A couple weeks ago I took Kiara in for her 6 month well-check. Here's how she measures up:

26 1/4 inches long (70th%)

15lbs. 6oz. (35th%)

43 cm head circumference (60th%)

She got another round of immunizations and both girls got their flu shots - here's to hoping we all avoid getting sick this winter!

Other than that, we've had a busy couple of weeks. I've been keeping super busy with my new-ish church calling, I love being in Primary! It has finally started to feel like fall and we love it!! We've been enjoying almost daily walks and I've learned that Kiara is just as much of an outside baby as Tienna ever was. She is completely content whenever we're outdoors and loves to take in her surroundings.

Josh has one more night shift and then it's another rotation behind us - for those of you keeping track that's 4 months of the dreaded  intern year behind us. Yea!!!!! We have one more relaxed month and then the craziness returns :o He's also been super busy with his new calling - he's the cubmaster in our ward. (Let's just say it was very much a surprise calling!) Here's a picture of him on his way to the first pack meeting last week; now if only he had a son to go along with the calling!

This last week my sister also came for a quick visit. We love visitors!! The girls loved the attention and it was so nice to have someone to chat with while running errands and working on projects at night while Josh was at work. She was a great sport and helped tons with the kids, babysat one night, vacuumed our house, almost finished my ironing pile and shared some fun new music. One morning we went to the beach and she introduced us to some of the tastiest pizza I've ever tried - thanks again Jessie! We miss you already and can't wait to see you when we come up in a couple of weeks! 

More pictures to come in the next couple days hopefully :)

{6 Months}

Kiara is 6 months old today. I can hardly believe it! Every day I am reminded that she is no longer a newborn, something I love and something I miss all at the same time. Here's a couple of fun things about our little sweetie at 6 months:

• Kiara has lots of nicknames. The favorites are bubba cheese (a la Tienna) and pikachu (pee-ka-chu) compliments of daddy. For some reason they've both stuck.
• We also call her our skinny little string bean. She's quite long but very skinny - think skinny arms, no bum, no hips, one little mid-thigh roll (that I'm very proud of). I'm excited to she how she measures up at her well-check appointment next week.
• That being said, she has a HUGE appetite. Seriously, the girl can eat! Rice cereal and veggies are her favorite and she's learning to like fruit a bit more.
• She has discovered her voice big time. She loves to scream, sing, laugh and attempt to talk. She responds to me, Josh, Tienna and certain toys. Basically, if she recognizes something she gets very excited and subsequently makes lots of noise. : )
• The default for being excited is bouncing her legs up and down while wildly waving her arms. I find it quite adorable that she gets excited about so many things.
• Rolling around is now her favorite form of entertainment. She's starting to figure out that by rolling she can move and get things out of her reach. I think she's going to be a very determined little one...
• We've started the phase of everything going in her mouth. Her binky is more of a toy and watches are a favorite as of late. 
• She is a great sleeper. It took her 5 months to get the hang of things, but now she's a champ most of the time. She loves 3 naps a day and always wakes up super happy.
• She still is pretty cuddly - she loves being held and is learning to give kisses. She'll let anyone hold her but is a mama's girl : )
• Kiara is overall very happy. Unless she has an immediate need she's smiling, cooing and happy.

Here's the kiddos with their matching Halloween shirts and flowers. Yep, I've become one of those moms who dresses the girls all match-y match-y - I can't help it!

It's Always Fun...

We love having visitors, especially when it's grandma and grandpa. Last week Josh's parents came down for a few days and we had a blast - Tienna and Kiara loved all the extra attention! While they were here we showed them around Loma Linda, visited the temple, went to a pumpkin patch, ate too much yummy food and had lots of time for relaxing and playing. Tienna's already asking when we're going to have more visitors :)

Tienna was in awe of all the pumpkins, big and small. I have to admit that I don't think I've ever seen so many varieties of pumpkins in my life!

Our precious little one!!

Tienna had a ride on Jose the horse, quite exciting as you can see :)

There were various Halloween characters all over. They were people with incredibly intricate costumes who would hold still and wait for someone to pose with them and then turn and say hi or something like that. Tienna was a little leery of Frankenstein.

The grim reaper wasn't too much better... Tienna didn't like his bony hands.

And just because Kiara seems to be changing daily, here's a shot of her new favorite - talking and laughing while rolling around trying to reach toys or anything to stick in her mouth. Love this girl!