9 months!

Oh boy... here we go again with the mushy Mama writing about how fast you are growing. I know I say it every month, but seriously... you have grown and changed so much this last month! There are so many exciting things to report! Here's all the info...

• Weight: 20lbs exactly (65th percentile)
• Diapers: Size 3
• Clothes: mostly 6-9 months
• Shoes: Size 2 (still got a chubby foot though!)
• Eating: 6-7oz bottles 4 times daily, plus 3 "solid" meals
• You're up to Stage 3 foods now and eat about 1/2 of these BIG jars.
• You've really grown up so much as an eater and can now pick up even the smallest little puffs and put them in your mouth. You also LOVE animal crackers! In fact, we have to give you something you can feed yourself or you get frustrated waiting for us to get the spoon to your mouth. Puffs, crunchies, and animal crackers are Mama and Daddy's go-to snacks!
• You have REALLY started to crawl now and can get up on your knees if you choose to. Sometimes, you still default back to the army crawl.
• Mama loves it when you do your yoga moves and get into plank and down dog positions. You're going to have abs of steel!
• We've had to lower the mattress in your bed because your teachers at school say you can pull up on things, but Mama and Daddy haven't seen it yet. We've only seen you pull up to sit in our laps... which you do any time we sit down with you.
• We got some new things this month - a baby gate to close off your playroom and a big girl bathtub. The bathtub is a hit, but we're not so sure about the baby gate. You don't like being "trapped" in there.

You just really are the greatest joy! You're the happiest, most pleasant baby and Mama and Daddy are so blessed to have a sweet little girl like you! The next few months are going to be so exciting as we watch you continue to grow and reach fun milestones. We love you SO MUCH!

8 months

My big girl! You are growing so fast and are developing into the sweetest little girl on the planet (not that you weren't already - you're just proving it more and more now)! Let's check out this month's stats.

• Weight: 19lbs 4oz (another growth spurt!)
• Diapers: Size 3
• Clothes: Still some 3-6 month, but mostly 6-9 month
• Shoes: Size 2 (If they are "tall" enough for your thick feet!)
• Eating: 4 6-7oz bottles daily, plus 3 "solid" meals (You eat about 1/2 to 3/4 of a stage 2 jar at each meal)
• You still wear your DOC band 23 hours a day, but you will be getting it off soon. Your head looks GREAT!
• You are becoming much more mobile these days! You practically run down the hallway in your walker!
• You can't really tell from the picture, but I promise you're getting more hair!
• Mama and Dada still don't hear much babble from you, but you have started to grunt when you're frustrated. That's not very ladylike...
• Mama taught you a trick this month - you can clap! :)
• We still have your crib up in the highest position because you can't pull up yet and sometimes you will throw your arm over the side while you wait for Mama or Dada to come get you. It doesn't look very comfortable!
• You got a new cousin this month! Prescott was born on March 10th and you were one of her first visitors in the hospital! Mama and Dada know you two are going to have so much fun together!
• Dada is your very best friend and you love, love, love to play with him. We visited the park and you went down the slide with him and he pushed you in the swing for the first time. He says he can't wait until he comes home from work and you ask to go play on the playground. He promises he will take you whenever you ask - hold him to that! ;)
• Probably the most exciting news of the month... YOU STARTED CRAWLING!! Okay, scootching. Okay fine, it's more dragging. Dada says you look like the Terminator after he was hurt in a fight. You'll probably never get that reference to such an "old" movie! You crawled first at your Mimi's house in Oklahoma, so it was very special that she got to experience this with you.

I love you so, so much my baby girl! You bring such joy to our family each and every day with your sweet smile. We really can't wait to see what your future holds and to cheer you on each step of the way. Our hearts are already overflowing with love for you!

7 Months

Oh my sweet, sweet Baby Girl! You are growing up WAY too fast! I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when you're 7 YEARS old! :)

• Weight: 17.2 lbs
• Diapers: Size 3
• Shoes: Size 2
• Clothing: Mostly 3-6 month clothing, but moving into your 6-9 month stuff as well.
• Eating: 4 6-7oz bottles per day + "solids" 2x daily (You've also started eating puffed rice cereal/"nums" and like to chew gum them, and although you CAN pick them up, you haven't quite figured out how to get them to your mouth on your own!)
• Mommy has been teaching you to drink from a sippy cup, but you still prefer water straight out of Mommy's big girl glass.
• You're now completely comfortable sitting up on your own.
• It's so adorable to watch you play with your Daddy! He'll crawl up to you and you just laugh and laugh because you know he's about to tickle you. :)
• You've started sleeping on your side. As SOON as we lay you in your bed, you immediately roll over to your side and snuggle up with your blankie. Sometimes, you end up rolling completely onto your tummy to sleep and wake up mad because you can't remember that you know how to roll back over.
• Mama and Daddy love to take you on walks through the park, and you've now started to stay awake and enjoy them with us! One older man passed us once, admired your "headband", and said "That's a nice hat!" :)
• The saddest thing is listening to you cry out at night in your sleep. The first time this happened, Daddy jumped up and ran to your room, only to find you sound asleep. I guess it's bad dreams :(
• The little blue pot is probably your favorite toy. There are other pots in the set, but the blue one has a bell inside that I think you like to hear when you shake the pot and bang it on your high chair.
• This month you had your first cold, complete with snotty nose and cruddy cough. Nothing ever seems to make you too upset though, Mama was just more concerned with keeping your nose clean! She doesn't like seeing her beautiful girl with a dirty face :)

6 months!

My beautiful baby girl,

Your half birthday really snuck up on us! I feel like you have grown up SO much in just this past month (and when you see how much you weigh, you might agree). We've reached some important milestones too...

• Weight: 16lb 8oz (Wowzers!! What a chunker!) 80th percentile
• Height: 26in (79th percentile)
• You're still in 3-6 month sized clothes, but they are getting a little tight!
• You still wear a size 1 shoe, but even your foot is really chunky, so we have to search for wider styles.
• You are in size 2 diapers, but we are going to be moving you up to size 3 as soon as we finish this box.
• You're a great eater (maybe that explains the almost 2 lb. weight gain this last month!) and still take a 6-7oz bottle every 4.5 hours.
• In addition to your bottles, you now eat solids twice a day (morning and evening). You've tried a few fruits and veggies and so far have seemed to like it all except bananas. You do, however, have an issue with textures so we have to add rice or oatmeal to thicken up most of the 1st foods. (You're a little Carb Monster, just like Mama!)
• You can sit up now! This happened really quickly and you were really able to master this skill while staying at home with Mama during those ice/snow days. This alone makes you seem so much more grown up!
• We learned how to drink from a cup during our ice days too. You're so adorable with it because now if we get anywhere near you with our cup of water you will try to snag it!
• You also really love to stand up and play in your walker and exersaucer.
• Mama and Dada have made you your very own playroom now so you can really spread out toss your toys every which way. Dada is planning to build shelves for your toys and Mama is working on letting it be messy and not constantly tiding up :)
• You are now officially sleeping in your own bed every night... finally!
• Your new skills include blowing "raspberries" LOUDLY (this is not fun at dinner time because you make a huge mess) and "waving" your hand (it's more of a repetitive opening and closing of your hand).
• Bathtime is a favorite at this house and you're starting to get more active in the tub. Mama and Dada love to watch you "kick and play".
• As we mentioned in a previous post, you are wearing your DOC band 23 hours a day. Aunt Missy did such a good job painting it and you definitely gets lots of attention with such a "beautiful hat" ;)
• You've also moved into the "Older Infant Classroom" at school. Mama is having a harder time with this than you are (typical) because we really loved your old teachers.

You're such a beautiful blessing to our family, Charlotte. We love you so much and are having the best time watching you grow and learn.

5 months!

Well pretty girl, you are now FIVE months old! Mama and Dada can't believe how big you are getting - and how quickly time is passing! Here's what we know about you so far...

• Weight: 14 lb. 10 oz.
• You're wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes, but growing like a weed so I see a move to the next size happening soon.
• You're wearing size 1 shoes now, which is very exciting for Mama. Now we have SO many more cute shoe options!
• You started daycare this month. Your first day wasn't great - Mommy couldn't stop crying and you pooped on your new teacher, but we got it together the next day! No tears and no poo on your 2nd day!
• You have also started eating rice cereal this month and you're doing great! Mama was very impressed with your skills!
• And speaking of skills, you can now roll over onto your tummy. There's no stopping you now when you roll across the floor!
• Your motor skills are getting really good now and you like to reach out and grab things - including Mama's hair and earrings!
• You also really like to stand up. All the time. This makes sitting and holding you a little more complicated now, because you are not content unless you're standing in our lap. So grown up!
• Your finger nails grow like crazy! Daddy has to clip them because Mama is scared she will cut your little fingers. It's a trade off though, because Mama always has to suck out your boogers :)
• Mama and Dada love to listen to you laugh. You have the cutest little giggle in the world!
• Mama really feels like you need to be sleeping in your bed in your room, so we tried it for a couple of nights but Dada got tired of walking all the way to your room in the middle of the night to give your pacifier back. Sooo... you're still in Mama and Dada's room (for now) but that will be changing very soon!

4 months!

Sweet girl you're getting so big! Here's your latest happenings...

• Weight: 13lb 11oz (Can you believe it?! Who would have thought when you started out so small...)
• Length: 24.75 in (Tall too!)
• You wear mostly 0-3mo clothes, but some 3-6 mo outfits work too.
• You are eating 6oz every 4.5 hours now. From the looks of those chunky thighs, Mommy could probably stand to let you go a little longer between bottles! ;)
• You started sleeping straight through the night over Thanksgiving break. It's wonderful and Mommy and Daddy are very appreciative of your new ability.
• You aren't really much of a cooer or babbler, but boy can you shriek! It's the most high pitched and LOUD noise I've ever heard come out of a child.
• We haven't heard any big laughs yet, but you do chuckle a little - mostly at your goofy Dad.
• You're SUCH a Daddy's girl and will smile and squeal when he walks into the room. I try not to get jealous... ;)
• You just love your hands and can entertain yourself with those alone for a long time.
• You're starting to reach out and grab things, but you're very selective and it's a slow, purposeful process. I love watching you concentrate to make your hands move the way you want. You're favorite toy to grab is a bug that dangles from your play mat.
• You've started sitting up in the Bumbo and really enjoy looking around at what's happening.
• You also like the Jenny Jump-Up that Miss Chelsea gave you. You have a good 'ol time - spinning in circles mostly with a little hop now and then.
• TV is the most fascinating thing in the world to those little eyes! You watch Baby Einstein and Mommy cracks up at the faces you make.
• Mommy also has a flashcard app on her phone that she plays with you. Your favorite card is "cake" and you squeal every time this one comes up. That's my girl! ;)
• You're starting to get a little more hair and it's definitely going to be thick and curly. (That's from Mommy - sorry about that!)
• Next month, I'm sure I'll be reporting that you can roll over (back to front). You're VERY close now and I'm convinced the only reason you haven't done it yet is because you're so laid back you don't really care to move from where you're placed.

I'm so proud to be your Mommy and continue to be amazed by you every day. I just can't wait to see what new things you will learn and do in the coming months. Christmas is right around the corner and you are making this the happiest of holiday seasons for your Mom and Dad. We love you, Charlotte!

3 Months!!

Sweet, sweet Charlotte,

Not only does this day bring a birthday for you, my little princess; it also marks the end of my maternity leave. Mommy is SO SAD to even think of leaving you to return to work on Monday! The past 3 months have been the biggest blessing and we love you SO MUCH! I know that you will love spending more time with Daddy, Lovie, and Grandma Carey, but always know that Mommy is thinking of you every second.

Anyway... on to this month's stats!

• Weight: 12 lbs!! (50th percentile)
• You are wearing sized 0-3 mo clothing.
• You're eating 4.5 to 5 ounces every four hours during the day.
• You are still not "sleeping through the night" but will snooze for 5-6 hours in your longest sleep cycle.
• You've started to develop such a personality and Mommy and Daddy just can't get enough of it! You kick, play, grin, and squeal.
• Mama's favorite is when you smile really big, raise your eyebrows and scrunch your shoulders up :)
• You're still a morning girl and Mommy loves having photo shoots with you every morning while you're in such a good mood.
• You're getting SO strong now and spend more time on your tummy before you get frustrated. Rolling over to your back is a piece of cake now, you hardly even have to try!
• Toys are starting to gain appeal and your favorite is the traditional plastic keys. Momma helps you get a good grip and then you shake, shake, shake away!

1 Month

Sweet, sweet Charlotte,

You continue to delight and amaze us! Mommy and Daddy thank God for bringing you to us and for the joy you have brought into our lives! You're now one month old and here is what we know about you:

• Weight: 7.5 lbs (unofficially) - putting you in the 15th percentile
• You are still wearing newborn sized clothing, but Mommy has put you in a few 0-3 month outfits. (The seasons are changing and you have so much cute summer clothing, Mommy wants to make sure you get to wear it at least once - even if it's a little big.)
• You eat regularly every 4 hours (night and day), still nursing for about 25 minutes and then taking a 3 oz. bottle.
• You've definitely found your voice now and man, oh man, if we don't fill your belly when you are ready - we are going to hear from you about it! We've even seen a few real tears appear when you really get going.
• You are awake much more now, sometimes in the middle of the night. Mommy and Daddy are NOT happy about that part!
• You've been giving us a run for our money in the nighttime, but we are learning what makes you the most comfortable. (You still like being swaddled, like sleeping on an incline, and LOVE the vibrate function on your Pack 'n Play.)
• When you are on the brink of sleep, you grin up at us. :)
• Daddy has been helping you practice tracking movement and you're getting so good! I love watching you soak up all the sights!
• We have started using your snazzy flushable Gdiapers. So far they are working out just fine - it's a little more work, but Daddy does most of the flushing.
• This week you spent a lot of time with your Lovie because Mommy and Daddy had to attend wedding related functions. I know she enjoyed spending time with you and you were a precious angel for her (or so she said!).
• You are such a little wiggle worm - and have been since you were in Mommy's tummy! When we lay you down you squirm around so much you've gotten pretty close to rolling right over!
• Favorite Moment: You were a little fussy, so Mommy put you in her wrap so she could get some things done around the house. You curled up and promtly fell asleep and started cooing SO LOUDLY! It was the cutest thing in the whole world. Mommy even called Daddy at work so he could hear too. I never want to forget that sound. :)