Amelia is 10 Months

Baby girl is 10 Months! This month has been lots of fun with a baby (an almost toddler) who is crawling and into everything!! Even getting her monthly picture is starting to become a challenge because she is soo busy! She knows what No No! means and gives me a big smile but usually stops what she is doing. 

She says Da da all the time now! Sometimes directed at Joe and sometimes she is just happily saying da da! My favorite was one time I asked her who should change her diaper and she announced da da!

We are in full swing planning her first birthday shin-dig! It is a giraffe themed party for her favorite zoo animal and favorite teether toy Sophie! Look out for more info to come! And maybe even a peek at the invitation I designed over at my Etsy Shop. 

She weighs about 20 pounds when I weigh us on the scale. She can still fit in 6-9 month clothes because all her next size are more fall clothes. But colder weather is coming upon us so new wardrobe for Amelia! She still sleeps 10-11 hours at night and usually takes 2 1/12 hour naps a day. She sleeps best in her crib but will doze in the car. She is a big pacifier baby so we are thinking about weaning her from it soon.

Amelia is a big eater now. She eats almost all table food. She still loves cheerios but eats a banana almost every day. She loves tacos, spaghetti, grapes, carrots, meat, cheese. You know pretty much everything! You take her to Chipotle and she is chowing down! 

Her other new favorite activity is pulling up onto everything! She is walking around furniture pretty well and will walk with me holding at least one hand. And today she climbed 6 stairs. Eek! I love our baby gates!

Amelia is still toothless! I know! She has the cutest little toothless smile but I am way surprised it has taken us this long! But I think we they are coming soon! Her gums look swollen to me and she has been way more fussy than normal. Maybe soon?

Amelia loves

*eating

*playing

*chasing the dogs around

Amelia hates

*getting her clothes changed

*getting strapped in the car seat (but loves to play with her carseat if it out)

*being tired

We love our baby girl sooo much! 

PS Amelia is in a contest for the cutest baby at American Baby. You can vote for her here!

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Where We've Been

It's pretty obvious that Amelia has become a huge focus of our lives. For someone so little, she demands a whole lot of attention. We absolutely adore Amelia. She is the smilest, silliest, cutest baby on the block and a huge blessing in our lives. She gets probably a thousand kisses a day and is now learning to give them back.

But I remember those days in the past few years that we didn't know if we were going to have children. We tried for 2 years to get pregnant with Amelia. We had two early miscarriages and many months tears. People would always tells us that we would get pregnant one day. But see, we are not promised that we would ever get pregnant. And I really tried to contain my bitterness for what seemed like everyone else was getting pregnant but me!

I remember that day we found out pretty clearly. I was a couple of days late on my period. So after my shift, I ran to Target and bought a pregnancy. I took it when I got home and I was pretty surprised that it was positive. I came out and showed it to Joe. But, our minds quickly went back to our history so we were cautiously optimistic. No big hugs, no crying.

I passed the point where I had miscarried with my other two pregnancies so I started getting more hopeful. Then we finally got to see the doctor at 9 weeks and had our ultrasound. And the technician quickly said, "I see a baby! And a heartbeat!" The best words! I quickly cried! I waas blessed to have a normal healthy pregnancy and had a beautiful baby girl!!

But those losses are still painful even with this wonderful girl. And my heart still hurts for those of you whose arms are still empty. I had to cling to the promises that God Loves us, that He has a perfect will for us, and that He is near to the brokenhearted.

So all of this to say that I do realize that being a mom is one of the best gifts. She gets extra big squeezes just because I know I can't take her for granted.


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6-9 Month Must Haves

It's time for my updated list of must haves. I did so previously for 0-3 months here and 3-6 months here. Amelia has a lot more toys this time around to keep this busy girl occupied, a lot! Now that Amelia can crawl and enjoy more things.

We love

Fisher-Price Musical Table

Amelia loves to pull up on the table and push the buttons which plays music

Toysmith Busy Zoo Activity Center

This cube we got at a garage sale. I like that it is wood and I think very durable. Amelia loves to pull up with it.

Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System

It plays multiple songs and sounds and projects three sets of images on the ceilings. We use this for all of Amelia's naps and bedtime.

Vtech - Sit to Stand Learning Walker

Amelia really likes to play with all the buttons and pull herself up and try to walk with it.


Jeep Walker

Amelia really loved her walker especially when she wasn't crawling yet. She only knows how to go backwards. Amelia also loves pushing the horn.

Waterproof Bibs

Amelia makes huge messes when she eats. I didn't want to already add more laundry to the load and cloth bibs were getting really dirty. I LOVE these bibs. Let me say it again. I LOVE these bibs!

Books

Amelia loves Are You My Mother?, The Jesus Storybook Bible,  and Llama Llama books.


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Our Labor Day Weekend

This weekend my parents came up Friday night and left Saturday morning for Washington DC. We already had tickets for the Cubs game in DC for Monday so we planned a little weekend away.


We left Sunday after church and we stayed with the Partons. Then we met up with my parents and showed them a few things in the city.

Monday we took Amelia to her first cubs game!! I had the cutest shirt made with the cubs logo on the front and her name on the back. Amelia had a good time, especially smiling at the boys behind us. But the Cubs winning streak at the games I attended ended! They lost 2-1. boo

 

After we met back up with my parents and chauffeured them around to make sure they could see everything they could. We had a fun weekend!

Ps I posted this on my iPhone. Weird huh?

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Living Room

This is our living room.

Pretty isn't it?

Okay that might be a little sarcastic. Our old house had only one living space so in our Virginia house, we have our Family room where we spend most of our time and our Living room. They are separated by a wall and the staircase upstairs.

When we had Joe's family visit us last summer (all 7 plus a dog) I knew we needed some extra sleeping arrangements. So we got a Full Size Sleeper sofa. Yes they aren't the most comfortable, but they are pretty functional! It is also where my piano lives and eventually the office will be moved downstairs if we have another baby so it needs to house my books and a desk. Maybe a sewing machine? And of course I'm sure Amelia will be rolling through there. All of that function in a 12x10 space. But all we have done besides get the couch is slap a few things on the walls and throw a piano in there.

I think I will stick with the yellow and go with the yellow gray scheme since that is on trend right now.

Here are a few things on pinterest that have caught my eye.

Centsational girl used Ikea Billy bookshelves to create a built book case. Cute right?

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Alison on Pinterest

I really like the layour in this room. Could work for our room but need to figure out the piano.

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Alison on Pinterest

I love the floating desk in this office.

Source: houzz.com via Alison on Pinterest

Maybe one day we will tackle this room. What do you think?

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Citrus Lane August Box

I saw an ad on Facebook one day about a monthly baby subscription service and I was intrigued. It was for Citrus Lane. Citrus Lane is a surprise subscription service where you receive 4-5 items based on your child's age and gender. The idea was to introduce parent's to new products that they might never know about. The cost is $25 for box. I received a 20% discount by finding a code.

 

This is actually my second box. This picture was taking with my iphone before I dispersed the items to Amelia. I thought this box was actually better than the box previous.

 

 

 

 

I (I mean Amelia!) received:

 

Skip Hop Hug and Hide Stroller Toy

 

This is a fun toy that babies can play hide and seek and has a teether attached. This toy can attacher to the babies' stroller.

Keepin' Fresh Baby Food Storage
Two baby food containers. Great for sending Amelia with Food.

Counting with Wayne Thiebaud
An adorable book with charming pictures.

Plum Organics Stage 2--Apple Raisin Quinoa Baby Food Pouch
Amelia downed that at lunch yesterday.

CleanWell Disinfectant Spray
Awesome on the go disinfectant spray.

Citrus Lane valued this box at $32.17 in the insert that came with box. Amazon as the prices slightly lower. Some boxes have higher values. It's a fun surprise you receive in the mail.

If you are interested, you can use my referral code here Citrus Lane Subscription. Right now you can start your monthly subscription for less! Take 10% off the cost of your subscription with code SPRINGFUN. You'll save $7.50 on three months, $12.50 on six months, or $25 on twelve months!

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Our Week in Review

 

Last week was TABS week for our youth group. TABS stands for Teenage Bible Study. There is a time for worship and a Bible study, then there is a fun activity for the night. Our good friend from Indiana came to speak and his wife and 3 year old Son came also to visit.

 

Monday I had to work so I didn't get to do anything :( The youth went to a Richmond Squirrels Baseball game.

 

Tuesday, we went a church member's house on a lake and the students got to swim and go tubing. Amelia even got to go in the lake with Daddy!

 



 

 

Wednesday, we traveled up to DC so our friends could go to Georgetown Cupcakes. The have the show DC cupcakes on TLC. Joe and I went over a year ago and waited awhile to get in but this time we waited maybe 5 minutes. And over course came home with a dozen cupcakes!

 



That night the youth played Dodgeball and Underground Church. Amelia had to get home to bed before Underground Church but it brings me back to my middle school years! Joe said the youth loved it! The only picture I got was when I brought the Elmo Rocker out to entertain Amelia

 



 

 

Thursday we went to Ironbridge Sports Park. The youth played outdoor laser tag. They played outside in a field like a paintball field. Let's just say that I think Joe had more fun than the kids!



 

 

 

They had to wear black sweat bands and I couldn't resist getting a picture with Amelia with one!

 

 

 

Friday, the youth went to Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf Lodge is huge hotel with a huge waterpark in it. We had so much fun! Amelia loved the small pool and even the wave pool with Daddy. Last year we went, I was pregnant with Amelia and was unable to do any of the big water slides. Joe took me on all of them this year.

 

 

 

My favorite photo of this week was on Saturday. I left Amelia with one of the girls because I wanted to look around in the gift shop for a few minutes. I came back and this is what I found. Amelia is spoiled rotten!

 

 



 

We had so much fun this week and Amelia enjoyed playing with the big kids!



 

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My 9 Month Old

My 9 month old baby! I can't believe it! She is the sweetest little baby and is full of smiles and energy. She definitely keeps me very busy now! This month she has started so many new things!!

We went to the doctor and Amelia weighs 18 lb 10 ounces (50-75%) 28" (75%). The doctor said she has great hand-eye coordination and she may be an early walker (WHAT?) We have been very blessed that Amelia has been pretty healthy so far.

Amelia is just taking bottles now. She usually takes 6-8 ounces 3-4 times a day. She loves food! She still loves bananas, cheerios, pancakes, and spaghetti. She gets a banana every day and demolishes it. She still will eat baby food but I don't think we can get it to her fast enough. And baby girl loves making messes. She takes at least a morning nap and an afternoon nap and sometimes an evening nap. She also sleeps through the night every night. Praise Jesus!! We just lay Amelia down (after lots of kisses), give her her blanket and pacie, turn on her sound machine and leave. She usually cries for a couple of minutes then settles down. The fun thing is we have a video monitor and it's funny to watch what she does when we thought she was sleeping. She normally goes to bed around 7:30 and gets up between 7 to 8.



She also is becoming way more independent. And also starting to have a preference in things. She has her favorite toys, her favorite blanket. And now she hates changing clothes again! But likes being naked.

Another kind of sad thing is that she's stopped sucking her thumb! I loved her little thumb but she likes her pacie. She also loves her Daddy. Joe went to Thailand for 10 days. The first time she crawled she crawled to the iphone to video chat with daddy!

She is also quite the little babbler. She has said some things that sound like dada but not when he's around so does it count? Everyday we work on saying mama!


We are now a crawling machine! This is my view most of my days! And baby girl loves getting into everything!! We need to get more baby gates to help corral this little explorer.  She pulls things off of shelves, loves the remotes and pulls up onto everything she can manage. She will take a few steps with me helping but not coordinated yet.

Amelia Likes:
        Crawling/Pulling Up
        Eating!
        Babbling all of the time
        Swimming
        Annie and Cooper
       
Amelia Dislikes:
        Changing clothes
        Not being able to get into everything
        Getting strapped into her carseat
       

We love our Amelia Grace sooo much. She is the light to our day a source of endless laughter, and maybe some loud sighs!
       
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We are on the Move!

A certain mommy needs to baby proof!


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Keepin' It Real

Who knew that one small person can have so much stuff? Let's just say that Amelia has overtaken the Family Room!

Look at the little monkey here!

Usually at the end of the day, the toys go in the big basket behind Amelia and the Amelia tornado is somewhat better. We try to only bring out a few toys at time but this picture doesn't show this!

How do you store your toys?


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