6-Month Portraits

Ford's 6-month pictures are here! Check 'em out on our Shutterfly site: http://stelsel.shutterfly.com/pictures/688.

Here's a preview of some of our favorites:

A Fishy Weekend

We hosted the 2nd Annual Summer Fish Fry over the post-July 4 weekend. It was a great time to spend with the whole family: Stelsels, Parkers, and Kassenbrocks together again. We're lucky to be able to get everyone together twice a year -- Thanksgiving and July 4. It's a lot of people, but we have so much fun! Here are some pictures from the event (thanks Dad!). :)

The Guest List

Behind Every Successful Fish Fry Is a Master Fish FryER (and His Crew)



Let's Eat!

Well That Was Fun. Now Who Wants to Clean Up? :(

6 Months Old

Like it or not, little dude is growing up. He's up to 17 lbs. 10 oz. (50th percentile) and 28.25 inches long (95th percentile). That's one lean machine (just like his Daddy)! :)

Likes at 6 Months:

• School! Ford still takes after his parents and LOVES school. He's always happy when I drop him off and pick him up, which sure makes it easier on me. We get daily reports of what he does during the day, but the proof is in the pictures above his bed at school. :)
  
• Art projects (who knew?). Apparently, Ford likes art projects. Again, just one more thing he learned and enjoys at school. We have yet to try this at home. I keep meaning to (even bought supplies!), but I don't know where the time goes on the weekends.

Dislikes at 6 Months:

• Changing diapers. It was bound to happen. Although he's still happy during diaper changes, they've become much more....challenging. Kicking the legs, arching the back, swinging the arms, grabbing the feet. Whew. It's exhausting.

New Discoveries:

• Swimming. Ford went swimming for the first time a few weeks ago and seemed to enjoy it. He sat back and enjoyed the floating around, kicking his legs every now and then.
• Splashing in the tub. After his first swim, he suddenly became more interested in splashing mommy during bath time. What have I done? ;)
• Solid food. Yes, we've officially moved on from formula to food. He hasn't mastered feeding from a spoon yet, but he's improving.

6 Month Pictures:

Yummy in the Tummy

*VIDEO*
Yesterday we ventured into the exciting world of baby food! Ford's meals just got a lot more adventurous / messy / time consuming. :)  Here's how it went:

Waiting patiently in his big-boy chair.

Mmmmm.....soupy rice cereal.

First bite -- captured on video, of course.