Fussy Fussy!!

This 2nd tooth is creeping SLOWLY through your gums and REALLLLLLLY making you mad!!!! As a result, you've been very fussy the past few days. I feel so bad for you when you cry because I don't know how to make it any better. I think your fussiness is a combination of being REALLY tired and teething. I can't wait until all of your teeth come in (and you can tell me what bothers you). Right now it's more of a guessing game. Hopefully I'm not loading you up too much with liquid Tylenol, but it seems to help, at least a little bit.

You're still not eating a whole lot of solids, which is concerning to me. I thought that you'd be gobbling it down, but you're definitely still into the formula. At leats I know you're getting nutrients. Daddy was off work today, so he took you to the gym. I guess one of the staff members could not believe how advanced you are, saying that she has never seen an 8 month old clap like you do. :) We go back to the doctor in a couple weeks. I may ask the doctor what to do about food because I feel like you should be eating more solids. We shall see! You certainly look healthy, so I'm sure in due time you'll eat solids.

Well, you just went down for the night, so I think I will too!! Sleep well, princess!!

xoxo

Some New "Words!"

Over the past few days, and especially today, daddy and I have heard some new sounds from you..."la la" and "ra ra." It's so cute to hear you try to talk and make sounds.

You're also REALLY trying to stand up. I'm watching you right now, and you're on one knee, trying to stand up.

Also new, which I forgot to blog about over the past couple of weeks, is that you're now reaching for people from your crib. Before, you would just sit there, look up and if someone picked you up great! But now, when you see someone come into pick you up from your crib, you reach out your arms, too. AND...yep, there's more!! When I do pick you up, I feel like you now hug my neck, which I love!!!!!!!!!!

We're Home...and it's COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Normally, you like to sleep until about 7:30am, but I had to wake you up a little before 6:00am today!! Thankfully, you didn't fuss! You woke up and were ready to go! You fell asleep literally as the plane was taking off and almost slept the ENTIRE flight! We had 2 seats to ourselves (thankfully!!!). I laid down and you slept on me for just about an hour. You were so funny...I could tell when you went to the bathroom because you would lift your head (eyes still cold), and then it would get really warm in your diaper! Ha!! Then you'd lay your head back down. You could probably have peed directly on me and I wouldn't have cared...you're so cute!!!!!!

Daddy met us at the airport. We grabbed our bags and have been home ever since. Hopefully daddy won't have to work late tonight. To everyone's surprise, I'm sure, I have unpacked both of our suitcases and am currently doing laundry!! I need to run out, though, because we're out of laundry and dishwashing detergent.

You're currently taking your 3rd nap of the day - it's been one of those days where you're just so tired you don't even know what to do with yourself. Thankfully, you have chosen to sleep!!! :)

1st Thanksgiving!!!

On Thurs. (11/25), we celebrated your 1st Thanksgiving!! We went to one of my favorite restaurants, Houlihan's. Everyone except me ordered a traditional Thanksgiving meal, which included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cornbread and cranberries. I ordered my favorite salad from there, the Asian Chicken Chop Chop!! It's soooo good! I think next year we'll do a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at our house. You'll be older and will be able to appreciate the yummy food!!!

After dinner, daddy had to pack because he had to fly home early for work. :( I was so sad that I cried. I think he was upset, too, because he kept calling us and emailing us from the airplane.

The day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday." It's a day full of shopping. Most people get up before the sun to go shopping...NOT US!! However; we did go to a beautiful mall in Orlando, FL and then to a really nice outlet mall! I bought you a couple pajama sets from Gymboree because they were 50% off!! After shopping, we went to a Mexican buffet! DELISH!!! (Daddy and I had actually gone there before our date night). We gave you some tortillas to play with and munch on!

Epcot & Animal Kingdom

Yesterday we went to Epcot and the Animal Kingdom. This may have been the longest day for you, but again, you did GREAT!!!! We took you on lots of rides today, including "Spaceship Earth." I think you really liked the slow ride, sounds and lights. It was so much fun taking you on the rides!! (I hope you liked it!!)

After Epcot, we went to the Animal Kingdom. You met Pocohontas and Thumper!! You loooved Thumper!!! You stayed with GrAndi while we (mommy and daddy) rode a SCARY rollercoaster called Expedition Everest! It was so much fun. This nice man came up to us with "fast passes," which allow you to get on the rides with no wait. He must have heard us say how long the wait was, and came right up to us and said, "I had young kids once." We literally walked up to the front and got on one of the first cars!!! Maybe daddy will take you on that when you get a little older!!

After about 9-10 hours at the parks, we came home. GrAndi, Grandpa Howard and Aunt Heather watched you last night so I could go out with your daddy. We went back to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. It was so pretty at night with the lights! We can't wait to take you back to Disney when you're a little older.

We're Here - DISNEYWORLD!!!

Our vacation is finally here! We're in Kissimmee, FL, which is right next to Orlando! The day we got here (11/20), you met your Great Aunt Joanie & Great Uncle Joel!!

They were so excited to finally meet you. Of course, Great Aunt Joanie had a present waiting for you...a big, brown teddy bear!!!!! You loved it!! We all went to a Chinese buffet. There, you tried banana pudding and rice pudding. I think you liked the rice pudding best.

The next day, we went to a resort called "The Beach" for a character breakfast to celebrate your Aunt Heather's graduation from graduate school!! During breakfast, you met Goofy, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Daddy gave you grits, which I think you liked!! After breakfast, we went to Hollywood Studios.

You were SOOOO good at Hollywood Studios. You took a few naps, but really didn't fuss at all!! We even were able to take you on a ride through the history of movies!! I think you really liked it because you kept looking up at everything!!

Yesterday, you were EVEN better at the Magic Kingdom!! You met Chip & Dale, and Frontier Donald Duck. We stood in line for almost an hour to ride Dumbo with you, but we did it!
I think I liked it more than you did - plus, while waiting, you were REALLLLLY gassy...we thought you made a Dumbo in your pants! Haha!! Then, we stood in line for about 30 minutes to ride It's a Small World! You loved all the pretty lights and sounds. It was quite a long day for you, but you did great!! Daddy was getting pretty fussy, too, so he bought himself a frozen strawberry lemonade. He shared it with you, and you LOVED it.

You were a little fussy last night, but that's to be expected since we spent about 7 hours at the Magic Kingdom. Your teeth may have been bothering you, too. Tylenol to the rescue!!!! We met GrAndi, Grandpa Howard and Aunt Heather at Downtown Disney Marketplace for a nice Italian dinner.
You tried mashed potatoes and gelato! :) I think you really liked the mashed potatoes. I don't want you to be too crazy about those types of carbs, so I'll need to try to mash up some fresh sweet potato. You weren't crazy about the gelato, but that could have been the flavor (cappucino).

Today, we're going to take a day off from the parks. I think the plan is to go swimming at the pool, and then take you to a petting zoo!!! :) Can't wait!!!

BUT FIRST...daddy is making us go to Target!! He's so silly!

En Route to Orlando for Your 1st Thanksgiving!!!

It's 6:30 in the morning and I am dreading waking you up because you're a such a sound little sleeper, but it would be for good reason - we're going to Disney World!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our flight leaves at 9:15, and we should get to Orlando, Florida around 11:24am. Oh I am so excited!

GrAndi, Grandpa Howard & Aunt Heather will be meeting us there!! And you know who you're going to meet??? Your Great Aunt Joanie & Great Uncle Joel!!! Aunt Joanie is my aunt, and she is also Grandpa's sister! She loves you so much, and she hasn't even met you yet!!


Okay, I must go and continue to pack so I don't forget anything!! MUST BRING BABY BJORN!!!!

Oooh, side note!! Our friends, Jason & Amanda Igo, had their little boy, Lucas David, last night...a new little friend for you to play with!! AND, I just found out that my friend, Jamie Gladstein, also gave birth to her little girl, Paige, last night!! So many babies!!!!!!

Okay...sleep for a few more minutes before I awaken you!


xoxo

Standing Up By Yourself & High Fives!!!

I am not kidding, but about 5 minutes ago, you just stood up by yourself and gave me a high five!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just can't believe it! I was in shock when it happened, and you know what?? It's happened more than once. Once you realized that you could stand up (and then fall down), you did it again...and again...and again!! Then, you started giving me high fives!!! Oh, I just can't believe this (in a good way, I think).

Stay young a little bit longer, please!!!! :)

xoxo

Standing So Much!!!

You have been getting up all by yourself and standing so much more lately. Everytime I turn around, you have yourself standing, and sometimes only holding on with 1 hand!!! You are really developing quite a personality! I love it!!!!!!!

5 More Days Until Disney!!!

GrAndi left on Saturday, but it's okay because we'll see her, Grandpa Howard and Aunt Heather in less than a week in Orlando! I am soooo excited for our trip. You are going to have so much fun. I went online to see what rides I can take you on, and I am so excited that I'll be able to hold you on Dumbo!! I don't remember a whole lot from my trips to Disney when I was little, but I certainly remember pictures of my daddy taking me on Dumbo! You know what I'm also excited for???? I scheduled a "FIRST HAIRCUT" for you at Harmony Barber Shop at the Magic Kingdom. I refuse to let you have a REAL first haircut until you're at least 1, but we'll at least do a trip...your hair is just too long. I've actually had to put your hair in a ponytail on top of your head just to get it out of your face!!!! What 8mo old do you know that needs a haircut already!?!?!?! MINE! :)

Found a Food You Like!!

Well, GrAndi and I found a type of food that you like...at least for now! It's a company called PLUM Organic and the food comes in these really cute pouches, and you attach a little spoon at the end of it and the food squirts out. So far, you like the Pumpkin & Bananas, and the Peas, Spinach & Pear! GrAndi took us out for dinner tonight and you scarfed the Peas, Spinach & Pear down!! GrAndi told me tonight that when she was watching you today, you figured out to take down this cloth teether on your crib! She said that it was on the floor today - you are so silly!!!

And now we're watching the Country Music Awards - you love the music!!!!

Sweet Potatoes, Peas & Apples!!

Tonight we tried a yummy mixture of sweet potatoes, peas & apples! I think you really liked it. You were reaching for it. Although you did not eat a lot, you did eat more than you had been - I'll take the progress! We'll just have to give you more baby food throughout the day so that you'll take more.

Just put you to bed. You didn't really nap today, so hopefully you'll go right to night night land! :)

Sweet dreams!!!!!!!

Are We Turning Into a Fussy Eater???

Lately, it has been a little challenge to get you to eat anything other than formula. You used to scarf veggies and some fruits down likt it was your job, but now, you're only taking little bites here and there. GrAndi and I went out today to see if we could find other things to get you to eat - you can't have formula forever (as much as I would like to keep you young). We're going to try some pouches of mixed veggies/oats. Yesterday, we went to the Cheesecake Factory, and we tried fresh, natural, mashed bananas - you wanted know part in that. Not sure what to do. If you're not eating more by December (your next drs. appt), I'll say something to her. I do know that refusing foods is a sign of teething. I think your other lower center tooth is coming in, too, so maybe that has something to do with it. Not sure, but hoping to find something that you like.

xoxoxo

Happy Hour Wasn't So Happy

Tonight, daddy, GrAndi and I went for Mexican - yum!! It was happy hour so we got this yummy queso dip. You were quite fussy. I let you try guacamole to see if that would calm you down. It did for a few seconds, but you were over that pretty quickly. Not sure what's going on lately - you've been more fussy, especially when we go out to eat. Hoping to find the miracle cure to give you when you're not feeling so great. The bottle used to cure everything. :( My little girl is growing up.

On a positive note...you have your 3rd swimming class tomorrow!!! I'll be in the pool while GrAndi takes pictures! :)

Standing In Your Crib!!!!!

GrAndi arrived today. She's going to be staying with us for about 2 weeks since Michelle is out of the country!! You're going to have so much fun!!!!!!

You were a little fussy today (probably from all of the traveling we've done in the past 48 hours), so we drove up to daddy's store. You slept the entire way, which was great because we had tried to get you to nap all afternoon!! We walked around the store, and did some grocery shopping.



We gave you a nice bath, and then put you in your crib to watch Beauty & the Beast. We were all just watching, and then we looked over, and you were standing in your crib - leaning on the front railing, staring at the tv. I couldn't believe it!!! We didn't put you up there, you stood up all by yourself!!!!!