James laughs

6 Months

I can't believe that my baby is 6 months!! Half a year!! We can't get enough of him! He is our high maintenance baby, but we still love him!

Look at him sitting like a big boy! Seriously, how did he get so stinkin' cute?!!

Here are his stats from this 6 month appt.

Weight: 15 lbs 3 0z- 15 percentile-What a little peanut! He is constantly moving and burning off all his calories.
Height: 27 in. -75 percentile

What he does:

-Moves like crazy! He spins in circles using his little belly like a pivot. We just place toys all around him in a circle and he will play with one toy and then spin to play with the next toy.

-He gets on his hands and knees in the crawling position and rocks back and forth.

-Says "dada" all the time.

-Is a major mama's boy.

-Has two little bottom teeth.

Remember this spiky hair/tuft.

Well, a few days ago it fell over. I was so sad. The pieces that fell over looked like long comb over pieces of hair. So, they needed to go. I cut his hair. Now every time I look at him I think he looks so grown up. No more crazy hair!

This is his new favorite facial expression. The sucked in bottom lip look!

This is James' favorite thing to do when he is tired-suck his thumb and play with my hair. Dang thumb.

Food Blogs

Here are some food blogs that I have been loving. Just thought I would share. Does anyone have any other food blogs that they recommend? Seriously, without food blogs I don't know what I would have cooked for dinner during my married years!

I love how much assistance this blog gives for their recipes. Their Cinnabon popcorn is a must try. Yum-o. I have used a ton of recipes from this blog. I love it because the recipes don't call for obscure ingredients, not time consuming, pretty easy to prepare, and they turn out oh-so yummy!

Ok, this isn't a recipe blog, but I still love it. It is a home improvement blog. A girl from my ward writes this blog. She is amazing. She can make anything look cute by hardly spending a buck!

The Sweater Vest

Ever since James was born my mom has been begging me to put James in a sweater vest. Here it is, Mom. Enjoy!

Christmas Pictures

Here are our Christmas pictures. We loved how they turned out! Thanks, Kendal! James was being a stinker that afternoon and refused to crack one smile! I couldn't choose just a few to post so there are a ton!

Rice Cereal

The other day we gave James rice cereal for the first time! He opened wide for each bite but, didn't quite grasp the swallowing concept. It will come. He also wanted to hold the spoon and screamed every time I had to take it back to give him the next bite. I can't believe my baby is eating solids and in a few weeks he will be eating baby food!

Christmas in California

We had a great time in California this Christmas. James enjoyed his first Christmas and loved hanging out with his grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and his new cousin! James actually did really well on the plane ride there and back despite having to make 3 stops each way! James and I were so happy that Sam didn't have to look at any school books for 2 whole weeks! We loved being able to spend so much time with family. We miss them already!

Here is our trip in pictures, in no particular order.

While we were in CA Sam went with 2 of his siblings to Mammoth for 3 days. He was soo excited to go and had a great time. He really misses skiing. So, while he was gone skiing I went down to the OC and spent some time with my good friend, Carly from BYU. She has two adorable kids and her boy is just 3 months younger than James. It was so fun staying and catching up with her. James and Pierson, future BYU roommates for sure!

Avery, Pierson, and James

This is the super nice, fancy camera that we got for Christmas from Sam's family!!! I LOVE it!! I was so surprised that we got this camera because I told Sam that I wanted it but that we would have a wait awhile and save our money up. I have already taken soo many pictures with it. James is going to be the most documented kid!

The girls on New Year's. Back left to right: Sonali, Naomi; Front Lto R: Grandma Strebel, Cindy, and me

James ringing in the New Year!

James on his first mountain walk. It was very cold! I don't know what he thought about the snow suit. He really couldn't move!

Putting on the snowsuit.

James loved his cousin. It is so fun to have a cousin so close in age with James. Cooper is just 2 months younger. We are not sure what Cooper thought of James. Cooper is such a mellow good baby and James was probably really loud for him.

This is James "playing" with Cooper. He was drooling and teething the whole trip. Anything he could get in his mouth he would. He now has two little teeth coming in on the bottom. I can't believe my little baby is getting teeth!

James getting his first real hair cut. Aunt Lisa cuts hair and did a great job with squirmy James. Goodbye, rat's tail! Is it me or is his hair looking more red??!!

James learning how to sit!

All six Strebel kids. L to R: Andy, Sam, Lisa, Cindy, Laura, Hans

While we were there baby Cooper was blessed at church. It was so neat that everyone was able to be there and participate in the blessing.

Christmas dinner.

Christmas day.

James and Aunt Cindy

Cousin love. This was how most of the trip was spent-James in Cooper's face and Cooper just tolerating it.

Love the chubby cheeks!

This is the firetruck that James got from Aunt Cindy for Christmas. I thought it would be too big but him, but I was wrong and he loves it. I'm sure this is the first of many firetrucks for James!

James and CooperHappy Boy!