Lara at 6 months: First time eating a carrot.

August 11, 2014: I finally gave Lara a carrot.  Small enough to suck on, and nibble on and large enough that she won't ever accidentally choke on it.

And she loves her carrots!  It's a great teether too.  Especially if its a cold carrot that I've just taken out from the refrigerator.  And she's got a new style!  She loves to sit with her legs on top of the high chair.
This is another thing we inherited from her cousins, Sagar and Sonal.  The high chair was in great shape, and it's all in the family.  And Lara loves it.  :) 

Lara at 6 months: Sunflowers

Mamma and Lara have the same serious expression... haha.  I didn't realize how serious we looked until I took a picture.  But we were actually very happy to be sitting on the porch.  It was a beautiful Summer day on August 10th.  And the sunflowers were overgrown and falling over our porch.  We have so many out of control sunflowers!  It drives me crazy in the summer but they are quite beautiful and bring so much color to our home.  

Mamma and Lara got a chance to sit on the front porch and touch a whole bunch of sunflowers today.  Oh! was she excited as ever.

She let her small hands glide over the bright yellow petals and she let her fingers linger, feeling the softness on her skin.  I was enamored with the way she took so much pain in just Feeling.  It opened up my eyes to how much we take for granted and how much we don't stop to just Feel!  

You can see Mama's feet wearing her red shoes and Lara sitting on my lap.  She was bending down to touch the flowers.  

Lara at 6 months: First visit to Burlington Coat Factory

Yes, I know what you are thinking... " Are you seriously recording her first visit to Burlington Coat Factory?".  I know my husband will laugh when he reads this post.  But its actually important because it's the first time we are going on a longer excursion with Lara.

We've been very conservative with taking her out and we thought that today would be a good day to go to a place that is quiet and close to home so we could spend more time there and get Lara used to shopping and being in another venue and most importantly being in a shopping cart.  She's going to spend many a day in a shopping cart, I can assure you.  So, why not start at Burlington Coat Factory?

Here, she has eyes only for Daddy!  

For the record, she did really well in the shopping cart.  I was afraid that she wouldn't be able to sit upright for a long period of time, but she did remarkably well.  Only at the end of our trip, a half an hour into our walk through the store, she started to tilt a little to the right and then to the left.
I knew then it was time to head home.

And finally, Mamma (that's me!) gets a smile!! Oh, did I mention?!  It's the first time she had a clip in her hair too!  

Lara at 6 months: Playing in her Bouncer

Lara is slowly but steadily gaining strength in her legs. She's now able to stand for a good period of time in the bouncer.  This was given to me by Jen, a colleague of mine.  Her two sons are now 3 and 5 so she doesn't need it anymore.
Lara is completely enamored with her new bouncer.  She's able to stand upright with assistance and I think that has changed her perception of the world!

When she needs to take a rest she can relax in the seat there and not have to worry of falling down.  Bouncers are the best invention for babies learning to stand and gain strength in their legs and lower extremities.

Solid Foods: Lara at 6 months

Lara finally started having solids.  I've been giving her oatmeal cereal with formula to make it easy for her to swallow.  She is loving the cereal.  She is such a good eater.  It's so much fun feeding when she just gobbles everything up.  It gives you a sense that you've accomplished something; even though its really her accomplishment.
But its a nice feeling.

Here Poofy is getting courageous and hanging out with Lara while she eats.  Poofy has been very respectful of Lara.  He's curious but respectful.  He keep a good distance but keeps trying to get closer and gives her an occasional rub.
I think they are going to be the best of friends. :)