suffer an overtime loss to UConn.  She seemed to have a nice time at the game and was easy as could be.  Afterwards my parents kept her while Tanner and I had a wonderful dinner at Fonda San Miguel and a drink at the Stephen F. Austin.

First Haircut

This happened a while ago, December 23rd, to be specific.  I cannot believe I forgot to mention it.  Nancy, who has cut my mom's hair in Midland forever, was so patient and did a wonderful job.  Hannah was a pretty cool cat about it as well.  I am pretty sure it has all grown back at this point, so we may need another one soon.

Here are a few other pictures from the last several weeks.

So coy...

Doing a dance

Rooting for the Red Raiders

Hanging out with Mimi

...and Taylor and Julie

With Mel and Emily the night before Auntie Em headed back East