Weeks 36 & 37: Cuddles

Weeks 36 and 37: 04/21/13 - 05/04/13

Sweet Beansie.

I know it goes without saying.
But you have completely stolen my heart. 

Every last morsel of it.

I'm feeling particularly bonded with you lately. 

You've really become quite the mama's girl. 

Well, a Daddy's girl too.

You are just an all-around family gal I'd say.

But you've been a little more needy for your mama the past couple of weeks. 

Lots of cuddling on my chest...which you haven't done since the newbie days. 

And I swear you're saying mama again. 

It's still more of a "maaa-maaa-maa-maa".

Usually when you're upset.

And when you need your mama. ;)

Plus. You reach out for me all.the.time.

But the best?

The moment I walk in the door from work every night.

You gasp, give the cheesiest grin, and start clapping and bouncing up and down. 

Best part of my days.

By far. 

You've been such a little cuddle bug.

I think it's because I've been so busy the past 2 weeks. 

Like a hurricane. 

One giant, chaotic storm of busy. 

Something every night of the week.  

Even a few before-school meetings. 

And even an out-of-town trip. 

And several sleepless nights. 

But just 2 more weeks. 

And then it's you, me, pool time, long walks, and crafting.  

*And a lot of work to prepare for Common Core next year...duh-duh-DUH.*

But lucky for me, you're a professional napper. 

And I hope to get a lot done while you snooze. 

Without 20 other kiddos receiving every ounce of energy I have. 

And no more long nights dedicated to lesson planning.

Or grading. 

Funny. I can actually do work when I don't have to work. 

Another reason I'm counting down the days until summer?

Because breastfeeding has gone from extremely hard to nearly impossible. 

My supply has dipped.

A lot. 

It feels like I see my pump more than you.

Probably because I do. 

And in just the last two weeks alone I've pumped in the parking lot of the zoo *on the busiest day of the year*, my school parking lot, our school counselor's office, in the car while driving to meetings, and in a friend's bathroom while getting ready for a bachelorette party. 

But I'm only producing enough for about 1 1/2 bottles. 

All of that work.

For not even 2 bottles. 

And all of those horribly awkward situations. 

Not to mention the time commitment.

The life of a working, nursing, pumping mother...

Holy hard work. 

How in the world have I kept this up?

Luckily, I have a ton of frozen milk. 

We're still going through frozen bags from January. 

Which means we can totally make it another 2 weeks. 

And then no.more.pump.

Just you and me. 

And we will *hopefully* make it to the year mark. 

Or at least really close. 

So worth it. 

And for the record.

I'm totally enjoying this sweet little clingy phase.

Because it makes me feel like one special mama.

7 {ish} Month Photos

She's done it again, folks.

Photographer.
Artist.
Friend.

Miss Ali has sincerely captured the best time of our lives.
So that I can savor these sweet moments a little longer.

And relive them over and over.
Once they are a distant memory.

I love these pictures with my whole heart.

*This was about our eighth time to reschedule the photo session due to Kansas weather. Which by the way is currently 85 degrees. And in good ol' Kansas fashion, we are looking at the potential for snow on Thursday. 

Seriously?

Week 35: Nothing but Fun

Week 35: 04/14/13 - 04/20/13

I sure wish I had a nifty little time-freezing gadget.
I would push pause right now.
Because this phase is so.much.fun.

You just love everything around you.
Sweatshirt laces.
Dad's glasses.
Your toes.
Blades of grass.
Samson's tongue.
Grandpa Tony's chin.
Your big girl cup.

And your hands.
Oh.my.word.
You love your hands.

And you love to carefully study everything around you.

GiGi peeked in at you during nap time one day.
You were carefully studying every little fray on the end of a blanket.
One.by.one.

And sometimes, you are a real go-getter.

By practically leaping out of our arms to get something you want.

Like a jar of peanut butter.

Or an iphone. 

But you really, really love to clap. 

It is your most favorite thing ever. 

Especially when the music is on. 

You are an all-around quiet baby. 

Very delicate and soft. 

But some days, you hoot, holler, and screech.
And just babble and jabber.

But then you clam right up the moment we're around a group of people.
It takes a good 30 minutes for your to warm up.
Before you even make a peep.
Or crack a smile.
It makes me want to shout out, "I PROMISE MY BABY IS HAPPY AND FUN".
But I don't.
Because you're you.
And with time, your sweet *and funny* little personality comes out.

You are exactly like your father in that regard.

Oh.
And guess what?

You rolled over this week. 
Multiple times.

Only *ahem* 3 months late.

And you were so proud.
Probably because we were cheering like you just won an Olympic medal.

The doctor still swears there is absolutely no concern for your lack of desire to...well...move.
No concern at all.
She says some babies are just not tummy babies.
Which makes sense with your colic troubles and all.

Tummy time usually consists of you laying your head down and sucking your thumb.

So we celebrate the small victories.

More victories soon to come.
I see a lot more clapping in our future.

8 Months

8 Months Old: 04/19/13

16 lbs. 15 oz. and 27 inches long

Eight months with you.
The best months I've ever had.
That's for sure.

It's been quite the ride, Beans.
And I keep thinking, "This is the best month yet."
But you're a one-upper.
And each passing month brings even more joy.

With you and your cuteness.
And rolls for days.

I'm basically saying I love you.
More than anything.

Milestones. Sometimes I think you're so close to crawling. You have completely lost your fear of using your arms. And while sitting, you completely bend over, put your arms out, and act like you're going to just scoot off. But you don't. Doc says she wouldn't be surprised if you're a baby who skips the crawling stage all around and just gets up and walks someday. 

You have some pretty crazy acrobatic moves these days. Bringing your toes to your mouth. Doing a full-on toe touch while on the floor. We may have a future cheerleader on our hands. Or a gymnast. After all, your dad did gymnastics until he was 12. *And you better believe I remind him of that all the time. *

And I swear you have been saying "mama". It's usually when your'e upset and really crying...you say, "mmmaaa-mmmaaa". Who knows if you're really saying mama. But I still like it. ;)

You have really started imitating us. Especially by shaking your head "no-no". You love shaking your head. Now just to get you to nod your little head for "yes-yes"...

Firsts.  You started intentionally clapping this month! It's the sweetest little thing I've ever seen. You especially like to clap to music. GiGi says you have nice rhythm. And you love when we clap for your. You immediately get so proud, you start clapping for yourself. 

You've also started waving "bye-bye". At first I thought you were just randomly waving your arms around. But then I realized, you have totally made the connection to leaving and waving. You haven't totally got it down yet, but when I leave you in the mornings, or when Pops leaves you, you wave your little arm up and down while we say, "Bye-bye, Lyla!"

Big Moments. You've been a little "off" this month. So off, that we took you to the doctor to rule out an ear infection. Turns out, you just love to rub your ear because of the sound it makes. But last week, I noticed your top left gum was quite swollen. And then GiGi and a friend mentioned something as well. So could you be teething yet again?

Sigh. 

I feel like you have teethed 50% of your life. 

But, reality check. 

That's what babies do. ;)

Oh! And mama started sitting you in the grocery cart seat. We no longer take your car seat in anywhere we go. You LOVE grocery shopping and eating out at restaurants now. Big girl. 

Eating. You started eating 5 ounce bottles this month. And you eat solids twice a day - usually 1-2 ounces. We introduced you to carrots and bananas this month. And you have gotten SO good at your pincher grasp. You are able to feed yourself Puffs and bananas. Although, the bananas are quite slippery...so they usually slide out of your little fingers. 

I'm still nursing. Which you've been kinda funny about lately. You get so distracted, and you even started biting again. Overall, you haven't been the greatest nurser this month. Which led to another clogged duct. Hoping it's just teething...or just a phase. 

And still nursing means still pumping. Just the thought of the sound of my pump makes me cringe. BUT. I actually made the decision to take out one pumping session. I no longer pump before I go to bed. Because I realized I have milk saved from DECEMBER. And I only get about an ounce during that session anyway. It's amazing how eliminating one pumping session seems to have changed my life. I no longer get into bed for the night, only to realize, "UGH, I have to pump." Plus, I only have one and a half months to make it to summer...where I can exclusively nurse again. Woot-woot!

Sleep. On a typical night, you go to bed at 6:30 and don't make a peep until I wake you at 6:30. But you have surprisingly had 3 or 4 nights this month where you suddenly wake (usually before we go to bed). Each time you've been quite distraught and I've had to nurse you. It was kind of nice. Because I miss you so much during the day. (Again, you've been a bit off this month). 

Loves. You LOVE your feet. It's like you've discovered them for the first time. In fact, you don't fall asleep for quite some time because you're so enamored by your tootsies. You love sounds that you make. Like when you rub your right ear or scratch the chair while I nurse you. Some other major obsessions this month: playing "Where's Lyla", your new wooden blocks, shaking your head no-no, fake coughing, discovering you can make a gasping sound, hiccups, and the wind.

Oh my word. You love the wind. You laugh hysterically when it's windy out. *This also includes when Dad replicates the wind by blowing on your face. 

Dislikes. Little boys. You think they are too rough. We're working on this. And you really dislike hats. Especially Pop's and Grandpa Tony's hats. 

Personality. Overall, you're very laid back, chill, and quiet. Like your dad. But then you surprise us and squeal, sing, and yell...loudly. 

Favorite Playthings. Wooden blocks, your Kitty Tails book, the pups, and any jewelry mama wears. 

Week 34: Bad Habits

Week 34: 04/07/13 - 04/13/13

Oh, my little Stinker.

You've picked up quite the habit.

A not-so-good-we-better-stop-this-right-now habit. 

You have picked up biting.  

Now, I get it.

You could be teething. 

You could be exploring new things.

Or it could be that you and Gigi started playing a "game" when you finished your bottle.

*This game has since come to an immediate halt*

But this habit is not good news. 

Because you like to experiment on Mom. 

And I have one thing to say about that.

Ouch.

!!!

In addition to forming this new habit,  you've also learned a new word:
NO.

You're not quite sure what it means yet. 

But by the tone of my voice, you're pretty sure you don't like it.

You grimace.

Then bat your eyelashes. 

And stare at me with those Jasmine eyes. 

At least you're not laughing anymore. 

And you've actually gone on a bit of an eating strike. 

Not just with nursing. 

But your bottle makes you pretty mad.

I think you're just rebelling.

Hopefully this is just a phase. 

Something tells me it is. 

Because you are Chunkin. 

And you love your eats.

But I do have to say.

Bad habit or not, 

you're still pretty cute. 

And steal the show wherever you are. 

Like this weekend.

You had a quick visit with your Auntie Ab and Uncle Brad.

They sure love you. 

And you sure love them.

And the warm weather.

When it decides to make an appearance.

You have become quite the outdoor chic.

Which Dad is pretty excited about it. 

But Mom is seriously starting to panic. 

Because it's supposed to snow tomorrow. 

Yes. Snow.

In April.

And you have outgrown your six month clothes.

And all that fits is your summer wardrobe. 

I'm pretty sure your cute bathing suits won't be much help the next few days.

We'll just have to make-do with a hodgepodge of things I can scrounge up. 

So I guess what I'm trying to say is,

Stop growing. 

And while you're at it?

Stop biting.

Thanks.