Sunday, August 12, 2012

9 Months.

Dear Skylar, This past month was the best on of my life so far. You have brought more joy than I ever thought imaginable - it keeps getting better and better!! This month I feel like you learned something new almost every day - it is amazing to watch your little hands and feet grow and to know that behind those big baby blues your little brain is going a mile a minute - soaking up new things with every waking moment! You went to your first week of VBS this month, well, part of the week anyway -- you got sick on Wednesday (102.8 fever) and ended up with Coxsackie virus - so you were home the rest of the week -- this was also your first major sickness - and boy what a yucky one! Your little mouth was covered in blisters on the inside -- and even some on the outside and you had the hardest time eating/drinking/swallowing. I am so thankful that it was only 4 days where you felt terrible (and didn't sleep through the night -- wowza!)-- and not the "average" 8-10 days -- We still were in the house for at least 10, but I was very thankful to have such a sweet, happy baby who really handled being sick way better than mommy did! :) You noticed shadows this month -- which was hilarious - I was feeding you one morning and I noticed you were staring at the tray of your high chair everytime I tried to give you a bite you would slap your hand down -- it took a few minutes (mommy is kinda slow sometimes) but I realized it was the shadow of the spoon and my hand and you were trying to catch it! So cute! You tried alot of new foods this month - and really enjoyed everything! You had lasagna, pizza, cantelope, honeydew, goldfish, grapes, grilled cheese, mashed potatoes, lima beans and raisins. The only thing that isn't really your favorite is avacado -- but I think its a texture thing more than flavor. You also learned how to (successfully) drink from your sippie cup -- you have played with one -- and used one with help before -- but now you are a pro -- usually you dump it all the way up in the air and fill your mouth to full the first time and water goes everywhere -- but once to realize that it is full, you do a really good job using it. Your daddy has always whistled to you -- and you have always watched his mouth im amazament -- on July 16 -- you whistled back -- and now you do it all.the.time. It is so cute! You will crawl around and whistle -- or when you are playing -- rarely when someone asks you to - (unless it is your dad) but I am so happy we got this on video because no one would believe me otherwise! :) You started repeating words this month - or things that sound like words...you said "Uh Oh" after I said it one day -- then the rest of the day you said "uh oh" but never again since. You started saying "hey" everytime someone picks up their phone or if you are holding a phone. You also said "bye bye" to the Target cashier (totally made his day). You can make an indian noise with your mouth and hand -- and sometimes you will grab the hand of whoever is holding you and use their hand. You also can blow rasberries on yourself or others. It is kinda gross but really funny at the same time -- you get the biggest kick out of making others laugh! You started mimicing the "fish face" -- and sometimes doing it when you give kisses. You are so sweet with your babydolls - and other real babies -- always want to give them sugar. You started getting your second tooth towards the end of the month - and other than a tiny fever -- you weren't fussy or grouchy at all. The funniest thing you have done to date happened on Monday July 30th. We went on a run in the morning and I had you set up in our room with some toys so that you could play while I showered. Apparently you would much rather get in the shower. Before I knew it I saw 2 little hands under the shower curtain and about 30 seconds later you crawled in. Fully clothed. And SOO proud of yourself. You played and played -- it was Hil.Ar.Ious. I think I laughed for 2 hours. You were soaking wet but were sad to get out when it was over. You waved bye-bye on the 7th. To cousin Jill. I'm not sure who was more excited -- me or Jill!! We were both screaming about how cute it was and then I'm pretty sure I cried! haha! I am just so proud of all you are learning! We are on the last part of your first year now. I can't believe that in 90 days you will be 1 year old. Waaahhhhh. I am so very very very proud of you and how smart and sweet you are. There are no words that could ever explain how I feel when I look at you. I can't wait to see what the next 30 days bring us, sweet girl. Mama Loves You.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

8 Months

Skylar, You just had your eight month birthday! Is that possible??? (I know, broken record!) But this has seriously been the most fun month yet! We are definitely in the groove of this mommy-daughter thing and this month was even more fun than the last! Still in size 2 diapers and 6 month clothes. Although, we did realize this month there are a couple of things you are still wearing that are 0-3 months! Ha! Makes me feel like you are still a "baby". You weighed in at 15 pounds 5 ounces at 8 months. You finally decided to roll from your back to your tummy this month. You were crawling all over the place and would roll from tummy to back and play -- but would realize you "couldn't" roll back and start flailing around like a stuck turtle. You were more than capable all along of flipping yourself back over (I mean you sit yourself up and crawl all over!!) -- you would just rather someone do it for you - stinker! You are definitely pulling up to stand on things now -- still a little unsure sometimes of how to get down -- if there is nothing for you to hold onto on the way down sometimes you just cry until someone helps you down -- I guess that is what happens when you fall a few too many times and bump your bum or head. :) We spent a little time at the pediatrician and cariologist this month to try to figure out why your lips/mouth and face will sometimes turn blue (your hands and feet too). We found out that you have PDA - Patent ductus arteriosus - a VERY mild form of it -- and your ductus arteriosus never closed all the way after birth. This is not terribly uncommon in babies who are early (especially preemies)- you were three weeks early - but normally it will correct itself in the first year. This causes you to have a slight heart mumur as well. The doctor has told us there is NOTHING to be concerned about at this point -- we have to go back after you turn 1 and if it is still open then they will do a small outpatient procedure to close it for you. I was so nervous when you were all hooked up to the machines - you had an EKG and a heart sonogram - but everyone was so sweet. Thankfully we were also referred to a super sweet cardiologist from one of mommy's friends who has a little girl with a heart defect. He was so nice and put us totally at ease. We are hoping that when we go back for your follow up - there will be no surgery and we will never have to go back again! We are so so thankful you are such a healthy, sweet, happy baby. You played peek-a-boo for the first time (well, meaning you actually played WITH mommy - instead of mommy doing all the work)! You were using the hood on your bath towel and covering your face and then popping out from under it and laughing -- everytime I would say "Where's Skylar" you would uncover your face - laugh - and then go right back in your hood. So funny. There were lots of new BIG people foods this month -- nectarine and spaghetti were your favorite! You definitely prefer to have to "chew" your food instead of being fed baby food. This makes my life a little easier since i was making your food -- now I just make sure we have lots of veggis and fruit in the house and you basically eat what we eat (minus the meat)! A few days before you turned 8 months (July 4) we saw the first signs of a tooth coming in. What a relief to me since I had been dreaming that you were never going to get teeth and we would have to get you dentures before you went to first grade! ha! Your tooth didn't actually break through the gums for almost a week after we could "see" it -- but I was relieved none the less -- now I know at least you will have one tooth before you go to school! :) We can't wait to see what you learn this next month -- your babbling has become the constant throughout the day -- and I LOVE it! I sure hope you are an early communicator -- even though everyone tells me that once you start talking I will take this statement back - I can't wait til you can "talk" -- so I can hear your little tiny voice! :) I am in love with you, sweet girl! You are beautiful, smart, funny and perfect in every way! Love, Mommy

7 months

Dear Skylar, This past month was FULL of firsts -- I am always excited to get you up in the morning because I can't wait to see what you will learn/do each day! You are still on the skinny side (but tall!) -- in 6 month clothes -- most of which are still really big on you -- alot of 3 month things you can still wear as long as they are longer! Still in size 2 diapers. I feel like you are getting bigger and bigger everyday and then we go to the nursery and I see you around other kids and immediately realize you are still my little munchkin! I hope you stay tiny -- makes me feel like I still have a baby!! You babbled "Mama" at the very begining of this month -- but are still mostly squealing or saying "dada" ALL.DAY.LONG. I really wish you would remember that "Dada" is not the one who gets you out of all those stinky diapers all day long....maybe throw a "Mama" in there every now and then! :) You sat yourself up on the May 8th - started "scooting" (which is sometimes more like a head dive) on the 9th -- crawled (a REAL crawl) for the first time on the 23rd and by the 30th we could barely keep up with you! It is CRAZY to me how quickly you are learning! You pulled up to standing for the first time on the 28th -- although I am hoping this was just a fluke!! :) You reached for me from your crib for the first time when I came to get you in the morning -- I wish I could have seen the look on my own face- I probably scared you I was so excited! You got your first insect sting (on your foot) while we were out for a run -- I felt really bad because I finished my run thinking you were just being fussy but saw the sting once we got home -- by this time you were over it --and it was my turn to cry because I felt so bad!! I sure hope I'm not ruining you completely!! :) We took you to the beach for the first time this month at the beginning of the month -- you really enjoyed watching everyone -- and you always enjoy being outside -- we didn't last very long though -- maybe 2 hours - it was too windy for our umbrella and I was so worried you would get burnt! It was nice to see you soaking up the new sights and sounds. At the end of the month we spent a week at the beach in Palm Coast with Mimi, Poppy, Candace, Colette, Stephen, Casey and our family -- you had a blast -- (although - probably not as much fun as Mimi did having you in the same house for a week!) You really enjoyed the beach and did really well outside -- I was kind of suprised! I can't wait til next summer when I know you will enjoy going to the ocean as much as I do! :) You have really enjoyed eating this month -- you had puffs, watermelon, ritz crackers, yogurt, strawberries and pancakes. I can tell you are going to be a fruit lover and you really enjoy anything you can feed yourself. You also experienced bubbles for the first time -- watching you try to catch them is hilarious and its even more funny when someone catches one for you and watching you ever so slowly try to touch it without popping it! So.stinking.cute. I know the next month is going to be crazy just because of how mobile you have become! I feel a ton of adventures coming on! :) We are so proud of you, baby girl! And so very thankful that God gave you to us! Love you, Mommy