Week 27-October 20-26-Hi Sweetpea! This past week we went to Seattle and Portland. It was beautiful. It looks like a city was built in the middle of a forest. Papa went to see about a job in Seattle and while we were there, we drove down to Portland to visit Kumi and Gabe. You loved Kumi and Gabe loved you! In Seattle, we stayed with a cousin of mine on my mother's side of the family, Kevin Coskey.

You are an excellent traveler. You are perfect on the plane, coming back home, during take off you didn't nurse and you were fine. Your schedule was totally off and you didn't have any meltdowns. The only time it became slightly difficult for you was around the third day or so, when you didn't want to be strapped into the car seat anymore. I don't blame you, who wants to be tied down!?! You are sitting better than ever and anytime Papa or I eat, you really want some of what we are having. You reach for things now vigorously. If you want it, it will be yours. You also drank some water out of a glass. It was awesome! You sip perfectly, but then let the water dribble down your face! You sat in a highchair for the very first time. While Papa was at lunch with the prospective company, you and I went out to lunch at the Brief Cafe Encounter in Bellevue. The server brought a high chair for you and you happily sat in it and played with your toys. It was the easiest meal I've had to eat since you were born!!! But along with your newfound independence and my joy with your growth, comes the realization that you are not a helpless little newborn anymore and this pattern is going to continue until one day you won't need me anymore. Well, I suppose you will always need me, as I still need my mom, but in a different way.

You don't fall asleep in my arms the way you used to. Now you will just stay up no matter how sleepy you are. There were times in the past when you'd talk and talk and talk and suddenly your head would just drop and you'd be out. Not anymore.

Your hair is so soft and fuzzy. It covers your head now and is a blondish brown. I love rubbing my lips across the top of your head, it feels wonderful. You are watching me as I type this. I'm going to go play with you! Love you baby girl!!!! You are my heart and my soul!

Week 26-October 13-19-Hi Sweetpea! Well, you are now SIX MONTHS old. My baby isn't really a baby anymore. I suppose you are to other people, but you are so developed to me. It will be interesting to see you next to Calanit's new baby, when he/she is born. I remember you as a newborn, but the contrast will be outstanding I am sure.

We had a fun week. On Saturday, the 16th, you, Papa and I drove to Santa Clarita to visit a pumpkin patch. You were asleep at first, but woke up in time to eat some straw and play in a bin of miniature pumpkins. The three of us had a great time. It is really good for you to see so many new sights. It stimulates your mind. On Sunday, we went to my folk's house for Levi's first birthday party. The entire family hadn't been together in a few months. The house was warm and festive and all the children were playing together. Really wonderful. At one point, you were in an excersaucer and Ellis, Tabitha and Yeshaya were all playing around you and with you. You were fascinated, watching all the big kids play with you. Ellis is very gentle with you, but he does like to press the soft spot on your head, so I have to watch him. He likes to hold your hand and tickle your feet and you seem to like him! You love Yael, though. You are all smiles for her! At one point it became too much and you began to cry, something you don't usually do, so we went upstairs for a little quiet time. You were too excited to sleep, but it did help settle you, nonetheless.

When we were getting ready to leave, Papa put you in your car seat on one of the kitchen chairs, something we both have done a million times. I was in the den talking to someone when we heard a thump and you screaming. Oh my G-d, you were on the floor with the car seat over you. You fell off. Papa lifted the car seat, you weren't buckled in, and I grabbed you. Poor baby. Your face was so red, you were so upset. You wouldn't nurse at first. It took me a while to calm you down, but finally you did and you slept in my arms. Papa and I were very upset, but after you stopped crying, you were fine. And we had just had a conversation in the car that morning about how you had never fallen or been dropped. The next morning, your little left cheek had a large bruise, but it doesn't seem to bother you. Papa and I are still traumatized over it though. We just have to be so careful.

Today, you and I went over to Levi and Aunt Yael's house. We went on a hike to the Hollywood sign. You love being outdoors and seeing the blue sky and green trees. It was chilly and we came across two coyotes, so we decided to turn around. It was fun. I am going to try to take you on two hikes a week. I love it and so do you!

You have discovered my cell phone. Probably because I am always on it, texting or talking. You love to chew on it and dial people's numbers. It is cute to watch you, but I am not sure how safe it is.....

We leave on Thursday to go to Seattle and Portland, so next week, I will write to you all about that!

I love you, little angel. You are my heart and my soul! Papa came home early today because he wasn't feeling well and so you spent some time with him. He read to you and put on your pajamas and you fell asleep next to him. He never gets to do that with you because he is working so hard for us. I know he really enjoyed it. Times like these are very special. He loves you so much!

Week 25-October 6-October 12-Hi Ladybug! You are a big girl now. You have started to fall asleep for your naps without me helping you. Amazing! You have eaten avocado and sweet potato! You like everything, although you do make faces at first. After you eat, you drink water out of the bottle. You enjoy holding the bottle yourself and you do a great job of it. So far you have eaten apples, bananas, rice porridge, avocado and sweet potato. Everything was prepared by me except for the porridge and sweet potato. Those were from a box and a jar respectively, but there really is no need to use that stuff, unless maybe we are traveling and don't have a place to keep fresh food. You blow on the spoon and food flies everywhere, so I can't feed you on the couch anymore. I suppose it is time for that highchair!

We got you a Halloween costume! You are going to be a lavender butterfly!!!! I don't have the words to describe how cute you are in it. Then again, you are cute in everything! You have been rolling back and forth, back and forth. It is liberating for you to become independent. You have been waiting for your body to catch up with your will. The look of pure joy on your face when you accomplish a new milestone brings your papa and me such happiness. I feel fulfilled in a way I never knew to be possible. You also have been laughing more. The best sound on earth, truly! Love you, baby girl!!!

Week 24-September 29-October 5: Hi Ladybug! My sweet sweet little girl. I am so in love with you, I feel my heart growing whenever I am near you or think about you. We have discovered a new game. I kiss your tiny face all over and you laugh and laugh and laugh. When I make kissy sounds or smack my lips together, you break into great big smiles. You think it is the funniest thing! You also like when I kiss your ribcage. You are one terrific kid! You use your feet to touch things including each other. Your little toes on one foot will wrap over the toes on the other foot. It is precious. You have also been trying to crawl. You push your head and chest up and then rest them and push your bottom up. So far they haven't yet synchronized! But don't worry, they will. Papa and I really like you. People still stop us to tell us how gorgeous you are. There is some special spark in you and everybody can see it. You are amazing. Each day passes so quickly, just yesterday you were born and we thought to ourselves, how incredible, this child didn't even exist ten months ago, and now here she is, larger than life itself. And now, you are a whopping five months old. Time passes us by, and we try to savor each and every moment, but we are also curious to see you in five years, ten years, thirty five years... you are our light baby, our wildest dreams come true. I love you and so does your Papa.