Age 9 months

Weight 20lb 2oz

Length 28.75″

Clothing size 12 mo

Hair Crazy. Always sticking up. I try to brush it down with a wet brush, but then I need to put her hat on to go out & it ends up looking crazier than before. Her bangs are in her eyes if not brushed out of the way … thinking she should get her first hair cut soon!

Teeth Nada!

Sleeping Sleeping OK at night, but not very well at daycare. I think it’s because they’re not able to anticipate her tiredness early enough, just because it can be busy, and also because other kids are awake while she naps. She doesn’t want to miss anything. When she sleeps at home, we have a set routine & it’s very dark and quiet in her room … I think that’s the biggest reason she’s not sleeping well at school.

Eating She loves to eat. She prefers purees (she takes 4 oz down in just a few minutes), but is not sure about table food. She hasn’t yet mastered the pincer grasp, so I think it’s frustrating to her. At mealtime, we start her with table food so she’s good & hungry to eat it … then after a while, if she hasn’t had much, we’ll finish with a puree. Sometimes we’ll give her fruit (banana or frozen mango) for dessert in her food feeder (link). She loves that thing! It’s usually something delicious and she’s able to feed it to herself … so this makes Miss Independent very happy ….while her parents eat their dinner. Some new foods she’s had this month: avocado (not a fan), scrambled eggs (same), frozen mango, chicken (with sweet potatoes and apples).

Movement Not crawling yet, but she gets around… it’s mostly an army crawl movement. No walking or cruising – but she REALLY likes to stand (with help). She looks so proud when she’s standing

Milestones First New Year’s Day. Clapped for the first time! She holds her left hand still & hits it with her right. She can now drink from her sippy consistently. She has to suck to get the water, so it took her a while to figure it out. First tantrums (yes, this early).

Favorite toys/activities Books. She intently looks at the pictures when she’s by herself or we’re reading to her. She also loves to turn the pages. She especially likes the picture of the tiger in her big 100 words book.

Likes Nursing. Hanging out in bed with us on the weekends after being fed. Figuring out other people/babies. When a baby was crying at daycare, she leaned to him & put her hand on his back, and then looked up at me & made sounds to get my attention. She likes her sippy cup, laughing with others (she’ll initiate a laugh to get it going), inspecting the backs & bottoms of things, watching mommy get ready, having her hair brushed.

Dislikes Not getting enough sleep at naptime (we don’t like this either). Having her face washed.

Words & sounds She’s starting to make more varied consonant/vowel sounds – interspersing her “ba’s” and “da’s.” No mama yet!

What we love I love how she plays with my hair before I put her down to sleep. We love how focused she gets when playing with her toys & how social she is.

What we don’t love Poor naps during the week make for cranky dinner times & early bedtimes.

(this is her singing .. we love that.)

What we’re looking forward to next month ….”mama”??

(photos taken Jan 21, 2013)

Age 8 months

Weight 19lb 14oz

Length not sure – no length measurement at the doctor until 9mo

Clothing size 12 mo

Hair Longer & a bit crazier. It doesn’t stick up as much because it’s longer, but it’s still all different lengths. The hair in the front either hangs to different points on her forehead, or, when I brush it, looks like a really bad comb-over. She so young, though, and I’m not about to cut her hair yet … it’s still cute to me.

Teeth None! Showing possible signs of teething. She shrugs her shoulders a lot (especially when irritated or tired) and really likes gumming the nozzle on her sippy. Other than her sippy, she rarely puts anything in her mouth (other than food; that’s a different story).

Sleeping Still naps well at home in her own bed, but not extremely well at daycare. She now (can I say it out loud?) sleeps consistently through the night, from 7:00/8:00 to 4:30/5:30. This month, we have noticed a connection between the amount of solids she eats during the day & whether she wakes up in the middle of the night. Now, we are trying to make sure she eats solids 3x/day (2x at daycare). When we put her down to sleep (awake), she’ll usually reach for her doll or monkey (her crib friends) and sometimes fall asleep with her arm outstretched. Evie prefers to sleep on her tummy, and we cover her with a light blanket & turn on the humidifier (it’s dry in the winter) as well as the static noise machine. She also likes to stretch her arm out, put her thumb on the matress, and stretch her fingers out in the air. In the morning, she’ll wake up and then play in her crib until we come to get her.

Eating What can I say, she loves to eat, whether it’s solids or breastmilk. In the rotation of solids: homemade broccoli, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, pears, bananas, cauliflower. Everything has been ridiculously easy to make & requires tools most people already have in their kitchen. For instance, if we’re eating steamed carrots for dinner, I’ll leave a bunch of carrots to steam longer while we eat. After dinner, I’ll add some of the steaming water to the carrots & stick the immersion blender in there to puree it. I put the puree in ice cube trays and/or Oxo Baby Blocks. I like to combine the different foods for interesting flavors … broccoli/cauliflower/carrots, blueberries/pears/apples (which she loves), bananas/broccoli (actually very good), sweet potatoes/apples. Right now we’re the only family to send in homemade solids to daycare, but I’ve heard that other parents have been inspired and may be doing it soon too! We’re really lucky to have a daycare that is so flexible & open-minded. They didn’t even bat an eye when I brought it up. As far as nursing, she nurses (or takes a bottle of breastmilk at daycare) every 4-5 hours, and I’m continuing to pump at work 2-3x during the day.

Movement Not crawling yet, but still launching herself forward from a sitting position to get on her hands and knees. She’ll rock back a few times and then reach what she’s wanting by flopping on her belly and squirming.

Milestones Waved for the first time, in church. She practices waving with one arm while nursing.  First time at the beach. First time being babysat by a stranger (!). We went to Florida for a wedding & had to get a referred babysitter from the concierge for the night of the wedding. Annnnd… first Christmas!

Favorite toys/activities Loves her puzzles, activity triangle &blue rattle. She has taken a specific interest in books lately. She’ll get excited and point at certain pictures, or take the book and turn it over & over. She likes to be held by someone who’s walking around, or have someone stand her up (anywhere). She acts very happy with herself when she’s in a standing position, especially if she’s looking in a mirror. She likes her sippy cup and understands now how to get the water out (without the no-spill plug) & is beginning to learn how to regulate the flow of water. Speaking of water, she also enjoys splashing in the tub. When she’s lying on her back in the water & her ears are covered with water, I’ve also noticed she is more vocal … probably to hear her own voice under the water – which I think is cute. She also really likes to observe people (she has from the beginning). At Christmas, being surrounded by so much family, she did well staying relaxed and just taking everything in.

Likes Daddy’s monkey noises. Waving … and at the right times, too! We will say “night night” and she waves … “hi!” and she waves. Sometimes we have to wave first to get her to do it, but when she does it, it’s the cutest thing. She also likes when me or Michael “eat” her bare belly … we get huge belly laughs. She and I also play a game … when she’s facing me & at my head level, she’ll lean forward and put my nose in her mouth – I’ll lean back and say, “Don’t eat my nose!!” … and then she’ll lean forward and repeat

Dislikes Still very clingy, especially to mommy… and especially when no one is holding her and I’m in sight.

Words & sounds “dadada” “bababa” and lots of expressive babbling. She also “roars”…we’ll go back & forth with her, roaring. It’s really cute. She’s great at mimicking us.

What we love She is easy going, even in the midst of lots of chaos. One specific thing: I like, when I’m putting her down to bed or for a nap, I’ll turn off her light while holding her… and she’ll immediately put her head on my shoulder.

What we don’t love That she goes to bed only 2 hours after we all get home from work (at the most)!

What we’re looking forward to next month Maybe saying more words … like mama?

(photos taken Dec 31, 2012)

Age 7 months

Weight probably just over 19 lb

Length not sure – no length measurement at the doctor until 9mo

Clothing size 9-12 mo

Hair same as last month, a bit longer & fuller. Still has a mind of its own & is all different lengths.

Teeth Still none. No outward signs of teething at 7 months, nor any swollen gums. I think she’d continue to drink breastmilk for the rest of her life if it were up to her, anyways.

Sleeping As far as naps, she doesn’t nap very well at daycare. She usually takes 3 short naps there, on average for 30-45 min each. I don’t think she sleeps well because of all the exciting things going on. When she’s at home during the day, she will normally take 3 really good naps: wake around 5:00, nap 7:00-9:30ish, 11:00-1:30ish, 3:30-5:00ish. She’s gotten much better at nighttime sleep. Last month, we had started to be very consistent in putting her down awake and letting her cry for defined periods of time. However, it was disrupted by her first ear infection in both ears. Once it was diagnosed & we started giving her pain relief, she slept better. Since the ear infection, she’s been sleeping consistently through the night, from 7:00/8:00 to 4:30/5:30. If she wakes in the middle of the night, it’s rare & normally when we’ve been traveling or she’s been off her schedule during the day.  When putting her down, she knows the routine. Sleeper/diaper, book, lights off, sing a few songs, back pats, put her down, cover her with a blanket. She normally fusses a bit, but it doesn’t last long & is usually because she’s just tired.

Eating This girl loves to eat. Her favorite solid foods are carrots & butternut squash. We aim to feed her 2x/day. She’s like a little robot in her highchair; when she’s swallowed one bite, her mouth immediately opens for the next. We sometimes give her manageable table food (that we’re normally eating). She hasn’t mastered the pincer grasp yet, so she normally palms the food, closes her fist & tries to stick her fist in her mouth. She’s on the right track, ha. She still nurses or takes a bottle of breastmilk (at daycare) every 3-4 hours during the day.

Movement Gets around by rolling/shimmying/something. I really don’t know how she does it, but she gets places. Especially in her crib: We’ll put her down with her feet near to touching the rails, and she’ll shimmy up, in her sleep, to the top, so that her head is touching the rails on the other side! No formal crawling yet, but she has started to launch forward while sitting, with one knee under her. She won’t go anywhere from there, until she’s collapsed on her belly on the ground (and then squirms to get what she wants). She seems to have a very strong back; Michael will hold her at the waist, and she’ll bend forward to pick something up (straight back) and come right back up. She also rocks back and forth when she’s excited or hears music.

Milestones First ND game on campus (not in the stadium yet). First finger food: mashed up sweet potatoes. First Thanksgiving. First ear infections. Starts solids at daycare (we send in homemade purees). Mimicking others’ laughing … Michael and I were in the car, laughing, and heard her then laughing in the back

Favorite toys/activities Her Melissa & Doug puzzle (with the big knobs), paper (any kind), her activity triangle, her “ipod” (we keep it in the car for desperate times), her baby doll rattle. If you’re holding her, she likes to play with anything around her … jewelry you’re wearing, anything hanging on the wall or sitting on the counter. She loves to laugh at people that pass by.

Likes Sitting on anyone’s lap (but especially mommy’s) and playing. Playing with a certain empty bottle of lotion we keep at the changing table. Opening/closing the wipe container. Making new friends with anyone. Exploring anyone’s face … especially sticking her finger up your nostril. Making high-pitched squeals. Swimming class… a lot.

Dislikes Still, having her arms put in sleeves. Having her nose wiped. When she knows she’s going to be fed (solids or nursing), she wants it immediately. She fusses when we are getting her bib, high chair & food ready, or I’m getting ready to nurse. (Patience, my dear girl.) Being put in her car seat.

Words & sounds Lots of “dadadada” and the first sounds that sound like ”mmmmpfh.” We’re emphasizing “mama” and hoping that comes soon In general, she likes to hear her voice. Lots of roaring, squealing & letting her voice just wander.

What we love Her happy personality! She’s generally very smiley & laughs a lot. Watching her learn everyday. She really observes and seems to pick something up everyday.

What we don’t love Ear infections.

(photos taken Nov 21, 2012)

Age 6 months

Weight 18 pounds 10 ounces

Length 27.75 inches

Clothing size 9 mo is starting to get tight … 12 mo clothes fit her better

Hair Longer & a bit fuller. Her new hair is blonde with a slight reddish tint in the sun.

Teeth None yet! No signs of teething, either. She isn’t like most of her baby friends, who drool & have something in their mouth at all times. Evie just doesn’t have that object-to-mouth urge yet. Her gums don’t seem swollen yet, either.

Sleeping We’ve learned this month how important it is to keep her on somewhat of a schedule. She takes 2-3 naps per day (depending on when she wakes in the morning). At night, we feed her downstairs around 6:30, play until about 7:15. Then one of us takes her upstairs to her room, puts on her jammies, reads her a book or two, and puts her down (after some singing, too … ). She’s starting to get better about knowing it’s time for sleep & soothing herself. Other times – not so much. The nights are very unpredictable. Sometimes she’ll sleep until 4:00 … other times, she’ll wake 2 or more times. We’re hoping once she eats more solids, she’ll sleep better at night. (Please?)

Eating We started solids! It took some practice, but she eventually realized that sticking her tongue out & wiggling it around wasn’t getting her anywhere. Once she realized that she liked the food, she got really good at it. She opens her mouth, leans forward and swoops down toward the spoon. When we try to clean up the excess around her mouth with the spoon, she tries to eat the spoon before we can clean up. It’s pretty funny to watch.

Movement Not crawling yet – and not really making much motion to do so. She gets around by rolling. I would say she prefers to sit on her toosh & have a better view of things. We’re trying to make more of a point of putting her on her tummy so she needs to try harder to get what she wants.

Milestones Says “dada.”  Reaches up when we say “up.” First solids. First Halloween (cutest koala ever). First school picture day. Laugh/coughs (it sounds like a fake laugh).Grins with her mouth closed (shows off her adorable chubby cheeks).   … cue grin:

Favorite toys/activities Wooden shape puzzle. Stacking blocks. Board books. Colored wooden shape-sorters. Sophie the giraffe. Snack the monkey. She likes to play in her jumper, but doesn’t really jump. She just gets really focused on moving the toys. Anytime she’s playing, it’s as if she has a lot of things to do on her to-do list, and she’s intently knocking off items on her list. Bang the blue square on the yellow triangle 10 times, check. Hit the lion 15 times, check. Turn Sophie left & right 20 times, check. Now back to the blue square…

Likes Interacting/playing with anyone! She is extremely social. When I pick her up from daycare, she gets excited & vocalizes. Then, as I walk about with her in my arms, she tries to catch other people’s eyes and starts “talking” to them even though they may not be looking at her. I (like to) think she’s saying, “Hey guys! Look! My mommy! She’s here! The one I was telling you about!”  She likes when Michael does anything goofy, and mostly when it involves jumping. That’ll get a great belly laugh. She likes Ms. Jennie & Ms. Bre at daycare. She also likes stroller rides. She doesn’t always fall asleep, but she’ll just go into a trance-like state. Ever since she was born, being outside has calmed her.

Dislikes Sleeping through the night, apparently. Getting in her car seat, as usual. Being stimulated when overtired. Interrupting her while she’s nursing.

Words & sounds She still “sings” herself to get ready for sleep … she vocalizes while we pat her back. She has started a (very) high pitched scream. She starts at the very top of her register, before it even makes a sound … then she brings it down into the moderately-high range, then right down into a … growl? I don’t know what to call it, really. Bottom line: she loves to hear her voice.

What we love She likes her solids! … that, and she’s just a very happy baby. We were especially proud parents when Ms. Bre said she’s the happiest baby they have in class

What we don’t love Not sleeping! I rarely get more than 4 consecutive hours of sleep. It’s really starting to wear on me. Michael helps out where I let him (he’s amazing), but I’m stubborn and usually handle the night feedings.

What we’re looking forward to next month … sleeping longer? and introducing more foods!

(photos taken Oct 21, 2012)