A Month of Many Firsts

Hi little one,
Things went from zero to 60 this past month! So many FIRSTS!! Allow me to catch you up...

First ER Visit:: Okay, maybe, maybe I freaked out and took you in at 3:15am for what turned out to be an non-emergency (upper respiratory infection and left ear infection). But to be fair, I freak out over practically nothing anyways! You sounded really congested, and you kept waking up so I started worrying and eventually woke up your Daddy to tell him your fever wouldn't go down, and that I was taking you in to see a doctor. Glad I did, because we never would have known that you had an ear infection since you weren't pulling on your ears or crying. 10 days of amoxicillin later, you felt much better. Here's your sweet, exhausted, sickyface at the ER.

Gigi and Pa G:: Your grandparents came to stay with us for a few days. It was awesome to see them!! Aunt Darcy, Uncle Scott, and your cousins Evan and Ryan came for a few days, too, so they could do some house hunting before their big move in July. We all got together Saturday and Sunday, and somehow managed to snap this picture with all of the grandkids. Pretty good, considering that about five seconds after it was taken, Griffin was looking through his binoculars, Reagan was almost buried in the couch cushions, Ryan quit gazing at the fan, Evan decided he would rather watch the Lion King instead of say cheese, and you wanted to suck on your fingers! I'm sure this was the first of many, many more shitshows of us trying our hardest to get you all to pose and smile at the same time :)

First words:: You're officially not just babbling anymore! I was so sure your first words would be either "I love cats" or "mama", but no. Wrong! You said "Dada" one night when we were all in the living room. Daddy got the BIGGEST smile on his face, so as sad as I am that you really are a daddy's girl at heart, I can't be upset. I love watching your Daddy's face light up when you say his name. You have him wrapped around your little finger, Pemberley!

First night sleeping on your belly:: You're officially a tummy sleeper! It was about 6am one morning when I went to pick you up out of the crib, and I noticed that you weren't on your back where I put you. You were belly down, just snoozing away! Once you mastered rolling in your sleep, you weren't afraid to finally show off during the day too. You roll all the time now! (But not tummy to back...it's the weirdest thing! Now when you roll onto your tummy, you're pretty content to hang out like that for awhile, doing what appears to the untrained eye to be baby pushups.) You also sleep for really good stretches through the night now that you sleep on your tummy. (Except for the occasional night like this one...I believe Daddy called you 'Paranormal Activity baby' when we saw you staring at the camera like this.)

First dance:: Little Miss Twinkletoes! We got all dressed up and took you to your first real dance! It was the annual 8th grade spring fling at mommy's work, and I must say, your slick dance moves impressed everyone!

Okay, maybe you didn't get much dancing in, but we still had a good time :)

Ooookay, maybe you just sucked on your fingers and fell asleep an hour after we got there, but I'm just positive you would have been a little ballerina on the gym floor! Here you are, hanging with some of my students. I can't wait to take you in a big fancy dress next year and watch you have your first daddy/daughter dance...my heart is melting already!

First foods:: Daddy and I took a CPR class in preparation for feeding you solid foods. We decided to skip baby food in a jar and go straight to finger foods, using a method called Baby Led Weaning. Up first? Bananas! Your expression is priceless!! 

::lessons learned from feeding you solids::

1) Strip you down. Cleaning banana stains out of your onesie was so not fun.

2) Your poop changes when your diet changes. I don't want to get into it too much, but it's safe to say that you did your Daddy proud in that department.

3) You don't need a vacuum when you have two dogs.

4) Even after researching the difference between choking and gagging AND taking the CPR class, it's still a little scary to see you shovel in food. But damn, girl. You love to eat!

First Mother's Day:: This was the first Mother's Day that we spent together as a family, and let me tell you, it was the BEST! We woke up and Daddy took us to First Watch for some delicious pancakes. We spent the rest of the morning taking naps during the thunderstorms. When they cleared up, you and I went over to see your Grannie and Grandma Joanne while Daddy worked on his class final. You weren't shy to show off your new talents of rolling over and sitting up unassisted, and you were the center of attention the whole afternoon. We printed and framed the picture below, and your grandmas just loved it! But seriously, though, who wouldn't?

I also have to give a huge shout out to your Daddy for getting me this beautiful ring for Mother's Day. It's your birthstone, opal, and it's now officially my second favorite piece of jewelry. Isn't it gorgeous? Daddy did good!!!

First teeth:: Yep. I found them when I picked you up from daycare one day, and it took everything I had not to burst into tears right there. You now have two bottom teeth! I of course called your Daddy to let him know. The conversation went something like this::

-Honey, our baby girl has two teeth!!!

-You're shitting me.

-No babe, I'm serious! I can't believe this. *crying sniffles*

-Does this mean we have to buy her a toothbrush?

-OMG.

I think that's all for now, as if it wasn't enough! I can't wait to see what happens when you're 8 months old! I love you more and more every passing day, big girl.

Pemberley - Six months

Hi little one,

You're half a year old! Happy half birthday! So much has happened that I can't wait to tell you about, but first...your adorable pictures :)

As you can see, you finally started to realize your bows are perhaps a bit on the big side. It was really hard to get a good picture of you with your elephant this month, because all you wanted to do was figure out how to balance that big bow on your little head. Hilarity ensued, and this was the best we could get.

So at six months, you...

 -weigh 16 pounds even (46th percentile)

-are 26.5 inches long (72nd percentile. Something fishy is gong on, because you were .1 inch longer last month!)

-have a head circumference of 17 inches (75th percentile)

-still wear size 3 diapers

-are in 6 month onesies, but 6-9 month pants

-are still teething. I'm beginning to wonder if they're ever going to pop through!

-use your first two fingers to self-soothe, and they work almost instantaneously

-have rolled back to front! Except you only do it when Daddy and I aren't watching :( 

-can sit unassisted for a few minutes at a time, and prefer to sit up rather than be on your back

-love to look at tags and labels on your toys

-pretty much sleep through the night, only waking up once to eat

-have quite the sassy little attitude! (see picture below)

Sleeping:: So there was one point a few weeks ago, when I thought I was literally going to lose my damn mind. Seriously, Pemberley, you were getting up every two to three hours to eat. I thought the four month sleep regression was bad and you put.it.to.shame. Between driving to work, working, driving home, and getting no sleep at all, I was headed for an extended stay at Two Rivers Mental Hospital. And then we went to your 6 month check up and I had an epiphany after I broke down in tears when Dr. Gaffney asked me why I looked like shit. I explained to her that you wanted to eat alllllllllll throughout the night and it clicked: You weren't eating enough before falling asleep, so you woke up hungry! We changed things up a bit at the doctor's suggestion. Daddy now gives you a 6 ounce bottle before bedtime, and voila! Magic! Success! THANK GOD! You're back to sleeping 7am-3:45am. I'm well rested, Daddy doesn't have to hear me complain anymore, and I'm sure the cats and dogs are happier because I'm not shooting them death looks anymore.

My Grown Up Girl:: I'm sure you've heard me talk about my BabyBump friends.  One of them posted a picture of her kid with 'make up' on using to the Perfect 360 app. Then I got to wondering what you would look like with make up and hair, so I had a little fun...Daddy thinks this is way inappropriate, but I think you're just the cutest thing! So funny!

That's all for now, my sweet big girl! I can't believe you're 6 months old. Where did the time go?
With so much love,

Happy Easter!

Hi little one,
Happy first Easter! You're so stinking cute in your bunny ears!

And your adorable bunny tail! (Which Daddy says is a waste of money, but I disagree. It "fell" into my shopping cart at Target, so I kind of had to buy it. Right?)

We celebrated pretty low key by going over to Grannie's. It'll be the last holiday we get to celebrate over there before she sells her house, so we tried to make it memorable. It certainly was, but for all of the wrong reasons!

You started crying the minute Grandma Joanne picked you up. You may have heard by now that you're NOT a baby who typically cries, so this should have been a red flag. Instead, we just chalked it up to sleepiness and teething. Luckily, you stopped crying long enough for Uncle Joe to take this picture of us!

Then Daddy was asked to carve the ham because he was the only man there. Carving isn't exactly Daddy's strong suit just yet...and while he was breaking the electric knife, Grannie forgot about the rolls in the oven and burned them, along with the mashed potato casserole, to a crisp. But those weren't even the worst things to happen!

As we started eating, you would.not.stop.fussing. So, classy as ever, I fed you. At the dinner table. In front of everyone.  (For the record, I'm sure I'd be pretty pissed off too, if I saw everyone else enjoying their food and couldn't eat any myself, so I don't blame you one bit.)

After dinner, we feasted on this dessert pizza that I made (Sugar cookie crust, cream cheese and marshmallow sauce, fresh fruit...heaven on a plate).

While I was serving up the last of it, your cousin Ericka flew into the kitchen telling us that Uncle Erick was in a car accident! When we saw pictures of the wreck, we knew it was pretty serious so everyone went to see him at the hospital while we took you home.

Thankfully, he is okay, though! Not the best Easter ever, but at this point, were just grateful that all of our family is safe and healthy. I'll leave you with this picture of your Easter chalkboard, and wishes that next year is better for all of us!

I love you, big girl!

Spring Break

Hi little one,
We have been so busy! I had my first ever week long spring break. Five glorious days off with you! I'll admit, I was a little worried how we would fill our time, but it turns out that we were able to stay pretty busy.

-Monday-

Monday we kicked back and eased into our week. You napped quite a bit (thanks to a six month growth spurt). I know I've told you before, but you look like a little angel when you nap! And it's very easy to tell when you're tired...Those two fingers just pop right in, and you're asleep within minutes.

After your morning nap, we hung out in bed and you spent almost an hour discovering your feet. I swear, Pemberley, I have never seen you so entertained! You kept grabbing them and then giggling when you accidentally tickled yourself. It's hard not to smile from ear to ear when I see that tiny freckle on your left leg, or when I squeeze those chubby little thighs!

We also practiced sitting up. You're thisclose to doing it on your own, and sometimes you get kind of frustrated when you tip over. I know you're ready to sit unassisted and be Little Miss Independent, but I am definitely not anywhere close. Where did my newborn baby go?? 

When you got tired of hanging out at home, we went to Target to do a little shopping. On impulse, I bought your first sippy cup! We waited until Daddy got home and then let you try it out with a little milk. It was fun watching you try to hold it up, tip it back, and drink at the same time, but you definitely need a little more practice.

-Tuesday-

Daddy and I are still in the process of completing our master bathroom remodel thanks to our shower crapping out last year, so we spent Tuesday at home while someone installed our shower doors. It was pretty uneventful for the most part. I made our Easter chalkboard while you sat in your bouncy swing and played with your favorite rattle from Gigi.

-Wednesday-

Busy day for us! First thing we did was play an April Fool's Day joke on your Daddy. I was cracking up, but he didn't exactly appreciate my sense of humor...(Not that we wouldn't love to make you a big sister someday, but not *just* yet!)

Later that afternoon, we got to go over and help babysit Griffin while Auntie Sally took Reagan to a doctor's appointment. I would have snapped a picture with you and your cousin, but he was using up all of his toddler energy running around, blowing bubbles, and flirting with the little girl next door (your cousin knows how to mack like the best of them, I'll tell you what!).

Once we got home, you snuggled with your Daddy and flashed me the smile that tells me you know you've got him wrapped around your little finger :)

-Thursday-

Another busy day! We went to see Grandma Joanne at work so she could show you off, and we took your Grannie out to a delicious lunch while we were in Lee's Summit. Your Grandma's face just lit up when she saw you, and she whisked you away to brag on your cuteness to her co-workers. (I was lucky to get the picture when I did. Right after I took it, Grandma Joanne stuck her finger in your mouth and you bit down so hard that you drew blood. She wasn't so smiley after that...)

We took Grannie out to lunch at 54th St Grill and Bar after we left Grandma Joanne's school. We ended up staying a long time and just talking. Grannie misses Poppie so much, and I know selling her house and packing things for her move at the end of April is really, really hard for her. She gets pretty emotional when she talks about how proud of you Poppie would have been. I try my best to remind her that he gets to look down on you from heaven whenever he wants. (Ignore my crappy photography skills. I swear your great grandma has a full head.)

-Friday-

Friday was pretty uneventful, which was nice considering how busy our week was. We usually do pizza Fridays at home, but Daddy and I changed things up and we all went out to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Fronteras. It was kind of late for you and you were a little fussy from teething, so as we finished up I gave you an ice cube to gum. It's the first time you've ever had anything that cold in your mouth! And your expression says it all...not.having.it.

So, that was our week! I am still sorting through all of your Easter pictures from yesterday, so be patient as I write that entry in the next few days.

I love you, big girl!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hi little one,
This will be quick, as I'm pretty tired. Leaving the house by 6am, working a full day, and not getting home until after 4:30pm can really wear a mommy out. (Not that I'm complaining!)

Okay, maybe I'm complaining a little.

Anyway! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Your Daddy and I are so LUCKY to have you in our lives, baby girl!

Those leggings! Those THIGHS! I just can't even.

I will leave you with this last picture. There's something very special about the way a little girl looks at her Daddy...

(Even if he probably did just fart.)

Love, love, love,

Three Years Ago Today

Hi little one,
It's quite the big day...three years ago I met your Daddy for the first time! We are a Match.com success story. But funny enough, the first message Daddy sent me went straight into my Spam folder. Thank goodness I randomly checked it, or I might not be writing you this blog :)

We met at O'Dowds on the Country Club Plaza. I was secretly hoping that your daddy would ask me out because we had been texting and emailing for a few weeks. Because I lived in Oak Grove and he lived in Lenexa, meeting somewhere casually was a lot of work. I had class every Thursday night at UMKC, which is right near the Plaza, so I made the fateful decision to skip class (and I'm so glad I did!). I told your Daddy that class got "cancelled" and that if he was free, we should meet for a drink since I had already driven out to KC. Once he agreed, I went on a panicked shopping spree...the work outfit I was wearing just wouldn't do for my last first date.

He walked in wearing a plaid button down shirt and the grossest sneakers I've ever seen (seriously, Pem. The. Grossest.) and there I was, in 4-inch heels and a skirt! But once we sat down and started talking, I was just smitten. And I guess the rest is history. We ended up walking around the Plaza until the wee hours of the morning (literally...it was 2:30am). I drove home with sleepy eyes and a smile on my face.

At work the next day, I remember telling the girls at my lunch table that I had gone on a date with a really cute guy, and I was pretty certain that I would marry him someday. They laughed, but two years later, I walked down the aisle and married your Daddy!

Now we have you and our lives are complete. It's hard for me to believe that it's only been three years ago that I was wondering if I would ever be someone's wife and mommy. It's crazy how much your life can change when you find the right person to share it with!

I hope that you read this someday and know how much I love your Daddy. He's not a perfect man, but he is perfect for us (farts and all). 
I love you, baby girl!

Pemberley - Five months

Hi little one,
This has been quite the month for you! A lot going on, but first...your adorable pictures!

So at five months, you...

- weigh 15 pounds, 6 ounces (54th percentile)

-are 26.6 inches long (94th percentile)

-have a head circumference of 16.7 inches (78th percentile)

-wear size three diapers

-are in 6 month clothes

-are still teething, but haven't had any push through yet

-have almost mastered back-to-tummy rolling, but don't have the patience for tummy-to-back rolling just yet

-love practicing sitting up on your own, even though you fall forward

-have found your voice! And you aren't shy using it!

-enjoy watching the dogs rough house, and you like pulling out Dolce's hair by the handful

-are starting to display a little separation anxiety when your Daddy or I leave the room

-kicked the four month sleep regression, and now sleep from 7pm-3am with no trouble at all

-chew on anything you can get your chubby hands on (seriously, anything. Nothing is safe. Not even handfuls of pet hair.)

-Love, love, love to blow raspberries and get spittle all over your face

-laugh every time I nibble your toes and play peekaboo

Weight check:: As you can see, your weight and length rebounded quite nicely from your last checkup at four months, which makes for one relieved mommy! I think you just got really distracted at daycare, and preferred to watch the other kids play instead of eat. I'm going to ask Ms. Jennifer if she will feed you in another room, and try to feed you at least 6 ounces at each feeding, once you start daycare again tomorrow. I'm happy to have my chubby baby back!

Congrats, Daddy:: Well, your Daddy got a new job last week! He's now a construction engineer at KAI in Overland Park. I know he's going to miss spending time with you during the day, but he's excited to get back to work after getting laid off from his last job when his company got bought out. I was so excited that he got to spend some one-on-one time with you, though, not to mention extremely jealous! Here we are, celebrating his new job at dinner at Old Chicago.

 We haven't been out to eat in quite some time, so it was really nice to go. As you can see, we pigged out on delicious food (you'd better believe I ate every bite of that spaghetti pie, and considered licking the sauce off the plate, too). I almost forgot how awesome it is to not eat ill-prepared food from our kitchen...or to have cereal and chips & salsa for dinner...

First kiss:: Yep, you had your first kiss from a boy this past weekend! And it happened at your first party, too. (Daddy goes crazy when I put it like that
 It sounds too "mature".) We went to Colin Clark's first birthday party on Saturday. He's the little boy of mommy's best friend from Truman State, Caitlin. It was so neat to get a preview of what to expect from you in a couple months! You played it totally cool, and everyone commented on what a chill, relaxed baby you are. That's old news to your Daddy and I, but we were beaming with pride on the inside. Here he is, going in for the kiss...

And here you are, after he pulled away. Daddy breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that you don't like being kissed by boys yet.

Sitting up girl:: It's official...you're no longer my little baby anymore! If you can't sit up, you get kind of pissed off and fussy until we help you out. You still need a little support, but the Boppy pillow and your high chair have been awesome helpers. Seeing you try to sit up by yourself makes me SO proud that I want to cry, and it makes me SO sad and I want to cry all over again! You have one emotional mama!

Okay, so you haven't quite mastered sitting up in your Boppy *just yet* but I know you'll get there soon! My big girl...how time flies!
I love you soooo much.