A WHOLE HALF YEAR.

6 MONTHS. I can not wrap my head around that. I guess it's not so much that HALF a year is totally bananas, but the fact that in another 6 months my baby will be an ENTIRE year old... I will have been a mom for a year... she will likely be walking... maybe even talking! THAT IS TOTALLY BANANAS. Often times when we are out and about, people will come up and start telling us about their kids... that they are already 4 or 12 or starting college. What they always say is that it goes by in a blink of an eye. I have no doubt about that. I've already seen time fly in these short 6 months. It actually kind of scares me! I just want to freeze time and stay in these moments forever.

With all that being said, watching her grow fills my heart in ways I never thought possible. I've said this about every stage, but 5-6 months has been my favorite. This will definitely be the age I'll dream about during my future pregnancies and tough newborn nights. She rewards me in ways I never thought possible. The fact that she 100% knows who I am and looks for ME and wants ME is the greatest feeling I've ever experienced.

So, here we go! Here's a little list that Kendal helped me brainstorm of what's new in Miss Anya's life.


WE'VE GOT A ROLLER UP IN HERE! She has wanted to roll for the longest time but hadn't quite fully made it through to the end. The day she did (August 12th), nothing would stop her! It's like she finally realized what she was capable of and she wanted to keep seeing what else she could do. She can't talk, but she sure teaches me a lot. I'm serious though, after she did it the first time her entire face wore the happiest, proudest, most pleased smile. I, of course, FREAKED! I've seen her get so close, so many times that when it finally happened I could hardly believe it! I guess she might have been smiling so big because I was smiling so big, haha. After that, that's all she did. Almost the instant she was back on her back (with my help) she'd be turning to flip onto her belly again. The funny thing is, for a while, she could only turn to her left. We would try to motivate her with toys on her right side and she'd sort of go for it but when she didn't flip within a second she'd turn to her left and roll all the way over again, as if to say "Okay I can't quite do THAT yet... BUT CHECK THIS OUT!" She's successfully made it from her belly to her back a couple times, but hasn't quite mastered that trick yet. Similarly, although she is turning to her right with much more ease than she used to, it's definitely still more difficult for her than when turning to the left. Oh, another funny thing about this is she has to sleep on her changing pad now lol. The first day she turned, she literally wouldn't stop (still won't stop, actually) and since she can't get back to her back very easily, she get's stuck. And that scares the heck out of me. Before we realized we could use the changing pad to stop her from turning, I went two practically sleepless nights because I was up flipping her all night long. And when I wasn't sleeping I was watching her making she she didn't roll because I was paranoid she was going to suffocate. Fun, right? Luckily since we put the changing pad in her pack n' play, we are all sleeping peacefully again :)

She's also learned how to sit up! Well, kind of. She weebles and wobbles and usually ends up tipping over within a few seconds. But she is so proud of her newfound independence! We started off propping her up with the Boppy and one day we tried it without and she shocked us!

Anya loves to make all kinds of noises with her mouth. Her most recent thing is constantly smacking her lips. And it's so funny because her toothless mouth gets so scrunched up and her lips turn into a perfect line across her face. She looks like a lil old granny smiling away. She cracks us up.

Along with her crazy noises, Anya has figured out how to get attention. How, you ask? By dramatically coughing. Hahah you heard me right. That's her secret weapon. If you've ever seen Zoolander, it sounds just like Derek pathetically coughing after spending one day down in the mines. "I've got the black lung pop" lol! So yeah, what happens is if we look away for literally one second she starts coughing so then we look at her to make sure she's fine and then the most sly smile stretches across her face. She's a master manipulator, that one.

We think she might be a lefty! She seems to do more with her left hand so we are wondering if that will end up being her dominate side. If so, cool, she will have a secret superpower in sports! However I will feel a little bad because this world is made for rightys... Like finding left handed scissors is no joke. Okay, I don't really know that... it's just what I've heard!

Anya definitely got Kendal's thick dark hair... but unfortunately I think I gave her my snarls (literally every hairdresser I've been to is always like "Is your hair always this tangly?..." and then I end up brushing out my own hair because I have figured out less painful ways to do it haha). She tends to wake up from naps with tiny little dreads/ birds nests and we have to spend a while brushing it out or sometimes cutting it :( Sorry chicky!

She is a little pork. I'm sure you've noticed her delicious leg rolls in pictures. She is also extremely tall for her age (me+kendal=go figure ;) ). What this combination equals is a 6 month old wearing 12 month old clothes.

Anya discovered her feet this last month, meaning that keeping socks on her is a challenge and that her mouth is full of toes most of the time. I'm not complaining though, mind you! It's just oh so cute and makes me want to gather her folded up body and nibble every piece of her!

She's been able to get a death grip on my hair for a while now, but her aim has gotten pretty precise and accurate. No jewelry is safe. I'm thanking my lucky stars I still have an ear lobe after an incident last night haha!

Anya want's whatever we're having. She longs to be a big girl so when we are having adult food, she wants in on the action too. And if you don't offer her what you're eating right away, she gets reaaaal impatient. Her focus is alllll on the food during mealtime.

My Hubbard side of the family had a reunion over the Fourth of July and we discovered something fun... Anya LOVES babies. Which is too funny because she, herself, IS a baby. By the end of this year, there will be 6 great granddaughters. Anya will be the oldest and only two of the others were able to make it. But Anya was cracking me up because every time she saw one of the younger babies she started laughing and shaking with excitement. I was able to see a glimpse into the future and I think Anya will one day be the best older sister. She is already so nurturing!

We don't take Anya anywhere without multiple people commenting how cute/ beautiful/ happy/ smiley she is. We even had a lady lean over to us in a restaurant in Glacier who said, "I don't normally go out of my way to say anything about a strangers baby... but oh my gosh, that is one cute baby! She's like a little doll!" She wasn't wrong! It's kind of cool to see people smiling at your baby everywhere you take them. Such a little human can light up everyone's day! It's like a superpower!  Anya is the center of attention everywhere she goes. She know it. And she loves it.

This last thing I want to include because it depicts exactly what Anya is to Kendal and I. The other night was Kendal's birthday, so after we put Anya down we got to have some alone time. I was asking Kendal all sorts of questions to see what's changed in the past year and eventually I asked him, "What's the coolest thing thats ever happened to you?" I don't know what I was expecting, but his answer made my heart actually melt. He said Anya. I'd have to agree. She's pretty freaking great. She's everything perfect, wrapped up into the raddest little human.

Happy half year, my girl. I love you with everything I have in my heart and soul.

The Kings take Glacier National Park.

I'm keeping this short because tonight we are going out to celebrate Kendal's birthday (26 tomorrow!) and we plan to head out the moment Anya wakes up from her little snooze (which usually isn't too long). I just wanted to share some quick highlights of our trip to Glacier National Parks this past week! We had the best time with my parents and made so many wonderful memories. Anya is becoming quite the nature lover and it is so amazing to see the way her whole face lights up when she is outdoors. 

Our first day we went "day camping". Totally the perfect set up when you've got a baby in tow. We scored this amazing campground right by Lake McDonald. It was a day filled with nothing to do, if that makes sense. We were free to do whatever our hearts desired. It was so relaxing and good to spend time with my parents, who recently returned from a two year LDS mission in India. Those two love Anya an insane amount. It fills my heart to see my parents be grandparents. Anya is so lucky to be loved by them, along with Kendal's parents. 

That water behind me? FREEZING COLD. Did we jump in? DUH. If you're around my dad and he's around a frigid body of water, you best believe some sort of Polar Plunge is underway.

 So, we have this Patagonia-look-alike jacket for Anya and I am SO regretting not having it with me for these pictures. This little Japanese kitty sweatshirt made my dad smile so big though, so it all worked out :)

This was right after we got to the campsite. When we saw how close we were to the lake, we immediately grabbed Anya and took her down to see what a beautiful world she was born into. I am dipping her little toes into the water here and if you could hear this photograph it would sound like giggles and coos. Anya is so aware of her surroundings, it astounds me. 

My parents have been stoked to use this old swing for a couple months now. They were so happy to see she was finally big enough (barley) to use it on this trip. My dad strapped it up to some trees and Kendal plopped her right down in it. She was a little uncertain at first, but started cheesing the second he started pushing her. It's impossible to describe how amusing it is to see her experience things for the first time. She is a little busy body and eager to try everything around her.

Like, the way she holds onto the swing... I. CAN'T. EVEN! <3 <3 <3

Anya grabs everything and anything she sees. This last week she discovered jewelry and I don't think her world will ever be the same. Give that girl all the shiny, shimmery, glittery things! I know all babies, boys and girls, love looking at sparkly, eye-catching things... but something about the way she was surprisingly gentle with my necklace has me convinced she is all girl, through and through. Once she saw and touched my necklace, she couldn't take her eyes off of it. We sat on this bench together, just like this, for a fair amount of time while she admired the pretty stone hanging near my neck.

Since Anya has a case of FOMO (fear of missing out) she isn't terribly cuddily, which I certainly miss. So having the chance to sit with her and snuggle forehead to forehead filled my heart with so much happy.

Not even 6 months old and she totally understands what to do when a camera is out, I swear. She is something else. We don't go anywhere without people commenting what a happy baby we have. She really is the most content, sweetest thing. We lucked out with the best.

Just two chicks, having a moment :') Haha isn't this cute though? I think so. Anya was tugging on my braid as we were trying to get a picture so I turned my head to "reprimand" her and she was just cheesing away. I couldn't help but laugh with her. She is too silly!

Squinty eyed smiles at a pit stop we took on our way up the "Going to the Sun" highway. Glacier is full of treasures.

Totally dorking out, haha! Not the best picture I've ever taken, but I HAD to include it because this was one of my favorite moments of the trip and I never want to forget feeling like I was flying! We were in the most beautiful area of the park and I saw a girl sticking her head out the sunroof. I think I commented on it, or someone did, but anyway my parents suggested I do the same! I was a little surprised because that road it pretty narrow and curvy and right next to a cliff.... But I wasn't about to say no! It was the most amazing moment and I felt so free and so young! Hahah I am only 23 but it was one of the most youthful feelings I've felt since having a baby. 

I have ALWAYS wanted to take a bath in a free standing tub like this. When we got to our hotel and it had one, I couldn't wait to try it out! I had a little free time to myself soaking in the warm water and bubbles before Kendal brought in Anya. She was a mess from dinner (solids are no joke) and needed a little bath herself. As much as I enjoyed my alone time, time with her was even better. She was smiling and laughing and splashing. She has the most fun personality and I just eat it right up!

 Again, dipping in the water. I like this picture because you can see both of our raised cheeks, indicating that there is definitely a whole lot of smiling going on :)

She is my little merbaby. If it includes water, she's IN. She could have stared at the tiny waves crashing on the rocks all day long. And I could have stared at her staring all day long!

 The pudgy fingers, the arm rolls, THAT SMILE! I continually comment on how seriously unreal she is... because, SERIOUSLY, HOW IS SHE REAL?!? AND MINE?!?

 Possibly my favorite picture I've taken of these two yet. Anya smiles at any chance of independence she can get, so you can imagine just how much she loves it when Kendal lets her stand like this (even though sometimes it gives me a heart attack lol)

 I'm telling you, she knows just what to do for the camera!

 My people. I am so glad we got to experience Glacier but even more so that we got to experience it with my parents. They are so much fun, funny, patient and adventurous. The perfect traveling combination, if you ask me.

Ask anyone, I am not a morning person. However, I will wake up at the crack of dawn to go fishing with my dad. There is something about being on the water, soaking in the sun and anticipation of when a pole starts bobbing with a fish. 

I got the first fish of the day! I like how Kendal described my face in this picture... a smile so big it's nearly strained like a kid hopped up on birthday candy hahaha TOO TRUE THOUGH!

 Kendal had never gone fishing like this, really, so it was fun being with him for his first time. I love the excitement in this picture. Kendal is saying "I got one!" as Captain Hank brings it in with the net.

 It was kind of a slow day, to be honest. "But that's fishin'". I didn't really mind though. Like I said, it's everything about the experience I enjoy. And it was fun to do it with my husband and dad. My mom got to stay home and babysit our Anya, which she lives for, so it was a win-win for everyone!

Wanna know why I'm standing by the big one? Because I reeled that sucka in HOI YA!

Anya girl is 5 months!!!!!

HEYO! I promise I wrote this the day Anya turned 5 months. On my phone. In my notes. And then guess what? This lil mama never got around to publishing! So here I am. Updating three days before she'll be six months (completely freaking about that btw). Better late than never :)

.....


Today she is 5 months, tomorrow she’ll be six months and in a week she’ll be a year. Okay, okay, so that’s not really how it works BUT IT'S HOW IT FEELS. Mothering is such a trip. I want to freeze time and make her this size, this age, this way forever. And then I see a toddler or a child in a store and I get so excited thinking about what she’s going to be like when she’s that big... the funny things she’ll say, the things she’ll like, the things she’ll want to do and be. But then also I think I need to ground her for life for growing so freaking fast! I’m telling you, MOTHERING IS A TRIP.

Her five months of life have been the best months of my life. She is my best friend, seriously. She is so much fun and silly and quirky. Like she demands to stand all the time. Everything from her waist down is constantly flexed. Her legs, her feet, even her tiny toes. I think we’ve got a future ballerina on our hands! She DOES NOT like laying down (unless you start undressing her and make her think she’s getting changed... which, oddly enough, SHE LOVES). She loves having things over her face and will even giggle when you’re pulling something off or on her head, which is so funny to me! Similarly, she loves getting zipped up in her jammies. When she hears the zipper coming towards her face, her little half moon eyes immediately being to twinkle. By the time the zipper is under her chin, her whole face is smiling and she lets out such a girly giggle. That’s something else I love about her... she’s already so feminine in so many ways (besides the long grunts she makes when her binky falls out - aka is ripped out by herself haha). She makes girly little noises and moves her hands and fingers so daintily. She even pops her pinky out when she attempts holding her own bottle.

We’ve tried several solid foods, which she isn’t the biggest fan of. She likes the IDEA of eating, but not the actual act. It’s quite funny when she gets a spoonful because she’s so excited as it gets closer to her mouth, but she looks sooo betrayed once it enters. You’d think she’s like ice cream/ whipped cream/ yogurt because it’s dairy based after all, but her expression is like, “mom... what the H did you do to your milk?!” Haha! She’s also tried watermelon, rice, green beans, carrots and butternut squash. She isn’t too big on any of those either (actually the carrots and squash weren’t a total fail. She ate quite a bit and I could tell because she had a stinkyyyy diaper later. Lol). BUT her Bluth side really came out when she tried refried beans and didn’t look TOO offended. But we will keep trying because she is super interested anything we eat! Her eyes intently follow our forks/ spoons from plate to mouth, like she’s trying to figure out how the whole eating thing works. For now, she looooves her milk. She goes straight to heaven when she eats, eyes rolling back and all.

Even if food isn’t her favorite thing yet, stuffing anything she can grab into her mouth IS. If she can get it in her hands, it’s going into her mouth. NO MATTER WHAT. She is so determined about the whole thing. It’s cracks me up every time.

We are wondering when she’s going to start teething because she chews on everything and drools everywhere. I don’t really look forward to that stage, but I’m hoping it’s not as painful (for me or for her as everyone says). Only time will tell!

She still has a lovely little bald spot on the back of her head, but I’m confident she’s close to sitting up all by herself and everyone tells me that hair will grow in once it has a chance to!

She’s not quite rolling over... yet. But she is absolutely a side sleeper and it looks like she’s close to reaching that milestone as well! Sometimes when I’m sitting in the chair beside her crib and she’s turning to look at me I think she’s going to do it. She gets sooo close. Like her entire pelvis is touching but her arms stops her from finishing the whole movement. She has successfully done it a couple times on a sloped surface though, like in bed when either mine or Kendal’s weight is pushing the mattress down.

One of my favorite traits about her that I’ve noticed is how much she loves her binky. I’ve even caught her cooing at it a few times. How cute is that, right?! She is such a little lover.