Wow...today was a busy day. We left at 9:00 to go up to school and help Aunt Michelle with her classroom. (I was too lazy to work in my own room).

Then we had lunch with Aunt Michelle and Aunt Becca.

Then we went swimming.

Then we went to The Mudroom.

Then we went to the grocery store.

Then we had hung out with and had dinner with Andy and Erica (and Jeremy). Alia and John played in the water table for a little bit.

Alia did two things today that she has never done before. Before bathtime with Laura and John, Alia had pulled up on the toilet. (1)She let go, squatted down, and stood back up without holding onto anything. The other thing she did was take some steps on her own. (2)She pulled up on the cabinets in Erica's kitchen and then took 5 or 6 steps without me. I'm so proud of her!

Here's a much better video of my big girl standing. Unfortunately, it's sideways. She has upped the number of steps she has taken to 4 now.

This summer I've been experimenting with food for Alia. I've been trying to at least make her breakfast and lunch so I don't have to buy all that baby food. Here's some of the foods we have tried.
Breakfast: honeydew, bananas with blueberries and cheerios, bananas with raspberries and cheerios, yogurt
Lunch: squash with zucchini, potatoes with peas and red peppers, a mix of carrots, green beans, peas, and corn, tomato and pepper (trying this week)
Dinner: chicken with carrots and celery, chicken with lettuce and cheese, chicken with cottage cheese, chicken with broccoli, pork with mac-n-cheese and broccoli, beef with lettuce and cheese
Things she has tried just by themselves: yellow pepper, red pepper, green pepper rings from Murray's, pickle, lemon, tomato, grapes, black olive, frozen juice pop, ice cream, watermelon, tofu
Any more ideas or suggestions? I think I have 3 or 4 more weeks with her at home.

This isn't the greatest picture, but Alia is standing all by herself. The video isn't the greatest either. I had to shoot from outside the play yard because when the camera's out all Alia wants to do is get it. But, you can see her standing. Hopefully, I will be able to get better quality evidence soon.

Look at my pretty dress! (It's from Aunt Michelle)

She had been eating a frozen juice bar and just realized that she was done and I had taken the wrapper away. Either that or she had really bad brain freeze.

Alia and Aunt Michelle

Watching the fireworks.

Watching the grand finale of the fireworks.

Ummm...we went to the park today!

Alia stood by herself today for like 5 seconds. She didn't stand up by herself, but stayed standing without me holding her or her holding onto something else.