You are 10 1/2 months old and weight 23 pounds. Today we sent you to school in a size 2T shirt! Granted the sizing seemed to run a little small, but we also got you a size 2T swim suit this weekend because the 24 month size was too small…so it’s not just the clothes. It’s outta control!

We were at the doctor office last week and there was a little boy crawling around on the floor. He was so cute and dainty. I asked his mom how old he was and she said 11 months! What?! You were younger than him!? Everyone that hears your age comments on what a big girl you are! What can we say kid, it’s in your genes! 🙂

You did it!  Like a champ!  We got to the surgery center at 7:40am but they didn’t take you back until 9:25am.  They ushered us to a consultation room where we waited patiently.  It was literally 8 minutes later that the doctor came in and said you had a lot of fluid come out but that you were doing great!

We waited another 10 minutes or so and then they brought you to us.  You were so very sleepy and not at all happy about the situation but it was obvious you were very glad to see us.  You scarfed down some apple juce, desperately tried to open your eyes, and sat patiently while the nurse went over all of the post-op directions.  We were in the car and on the way home by 10:30!  Of course, you passed out the minute we put you in your car seat. 

You’ve slept quite a bit today, but overall you seem to be feeling good!  You are such a strong little girl & we love you more than life itself!

You got four teeth pretty early on – the middle two on the top and bottom.  Well, #5 finally broke through a couple of weeks ago – it’s the one just to your left of the middle on the bottom.  You’re a chompin’ fool now.

Which brings me to the next topic…the Bagel!  The girls at daycare told us they fed you some bagel the other day…and you LOVED it.  So, guess who got a bagel for last night’s snack…and another one packed in their lunch bag today!?  Such a lucky little girl!

Your scheduled to get tubes put in your ears tomorrow.  We have to be there bright and early at 7:40am!  If all goes as planned, we should be outta there by 10:00am or so.  Cross your fingers!  

Though we purchased it a few weeks ago, we had not yet used your big girl car seat.  Well, that all changed today.  You seemed to think it was alright!  You can definitely see more of your surroundings now and I think you like that.  However, you fell asleep on the way home and there is no doubt your baby girl car seat is much more comfortable for snoozing. 

Your dad accidentally cracked your nogin on the garage door.  He thought he smelled a poopy diaper so he hoisted you up so that your butt was even with his nose.  Then it happened – CRACK!  He didn’t realize that there was only about 1 foot between his head and the garage door.  Needless to say you cried big crocodile tears and he felt absolutely horrible.  Unfortanely, I am pretty sure that won’t be the last time that happens.  🙁

We are amazed by each and every day! You are blossoming into such a grown up little baby! You are happy, good natured, and that smile is to die for!

I realized it’s been a month since our last entry – unacceptable! This has been an interesting 30 days. You have continued to battle that same darn ear infection. The doctor finally put you on the “last resort” antibiotic and referred us to an ENT. You are scheduled for tubes on March 26th.

We also went to see an pediatric pulmonologist just to make extra sure there is nothing going on with your lungs. You passed that test with flying colors; of course you were feeling really good and on an antibiotic at the time. We are keeping a close eye on you but I am sad to report that you finished your meds on Thursday and started coughing again on Friday. Poor baby!

You are still enjoying daycare. Everyday when I come to get you, you are playing with some toy, or other baby, and totally enjoying yourself. By genes alone you are destined to be a social butterfly, but daycare has helped you develop those skills – even at such a young age.

We are in the beginning stages of palnning your 1st birthday party. It’s sooooo hard to believe that is coming up! Everyone said it would, but man, it’s gone by so fast!

I am taking a mommy-vacation the first week in April. I am going to Playa del Carmen with my friend Christi. The trip is sponsored by her work and she gets to bring someone. Since she will be in charge of coordinating everything (parties, events, packets, meetings, meals, etc.) for the attendees she decided she should bring somone who’s as organized as she is to help her…..she chose me! 🙂

While I a SUPER excited about having a much needed break, I am already getting anxious about being away from you for that long. The longest so far has been one night in the same city….this will be 5 nights in a different country! Ay yi yi! Just practicing up on my spanish! 🙂

Your grandma Karen is going to come down to spend time with you & daddy while I am gone. Well, probably you more than daddy, but don’t tell him that. Anyway, I’ve said it before and I mean it again. I am going to blog more often! Even if it’s just a sentence or two. Love you baby girl!

I am pretty sure you said Dada tonight!  You and I were playing after your bath and you were making sounds so I decided to start saying mama and dada to you.  It wasn’t long before your dad swore he heard you say mama.  I wasn’t so sure so I started saying dada to you and sure enough!  At just 9 months and 2 days old you said dada!  But we are going to call it a tie though as to whether you said mama or dada first.  🙂

It’s soooo hard to belive you’ve been outta the oven as long as you were in it!  Luli says we need to start pre-heating the oven for baby #2.  Mommy & Daddy say we should just wait and see about that one! 

I didn’t think it was possible, but I must admit, you are getting cuter by the day!  You are so brighted eyed and curious.  You get so much attention – where ever we go people are commenting on you. 

You are able to crawl on all fours now and you’ve figured out how to use stable items (ottoman, couch, mommy or daddy legs) to pull your self up to a standing position.  You are “talking” now – lots of different noises, sounds, and letters.  You really can use your vocabulary to get your point across – it’s obvious when you are mad, happy, excited, or bored. 

You are such a big girl!  You completely fill up your car seat…we’ll be switching over to the big girl seat very soon.  Everytime we tell someone how old you are they get big-eyed and comment on how big you are.  You really are proportionate, you’re just stout.  Oh, and you have a cute little belly!  I am anxious to find out your height/weight percentiles at your 9 month checkup on 2/25.

You’ve had a pretty rough few weeks.  You’ve been battling an ear infection and yucky cough for about 3 weeks.  After 2 rounds of antibiotics and 3 doses of steroids you seem to be on the mend. 

You’re learning to clap your hands and do it mostly when you are excited.  You love it when we feed you cold water from a straw…usually at a restaurant.  You adore Maddison and get excited and happy anytime you see her!  You are still just as curious as can be and have to constantly know what is going on at all times!  You are very social and love going to daycare. 

You are truly an angel.

We put you in your crib yesterday afternoon with the hope that you would find a nap appealing.  It became quite obvious after a few minutes of off and on crying and noise making that you had no interest in sleeping.  So, I opened the door to come get you and what did I see?!  My baby girl STANDING in her crib hanging on to the rail for dear life.  Your response to my shock and disbelief?  You laughed…a big, hearty from-the-gut laugh.  Gotta love it!  🙂

Not many parents can say that their baby didn’t vomit for the first time until they were over 8 months old.  Luckily, we are those parents!  Yesterday morning you ate a full serving of of applesauce and were washing it down with your bottle when all of a sudden you had a major cough attack.  I guess the coughing set off your gag reflex and there it was…all of your applesauce and formula back up – on your jammies, on the floor, and on my foot!  🙂  Hopefully it’ll be another 8 months before the next episode.

You are starting to fill out your car seat so we started looking at big girl car seats.  We went to Babies R Us yesterday and they were having a sidewalk sale.  We found a seat that was regularly priced at $170 on sale for $50 – simply because they came out with a new fabric this year.  After we used our 20% off coupon the total came to just $40!  What a deal, what a deal!  We also talked them down from $65 to $40 for a really nice umbrella stroller.  Can you say bargain shoppers!?

Poor baby girl, you’re sick again.  Over the last 5 months you’ve had the croup, a throat virus, and now it looks like just a case of the crud.  When mommy picked you up from daycare they said you had a fever of 101.5.  That means they won’t let you go back tomorrow.  You’re such a little trooper.  You’re definitely a little fussy, but even being sick you’re still such a sweet little angel. 

I hate that you’re sick, but I actually got some great QT with you tonight.  You’re always on the go.  You and I rarely get quality cuddle time.  You always play with mommy and I.  We all have lots quality time, but you’re just so curious and active that you’ll rarely just hang out in our laps.  You were such a sweet little cuddle bug tonight and actually feel asleep on my chest and laid there for almost an hour.  You hadn’t done that since you were about a month old.  I’m sorry you’re sick, but I cherished our time together tonight.

Love you and hope you feel better really soon,
Daddy