Hannah: 8 Months

19 pounds 7 ounces

27.5 inches

My Darling Hannah,

You are 8 months old!! (Technically, after the lateness of this post you are now 8.5 months old, but for balance I'll just be writing about your 8 month things). We have made it through 3 quarters of your first year. Insane. I know I say something along those lines every month, but it truly is mind boggling how fast time flies.

This month you decided that belly sleeping was the best way to get a good rest. We lay you down in your sleep sack and you toss and turn and wiggle around for a big before settling on your belly, at an angle, with your thumb in your mouth. At first Dad and I were pretty nervous about the belly thing, but we've come to accept it's your preferred way of sleeping and trust that you'll move if you need to. We still check the monitor semi-compulsively.

We've moved to stage 2 foods, which are combined flavors and you love it. You definitely prefer hearty flavors like chicken and rice, turkey and vegetables, chicken noodle, etc. You will eat fruits but foods with a little of a more tart flavor aren't your favorite. We shoot for 2-3 solids a day (purees technically, but still) and sometimes we hit the goal, but sometime life is busy and we don't get any solids in. You're still taking 4 bottles a day and average about 28 ounces of formula a day so you're still getting your fill from bottles. We've got to time it right because if you're too hungry you don't want the food, but if you're too full you obviously don't want the food either. We still have not given you anything that isn't pureed mush. That day is fast approaching, but I'm just not ready.

We took our first family vacation to Blue Ridge, GA and in preparation for that trip we got your big girl car seat! At first you were a little unsure of the convertible seat but you've adjusted to it and seem to really like it. It's more padded, sits up higher and is generally much more comfortable. Unfortunately for the trip we put it in Dad's car and it still hasn't made it's way back to mine! So we're still using the bucket seat Grandma got us and it definitely has its pros as well. Thankfully you are still a great car rider and usually play happily and then go to sleep when you're tired. So glad you don't scream every car ride!

We've made a wonderful transition to fairly consistently taking 2-3 solid crib naps each day. You aren't on a set schedule but we know how often you nap (an hour a half after first waking in the morning, then 2 hours after waking from there on out). We tried stretching to 3 hour wake times and you will stay up that long but you aren't very happy, and unhappy babies are no fun, so we put you down after 2 hours and you most always go to sleep fairly easily. Yay! 

A big step we've decided to take is registering you for a Mother's Day Out program. You will start June 16 and do a 6 week summer program 3 days a week. In the fall you'll go 4 days a week, from 9-2. I am so excited for you to start this program, for multiple reasons. It will be so good for you to get that social experience of being with other babies. You love other kids and I think it will be hugely beneficial for your growth. It will also be great for me to be able to get a few hours a few days a week to work uninterrupted. This will help me get things done and be able to spend more quality time with you. I cherish having you home with me every day, but some days I'm not able to be fully involved with you because I'm struggling to get things done during the day and end up working in the evenings after Dad gets home and comes on duty. I want to be able to finish my work during the day (like a normal person) and then be able to enjoy the time with you and Dad, not work while you two play. We are all very excited about this new chapter and the positive effects it will have for everyone. Just another couple of weeks!

Hannah you are so close to sitting unassisted, but you just aren't quite there yet. You will sit great for 30 seconds, then "trust fall!" and you fling yourself backwards, or sideways, or forwards. It's a little annoying, but in some ways it's so endearing that you have so much trust in the world and others that there's no fear that you won't be caught every time. So when you fling yourself, I still catch you every time, but you've got to take a few falls to learn. So you fling yourself, fall a ways and when I catch you right at the last second, you look at me and smile, or sometimes laugh like it's a game. And I just melt.

On our vacation you showed us you were ready, able and sometimes willing to sit in restaurant high chairs! This has been a great skill for when we go out to eat. Even though you are physically capable of sitting in the chair, that doesn't always mean you choose to. The last few times we've gone out you are a great happy girl, until the food comes. Then you refuse the high chair and just want to be held and walked around. It's a work in progress I guess.

You've acquired a few new words lately. You now say ya-ya, ba-ba and da da in addtion to the /g/ sounds you already had mastered. Daddy was pretty excited about the da da, and while I was so proud, I was also a little bummed that mama didn't come first. But of course I haven't taken it personally. The /d/ sound is just easier to say. You're pretty proud of yourself (and of course we are too!!) with these new noises. You've also learned how to make Indian noises by rubbing your hand over your mouth and do this all the time. Another favorite sound that we hear a lot of is "ah!" You'll repeat it over and over while playing. It's so cute.

We did a fun outing to Oak Mountain with our Cheesecake coworkers and you were a hit. You're just so cute and smiley it's hard for anyone to not like you. So we went to the cook out and watched Dad play beach volleyball (he was a winner!), ran into Aunt Teresa and Sofia and hung out with friends. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. You eventually passed out in your stroller and we headed off for a quiet walk to get a good nap in. 

Another big experience during this last month was -- teeth!! Your bottom two teeth came in! And one of them came in on Mother's Day...yeah. So my first Mother's Day was rough. You were inconsolable pretty much all day. I can't blame you, I know your mouth had to hurt. We survived, but the next day was another hard day (for Dad this time, he took duty so I could sleep in). After that you were the happy, proud owner of 2 shiny little white caps! They haven't come through very far but they're slowly making their way out and peeking through. You look so different with your teeth. Your gummy smile isn't quite so gummy anymore!

We took part in our first 5k as well. There was a race for Ovarian cancer research that we signed up for with some Cheesecake coworkers in memory of one of their friends. Grandma and Kristina joined us and we were off! Grandma ran it like a pro while you, me and Kristina did a run/walk couch to 5k style. You were so interested in all the people with bright colors and tutus. You eventually fell asleep (we had to be in Homewood by 8 am, so it was a very early day for us!) in the stroller and slept through the last leg of the race. We hung around for a little while after but things got a little dicey with your mood so we came home and took a nap. 

Overall we had such a fun month. We had lots of new experiences, new places and big smiles. For the most part you're a go with the flow kind of girl. We had a couple of tough days with new teeth and such, but we toughed it out. 

We love you so much baby girl! Happy 8 months!!

Blue Ridge Splendor

This cabin, Blue Ridge Splendor, has been the site of many exciting events and firsts for Andrew and myself. We came here for our first vacation as a couple, this is where Andrew proposed to me, and now we've enjoyed our first vacation as a family of 3. To say this cabin holds special memories would be an understatement. My kind and gracious in-laws have let us use the family cabin to get away from the day to day grind, replenish our minds and hearts, and for that we are so grateful.

Our weekend away has been lovely, semi-relaxing, a touch stressful, but overall great. Hannah has been cutting teeth all weekend and has been pretty miserable unless being held or entertained. She is usually content with some alone time to play on her mat with toys while we cook dinner or relax, but not this weekend. She also hasn't been napping well, which we assume is a combination of teething and being in an unfamiliar environment. Thankfully she's slept great at night, but we figure since it's dark it seems more like home, whereas during the day when the room is still fairly well lit she can tell she isn't in her normal place.

We drove up to north Georgia on Friday and will return Monday afternoon, so it hasn't been a long trip. We've enjoyed perfect weather all weekend. We took our time Friday and were blessed with a sleepy baby. We stopped for lunch at Chili's, let Hannah sit in a high chair for the first time (she did awesome and loved it!!), then continued on. The initial drive up the mountain didn't go all that smoothly, but we made it and settled in.

Saturday I enjoyed a mid-morning nap while Hannah slept (the one good nap she's taken all weekend), we went into town for a quick trip (desperately needed oragel and Tylenol!), then back home to relax. Hannah did quite a bit of crying and nap skipping, until we put her down a bit early so we could regain our sanity. We cooked dinner, played some pool, sat in the hot tub and ate a few too many cookies! (I realize by the looks of her pictures you'd never know she was fussy, but trust me, it happened. we just know how to make her smile!).

Sunday was another perfect weather day so after Han's first nap (too short, but enough to get her through the morning) we took some family photos before heading out to explore a bit. I invested in a tripod after Christmas and it has been such a wonderful addition. We got some beautiful pictures, although it took about 20 takes to get a handful of good ones. Once into downtown Blue Ridge we had lunch at a little cafe, then did a little souvenier shopping. We made it back up the mountain smoothly and settled in for another fussy evening. After only a 25 minute cat nap all afternoon she finally went down and has allowed us some quiet time! Andrew is cooking his signature salmon while I upload pictures and write this post, then we'll settle in for another few games of pool before calling it a night.

We'll head out tomorrow morning sometime and hopefully be lucky enough to have a quiet/sleepy baby. I'm not counting on getting lucky twice, but I can hope! There's a good chance we'll run into traffic from the race in Talladega, so fingers crossed we don't have a fussy baby and terrible traffic!!

Although it would have been nice to not have a teething baby fussing all weekend, we still were blessed enough to be able to enjoy this beautiful trip. We have loving family that allowed us the use of their beautiful house, hard earned money to be able to take the time off to enjoy the trip, and most importantly, a wonderful family in the three of us. Despite painful gums, crocodile tears and a few "I need to tag out" situations, this weekend has been successful and much needed. (I told Andrew we need to come back in September for my 30th birthday and leave baby at home with family for a truly relaxing getaway!!) ;)

As with all vacations, I hate to leave, but I look forward to home. Our cozy house, felines that will be happy to get head scratches, the relief Hannah will have of being back in familiar surroundings, and the all around pretty great life we've built for ourselves will be a welcome sight. Vacations are awesome, but the important part is that we'll still be happy to return home. Although a few less hours worked and more time together would be nice!

Solid Foods!

Solids! I thought this topic deserved it's own post. We started feeding pureed solids on Hannah's 6 month birthday. Feeding guidelines* say you can begin solids from 4-6 months of age, and after a few milestones have been reached (sitting upright, loss of tongue reflex to automatically push food out and interest in adults eating). While Hannah can't quite sit up on her own, she does support herself pretty well and when strapped into the high chair she's as good as gold.

I love food!! (most of them)

The two ways to introduce baby food are purees (which we are doing) or Baby Led Weaning (BLW), where the foods are cooked soft but prepared in fry-like shapes that babies can easily grab and feed themselves. Andrew and I discussed it and decided that we would rather not worry about the choking hazard that can come with BLW. Once she is sitting unassisted and has a few teeth we will try to let her do it on your own, but for now it's spoon fed mush for our little girl!

The safest way to introduce foods is one at a time, each for 3-4 days.* Neither Andrew nor I have any food allergies so Hannah isn't necessarily at risk, but better safe than sorry, right? We've stuck with these guidelines and so far they've worked for us.

We are getting to a point now where baby has tried 8 different foods, some of which were made fresh, some of them made fresh by Gerber. We've started doing 2 feedings a day, and when she is interested and hungry it goes great. But if she don't like the food or is too tired it's just a mess!

First time eating and totally unsure

Maybe this eating thing isn't so bad!!

So far we've tried: sweet potatoes, bananas, green beans, carrots, pears, peas, squash and apples. She likes everything except carrots. She really, really hate carrots. She didn't like bananas until I made them fresh, then was all over it. The absolute favorites are green beans, for sure. She's so funny to watch as she tries new foods. A face of trepidation, contemplation, then either excitement or displeasure. When she likes a food she kicks her legs out and gets excited. She opens her mouth when we say 'bite.' If she isn't into it then it's hard to get her attention so we have to call it.

Hannah,

It's been a fun and messy adventure so far! Sometimes you try to grab the spoon, sometimes you reach for the container. We can usually block it but you've gotten in a few swipes. We haven't had a truly dirty meal just yet. We have just started doing combination flavors and girlfriend, you are a carnivore! You love the Chicken & Apples combo and Turkey & Rice. You gobble those up faster than everything else. This morning you had a new combo - apples, bananas & prunes. You thought it was ok. But you obviously prefer mixed flavors over single flavor foods. We look forward to trying new foods, combinations and textures.

*Disclaimer: These points are from the research I've done and info I've gotten from our pediatrician. In no way to I think I know it all or know enough to advise others. This is just what I've learned and how we have chosen to do things.

Foods so far have been a fun but slightly nerve wracking adventure! Will she be allergic, will she throw the food towards my laptop, will she barf up the food instead of regular spit up, etc etc. However, I wouldn't change anything as long as I can see those silly, food-faced smiles!!

Hannah: 7 Months

Approximately 20 pounds

no idea in length!

Sweet Girl,

You turned 7 months old last week but I'm just finding time to write about it. Time goes so quickly these days that I can hardly keep up. I jot down key points on a dry erase board so I know what to write on each of these posts, otherwise I would just draw a blank staring at the computer screen!! Every month you become more fun, smiley, interactive and a joy to be around. You make long days worth it and quick days hurt some times, knowing that each day flies through my fingers. 

This month we enjoyed eating solids! We've tried 8 flavors and you enjoyed about 6 of them. Feeding times are interesting. If you like the food you get really into it, if you don't like it then you are more interested in the buckle on the high chair or watching the nearest cat.

Another fun thing that happened this month was the arrival of our Tula. Tula is a brand of soft structured carrier that allows me to wear you when we go out instead of pushing a stroller. It's comfortable, easy to use and fast. I strap you in, clip the buckle and off we go! It allows me to have my hands free and keep you close by. So far it's been a win for both of us.

 

Kickball season started so we've spent a few evenings down at the kickball fields at George Ward watching Daddy play. It's been rained out a few times but the nights we have been able to go have been nice. Everyone on the team loves you and you really enjoy being outside and seeing the action. I wear you in the Tula but have to make sure I turn to angle you so you can see what's going on.

We've been making great use of the zoo membership Grandma got for us. We have made more than one trip with different groups of people. We enjoyed one trip with Daddy, then another with a group of moms I've met through a local babywearing group (plus one or two trips with just the two of us). The cats are always asleep, go figure. You really like to people watch while we are there. I'm not sure how well you can see the animals but you always have fun and usually conk out for a little nap. I know, it's exhausting!

We celebrated your first Easter this month! We did the annual Easter egg hunt at Nana & Papa Chip's, then a casual feast at Grandma's. We had a great time at both places and loved being able to celebrate with family. You were too cute in your Easter dresses (even though one of them said 12 months but was actually around 6 month size. Don't get me started on that one!). You definitely stole the show at Grandma's!! 

You mastered a cool trick this month-- rolling over from your back to your belly! You'd been trying for a while but couldn't quite firgure out what to do with your arm. Well you got it down and now you can't stop. We put you in the center of your mat and you roll all over. I was washing dishes and came back into the room a minute later to find you under the coffee table. Apparently it's your means of transportation these days! You do pretty well, except in your crib. You roll over in the mornings and get stuck on your belly, even though you know how to roll. You seem to forget once you are in the crib. 

Speaking of the crib, you sleep really well for the most part. Your (semi) new thing is to wake up around 7 am, lay there and talk to yourself, stare at your hands, and then roll over. I can flip you to your back and put your paci in and you'll rest/fall asleep for a few minutes, then roll back over to your belly. I flip you another time or two before you go to sleep for good for another hour or two. You wake up around 9 am, nap every 2-3 hours, and go to bed at 9 pm. I'm happy to say that for the most part you're a great sleeper. We've been battling teething this month so sleep has been a little disrupted. 

We are still waiting for teeth to pop through, but we are seeing the start of some white caps! I can't imagine how grown up you'll look with teeth. You change so much each month it's crazy. I think you are starting to grow into your cheeks some, which is almost sad! You still have prominent, kissable chubby cheeks, but they aren't so defining these days. Now your most commented on feature are your baby blues. Those big ole blue eyes are just beautiful. I tell people I'm not going to admit they'll stay blue just yet because I feel like as soon as I acknowledge it they'll turn brown. I hope they stay blue but you'll be gorgeous no matter what!!

You are such a ham and love to smile. You love Daddy and me and your cats. We are your favorites but you don't reserve smiles just for us. If someone makes a funny face and you feel comfortable then that person gets the sweetest smile. Sometimes people with heavy eyeliner scare you though. You'll do a full on pout, look at me and then just let it rip. Something about the eye liner gets  you. It's kind of funny, except when the person takes it personally. 

As usual, you are so sweet, happy and a pure joy in our lives. We thank our lucky stars for you every day. We love you baby!!!

love,

Mommy

Hannah: 6 Months

18 pounds 4 ounces

25.5 inches long

44 centimeter head circumference

Dear Baby,

Happy 1/2 year birthday, Hannah!! Woohoo!! We applaud you many times a day for various accomplishments like doing well on exercises or tummy time, giving big burps, big jumps in the jumperoo, etc etc. We say "yayyyy Hannah!!" and clap our hands together. You always give us a big smile, usually inhale deeply and kind of bobble around with excitement. You are just too cute, and seriously the happiest little girl. You give away smiles for free and light up the room. Everyone compliments your eyes, smile, cheeriness and most of them also comment on your perfect chubby cheeks. I glow with pride every time. You are too sweet for words and I am so very proud to be your mommy! Pretty sure Dad feels the same way!

those eyes

those cheeks!

This month was pretty exciting and full of many firsts. You found your thumb and your index finger. You like to stick both fingers in your mouth at the same time and suck on them. You cover everything in drool. Sometimes you gag because you stick your finger too far into your mouth. You'll cough, look surprised then do it again. You have become very proficient in jumping in your jumperoo. You know how to work it now and bounce until you've worn yourself out. You interact with all of the toys now and have gotten pretty good at grabbing what you want. You rub your eyes frequently and have very good hand to eye contact. We introduced you to the high chair (thanks Aunt Teresa!!) and you love it. We don't have a dining room or large table so we move it around from the living room and kitchen, depending on where we are. The tray is covered with toys and you will happily sit in it for long periods of time just playing with your toys while I work at the desk or do dishes and laundry. You much prefer sitting up straight over your bouncy seat these days. We use the bouncy seat less and less which is strange since you spent most of your awake time there for so many months. You ran the highest fever we've experienced (102.8). I was pretty scared but Tylenol brought it down and we kept you dosed up for a few days and you were all better. You tried so hard to be happy and feel good but it wore you down some. Once it passed you were back to your happy self. Such a trooper. You learned how to grab your feet while laying down and when we practice sitting up you want to eat them, so you end up face-planting into the floor to attempt it. You get frustrated with it when I prevent you from diving down awkwardly.

fingers are the best

What may be our most exciting first is that we started solid foods on your 6 month birthday! After some research I decided to completely forgo the rice cereal and we went straight for vegetables, starting with sweet potatoes. Dad got a good video of you happily opening your mouth for bites, even though you didn't know what to do once the puree was actually in your mouth. It was super cute and entertaining. We've now done 3 days of sweet potatoes and will do bananas next. (I just asked Dad which we should do next - bananas, carrots or green beans - and he voted for the bananas). You try to put your hand in your mouth mid-feed, which is messy. You also grab for the spoon sometimes. I see messy meals in our future!!

unsure at first

but a little more agreeable after a few tastes!

Another big change that's new is how we are diapering you. After our generous stock of disposable diapers ran out (thanks Aunt Teresa [again] and Mr. Chris!!), I started researching cloth diapers and cost savings. We invested in a stash of cloth diapers that should last us until Hannah is potty trained, and possibly a while into another child down the road. Of course it could turn out differently, but I'm hopeful! We will still use disposable diapers for when we are on long outings, while someone else is keeping you and for bed time. But during the day while we are home and short trips out you're rocking some spiffy new diapers! We have different colors and two different textures (minky and PUL) and while they make your butt a little more 'fluffy,' they are way too cute.

one of the new cloth diapers

You have the cutest laugh, but we have to work for it. You think Dad's silly, fake laugh is pretty funny and airplane is probably the coolest thing ever as far as you're concerned. We love hearing that giggle and the huge grin that comes with it. I'm so thankful for how happy and at ease you are (for the most part). You love life and wake up with a smile every morning. You sleep wonderfully in your crib until about 7 am, then you start wiggling and fussing so we put you in our bed for another hour or two. Usually you'll fall back to sleep, but sometimes you just lay there an stare at your hands, or my hand when I give it to you. Many mornings you try to tickle my chin or punch me in the face. But when you're done sleeping and I look at you and say good morning and give you a kiss, you give me a huge smile, a little laugh and start babbling to me and I melt. I am not a morning person, but that sweet demeanor of yours makes it much easier to get out of bed each morning.

sweet smiley girl

zoo smiles, 1st time sitting in the stroller like a big girl

I hope you keep this love of life and happiness for all of your years. I hope you wake up on the right side of the bed every morning and greet each day with a smile and a positive attitude. You bring so much happiness to everyone around you and we are so glad to call you ours.

love,

Mommy