Same old, same old

 
Time keeps marching on for our family. (Not a whole lot is new, but we're just fine with that.) However, its easy to become complacent with life, so I'm making a concerted effort to recognize and enjoy the little things this holiday season.

As the Thanksgiving holiday is almost upon us its always nice to engage in the old exercise of reflecting on one's blessings. Among my top items are family (and not just this cute little one), friends, economic security, health, and a whole host of other large categories that are normally mentioned around the table at dinner time come T-Day. Yet when I break each down (even at a surface level) its amazing to reflect on the different components that are encompassed by the categories of family, health, etc. Its a great exercise to actually sit down and "count your blessings" by "nam[ing] them one-by-one" as the old Sunday School song goes. In completing this exercise, I'm betting that I'll have a much better understanding about how my "same old, same old" life is not one that I should take for granted.

Won't you join me in being thankful?

1+

She's over a year and unstoppable! 

Walking, running, smiling, and laughing are her regular activities. (Though she has figured out how to throw a tantrum.) She loves riding in her wagon, "Wolfgang" (her stuffed coyote), and reading books.  She's learned how to say "Hi!", show her muscles, and can find a few items when asked where they are in the room. She's evening learning to negotiate the dog-eat-dog world of the toddler class at day-care. (She even has battle scars to prove it - it took 6+ hours for today's bite marks to disappear.)  

Baby Dedication

Our little "dandelion" was dedicated at church a couple of Sundays ago, and we were blessed to have most of her extended family with us to celebrate (including one aunt from Georgia and an uncle from Oklahoma).  It is incredibly humbling to know that friends, family, and our church community are lifting us up and walking along side of us. Our "village" was present and that meant the world to us!

9 months

Its amazing to think this sweet girl is 9 months old.

The stats:

1. Limited rolling - just a contortionist worthy stretch is all that's needed to get her toys.

2. Crawling/scooching has started, though only backwards.

3. Pulling herself up on laundry baskets and people seems to be a favorite activity.

4. Finger foods are being mashed by two tiny teeth.

5. Attending a new day care with the large red stroller and many more kids her age.

6. Eleanor the elephant and McNally the monkey are the two favorite toys to date.

7. Month 9 clothes and size 3 diapers need frequent changing due to the most disgusting poo I've ever witnessed.

8. High fives and waving aren't frequent, but we're working on it. 

9.  Crazy hair, full smiles, and squeals of delight!

Mr. Seal

At the six month check up, things were looking good. Our gal is currently in the 75% of height and 50% for weight. She's wearing 6 month clothes, but has graduated on to a few 6-9 month outfits. She's sitting on her own for extended periods, but is not interested in rolling at all (which we've only witnessed a handful of times since the first roll at Thanksgiving). Within the last month she has started on rice cereal, formula (for daycare), and has recently tried mashed carrots which were a huge hit. She loves playing "peek-a-boo," dancing to ABBA with mommy, pinching lips/tugging hair, and sucking on squishy blocks. Her current favorite toy by far is Mr. Seal. She loves chewing on and conversing at great lengths with this toy. (I've tried to upload a video of this. I hope it works!)

Nap time?

I've always had a lot of respect for women (and men) who decide to stay at home to raise their children. After staying home for the first 5 1/2 months, I have a much greater respect for stay-at-home parents. Considering that I never aspired for that position in life, I was surprised that there were times that I really enjoyed a domestic centric schedule. However, I'm looking forward to working 

away from home and regular adult interaction. 

You'd think someone this cute would be agreeable when it comes to taking naps. However, this is not the case at all, which has made preparing to head back to work a bit of a challenge. This has led to some late nights lately - a trend that will most likely continue for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, I'll be able to manage a new schedule that involves both family and work. It'll be a bit of a juggling act I'm sure, but it'll be a new chapter in this saga.