Update...

I have finally uploaded pictures from TJ's birthday and Rhowan's First Easter. I posted a few on the last post just before this. I do have to say that this was one of the best Easter's we've had. I just feel like Easter is such a holiday for the little ones and now that we finally have one of our own, it made it that much more special. However, two of the most important and key people in our family were missing...they were enjoying themselves on a vacation of a lifetime, a cruise to the Panama Canal, but they were truly missed. Grandma and Grandpa/ Gigi and Papa, we hope you never miss another holiday. I know you would've loved to of been there. Aunt Peggy did a great job as a hostess and planner for the festivities of the day. It all went so well, the food was great, the games were fun and the company was enjoyable. Overall, great day. :)
Rhowan was truly spoiled. She got her Easter basket at home before church, then after church she went to Oma and Papa's and got two Easter baskets there (from Auntie Nichole and Uncle Anthony and Oma and Papa) then we went to Aunt Peggy's and she got more goodies. Then last but not least, she went to Grandma and Grandpa's and got another Easter basket. She is so blessed and spoiled, we couldn't be more thankful for all that people love her with.
I am feeling like Rhowan is growing faster than I can blink an eye...it is one milestone after another and I can't stay on top of the blog posts, baby books, house work, working during the day and loving my precious princess. Wow, where do the hours in a day go?
Our princess will be 6 months on the 20th. She is now eating baby food...I made my own homemade baby food tonight for the first time. I was given a baby food maker and wow, it was a bit complicated at first with directions, I had my asst "Big Jen" or "Nurse Jen" as one of her many nicknames we call her and we got it all figured out. Rhowan was in her bumpo supervising and Jen was reading the directions. We were successful, Rhowan loved her sweet potatoes and wanted more and more of them! It was the greatest feeling knowing I was able to make her such a healthy and safe meal with no crap added in the jar, and not to mention so cost effective. I bought ice cube trays and made her meals for the week! I am so excited...my next goal is to go buy a baby cook book! :) She is such a good eater, she helps me bring the spoon to her mouth and everything! LOL. It is so exciting...soon she will be eating real food, its crazy how fast it goes.
Her one bottom tooth is almost completely through, you can see the top of it peeking up through the gums and since then, Easter Sunday, she has been back to sleeping much better. She is sitting up on her own, rolling all over and army crawling backwards and rocking on all fours getting ready to crawl. It will be soon, so baby proofing here we come. I left her in her room, on her play mat for 2 minutes to change laundry and she had backward crawled and turned herself all around across the entire room!
She is also getting to the point where she knows and recognizes people. As her book says, "stranger anxiety," she definitely cries and gets nervous if she doesn't recognize someone. I feel bad when she does that, but I know its a part of her development and she will hopefully get past that! She is just such a happy baby and so good. She totally sits on her own in a high chair and even a shopping cart now. I feel like my baby is already so grown up...no more carrying that heavy baby carrier around (although, I got good biceps from that thing). I have one of those high chair and shopping cart covers, which is the best invention ever, they have toys attached and strings to hold things for her, its pretty cool and a life saver. Makes things much easier on mommy. I used to break my back doing grocery shopping with her in the baby bjourn! She sits in her high chair and entertains herself, so curious and wanting our food, but behaving herself so well, that mommy even gets to enjoy her meals now! :)
Well that is just some of what's new in our crazy, busy lives. I know it seems like a lot, but like I said, its "crazy, busy."
I will continue to update as much as I can. I am working as much as I can to save for summer. I start my long term in May to take me to the end of the school year, then plan on heading to Alaska to see Daddy for a few weeks. We have a lot upcoming, so stay posted!
Love and miss you all. We think of you all often even if the days get away from us and we don't get to see or talk often.

xoxoxo,
The Bruce's