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.

SEVEN.

Obviously this is a little late AND I didn't finish the whole November Thankful thing. 

But life gets pretty crazy pretty quickly, and everyone should know that I'm more than thankful for everything and everyone in my life. Everyone that reads this blog, I'm thankful for you too, just so you know.

Now. My boy turned SEVEN months a few days ago, so, it's time for a monthly update.

Currently, Baby Dean is proficient at:

Eating

Sitting up alone

Crawling

Rolling both ways

Shaking his head 'No' -- He's starting to understand the meaning too!

Go from crawling position to sitting position on his own

Pulling himself up to stand

He's working on:

Ma-Ma

Da-Da

His signs (I'm teaching him sign language)

Standing alone 

(GASP) Walking!

Baby Dean's current likes are:

Any food that goes in his mouth (except Avocado. That was the only one he refused to eat)

This new wooden train a friend recently gave him

Splashing in the bathtub

Getting tickles from Mommy & Daddy

Giving kisses

Crawling! He loves exploring the house!

Baby Dean's current dislikes are:

Being forced to stay in one room 

Having his face cleaned after he eats

Having his nose wiped (fighting a cold/teething)

Being a parent is the greatest thing I have ever been blessed with doing. 

It took me a while to compose myself to write about this, but I do best when I write my feelings out.

The tragedy that happened in Connecticut is one that, I hope, we as a nation will never have to endure again. But I know it will. 

Shootings in our schools and in public places are happening so frequently that it's almost "normal" to hear about. And what kind of world do we live in that it's NORMAL to hear about?!

Yesterday, 20 children lost their lives. 7 adults were also killed. I couldn't fathom being a parent that lost their child to this sick person.

Obviously talk starts about homeschooling, and gun control, but in reality, these shootings are happening anywhere and everywhere. In a shopping mall, in a church, in a movie theater. 

We can't protect our children from everything. We have to pray for peace, and love, and know that God is with us no matter where we go. 

Stricter gun laws, in my opinion will not help either. Criminals don't follow laws, hence they are called criminals. It's all over the internet: "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" 

I'm not going to go on a tirade about gun laws though.

I'm posting in memory of the 27 killed. 

I dread the day that Baby Dean's innocence to the world is over. When he starts to realize that not everyone out there is nice and friendly. That bad things happen. That there is racism, and bullying, and murders. Right now, we are all the same to him. And while I'll raise him to know that there are no differences in people based on race or gender or sexual preference, that we are all people, I know there are people out there that won't teach their children that. And my son will come across those people. But I know that my husband and I will build strong values into our children to know right from wrong, and trust in not only themselves, but God. We'll be okay. As a family, as a country. We'll be okay.

Sorry. Can't figure out how to turn the pictures. Perhaps in a future post ;)

Happy Saturday all.

14-19 PLUS a bonus "white girl rage"

Just so you know, I keep a log in my phone of what I'm thankful for daily, I just don't make it to the computer daily. 

So, here is your weekly update.

Day 14: Thankful for my father.

We may not have the closest relationship or always had the best relationship, but I'm thankful for the man that has always been there for me. He's never been shy to tell me he's proud of me and proud of everything I've done. I know that no matter what happens in life, I can turn to my Dad for advice and for a listening ear, and I'm thankful to have my Dad by my side.

Day 15: Thankful for my father-in-law.

My father-in-law is one person that never ceases to amaze me. He is someone that everyone could take a lesson from. No matter what happens, he is always there for his family, and will do whatever is needed to help someone out. He has helped us far beyond repayment and I'm so thankful to be able to call him my father-in-law

Day 16: Thankful for my step mom.

What to say about this woman that came into my life almost 5 years ago. My step-mom and I have this special bond, one that has not replaced my own mother and I's, but is one that cannot be replaced itself. I love this woman more than she probably knows, and am so thankful to have her. She makes my father happier than I've ever seen him, and makes my family life feel complete. She goes above and beyond for my family and I can never thank her enough for everything she has done. 

Day 17: Thankful for all of my siblings.

For those of you who don't know, I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers (1 step sister, 1 biological sister, 1 half brother, and 1 brother-in-law) and I am smack dab in the middle of all of them. While my little brother can't do much now, he always puts a smile on my face and is a great uncle already. My sister and I have had our ups and downs, but we both know that we will always be there for each other no matter what. My step-sister in a force to be reckoned with. Quick to defend (and possibly kill) anyone that hurts me or anyone in my family, she is one person that I know will always be there and support any decision I make. I couldn't be more thankful that she was the bonus package that came with my step-mom. My brother-in-law, well, I've always viewed him as my brother, ever since Dean and I got together. He's a great guy, one that I'm thankful for always. He (sometimes) keeps my husband out of trouble and is a great uncle to our son, whether he realizes it or not.

Day 18: Thankful for my birthing experience.

I read this blog daily. And after reading her struggle to come to terms with the delivery of her second child, and all the women of the world that struggle with the same thing, it makes me take a step back and be thankful for the birthing experience I had with Baby Dean. I didn't think I had such a great experience, and while it definitely could have been better, I'm thankful for what I did have. Too many woman want more than anything to experience a natural childbirth, experience what our bodies were made to do, and never get the chance to. I took it for granted, but I won't anymore, and I won't with any future children we have too. 

Day 19: Thankful for my husband's job.

I will admit, I am one that is quick to complain about my husband's job. It keeps him away from us for days at a time, I go to bed without him constantly, and it puts stress on him that's unreal. BUT. I'm thankful for it. He truly loves his job (except for the months of October-December) and it provides for my family, and allows me to be a stay-at-home Mom and raise our son. His job is stable, reliable, and one that too many people in America today would gladly take.

WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT.

Wal-Mart employees protesting.

This DISGUSTS me. 

Claiming they want their minimum wage raised to $13 an hour?!

They want respect.

They don't want to work Black Friday or other holidays?!

Uhm hey, how about our military personnel, fire fighters, police officers, and all the millions of others that have no choice but to work on holidays?

Do you think they could protest this?

We all want to make more, but guess what. YOU WORK AT WAL-MART.

You want to make more? Go to college, get a higher paying job. 

Tell the over 8% of Americans that don't have a job that you want to make more money. 

Because I'm PRETTY sure they'd love to switch places and make $8 an hour rather than nothing.

Wal-Mart has a great system in place that allows its employees to freely go to their managers and discuss issues they're having. Respect in the workplace is one that they can talk to someone about. That manager doesn't do anything? Go to the next higher up manager until something IS done. 

People think Wal-Mart is some big bad company but they don't know how much good they do. 

Has anyone made mention of the fact that Wal-Mart has allowed victims of Hurricane Sandy to not pay on their credit card until they can? They are working with these people to help them, but no one makes mention of it. No one makes mention of the millions of dollars the company raises and donates yearly to the Children's Miracle Network. No one makes mention of the fact that Wal-Mart continues to hire when other companies cannot. 

I'm not saying this because of my husband or because I use to work for the company, or because I know TONS of people that worked and continue to work for the company. 

I'm saying it for the soldier that won't get to see his family for thanksgiving OR christmas OR new years.

For the fire fighter that has to miss his anniversary dinner because he got caught up on a call.

For the police officer that fears daily he will never see his kids again. 

Be Thankful for your jobs people. 

Because YOU could be a lot worse off.