9 Months

Where has the time gone?  My precious little boy is 9 months old (as of 5-24-13, I'm a little late).  Matthew has gone through so many changes this month and growing/learning so fast.  It's unbelievable how quickly little ones learn new things.  Matthew does something new every day and I love it!  His personality is coming through more and more also.  I am so thankful for my happy, ticklish, and curious little boy!

~ We went to see Dr. B today and you now weigh 21 lbs (57th percentile) and are 28.75 inches long (66th percentile).  Your head circumference is now 18 inches (62nd percentile).  Thankfully, you did not have to get shots today, so this trip was much more enjoyable.  You had a great check-up again!  Dr. B says you are growing and developing perfectly :-)  Just what mommy wants to hear.  What mommy was not ready for was actually having to schedule my baby's ONE YEAR doctor's appointment.

~ You're still in size 3 diapers during the day and size 4 at night.  We've officially packed away all of your 6 month clothes (tear, tear).  You're wearing size 6-9, 9, and 6-12 month clothes depending on the brand.  I'm loving all of the adorable summer clothes that I can put on you.  

~ Your feeding schedule hasn't changed much.  You have 8 oz of formula four times a day - 7:30-8:00 (depending on when you wake up), noon, 4:00-4:30, and 7:30-8:00.  You get a serving of fruit/vegetable around 9 am and 6 pm.  You still love apples, carrots, peas, sweet potato, and pears.  This month you've tried watermelon and cantaloupe.  Neither of which you were a fan of.  You've also tried Mum-Mums, but since they're banana flavored, you're not too impressed.  You like being able to feed yourself, but once you get the banana taste you put it down.  You've also tried Puffs, but we're quite sure about those either.

~ You started crawling right after turning 8 months old.  You're now ALL OVER THE PLACE!  Oh how life is different with a mobile baby - I LOVE it!!!!  You get so excited when mommy and daddy chase you while you are crawling around.  You get such a sweet smile on your face, and squeal with excitement.  Then, you quickly start crawling away.  You will crawl 90 mph if you see Bella's soccer ball (the nastiest thing in the house/your favorite thing in the house) or the vacuum cleaner.  

~ You are also pulling up on everything - toys, walls, couches, coffee table, our legs, etc.  While you're not pulling up to a standing position, you're very proficient at pulling up to and balancing on your knees.  I absolutely love when I walk into the room and you come crawling towards me and pull up on my pants - precious!!

~ You can also stand for long periods of time while holding onto something.  This is your favorite while playing at your activity table.  You're not cruising while standing and holding on to things yet, but I know that will come.  Didn't I say that you had changed so much during this month :-)  So many new tricks!

~ You had your first bought with pink eye and your first ear infection last week :-(  I picked you up from daycare on Friday (May 17th) and you had slept or laid down the whole day.  As I got you out of your daycare bed, I notice a little bit of puss in your left eye, but didn't think much of it.  When I got you home, you had a temperature of 101.4.  We gave you Tylenol before bed and that helped with your fever.  After putting you to bed, I got a text from the daycare director about a confirmed case of pink eye in your class - ugh!  We kept an eye on your left eye over the weekend.  By Sunday, when both eyes were turning pink, we knew we needed to take you into the doctor.  Your daddy took you in on Monday and that's when we learned that you also had an ear infection in your left ear.  You've been on antibiotics since and are feeling much better!!!  Dr. B checked your eyes and ear today and said both were completely clear!

~ You're still talking up a storm and learning new sounds.  "Dada", or variations of it, are your go to words still.  You're close to saying "mama" again - I can hear it mainly when you practice your fake cry.  I've heard "whoa", "bah", and "eeh" on occasion and it is just precious.  You are also in a squealing phase.  You like to see how loud you can get.  My favorite thing is our morning and afternoon conversations in the car.  You just talk and talk and I love it.

~ We finally bought you a jumperoo, and it just so happened to be the exact same as the one you love at daycare.  You have so much fun jumping away and chewing on the frog and bird hanging overhead.  Now that you are more into standing, you'd much rather stand on the outside of the jumperoo (either with our support or pulling up on the side rail to your knees) and play with the attached toys.

~ As a teacher, I love that you LOVE to read books.  The look on your face when I get out your fave books is priceless.  Your favorite books are Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?, Dogs, Bubbles Bubbles, Tractors, Pets' Tails, and The Goodnight Book.  You've begun to enjoy turning the pages while we read.  Once you see that it's time to turn the page, you start trying to peek at the next page.  I sure hope this love of books continues :-)

I cannot say enough about how blessed I am that the Lord entrusted me to be your mommy.  You have brought so much joy to our life and I cannot wait to see what is in store for our family.  I just know that the Lord has BIG plans for you.

1st Mother's Day

I am so very thankful that I was able to celebrate my very first Mother's Day today.  I continue to thank God for the blessing that he gave Mike and I in sweet Matthew.  This day was made even more special because Matthew was dedicated at church this morning.  Not to mention, I got to spend time with my amazing mom and mother-in-law.  To begin our Mother's Day festivities, Matthew and I took a few selfies in his room before bath/bed time.

All he wanted to do was grab my phone - of course

This morning after everyone was ready for church, I was given Mother's Day gifts from Mike and Matthew.  Mike got me a gift certificate for a 1-hour massage at our local spa.  I will be using that after school is done and we get back from our vacation.  Now on to Matthew's gift to momma.  Mike helped him "write" in my card - precious!  Matthew gave me a collage of some of our most precious moments in his 8 months.  It will be displayed proudly on my bedside table :-)  

After opening my gifts, we went to church for the baby dedication ceremony.  What a special occasion!  I loved making a public profession to raise Matthew to follow our Lord Jesus Christ.  I cannot wait to see how the Lord will use him.  Both sets of grandparents were able to be at the dedication, as well as, his Uncle Jim and Great Aunt Carol.  He is one loved little boy!  Once the dedication and service was over, we went with my family to eat for a Mother's Day lunch.

The rest of my day has been spent relaxing, taking a family walk, talking to one of my best friends who became a 1st time mommy this week, a long jacuzzi bath, and finally ice cream.  Such an amazing first Mother's Day.

 Brandon, one of our pastors, about to introduce all of the babies that were being dedicated

The picture of Matthew shown on the screen - love that boy!

Matthew's dedication :-)

Happy Mother's Day 2013

Mike's parents came from Conway for the dedication

My parents at the dedication

    My gift from Matthew - the pics are from his birth, his first bath, Halloween, Christmas, and Wye Mountain

What a wonderful job motherhood is!  I am so thankful for my mom and everything that she has done for me.  She is such an encouragement, especially now that I am a mom.  I am also thankful to my friends who are also mommas and who have set such amazing examples of motherhood.  It's so helpful to have women in my life who have walked in my footsteps and can lend advice or encouragement when I need it.  Happy Mother's Day!!!