Dec 16, 2008
ER Visit
We chalked up Rachel's second ER visit today. She decided to try walking down the steps like a big girl. That didn't work out all that well for her. Nothing was seriously wrong--just bumps and bruises--but she DID NOT like the doctor (who was sooo sweet) or the x-rays. Hopefully, she's not on Ethan's trend of one ER visit per year!
Sep 19, 2008
The Attitude
While I've been busy reading everyone else's blogs I've been ignoring my very own! I'll try to do the best I can to bring you up-to-speed on our "little" bundle of "joy".
Rachel, well she's her own woman these days. Remember that high pitched scream she was working on a few months ago? Well she's mastered it and now has amplification behind it. Oh, the joy. She's just shy of 18 months and is doing all sorts of age approproate things. Notably, we've had quite the addition to our vocab over the last month or so to now include--ice, nice, pizza (a testament to the fact that I've been in charge of dinner lately), oh no, school (sool more like), buh-bye, Aiden, granpa, granmama, Noah, Mogan (Morgan), mulk (milk), juice, wa-wa, buue (blue), geen (green), red, piper (diaper) and a few more I'm sure.
Rachel is now going to a sitter every day so I can actually get work done. Her sitter is AWESOME! And, Rachel loves the kids there so it's really great.
We're just starting into the color identification--she knows red and everything else in her world is "buue".she likes anything of Ethan's MUCH more than her own stuff and is always willing to share--meaning you share whatever you're doing or eating with her. She has 12 teeth already and four more on the way.
She has enjoyed summer immensely, especially the new jungle gym in the backyard and picked raspberries and blueberries.
Well that's all for now...must get to work!
Rachel, well she's her own woman these days. Remember that high pitched scream she was working on a few months ago? Well she's mastered it and now has amplification behind it. Oh, the joy. She's just shy of 18 months and is doing all sorts of age approproate things. Notably, we've had quite the addition to our vocab over the last month or so to now include--ice, nice, pizza (a testament to the fact that I've been in charge of dinner lately), oh no, school (sool more like), buh-bye, Aiden, granpa, granmama, Noah, Mogan (Morgan), mulk (milk), juice, wa-wa, buue (blue), geen (green), red, piper (diaper) and a few more I'm sure.
Rachel is now going to a sitter every day so I can actually get work done. Her sitter is AWESOME! And, Rachel loves the kids there so it's really great.
We're just starting into the color identification--she knows red and everything else in her world is "buue".she likes anything of Ethan's MUCH more than her own stuff and is always willing to share--meaning you share whatever you're doing or eating with her. She has 12 teeth already and four more on the way.
She has enjoyed summer immensely, especially the new jungle gym in the backyard and picked raspberries and blueberries.
Well that's all for now...must get to work!
Apr 1, 2008
Happy birthday!
First, I'll blame the lack of posting on the fact that our camera cable has gone bye-bye. I just had little motivation to post without pictures. Thanks to Rachel's Aunt Beth, we now have photos so I'll post. Oh, and today just happens to be a very important day!!!!
I really can't explain how fast this year has gone. I mean, we all like to say "It seems like just yesterday..." but REALLY! it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home. Now, we have this little girl who can communicate with us (albeit in sign language), can get around by herself and who makes us laugh every day. It's just amazing.
Well, Rachie is crawling like a mad woman but not really interested in the whole walking thing. She will pull/push herself up to standing from anywhere that is over 1inch and will walk finger-assisted but still has wobbly-leg syndrome.
She has really started to happy jabber and can say a whole list of words: da-da, E, papa, nana, on, mo (more), yea, no, and ufuf (dog). She also says a whole lot of other things that I'm sure mean something to her but don't mean a whole lot to us. However, baby sign is a savior! She can sign or make some consistent gesture for: cup, more, no, yes, bye-bye/hi, thank you, poop (thank you Ethan for that one), bath, dog, water, one, eat, stinky and pretty. Interesting combo, eh?
She's still not sleeping through the night but we're going to try a technique given to us by Rachel's friend Lily who is now the sleeping champ. I think it will also help once we begin to wean her, and by "we" I mean me and anyone else who can hold her down so she doesn't attack me. By the way, she is saying ma-ma but she uses it to refer to her favorite food source. I guess that really is what I am to her!
I take her for her one-year checkup tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have another post soon.
Jan 9, 2008
Giving us the finger
Merry Christmas! And, Happy New Year's!
Well, since my last post, which was over a month ago, a lot has happened. Surprise, surprise!
Rachel is now really crawling and pulling herself up on anything that is greater than 1" off the ground. She can stand up in the middle of the room by herself and lets go of the object she was holding on to and will stand alone for a little while. But, her "sea legs" tell us it will be awhile before we see real first steps.
She's getting more teeth. To date, she has the bottom center teeth. It looks like ones on either side will be coming in next followed quickly by the top centers.
She gives us the finger all the time...the pointing finger that is. Her pointer fingers are constantly out and she will point at everything. Sometimes it's helpful (like when she points at one of three dishes that we're feeding her from) but othertimes it's frustrating because she knows what she wants and I can't figure it out. She also uses the finger to shake at me when she's doing something she's not supposed to (I shake my finger and say "no, no" when correcting her). Unfortunately, she then laughs so I'm not thinking our discipline is being understood (yes, I know she is too little).
She now has said: dada, mum-mum, no (kinda), papa, hey, hi, and she growls like a bear/tiger/lion/daddy in the morning (ha!) or whatever I prompt her with.
She gives BIIIGG hugs, especially to Ethan and slobbery wet kisses to anyone who wants one. She is getting a little bit better with stranger shyness (strangers being anyone other than mom, dad or Ethan). She loves her bath and acts like quite the little lady while in the water, not! She splashes wildly, attempts to drink half the water and knocks over any bottles she can get her fingers on.
She's sleeping through the night (8:30-6ish) but still cries everytime we put her in her crib awake and everytime she wakes up. She has quite the set of lungs on her. Her volume and pitch are very, um, unique. She will let you know when she doesn't like what you're doing and definitely objects when you take a toy away--in the form of throwing herself backwards regardless of where she is and using that "unique" scream.
Other than that, it's business as usual. We're hoping she avoids this terrible illness that Ethan has. We're waiting to hear back from the docs as to what it is that he has--probably influenza but maybe pneumonia. I think they're a little jumpy and really he just has a bad cold. But, better safe than sorry.
The next post promises to have pictures and/or a video so you can see that really my children are alive and well. Until then...
Well, since my last post, which was over a month ago, a lot has happened. Surprise, surprise!
Rachel is now really crawling and pulling herself up on anything that is greater than 1" off the ground. She can stand up in the middle of the room by herself and lets go of the object she was holding on to and will stand alone for a little while. But, her "sea legs" tell us it will be awhile before we see real first steps.
She's getting more teeth. To date, she has the bottom center teeth. It looks like ones on either side will be coming in next followed quickly by the top centers.
She gives us the finger all the time...the pointing finger that is. Her pointer fingers are constantly out and she will point at everything. Sometimes it's helpful (like when she points at one of three dishes that we're feeding her from) but othertimes it's frustrating because she knows what she wants and I can't figure it out. She also uses the finger to shake at me when she's doing something she's not supposed to (I shake my finger and say "no, no" when correcting her). Unfortunately, she then laughs so I'm not thinking our discipline is being understood (yes, I know she is too little).
She now has said: dada, mum-mum, no (kinda), papa, hey, hi, and she growls like a bear/tiger/lion/daddy in the morning (ha!) or whatever I prompt her with.
She gives BIIIGG hugs, especially to Ethan and slobbery wet kisses to anyone who wants one. She is getting a little bit better with stranger shyness (strangers being anyone other than mom, dad or Ethan). She loves her bath and acts like quite the little lady while in the water, not! She splashes wildly, attempts to drink half the water and knocks over any bottles she can get her fingers on.
She's sleeping through the night (8:30-6ish) but still cries everytime we put her in her crib awake and everytime she wakes up. She has quite the set of lungs on her. Her volume and pitch are very, um, unique. She will let you know when she doesn't like what you're doing and definitely objects when you take a toy away--in the form of throwing herself backwards regardless of where she is and using that "unique" scream.
Other than that, it's business as usual. We're hoping she avoids this terrible illness that Ethan has. We're waiting to hear back from the docs as to what it is that he has--probably influenza but maybe pneumonia. I think they're a little jumpy and really he just has a bad cold. But, better safe than sorry.
The next post promises to have pictures and/or a video so you can see that really my children are alive and well. Until then...
Dec 7, 2007
Dec 5, 2007
Glass Half Empty
Rachel is great. Really, she is. She's doing all the wonderful things babies at her age do if not more (remember, my children are extremely advanced. They are. Just ask me :) )
Butttt...there is one thing that she hasn't done that is preoccupying 90 percent of my effort. That's right. She hasn't said "mama" yet.
So, maybe it's self centered. Maybe I carried her for nine months, act like a milking cow and wrestle her multiple times a day to get her dressed, change her diaper, avoid her getting her fingers bit off my the dog...you know, normal stuff.
Oh, she says "dada" just find. "Hi, Dada". "Dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadada". Sounds like, "Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah." to me. I mean really, where's the love?
Who gets up with you at night, Rachel? Mama. Who produces nourishment for you? Mama. Who carried you? Had labor? Suffered? Pain? Agony? That's right. Mama. But, if you want to say Dada, that's fine.
Seriously, I will sit there any try to get it out of her. Like saying it slower is going to help.
ME: "Rachel, say 'Maaaaaama'"
RACHEL: "Dada"
ME: "No, 'Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaama'"
RACHEL" "Dada"
ME: "Mama"
RACHEL: (Spitefully, with an attitude and maybe a little twinkle in her eye) "Da.Da."
ME: (Crying) "For the love! Say, 'MAMA'"
RACHEL: (Hysterically laughing) "Ginger" (yeah, that would be our dog) "Ethan" (brother) "President Bush" (well, you know).
ME: (in anguish, weakly) "mama?"
RACHEL: "Um, no. Dada"
Okay, so maybe there's a little hyperbole. But really, am I asking too much?
Butttt...there is one thing that she hasn't done that is preoccupying 90 percent of my effort. That's right. She hasn't said "mama" yet.
So, maybe it's self centered. Maybe I carried her for nine months, act like a milking cow and wrestle her multiple times a day to get her dressed, change her diaper, avoid her getting her fingers bit off my the dog...you know, normal stuff.
Oh, she says "dada" just find. "Hi, Dada". "Dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadada". Sounds like, "Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah." to me. I mean really, where's the love?
Who gets up with you at night, Rachel? Mama. Who produces nourishment for you? Mama. Who carried you? Had labor? Suffered? Pain? Agony? That's right. Mama. But, if you want to say Dada, that's fine.
Seriously, I will sit there any try to get it out of her. Like saying it slower is going to help.
ME: "Rachel, say 'Maaaaaama'"
RACHEL: "Dada"
ME: "No, 'Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaama'"
RACHEL" "Dada"
ME: "Mama"
RACHEL: (Spitefully, with an attitude and maybe a little twinkle in her eye) "Da.Da."
ME: (Crying) "For the love! Say, 'MAMA'"
RACHEL: (Hysterically laughing) "Ginger" (yeah, that would be our dog) "Ethan" (brother) "President Bush" (well, you know).
ME: (in anguish, weakly) "mama?"
RACHEL: "Um, no. Dada"
Okay, so maybe there's a little hyperbole. But really, am I asking too much?
Nov 3, 2007
6, er , 7 month check-up
Due to several scheduling snafus, Rachel's six-month check ended up being at seven months. She's very healthy, 19lbs, 26.75" and 17.23" head circumference which is the 78th, 53rd and 73rd percentiles. And, someone told me she was "so small" yesterday. I asked if she had ever seen a baby before ;)
This month was eventful. She is now sitting very well and able to go from her belly to a sitting position. She also has learned she can pull herself up on things and that her crib mattress really is a great trampoline! She got her first tooth on Oct. 16; the better to bite me while nursing with...and looks as though she's getting a few more. She learned how to wave bye-bye (whole arm wave) and can say hi though I really don't think she knows what it means. However, whenever she is on my lap while we're reading other baby's blogs, she'll wave at the baby and say hi about six thousand times.
I have also begun teaching her some simple signs--milk, eat, more, all done, cup and poop (you know all the important ones). Anyway, after her shots yesterday, I nursed her as usual and when I thought she was done, I started getting her ready to go. Let me tell you, she made the sign for milk like there was no tomorrow. Poor baby wasn't done :) But, I'm hoping this helps alleviate her grunting when she's not getting what she wants.
She also has learned how to bounce in a sitting position which can scoot her a little. However, the funnier thing is watching her reach for something in front of her, fold completely over, make the crawling motion with her hands but have her feet still stuck underneath (video forthcoming).
With the first one, you want them to hurry up and move--crawl, scoot, walk, whatever. But, with Rachel, I'm really happy right now knowing I can sit her down and she'll still be there when I get back. Over the next few weeks, Ben and I are going to have to baby-proof the house because I'm sure the inevitable is going to happen soon!
This month was eventful. She is now sitting very well and able to go from her belly to a sitting position. She also has learned she can pull herself up on things and that her crib mattress really is a great trampoline! She got her first tooth on Oct. 16; the better to bite me while nursing with...and looks as though she's getting a few more. She learned how to wave bye-bye (whole arm wave) and can say hi though I really don't think she knows what it means. However, whenever she is on my lap while we're reading other baby's blogs, she'll wave at the baby and say hi about six thousand times.
I have also begun teaching her some simple signs--milk, eat, more, all done, cup and poop (you know all the important ones). Anyway, after her shots yesterday, I nursed her as usual and when I thought she was done, I started getting her ready to go. Let me tell you, she made the sign for milk like there was no tomorrow. Poor baby wasn't done :) But, I'm hoping this helps alleviate her grunting when she's not getting what she wants.
She also has learned how to bounce in a sitting position which can scoot her a little. However, the funnier thing is watching her reach for something in front of her, fold completely over, make the crawling motion with her hands but have her feet still stuck underneath (video forthcoming).
With the first one, you want them to hurry up and move--crawl, scoot, walk, whatever. But, with Rachel, I'm really happy right now knowing I can sit her down and she'll still be there when I get back. Over the next few weeks, Ben and I are going to have to baby-proof the house because I'm sure the inevitable is going to happen soon!
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