Rian is six months old!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve. Is there such a thing?!? Well I guess there is now, at least here at the Harringtons! Amongst all of the Christmas prep, I've managed to slack on Rian's six month post. So before I get distracted for the twentieth time today, we better get started.

Milestones:

We have a roller!

These are tad bit blurry because she had just rolled over for the first time and she was trying to figure out what was going on. Poor little Rian, her head looks enormous. Her head is not this big, I promise!

She's a pro-roller now!

We have a food-lover

"What do you mean there's no more applesauce?"

She's working on getting her two bottom front teeth

This what a teething baby looks like around here: staying in jammies all day, which are only buttoned half way because she has little tolerance for her mama's inability to change a teething-poop filled diaper and snap her jammies on in 30 seconds, while waving around a teething ring. 

How old:   6 months

Weight: 15 lbs 1 oz, 9%
Height: 25 1/2 ins, 9%

Head: 42 cm, 16% {so her head might be a little big, Rian can thank her daddy for that}

Clothing size: 6 months tops/onesies/jammies, 3 months bottoms/pants, 0-3 months/size 1 shoes 
Sleep: Sleep is great. She's a champ at sleeping in her own room.

Food: Formula. 2-4 oz at a time, about 24 oz a day. She teedered back and forth on liking baby food and after talking with a couple of our playgroup moms, I decided to quit the baby food dance with her. So now she eats regular soft food: applesauce & yogurt, and her pediatrian said to just give her any food that can be smashed between our fingers. So that's what we're doing. She loves everything we give her. Adios baby food!

Activities: Her activity pod, activity mat, rolling over and over and over. She's almost mastered sitting up on her own and she can recognize her name.

Likes: She likes food, bath time, and when you talk to her. She loves to watch Rory run back and forth in front of her. He's pure entertainment for her!!!

Dislikes: Her dislike for the nose bulb has risen to a whole new level. Congestion has come with the teething and so has the nose bulb. Oh the screaming and crying!

Mood: Happy!!! Dispite her painful teething, she's still really happy and content.
Best moment this week: Spending time with our family this past weekend in California

Looking forward to: Rian's first Christmas! I don't think I need to say much more than that!!!

See you guys soon! I have a lot to share between now and the new year. .<:0)

xoxo

-aMie

PS: I promise she has more than one hair bow. I'm not sure how I managed to pick pictures where she is wearing the same headband in all but one photo. Well white goes with just about everything.

Elf on the Shelf 2013: Part Three

I'm a little sad that this is Ralphie's last post of the season. It's been a blast having him here and I'm going to miss him until next December. But before we say goodbye, let's take a look back at Ralphie's final shanigians.

He created a "Countdown to Christmas" chain so that Rory will stop asking everyday if it's Christmas. Thanks Ralphie!

He made lunch for Rory

He sent a message from Santa using fruit loops

He got caught eating Rory's Mickey Mouse Christmas cookies. I guess he's a fan of the Disney channel too. 

He put a note in Rory's backpack

Listening to Santa read "The Night Before Christmas"

And lastly, he said good bye to us

Well maybe he'll send us a postcard or an email during the year to check in on us. But until then, we wish Ralphie a very happy 2014! 

xoxo

-aMie

Elf on the Shelf 2013: Part Two

Here is round two of life with Ralphie, the elf...

Asking for pancakes {I think Ralphie just wanted to drink the syrup}

He made snowflake garlands

Pretending to be a nutcracker

He colored a picture for Rory and Rian

He left a note for Rory reminding him how to act at his Christmas party

He reminded Rory to brush his teeth {Sorry, the kids's bathroom has mirrors that face one another resulting in that never-ending effect}

Rory left an alphabet page for Ralphie so that he could practice writing his "E"'s. And then...

Rory found a letter from Santa the next morning

Hanging out with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock. He even made a stocking to hang next to Charlie Brown's and Snoopy's.

I'll be back next week to share with you all the rest of Ralphie's doings. Happy Tuesday!

-aMie

Christmas Bucket List 2013

Since I haven't found an advent calendar that I like, I decided that I still wanted to enjoy doing something everyday that represented the holiday season. So I created a Christmas bucket list that included activities for all of us. {Ok so I'm a little behind on tackling the list, including writing this post, but I have managed to knock a few items off our list.}



25. Start the tradition of Elf on the Shelf

Our elf, Ralphie! Funny thing is, we never find him on a shelf.

24. Get a Christmas tree

Rian's very first Christmas present under the tree!

23. Make paper snowflakes
22. Make a snowman

Ok, so I never said it had to be a real snowman! Here in Vegas, you never know when it might snow. We had a chance of snow this past weekend, but all we got were freezing temperatures!

Rory and I painted our leftover pumpkins and made our very own snowman that won't melt!

21. Create some handmade gifts
20. Decorate every room of the house for Christmas

19. Have a Christmas movie marathon, while drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn & cookies
18. Take family holiday photos

The kiddos outfits from the photos! I can't wait to share the photos with you all. They are amazing! Ashley captured some beautiful moments.

17. Create a nativity scene activity with Rory
16. Create a Christmas-themed breakfast, lunch and dinner
15. Get all bundled up and do some Christmas shopping at Town Square
14. Make some festive food for our Christmas party with our new little friends
13. Visit Santa
12. Make hot apple cider
11. Read our collection of Christmas books
10. Random act of kindness
9. Deliver holiday goodies to friends
8. Make cookies with the kiddos
7. Donate clothes, toys and decorations
6. Decorate wrapping paper
5. Drive around and look at Christmas lights
4. Help the kids make a Christmas craft

3. Set up a Christmas village

2. Track Santa on NORAD's website

1. Pick up Grammie from the airport

Elf on the Shelf 2013: Part One

We started the Elf on the Shelf  tradition this year. Our elf's name is Ralphie and take a look at what he's been up to lately...

Hanging from Rian's play mat

 

Doodling on Rory's school picture

Rory: "Oh NO! I'm sad! He colored on me!"  <----------- Rory was not happy about this! He immediately started wiping off the marker. He he  

Sleeping in Randy's slipper

Swinging from the kitchen light

Pooping chocolate chips! We have a naughty little elf! {this was definitely Randy's idea}

Playing cards with Capt'n Hook. What are they playing? Go fish, of course!

Preparing hot chocolate

Getting into the popcorn tin

Stay tuned to see what else Little Ralphie gets into is up to! 

xoxo

-aMie

Happy Fall Y'all

A Pirate Party

There are so many things you can do to create a fun and simple pirate party. 

Let's start with the decor:

"X Marks the Spot" driveway/walkway/door design created with red and black constuction paper

"How to Talk Like a Pirate" print out and treasure chest with coins can be found on Disney Juniors website.

"Pirate Fashion Tips" and pirate paper accessories can also be found on the Disney Junior website. These paper accessories can also be used as props in a photo booth area.

"Pin the Tail on the Croc" game is also from the Disney Junior website

Food:

Fish & Chips {goldfish crackers and potato chips}

Pretzel Planks {pretzel sticks}

Pirate Pizza {assorted pizzas}

Seaweed Salad {garden salad}

Pirate Hat Cake {any flavor of cake and frosting} Cake design and character cut outs

Gold Doubloon Cookies {peanut butter cookies}

Treasure Map Wafers {rolled chocolate hazelnut wafers}

Have fun creating your own pirate party!

-aMie