Happy 8 months!

Hey boo!!

Happy 8 months!! And Merry Christmas sweetie!! I'm so happy the holidays are here with you around! I don't know why the holidays just seem more special with you in our life! It gets me a tad weepy just thinking how it's your very first Christmas!! Although I'm a little relieved the craziness is over. We've had a lot of fun this busy month!! 

                

Highlights- Christmas definitely. More to come on that below. The second highlight is that you tried tomatoes. You loved them!! You will eat them whole and with a a little italian seasoning on top. I'm so excited to try other soft pieces and seasonings! It's very fun to watch you self feed while I make dinner. It's such a relief because not only are you learning motor skills but also eating the perfect amount you need without the guess work. 

                               

Other ones are that you are sitting up taller and more steady. You are raising up more on your tommy. It makes me think that your building your arm muscles for crawling. You are inching your way up on your back. Many times I'll find you higher in your crib than before. I'm guessing you'll start to crawl in a month or so! Part of me feels ready and the other doesn't. I don't even know how to baby proof the house!

Favorite moments-I will never forget the day we played in the snow!! It snowed 4 inches here! Its quite unheard of around here in this mild desert! As you'll find, it hardly rains around here. So snow in this warm dry desert is pretty unbelievable! It really makes your first Christmas feel more Christmas-y. 

                    

 

Other little fun moments that made us laugh is when you were trying Laughing while hiccuping or crying. It's pretty funny. You have this puzzled look on your face! It's the cutest! A few times you sneezed and then said Doy Doy like you were saying bless you afterwards!! Very precious! I love to watch you play with daddy.  It will always be a favorite moment for us. I can tell daddy is excited to play with you. When he comes home, he helps more feed you and plays with you while I cook or clean up. Many times I'll catch you two playing and one day I walked into this. :-)

                          

Other moments I love is when you reach out to daddy and many times you'll say da da. We got excited and then realized you say it for everything. It's still fun to hear your sweet little voice. You love to talk especially when we are at church! Many times you'll gab through the service and fall asleep in the last five minutes of it. Everyone loves to hear to babble through service. They always smile at you and laugh when they find you fell asleep. 

First Christmas!!- it was wonderful! We were busy because a lot of family came to town. your grandpa Charlie and jane came a week before to visit. We had a little pre Christmas party with them and auntie al. It was nice to get together and visit. I loved watching you grab for the tissue paper and your surprised expressions on what the commotion was about. You were such a VIP. Everyone wanted to hold you. On Christmas Day, we visited with nana and papa in the morning. We got to have a nice breakfest and visit auntie Tara & uncle Nathan. You watched your cousins play around you and take a sweet picture with them under the Christmas tree. Your cousin Caede read us the Christmas story. You watched your cousins unwrap their presents and swat at your own. Everyone was very thoughtful and generous to you on your first Christmas! Then we were off to Grammies house for a second Christmas. There we visited with auntie al and uncle scot. We had a nice salmon dinner and opened presents. Some items you got were much needed clothes, car seat, walker and lovely books! I am very excited to read you the stories I read growing up! Of course me and your dad gave you your presents on Christmas Eve. I gave you your birth box of the things on your very first birthday!  And your dad gave you a fun camo onie! You can tell he's just a little excited to take you hunting someday!:-) 

It was a very special Christmas together. I am sad that you're first one is over but relieved. I am looking forward to the next ones where we can share more Christmas activities- reading the Christmas story together. I am excited to explain to you the real meaning of Christmas- it's about baby Jesus! It's the holy day when God came down in a form of a baby named Jesus to save us from our sins and give us everlasting life with him. Philippians 2:6-8 says, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" I'm so glad God choose to come as a baby. It made me realize how important babies are to God. You are so important to him and part of his plan like baby Jesus was. He is the greatest gift of all!

New Years- we had a great New Year's Eve. Your dad got off early. We hang out at home and enjoyed being together as a family playing with your new toys on the floor. We were all so exhausted for Christmas. We went to bed early! Here you are in the new year and new Jammie's!

                      

I don't have a New Years resolution per we this year. I want to keep myself open to your needs. Some things I'd like to do more of this year would be more sunshine, tommy time, social time , and cooking healthy dinners.

Nursing-it's going good and super fast. It's only taking me 20 minutes. Many times it feels like 5 minutes. At this time, were nursing only 4-5 times a day sometimes more when you're sick. Many times you'll be wiggly, turn your head, pinch, or smack me while nursing. It's definitely not the still sleepy nursing like when you're younger. When you were little you'd drift off to sleep so peacefully. Now you kind of fight it. Many times you'll get wiggly or arch your back in protest ( hate that). 

Nap/ nighttime- naps are tough! It's hard to find a routine or system down. The more food you eat the better you sleep for some reason. I've realized this months that I need to feed you three times before you'll take a nap ( nurse, food, nurse). I'm not really sure if you're really nursing on the third. But it put you to sleep. I've realized you'll wake up if you can't move your arms. So I try not to have them stuck or swaddled (just your legs swaddled). It's pretty sad I'm finally realizing some of this stuff after 8 months. Many times I'll tuck in an extra blanket to keep you warm. I call it the double swaddle. Genius I know. 

Development- you are a whooping 15 lbs! you make more sounds like- da, blah, hi, gee, Doy, blowing and lots of clicking sounds. you are drinking out of your sippy cup!  This is great that you figured this out in your own! You figured out that the sucking is different with the cup. Other developments are that your hair is growing long! I think your hair color is very close to mine. Daddy says that you're looking more and more like me these days. Most people agree that you look like him. We all know that you really look like you as your own perfect little self! 

               

Leap-With this leap, it time for the world of 'categories'. Now your baby learns that a large dog is not a horse. Or that a checkered cat is not a cow. You will notice your baby investigating everything in his path and studying every detail as he starts to categorize things around him. That takes a lot to consider and compare, and your baby is in love with you and everything in his ever widening world. Just as with former leaps, there are several characteristics you will recognize when your baby is going through this leap. Your baby will cry more, sleep less, have mood swings and clings to you more.

Typical signs of this leap are also:

• Jealousy: Your baby wants that you only play with him. If you pay attention to someone else, he becomes difficult. One can say he is jealous, but not consciously. (Yes!)
• Nightmares: Babies dream, so they also have nightmares. During this leap you will notice he may suddenly wake up screaming, or make crying sounds while he is asleep. These are signs of nightmares. ( yes!)
• Being extremely lovely: For the first time, your baby will alternate between his bad temper and good; going from being difficult to extremely lovely and nice. Obviously, this is another way to get attention. (Yes!)
• Behaving more babyish: Your baby can suddenly act as if he were a younger baby, although he does this unconsciously. It's like going back in time. After having gone through this leap, the changes in your baby's behavior are dramatic. Now, your little baby is developing into a child.

  Examples of what your baby's skills and interests might be after this leap:

• Shows us that he knows some words;
• Makes it clear to you that he finds something dirty, for example by sniffing;
• Imitates adults;
• Recognizes himself in the mirror; ( you love this)
• Can really exaggerate his moods;
• Plays peek-a-boo by himself;
• Challenges others to play a game;
• Calls for a song by example by clapping his hands;
• Begins to practice crawling. 

Note: many mothers are fed up with breastfeeding after this leap. Your baby's ability to 'nag' during this leap can be rather irritating. Remember: a leap will go away and it's really best for your baby to continue breastfeeding for a least one year! ( nursing does get old. But it's worth it!)

Challenges- you have been constipated for quite some time. I keep talking to the pediatrician about it. He recommends pear juice, pears, peaches, plums, and apricots. This foods are your staples. I try to limit lots of carbs since it makes the constipation worst. I'm hoping its on its way out since you are starting to drink more water. I've tried pear juice, pears , plums, and including applesauce in your diet. I'm hoping that will help. I'm also trying a different method of eating called baby weaning or self weaning. Instead of solely spoon feeding you, I leave piece of chucks of soft fruit for you to have. I hoping this will ease the constipation. So far it working beautifully. But I'll let you know next month! 

On a different note, I'm starting to see you acting up in little fits when you don't like something. I'm not sure when to start discipline. (When I mean discipline its small corrections at this age. Does that make sense?). They say the earlier the better. I'm trying to repeat phrases like gentle, no hitting, etc to get you used to them. I need to do more research on that. Other challenges are trying to keep you healthy and ease you teething pain.  

What I've learned a s a mom-Weirdly enough, I'm starting to miss the little baby things. I keep rememissing when I'd hold you or nurse while drifting to sleep. I miss the little moments of bonding after nursing. We still have those every once in a while. But now you are more adventurous. I look forward in sharing more adventures and outings with you as you get older. I think I will have things I love and miss about each phase of your life. This month I've really enjoyed having you always by my side. I love how you always want to be with me (well most days). I love how you always look for me. I love how I can make you happy instantly and how I'm your favorite person in the whole wide world. I'm going to miss that when you're a teenager! As Grammie daily reminds me - enjoy every moment!:-) julienne Moore says it best- "as a mom, the days are long but the years are short."

Love you my side kick!

All the hugs and kisses in the world, 

Mom

7 months

Happy 7 months!

Hello my honey bunny!

Geesh, can't believe its November! It feels like I just finished the last post! Because of the holidays, This one will be short and sweet. 

Highlights- piggies! Your hair is long enough for pig tales! It's so cute. But it makes you look way older than you are! I feel like it makes you look like a little toddler! Crazy!

       

Potatoe balls!!!  You were getting really grabby. So I tried soft chucks of food but you couldn't pick it up. So I tried forming mashed potatoes into a ball. It worked! It was big enough to grab but puréed enough to eat. you have tried potatoes, spinach, peas, sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, water chestnuts, applesauce, and sugar pees. I still give your favorite, corn. So far you like most veggies. I have to dum them down a lot with cereal, potatoes, or corn to make you eat them. Sometimes you'll eat up to a half a cup in a sitting! 

        

Favorite moments- your dad pulled a joke on us! I was changing your diaper in the nursey. I left the monitor in our bedroom where dad was. Right in the middle of me throwing your diaper away, I hear this loud raspberry sound (bppppbbbbpp). I though you had a huge blow out in the middle of changing your diaper! When I looked back, I saw that Thankfully you didn't. It was your dad blewing Into the monitor! He got us so bad!;-) I don't know why I'm so surprised. he occasionally uses the intercom to say-"cleanup on eisle 12." 

Another time was when I was feeding you. I turned around for a second and you picked up the entire bowl to drink!

     

Thanksgiving-it is so special to me this year! I don't know what it is about having kids that makes the holidays even more special. It's mostly because I'm thankful to have you and your dad. I have always wanted a family of my own growing up. When my parents divorced, God gave me hope of a family of my own to get through hard times. I feel so blessed that I have that now! I am reminded to cherish you two daily. I am trying to Savor the moments we have together while you're a baby. 

Nursing- good! Not much to mention. nursing with teeth isn't so bad. I hardly notice them. That's probably because you don't nurse for long or much. I think you'll be done soon at the rate you're going. I see the end in sight for nursing. You're loving food so much that I'd be surprise if you went to a year. I'm willing to nurse until you need. I really dread when I have to take away your nightly nursing. It's that nursing that puts you to sleep. It does look hopeful though. There have been two nights you fell asleep without nursings. They were just off routine days like date nights  or at friends houses.

Development-you are growing at a rapid pace physically. Sometimes I feel like I have a small toddler. have a told you that you've pretty much out grown 9 month clothes? You pretty much skipped this size. You might have been in it for a month or two. You're into to 12 month clothes already mostly for the length. When I hold you up, you will take a few steps. You kind of skip when you try to walk. It's cute. You are making all kinds of noises. In case you haven't noticed from pictures, Your hair is getting lighter. I can see some very pretty golden strands. It makes me think you might be a blonde. I've always pictured you dark like your dad. Either one would be very nice on you! 

                  

Things you like- blow bubbles in water and blow air! You love grabbing your toes and babbling "ba ba ba." You love your puppy cash! You will watch him and smile most days. Often times, you'll put your hand out for cash to lick you. You love scratching things, walls, my face and really anything. You love to stick your tongue out at me already. Often times, Well stick out our tongues at each other across the room. 

Thing that you aren't so fond of are- putting you down, wiping your face and tummy time. 

Naps- you aren't much of a napper so far. you always get tired around 10 or 11 ish. You also get tired around 5 pm. I'd like for you to nap int he afternoon around 1-3 pm. That's doesn't happen often yet. As your dad so lovingly puts it, "she doesn't want to nap when you want her to." It's very true. I need to let you sleep when you want. But also encourage or try an afternoon nap. 

             

Leap-Alex doesn't make the sixth leap in her mental development just yet. The sixth leap, known as the 'world of categories', will start after about thirty-three and a half weeks after the due date and can last up to four weeks. In about 18 day(s) you might start to see the signs of this sixth leap. She is now trying to master the skills belonging to the last leap she made, the leap of relationships. You will also see Alex mastering skills she was mentally able to learn in previous leaps, but didn't physically show yet. The results of what your baby can do after taking the previous leap are very noticeable. You'll start to see a whole different human being. Examples of what Alex 's skills and interests might be after going through the previous leap:

• She is interested in people who "act differently" as compared to 'normal'
• Has an immense interest in details such as zippers, labels or stickers
• Lifts things up to see if anything is below
• Tries to untie laces
• Throws something to see the content
• Puts food in the mouth of others
• Makes connections between words and deeds
• Blows air !!! ( you love doing this)
• Protests as dad and mom walk away (you do)
• Imitates sounds with her tongue ( ba ba ba)
• She is standing up with a little help or pulls herself to an upward position.(stand on my lap)

Challenges- you are becoming more active and wiggly. You are already reaching, kicking, lunging,  pulling yourself up, and rolling over to grab toys. With all this moving around, you have taken a few big girl falls. Like the other day, you conked your noggin right on the mirror. You had a huge red spot for the whole day. It was a constant reminder how I'm such a bad parent! It feel so bad! Or like a few days ago, we set you on the couch while eating dinner like we always do. I look back to see you upside down in between dad and the couch! I lost it! Your dad had to calm me down for a bit. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen since I've been a mom!  Thankfully you were more scared than hurt. (You didn't land on your head.) You probably would have been pretty content to hang upside down if I didn't freak out. So my challenge this month has been trying to smile through these big girl falls even though I'm terrified. :-))

What I've learned as a mom- I've been thinking about what it means to have a gently and quiet spirit through the holidays. And being a mom in general? I never really understood it until I became a mom. I always though a quiet spirit meant not to talk too much. Which you can tell by this blog, I do that often. What does it mean to have a gentle, calm, and quiet spirit? Why is it beautiful? 1 peter 3:4 describes it as-"You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." For me, It's taking a few deep breathes and putting on a smile even when things aren't going my way. It's putting on a cheerful Smile for your dad as he walks in even when the kitchen is a mess, dinners over cooked, laundry everywhere, in the middle of your bath and feeding you. It's having a gentle, calm attitude when I'm frustrated and irritable at you, the dog, or a situation. It's having a thankful joyful heart and a quiet tongue when I'll I want to do is complain or whine about my hair or furniture. I think these feeling are amplified during the holidays while were rushing and stressed. We try to prefect everything except our attitude. Why is a gentle and quiet spirit beautiful? It's simple. No husband or friend wants to be with somebody who's whining, mad at everything, irritable, and no fun. No clothes, make up, or hair style can cover a bad attitude. It makes them unlovable. The best part is that it's un fading, it lasts, and always in style!

So much for short and sweet, eh?!

Praying for your health and happiness every day. 

Love you, 

Mom

Ps- you love your puppy!!!

Happy 6 months!

Dear sweet Alex,

Wow, it's hard to believe half of your first year is over!!! You are now no longer a little infant. You're a big baby now. It's been so fun to have you as my little buddy! We are always together. I love taking you out and showing you off. I like to think you're my little acessory. But as my friend so kindly put it, you are her accessory! It's true. I don't mind. :-)

Highlights- first time for for many liquid foods- carrots, sweet potatoes, oat cereal and corn!! The doctor recommended trying yellow- orange vegetables first, then green and then fruits ( nothing citrus though). We tried carrots first!! You didn't like them much. I think it reminded you of your vitamins. So I mixed it with rice cereal. So it's not so pungent. You like it so much that you'll reach and grab the spatula. Like this. 

            

The food I make keeps for three days. I try to give you one food at a time to expose any food allergy if you have one. So far, you don't! Thank God!! You have been such a great eater. If like to think it's the specials way I make your food, such as adding warm water and a little liquid food to your cereal. But it's just because you're a great baby! I was worried it mess with nursing but thankfully it hasn't. Usually I try to feed you after nursing. But often times you will nurse right after eating. After nursing, I fed you the cereal so it doesn't hurt my supply. So far  it's working great. I feel more comfortable with food now. I see signs that you want and needs them. For instance, you act hungry after nursing and you wake up more at nights very restless without them. Often times you wouldn't want to nurse late at night. Adding liquid solids has helped you sleep better and feel more satisfied. 

          

There are many other highlights this month. You're really blooming into your own person! I see you're becoming your own unique personality and less of an infant. You are laughing, playing and interacting with us more & more. We love it. I can really see you bonding with daddy and grandmas. I love to see your cute faces when you see something new. You are really showing emotions between your likes and dislikes. You re starting to squel when you don't like something and you get really excited with a panting noise when you do like it!

               

Favorite moments- a few this month are funny moments. The first time I put this sweater with the little bear ears on you, cash though you were a little bear! He did a double take and started barking at you. I had to take the hood off and convince him it was you! It was so funny.

Another one funny moment was when we were at grammies house. She was making dinner for us. We were sitting and having some appetizers. You were sitting in daddy's lap. All of a sudden, your head dips down. Daddy caught it and realized your eyes were closed. You Fell asleep in dad's arms face down! You must have been all tuckered out. Waiting for dinner at my Grammies is exhausting! 

     

Nursing-It's only taking you five to ten minutes per side now!  It's pretty nuts to think back to when it was taking 1-2 hours. I think it's because you're more awake now and a skilled eater. Often times, youll to sneak your thumb in there while nursing! Sometimes you hum a little while nursing. It's the cutest tune. It's ahhhahahh for lack of better words. You usually favor the right side and then we go to the left. Does this mean you'll be right handed? (Jk).:-)

              

Things you love- you are starting to love toys! you love your tooth brush!!! You love your car keys. I got out your bath toys and you love chewing on them! I think the rubber feels good on your teeth. You love touching peoples faces, noses, and especially daddy's beard! You sneeze pretty hard on people's noses. You are getting really grab-y. You'll try to grab anything insight. Many times at the dinner table you'll suddenly dive for my dinner plate. You're even strong enough to move it towards you!

Harvest festival-it was fun!! It was Halloween night at the church. And we found you a cute mouse costume! I think it's definitely your colors! I picked this custome because it looked warm! It ended up being a warm night. So we didn't need the warmth. It still made a cute costume. Your grandmas loved it! They held you while you were looking around at all the kids and colorful costumes. 

           

Sleep- you are starting to have your own sleep routine. You get up at 8 am and we nurse at 8-9 pm for bed. You're also sleeping in your own room!! Me and your dad are loving having our room back. It makes our alone time something I cherish more. Your Naps are still all over the place. I'm hoping that once we introduce liquid cereal at lunch, you might nap more consistently! 

Vaccination- it went good for shots! I was a little more prepared this time. I fed you a lot before the appointment. I have you take a bath and tynelyol beforehand. We were able to re-dress you, hold you during the shots and nurse afterwards. It worked very nicely. Usually you fall asleep during the car ride home. You didn't this time. 

             

Development- ohh teeth!! You have two teeth! They came in at the same time. It's pretty early to have teeth. Many people thought I was crazy thinking you were teething last month. But here they are! Other developments are that you are sitting up now completely on your own! You still fall over every once in a while. You can stand out! Most days I'll hold you and let your feet hang. You'll take a few steps even! you are really developing into your own person now. It's so fun to see your unique personality. You're grabbing two different toys with each hand. Sometimes you'll get so excited playing that you accidentally hit yourself in the face! Ouch! 

Here's you stats- 

Height 27 3/4 in (97%)

Weight 14 lbs 2 oz (20%)

Head 43 3/4 in/cm (80%)

Look at that little cutie!

      

Leap- it looks like you're in between leaps. But here's what is says what happens in the middle of them. Alex doesn't make the sixth leap in her mental development just yet. The sixth leap, known as the 'world of categories', will start after about thirty-three and a half weeks after the due date and can last up to four weeks. In about 43 day(s) you might start to see the signs of this sixth leap. She is now trying to master the skills belonging to the last leap she made, the leap of relationships. You will also see Alex mastering skills she was mentally able to learn in previous leaps, but didn't physically show yet. The results of what your baby can do after taking the previous leap are very noticeable. You'll start to see a whole different human being. ( I have for sure). Please read last month to give you detailed information about the previous leap Alex is trying to master right now. Examples of what Alex 's skills and interests might be after going through the previous leap:

• She is interested in people who "act differently" as compared to 'normal'
• Has an immense interest in details such as zippers, labels or stickers
• Lifts things up to see if anything is below
• Tries to untie laces
• Throws something to see the content
• Puts food in the mouth of others
• Makes connections between words and deeds
• Blows air
• Protests as dad or mom walk away
• Imitates sounds with her tongue
• She is standing up with a little help or pulls herself to an upward position.

Challenges-it's been a pretty smooth month. I can't complain. I feel more rested now that we're sleeping through the night. The only thing I've find difficult is trying to keep healthy. We've been fighting a cold in our family. Thankfully you haven't gotten it yet. I am praying that you don't. You just got better from your last cold. I really don't want you to have antiboditics again this year. I realize that I need to take care of myself to take care of you!

What I've learned as a mom- I haven't had one lesson stand out this month. I've been thinking of a few things since you've been born and becoming a parent in general. As a parent, I think it's hard not feel like a failure if things don't go smoothly like scheduled nap, eating good, etc. I have to remember that your development doesn't define me. My success as a parent doesn't give me my self worth or identity. My identity comes from God. You and I are daughters of the king of kings and creator of the universe. Our self worth comes from God. He sees us as something so valuable and worth dieing for (romans 5:8). He sees us in His image. (Gen 1:27). I don't want to become a parent that relies on their child's success to give them a sense of self worth or achievement. I hope I don't pressure you to perform or compare you to other children. I hope I will encourage and inspire you to follow Gods plan for your life. I know that's what's best for you. I can't wait to see what it is!:-)

Love you baby girl, 

Mom

Aka: Ah-Ma 

( what you're calling me now)

        

        

Oh boy, 5 months!

    

Happy 5 months honey Bunnies!

This month was a toughy! Between the lack of sleep and fussiness, it was hard not to burn out! There are more details to come. But I thought this pic is so funny to see how small you are against the big couch! 

Just when i think youre getting too big too fast, im reminded that you are still little! You must have liked the chair because you are giving it a thumbs up! So much happened this month. its hard to remember it all. but that why i write to you. i hope it encourages you when you have your kids! anyway, Here's what happened this month. 

          

Highlights- you made a :-p noise with your tongue (Haha for lack of better words). You smile back at me from across the room! You laugh when I tickle you and make noises. You even laugh when I make noises across the room. You only laugh at something new. youre a tough crowd! It's so fun when we play and interact together. i love watching you and daddy play. This month, You are recognizing your name! You are answering to it. youll even turn your head to look at us! You made ba and haha noises! And you're most favorite noise, you still love to roar-ra!

Favorite moments-there are so many this month! All of the highlights could count as my favorite moments with you. I think hearing you laugh is my favorite. It's a glimpse of heaven I think. But to name a few others- you make faces when taking your vitamin. You close your eyes for a few seconds. your whole face shutters. you have this extremely disguised look on your face. its hilarious. It gets dad  laughing even after a long day. 

             

Happy first Labor Day! This holiday was special for me and your dad! I was this holiday last year we announced that you were coming! What a happy day! :-) we are so thankful you are here. It's pretty mind blowing that I'm holding you now a year later!

Nursing- it got sabotaged! The pediatrician recommended trying rice cereal because your weight was low. Even though it felt too early, I gave you some. You loved it!  You'd cry every time i pulled the spoon away to get more! (see video). It was hilarious how much you wanted it. You loved it too much I guess. You started to eat less during the day. Then you were up all night eating. It was terrible. It felt like it was too soon for you to start weaning. I decided to quit for a few weeks at least until you can handle both cereal and nursing. If I could go back, I would started the cereal a little older like six months in the morning after mursing. I didn't realize weaning would start so fast. It opened your eyes to how good food was! Now you watch us eat with wide eyes like this! 

              

Development-you have gained one pound since last month! this makes you 13 lbs! it is such a relief that you are gaining weight. its ressuring that you are growing as you should. This month we've been putting you in the high chair. a few times you pulled yourself up with the tray! ill put toys on the tray. You grabbing them and put them into your mouth. You are chewing on every toy! if they arent in your mouth, then they wined up on the floor somehow. It's like you started the phase of dropping things. 

                

         You started drinking from a cup! You love doing that! You didn't really get the sippy cup thing yet!!

                   

Leap-During these weeks, Alex will make the fifth leap in her mental development, known as the 'world of relationships'. After this leap, Alex will start to perceive the relationships, including distance, between the things that make up her world. Suddenly, her world is a very, very big place and she is a very small part. It also includes simple things like the distance or the position between things and the placement of things in relation to each other: something can be inside, outside, on top of, next to, underneath or in between something else, and your baby will play with these notions. Maybe Alex suddenly cries if you go a little further away. This is very normal. She now understands that the distance between you and her increases! ( I've notice this a lot with you. Many times you'll cry if you see me leaving.)

Jess's visit- it was fun! They loved you! You found them pretty fascinating. You would look and look at them. You studied them. You were so good to let them hold you! I'd like to think its because my attach ment parenting is so good. But the truth is that it's just because you're a good baby! 

           

Baby dedication- this month we officially dedicated you to The Lord! It's very exciting and touching to have family here for it. It was very moving to have the whole church say a prayer just for you. we prayed that youd come to know christ as your savior! This is the decision of salvation that only you can make. It's also good reminder for me. We realize that we need to surrender you to Him daily. You are his! I've been reading genesis chapter 22. In this chapter, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son Isaac. Abraham is willing to without question. I can't imagine what he felt as a parent. He had faith that God would provide and had the power to revive his son. His faith overcame emotion, parental instinct, doubt, and fear. I think he knew that Gods will best for his son Isaac. Like Abraham, I know that you are his blessing to us. Giving you up to him daily is hard. You are His! he gave us you. And he gave you his beloved son, Christ to die on the cross for you. He did this because to He loves you, john 3:16. He loves more than me or your dad could ever!

           

Infection-You're first cold! You came down with a sinus infection! Ahh! It's hard not to worry about you. I'm pretty sure I gave it to you. I feel so guilty waiting so long to take you to the doctor. You didn't have a fever or cough. So I figured that he couldn't make you sleep more and eat less at night. I knew that poor eating is a sign something's wrong. But I thought since you were eating a lot at night and not during the day, you were going through a crazy night growth spurt. Now I know that if any things off its best to get checked out. I ended up taking you to the doctor. He found that you had a sinus infection and low iron levels!! The infection made it uncomfortable for you to lay down. The low iron kept you up at night and irritable. He suggested antibiotics, vitamins with iron, and to try the rice cereal again. This time, I am doing the rice cereal after nursing after your first feeding in the morning. I vew it more as an iron supplement, not quite weaning yet. I'm hoping it will make you more hungry and eat during the day. This will make you sleep at night?! Ill let you know how it works next month. For now, I'm trying to kept your noise clear with saline solution to fight the infection. I'm trying to feed you more without distraction and sleep whenever you need. I'm using a few oils like on guard, breathe and ecanasha on your feet. Hopefully we beat this cold soon!

               

Challenges- sickness and slept less nights! Which You've already heard about. It's hard not to get angry with the lack of sleep. I realize that I don't want to be that kind of person who lives life with anger or sense of entitlement. I don't want to give in to my fleshy sinful nature. I don't want it to be in control of my life. I need to give up and sacrifice my desire to hold on to my anger to The Lord. It's what Paul calls us to be living sacrifices in romans 12:1-  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." So when I feel angry, This is when I realize that I need to stop. Put you down even if you're crying. Take a deep breath and pray. give up my anger or the situation to God. when I give my anger up, I am being living scarfice. And a bonus, I worship God in the processes! Sweet! 

                

What I've learned as a mom- I've been thinking about what kind of parent I want to be. Do I want to be the trendy momma? It's the kind who follows a certain pop culture doctor or mainstream philosophy. Or should I be the kind of momma whoes uninformed and relies to hearsay from her friends? The type who's classic excuse is "i didn't know!" "Or no one told me"! Do I want to be the momma who bases all her decisions on science, studies, and doctors? "well, this study says this." Should I be the kind of mom that only follows her motherly instinct? Do I want to be the prefect momma with a perfectly clean house, gourmet meals and well dressed kids? (Lol, in my Dreams I know). Do I want to be the sweet momma who never disciplines and always friends with their kids? Or I should be the kind of parent whose always angry and yelling at their kids? Do I want to be an all natural hippie momma? Do I want to be the sporty kind of momma? Do I want to be the overwhelmed busy momma?

 

              

Not all of these types are bad, I've realized that I don't want to be any one of those kinds of mommas. I want to be a godly one. A kind of momma that is lead by the spirit and follows Gods word. Why? It's because God knows what's best for you. He created you and knows everything about you even the amount of hairs on your head. He knows exactly what you need from a mother and father. He tells us how to parent in his word. I find the hard part is finding the time to read, memorize it, and apply it. After Reading Gods word, I have faith that this is when the Holy Spirit will step in and lead us in each day to day interaction. I pray that Ill listen and stay in tune with him. That's the kind of mother whoes timeless and worthy of praise, proverbs 31:28-29. I pray that you'll be that kind of parent someday! 

Love you sweet cheeks,

Mom

Ps- thanks for reading past the run on sentences and all the miss spellings!! Love y'all! Blessings!