How do they get so big?

How did she go from this

to this?

My kid is a fish

Today Melanie had her second swim lesson. I always expected her to really enjoy the time in the pool because she loves bath time and she loved being in the pool when we were in Hawaii. But last, week, during her first lesson she was uber fusssy. The lessons are parent-and-me style with 5 child/parent pairs and the instructor. .I think last week, it was a combination of us rushing to get there thus her not getting a complete feeding and there being way too much stimulation. She did okay, but was not the chipper little girl we expected. Today on the other hand, she had the parents watching in the waiting area laughing. She was up to her typical tongue out, shreeking and smiling self. Today we worked on "big arms", kick kick kicking, floating on our backs and safe getting in and out of the pool. Melanie loved it all. She loved it so much, she kept trying to put her face under water. So I did what any mom would do...dunked her! No sweat. She came up with those big beautiful eyes wide open and looking around. Piece of cake.

8 Months!!!

Oh my goodness Melanie...you are the sweetest, cutest thing in the whole world. Your daddy and I love you to pieces. I am not sure where the last 8 months have gone. It is absolutely amazing how you have grown from a teeny tiny (6lb, 6ou) baby, to the big girl you are now. You are everything I ever wanted and more. I love you soooooo much! We have not been to the doctor for about a month and will not be until your 9 month check up so I am not sure on your exact stats... but I do know that you broke the 20 pound mark in early February so I am guessing you are about 21 now.

Some things about you/Melanie at 8 months:

• You are saying mamamama & dadadadad
• You are days away from crawling. Right now you rock back and forth on your hands and knees and are so frsutrated that you are not moving forward
• You are scooting all over the place backwards
• You can sit up on your own
• You are loving your solid food. To date you have had; rice and oatmeal cereal, carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, pears, peaches, bananas, spinach, chicken and you love to gnaw on bread.
• Your pincher grasp is great! You love eating your puffs and can pick them up off the highchair and put them right in your mouth
• You LOVE your dog, Tillee. You just light up when she walks in the room and she sure does make you giggle.
• You still love bath time (as you have from day one)
• You are THE BEST sleeper. You sleep from 8PM - 7:30 AM and then nap from 10-12:30 and again from 4-4:45 ish
• You have pretty much outgrown your 9 month clothes although a few items still fit
• You can pull yourself to a stand from a squat position and really enjoy standing whether it be holding on to the ottoman, or practice walking around the house (by holding mom or dad's fingers)

Here are 2 demonstrating your "crawling"

And one of my recent favorites

First Photo Challenge - Simple Beauty

I have never entered an online contest and I am new to this whole blogging thing but I stumbled on http://thepapermama.blogspot.com/ and her Simple Beauty contest. I immediately thought of one of the newer pics I took of M the other day at the park. She LOVES the swing and I think I caught a great moment.

Sympathy vs. Empathy

There is a difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is when you feel for someone because you can imagine that what they are going through is rough. Empathy however, is when you KNOW how they are feeling because you have been there too. When I was going through my miscarriages, I did not get a lot of empathy from my friends as no one had  been through it before. Everyone was so sad and sorry for what I was going through but no one really understood. No one could say they had been there and help me through the process.I am grateful that my friends did not have to live through that hell but it is a lonely place to be.  Luckily for R and I, after three losses, we were blessed with the most amazing little girl.

I was very vocal about my experiences. I was not ashamed and everyone knows I am not bashful. I did not wear a t-shirt exclaiming I had miscarriages, but I made sure to bring it up if the time was...right. Robbie jumped on the bandwagon as well and now most, if not all of our friends and family know. This has made me an unofficial expert on the topic and now, people who are going through similar experiences are reaching out to me for support. As sad as I am to know people going through fertility issues, I am honored be able to provide them with guidance. Unfortunately, two of our very dear friends are experiencing their own challenges right now. One has had her pregnancy confirmed and everything looks great with the baby however she was given some potentially scary news. My other friend just received confirmation that she will be losing her baby. Although she is only seven weeks along, this is her second pregnancy and second loss. I can empathize at how discouraging that is.  I can only pray for them that their time will come for a happy and healthy pregnancy. I am confident that without experiencing the losses I had, I would not have this sweet baby girl.

Nutella

I forgot about Nutella on my favorite things post. But now that I think of it, it deserves a post all on its own. I discovered it last year and am not sure why it took so long to find out about it. I have heard about the many recipes of ooey gooey yummy things you can make with it... but I am happy when it is just me, a spoon and my Nutella.

Favorite Things

In the past, this blog was like my journal. A place where I would keep track of things, record my thoughts and ideas and just rant. The initial goal was never to have it read by anyone other than me. But in the last several months, I have been so entertained by reading other mommy blogs, that I thought I would venture out to the blogosphere and share. I have been making mental notes of blog trends that I think are neat and "Favorite Things" is one of them. I know it is typically done at the end of the month but this is my blog, and I will break whatever "rules" I want. So here is my first stab at it.

My Favorite Things

1. Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream

I do not get manicures anymore. Between bath time and dishes they are just always a mess. It is a lost cause. Pedicures however... are a must. Anyway, I cannot stand to have dry icky cuticles though, so I give myself a mimi-manicure every time I am in the car. I have a tin of this yummy stuff in the car and rub it on every day. Keeps my nails looking healthy and hydrated.

2. Beco Gemini Carrier


I need to do a post one of these days about baby wearing. I have tried the Ergo, Baby Bjorn and finally, the Beco! It is fantastic. No more aching back and shoulders. This carrier distributes all the weight onto your hips. What a relief. You can wear your baby facing in, out, on your back or on your hip! Quite versatile if you ask me.


3. Redken Shampoo & Conditioner



For the last...well as long as I can remember, I have been using cheap shampoo and conditioner. I would get whatever I found on sale at Target etc. I never really saw any issues with it and my hair always looked fine. Then, about a month ago, I had my first, post baby hair cut and color (yes, I have to get rid of my greys). I usually hate when the stylist pushes product on me but this time she caught me in a vulnerable moment. She told me that this Redken shampoo/conditioner would help my color last longer and make my (ridiculously thick) hair nice and soft. So I took the bait and spent the money on the stuff. I have to say, I love what it does for my hair. It is soft and smells great!

4. Beaba Baby Food Maker

I knew from the start that I wanted to make M's baby food. I had friends that did it and said it was super easy and I was confident that it was the healthiest way to go. Thanks to a very generous friend, I received a Beaba at my baby shower. I was so excited when it came time for solid foods. I got to pull this bad boy out of the closet. It was SOOOO east to use. chop up the veggies. Add water and steam. When the steaming is done, puree. That's it! M loves her yummy food. So far we have made: peas, sweet potatoes, green beans, butternut squash, carrots, and broccoli.

5. Dansko Clogs


I loooooove my Danskos. I have a couple of pair but these reddish ones are my favorite. Now I know they are kind of old fashioned but they are just so darn practical. I am guessing if Stacey or Clinton saw me wearing them on the streets, I would get harassed but I am guessing they have never tried on a pair. They are great for when I am on my feet all day or when I am wearing jeans and do not want to put on tennis shoes but am not willing to "dress up." If you do not have a pair... get some!