2008 IN REVIEW

Filed Under Bailey's Birthday, Christmas, Cloth Diapering, Daddy, Disney Vacation, Eighteen Months, Eleven Months, Fifteen Months, Firsts, Fourteen Months, Hair, Halloween, Nineteen Months, Play, Professional Pictures, Seventeen Months, Sixteen Months, Ten Months, Thirteen Months, Twelve Months, Twenty Months | 4 Comments

We were so blessed with a wonderful year. No major catastrophes, no deaths in our families, a daughter who has stayed healthy (with the exception of a few colds) and continued to grow and learn and amaze us… Here are the highlights of our year.

January- please note her lack of hair, compared to now

February- and Bailey is walking!

March

April- happy first birthday, Bailey!

May

June

July

August

September- Jonathon and I went to Disney World

October

November

December

Happy New Year!

Mixed Emotions About Upcoming 11 Month Post

Filed Under Being a Mom, Ten Months, Thoughts | 6 Comments

I am mentally preparing myself for writing her eleven month post tomorrow… and slightly freaking out that it’s her last monthly post before she is a whole YEAR old! So bittersweet. She is turning into such an amazing little person, but she’s just growing way too fast. Sometimes I like to dress her “babyish” because she’s still my little baby, but other times I want her to be a big girl and look… I don’t know, not like a baby. I am torn.

Here she is on one of those days. Dressed so grown up that she breaks my heart. I mean, my kid cannot possibly be big enough to wear jeans and a t-shirt. But she is. And she looks good. A little too grown up, but good.

Wordless Wednesday- Keeping up with Bailey

Filed Under Ten Months, Wordless Wednesday | 6 Comments

Except this isn’t wordless at all. And it’s still Tuesday.

The other day I took pictures throughout the morning of a few of the messes Bailey made or things she got into. Just so Jonathon could see that I really am busy all day and not just sitting around. In case his day alone with her last week wasn’t enough proof.

Here she is dumping a load of clean laundry that Jonathon brought upstairs and then left unattended. She loves to help me “sort” laundry in the laundry room too… until she gets distracted by the excitement of opening and closing the dryer.

Opening the kitchen cabinets. No, they are not locked/childproofed. Partly because we want to teach her to stay out of stuff, and partly because the locks we bought were too big for the knobs and slid right off. We don’t want to drill into the cabinets and there’s nothing in there she can hurt herself with.

She has really had fun with this box of popcorn left from Halloween. She pushes it all around the kitchen and living room. She takes out a few packets of popcorn every three feet or so, and leaves them, then moves on to her next “delivery spot.” After she has delivered all of them, she returns and collects them back up. It’s really funny to watch.

And here she is after getting busted for getting into something else- and now she is escaping the scene

Crappy Napper

Filed Under Baby Gear, Sleep, Ten Months | 7 Comments

20 minutes this morning, 40 this afternoon. If I try to buckle her into her bouncy seat in front of a Baby Einstein video for a few more minutes of peace, this is what happens:

Such a big girl!

Filed Under Milestones, Ten Months | 6 Comments

I can’t believe all the new developments! Yesterday she was really showing off some of her new skills and I managed to get a few pictures. Plus some snot.

Chatting on the phone- she loves to walk around with the phone and either say “Haaaaaaaaa” and hold it on her shoulder, or press all the buttons.

She has figured out how to play the xylophone

Continues to love to read…upside down…

And her most exciting accomplishment- walking! She would rather walk than crawl, now. She can also get to standing without pulling up on anything, WHILE holding a toy! She can read a book standing up, and she can bend over to pick something up without falling- sometimes. Way to go, Bailey

Language Skills

Filed Under Books, Talking, Ten Months | 1 Comment

I was just telling Kelli about some more things Bailey can say/understand and I realized I need to write them down. I also need to be better about transferring from the blog to the baby book. Anyway here are the new developments:

When she frantically waves, she sometimes says “Haaaaaaaaaa” or “Hehhhhh” which we are interpreting to be “hi.” It is always in a very excited and slightly squealy voice.

Today I kept telling her “book” every time (all four million of them) that she handed me her Moo, Baa, La la la book. Finally when she handed it to me she said, “Buh.” Several different times.

I know these aren’t huge words or anything, but it is a sign that she is trying to make words and communicate!

Also, Jonathon has become “Dad-deeeee” and everyone else, including me, grandparents, and random strangers, are called “Da da.” I try over and over to tell her that I am Mama, but to no avail.

She is definitely understanding more. We were playing in the living room today and she was really busy at her learning table. I told her Grandpa was coming, and she immediately crawled over to the top of the steps to watch the front door. I couldn’t believe that she understood that! She also understands nurse and will try to lift up my shirt or lean her face against me if I say it! Also when I said, “See ya later” tonight she waved to me. Her receptive language is really improving.

Snot Update

Filed Under Sick, TMI, Ten Months | 1 Comment

The moment you’ve all been waiting for…

Bailey’s snot/coughing/sickness seemed worse this morning. She was having spells where she would cough until she started gagging, and I was about to call the pediatrician. Then, miraculously, the coughing decreased. This is her third day on her antibiotic but it’s for her ears, since supposedly the respiratory stuff is viral, so I guess we just have to wait it out.

She has eaten/nursed really well up until today but it’s kind of been a battle finding foods she likes today. She has eaten about ten thousand puffs and some Dutch Apple Dessert. Oh and a little yogurt this morning. Tonight I am working childcare at church but she will be staying home with Daddy. I’m not sure whether she’s contagious anymore but she definitely needs to rest and not be exposed to anything else right now. If she goes with me she is up at least an hour past her bedtime, and she has been going to bed early for the past few nights, so I don’t think that would go over too well.

Also when she coughs something up, she chews on it and swallows it. Yum.

Wordless Wednesday- Apple head

Filed Under Ten Months, Wordless Wednesday | 8 Comments

My Day Off

Filed Under Avon, Crafts, Ten Months | 2 Comments

Before I forget, here are the flowers Jonathon got me on Saturday:

Today Jonathon had a day off work because of snow, so I decided to use one of my day off cards that he gave me for Valentine’s Day. I slept in until almost 9:00, which was WONDERFUL. Then I checked email and read some blogs, then headed over to my mom’s house to make some greeting cards and pick up some money from people at her work that she delivered Avon to. We spent about four hours gabbing and crafting and eating lunch. Then she let me try this awesome new Ped Egg. I might have to order one since they’re buy one get one free!

Once I got home I used my Pedi Peels from Avon (they get your feet all un-gunky and make them so nice and smooth) and then painted my toenails. I seriously feel like I had a real pedicure. So it wasn’t quite as relaxing, but it was much cheaper!

The only downside of being gone all day today was that I had to scrape off my car before leaving my parents house. There was eight inches of snow on my car! The drive home wasn’t bad since they had been plowing/salting all day, but have I mentioned that they don’t plow our neighborhood? That should be illegal. You’d think we live in the boonies or something. Um, with these taxes someone could get their lazy butt out here with a plow. Thanks. But it was nice coming home to my little Muffin (and of course my husband, too, LOL). When I walked in she yelled “HI!” and started waving frantically. It was the best moment of my whole day.

Here’s a fun messy face picture from dinner tonight.

Bailey seems to be feeling better today. She’s less grumpy and I think coughing less. She is also taking more and more steps- about 8 or 10 at a time I think- and can turn around while walking! Tonigh she had a lot of fun putting these plastic balls in her rocking chair/seat and then taking them back out… over and over… but of course we think it’s fabulous no matter what she does

The Terrible Horrible Awful Day

Filed Under Difficult Stuff, Pediatrician, Sick, Ten Months | 4 Comments

Today we took Bailey to the ped for a cough- she has another ear infection. They are guessing that since there was still fluid at her re-check from her first one, it got infected more easily again. So then we waited AN HOUR at the grocery store for her prescriptions- antibiotic and the damn prescription cold meds that you can’t buy OTC anymore. That’s a rant for another day.

So we get home and Jonathon decides he’s going to go to work for a few hours. I gave B a bath and then sat her down outside the bathroom so that she could go in the living room and play while I went in our bathroom to poop. THUD. Jonathon didn’t close the baby gate when he left. She rolled down like six stairs and hit the front door at the bottom. Went to pick her up and she was crying so hard she wasn’t making any noise- that’s the worst kind of cry After nursing her for a minute or two I got her settle down and she already had a huge lump on the side of her head. I called Jonathon hysterical and he turned around and came home and proceeded to yell at me for not checking if the gate was closed.

We called the ped (now for the 3rd time today cuz we also had to call from the grocery store) and she had us check pupils, swelling, movement, etc and asked about whether she cried right away and stuff. Bailey seems to be totally fine other than a bump but it was seriously the scaries thing I have ever had happen. I know that was so stupid on our part and it just happened so fast. Please make a habit of closing your baby gates even if the baby is in bed or not in that room. Jonathon thought she was going straight to nap so didn’t close it

Bailey’s dress

Filed Under Clothes, Gifts, Ten Months | 1 Comment

I realized that the post with pictures of this dress disappeared somehow when i was changing stuff in my blog. Um, I should say when Jonathon was changing stuff. I have no idea what I am doing or how to do it. He is my computer guy Anyway, this is a dress that Bailey’s aunt and uncle gave her a few weeks ago. I appreciate the thought, but seriously- a short sleeve summer-ish Valentine’s dress for winter in Missouri? And did it really have to have Raggedy Ann on it? So that is why we took pictures- to send to them with their thank you note- and now the dress will return to her closet!

“Okay, Mom, enough with the camera stuff!”

Toofer #3

Filed Under Teething, Ten Months | Leave a Comment

Forgot to post this sooner- Bailey’s third tooth showed up on Monday. Well, it might have actually broken through before then, but I noticed it on Monday. Here’s the weird thing: She has her two bottom middle teeth… so the next one should be top middle, right? Nope, it’s the one NEXT to the top middle, on the right. So my kid is going to look like a jack-o-lantern when it comes all the way in.

At least that explains the repeated biting during nursing and early morning wakings. Again. It is getting easier to predict when she’s cutting a tooth. As of sometime Sunday, she was back to herself so I figured it must be breaking through.

Playdate last week (not so wordless Wedneday)

Filed Under Home Sweet Home, Play, Ten Months, Wordless Wednesday | Leave a Comment

I hosted a playdate at our house last week. It went better than I expected in a lot of ways. I am a horrible hostess, and I hate hostess-ing. I am just not good at being hospitable and helpful and letting people put their shoes on my couch. But I decided to suck it up and invite my moms group over here. There were six babies and some preschoolers. I don’t know if I have mentioned this before, but my living room is not exactly large.

Anyway, we survived. The babies (and moms) seemed to have fun. Nobody got hurt. Nobody got mad at me. For some reason, I am really worried about people being mad lately. And I have been stressed out about my blog. Learning WordPress. Griping about our server. (Basically talking a lot about things I don’t understand). But enough of that. Here are some pictures from the playdate. And a promise that I will be back to my regular posting. I can’t believe how much I have missed blogging!

Bailey has a serious fascination with waterbottles! She has managed to take the lid off of one of them and spill it all over the floor. It may have just been an accident but I keep a close eye on her now!

Can you believe all these babies in one room? And it’s not a Gymboree class or anything; it’s my house!

Bailey with her friend Kaitlynn, whose birthday party we went to this past weekend… more on that later.

Just thinking

Filed Under Being a Mom, Breastfeeding, Ten Months | Leave a Comment

After Bailey woke up from her nap we were laying in my bed together. We were side by side, facing each other. She was nursing, and her little legs were rubbing against my thighs as she wiggled. It made me think about her fitting inside my tummy. That seems like such an impossibility then… but back then, it seemed impossible to imagine her as a real baby. It’s just funny how our reality changes as life changes. And it’s almost impossible to remember how things were “before.” I know I was very happy and carefree before, but it’s strange to think that I could have been happy without her. She just seems such a part of my world- like a piece that completes me- and I don’t know what I did before. Then when she finished eating, we laid there and poked at each other and laughed and snuggled. Nothing could be better.

So I guess my ten month post sappiness just kicked in late. LOL

On another note, I would not mind getting some fitness equipment, seeing as I have not dragged my butt to the gym in like a month and this whole breastfeeding this just is NOT helping with weight loss like it’s supposed to. I am reminded of that when Bailey grabs my belly. Ick.

10 Months

Filed Under Milestones, Ten Months | 3 Comments

I can’t believe it, Muffie. You are ten months old. For some reason, this month didn’t make me as sad as when you turned nine months. Nine months just seemed so significant. Ten months, well, it’s been a crazy ride so far!

Saturday was your official “birthday” of being ten months. We spent the afternoon at Chuck e Cheese for AJ’s birthday party. There wasn’t much there you could do, but you seemed to have fun anyway. We tried to make you go on some of the rides but you weren’t interested. You tolerated them for a little bit and then held up your arms for us to pick you up.

You continue to be very busy. You are taking steps on your own now! About three to four steps is your average. You are so determined, and you love trying to walk. I have a feeling it won’t be long. You are also very wiggly during diaper changes, and you don’t like to sit still long enough to get dressed. It’s gotten difficult! You also have strong preferences when it comes to food (no pureed peas, squash, or peaches) and books (you LOVE the book I Love You Through and Through- if we try to read you something else before bed, you look for that one in the bin next to your rocking chair). You definitely have opinions.

Two weeks ago, you weighed 18 pounds and 1 ounce and you were 27 1/4 inches long. It was your belated nine month checkup. You are in about the 40-45 percentile for height and weight, and your head is in the 90th. I guess that’s why we have trouble pulling your shirts over your head Your doctor said you are doing great. You are meeting all your developmental milestones (and you’re ahead on a lot of them too!) and you are healthy and happy.

Yesterday, you definitely started saying “Da-Da” to Daddy! At first we weren’t sure if it was just coincidence… but it has been consistent. If we say, “Say Da-Da” you will just whisper it. But you also do it on your own, too. It’s so cute and makes your daddy so happy! Now we will have to work on saying Mama

You play your xylophone with the wrong end of the mallet. You can put your Peek a Blocks in the giraffe’s mouth now. You have figured out how to roll the balls down the track on your big toy in the living room. On Sunday you reached in the potty and splashed in the water. You like to empty trashcans and open cabinets. You love to turn on the tv and change the channels. I try to catch you and stop you. We want you to learn right from wrong, but also to be free to explore. It’s hard finding a balance of what to let go and what to correct you on.

You are my joy, and you make every day exciting. I can’t wait to see what this next month has in store!

Love, Mommy

(This picture was taken during one of our struggles to get you dressed)