Eight months... wow...I know I say that every month... but wow! Where has the time gone. I can not believe it.
At 6:13 this morning Abby, you were snuggled up next to me in bed. You little mouth purring away. Your arm flung over the cover. Your face smashed in the bed. You were a little antsy last night, so at 5, I brought you to bed with me, so I could sleep!!! This past month, you've gotten sooooooooo much better with your sleep. You've even transition to sleeping in your crib, in your room! I couldn't believe it was so easy. I still wake up a couple of times a night and listen close to the monitor. I feel so relieved when I can hear your quite snoring.
Another big transition this month, is we are no longer breastfeeding. Over the month, we weaned off. You didn't seem content anymore. I felt like you weren't getting enough. Vacations messed us up. But you are happy with it. I think it was your choice. I'm ok with it, but I already miss it. I told myself that we would continue the early morning and bedtime feeds, but you didn't want those. I just think there wasn't anything for you to get. You go nuts when you see a bottle. Particularly if you can't have a bottle. You take the bottle good and you love it.
You also continue to eat well. You love all the fruits and veggies. Your new favorite snack is yogurt bites. You can pinch and pick them up really well. You immediately put it in your mouth and "chew".
You still don't have any teeth. Maybe soon. I'm having a hard time guessing what "teething" looks like. Some days I think you are, and then some days not. They will come when they come.
You also aren't on the move yet, but you are sooooooo close. You push up when you are on your belly. You just haven't figured out what to do with your legs yet. I'm not rushing for you to be mobile, but I think watching you try is precious. You can easily pull up though. With minimal support you can get to standing. You haven't figured out how to pull up on your own though, but I know it won't take long. Its already time to lower the crib.
You still are quite curious at everything. You still love people, although you are extra clingy to me at times. You have a smile that lights up the room and you are not afraid to flash it.
You still are a little petite peanut. 6 month ones are still long. You have no bum, so 3 month pants are a good fit. 3-6 month pants have a little extra room. 6 month pants almost fall off. You have so many clothes right now, its shameful. I try to rotate through everything so you get a chance to wear it all.
You are still in size 2 diapers. You've become a wiggle worm on the changing table. You get mad that you can't sit up. We try to sing songs or be silly at that time to help distract you.
You love the water, except the shower. You love the pool and the bath. You like to splash with your hands. You laugh when it gets you in the face.
You've really discovered Woody this month. You like it when he licks you in the face, although I don't like it when he does that. You like to "pet" him. Which means you like to pull his hair. He is becoming more patient with you, but I think that will take time from both of you. I think he's a little overwhelmed with all the attention you receive (and he does not).
I know it seems fast to me and slow to every one else, but I can't believe its been 8 months already. I still feel blessed every day. I still hug you and squeeze you and thank God everyday for gifting me with you.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
I've gone Granola
I'm becoming one of those crunchy, granola moms.... the ones who breast feed, and baby wear, and make their baby clothes, and...
This weekend, I made my own baby food.
I never had intentions of making all of Abby's food. I think the Gerber containers are just fine. She loves them. They have a wide variety of fruits and veggies. They are easy to store and carry on the go.
I purchased a box of produce that came with a mix of things. I planned out meals for each. But I was lost at a few items. Sweet potatoes. We don't really ever eat sweet potatoes. But Abby does, and she loves them. So I thought, how hard could it be? Its just mashed up potatoes, right.
Right! I peeled and steamed all 3 pounds of potatoes. The simmered in the steamer for 20 minutes. I poured them in a bowl and went to town with the immersion blender. I added some water to thin it out, but in a few minutes, it looked just like the things that come in the container. It even tasted good.
I ended up with two and half ice cube trays of sweet potatoes. I really don't know how much that converts too. I would think she would eat 3 cubes at a time. So it will last a while. I also got a whole tray of carrots.
I don't know what other foods I will try. I just did those because I didn't want them to go to waste, and they came in the box, I couldn't choose something else. If the opportunity comes up again, I will give it a whirl. Saving a few pennies here and there can't hurt can it!!!
This weekend, I made my own baby food.
I never had intentions of making all of Abby's food. I think the Gerber containers are just fine. She loves them. They have a wide variety of fruits and veggies. They are easy to store and carry on the go.
I purchased a box of produce that came with a mix of things. I planned out meals for each. But I was lost at a few items. Sweet potatoes. We don't really ever eat sweet potatoes. But Abby does, and she loves them. So I thought, how hard could it be? Its just mashed up potatoes, right.
Right! I peeled and steamed all 3 pounds of potatoes. The simmered in the steamer for 20 minutes. I poured them in a bowl and went to town with the immersion blender. I added some water to thin it out, but in a few minutes, it looked just like the things that come in the container. It even tasted good.
I ended up with two and half ice cube trays of sweet potatoes. I really don't know how much that converts too. I would think she would eat 3 cubes at a time. So it will last a while. I also got a whole tray of carrots.
I don't know what other foods I will try. I just did those because I didn't want them to go to waste, and they came in the box, I couldn't choose something else. If the opportunity comes up again, I will give it a whirl. Saving a few pennies here and there can't hurt can it!!!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Big Girl Bed
Abby has always slept upstairs with us in the pack and play. First, in our room. That lasted a night and Gene kicked her out for making too much noise. So we moved her into the upstairs den. Close enough, but yet far enough we couldn't hear her. Perfect.
After coming home from the beach, we moved her even further, into the book nook. Hoping the noise and temperature would be different and she would sleep better. Well, she has. For two nights in a row, she didn't wake up wanting to eat. She would whimper for a paci, and we would shuffle over and soothe her, but that's all it took.
Last night she feel asleep while we were downstairs watching tv. I carried her to her bed to let her sleep there. When it came time for us to go to bed, I contemplated moving her. I typically would pick her up and carry her upstairs to the PNP. I asked Gene, What should we do?
We decided to leave her and see how it goes. We took the monitor upstairs with us. Just and audio monitor, man would I love to have a video monitor. She made a few peeps, but soothed herself back to sleep. Around 3:00 Gene woke up and realized the monitor was out of batteries. Whoops!
I went to retrieve the charger and check on Abby. She was sound a sleep, snoring away in her crib like a big girl.
I heard a few more peeps out of her again before I woke up, but it wasn't a cry for help. Just her trying to get comfy.
She looked so peaceful in her big girl bed when I left for work this morning. I'm so proud of her for learning to sleep on her own. Sleep training is hard and I'm not sure I ever had the patience to go through with it. Why would I let her cry when I know all she needs is the paci? But then again, are we building a dependency on the paci?
For now, its just one night at a time. We still don't have teeth, so I'm sure when those start to come in, sleep might get a little shaky. But for now, every one is enjoying being more rested.
After coming home from the beach, we moved her even further, into the book nook. Hoping the noise and temperature would be different and she would sleep better. Well, she has. For two nights in a row, she didn't wake up wanting to eat. She would whimper for a paci, and we would shuffle over and soothe her, but that's all it took.
Last night she feel asleep while we were downstairs watching tv. I carried her to her bed to let her sleep there. When it came time for us to go to bed, I contemplated moving her. I typically would pick her up and carry her upstairs to the PNP. I asked Gene, What should we do?
We decided to leave her and see how it goes. We took the monitor upstairs with us. Just and audio monitor, man would I love to have a video monitor. She made a few peeps, but soothed herself back to sleep. Around 3:00 Gene woke up and realized the monitor was out of batteries. Whoops!
I went to retrieve the charger and check on Abby. She was sound a sleep, snoring away in her crib like a big girl.
I heard a few more peeps out of her again before I woke up, but it wasn't a cry for help. Just her trying to get comfy.
She looked so peaceful in her big girl bed when I left for work this morning. I'm so proud of her for learning to sleep on her own. Sleep training is hard and I'm not sure I ever had the patience to go through with it. Why would I let her cry when I know all she needs is the paci? But then again, are we building a dependency on the paci?
For now, its just one night at a time. We still don't have teeth, so I'm sure when those start to come in, sleep might get a little shaky. But for now, every one is enjoying being more rested.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Hiya Dada
We've got ourselves a chatty one folks. She it part parrot, I'm sure. She's gotten really good a mimicking sounds. Her favorites are hey, or hiya. And dada. She still doesn't say dada with any direction, meaning she doesn't know the association between dada and Dada.
Its really cute listening to her talk. Especially when she's playing by herself. Its like she's talking to her toys. She also likes to talk in the car seat.
I can't wait to hear what words come out next. We are working on mama, doggy and joe joe. But it's not rush, she will be coherent soon enough and I'm worried she won't ever be quiet!
Its really cute listening to her talk. Especially when she's playing by herself. Its like she's talking to her toys. She also likes to talk in the car seat.
I can't wait to hear what words come out next. We are working on mama, doggy and joe joe. But it's not rush, she will be coherent soon enough and I'm worried she won't ever be quiet!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Cha-Cha-Changes
We moved the pack in play. I don't know if its coincidence or not, but man has see been sleeping better. It occurred to us that maybe where she was, it wasn't conducive to good sleep. It wasn't far from the door way to our room, which doesn't have a door. So she got a lot of light and sound from the TV in our room. It was near the air vent, so that would make noise through the night. And it was kinda cool in the spot where she was.
So we decided, once we returned home from vacation, that she should move. We moved her into the book nook upstairs. The PNP fit perfectly in that spot. It was a lot quieter, darker and warmer. She has slept magnificently. She still gets up once a night to feed, but she's not crying for the paci that much and she's going right back to sleep.
Again, I don't know if its coincidence. Could it be just her age and maturity. Maybe. Could it be better surroundings, maybe. As soon as she learns to put her own paci in at night, we can transition down stairs to the crib. We've also started to let her cry it out some when we know its just a paci she wants. There are usually several in the bed with her, so she can easily find one if she wants to.
She has learned to flip to her stomach in her sleep, and sometimes she cries because she can't figure out how to get back. Usually her one arm is stuck in a weird way and she can't get back over. Her cry is definitely a more "help me" cry. By the time we've figured out she's stuck and not just whimpering, she's too wound up to go right back. As few minutes of snuggling usually does the trick.
We've also moved her car seat. For some reason, and I don't remember my exact thoughts, I wanted the seat installed on the passengers side of the car. I think it had something to do with keyless entry and automatic unlock, but that has since been proven invalid. So for the trip to the beach, we moved her to the drivers side, because the passengers side has always been JJ's spot and he was perturbed that he was moved. (Really I think Gene was more upset about the switch, so I agreed).
It took her a while to realize the window was on the other side. And I'm still adjusting to what I see in the mirror. I need to look to the left not the right in the rear now. I also need to remember not to go around to the other side when I go to put her in. The hardest part is training my left hand to press the release button while the right grabs the seat. I'm not left hand dominate and its tricky sometimes. We do have a convertible seat for her, but I'm just not ready to give up the bucket yet. She still falls asleep in the car. Usually at least 3 days a week when I pick her up she will fall asleep and take a little cat nap when we get home. Its so nice to just let her sleep while I do some chores. But that bucket is so cumbersome and she's getting heavy in it. Ahh... the decisions.
So we decided, once we returned home from vacation, that she should move. We moved her into the book nook upstairs. The PNP fit perfectly in that spot. It was a lot quieter, darker and warmer. She has slept magnificently. She still gets up once a night to feed, but she's not crying for the paci that much and she's going right back to sleep.
Again, I don't know if its coincidence. Could it be just her age and maturity. Maybe. Could it be better surroundings, maybe. As soon as she learns to put her own paci in at night, we can transition down stairs to the crib. We've also started to let her cry it out some when we know its just a paci she wants. There are usually several in the bed with her, so she can easily find one if she wants to.
She has learned to flip to her stomach in her sleep, and sometimes she cries because she can't figure out how to get back. Usually her one arm is stuck in a weird way and she can't get back over. Her cry is definitely a more "help me" cry. By the time we've figured out she's stuck and not just whimpering, she's too wound up to go right back. As few minutes of snuggling usually does the trick.
We've also moved her car seat. For some reason, and I don't remember my exact thoughts, I wanted the seat installed on the passengers side of the car. I think it had something to do with keyless entry and automatic unlock, but that has since been proven invalid. So for the trip to the beach, we moved her to the drivers side, because the passengers side has always been JJ's spot and he was perturbed that he was moved. (Really I think Gene was more upset about the switch, so I agreed).
It took her a while to realize the window was on the other side. And I'm still adjusting to what I see in the mirror. I need to look to the left not the right in the rear now. I also need to remember not to go around to the other side when I go to put her in. The hardest part is training my left hand to press the release button while the right grabs the seat. I'm not left hand dominate and its tricky sometimes. We do have a convertible seat for her, but I'm just not ready to give up the bucket yet. She still falls asleep in the car. Usually at least 3 days a week when I pick her up she will fall asleep and take a little cat nap when we get home. Its so nice to just let her sleep while I do some chores. But that bucket is so cumbersome and she's getting heavy in it. Ahh... the decisions.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Bronze Goddess
While I was pregnant, Gene and I would fantasize about what features Abby might have and which traits each of us had that we would want her to have.
There were things we knew she would get just because the gene pool was limited... like her brown hair and her small stature.
But, Gene wanted her to have my eyes- yep.. she's got the baby blues
And I wanted her to have Gene's skin tone. Gene can tan under a table lamp. He immediately turns brown. Its ridiculous how tan he can get in no time. He always has a warm glow to him. All I do is burn!
Well, after a week at the beach, its safe to say she's got his color. She's a nice toasty color all over. Even with applying and reapplying SPF 50 all the time on her. She just soaks in the rays. It really makes her blue eyes pop.
She loves the sun. She loved the sand and the surf. The experience was enjoyable for everyone. We received so many compliments on how cute she was. I couldn't help but smile. Yes, she's cute, and no I'm not partial. Ok, maybe just a little. I did compare her to other babies out there, and yes, she was the cutest. But who doesn't love it when a toothless, blue eyed beauty smiles and coos at you.
We're raising a water baby, I'm sure!
There were things we knew she would get just because the gene pool was limited... like her brown hair and her small stature.
But, Gene wanted her to have my eyes- yep.. she's got the baby blues
And I wanted her to have Gene's skin tone. Gene can tan under a table lamp. He immediately turns brown. Its ridiculous how tan he can get in no time. He always has a warm glow to him. All I do is burn!
Well, after a week at the beach, its safe to say she's got his color. She's a nice toasty color all over. Even with applying and reapplying SPF 50 all the time on her. She just soaks in the rays. It really makes her blue eyes pop.
She loves the sun. She loved the sand and the surf. The experience was enjoyable for everyone. We received so many compliments on how cute she was. I couldn't help but smile. Yes, she's cute, and no I'm not partial. Ok, maybe just a little. I did compare her to other babies out there, and yes, she was the cutest. But who doesn't love it when a toothless, blue eyed beauty smiles and coos at you.
We're raising a water baby, I'm sure!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Lucky Seven
Happy 7 months! You are over 1/2 a year old. I can't believe it. That last month went by so fast. Just like all the rest I guess. Your birthday will be here before we know it.
You continue to blossom into a happy girl. You love to smile. You love people who smile at you. You generally have a very happy disposition. You get cranky when you have to play by yourself. You like to be able to see Mommy or Daddy. If we leave the room, you get upset. This happens a lot at night time.
This month you've learned to sit up on your own. You are a rock star at it! You love to sit on the floor and play with your toys. You can even reach out and grab them and sit back up. Sometimes you will reach to far and end up flat on the floor. You'll try to get yourself up, but usually you end up crying. I can see that you will start to crawl soon when this happens. You try to scoot your arms and legs, but you just haven't quite figured it out yet. We better get ready because I think you'll be on the move soon and there won't be anything stopping you!
Now that you can sit up, you get to ride in the shopping cart when we go places. You think this is awesome. You love looking around and watching things. You do so good at sitting there and being good. Shopping is so much fun with you.
You went swimming for the first time this month! Grampa took you in the pool. You had a lot of fun, until you got hungry and tired. But we tried again the next weekend. You had so much fun with Bubbie and Mommy. You enjoyed floating in your floaty. You kicked your feet all around. You smiled and giggled when Bubbie blew bubbles underneath you. You loved to splash your hands around. We are going to the beach later this week. I can't wait to see how much you love the ocean. I think you'll be a water baby, just like you mama.
You love music. Anything that makes music makes you smile. You even start to dance. We like to listen to music while you play in the tub. We sing silly songs. You've worked more on discovering your voice this month. You learned how to squeal. Daddy didn't like that so much, but once you figured it out, you got over it and moved on to newer things. You babble a lot, but haven't put together any sounds yet. You love the A sound, so I've been working on teaching you your name.
This month you laughed on your own. Usually we had to prompt you by tickling you, but this month you decided to laugh out loud at Woody. He was playing with his toys and you thought it was the funniest thing. You let out a belly laugh so loud and cute. Just wait till you learn to play with Woody. You two will be inseparable!
You took your first long road trip this month. You went with me to a work conference in Ohio. You travelled like a champ. You were so good in the car. Lets just hope the trip to Florida is just as good.
You are still my tiny little peanut. Just at 13 pounds. You are wearing 3-6 month clothes. 3 month pants or shorts. 6 month shorts are way too big and they fall down. You're in size 2 diapers. Which are a little big, but we just fold the top down.
You've got to try lots of new foods this month. You love everything you eat. Peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, carrots, mango, prunes. You love it all. You love yogurt. You smack your lips and lick the spoon clean over strawberry yogurt. You're favorite snack is a Mum Mum. Its a rice stick that daddy calls glue. You love to hold it in your hand. It dissolves when you get it in your mouth. You get so much enjoyment out of being able to eat. You've also started to get mad when people eat and you're not. You love to nibble on table food. You like potatoes the best.
Dropping you off at daycare every day gets harder and harder. You love it there, but you've so much fun to be around, its hard for me to leave you with someone else. You always have the biggest smile when I pick you up. You give me the biggest, sweetest hug.
You got to visit with your great grandmother again this month. We went to Charlotte and you got to meet a lot of your extended family. Including your cousin Josie, who is just a few months older than you. Grammy loved seeing you again. You were all smiles for her. You jumped around in her lap and played with her face. It precious to see generations together like that.
I can't believe my baby is growing up. I'm looking forward to the next stages, but sad at all the stages that have passed and will never be again.
You continue to blossom into a happy girl. You love to smile. You love people who smile at you. You generally have a very happy disposition. You get cranky when you have to play by yourself. You like to be able to see Mommy or Daddy. If we leave the room, you get upset. This happens a lot at night time.
This month you've learned to sit up on your own. You are a rock star at it! You love to sit on the floor and play with your toys. You can even reach out and grab them and sit back up. Sometimes you will reach to far and end up flat on the floor. You'll try to get yourself up, but usually you end up crying. I can see that you will start to crawl soon when this happens. You try to scoot your arms and legs, but you just haven't quite figured it out yet. We better get ready because I think you'll be on the move soon and there won't be anything stopping you!
Now that you can sit up, you get to ride in the shopping cart when we go places. You think this is awesome. You love looking around and watching things. You do so good at sitting there and being good. Shopping is so much fun with you.
You went swimming for the first time this month! Grampa took you in the pool. You had a lot of fun, until you got hungry and tired. But we tried again the next weekend. You had so much fun with Bubbie and Mommy. You enjoyed floating in your floaty. You kicked your feet all around. You smiled and giggled when Bubbie blew bubbles underneath you. You loved to splash your hands around. We are going to the beach later this week. I can't wait to see how much you love the ocean. I think you'll be a water baby, just like you mama.
You love music. Anything that makes music makes you smile. You even start to dance. We like to listen to music while you play in the tub. We sing silly songs. You've worked more on discovering your voice this month. You learned how to squeal. Daddy didn't like that so much, but once you figured it out, you got over it and moved on to newer things. You babble a lot, but haven't put together any sounds yet. You love the A sound, so I've been working on teaching you your name.
This month you laughed on your own. Usually we had to prompt you by tickling you, but this month you decided to laugh out loud at Woody. He was playing with his toys and you thought it was the funniest thing. You let out a belly laugh so loud and cute. Just wait till you learn to play with Woody. You two will be inseparable!
You took your first long road trip this month. You went with me to a work conference in Ohio. You travelled like a champ. You were so good in the car. Lets just hope the trip to Florida is just as good.
You are still my tiny little peanut. Just at 13 pounds. You are wearing 3-6 month clothes. 3 month pants or shorts. 6 month shorts are way too big and they fall down. You're in size 2 diapers. Which are a little big, but we just fold the top down.
You've got to try lots of new foods this month. You love everything you eat. Peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, carrots, mango, prunes. You love it all. You love yogurt. You smack your lips and lick the spoon clean over strawberry yogurt. You're favorite snack is a Mum Mum. Its a rice stick that daddy calls glue. You love to hold it in your hand. It dissolves when you get it in your mouth. You get so much enjoyment out of being able to eat. You've also started to get mad when people eat and you're not. You love to nibble on table food. You like potatoes the best.
Dropping you off at daycare every day gets harder and harder. You love it there, but you've so much fun to be around, its hard for me to leave you with someone else. You always have the biggest smile when I pick you up. You give me the biggest, sweetest hug.
You got to visit with your great grandmother again this month. We went to Charlotte and you got to meet a lot of your extended family. Including your cousin Josie, who is just a few months older than you. Grammy loved seeing you again. You were all smiles for her. You jumped around in her lap and played with her face. It precious to see generations together like that.
I can't believe my baby is growing up. I'm looking forward to the next stages, but sad at all the stages that have passed and will never be again.
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