That time of year.

Middle of November?  Already?  My baby is almost 5 months old?  Already?  Wild.  I do like to live in the moment, but I can't help but think "middle of November" means "almost December" which means "almost Christmas season."  And I LOVE and live for Christmas season.  Especially now.  Sure, Riley isn't going to be old enough to know what Christmas is, but who cares.  She's old enough to be fascinated with the tree and the lights, to listen to her mama sing Christmas music, to put on Christmas jammies, and to sit (and probably cry) on Santa's lap.  Can't. wait.  She may not know what presents are, but I bet she will be stoked to eat the wrapping paper.

The weird thing is, being in New Zealand, Christmas is in the summer.  It's warm.  It's sunny.  The sun doesn't go down til 9pm.  Totally different vibe than a winter Christmas.  But we're headed back to good ole California in just 3 weeks time, and even though we will be leaving summer weather to come back for winter, I can't wait.  It means snuggling up by the fire, and drinking hot chocolate, and wearing big warm sweaters and scarves, and putting baby in the warmest little hats.  Can't wait.  Oh yeah, and it means reuniting with family and friends!  And, Riley might even get to see her first snow.

But until then, we'll enjoy the summer weather.  The fact that we don't have to have the heaters going at all hours (and thus spend a fortune on our energy bill... ouch).  The fact that she can lounge around in a short sleeve onesie.  The fact that we don't need multiple layers and blankets to go outside.  The fact that we don't have to hurry and dress the baby ASAP after getting out of the bath, lest she might freeze.  In fact, now she kind of likes playing naked in her towel...

Or, uhhh, eating her towel.

She is getting so much more fun each and every single day!  And.  AND.  She slept through the night for the very first time the other night.  Of course I kept waking up wondering why she wasn't awake yet, but no matter.  She slept from 8pm to almost 5am!!!!!  Lots of exclamation marks = me SO SO SO excited.  Seriously.  I was so excited I was foaming at the mouth.  Oh wait.  That was my baby. 

Those bubbles seem to be permanently attached to her face.  But she makes it a cute look, no?  We go through multiple outfits a day because of this little drooly (that's totally a word) baby... I suppose we could put a bib on her, but then she just wants to try and eat it all day.  Plus, kid's got a lot of clothes.  We can afford multiple outfit changes right now. In fact, I change her clothes so many times, I don't even make an effort to match/coordinate what she wears.  She doesn't seem to mind.  (Why hello there, stripes and polka dots.  You look wonderful together.)

She's mastered tummy time.  Totally rocks it.  Hardly even cries anymore.  She even pushes up with her arms.  And it only took almost 5 months.  :)

In fact, I might even go so far as to say that she even LIKES tummy time.  Never thought I'd see the day.

LOVE that face.  Melts my heart every. single. time.