Eating, crawling, and all that good stuff!

It certainly hasn't been the lack of new things to write about that has kept me from writing this past month! Shiloh is growing and changing daily, and Mom and Dad (and everyone else who sees her) have been enjoying her greatly.

We started introducing some solid foods right around Shiloh's 6 month mark. We've done squash, brown rice cereal, and banana so far. We're making as much of our own food as possible and trying hard to feed her foods that are organic and without dyes or added sugars for the first 3 years. That means Mom and Dad will have to stop eating those things before long too so as to be good role models... :o) This picture is the official first tasting, although we were rather rushed and it wasn't the best time to actually try out the food.

A few days later, you can see her (and us) enjoying the experience quite a bit more....
Along with food we're introducing three sign language signs to Shiloh: more, eat, and milk. Research shows that these three are the easiest for babies to learn and that if you start around 6 months they may be able to use them by 8 or 9 months! It is crazy to think that in a couple months she could tell us that she wants to eat or nurse. And I have a feeling she will since she loves doing things with her hands and since she appears to have inherited a love of food from both Momma and Dada!

Speaking of Dada, Shiloh has been developing her babbling skills quite well. She has the dada down, along with bob (not quite sure which Bob she's referring to...), the occasional mama and gaga as well as other random noises that always make us smile.

Shiloh is getting very close to crawling. She enjoys her time on her hands and knees so much more now than before. She's rocking back and forth in the correct position and will pick up one hand to grab a toy in front of her. It won't be long and we have a feeling life will completely change once again!

No teeth yet, despite many people being sure her sucking, chomping, and chewing early on were indicators of soon-to-be-teeth. We're definitely okay with waiting for that process as well! The way Shiloh attacks things with her mouth certainly makes us wonder when those pearly whites will make their grand entry.


Shiloh has joined all the other boys and girls in the world who love to blow snot bubbles. We have yet to capture one on film, but are grateful that her colds haven't gotten worse than congestion, some snot, and now a little cough. We will however be taking her to a specialist in Cedar Rapids next week to have her left thumb checked out. It is almost always stuck in a bent position, making it difficult for her to use her left thumb (understandably so). We have noticed for a while that Shiloh uses her right hand far more than her left, but Robyn actually noticed the thumb a few weeks ago (thanks Robyn!). We're hoping they will say it is something she will grow out of, although the doctor kept asking me if "trigger finger" runs in the family. Maybe Shiloh is just destined to a career of duck hunting or being a sharp shooter. We'll be sure to update once we find out some more.

Otherwise, we're gearing up for Chris' birthday on the 22nd. We already went on a much needed date last night to celebrate while Larry and Emily watched Shiloh for a couple hours. Several friends are getting together tonight to celebrate and the Tripolino fun will happen after church on Sunday. Birthdays are worth dragging out as long as possible, right?

As always check out the picasa photo album for more pictures! And keep hoping I'll post more than once a month....maybe I will :o)