10 months old

You turned 10 months old this month.  You are learning so many new things every day and are my "little monkey" because you try to mimic everything that I do.  You have learned to clap your hands and how to wave hi and bye.  You also like to play with your fingers.  I have been working on getting you to point at things, but you haven't quite figured it out.  We just finished up all of your Christmas travels yesterday.  It was a ton of fun and you were a trooper.  I will write blog posts about them in more detail. 

Ok, your schedule is still roughly the same.
7:30ish - you wake up and we nurse.  We then play in bed and cuddle or talk for 30-50 minutes
8:30 - breakfast
9:30 - nap
11:30ish - nurse again
12:30 - lunch and then play time.  A lot of days we run errands or go for walks during this time (it is still crazy warm here so we are able to be outside a lot)
2:00ish - nap again
3:00 - nurse again
4:00 - snack
5:15 - dinner
6:45 - last nurse and then start bedtime routine
7:15 - asleep
I know it seems very strict, but you pretty much made the schedule and I just followed your lead.  You are almost to the minute with nap times and I really enjoy having a predictable day.  It has helped knowing when we can leave the house and run around town.

You are eating so great.  I feel very blessed that you are an easy eater, however, we spend more money on your food for a week than we do for us.  I am not really buying much 'baby food' anymore and trying to get you eating what we are eating.  You like to eat peas (but you always smash them first, which is really cute), green beans, pears, peaches, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli with cheese, pasta, yogurt, string cheese, chicken, turkey, ham, meatballs, rice, snap peas, squash, and others that I am probably forgetting.  You love macaroni and cheese!  I ordered this at Panera once for you and you went crazy.  You also love beans, which you don't get too often because I really don't like them, sorry.  I have let you try bites of some sweet things and koolaid.  You have liked them all, especially pound cake (which I have a bad habit of eating for breakfast).  I am going to work hard not to turn you into a sweets lover like me, but it might be in your genes :)  You don't eat many purees anymore because you would much rather feed yourself.  This is fine with me because I can sit with you and eat my food now too.  Sometimes I still give you purees if you need prunes or something to help your tummy.  You also really like the pouches of pureed fruit that you can suck on and squeeze out.  These have been great for when we are out of the house and you need to eat.

Besides all of the holiday things, new things for you in December were:
-really good at cruising the furniture and walls
-running from us when you are in your walker and playing chase
-pulling open drawers and cabinets
-standing up in your crib...which we then quickly lowered
-your first two teeth
-first hair cut

You are talking, well babbling, much more and I can tell that you are really understanding language.  You seem to know "ball" and "clap" along with "say bye bye" and "momma" and "daddy".  I will sing "If your happy and you know it clap your hands..." and most of the time you will clap your hands.  It is super cute.  You also called the hogs (raised your hands, wiggled your fingers, and said wooo) for about two days but now I can't get you to do it anymore. 

Your first snow

cruising around the crib

first hair cut...and it is about time for another one

checking out Christmas lights on the square

first time meeting Santa

you got another pretty nasty cold this month

I know I say this every time, but I am so glad that your dad works hard so I can stay home with you.  I love being around to watch your explore your world and you are growing so fast.  I know you won't remember much from these days, but I will have many memories to share with you and tell you all about how we spent time at the park, library, etc.

6th Annual Necessary New Year's

We had our annual new year's eve party this year.  I wasn't really planning on doing much for new year's, but this worked out great.  Alexis, my neighbor, was having her mom watch their son and said that she could also watch Walker.  I loved the idea of having him right next door just in case.  Brenna was the mastermind behind the whole evening.  She set up appetizers at our house and then for a car to pick us up and take everyone to Mermaids in Fayetteville.  Marcus and I took our own car though, I know lame, but I am paranoid about something happening with Walker and wanted to be able to leave if we needed.  Anyway, dinner was great.  The car then brought the rest of the crew back to our house. 

sorry for the flash.  this was us at dinner

I had a "smores bar" set up to go with the fire pit outside and then chocolate fondue and dippers inside.  There were also other little munchies too.  We had fun and hung out until it was time to ring in the new year.  I really enjoyed the group of people that came and celebrated with us.  It is a fairly new group for me to hang out with and I always have fun when I am with them.  I look forward to hanging out with them more in 2012.

some of the girls and our new year's head wear :)

part of the decorations on the mantle

not a good view, but the balloon ceiling.  i was pleased with how well this turned out.

adam, plus the table decorations

As for new year's resolutions, I don't really have one, but I guess it could be to follow through better.  I am really good at starting things and having really good intentions, but I am not so good at completing them...so if you catch me in this, please feel free to call me out. 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful and blessed 2012.

3 more Christmas Celebrations

Even after 3 Christmas Celebrations, we still had 3 more after Christmas day.  On Monday, the day after Christmas, we got together with Derek, Alexia, and Jeff (Marcus's dad).  I made a brisket and twice baked potatoes and we had dinner at our house.  Walker was still tired and not feeling well, so he was super clingy.  It made it a little difficult to cook, but I think it all came out ok.  At least I didn't burn anything :)

I thought it would be kinda funny during dinner to give Walker a baked bean (I know, I am a mean mom ;) ).  However, he loved it!!  He freaked out and wanted all of them.  I officially have a bean lover.  I have given him a couple of other kinds since then, and he loves them too.  Now, keep in mind, that I have yet to find something that he won't eat...but there was definite excitement and pure joy over the beans.

After dinner, we exchanged presents, letting Walker go first and then play with his toys while we opened ours.  Papa Jeff got Walker this awesome train that he loves and plays with almost every day.  Once presents were finished it was time for Walker to go to bed and then time for dessert.  It was a great celebration with everyone.  It was especially great to have Derek and Alexia there because next year they might not be able to be around to celebrate Christmas, so we tried to especially enjoy the moment.

getting the hang of opening presents

the great train

 The next day, Walker and I got up extra early and drove to Cabot, Arkansas.  We met my mom and sister on the way.  We went to my grandpa's house and spent some time with him.  Unfortunately, I don't get to see them very often, so we wanted to find some time when my sister was in town to go down a visit.  We took my grandpa out to lunch and shared some time with him and Walker.  I always forget how funny my grandpa is because he doesn't talk much anymore, but when he does it usually cracks me up.  For example, at a restaurant the waitress asked what he wanted to drink and he replied, "Adam's Ale."  It took me a minute, but then I got it...I know I am slow...but I just wasn't expecting it.  Now I laugh every time I think about it.  Anyway, it was a short trip because we came back the same day.  Walker did such a great job being in the car so much.  He only fussed the last 10 minutes before we got home.

Walker's present from his pawpaw and grandma jean

with grandma jean

out to lunch with pawpaw and aunt brenda (my dad's sister)

with pawpaw (his great grandpa)

On Wednesday, we celebrated again.  This time it was with Marcus's mom, Linda.  Derek and Alexia joined us again.  I made some roasted red pepper Alfredo (which ended up being way spicy) and a copy cat Olive Garden Salad.  We also had tortellini and some garlic bread.  Again, we exchanged presents and then put Walker to bed.  Nahna got Walker some great clothes, toys, and us some baby proofing things.  Once Walker was asleep we were able to hang out and talk.  I also started to take down the Christmas decorations to help get ready for the New Year's party. 

his new laptop from Nahna

 
Soon, I hope to write a post about how not only has our Christmas changed since Walker, my understanding and emotions this Christmas were completely different...so post to come :)

Christmas Day 2011

I know this post is Christmas day, but I figured I should also include the night because it was so abnormal from other nights.  Walker had been pretty sick, but he went to sleep just fine at 7:30...however, at 9:30 he was awake and refusing to go back to sleep.  So, I put on my pj's and decided he could come and lay with me and then Marcus could put him back in his crib later.  Well, Walker ended up sleeping with us all night.  This has never happened, even when he was a newborn.  I must admit that even though I only had two inches on the side of the bed to squeeze into, I still loved having him sleep with us.  It was like his Christmas present to me.

Walker decided that 6:30 would be a good time to wake up.  He normally wakes up about 7:45, so I am just thinking he was way excited to see what Santa brought him.  Marcus and I used to lay in bed on Christmas morning and open our gifts, but with Walker this tradition had to be modified a little.  We both still really wanted to have just the three of us for Christmas morning before we got busy with all of the other family things that day.  We showed Walker his new toys and all of the things he got from Santa.  Walker loved playing with everything and checking it all out (note to self and new parents, open up the presents and assemble before hand.  It is not fun to take away a new toy from a baby to get it out of the box.  They do not like this!) 

After presents, Walker went down for his morning nap.  I prepared some food and got ready.  Once Walker woke up we headed to my parent's house for Christmas lunch.  This year my cousin Zach, his wife Ashley, and her mom joined us.  Jetty and Sandy were also able to come.  The food was delicious and Walker was able to try most of it, but preferred his apples and sweet potatoes.  After lunch, we exchanged presents.  Walker was catching on with the unwrapping and whole present idea.  He loved all of the excitement and attention, but was worn out by the end of it.  He needed some rocking and cuddles. 
(side note...I had planned on Walker wearing his Santa pj's to my parents, but seconds before we were out the door he decided to have a blow out, our first in months.  So, I had to give up on the Santa idea but stuck with something comfortable.  However, I did put him in something a little nicer for the Necessary family.)

Once all of that was finished, we packed up and headed to Grandma and Grandpa Necessary's.  This is a much larger and louder event than my family, and usually includes 35-40 people.  It is a lot of fun, but was definitely over the top for Walker this year.  I think it was because he wasn't feeling well and could only handle so much.  However, he was a trooper and did play some and got involved with opening presents.  At 7:00 though, it was time to go home and go to bed.

 

SO tired

Again, this was another great day and first Christmas for Walker.  We are so blessed and thankful to have family and friends to surround us and celebrate with.

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas time has always been my favorite time of the year, bu I have decided that it is a million times more fun to have Christmas with a kid!!  It totally renews all of the excitement and fun traditions.  I had so much fun thinking of all of my old childhood traditions and what I wanted to do with my new family. 

Christmas Eve day was pretty relaxing.  Unfortunately, Walker was battling a cold and getting breathing treatments every 4 hours.  But this did allow plenty of cuddle time (merry Christmas to me :) ) and time to watch a lot of ABC Family's Christmas movies while rocking in our rocking chair. 

After Walker's afternoon nap on Christmas Eve, we went out to my parent's house to spend time with my family and sister who was in town.  I helped my mom get some of the cooking started for our Christmas dinner.  Then, we went to the Christmas Eve service at 4:00 (which is a major change from the 10:00 service that we used to go to).  I am a little crazy about Walker's bedtime and wanted to make sure that, especially since he was sick and had a big day the next day, that he went to bed on time.

At the church.  It is almost impossible for him to be still

The service was great, and Walker did surprisingly well.  He sat in my lap most of the time and played with dad or me.  However, at one point he looked down the aisle and saw G-mama (my mom) and begged to be passed to her.  This meant being passed by dad, grandpa, my sister, Jetty, and Sandy.  He didn't stop along the way, but kept asking for G-mama.  He sat there for a while, but eventually wanted to come back to me.  The funniest part about the service was when we got up to take communion.  I had Walker in my arms and went up to receive a piece of the bread before dipping it into the cup.  As soon as Walker saw the pastor hand me a piece, he spit out his pacifier (approx. 10 feet away) and opened his mouth for a piece.  The pastor stated, "wow, that is a new one" as he laughed and let me pass to go get the paci that was now behind him, and return to dip my bread.  Luckily, everyone seemed to laugh and not take it too seriously, but it could have been embarrassing.  Leave it to Walker to make people laugh during something somber and serious...I am pretty sure that will always be his personality...guess we will see.

After the service, Marcus, Walker, and I went to Grandma and Grandpa Walker's house for dinner and to visit.  Walker played some and showed off his new toy.  We enjoyed getting to see them without any stress of scheduling conflicts.  This year, Grandma Walker decided that she would set out food all day on Christmas Eve and that family could drop by whenever was convenient for them.  I think this helped with every one's busy schedules.

Once we got home, we gave Walker a bath while reading 'Twas the night before Christmas.  We then sat out some cookies for Santa and Walker got to "open" (he didn't really get that part yet) a present, which was new pajamas to wear.  After we got all ready for bed and did his breathing treatment, he fell right to sleep.

his new pj's

Santa came (this includes every one's presents, not just walker)

It was a wonderful Christmas Eve.  New traditions and old traditions filled our day and I hope that many more fun things will continue to be added each year as Walker gets older. 

Santa's cookies made by my old cell group girls.  Thanks girls!!

A day of first's

I really wanted to wait until you were a year before getting your first haircut, but I couldn't take your shagginess anymore.  So, last Friday I took you to "Pigtails and Crewcuts."  Your hair was halfway past your ears and had a lot of 6 inch long pieces and then 3 inch long pieces everywhere else.  I figured that over the holidays you would have a lot of pictures taken and I didn't want you to be the "scraggly kid" (you can thank me later).  I thought about doing it myself, but then decided I would let a professional (again, feel free to thank me). 

a 'before' shot (sorry it is blurry, but you don't really sit still)

(ignore your pink cheeks...Ill explain those later)

more of the 'before' shagginess

her face is a little concerning.  I'm glad i didn't notice it until later when i looked at the pictures

Snacks make anything more fun

The salon provided a picture and your hair.  I'm not sure what i will do with this, but i am glad i have it.

As sad as I am that you have already had a haircut, I think you look so handsome with your "big boy hair."  You have already received so many compliments. 

Your other first that I found out about that same day, is your first tooth!!  I had no idea that you were getting your tooth, especially since the doctor said you were still a long way from teething.  Now I know that your pink cheeks were a signal to me.  It is still barely poking through and you can't really see it, but if I put my finger in your mouth I can feel it.  Man, it is super sharp.

(it is that little spot on the bottom right side)

9 months old

So, this is way behind (again).  Time is flying by and I feel like sometimes I can't keep up time with how fast you are growing and how much you are changing every day.  You amaze me so much with all of the new things you are learning to do and with your sweet and charming personality.  You interact so much with everyone.  It is almost like you are talking with us, because your non-verbals are so good I feel like we are having conversations.  You have a ton of facial expressions that range from frustrated to happy.  You also like to throw in the "are you for real mom" face a lot. 

I am still staying at home with you most of the time and working about 5 hours a week.  On Mondays, you continue to go to mom's day out at the church.  They absolutely love you there.  We had to miss one time last week because you had your first ear infection and your teachers said they missed you so much.  I work at my office on Mondays when you are at mom's day out.  Tuesdays, we usually hang out together and run errands.  Sometimes, I have clients Tuesday evenings and you stay with your grandparents or a baby sitter.  One time you even got to go with dad to his "guy's night".  You had so much fun and they liked having you there.  Wednesdays, we go to a mommy and me gym class in the morning and then Madison comes over to watch you from 4:30-7:30 while I work.  The gym class is great and we learn lots of new things to practice at home.  You can do summer salts and roll on the balance beam (with help of course :) ).  Thursdays are play date days and Fridays we usually relax.  I know I say this all the time, but I am still so thankful to be home with you! 

We went for your 9 month check-up on the 6th.  You weigh 20.13 lbs (around 60th percentile) and are 27.5 inches long (around 25th percentile).  Your head circumference is like 96th percentile though, which you get from your dad.  You are developing and growing right on track.  I was a little worried that you hadn't gained weight in over 2 months, but your doctor said that is very normal for breastfed babies. 

You are eating 3 meals a day plus an afternoon snack and nursing 4 times a day.  For each meal you usually eat 8-12 oz of food.  We have started giving you finger foods, which you think is awesome!  You love to feed yourself carrots, apples, pears, peaches, green beans, peas, chicken, and anything else that you see me eating.  Even if you don't like something you still eat it all, which cracks me up because you make really funny faces the whole time. 

We still have the same bedtime routine and get you to bed about 7:20.  You will sleep through the night until about 7:30 or 8.  We will have breakfast and play for a couple of hours and then you take a nap.  Sometimes this nap lasts for 2 hours and gives me time to get things done around the house.  We will then play some more and eat lunch before your second nap.  This nap is usually around 1:00 and only lasts about an hour.  Then we eat a snack, play, and wait for dad to come home. 

New skills you can do:
-army crawl (crawling on your belly by pulling yourself along with your arms.  you are surprisingly fast at this)
-cruising along furniture
-lots of ah's and squeals, but no consistent babbling
-pulling yourself to a standing position
-recognize familiar faces
-recognize words

you tried my apple, but don't worry I didn't let you really eat it this way

some days I like to give you a mohawk...after nap time it usually looks like this

you are my e*trade baby :)...and now my shift button is gone so no more computer for you

I imagine that you are saying "i love you mommy"

morning play time.  I have to push the toy up against the couch, otherwise you push it around the room and I have to follow behind you.

Our November photo for your monthly pictures

playing in your room

We had a play date at Sam's for their Taste of Sam's menu.  I think Nora was more excited than you :)

You still LOVE bath time

You get pretty messy when you eat

We went to Chili's with G-mama.  I love that you have your mouth wide open in excitement.

You got to meet baby Addy and see your friend Amy again

You were being super silly...and this was right after we found out you had a cold and an ear infection

This is your "so what, I pulled off my bib after you told me not.  what are you going to do about it" face.

and then this is your "yay, i am so messy" face

 

(see above caption)

The best present ever!!