To Eden, For Your Half-Year Birthday

Dear Eden,

The past 6 months have been more special than your mother or I could have ever imagined. You've touched our hearts and changed our lives. We are so thankful for you and are so impressed with what you've already accomplished in 6 short months. You've learned to hold your head up and play on your tummy. You've learned to laugh and grab your toys. You've even learned Mom's and Dad's voice, and you bring smiles to our faces every time you look at us and smile with that big, all-face smile of yours.

Since you've been so good, we decided to make you special treats for your half-year birthday. Mom baked cupcakes (special "half" cupcakes),

which we taste-tested for you ...

while Dad baked sweet potatoes ... sorry you only got to eat the latter. Here's how you reacted to your very first bite of real food ...

You did, however, eventually enjoy the orange concoction. Indeed, you seem to make a funny face after the first spoonfool of food - you make the same face before deciding you really do like your rice cereal, too. We're looking forward to seeing if you make that face for other fun foods like avocados, squash, green beans, and apples.

About halfway through your first food experience, you decided that it was your turn with the spoon. You sure are a curious little monkey!

One of your favorite things to do now is grabbing your feet. You even try to put them in your mouth!

On a "normal" day (or at least what your day has looked like recently) you wake up around 6:30 a.m. and nurse. Then you sleep some more with Mom in bed until around eight or nine. Then, you wake up and eat some more and watch Mom get ready for work. You take another hour-long nap around lunchtime and stay awake until dinner ... playing with your favorite toys-George the Giraffe, Leo the Lion, and Daisy the Duck. After dinner, I give you a bath. Then, Mom puts your lotion on while singing you a good night song, gives you a good night bottle, and you go to bed. Finally, Momma gives you a little bit more to eat before she goes to bed, and you sleep through the night ... thanks for that, by the way.

People are always stopping me and your mom at stores just to have a chance to talk to you. They always comment on how pretty your eyes are and what a happy baby you seem to be. We couldn't agree more. We think you're the cutest baby we've ever seen!

We love you!

Oh, and one other thing ... your Mom is ALWAYS taking pictures of you (something that you may love to hate when you get a little older). So, it's no surprise that the other day, she did your 6-month photoshoot. It was your first time sitting in the grass. Here's how it turned out ...

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The 6 month photo shoot

For those of you out there in blogland, if you feel so inclined, help Ashley decide which one (or two) of these to frame for the house by posting a comment to let her know your favorites ...

Eden 1

Eden 2

Eden 3

Eden 4

Eden 5

Eden 5bw

Eden 6

Eden 7
Eden 8