Signing Time...

Raychel is really picking up on this sign language stuff! Raychel started using two signs together on Saturday and continued on Sunday (which is when I realize that she actually knew what she was doing). She asked for STARS (her puffy cereal), then she asked for MORE STARS!

Then, Sunday, she surprised me again. She was playing with her toys, stopped, cried out, and crawled over to me...then she signed "diaper change". I kind of ignored her, thinking she was just playing with her hands...boy was I wrong! She kept telling me diaper change over and over....so I checked...YEP it was dirty! Part of me wondered if she really knew what she was saying or it just worked out that way. She couldn't tell me that, could she?

During dinner tonight (Monday) she was telling me diaper change instead of MORE, I just thought that she was confusing them (since they both use both hands) but when we were done eating she was still showing me diaper change. I checked, YEP-Dirty Diaper!

Okay, so she has another poopy diaper tonight...now you all know how poopy our daughter is! She crawled over to us on the couch and told us again.... Daddy took this one!

It is fun to watch her learning and using sign language!

Daddy's Birthday!

Happy 28th Birthday Daddy!! (1-24-09) We spent the day together as a family! That is about the only part of our plans that worked out...but we still had fun!!!

Originally headed to the Natural History Museum in Topeka, we ended up at Clay County Historical Museum!! Just a LITTLE difference there! We took the self-guided 3 floor tour through the museum, stepping over MOUNDS of Christmas decor that had been taken down and laying down on the floor! But, we found some neat stuff! It is located in the old hospital, so many small rooms honoring all the small cities in Clay County plus a few extras!

Here, Raychel and Daddy are taking a break in the hallway! All smiles from Daddy and daughter! Of course, Monkey came along for the ride...he is becoming a necessity, like the diaper bag! Raychel LOVES her Monkey!!!

Then, we stopped in for a hair cut in one room! They had 2 old barber chairs and they looked just perfect for Raychel to sit in...shhh, don't tell them! Problem was neither Raychel or Monkey needed a hair cut! Although, Raychel DOES have one hair Daddy found that is about 3 inches long (MUCH longer then all the rest)...so maybe she DOES need A HAIR cut...but just ONE! ;)


Speaking of hair....Daddy found something mighty special!!! This is a 5 lb. hair ball that was cut out of a cow's stomach! Pretty big, huh??

In the entry way there is a large horse statue! We had to stop on the way out for pictures!

Unfortunately, we also left some throw up on the saddle! SHHHHHhhhhhhhh...DO NOT tell them! We did our very best to remove all traces before leaving, but couldn't figure out how to tell the lady we threw up on the horse!

After the museum, Derek and Raychel took naps in the car on the way to Manhattan. We went shopping for the other part of Derek's present. Unfortunately they were out of the book...Hemi in the Barn.

Of course we had to stop at Auto Zone, then on to Famous Daves! Where we found a super long wait and no time left to eat at the restaurant. We got Famous Daves To Go and went back to Nick and Crystal's house in Wamego, our babysitters...oh and friends! We thought we could go to the late movie, Gran Tornio...but it started TOOOOO LATE!!!!!!

So, Topeka Museum (nope)-Book present (nope)-eating at Famous Dave's (kinda-To GO)-watching Gran Torino (nope)....spending time together and having fun...YES!!!!!! =) 1 out of 5 isn't bad, right????

She did it...

She pulled up on the couch to standing today! Mommy was sitting on the couch, looking at the computer and a little hand hits my knee...to my surprise my SEVEN month old is standing there smiling at me!!!!!!!!!!! Mommy shrieked and hugged her!

She surprises me EVERYDAY!!!!!!!! This picture is not from today. This was from Saturday. Daddy stood her up there and she thought it was pretty cool! Now she does it on her own...WOWSERS! =)

Update: As of Wednesday night (1-21-09) she is crawing all over the house, she gets into any room...follows Mom everywhere. She will pull up and stand for a very long time at the exercise ball or couch and is getting very stable! She doesn't want to fall asleep because she is so excited about all her new skills! So, bedtime is more difficult now! She eats her bottle and then is ready to play again. Usually an hour or so later we can convince her to sleep! She plays happily all over the living room until then! (I guess you have to have something to complain about!)

Note to readers...

I'll admit...I was behind on posts! REALLY behind! I post-dated everything, so it would be in the right spot for scrapbook and baby book purposes! So, you will have to scroll through and pick out the new ones! I think the earliest one is December 13-14th! =)

Happy Reading!!!

Playing with Daddy!

Who needs a toy, CATS make you CRAWL!!!!

Raychel has been trying to crawl for a while now, but SHE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saturday, January 10th, 2009 she crawled 3 steps! Both Mommy and Daddy saw her do it and cheered so loudly...she stopped to see what the big deal was!!! LOL

This is her first attempt, but her legs weren't quite in the right place!

The cat really helps! This was a week later, yesterday morning. JJ seems to like Raychel, as he lets her pull on him and grab his fur and he will come back for more! Well, Raychel absolutely loves it because she LOVES JJ!!!!!

She does it...she crawls...anywhere and everywhere she wants to go!

7 things I love about being 7 MONTHS OLD!

A post by Raychel.... (well, she told Mommy what to write!)

1. I can CRAWL!!!!!!!!!! I can get to Mommy, Daddy, JJ, and everything else Mommy tries to hide from me!

2. I get to eat 3 meals a day!!! Mommy gives me green and orange veggies, all kinds of fruits, and dinners with meat! I LOVE Green Beans and PEAS the MOST!!! =) Don't get me wrong though, I still LOVE my bottle too!

3. I am learning sign language. I know STARS, which means I want the puffy star cereal, and Bottle. Those are my favorites. I understand when Mommy makes some signs too! I understand Mommy, Daddy, all done, more, kitty, and monkey.

4. I can drag my toys all over the room. If the bucket is not empty, I am not done playing yet! Then, I make Mommy and Daddy pick them all up when I'm done!

5. I like to stand up, pull myself up holding Mommy or Daddy's hands, and I can stand up holding onto the couch. I even balanced once not holding onto anything...that was kinda scary!

6. I can fly! Well, I feel like I'm flying when Mommy and Daddy hold me above their heads. They throw me into the air and I laugh and drool all over them!!!!!

7. And FINALLY....I HAVE TEETH!!!!!!!!! Okay, I'll admit, getting the teeth in my mouth is NOT so fun! But...did you know I can use them to bite tons of stuff and eat! That is great fun!

NOTE: Raychel has 3 teeth now. Two on the bottom and one that is coming in on the far right...about where the incisor teeth would be. I'm not sure what is going on with this tooth, it is coming in really crooked!

Raychel standing all by herself, holding onto the couch AND standing all by herself (note: that lasted .2 seconds)!

Rest in Peace Great Grandpa

Grandpa Sievers passed away this weekend. While we mourn his passing, we know that he is in a better place. He is no longer stuck in a bed, he is happy and free. The following videos are soooo precious and will definitely be shared with Raychel many years down the road. This was a visit to see Great Grandpa when she was just over one month old! (7-19-08)

As we knew the time was drawing near, we were able to make one last visit to see him last Friday evening. Derek woke him up and as soon as he saw Derek, Raychel, and Jill a HUGE smile came upon his face. He just stared at Raychel with that smile for a long time. He woke up one more time while we were there and we all three shared hugs with him and were able to say goodbye!

When you are tired...

Just lay down and take a nap!!! Raychel was busy playing and the next thing I know, she looks like this!! LOL She was folded up in quite an interesting angle!


Another interesting angle...This is Raychel trying to crawl! I know it has something to do with my legs and arms, but WHAT do I do with them???