Have you ever been so exhausted that you just passed out where you were?

Yeah, me too.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….

*drools on floor*

A few pictures as we eat lunch on the balcony, enjoying the first nice days of summer.

Happy on Mom’s lap

All smiles today!

Being outside is great!

What color are Juliette’s eyes?

Juliette is just starting on solid foods, and so far she’s showing her French side and eating everything that’s presented to her with gusto. She loves just about any fruit compote — bananas, pears, apples, plums, cherries, raspberries — they’re all big hits.

Savory foods are a little more hit-and-miss. Carrots were a big hit, but pumpkin was less popular. Peas were viewed with some skepticism at first, but eventually accepted after a few tries.

Tonight was the ultimate test for any parent. Spinach.

“Hey, Mom… What’s for dinner?”

“What the hell… I’ll try anything once.”

“Is this food meant for actual humans?”

“It’s not so bad once you get used to it.”

“Hey, Juliette,” joked Dad, “you’ve got a little something on your chin.”

A few days ago, Juliette learned about splashing. Not uncontrolled, flailing movements like when she was little. No. Deliberate, controlled kicking and thrashing of the arms, guaranteed to soak everything within a meter of the tub.

Mom and Dad tried to distract Juliette with toys, but to no avail. Mom and Dad got soaked.

So we finally bought Juliette a duck bath that goes inside the big bathtub, and now she can splash to her little heart’s content. And she does! She nearly empties half the bath with her splashing.

Now if only they’d figure out a way for Dad to give her a bath so close to the ground without giving himself a terrible back-ache. But that’s a post for another day.

“Uh, a little privacy, Dad? I’m trying to read my book.”

“Bathtime is SO MUCH FUN!”

Trying to empty the entire contents of the tub by splashing.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Shortly after starting her maternity leave, in December, Aude decided that she would knit a jacket for Juliette.

It turns out that maternity leave isn’t six months of quietly sitting on a couch with your feet up, diligently knitting late into the evenings. So it’s taken six months to finish the jacket, just in time for 30C degree summer weather.

The yarn was a hand-me-down from Aude’s aunt. She had originally bought it to knit something for her teenage granddaughter, but her granddaughter took one look at the yarn and rejected it out of hand. Having seen the finished product on Juliette, I can’t help thinking that the granddaughter was probably right. 😛

“Seriously? You seriously want me to wear this?”

“Haha!”

Mommy’s making faces!

It seems like just yesterday that Juliette was born, and we’ve already reached the half-year mark! Maybe it’s because it seems like just yesterday that we finally had our last day of winter.

Juliette is officially “½”!

The Amazon delivery man’s bag overfloweth today. In with the baby bath, swimming aids, diaper cream, and several toys was Juliette’s very chic Hoppop Trono highchair.

Dad normally despises all things plastic, but he made an exception this time. The grey chair looks really good with the rest of our dining room furniture, and Juliette loves being at the same level as us.

Is it time for dinner yet?

Check out my stylish new high-chair!

Dad’s jokes are even funnier at eye-level!

Baby’s “firsts” are interesting. Some are long anticipated, and you see your baby edge nearer and nearer to being capable. Others catch you by surprise.

We put Juliette into her recliner this evening, like every evening, and went in the kitchen to prepare her bottle. When we came out, we found that she’d worked out how to sit herself up. She was peering around the corner and trying to figure out what was going on.

Pleased as punch, was our little Juliette, with her newfound skill. Sitting up on her own (unsupported) can’t be too far away…

“What’s going on in the kitchen, Dad? Let me take a closer look!”

Sitting up is great!

Proud of her new skill…

After months and months of rain, the weather finally cleared up and yesterday was the perfect summer afternoon — warm, blue skies, and plenty of sunshine. It was also a great excuse to head down to the pool for our first swim.

Juliette and Dad

Juliette’s working on her tan

Our swimming pool

Busy on a warm summer’s day…

Hanging out with Dad

Juliette and Mom at the pool

The first tentative steps into the pool

“I’m not 100% sure about this…”

Riding an elephant!

Yep. Found Nemo. In the most unlikely spot…

Comparing feet!

She’s still got me wrapped around her finger.

Juliette went in for her six-month check-up and vaccination booster today, and it looks like her early growth spurt is slowing down a little. She weighs in at a healthy 7.2kg (that’s 16 pounds to those of you still using old money) and she’s 67cm long. That still makes her a very tall baby, something we’ve noticed when we see her next to other babies of the same age at daycare, but it might be a little premature to sign her up for the WNBA quite yet.

Absolutely average weight, and a little on the tall side