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! 

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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.

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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!

7 months...

Happy 7 months to my sweet baby girl!!!  Every night when I pray, I thank God for this little blessing he has given to us.  I still can't believe I'm the mother to sweet Vivian Rose.  How did I ever get so lucky?

Vivian's Likes

• Squealing
• Bouncing
• Playing with 'real' objects, e.i. pasta noodles, toilet paper cardboard roll, necklaces, bows
• Taking the place mats off the table
• Throwing objects repeatedly and have mommy pick it up
• Playing Peek-A-Boo
• Loves when Peek-A-Boo Forest is read to her
• Watching Will.I.Am song "What I Am" from Sesame Street.  If she's fussy, I play this and calms her right down.  Amazing.
• Standing 
• Hanging up side down

Vivian's Dislikes

• Tummy time.  We have given up.
• Running the water in the big bath tub.  She cries until I turn it off. 
• Trying puree foods.  We've tried oatmeal, applesauce, avocado, sweet potatoes, carrots.  Once in a blue moon she'll take a couple of bites, but for the most part, she wants nothing to do with it. 
• Doing one activity for too long.  She gets bored easily.  

For Mommy and Daddy

You are a pro at sitting up.   You are going to do things at your own time (holding your own bottle, using a sippy cup, taking a bath in the big tub and not in the sink, eat mommy's yummy pureed food, crawl).  Mommy knows you it will all happen when you are ready.  I mean, you aren't going to be an adult that doesn't know how to eat, walk, take a bath.  You have a lot of attitude already.  You get mad quickly.  You have mommy and daddy wrapped around your little finger.  You are a thinker.  You are extremely cautious.  You all ready have 'stranger danger.'  You are the BEST little girl in the whole wide world!!!

Can't believe in 5 months you'll be a 1 year old!  Growing up on me too fast little one!

4 Months Old

 

Look at that little smirk.  Isn't she the cutest?!  4 months old.  I cannot believe it.  My baby is growing up too fast.  Just a little FYI, she looks plumper in pictures but in person she is a tiny little thing.  Per my Mother.  Anywho, she is going to be a hot mess when she gets older.  She will definitely be a busy little bee.  I just love watching her discover new things.  This week she has almost mastered holding her feet without my assistance.  She'll kick those little legs up and grab her little piggy's.  

She is the cutest when she goes and grabs a toy or something with both hands together.  She does some serious concentrating.  Absolute cuteness!!  

On Sunday, Oct 20th, we had her Baptism.  She did so well...did not make one peep.  I thought she was start crying during the ceremony, but nope, she was a perfect angel.

She looked so sweet in her Christening gown.

I am so ready to dress her in her Halloween costume.  Her and Brody will be coordinating.  I'm not going to say what they are going to be...I would like to leave that as a surprise.  I guarantee it will be precious.  You know Brody is looking forward to his favorite holiday :)

Vivian's Likes

• Her doll, Lucy.  I'm not sure if its the size or what, but that loves that little baby doll.  She's so excited playing with her first thing in the morning.
• She loves when I sing, "Five Little Monkeys."  She thinks its the funniest thing.  Especially when I go into deep for voice, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed."  She just giggles.
• She likes when you blow on her little tummy.
• She like peek-a-boo. Well, for a short period of time.
• Still loves eating on her little hands.  
• Still loves bath time.
• Sleeping at night.  We are blessed with a great sleeper.  If I still didn't have to get up at 1:30 am to pump, my life would be golden!  Those 1:30 am's are killing me!!  Hoping I will drop that pump after or during December.  
• Being carried in the baby carrier.  I'll sometimes carry her in that instead of the stroller when we go on our walks.

Vivian's Dislikes

• Sitting in one spot for a long period of time.  She gets so mad.  You can't just sit with her on the couch or chair...you have to be standing.  Its the damndest thing.
• Tummy time.  Child still has not figured out how to use her arms to push up.  Kinda concerning.  She has a strong neck and can hold her neck well without wobbling, but she does not want to use those little arms.  I'm weak in my arms, but strong in my legs...maybe she'll be the same way
• Not a fan of her car seat.  Although, its starting to get a little better.  I adjusted her straps a little better so doesn't constantly cry.  We've managed to venture out a little.  Plus, my Mom has been here visiting and riding in the back with her.  I think that's been a little helpful :)
• I've discovered she likes her hood up on her car seat when we go on walks.  I had it down the other day, which normally its up, but thought maybe should would like a little airflow.  She cried about half way through our walk and couldn't figure out why.  She's happy on her strolls.  Well, I pulled the hood up and crying stopped.  Amazing.
• Does not like wearing head boys.  She'll wear it for a little bit, then wants it off.  Hence why she is constantly mistaken for a boy.  Plus, it leaves imprints on her head and I don't want to mess her little head up :)
• Doesn't care to be cuddled.  You know when you have a baby resting their little heads on your shoulder.  Nope.  Doesn't like it.  She has to be facing forward to see what's going on.  Again, she's going to be a hot mess when she gets older.

She is an absolute sweetheart.  We are so blessed to have her in our lives.  You love that little stinker!!!!

3 Months Old

I can't believe my sweet angel is already 3 months old.  My, where has the time gone?  Our days mostly consist of taking a stroll in the neighborhood, playing on her activity mat, a small cat nap here and there, swinging in the backyard, eat, pee/poop, smiling and trying to giggle.  

She is one happy baby.  Loves to smile.  She is the happiest in the morning...that's my favorite time of day.  She greets you with the biggest smile when you get her out of her crib.  She is so happy to see us because it had been 12 hrs since she last saw us.  Yes, my child sleeps 11-12 hrs straight through the night.  We are truly blessed with a good sleeper.  I think a lot has to do with our nightly routine.  At 6:30 pm we take a 30-40 minute stroll, take a 15-20 minute bath, get lotioned up and into our jammies and swaddled, eat and she's down around 8 pm and sleeps until around 7:30 am.  Some mornings longer.  I think that is the key to having a child to sleep through the night.  You also have to be consistent.  Yes, we have to go to dinner around 5 pm to get back home, but that's okay.  We have turned into total home bodies.

Vivian's Likes:

• I think baths will always be on the favorite list
• Strolls
• Being outside.  Whether its sitting with mommy or daddy in a chair or in her swing.
• Watching TV.  She's mesmerized by it.  During the day we usually have it on Nick Jr or Sprout.
• Playing on her activity mat.  She loves the singing flower.  
• Smiling.  Happy happy little girl.
• She likes rolling onto her tummy, but once she's on the tummy she isn't too happy.  As soon as you put her back onto her back she's back on her stomach.  She's a silly girl.
• Being bounced and held.
• Her peacock Polly and her baby doll Lucy.  That's what we named them :)

 Vivian's Dislikes:

• Sitting in her car seat for too long.  I try and take her out and about, but it usually turns into an unsuccessful trip.  She gets so fussy when out in public.  We've only had one good day of going out.  We went to Target, Old Navy and World Market.  If I plan to take her anywhere it has to be as soon as she's done eating.  That way we can go to at least one store together.
• Waiting on her bottle.  She is very impatient when it comes to eating.  As you can tell by those chubby cheeks.  
• Sitting for too long.  You can't just sit on the couch with her or leave her too long in her bouncer chair.  She again gets fussy and you have to stand up and walk around with her.

I have to say we have the best little girl in the world.  I count our blessing everyday.  God has truly blessed us with this amazing little girl!

Happy 3 months sweet heart!!!!

 

2 months old

Little chunky monkey had her 2 month well check on Monday, Aug 26th which means she got her first round of vaccinations.  Boy, that was very hard on the both of us.  We first got weighed and measured.  Child has put on some weight!  3 weeks ago she weighed 9 lbs even, well she's up to 10.4 lbs!  I couldn't believe it.  I thought she was around 9.5 lbs.  Child loves her milk!!  She measured 21.5 inches long and she's in the 25th percentile.  Little bit is definitely growing!  I mean, come on, how can you not love little baby fat rolls!!  Oh, I could kiss them all day long.

As for the vaccinations, that was a hard one for the both of us.  The nurse first gave her Rotateq which is a liquid grape medicine given to her orally.  She liked that!  Then came her 3 shots...DTaP, Prevnar and Hep B.  They laid her down on the table and had me to face her holding her tiny little arms beside her head.  HATED having to hold my child down like that.  Boy, I haven't heard her cry like that since the day she was born.  Poor thing.  She just cried, cried and cried.  Thankfully, the shots were quick.  I couldn't imagine being the one doing that.  

Vivian slept on the way home, but didn't sleep after getting there.  Poor little girl was fussy the most of the day.  Luckily, she didn't run a fever.  By 4 pm she finally fell asleep in my arms.  We got on the couch and curled up...Vivy in my left arm and Brody on my right side (he had is head resting on her feet.  so sweet!) and we took a two hour nap.  She slept a little longer and when we woke her for her bath around 7:30 pm, she was not happy.  They are right, DO NOT WAKE A SLEEPING BABY! 

After all the crying, we finally got her to bed.  Poor thing cried during her changing, she cried during her bath, she fought us on her feeding.  She just didn't feel well and she was disturbed from her sleep.  

Yesterday she was still a little fussy.  She didn't even want to eat much.  Only thing she wanted was to be held.  Heck, times holding her she was fussy.  Hoping for a better day today!

Things that she likes:

• Eating, obviously. Before bedtime she can put away 6 oz of milk.  Her pediatrician couldn't believe it.  He said as long as she wasn't spitting it up, then that was fine.  That's what she wants.
• Being bounced.  LOVES IT!  If she's fussy, just start bouncing her and she will calm right down.  A lot of times she will fall asleep.  She does like sleeping straight up.
• Cooing and smiling.  Its so fun talking to her.  She'll stare at you and we'll making howling noises and she'll talk right back.  We'll do it then stop, then she'll start.  Then she will start smiling and try and laugh.  She's done a couple of giggles.   SO CUTE!!  She will also try and mimic me when I stick my tongue out.  It takes her a little while, but she gets it. Melts my heart.   I really need to video her.
• Being outside.  Another way to calm her.  I don't know if its the heat or the sounds, but she can sit outside for the longest time and be content.  
• Being held.  I think that's a favorite for all little ones, but she just really enjoys it.  Doesn't take her long to fall asleep either.
• Her hands and feet.  Well, her hands mostly.  She loves sucking on them and making lots of noises with them.  She has loved her hands since she was in my womb.  Every ultrasound I had, her hands were in and around her mouth.  She just recently discovered her feet.  She'll sit in her chair or in the stroller and watches them while she kicks.  She's trying to figure them out.
• Bath time.  Child loves a bath!  Definitely calms her and she likes her daddy spraying water into her mouth.  She'll stick her little tongue out and try and lap it up.  It's so funny.
• Blake Shelton.  If she's fussy, I'll turn on You Tube and she will sit there and watch his video and listen to the music.  I don't know if she recognizes it because I listened to him a lot in the car while I was pregnant.  
• Licking her bib or outfit.  I guess she enjoys the texture of the material.  I have a feeling she will be putting anything and everything in her mouth! 

Things she dislikes:

•  Being strapped in her car seat for a long period of time.  Boy does that girl get fussy.
• Going to restaurants.  She'll start crying and I always have to get her out of her seat.  I don't want to be the parent that has a crying child in public.  You know people always stare out you and thinking, "Can you just make your child be quite!" Although, we went to Brixx Pizza Friday night and she was content.  Didn't whine or wanted to be out of her seat.  She was happy.  Maybe we are making progress.
• Not getting what she wants right then.  Which means she wants to eat ASAP.  She will start crying like crazy, then you stick the bottle in her mouth and she's happy. 
• Wiping her face in the morning with a bath cloth.  She doesn't mind it in the evening, but does not care for it in the morning.  Strange.

Overall, she's a GREAT little girl.  Can't complain too much.  I just love watching her grow and change almost daily.  She is so much fun...and times exhausting :)  She's the BEST!!!