Family Pictures

Yesterday we went out to the Overland Park Arboretum again.  Officially, we were getting pictures for Cassandra with Grandma and Grandpa Hodges.  In reality, we were getting pictures for Grandpa Hodges birthday present since this birthday was a big one (70 years old).

Cassandra's contribution.

The Photo Montage for Grandpa.

Causing Trouble

Cassandra tried to blowup the house today.  Well, that may be a little melodramatic. 

First, you need to understand that we have not used our fireplace the entire time we have been here so Cassandra could not have picked anything up from us.  While playing in the family room, she located the key for the gas line to the fireplace.  Not content to just play with it, she noticed that it looked like a good fit for the shinny hole in the floor by the fireplace.  She proceeded to place the key into the valve faceplate before Mommy caught her.  Good problem solving, not such good safety.

Of course, this begs the question, is there any limit to the amount of trouble this child will cause?  (Mommy keeps referring to her as "your daughter" in conversation, not hers so I'm not holding by breath.)

Cassandra is only eight months old today.  Probably should mention that her current stats right now are 27" long and she weighs 18 lbs, 6 oz.

Little Toad

Over the last few months, Cassandra has impressed us many times learning new skills and solving problems.  The first time she leaned over to see around a corner was really a thrill.  Last night, she finally picked up on clapping.  She now claps for us, smiling the entire time.  I'm not sure if she is proud of herself or thinks you are always supposed to smile when clapping. 

<sigh> Today she managed another "skill."

Cassandra was getting herself into trouble by climbing on something she shouldn't.  I said her name.  She continued on.  I said her name again.  No response.  I said it a third, fourth, eventually tenth time.  This whole time she was frozen as if to make it impossible for me to see her.  I say her name an eleventh time and she slowly turns to sit-up and face me and gives me a look like, "This isn't the Baby you are looking for, move along."  I asked her what she thought she was doing and she just starts to smile.  This is why I think she is a little toad.

More Sleep

Cassandra has been sleeping more lately (and thinning out) so it looks like it is time for a growth spurt.  She is also working on cutting in two teeth on the top.  You can see the white through the gums so they are almost here.  All three of us will be glad when that happens.

Cassandra has been crashing back to sleep more often in the mornings before Mommy takes her to school.  She caught a picture of Cassandra this morning that Daddy loved.  She has her arm around a Lamb Blanket.

Sippy Cup

Cassandra has been doing new things every week it seems.  This week Mommy caught a picture of her practicing with a sippy cup.  It is amusing how she always keeps her eyes on us, especially when we have camera pointed at her.

Outdoor Adventure

We took Cassandra out to the Arboretum this evening.  This is the first time she has been out there and she was pretty good the whole time.

Towards the end, she wanted to get out.  She seemed to like walking in the grass, but at first, she kept looking at us to see if it was alright.  Note that when I say walking, I mean we were holding her hands.  She can't yet stand up without pulling up on something.

Family Visit

The entire in-town family got together for Uncle John's Birthday.   Cassandra had fun sitting at the table and showing everyone how well she can eat real food.  Afterwords, we headed back to John and Kristi's for birthday (cup)cake.

While there, Cassandra's cousin Samantha protected her from the furry, four legged creature's wet nose. 

Later in the evening, Cassandra started crawling after Molly.  (Molly is a beagle.)  Molly was not thrilled.  Daddy was amused by the whole thing because Molly is taller and weighs more than Cassandra.

Passed Out Again

Mommy got this shot of Cassandra this morning.  I wonder if she is going to end up being a coffee drinker.  Neither Mommy or Daddy like the stuff so she might have to find another way of coping.

I Have Teeth

As mentioned earlier, Cassandra is working on cutting her teeth.  The second one cut through yesterday.

Messy Eater

As mentioned earlier, we have begun feeding Cassandra solid foods.  So far, it seems that her mood is the biggest contributor to deciding if she is going to have a good meal.  She has been pretty good about eating all of these:

• Cereal
• Rice
• Oatmeal
• Mixed (Rice, Oatmeal, & Wheat)
• Veggies
• Peas
• Green Beans
• Carrots
• Sweat Potatoes
• Fruits
• Apple Sauce
• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Pear
• Peach

What are you looking at?

So far, the only thing we have tried to feed her that has not been successful has been potatoes.  Then again, when I eat potatoes, I put butter in them at the least so who knows.

Passed Out

Cassandra has been trouble waking up in the mornings.  Sometimes, she will wake up enough to sit-up, smile at you, rub her eyes, and then face-plant on the mattress.  She can't seem to stay awake after getting dressed and eating breakfast either.  We put her in the bouncy seat because she really doesn't like being "caged" in the play yard and here is the result.

Drool Splatter

Cassandra's first tooth cut through on Sunday (8/7/2011).  Going along with this has been an enormous amount of drool, enough that Daddy was actually actively looking for signs of dehydration.  So far Cassandra seems healthy.  Of course, many people have been amused when I mention the amount of drool.  I'm not sure they remember exactly how bad it is.  Her plug is no longer effective at stopping leaks.  We've switched to a larger plug but an effective seal eludes us. 

As an example of how much she is drooling, here is what happened before feeding her.  Notice the wet spots on Daddy's shirt?  She did that when she quickly turned her head with a mouth full of saliva.  The wet spots you see are a spray pattern!