Georgia - 9 Months

Georgia,

You are 9 months old today!

We celebrated by going for your well check.  You are 22 pounds and 29 inches long.  Both of those are in the 92nd percentile.  Your growth has for sure slowed down since you became mobile.  You also are now on Zyrtec for allergies and eczema, you are still on Prevacid, and you are also taking iron because you are slightly anemic.  I'm not really surprised by any of that considering I am anemic and have very dry and very sensitive skin.

Schedule:

You switched to one nap this month so now your schedule is totally different.  We used to stick strictly to Eat-Play-Sleep (watered down babywise) but that didn't work when you started stretching your wake time to over 3 hours.  So here is how your day generally goes now.

Wake up - take a bottle

Breakfast is 45 minutes - 1 hour after you get up

Eat a few snacks while playing

Lunch is typically around 11

Your nap is sometime around 12:30-1 and you take a bottle while I rock you before I put you down

You sleep 2-3 hours (usually 2.5)

Wake up and take another bottle

Eat a few snacks while playing

Dinner is at 5:00

Small bottle at 6:00

Bath is at 7:00

Bedtime is 7:30 and you take another bottle while being rocked

Sleep:

Typically 7:30 pm - 7:00 am.  Usually 11-13 hours a night.

I have had to start sleep training you in the mornings again.  We don't start our day before 7 and you've been waking up at 6:30 some mornings (because you've been pooping!)  When you do I peak in your room, if you're standing up I go in and lay you back down.  About the third day I did this you got the picture...kind of.  Now, anytime I walk in your room and you're standing up in your crib you let go, and lay back down on your tummy and smile.  Like, "look mom!  I can do it by myself."  It's pretty funny and I just have to smile.

Bottles:

You take 4-5 bottles a day any where from 5-9 oz at a time.  Your bottle at 6:00 though is usually only about 3 oz just to top off your dinner that was at 5 and sometimes you skip that one.

And, let me note you can hold your own bottle and you will (you've been doing it for MONTHS) but you never drink the whole bottle and just tend to play with it.  So, your self feeding privileges have been revoked!  You also can use a sippy cup but again tend to play with it and smile and laugh at it.  But, you get that you drink out of it...you just find it very amusing.

Food:

You eat 3 meals a day and usually eat 2 snacks.  You love meat.  We've been giving you organic breakfast sausage and you love it.  You pick up fist fulls and just shove it in your mouth.  A lot of self feeding going on with food but I still get you to eat a ton of baby food.  You also LOVE berries.  Raspberries are your favorites for sure.  Right now you could live on raspberries and sausage alone!  Broccoli is also a favorite.  You are such a good eater and I still have not found a food you won't eat.

New Tricks:

-Walking - You took your first two steps on 1.27.12 and on 2.8.12 you add two steps making the total steps you were able to take four.  TODAY on your 9 month birthday you started walking!  You still crawl a lot but you can go long distances by walking! 

-You can wave bye-bye while saying "baba". 2.6.12

-You say "nana" - My mom 2.9.12

-You can go from sitting to standing without help or holding onto anything.

-While singing "This Little Light of Mine" you hold your hand up and wave it back and forth (You can't hold your pointer finger up obviously but that is your way of trying) 2.10.12

-You say "uh-huh" or "uh-oh" all. the. time!

-You made your first word association.  You say "dada" and direct it at your daddy.  Your dad was pumping gas and you looked out the window directly at him, smiled, and said "dada"! 2.11.12

{elephant climbing pictures taken on different days!}

Likes:

Climbing

cruising around all the furniture

talking all the time

playing on the laptop

Dislikes:

Occasionally, if you get bored you'll have a bit of momma anxiety.  You only get it at home not in public or church.

Having your face cleaned, getting your diaper changed, getting dressed...anything where you can't go 100 mph mainly

Loud noises.  I yelled to your dad the other day while we were in the living room but he was in our closet and it terrified you.  You thought I was yelling at you.  Poor baby.

Men 55+  You're having issues with crying around your grandfathers.  It's kind of embarrassing.

 

Comments about you this month:

-"I just love her eyes!" - Cashier at Wal-Mart and nearly any person who meets you.  I don't know how many time a week I explain to people that neither your father or I have blue eyes.  They are always very surprised.

-Upon entering the nursery to pick you up this past Sunday we were told, "Georgia is for sure the boss of the class.  She crawled over other children, climbed on another child's back and rode them like a horse, crawled over and under most of the toys, cribs, and tables, and shook the cribs with sleeping babies in them.  How do you get anything done around the house."  To which I responded, "I don't".  Of course, the workers were smiling and laughing while telling me these things.  They love you.

You are such a sweet girl!  I love you so much I can't stand it!

Spreading the Love

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentines is my favorite holiday and I usually go all out decorating but I just didn't have it in me this year.  Sad, I know.  I was still tired from Christmas decorations and we're putting our house on the market in April so I have a HUGE list of things to do to get the house ready for that...Blah, I just didn't feel like dragging more stuff out just to pack it away again.

G and I are doing a photo shoot today to celebrate!

Our LOVE Story

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

Over 11 years

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

Summer of 1998 I moved to Crosby, TX and met Jonathan at church before we started our 7th grade year. Let's just say sparks DID NOT fly. We were not really fans of each other.

The end of 8th grade was when we became friends...so that was in 2000.

By August of 9th grade we were pretty much "BFF".

October 25th, 2000 he said, "will you go out with me?" and I said, "yeah!" He walked me to class (English with Mrs. Hunter), handed me a note, hugged me and left. So romantic, I know. To add to the romantic atmosphere when he actually asked me out we were standing next to the girls bathroom...lovely!

By February I knew I loved him and wanted to marry him. I know this because we were planning a friend's b-day party and we were thinking of inviting him and I thought it would be weird to be without him and from then on I couldn't imagine myself with out Jonathan.

 {senior prom}

4 years of High School go by and then we get to college

(DUN DUN DUNNN!)

Yes, Jonathan broke up with me OVER THE PHONE (he went to HBU and I went to Baylor) while I was standing outside in a parking lot on September 24th 2004. Ugh, the nerve! We were broken up for 6 months. We spoke on the phone every Sunday, saw each other only 2 times, and wrote emails EVERYDAY. So, yes we were broken up (I dated someone else...gasp!) but we were never over each other.

March 24th 2005 Jonathan and I get back together (over the phone via text...ha!) and have been together ever since J

 More details HERE

3. If married, how long have you been married?

We have been married a little over 3.5 years.

4.If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?

We were married at a bed and breakfast with a little over 150 people attending.  It could not have been more lovely and was exactly the wedding I had hoped for.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another?

No, not really.  I’m not into the nickname thing with anyone I know except Georgia

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

He is:

Hardworking

Selfless

Thoughtfull

7. Tell us how he proposed?

Here is how Jonathan POPPED the question!

Jonathan proposed on Friday, April the 13th. At the time I lived in Waco (going to Baylor) and Jonathan lived in Houston (going to Houston Baptist University). I knew he was having a ring made and I knew he had talked to my parents (he talked to my dad first and then talked to my mom second b/c my parents are divorced...poor guy) but I had no idea when he was going to ask. Although, it is hard to keep secrets when you've been dating for over 6 years. Moving on...on Monday one of my friends said, "lets go to dinner and a movie on Friday!" and of course I said ok. I had no idea my three best friends including my roommate were all in on the secret. Jonathan had been calling them about it for awhile. So, we went out to eat and to the movies and the entire time my friends were getting calls and texts like crazy...I had no idea it was Jonathan. They all knew he was on his way to Waco but I didn't think he was coming that weekend. After the movie my friends Jaclyn and Ashley drop me off at my town house. Jac is one of those super careful friends and always makes sure her friends get into the house ok before she drives off so I didn't think it was strange when she parked at my house rather than dropping me off. So, I walk in the door and Jonathan is standing in my living room (this is the reason my roommate went out of town since Jonathan took over the entire lower half of our house) with 6 candles lit (we were together 6 years at this point) and there were 78 rose petals on the floor. One for every month we had been together (I would have never gotten that if he hadn't told me). I said, "what are you doing here?" I'm not sure why I said that since it was totally obvious and he instantly got down on one knee and said, "will you marry me?" I'm pretty sure I put my hands over my mouth and said yes but I can't really be sure. Then I pulled him up and went to give him and hug but he stopped me and was like, "no, you have to put on the ring first". Of course, I did and then we hugged. A few minutes later it all clicked in my head and I opened my front door and my 2 friends instantly ran in screaming...then I knew they were in on it the whole time!

See more details HERE!

{Our engagement party}

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

He likes to buy me flowers and to cook for me.  We both enjoy champagne and wine too.  He also likes to give me cards or bring home candy for me just because.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

I guess I would say beach.  I’m the kind of person who gets bored, cabin fever, and likes to be on the go.  I generally think movie watching can be a bit boring.  Of course, with Georgia things are a lot different now.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant other one day?  If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Just to travel more in general.  I thought I would be able to leave Georgia more…that it would be easier but I’m just not very good at it although I want to be.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

I have no clue.  It’s Tuesday.  How lame is that?

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Nope.  Jonathan bought me a new Coach “mom” bag and it was his idea.  It was really sweet J

13. Give us one piece of advice on keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

TALK…a lot!  Resolve your problems.  Don’t hold anything in for long…just talk about it.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

11 (Again!)

So, I think I've been tagged a total of FOUR times to do this.  I already did a post over this once (you can read it HERE)  But, Chloe tagged me recently and I liked her questions so I'm answering hers in another 11 post.

(one) If you had to perform one of the following, which would you choose: running a marathon, having braces (again!) for a month, or not watching any TV for a year?

Running a marathon.  I can't do that now but I guess if I had too...I could train first.  But, I'm not athletic AT ALL!

(two) If you could only choose three foods to eat for the rest of your life, what would they be?

cucumbers, pasta, sweet tarts

(three) Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are some things on your list?

I don't really have a bucket list.  I make list every season or so of things I want to accomplish.  I never get there but I try.  You can read my current list HERE.  Already not going so well...

(four) What is the best book you have ever read? (The Bible doesn't count!)

Jane Eyre

(five) What is your least favorite word and why?

cuss words...they're too harsh.  And, ugly.  I don't like them.

(six) Would you rather be Miss America or an Olympic athlete? If the former, what would be your talent? If the latter, what would be your sport?

Olympian but I have no idea in what sport.  I've never really thought about nor am I athletic...in the slightest.

(seven) Tell the world why your favorite vacation spot far exceeds any other in the world.

Lisbon, Portugal - amazing old world charm.  Simply beautiful!

(eight) Do you play a musical instrument? If yes, which one? If no, do you wish you did?

ehh...can't even read music!

(nine) What item in your closet costs the most?

my new purse I mentioned HERE

(ten) You've been called as a missionary to Africa, and on your first day there, there is a lion lurking off in the not-so-far-distance. You turn to the person nearest you and say....

Holy S***

(eleven) What is your biggest pet peeve about Facebook?

How often they change it.  It was just fine the way it was last year.  And the year before that.  And, the year before that.

And just because!

Lyndsey, aren't Liam and Georgia so meant to be?  I found this picture on my phone from a few weeks ago and it reminded me of the one of Liam you posted the other day!  Too funny.

Book Exchange!

Mallorie sent me a request for a  children's book exchange!

But

I need 6 people to participate with me.

(It only requires you buy one book.  I did mine on Amazon so that it could be shipped)

If you would like to participate please email me

at

Emily.Powell@ymail.com

and I will send you all the info!

(I just sent my book and I'm really excited about it!  It's REALLY cute!)

A rant!

I've written before about the fact that I have hypothyroidism.  It's a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.  People who have hypothyroidism may also be anemic (check) and have elevated cholesterol (double check).  In addition, other complications could be heart disease or failure, increased risk of infection, infertility, miscarriage, and giving birth to a baby with birth defects.

Lovely...

At first I didn't think it was really a big deal.  I still don't think it's that big of a deal but it is a huge annoyance and pain in the butt!  I have to go get blood work-go to the doctor-and get blood work done again at the dr's appointment every three months.  So, every three months I have to visit the dr. and give blood twice.  I hate it.  No, actually I LOATH it.  Especially with my history of passing out.  It's always a constant worry.  And, I'll have to do that pretty much the rest of my life!

And, I have to take my hormone replacement pill every morning (FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!) one hour before I eat.  So, I usually roll out of bed (because I have to take it with a full glass of water), take the pill, crawl back in bed for another hour, try to fall back asleep but I never can, then get up and eat breakfast.

I know other people have it way worse but I wish it was different.  I wish I wasn't so tired all the time.  I wish I didn't have to go to the doctor all the time and pay for so many appointments.  I wish I didn't have to take that stupid tiny pill every morning and go to CVS to pick it up and pay for it every month.  I wish the decision to quit breastfeeding could have been totally my own and not been made by a stupid thyroid condition.  The only way to 100% successfully breastfeed with hypothyroidism is if your levels remain on track.  I gave birth nearly 9 months ago and and every time I go in for blood work my levels have changed and they have had to change my hormone dosage at every appointment.  My doctor said this typically levels out after a year.  They've raised the dosage, then lowered it, then lowered it some more, then raised it again, and raised it again.  It makes no sense.  Ugh...I wish I didn't have to have neck ultrasounds to make sure I don't have enlarged glands or tumors.  I wish I hadn't lost so much weight that the "air bag off" symbol didn't come on whenever I ride in the passenger seat.

It's all really annoying.

Blah.  

Rant. Over.

Monday Randoms

Miscellany Monday

{Link Up HERE!}

1.  Jonathan told me to go shopping for my own Valentine's day gift.  Ha!  We don't do to well with surprises at our house.  Anyway, I bought the new Poppy Leather Whipstitch Glam Tote by Coach.  I've been wanting a new "mom bag" for awhile (I'm not a fan of diaper bags) and have been looking for months.  I wanted a large bag and originally wanted a Louis Vuitton Cabas Mezzo BUT it would cost nearly 2,000$ and I don't think J would have been pleased with that bill : /  We'll revisit that in a few years...

I also bought a new wallet and a new makeup bag.  Went over the budget J gave me...slightly.

2.  We may have splurged a bit on Valentine's day because Jonathan got a $$$ a month raise!  He is the English department chair.  He works so hard and has like a million stipends...not exaggerating!

3.  I love Georgia in her church clothes.

4.  I REALLY must baby proof the cabinets!  AHH!

And, teach her to not climb while I'm at it!!!

5.  Valentine's Day projects.  I'll reveal the finished products on Valentine's day.  The cards I made for her are just SO cute!

6.  I got my first mom injury.  A nearly busted lip!  Georgia's head hit my lip while Jonathan was trying to hand her off to me.  It isn't swollen anymore but it did leave a tiny little blood blister.  Ouch.  It's top lip just left of the center.  It looks like a little red freckle.

7.  Georgia's top two teeth crack me up.  She has the BIGGEST gap.  This is the best picture I could get of the huge space!  ha!  Pardon, the food crusted all over her face.  Yep, we'll be spending some money on braces!

8.  The view from our backyard before a big storm one morning.  Half my house was in sunshine and the other half was under dark storm clouds...literally.  It was the strangest thing.  I also love that our house backs up to nothing.  I love this view.