7 Months Old

Happy 7 months and Merry Christmas Eve sweet buttercup!  Your first Christmas.  You have no clue to what's going on, but I'm sure big sister will help open your presents and claim them hers :)

Stats:  Weight 15 pounds.  Clothes 3-6 months.  Diaper size 2.    

 Eating:  You are nuring every 2-3 hours while awake. You also are eating fruits in the morning and a veggie at lunch.  I've held off on dinner since I don't want any poops during the night.  

Sleep: You are sleeping from 6:30/7pm-6:30/7am with only one night feeding...usually around 4am.  You are taking 2 naps a day...on mommy mind you.  Each nap last around 1.5.  I aim for a total of 2.5-3 hour naps.  You do best when you go to bed no more than 3 hours from when you wake from your last nap.

Toys:  You love dolls and stuffed animals.  You are also a fan of anything you can put in your mouth.

Milestones:  During tummy time you get those little legs moving wanting to crawl.  You've gotten into the 'downward-facing dog' pose on tge bed a couple of times. You can stand by yourself while holding on against your activity table and couch.  Strong little chubby legs!

Personality:  I can already tell you are going to have a sweet demeanor.  You are a "go with the flow" type girl and flash a smile when someone smiles at you.

Outings:  You love being out of the house.  You enjoy going places with mommy and sissy.  You never fuss, you sit back and take in your surroundings.

Cuteness:  When you sit-up, you curl your toes.  Also while sitting, when someone pucks you up, you keep your legs in the sitting position.  Adorable!  I still love your ears :-)   

Laughter:  You love to giggle.  Vivian can get you really going by acting silly.  You love that big sister of yours!

Dislikes:  When you can't see mommy.

You are an absolute sweetheart sweet angel.  Mommy loves you more than you'll ever know!!  

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!!!  

Keeping our sanity

Being cooped in the house can be tiring and lets face it, boring.  I try my best to change each day up so Vivian doesn't become fussy or aggravated with me that we are stuck here.  Winter sucks. I long for spring. 

 Honestly, there is only so much you can do with a 7 month old.  Yes, we were sick for 2 weeks but that has finally moved out of the Kinard household.  Minus an occasional cough, sneeze or sniffle. 

In the past few weeks we've had randomly nice weather.  Weather in the 60's.  Love.  On those days we are out the door.  Whether we go shopping, to the park or just in our backyard.  The day before Vivian got her nasty cold we spent a lot of the day outside.  It was in the low 60's and had her dressed in her cute little spring outfit and enjoyed our day.  I didn't put a hat on her so I thought I was the reason why she got sick which was not the case.  The Dr said the day you become sick actually happens 3 days before you start having symptoms.  

We took Mr. Brody on a long walk, went to Dragonflies Boutique and hung out in the backyard playing with toys.

It was a great day.  

Then the sickness hit. Sigh.  Again, glad that's over with! 

When we are stuck inside we play with toys, scarves, household items, let her roll around on the floor, nap, eat, be silly, help mommy cook, hang upside down like a monkey, work on tummy time with a beach ball, read and whatever else I can come up with.  You have to be somewhat creative.

 For the past two weeks we've tried to go to a new gym facility called The Little Gym of Wilmington.  She needs to be around infants her age.  I need to around some adults...aka, other mommies. They offer a class for her age group on Wednesdays or Thursdays and I thought it would be a great way to meet some new people.  The first Thursday I scheduled for a class was the week we were seek.  I then rescheduled for today, then ice storm came.  Crossing fingers next week will work.  Not sure what exactly they do for the infant program, but since they offer a free intro class I thought it wouldn't hurt to see what it was all about.

Every Wednesday morning from 9:30-9:50 am at our local library, they have story time for Vivian's age group.  It's right before she eats and naps so, again, I thought it would be something fun for us to do.  Hopefully next week will work out for us.

Weather pending and my feelings about leaving her in the nursery, we are going to make our way to church.  Sadly, we have not been since October or November.  The last time we went, Vivian was talking away during the sermon. I had to leave so we wouldn't disturb anyone.  I haven't been ready to leave her with a stranger, so, I've avoided the whole nursery thing.  Plus, since we are in the cold/flu season I didn't want her to get sick or now that we've been sick to relapse.  I may end up staying with her for the first time.  I don't want to be crying and worrying about her during the entire time.  I know she would be in good hands and its only for 45 minutes, but the only people she has been left alone with are Brian and my Mom.  Hard for this Mommy.  

    The weather is suppose to be in the 60s this weekend so crossing fingers we will be able to enjoy the outdoors.

Come on spring, we are ready for you!!!