Sippy cup fun

Now that Becca's two bottom teeth are coming in, her sippy cup is her best friend. She loves to hold it, bang it on anything she can, and chew on the tip of it. I think the cold water and the chewing help to relieve some of the pain associated with her teeth. It is really convenient as well when we are traveling.

And the first word is....

Yesterday Becca officially said her first word. I had mentioned in previous posts that I thought it sounded like she said "Da Da," but I wasn't sure. She definitely said it yesterday. She has constantly been saying it today as well. It is so cute to watch her figure out how to use her tongue when she talks. I think Joe enjoys hearing her say Da Da Da Da, even though she probably has no idea what that means!
I enjoy seeing all of her new milestones, but it also makes me sad at how quickly she is growing. I can't believe she is already 7 months and starting to try and say words. I have a video of her "talking" and will try and post it soon so you can hear her accomplishment! :)

Puffs

Becca has been experimenting with finger foods. As stated before in an earlier post, she loves graham crackers. She did not really take to green beans and we aren't sure about Gerber's Puffs. She definitely likes playing with them, but more ended up on the floor than in her mouth. She can pick them up, but I think she has a hard time getting them in her mouth. It is fun watching her try new finger foods!

Riding the Lawn Mower

Yesterday Becca got to help Joe mow the grass. I'm not sure what she thought of the lawnmower. At times she would smile, but she mostly had a serious look about her. Of course I was unsure about all of this walking beside them to make sure she didn't fall off. :) Her daddy had ahold of her and I think they both had fun!

First Football Game

Becca went to her first high school football game last Friday. I think she was the hit of the game. I put her in the Baby Bjorn and we walked through the crowd. Of course she flashed her smile at everyone! :) The football game wasn't the greatest due to the rain so we only stayed outside for part of it. It is so interesting to watch her reactions to the people and the band. She always stops and listens to the music. When the music stops she talks and gets restless. She sat with one of the band parents while Joe and I helped the band during halftime. Everyone kept commenting on what a great baby she is. I didn't get any pictures this time due to the rain and business of it being the first game. However, we have another game this Friday so hopefully I will get more pictures then!

Stack of Rings

We are gradually trying to collect new toys for Becca. There are so many to choose from and I'm continually amazed at how expensive they are. However, I think one of her favorite toys so far is the $5 stack of rings. Joe and I both remember having them when we were kids so it is fun to watch her play with them. She is great at pulling them off the pole and has tried to put them back on...which happens occasionally. She now gets them stuck around her feet and both arms. It is hilarious to watch her kick her legs around to try and get them off. She was actually making music the other day by hitting her legs together!

Mmmm graham crackers

Becca has an increased interest in what Joe and I are eating. Every time we sit down to a meal she watches us closely. A few weeks ago she started drinking water from my cup and now I think if we gave her a fork she would dig right in! Yesterday I gave her a graham cracker and she devoured it. In fact, when she was done eating one small square she started crying. She immediately stopped crying when I handed her another one. She did the same thing today. She really likes her graham crackers! I like watching her eat them, but oh what a mess. Graham cracker was everywhere...in her hair, fingers, bumbo seat, etc. It is so much fun watching her experience new things.

Tongues and egg shakers!

Becca has really discovered her tongue the past two weeks. This week it seems as though it is constantly hanging out of her mouth. I think in part this is due to the fact that one of her bottom teeth is trying to break through. Yesterday I saw the white spot on her lower gums and today we actually saw part of the tooth trying to come through. She also has been very restless throughout the night. She never really wakes up fully, but cries out a few times throughout the night.

Becca has also learned how to make funny sounds using her lips and tongue. It is funny to watch her.

I mentioned in one of the earlier blogs that we finally had to lower Becca's crib. After reading other moms' blogs I'm thinking we need to lower it all of the way instead of just on the second level. I'm wondering if I need to remove her bumpers as well. This morning I came in and found her hand sticking between the bumper and mattress and tonight when I put her to bed she was moving around and pulling on the top of the bumper pad. The only problem with removing the bumper is that she rolls around so much and usually ends up with her head in the corner of the crib nestled against the pad. I'm afraid she will hit her head on the crib. Hmmm......

I brought my egg shakers from school home to show Joe how much she loves to shake them. I think today she was more interested in "eating" them though. I am amazed at how well she grabs onto things. Today she really couldn't decide what toys to play with. As soon as she picked up one toy she saw another and started reaching for it. Joe aided in this by continually picking up new toys and handing them to her. He thought it was hilarious. Below are some fun pictures of Becca and daddy time.

Leaves and Grass

Becca loves being outdoors. One day after one of our walks, Joe handed her a branch from the tree and she loved playing with it. I'm sure she wanted to put it in her mouth, but me being OCD didn't let her. She also loved sitting in the grass and trying to pull it out of the ground. It was fun watching her pull it out and then throw it everywhere.

The past couple of days Becca has had a cold. At least she has a really stuffy, runny nose and watery eyes. I feel so sorry for her. It is hard for her to eat and her mouth is open all of the time so she can breathe. It hasn't seemed to phase her too much though. She is still her happy self. We went to school today for a little bit and she enjoyed playing with the egg shakers in my classroom. She is our little musician. This is our last weekend before school starts. So sad...

What a week!

Band camp is finally over. Yea! It was a great week though. The band accomplished a lot and the weather was gorgeous. It was hard being away from Becca so much, but I guess it helped me to get back into school mode.

She had a hard time leaving us as well. Everyday when I left the sitter's house she cried. Friday I didn't even make it out the door before her lips started to pucker. That was hard to see, but I know she was fine after a few minutes. I know I've said this before, but I've really enjoyed spending so much time with her. Every day is a day of new discoveries with her. One more week and then school starts....

Becca got to spend a lot of time last week at the high school during the last part of the band camp day. She spent time with daddy in his office. The kids loved seeing her and she received a lot of attention (which she loved!). I had no problem finding a parent to watch her while I was busy working with the students or taking care of an administrative task. :) We are so blessed with wonderful parents to help out and with a baby that isn't too fussy!

Thursday night was the parent performance/ice cream social. Becca rode around in her stroller a lot of the time and even fell asleep grasping all of the toys she could hold. Rachel (our awesome babysitter/former band member) was there to help out as well. The picture below shows Becca reaching out to Joe. This is her traditional greeting to him. She loves to reach for his face and then pull him towards her. So cute...

We have also been experimenting the past couple of weeks with sippy cups. She loves water and loves being a "big girl" and holding her sippy cup and spoon. I can't believe how quickly the time goes by and how big she is getting. We had to lower her crib today because she is starting to reach for the rails and pull up. Such a big girl!