8 month post

Dear Hannah,

You are 8 months old! How can it be? Every day keeps getting better with you around. You have brought more joy to our lives than we could have ever imagined!

Your eyes are still your most complimented feature. You have beautiful blue eyes, Hannah.

On the food front:

Your first month on solids has been quite a success!  We still haven't found a food you don't like. We love having a good eater! You are still working on mastering the sippy cup on your own. With help, you do a pretty good job. You're also doing a great job holding your own spoon. We feed you with one spoon and then give you your own spoon to hold at each meal. Lately, we'll give you a bite and then you take your own "bite" with your spoon.

New foods this month: lima beans, strawberries, broccoli, cranberries, beets, spaghetti squash, spinach, peaches, chicken, turkey, cereal puffs, whole milk yogurt, and yogurt puffs.

On the developmental skills front:

You have mastered the "pincer grasp." You can grab puff cereal like nobody's business! I've noticed that your hand and eye coordination is pretty stellar too. There aren't many puffs that miss your mouth.

We've been signing with you since you were 4 months old. This month, you have been communicating back in your own way. For example, the sign for "more" is tapping your fingers together twice. You hit your tray twice when you want more food.  It's a step in the right direction :)

You can stand alone unassisted and propped (you were clearly upset about this new accomplishment)

You can also pull to standing when we hold our hands out to you. You are so proud when you stand! If you could clap, I think you would. 

You are sporting two new teeth, for a total of five (top middle, and left front). You have handled teething like a champ. You definitely have your fussy days, but it's nothing you haven't been able to get through. Normally, we'll take you outside, on a walk, to the swings or give you a bath. Those are your favorite things and usually distract you enough to calm you down. I will very occasionally use orajel. There's a new advisory out advising against it, but your pediatrician gave it the green light so we use it only when we're in dire straights. 

You are still scooting backwards, although you are very close to propelling forward. I know I'm going to be in trouble when you figure out how to crawl. Daddy keeps asking me if I've done tummy time and encouraged crawling. We do this every day, but I always joke and say no. I'm fine with you still staying in one place :) I know if I put you on your tummy more often, you'd have this crawling thing down. It's a goal for next month. 

You are such a busy body. You don't sit still very long. Even laying in your crib, you will twist and turn, so much so, that I occasionally have to go in your room in the middle of the night and pull your out of the top corner. Your poor head is against the back board and a few of the slats in the crib.  You, once again, prefer to sleep on your tummy. You are no longer using the sleep sack.

You are personality plus this month. You are a great talker. You are starting to string together consonants and vowels. Something very close to "da-da" has come out of your mouth. We know there's no association of your da-da to the real thing, but it was fun for your Daddy to hear.

You can wave to people. Mostly, you save your waves for Daddy. You wave at him every morning. You are very smitten with your Daddy!  You also wave at "the baby in the mirror" (aka- Hannah).

You find yourself hysterical when you scream loud. You sound like a large bird. Daddy and I get a kick out of it. People in public venues usually smile and say how cute (really? Daddy and I always try to distract you and pop your paci in your mouth. HA!).  Although, one person said you would probably be an amazing singer when you grow up. That made mommy happy!

We call you the "rock star" because you are constantly rocking yourself or dancing- sitting on the floor, in our arms, while standing, to music... really any where. You put your entire body into rocking and we have to keep a good hold on you. One of our favorite moments this month was when we took you to Mac's Drive-In. Ester was trying to get you to dance and you just about danced out of Grandaddy's arms.  You had the entire place laughing and Ester was laughing so hard, she fell to the floor! It was great!

It's now warm enough outside to go to the park most days of the week. You absolutely adore the baby swings. We get together with a play group every week at various parks in the area. Being outside really brightens your mood.

Hannah, Daddy and I love you so much and you are such a blessing to our family. We can't see what the next month will bring. We are in awe of all the things you've accomplished in just 8 short months.

Being a momma...

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Technically, I've been a "mom" now for 5 years to sweet Daisy Mae. For my first Mother's Day, your Grandmommy gave me a beautiful scrapbook. She gathered all sorts of information about Daisy's litter, complete with pictures, and her documented her journey to us.  It's something I cherished and something I was so excited and honored to receive. I was a MOM!

In reality, Daisy broke your dad and me in in more ways than we could have imagined- night waking, house breaking, arranging doggie day care, finding a common ground on discipline, cleaning up major messes and learning to to adjust, adapt and accept when things don't go quite as you may have planned (think major destruction due to separation anxiety), making important decisions about major health care issues and the list goes on. Yes, raising a child is completely different from raising a dog, but Daisy really gave us a solid base to work from.

This year, my role has expanded.  I'm a Mom, but in a different kind of way. Being your mother has absolutely given me the greatest joy I've ever experienced.

I often read other "mom" blogs. I. One of my favorite mommy bloggers recently wrote this:

"I love how Alone and Together live in harmony. Like orbiting planets pulled together by gravity. We don't have to be defined by motherhood because there's an intricate infrastructure of talents and dreams and passions that makes us women who are strong enough to stand alone. And yet, ask any mother and she'll probably tell you there's nothing more incredible she'd rather be defined by than the amazingness of her littles and her family."

Being a mom is by far the hardest job I've ever had, but it's the most rewarding and most amazing thing I've ever done. I thank God for sending you to Daddy and me every day. You have brought so much joy and laughter to our lives. You have taught us so much already and it's only just begun.

Thank you for giving me my most treasured role. You are an incredible little girl and I'm honored to be your mother.

This was the moment I first held you in my arms.

7 months old

Easter Sunday

I'm a little late on this post. I have a lot of catching up to do from our time in South Carolina. You spent your first Easter in Clemson. Don't worry, the Easter Bunny was still able to find you. Daddy left him a note :)

You must have been a pretty good girl. Your basket was stocked full of fun surprises. You were most interested in the eggs. One day, those will be filled with all sorts of tasty treats.

We went to the Easter service at First Baptist and you did really well in the nursery. It was "ify" at first, but all was right in your world after they gave you some milk.

You and Max looked precious in your Easter outfits.

Max was trying out different poses...

It clearly didn't go over well.

We had a wonderful day of fun, family and fellowship. After church,  Grandaddy took us to the baseball game and Grandmommy cooked a wonderful meal. The weather was perfect!

The Greenville Zoo

Amanda and I were able to get you and Hudson together a couple of times while we were in SC. Our favorite outing was a trip to the Greenville Zoo.  We were watching Max for the afternoon, so he joined us too. Three babies :) I'm used to people asking if you and Max are twins and we heard a few "twice the blessing" statements while walking around. Amanda and I weren't expecting folks to ask if y'all were triplets! We got a kick out of that then told them you and Hudson were three days and Max three weeks apart. They thought that was so neat!

Max Man's just chillin' with his feet propped up.

Y'all enjoyed looking at all the animals. I can't wait until you're a little older and can ask questions (I'm sure I'll regret this statement when you hit the "why" stage). You just stared at the animals taking them all in. Until now, the only animals you've seen are pretty much dogs, whatever wildlife has been brave enough to make an appearance in Chicago and the fish at the aquarium.

Amanda and I have already decided that you and Hudson will be best buds. You already have so much in common, like your love of mulch :)

You love Hudson's hair and can't quite understand why he won't share. Most folks thought you were a boy (even with the pink on) and Hudson a girl due to the coif and lack there of.

My personal favorite :)  I think this is so sweet.

Love this boy!!!! and so glad I got to spend some time with him and sweet Amanda. 

You didn't think Max would notice, did you?

Pool Party

Tiffiny had the grand idea of buying a baby pool for the kids. This was FANTASTIC and much more exciting for the kids than we had imagined!

It was a warm day, so we waited till later in the afternoon (usual melt down time for both kids) to set the pool up. Max and Hannah had a field day playing! The only tears we saw were due to the stealing of toys. Enter, Grandmommy, who spiced things up by pouring in an endless supply of plastic balls. They were a big hit!

Baxter and Daisy were very intrigued and a little jealous that the kids got to swim. They kept pacing around the pool seemingly scheming when to make their big entrance. They finally gave up and laid down in the shade. Both were happy to be outside. A little dose of sunshine seemed to do all of us good!

We are Family

The best part of an extended visit to the South, is getting a chance to visit with a number of special people. We spent a day visiting with the Todd women celebrating Gran's 93rd birthday, took a trip to Grandmommy's home town of New Bern, NC and visited some of her near and dear friends, drove to Columbia to visit with Great Great Aunt Vivian and Uncle John,  spent time with Great Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Steve and spent time with Mommy's immediate family and even celebrated Uncle Bob's birthday with cousins Megan and Max, Aunt Susie, Aunt Tiffiny, Grandmommy and Grandaddy.

With the Todd Ladies and Momma

Visiting with Mrs. Caroline. She is 98 years old and was one of your Great Grandaddy, Honey Bunny's, closest friends. She loved looking at you and said you were such a good baby.

With Great Great Aunt Vivian and Uncle John. They enjoyed meeting you. Aunt Vivian is my Grandaddy's sister. We love John and Vivian and they've really become like grandparents to us over the years.  Aunt Vivian was so excited we came to visit and showed you and Max off to all the residents at the assisted living.

Great Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Steve are moving to Chile for a few years. I was excited you were able to spend time with both of them before they left. Aunt Jeanie came and spent an entire afternoon loving on you.