Darlin' Don't You Ever Grow Up

I've been noticing lately how much Claire is starting to look more like a toddler. She's losing that baby roundness to her face. She now has a toothy grin instead of a gummy one. She's starting to communicate and get around in her own way. She's changing right before my eyes!

Oh, how I beat myself up for not cherishing the snuggles more. Now she won't fall asleep on me. She's too big and too busy. I just realized that I am no longer timing and keeping track of her feelings anymore. I don't have to! She's grown into this great schedule and it works for her, but a tiny part of me misses the spontaneity. I used to depend on my timer and couldn't go anywhere without it. Now, it's been 977 hours since it was last used. I wish I could add all the minutes I've spent nursing thus far.

We know each other now. She gets me and I get her. That is one thing that I'm looking forward to as she continues to grow; The friendship bond that we will have. I pray that she always knows I'm here for her, and that I am a good enough Christ like example for her as she grows up...because unfortunately, she has to.

(Newborn, 3m, 6m, and 9m)

Flying with a Babe

Claire and I flew to Georgia to see my sister and her family. I was a NERVOUS WRECK prepping for the flight. As soon as we booked the tickets I thought, "what have I done?!" I instantly went to the Internet and talked to my sis to find out all important information.

Claire was absolutely AMAZING!!!! She only cried when she was in her car seat because she wanted out. Otherwise, she was playing or "performing" for her audience (the sewing club and the older couples flocked to her). On the way home, she got a little fussy because she was so tired, but I nursed her and she fell right asleep.

I thought I'd compile a list of all things I found helpful.

I TRAVELED WITH A VERY AVTIVE 9 MONTH OLD. She prefers to be crawling and playing. She does not nap on me often.

1. Promise yourself to "go with the flow". Being worked up the entire travel day will help you none. Your top priority should just be to keep the babe happy. No matter what.

2. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Babies under 2 can get a ticket or travel as a "lap baby". I strongly suggest going as a lap baby. Make sure you call the airline prior to your trip and make sure they document on your boarding pass that you are traveling with a child. We flew southwest. I was told to bring Claire's birth certificate to the ticket counter to prove she was under 2. They gave me another boarding pass with one for her.

3. TRAVEL SYSTEM: My sis didn't have a car seat or stroller, so we had to take both. I packed the base in my large suitcase (we got 2 checked bags for free) and clipped the car seat into the stroller to push around. When we got to our gate, I went and spoke with the flight attendants. They tagged the stroller and seat for me to gate check. IF YOU HAVE A LAYOVER, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TELL THEM YOU WILL NEED THE STROLLER AT THE LAYOVER DESTINATION. IF YOU DONT SPECIFY, IT MIGHT GO ON TO THE FINAL DESTINATION. On our flights to Georgia, there were plenty of seats, so I got to take the car seat on the plane. I thought she might sleep in it, but she didn't. It was mostly just a hassle. During the layover, I strapped her into the car seat (in the stroller) and pushed her around while she napped. It was her only nap. On the way home, they planes were way full so there was no room for the car seat. *When we got off the plane, we waited right outside for our things.

3. WHAT TO PACK FOR ENTERTAINMENT: I put a few of Claire's toys away about 2 weeks before we left. I wanted them to be new to her. We had a book, a light up/singing toy, Sophie, a stacking toy, among other things. She mostly just played with the peanut bags, the people around us and the tray. Southwest had free wifi with TV shows. We watched Mickey twice.

4. WHAT TO PACK FOR FOOD: I took a few pouches for her to suck on during landing and take off. She is not an on demand nurser, nor does she take long, so I needed other options to help with ears. She had mums and gerber cookies and a water bottle. I also took puffs and yogurt melts, but they slide away and were easily thrown. Don't forget snacks for mama! You'll be hungry too!

5. WHAT NECESSITIES TO TAKE: Food!!! Antibacterial hand and face wipes to wipe her off as often as possible. I had Wet Ones to wipe off all surrounding areas. Seriously. I tried to wipe almost everything she touched.

6. WHAT TO WEAR: If you're a nursing mom, a piko top with a tank top under was so wonderful! It completely covered the babe and kept me modest. Comfy pants and easy slip on shoes are a must as always. I put Claire in a buttoned romper. It was the easiest to change her diapers and I didn't have to keep up with any pants. Keep the baby shoeless if possible so you don't have to remove those. Take an extra outfit for all!

7. WHERE TO SIT: I spoke to the staff before boarding and they suggested sitting as close to the engine as possible, and sitting by the window. On flights that I knew had a few extra seats, I put my bag in the middle seat to keep others from sitting. Claire loved to sit by herself!

I hope this was helpful in someway! Just stay calm and be amazed at how much attention your baby gets!

(Playing around at the gate.)

(She loved sitting by herself and waving to everyone around her.)

(Popping up after nursing to say "hi"!)

(This is how she rode around the airport.)

Month 9

She loves: playing(!), peek a boo, dancing, music, cheese, walking holding hands, her grandparents, drinking water, the refrigerator, trash, toilets, Brody's bowls, opening and shutting doors, and her shampoo bottle.

She doesn't love: when I close the refrigerator, being made to lay still during diaper/clothes changes, being forced to sit or having certain things taken from her.

21.9 pounds
29.33 inches
18.5 in head
Low iron (just a little) from a toe prick.
Possible swallow study
Dr. Swindle called her WILD! He said she's very bright and strong, and we might have a walker before 1.
Got the first part of her flu shot.

• Depending on the brand, she's in 6-12 or 12 month clothes. She can still wear a few 9 month items.
• Size 3 diapers for day and 4 for night.
• Naps at 9:30 and 1:30 for about an hour/hour and a half.
• Bed time around 8:30 and up around 7:30. Even if she wakes in the night, I don't go get her unless it seems necessary.
• Nurses 4 times a day (every 4 hours) and eats a solid an hour after she nurses. We still do cereal before bed as well, but it no longer has to be mixed with breast milk.
• 2 bottom teeth, and big buds for the top teeth.

- Started the month on day 5 of RE sleep training.
- First day of her ninth month was a rough one. She slept poorly the night before and wouldn't nap. She acted this same way a couple of days before that tooth popped up!
- She pulls up on everything with ease. She sometimes gets brave and lets go to just stand there or she starts to walk along things.
-We hosted a house warming party 3.5 weeks after we moved in. Whew. It was SO wonderful for ALL of our friends to get together and Claire loved playing with the kids. Our guests were: Rountrees, McClains, Duffields, Carters, willards, Tarvins, coopers, glovers, devenports, and Gobers. Our new neighbors the Crouches showed up for a little while. We have so many wonderful friends here and loved celebrating with them.
- Started to become even more talkative and goofy!
- Took 3 steps with walker toy on 7/27. She also choked for the first time. It was on a puff and Andrew simultaneously scooped it from her throat while beating her back. She cried.
- She started sucking a straw (from a sonic water) on 7/29.
- When she gets upset or is doing something she doesn't want to do, she kicks her right leg like crazy!
- She had a bout of diarrhea that lasted several days. She would wake up with it in her diaper and have a few times during the day. No fever and she was still as happy as ever! We made sure to keep her hydrated and put her on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast).
- She hasn't wanted to lay still to nurse on the right side. She stands on her knees to my left and just bends over to eat.
- Took Andrew to Rhea Lana's. Bought: 4 pair of jammies, 4 rompers, 2 dresses, 5 pair of pants, 1 jacket, 13 shirts, and 4 pair of shoes for $115.
- Bottom right front tooth broke through on 8/2 and she waved on purpose to Shannon Driggers.
- She has started to squat to play rather than sitting. It makes her seem so big to me.
- She loves everything she's not supposed to: paper, toilet paper, toilets, random items on the floor, knives from the dishwasher, plugs and cords, door stoppers, outlet covers, trash, books with pages she can rip out...
- She likes playing in the open refrigerator.
- Has started saying "mama" when she's crawling around looking for me or crying, but doesn't say it to me. When asked to say it, she spits.
- She started crossing her feet when she sits.
- When she sees something she really wants, she says "mama" and crawls really fast.
- She likes to sit and use her feet to swivel around.
- She's starting to share things for us to "pretend" with her.
- She walks holding our hands now.
- On the night of 8/8, she woke up really upset. After letting her cry for a little while I just had to go in there (this after 3 weeks of sleep training). I'm so glad I did, because for the first time ever, she just laid her head on my shoulder and let me rock her. Such a sweet time.
- She lays her head down on us and sometimes squeezes for hugs.
- She learned to throw (more like "share") a ball with lolly.
- She has started putting things in her mouth to hold while she uses her hands for something else.
- One night, she played with a cracker wrapper under the kitchen table for over 10 minutes. She was just talking and would touch the chairs with the wrapper while rotating around. Sometimes she would slide into her belly and lick the ground....My little weirdo!
- She's been making herself gag during dinner. Mostly on vegetables.
- She has this funny cough/laugh that she does when she sees something she likes.
- When she falls or gets hurt, she looks at the object and yells at it while she cries. It's hard to feel sad for her because it's so funny.
- She's getting pickier about foods. She doesn't care for veggies right now.
- She does a real cry when I'm getting ready to feed her but have to put her down for a minute.
- "Nana" is her new favorite sound to make. She does it and grunts/stiffens at the same time.
- She learned to call the hogs.
- She L•O•V•E•S to give kisses. Sometimes she just won't stop. She likes when I make the "mwah" sound. Sometimes she bites the lips instead of a sweet kiss...
- The one thing that always cheers her up is singing "clap clap clap your hands clap your hands together."
- She found her shadow.
- Lover of playing chase.
- Naptime has become a struggle again. She wants me to hold her and snuggle. She cries when I lay her down.
- Runny nose started in 8/18 (probably the cause of sad naps).
- Likes to lay her head on things.
- Ended the month sleeping really well!

Oh my sweet sass, you are 100% better than I could have even imagined. Your joy is contagious. I love watching you focus and play, and I adore when you come searching for mama snuggles. I can already tell that you have a majorly impressive future ahead of you. I hope you never lose your determination. I love you, wild girl!

(39 weeks old -- same amount of time that she was in the womb)

Poop face

Claire and Perri having backyard fun. 

The Godparents: Tim and Kaycee

Watermelon friends

This is so dark, but one night she had to sleep with us. When she woke up, she wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me for a while. 

In front of our new home. 

Sleeps with her booty up. 

Toilet paper bandit. 

Tippy toes

Bottom teeth!

You can find this pic on the rockcityoutfitters.com website under the "kids" tab. 

Prayer

I'm not the best prayer. I do it every now and then when I think about it, it's very formal, I ask for big things in a small way and I usually only ask once.

I did a bible study about the book "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson, and my prayer life changed dramatically.

Mark talks about the power of prayer. He states that BOLD prayers please the Lord. He challenges his readers to be specific and intentional with their prayer life. He reminds us that God can do ANYTHING,  but he doesn't necessarily do it right away. He says to circle your dreams and fears in prayer whether it be mentally or physically.  He suggests that a change of pace + a change of place = a change in perspective. Don't give up on God when he doesn't give an answer right away. KEEP ASKING. Try something different during your prayer time. He suggested that trying something "physical" can really focus your mind on your request (this doesn't mean that it makes your prayer magical, it just keeps you mindful).

I thought he was kind of quirky. He often mentions that he paces, and places his hands, and fasts. When He mentioned that he does these things to stay focused on his prayers, it hit me! It's really hard for me to pray when there's a mess around me or the TV is on or my phone is near me. It's hard for me to pray when I could be playing with Claire. I need to find something that will keep me focused on a prayer.

I have challenged myself to circle Claire's sleeping habits in prayer. I know that sounds silly, but it's something that really bothers me. She does ok at night, but she won't nap consistently. She needs it, I need it. I am going to stop every time I lay her in her crib and pray in her doorway. I  going to pray for peace and comfort for her to know that her crib is a safe place. I'm going to pray for good rest. I'm going to build on this prayer as I see needs arise. Even though it seems silly to me (and probably to you) for me to pray about my baby's sleep, nothing is too silly, too small or too big for God. He will help Claire sleep!

I'm going to circle this need in prayer for 21 days as part of Mark Batterson's challenge. Join me! What are some things that you could pray about? Where can you go or what could you do to help you remember to circle this dream or fear in prayer? If you do this, I hope you notice that your prayer life will grow tremendously, and you'll find yourself praying about everything!

Month 8

This has been by FAR the biggest month in her sweet little life! So many changes!

Claire loves: mama and daddy, eating real food, other peoples' attention, paper, crawling to places she's not supposed to, making funny faces, books and eating paper

She does not love: getting teeth, long car rides

She's tried almost all foods (no honey). There's not much she doesn't like, but she loves cheese, puffs, fruit, and deli meat the most. According to my scale at home she's 20.8lbs.

- She started crying and peeking over her bumper watching for me to come in and get her.
- She pulled herself up to a standing position while holding on to her walker on 6/22.
- Got herself from the crawling position back to sitting up on 6/24.
- Got herself from laying on her belly to sitting position on 6/27. She loves to use this new trick in her crib!
- Pulled up in her crib on 6/29. Had to lower the mattress.
- She dances every time she plays with her walker or piano.
- 6/30 started trying to bear crawl.
- Now that she can sit herself up, she likes to play in her crib and has started "playing herself to sleep".
- As of 7/1 she still has both bottom teeth buds and the top right front tooth is budding. No breakthrough, but lots of restless nights and nap times.
- She loves clapping her hands together or holding things and clapping them together.
- She LOVES music. When she hears it, she dances. She has a piano and drum that she likes. She dances when she claps toys together.
- She waves.
- She responds to different parts of TV shows.
- She makes a "hi" sound, a "da" sound and "mm" when she's sad. She talks a lot.
- She's learned how to make a sucking sound with her tongue and how to blow raspberries.
- She had her first Fourth of July and got to celebrate with the Curtis/Hodges family. All of the cousins got to meet her and she got some great snuggles.
- She was a CHAMP with late nights and crazy days while we moved.
- We packed up and moved into a new home.
- She's starting to flirt and become bashful at the same time. She lays her head on my shoulder when people talk to her.
- As of 7/6 she has taken 4 "crawls".
- Crawled across the room looking at herself in the iPhone on 7/9.
- Found out she had Hand Foot and Mouth Virus. She had a couple of days where she was very whiney. She also wasn't nursing well and was waking at night every 2.5-3 hours. I was ready to let her cry it out to get back on a sleeping schedule, but decided I should make sure she wasn't sick first...turns out she was. She had sores in her mouth and bumps around her mouth.
- When she sees me getting ready to feed her, she laughs and makes a sucking motion.
- She cocks her head to the side almost anytime she sees someone.
- She mimics growls, laughs, claps, and "spits".
- Went to a drive in movie to see "Inside Out". She didn't sleep a wink, but was a very good girl.
- Her front bottom left tooth popped up on 7/11.
- She eats and plays with everything she's not supposed to. She's a tad mischievous... She laughs when I say "no". I even had to seat her hand once and she giggled.
- She looks at Andrew when I say "where's dada". She gives me a kiss when I ask, "Can mama have a kiss?"
- Now that she crawls, she loves to find the vent under the refrigerator, paper, shoes, cords the vacuum and door stoppers.
- When I come home from being away (very rare occurrence) she does this laugh/cry mix when she sees me.
- We met Cash Seals and Claire met Brooke for the first time on 7/15.
- I tried giving Claire a formula bottle to see if it would help her take a bottle. She didn't hate it, but didn't finish it. Then she put up everywhere...
- She pretends to read books.
- She nods yes when she sees something she wants.
- We started "sleep training" again on 7/18. We had an open full week of nothing to do before guests were coming.

This is how it went:
 NIGHT ONE: out later for a birthday party, down by 9:30. Up at 1, started to fall back asleep around 1:20, but woke back up with a vengeance! Asleep around 2. Up at 5:40 for a short time. Awake by 9 (she woke up sad). NIGHT TWO: Down at 8:30. Up at 7:30. NIGHT THREE: Down by 8:30  (she took 2 amazing naps this day and 1 cat nap around 6:30). Up at 2 for around 15 minutes. Up again. I have no idea what time because I was too tired. It WAS thunder storming! NIGHT FOUR: Down by 9. More thunderstorms. Up at 12 but only for a minute. Up at 5:30 and 7:15. NIGHT FIVE: Down at 8:45. All night until 7:30! NIGHT SIX: Down by 8;45. Up at 3:30 for very short. 7:45 up for the day. NIGHT SEVEN (we had company spend the night, so I was REALLY HOPING she'd be done): Down by 8:45. Up by 3:20. I told our friends that I was going to let her cry for 5 minutes. That's just want she did -more like screamed-so I went in. 8:00 up for the day.

Claire, 
You. are. something. Every ounce of you has personality and everyone notices. You light up whatever room you are in! Often times, people don't believe me if I say that you've been fussy. You have this switch that goes off when you're in public. You're a perfect angel (for that I'm thankful)! I love watching you grow and change. I feel like I can't even call you a baby anymore because you're doing so many new things every day. I could seriously eat you UP!!

I love you!
Mama

Grandaddy and Papa

Pulling up

With Harlow and Amelia after making cards for the Veteran's Home. 

Swimming with Rachel and Knoxx Stanek. 

Pulling up in the crib. 

Ready to bear crawl. 

Helping mama pack. 

She pulls hair 24/7.

Claire and Macy celebrating July 4th!

Swimming at Bogg Springs. 

Last nap in the Pine Creek house. 

Helping mama unpack. 

Playing with the refrigerator vent. 

Meeting Brooke and Cash Seals. 

Baby bookworms with Madalena Dixon. 

When she DOES sleep, she sleeps hard. 

Meme got her a play yard!

With Thomas Whittington

Bow hair