12 - 3 = NINE!!!

Today marks 9 months. 9 BIG MONTHS.

HOLY MOLY!

So we went to the pediatricians this morning.

Our current measurements stand at:

14 pounds 14 ounces

 and

25.5 inches long

After discussing with the pediatrician my concern of his size we determined that some human error had occurred while measuring his height, but because he's gaining weight and almost back ON the curve she wants to monitor it a little closer and then reevaluate at his one year appointment. 

So, we're going to go get measurements done every month and at his year check up we will determine what to do from there.

Today we also decided to officially START weaning! I know my ultimate goal was to get to a year, but it has been a tough road to get this far, and we want to start trying for another baby soon, so I'm going to be just a TAD selfish and request that my body be my own for just a few months. 

I know. I'm a TERRIBLE human being.

Get over it.

On the plus side, starting the Baby Dean on formula will also help him gain weight AND maybe, just maybe, we will be sleeping through the night in a month or so.

He only wakes about once a night now, and our pediatrician told me that as this age, it's not a behavioral thing. If he's waking to eat and go back to sleep, he needs it, so keep doing it. 

And that's fine by me, I can deal with waking up once a night to make sure my little boy is ok. One day I'll miss him waking me up.

We also talked with the pediatrician about his stranger anxiety.

He has major fits when other people hold him besides Dean or I.

The pediatrician told us this is completely normal and actually a good thing.

She said around 9 months is when stranger anxiety really starts to peak. Whether he sees you every week or not, he doesn't see you daily like Dean and I, therefore he is fearful of you and he only wants us.

She said ways to help with this is when coming around him, you have to almost acknowledge but ignore him. Don't immediately try to pick him up or be touchy touchy. Wait a few minutes to allow him to warm up to you and remember you, then you can try to hold him or play with him.

She said even with this, and you're holding him, if we walk by, he could've been completely fine, but he will immediately start to scream for us. It's a reflex. You feel more comfortable in your own home on your own couch than on others. Babies usually feel more comfortable and relaxed in their parent's arms than others. 

She said we should be worried if he didn't do this because children with autism treat everyone equally, and have no preference of Mom and Dad over others.

She also said that this will continue for quite a while. At around 18 months, he will probably stand behind us when going around others. He may peak around to watch you until he's warmed up, but it's just like being shy. 

So. If Baby Dean screams when you try to hold him, be patient. Don't allow your feelings to be hurt. Don't blame me that he likes me more (I AM his mother after all!)

Our kid is healthy, and that's a good thing. 

So his accomplishments at nine months old include:

*Crawling on all 4s. (no more army crawl)

*Pulling himself to stand and sitting back down

*Getting into a sitting position from crawling and vice versa

*Walking along furniture (holding on to the furniture he can walk)

*Saying "Da Da"

*Knowing who is DaDa and who is Mama

*CLIMBING THE STAIRS

*Drinking out of a sippy cup

I feel like there is more, but I can't think of them right now.

Here's our 9 month pictures from this afternoon.

SO BIG! 

(yet little at the same time)

Today was a BIG day.

Today was a big day for our house.

If you know Dean and I at all, you know that during the course of our entire marriage (and majority of our relationship all together), Dean has worked overnights. 

This means him being gone from around noon on day one and not coming back until around around 4-5pm on day five.

It's been difficult, and long. 

To say I'm excited to go to sleep next to my husband every night is an understatement. 

I'm excited to be able to make the bed every day, and get chores done during the day instead of being up until 1 AM getting them done.

I'm excited to have my husband back on a normal schedule and not have to keep killing his body switching his sleep schedule.

I'm excited for Dean to be here to put the baby to bed every night, and for the ability to come home for lunch and for us to be able to visit him while he's at work.

I'm just SO excited. 

An update on the baby: He has TWO teeth! TWO!

We have our 9 month well child visit on his actual 9 month birthday so we'll get accurate standings on size. 

Everyone keeps telling me how small he is and how he doesn't look like a 9 month old, and I'm not going to lie, it worries me. It's not like he was a premie, we went two weeks past our due date for crying out loud. He was an average size baby at birth, and eats 3 meals a day, and nurses 3-4 times a day and at least once at night. 

Dean says I shouldn't worry because he was tiny when he was little, but I still can't help to. 

I'll let you know what the pediatrician says at his check-up.

Fingers crossed everything is ok, and fingers crossed she gives the go-ahead to start weaning and transitioning to whole milk... because we're both ready.

Let him be little

I don't think there is anything more peaceful than a baby falling asleep on your chest. 

Being able to take the time and look at the peacefulness that is that child just does something to you. 

I don't think I say it enough, but I dread the day my baby grows up. I know it's going to happen. I know one day he will see the evil that is in this world, and his innocence is going to be stripped from him, and I HATE that. I hate that one day he may fear walking down a street because he is or is not like others.

Life is so short, and we take it for granted too often. I want to be sure that I never miss a moment of his childhood, and more importantly, that he never misses a moment of his childhood. 

I remember wishing I was older so often when I was little, hating that I couldn't stay up all hours of the night, I couldn't drive, or go where I want.

I wish I could go back and smack me silly. Those were the days. I love my life now, and I don't want to change anything about it, except, letting my baby be little forever. 

Just a thought for the day.

JUST. SAY. NO.

Well, it's been two weeks since we got the puppy and things are getting better. 

Day to day, it's getting more manageable and less chaotic. 

It's seriously like having two kids, so I'm taking it as early practice.

Not much is going on in the life of us. We live our daily lives and spruce it up every once in a while by visiting friends and family, or having play dates. 

I enjoy a simple life, and I'm going to raise my children in much of the same way.

It IS ok to go to a carnival and just walk around, only playing a game or two and getting some fries. You DON'T need to ride rides all night or play every game and buy every food in sight.

Sure it's fun, but really, you WILL live without it.

It is TOTALLY ok to spend an entire week at your house coming up with new fun games to play and just enjoying the company of others.

It is MORE than acceptable to shop for clothes in consignment shops, especially when you're just going to outgrow them in a few weeks.

You DON'T need the newest, most expensive stuff, you WILL be happy with what you have.

Too often in our society, people aren't happy with what they have, and they always want MORE or to do MORE, experience MORE. I think that's part of the reason kids today are so spoiled and needy and end up going down the wrong path.

Learn to say NO people. 

JUST SAY NO.

I thought I was busy before.

Well. It's been more than forever since I blogged last. 

We've been busy.

Christmas came and went, and well, it was an exhausting blast. 

Baby Dean seriously enjoyed ripping open his presents, and I can honestly say that he plays with EVERYTHING he received. My house is a mess daily, and I love it. I know he's happy and enjoying his day to day life.

He turned 8 months old a few days ago. I still need to get pictures, so they'll be added at a later date.

Not too much has changed. He's very easily pulling himself to standing, and sitting back down. He walks with help from a "walker toy" and is really starting to understand what we're saying.

He loves giving kisses, and sometimes doesn't know when to stop. It's too adorable for words.

His laugh and smile will weaken even the biggest Scrooge's knees.

He is without a doubt my biggest pride and joy (and I know the same is for hubby).

In other news...

We added a new family member recently.

A puppy we named Bane.

Photo Credit: Karen Leigh Studios

He's a Rotty/Lab mix, and has definitely worked his way into all of our hearts very quickly.

He IS causing me gray hair, but that's what puppies do. 

Today we have a vet visit, to make sure he's well and healthy, let the bankruptcy begin!!

I promise, cross my heart, hope to die, stick a dirty needle in my eye, that I will start to blog more!

Happy New Year ya'll.