8 Months Old

Happy 8 months baby girl!  You are changing every single day.  You are becoming more active and no longer want to stay in one spot.  You aren't crawling yet, but I know it will happen soon.  You get into the crawling position, but land flat on your tummy.  You start moving those little legs and feet wanting to go!  You do, however, roll to where you want to go.

You just started eating solids (puree) food on Tuesday, February 18th.  You shocked mommy completely.  You gobbled up some butternut squash.  Since then you've had yogurt, sweet potato, blueberries, oatmeal and avocado.  You take a few bites, but that's okay,

You cut your first tooth just yesterday.  You won't let me take a good look at it, but I know I will see that pearly white real soon.

I love how you study everything you get your hands on.  You won't put foreign objects in your mouth.  You hold on to it and look at it thoroughly.  

You are a thinker.  Just the other day you were playing on the floor while I was having breakfast and you wanted to come to me.  There was a lid to your box bucket that was in the way so you moved it then fell over and started rolling.  Took me by surprise.  

You love to hold things.  Holding something makes you feel secure.  Whether its your hippo teething ring, your small bath cloth, small ball, my fingers.  

You never took a paci or sucked your thumb, but you love your feet.  If you are crying when you wake from your nap, you are holding you foot when I come into the room.  You will hold your foot while you are in the car seat when you are mad at being stuck there.

You were saying "mamama" for several weeks but have stopped.  You do go "hmmm" all the time.

You love to sleep! You are the greatest little sleeper and I am SO THANKFUL!  You love to sleep on your side.  Maybe because that was how I positioned you when you were a newborn.

You love your Baby Einstein activity table!  As soon as you wake in the morning, you cry wanting to play.  I just leave you there for 15 minutes and you are good to go.

You love being outside.  Being outside calms you if you are too fussy.  I take you out and you stop immediately.

You can pull up holding onto a broom stick or mommy/daddy hands.  If you are sitting in my lap, you can pull up on your sit-n-stand toy.  You are getting there.

You love to be held by mommy.  If I sit you down for a minute or if daddy holds you, you cry.  You want mommy all the time.  We are BFF's! 

-----------

You don't like when I'm out of your site.  Its a total cry fest.  

You don't like having baths in the morning.

You get mad when you can't do something.  You just give up.  I try to push you a little.

You hate having your diaper changed.  You roll all over the place.

-----------

You are turning into an even more beautiful little girl.  I still can't believe you are 8 months old!  You are the light of mommy and daddy's life.  I can't imagine life without you sweet one!  Love you to the moon and back!

 

 

 Taking photos are getting harder!

First Tooth

This morning Vivian was holding onto the ledge of the coffee table while I was adjusting her leg warmers and she banged her face on the ledge.  Poor baby.  Crying like crazy.  Proud Mom moment here.  I'm surprised she has broken anything yet...knock on wood. 

Anyway, we went into the kitchen and I got a wet bath cloth for her to suck on and she took my finger along with the cloth, and load and behold I felt a tooth.  Little booger wouldn't let me take a look.  She either kept her lip shut tight, stuck out her tongue or throwing her head back away from me.

While she was crying I caught a glimpse.  We have one little tooth on the bottom.

This is the best pic I could get.  She's a fighter!

 

 

 

 She has been a little fussy this week so now we know why.  My baby girl is growing up!  Can't believe you'll be 8 months old tomorrow!!

 

Cleaning up the bum

Oh little one, you have a mild case of a yeast diaper rash.  Well, at least from doing my research that's what they tell me.  Red, scaly, raised bumps along side your little booty crack and below the small of your back. I'm hoping I clear this up on my own without having to call the pediatrician for an antibiotic or trying an intifungal like Lotrimin.

When your child has a diaper rash, you feel somewhat of a failure as a parent.  At least I do.  You change your child frequently, clean her well, lather her up with cream and hope for the best. Sometimes you do what you can and it still happens.

I was using Pampers Swaddlers, but decided to try Whole Foods brand, 365 Everyday Value diapers before going back to Honest Company. They are chlorine free and hypoallergenic so I'm hoping this helps. They are slightly more expensive than Pampers (only by $4), but less expensive than Honest Co (by $30).  We will give these a whirl and see if it helps.

I'm also using Kelapo Coconut Oil as diaper rash cream. Coconut oil is naturally antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial, it will eradicate bacteria, virus and fungi like yeast.  Crossing fingers it will help. I'm also using Aveeno diaper rash cream on top of the coconut oil for extra protection. I may try Burt Bee's diaper cream for a more natural route.  

Along with the oil, I'm using water, her baby shampoo and bath cloth to clean her vs wipes. Even though I use sensitive wipes, I think for right now it would be best to use mild soap and water to clean her little bum. I'm also trying to leave the diaper off for a little while vs slapping a diaper on as soon as I clean her.  Besides, what's cuter than a baby butt?!  Just don't pee all over the floor baby girl!

   

My Little Valentine

What a great Valentine we had.  Mainly because we had our little Valentine, Vivian!  Odd to think this time last year I was pregnant with her.  Brian got her the onesie she's wearing as a Valentine gift last year.  I'm surprise, kinda, she can still wear it since its 3-6 month size and this little stinker will be 8 months next Saturday.

Isn't she just the cutest!!  We exchanged our cards and gifts before heading to our early 3:30 dinner at the Little Dipper. Daddy Vivian, eh hem, forgot to get Mommy a card.  I told her she better remember next year!  

 Brian opened his card and gift from Vivian first.

Vivian says, "I recognize those little tootsies!"  Side note:  I wasn't planning on painting on so many hearts, but Vivian was getting frustrated with me and kicked her heel on the bottom.  We had to do a little cover up :)  Mommy got Daddy a picture of us to haven in his office.

Next we let Vivian open her cards.  I didn't get her a gift.  I know, mean Mommy.  She will get something next year for sure!

Card from Daddy

Card from Mommy

Brian got me a sweet card and a charm for my Pandora bracelet.  I told Vivian when she's older I will give her my bracelet since it was all about her.

Afterwards we headed downtown.  I really didn't eat much before going because I knew I was going to eat myself sick.  Of course, I did.  I can't remember the last time I ate at the Little Dipper.  Gotta take full advantage!  

We started with Baja Cheddar Fondue.  So good!

As the main course we had their 'Instant Karma,' a combination of filet mignon, chicken and shrimp.  Delicious!  We used chicken broth to cook the food to make it healthier.

  

Then on to my favorite.  Chocolate!  We of course we had the Supreme Dipper.  You have to have the cookies, marshmallows, rice krispie treats in the mix. You can't just did fruit.  That's just boring.  We dipped our goodies in Turtle...caramel and dark chocolate topped with nuts.  Dark chocolate and nuts are healthy, right?

I can't believe we ate most of this.  I don't care for the cream puffs, so that wasn't touched.  I did eat ALL the marshmallows, oreo cookies, pretzels, a chocolate chip cookie cake and half the heart shaped sugar cookie.  We had to waddle out of the restaurant.  

The best part of this Valentine was spending it with my two favorites!

 

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day.  This marks in my book the BEST yet!  XOXO!!!!

Our Nightly Routine

I love when 6 pm rolls around.  Six o'clock means its time to relax for 30 minutes before taking our bath.

jammies

Vivian and I go into the bedroom and watch The Goodnight Show.  She absolutely loves Star!  She has the biggest smile on her face when she see's him.  He is cute!

She also loves the Chica also.  I told Vivian when she turns 2 I'll make a card and send it in to the show and maybe she will get a birthday shout-out!

When the time comes close to 6:30 pm, we'll go get in our birthday suit and take a bath.  She loves her bath time!  

The last time we were at B's parents, we brought back his old bath toy, Tommy the Turtle for her to play with.  She enjoys him!

Confession:  We use a dog sprayer to rinse our child :)  She loves having water sprayed into her mouth!

 

Tommy is in great condition for being over 35 years old!  I know she will love him even more as she gets older.

After getting dressed for bed and put down, it's time for Mommy and Daddy to relax.  We watch 'Seinfeld' every night.

I swear, I have watched every episode a thousand times and it never gets old.  I also watch 'Golden Girls' everyday still.  Love it!

I think one of the reason's I love 'GG' is because it reminds me of my Grandmother Sanders.  I remember as a child watching it at her house on either Saturday or Sunday night before we left to go home.  Of course, I had no clue what they were talking about and as an adult now, I'm surprised my parents let me watch it, ha!  Just good television guys.

Time to finish relaxing.  Doing it all over again tomorrow!!!  Can't complain...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE EVERY SECOND!

 

 

Not our Sunday best

Sunday's have not been in our favor. Last Sunday while I was changing clothes, Vivian fell off our chair in the bedroom. She was playing with B's belt and it fell on the floor and so did she.  Poor thing.  I turned and all I could see was her backside, head down, going to the ground. Some how she flipped and landed on her tummy.  She wasn't hurt thank goodness.  Only cried for a second.  At least it wasn't a long fall.

This was all after her not so fun stay at nursery during church.  

Now to yesterday.

Poor kid, again, didn't have a great time in nursery.  She was mad during her stay.  One kid tried taking her toy and she did not like that. She also got mad when they changed her diaper.  They said she wasn't crying until one of the parents ahead of us walked in. Once we walked in, she was hysterical. Took a little while to calm her down.  I think one of the main reasons she's so upset is because it's close to her feeding and nap time.  I give her a little milk on the way to church to hold her over, but when the time between 9/9:30 am rolls around, she knows its time to eat and sleep.  They are going to dread seeing us each Sunday.

After church, I gave her her bottle on the way home and she fell asleep.  Around 10:30 I started my pumping session and while pumping Vivian woke up.  I asked B to get her and change her diaper.  A few minutes later I heard Brian scream, "Oh God!"  I unhooked and ran to her room. Vivian fell off the changing table onto the floor.  That's about a 3 ft fall! He said the diaper pail was full and he was holding the changing pad (not her) and moved the pail and her heard a thump.  Baby girl on the floor on her stomach. 

I got her calmed and thank the GOOD Lord she wasn't hurt.  Scared us both.  

I'm kind of nervous what next Sunday will bring us.  I promise baby girl, we aren't trying to hurt you.  We love you bunches!!!

Side note:  As a baby, I fell out of the tub that was on the counter in the bathroom onto the floor...the hard floor...when my Mom stepped in my room for a quick second to grab something.  

Lesson to parents:  Do not let your child out of site for a second and never let go of them.

 

Mom's Milestone

Today I finally bit the bullet and left Vivian in the church nursery.  We haven't attended church since the end of October and knew it was time to get back in the swing of things.  

When we got there, one little boy was being dropped off at the same time. I'm guessing he was 1.  Vivian just looked around taking everything in as usual.  The little boy started playing with a few toys so I sat Vivian on the floor to let her play.  The young girl volunteering was on the floor as well.  Vivian didn't fuss...just watched.  I think we are good to go!

B and I headed to the sanctuary.  They did give us a pager just in case they needed us.  Comforting to have and no, they did not have to page us.

I managed to focus on the sermon and my mind wasn't constantly on Vivian.  Good sign.  After service was over we made our way back to the nursery.

Vivian was sitting in the young girls lap and there were a few more kids.  When Vivian saw us she started to cry a little.  We were told she did well and the only thing that happened was that one of the kids took her little card that she was playing with and Vivian got really mad.  Vivian was holding this little card when we walked into the nursery.  Crossing fingers we aren't going to have a "No, that's mine" little girl.  Simply another reason why she needs to be around other children. 

I'm glad we both survived because I am ready to get back into going to church.  Happy Sunday!!!