Happy 11-months

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I think I didn’t write you yesterday because I am subconsciously trying to slow things down a bit… I cannot believe that you’ll be a year old already in less than a month! I squeeze you really tight hoping to treasure every possible second.
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We didn’t do anything too special yesterday on your birthday… It was a pretty typical Thursday. Daddy went to the hospital for his school at 6:30am. You woke up around 8am (because you also had woken up at 4:3oam). We played for a while, and then off to work and daycare. When Daddy and I picked you up at 4pm, you were the only kid with Ms Orlean! There were 2 other kids earlier, but their Mom’s took them to the doctor – You have all been sharing some flu bug that carries with it, among other things, a yucky cough. You have it too, but yesterday marked the first day you seemed much better. You were so happy all day yesterday! So much fun!
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After dinner (let’s see, what did you have? oranges, cheese, mixed fruit, ravioli, and some baby food), you had a bath. You have been taking baths almost every night. You really seem to like exploring things in the water. Maybe we’ll try swimming tomorrow if I can find a suit for you.

We read some books, had a bottle and headed to bed around 6:45pm. We were ALL pooped.

Let’s see – What are some new things you’ve been doing lately?

You crawl up steps with ease.
You pick up the tv remote, turn 180 degrees to face the tv, hold out your little arm, and push buttons. Hehehe
You said “duck” a few more times yesterday (we are pretty sure).
You put toys into containers and take them out again
I put an orange piece on your spoon, and you put the spoon and the orange in your mouth by yourself!
You help take your shirt off when we are getting ready for our baths.
You have the most WONDERFUL 2-tooth smile! It melts the hearts of many strangers and friends alike.
This morning at the play yard, you crawled up on the laps of a number of other adults and gave them smiles. I don’t think stranger anxiety has set in for you- I don’t think it ever will.
You give me hugs along with giggles every morning.

Today we headed to the soft play yard at the Medley Center before you went to daycare. We had a great time. And today, you are spending the afternoon with Ms Missy, again all by yourself. I bet you’re having a blast! We’ll see you very soon!
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I love you Peanut Butter!
*Mommy


doctors appt and other trivia

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Hey there Peanut –

We met our new doctor today, Dr. Jane P. We have been to her office twice before for “sick” visits, but we weren’t able to see her those days. She was GREAT! She was sweet, competent, patient, gentle with you, caring! We are very blessed! There are 9 pediatricians in her practice, and I have only heard good things about all of them!
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The bad news is that you have another ear infection… pretty much back-to-back with the last one. So this makes three times (Thanksiving, 2 weeks ago, and now). We will try a different antibiotic this time. We went in today because you had a bad diaper rash (yeast) from the first antibiotic. But Dr. P. gave us good suggestions for getting rid of that too. You seem to be dealing with it like a trooper! Wednesday night you cried for a bit between 11:30p and midnight, but we gave you a little pain medication and you seemed better.

Missy and Orlean were back at daycare today. Their own kids were sick, so they were out most of the week. Both you and I were very happy to see them today! Seems Missy takes as many pictures of her son as I do of you.

Okay, some milestone things:

You are eating primarily with your left hand. I think you might be left-handed! How fun!!
cherries
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You love to walk holding onto someone’s fingers.
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When you’re awake, you go and go and go and go and go and go! You are a VERY busy girl!
on the go
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Your soft duck is your favorite toy.
You love the book “Black Cat White Cat” by Chuck Murphy. It is a pop-out book. Other favorites are “Peek-a-bo Kisses” and “Noisy Kisses” both by Barney Saltzberg, and “Fuzzy Bee and Friends,” a Priddy book.
Your 2 bottom middle teeth have grown in more… you have the CUTEST smile! It melts everyone’s hearts!
You are a cuddler!
You have started to take baths on your own.
bath
You love hanging out with both your Mom & your Dad. If one of them is not in the room, you go looking for her/him.
You and dogs get along great… However, today you started to throw your food off your tray to them. (They’ll LOVE you for that, but Mom isn’t a big fan.)
You’ve been sleeping through the nights most nights.
You seem to really like daycare, but you also really like it when Daddy and I pick you up at the end of the day. We all giggle!!

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Thanks for the joy you bring to our lives, Little One.

We love you!
*Mommy


first word… Duck

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Hey there Peanut –

Today you said “duck” twice… once with Daddy playing with your toy duck and the second time with me in the bathtub. The duck you see in your pictures is one of your favorite toys. When you see it, it makes you giggle!

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It was so very exciting!

We also went to the Strong Museum – Jimmiqua came with us. She always makes you smile.
jimmiqua
strong

We love you!
*Mommy


So much I want to tell you…

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Hi Sweetness –

I was thinking today that there is so much I want to tell you. Things like…

Make sure to be patient with people. We all need a little understanding.
Take time to hold the door open for someone else. It will help you develop a sense of awareness about other people.
Remember to always sing and dance. I can tell it’s in your soul (like it is in mine). Enjoy that always!
Don’t fear or regret failure. Do the best you can to embrace it. Be proud of yourself for trying, and learn something from the experience.
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Your smile is one of the greatest gifts you can share with people – strangers and freinds. It will let them know you care.
You can always learn something from others if you just listen carefully.
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Always be sincere.

I look forward to the days when we get to learn these things and so much more together. You teach me things like this every day.

More later, Miss Maya. I love you.


Happy Birthday once again

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10 months old today! Happy Birthday Peanut!
20 mnth 2

(Grandma L sent you a Happy Birthday email today… I put it in your calendar.)

Last week 2 teeth in the bottom middle of your little mouth popped through the gums! You’re standing by yourself for long periods of time. You’re crawling like there’s no tomorrow. You love to walk holding on to some big person’s fingers. You pull yourself up to standing so many times a day to see and play with things. You dance when you hear music! And you giggle when you watch me dance.
first 2 teeth

first sign of teeth – nice work!

You are such a joy, Sweet Pea.
cooking

I’m sorry you have a cold. You and I are sharing the same running nose and tiredness, and you have an awful-sounding cough. I hope you rest well today, so you are ready to play with your friends in the morning. You haven’t seen the daycare crew for over 4 days… I’m sure they miss you! If you’re not feeling well, we’ll go and meet our new doctor tomorrw. I hear she is very nice!

Daddy & I are trying to teach you some sign language, as people say you can learn to talk with your hands before you can learn many verbal words. So far we have been working on Dadda, Momma, dog, bear, light, fan, ball, eat, more, and all done. We haven’t seen you make any clear signs yet, but it could be any day…

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Grandma T made this sweet jumper for you. You look beautiful!

I love you, Sweetness,
*Mommy


Happy New Year Little One!

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Happy New Year, Peanut!

Happy 2006! What adventures do you think God has in store for us this year? How do you think He will use us to love his world? Let’s be ready – willing and available, yes?
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Last night we all went over to the Ball’s for New Year’s Eve. You went to sleep in a pack-n-play in Riley’s room, but woke up periodically (probably b/c the grown-ups were making too much noise). Anyway, you were awake at 10:47pm! You almost welcomed in the new year at midnight with us! As your Daddy and I look back over 2005, I think it is very safe to say that your arrival and your presence in our lives was BY FAR the BIGGEST blessing of the year! I realize it is a bit cliche’, but we really can’t imagine life before you – and we don’t even want to try.

Thanks for bringing such joy to our lives and to the world! I love you Sweetness!
eating
*Mommy


Trip #7

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Hey there Sweetness –

Well, we just arrived home from your seventh trip. This time we drove to Mason, Michigan for Christmas to see Grandma & Grandpa Tatro. Uncle Matt flew in from Vermont as well. It was so wonderful to spend all day, every day, for a whole week with you. I’m sure your friends at daycare missed you, but we were sure glad to get the time with you.
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The drive to MI was great! You slept almost the whole way! We stopped for dinner and took time to play and explore the Christmas lights, and then you were back to sleep.

Some highlights of the trip were Christmas church service (you and I studied the nativity scene in the back as I told you the Christmas story for the first time), the beautiful lights and ornaments on Gma & Gpa’s tree, playing with new toys like the musical cube Uncle Matt bought you, and seeing Uncle Mark & Aunt Bi and their new home in Jackson! You showed everyone your crawling ability and how you enjoy to pick things up to eat with your fingers. One night Gma & Gpa watched you while your Daddy and I went to a movie. You slept through most of that, but I hear you woke up for a bit to check things out and make sure everything was okay.
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grandma t
grandpa t
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Christmas is the celebration of Baby Jesus coming into the world- He was a baby just like you. He came to live with us to show us how very much He loves us. We are so blessed, Miss Maya, to have such a loving God who cares so much about each one of us! That truly is the greatest gift of all!
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I love you, Sweet Pea. And I look forward to celebrating many, many more Christmas’s with you!


Happy 9-month Birthday Beautiful!

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Hey there Beautiful!

You are going to have one busy birthday when all is said and done today. You had play group this morning where you opened your first present yourself (with a little bit of help). You really enjoyed the ribbon! Your friend Casey gave you two great books: “Doggies” by Sandra Boynton and “Harold & the Purple Crayon” by Jodi Huelin. Mommy got a fun key rack from Casey’s Mom, Melissa.
present

You are napping now -boy were you tired! So is Daddy.

When you wake up, we’ll have lunch and play. Then this afternoon we have a party and Aunt Judi & Uncle Jim’s!! It’s the Warner School Holiday Party, but I like to think of it as ALSO your birthday party! 😉 After all, you ARE 9 months old today!

Last night you let me read 5 whole books to you. You studied each page so carefully. I loved the feeling of having you sit on my lap while we read. Thanks for still one more treasured memory! You are wonderful.

Happy Birthday Baby!
*Mommy


9 month appointment

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Tomorrow you will officially be 9 months old! Wow! What a big girl!

We changed your doctor’s appointment to yesterday though, because we feared you might have an ear infection. All was well however – just a drippy nose. She said your ear drums looked great, and your chest sounded great! Good news.

The nurse practitioner also said that you were RIGHT ON TRACK as far as growing goes…still in the 50% for weight and head circumference and 90% for length. You have hit the developmental milestones for your age such as saying mamamamama and dadadadada, crawling or scooting (you still do both), standing and taking little steps, and you even pull yourself up (which is ahead of the curve!) No teeth yet, but she isn’t worried. You are breastfeeding first thing in the morning and last thing at night, with formula, baby food and table food in between. You are doing JUST GREAT! Here are the numbers:
Weight: 18lb 8oz (up 2lb, 4oz from 6 mnths)
Head: 17.25
Length: 29 in (up 2in from 6mnths)
9 month dr

What a cutie! You rock my world little one!
We love you!


Love to stand

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You are not happy these days unless you are standing and/or on the move! Here you are playing with Daddy and your table toy.

playing Dad

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People are wondering if you will be walking before you crawl… Still waiting on those teeth as well! All in your own time. I am REALLY not in a hurry. I love having such a precious little baby to play and cuddle with!

*Mommy