Happy Nine Months Nicky!

I have to admit that I had to get out the calendar to figure out hold old Nicky was this month. Pretty much sums up my life right now - busy and unorganized! Needless to say, he is nine months old and we are getting ready to head to the doctors!

Honestly, if I get this post done in time, it will be a miracle. I just had to take a moment to pull Marlee's Sophia the First easel off his face. 

If I could describe Nicky in one word it would be destructive. 

All boy.

All the time. 

Literally, just had to stop again because he managed to get into his walker - head first. 

He is just a go, go, go baby. He wants to walk but is not quite ready so instead he just grabs and climbs on everything. If it is in his grasp, it is automatically his. Marlee is less than thrilled about this because God forbid anyone touch her things. He is getting stronger and smarter everyday though and I can tell he is learning more and more about his environment. For example, the microwave beep means he is getting a bottle. It is officially a bottle warmer and do not bother telling him any different. 

New this month is his ability to clap and dance. If you have watched any of my YouTube videos (use the menu on the right!), you know that we are a big dance family. Marlee really shakes her groove thing. This month, I noticed Nicholas starting to do a little head bob and body wiggle. It is so darn cute and I am going to try and be quicker with my phone so I can get it on video. He also started clapping with Grandma while doing patty cake. Does not matter what is going on, he will stop and clap. Adorable!

Nicky has one more tooth coming in on the bottom which brings his count to seven teeth which is a good thing because he is big eater! No more pureed foods here. All 'adult' food, all the time. Messy little bugger though. 

On the up side of things, we are down to four bottles per day and he is sleeping through the night 80% of the time. Cannot argue with that number! He is still up at five in the morning but he has been pretty good at sitting in his playpen so Nick can get ready (and I can get 10 minute of sleep!).

He really is such a good, happy boy. 

Update: Doctors appointment went great! He is weighing in at 22lbs 4oz and is 29.5 inches tall. My big and tall baby. He had one vaccination today and didn't even cry - just gave an uncomfortable 'ehhh'. Dr. Weber gave the number for a pediatric ophthalmologist to unclog his tear duct so it looks like surgery could be in the near future. It breaks my heart to have it done (surgery is such a scary word!) but it has to be done. I can tell that it is more and more uncomfortable for him as the months go on. So wish us luck with our next venture!

Weight Recheck

As previously mentioned, Marlee had to go back to the doctors to get reweighed after losing a couple ounces. We increased her solid intake and it definitely paid off! She has gained 4 lbs in two months and the doctor was very pleased. She is right back on the 50th percentile for weight and is a perfect 17.9 lbs. The doctor was also impressed that she was standing up on furniture, walls, toys, anything she can get her hands on, considering she is still only 7 months. I told him that she is one determined baby and likes to be independent as much as possible. I am going to have my hands full once she is walking...

It is starting to hit me that my baby girl is not going to be a baby much longer. I have cleaned out her drawers yet again and have another banana box sized load to pack away. We already lowered her mattress and upped her bouncer to the next highest level. She tries to feed herself and is now drinking juice like a big girl does. She takes steps with her walker and crawls all over the house. And she is hilarious! So much personality! Ugh. Someone remind me that having two under two would be crazy! 

Right?

We have been really busy lately which is why there is a lack of posts but here are some pictures to hold you over. 

Sleepy babe

Escape babe

Pasta eating babe

Trying to escape (again) babe

Pretty in pink babe

Playing with her cousin

Vintage dress babe

Diaper butt babe

 Laundry babe

Oh and Marlee is 8 months old tomorrow!

Happy Half Year Marlee!

Marlee is now officially half a year old!

I cannot even believe that she is six months and full of so much personality.

She is practically like a real person.

Just much smaller.

Considering the massive snow storm we are in right now, I am grateful we were able to make it to her doctors appointment yesterday. My husband and mother are both really sick with the flu so I was happy to get out of the infected house a little. Marlee behaved wonderfully and only cried for about 2 seconds when she received her vaccination. Her whole thigh is red though - such a brave babe.

Now for the bad news. She has lost a little bit of weight. Nothing to be alarmed about but I am shocked. Literally shocked. This little girl loves to eat. Pretty much anything I give her, she will eat it. I gave her white bread the other day just to see if she would eat it and yep, she did. We increased her bottles to 8 oz bottles a couple weeks ago and she eats 3-4 jars of food a day. The doctor said that it can happen once she starts to crawl but since she is not crawling just yet, (literally any minute now) he wants to see her back in a couple of months to recheck. I am kinda bummed. I was always so worried when I was breastfeeding about her weight gain and haven't thought twice about it since she is now on formula. Ugh. So the doctors want to increase her solid intake and try to give her more cereal and oatmeal type foods. He is going to see us again in two months for a reweigh. She did grow an inch and a half though so I am hoping he takes that into account! She is really tall for her age and I am baffled how that is even happening.

So we had a little banana ice cream tonight. It is just frozen bananas in the food processor but its delish! And I like sharing my food with Marlee while we watch movies together. Like our own little girls night.

As I stated, Marlee has not quite taken off yet in the crawling department but if she wants to get somewhere, she does. She will either roll or scoot or lunge her way in the direction that she wants to go. Nothing is safe at this point. Baby jail might be an option soon.

One new trick this month is that she is starting to form syllables. I mean syllables other then 'goo' and 'baa'. She has been spouting off at the mouth with that for a while. She is starting to do more 'ma' and 'da' and I swear she says 'hey' and 'yay' every now and then. She actually yelled 'yay' as soon as we entered church on Sunday. I wouldn't lie about church! She never repeats anything though so it is hard to say that she really 'says' anything. Maybe she will crawl and say 'mama' all in the same day.

On my day off.

When I have my camera ready.

Overall, she is great and I am just tickled that she is mine. I honestly could not believe that being a mom could be this easily rewarding. I mean the kid does nothing but poop and drool and scream all day long.

And I love it. And love her. And love my little family.

This is her saying she was done with this photoshoot.

And this is her saying 'Get well soon Grandma! I can't wait to see you!'.

Eviction Notice

Nothing says I love you like a good ol' eviction notice.

Yep, I will be induced on Monday starting the most emotionally confusing day of my life. How can I be happy to push a babe out of places it is just not fit to go? It does not make sense. Yet, I am. Happier then I can even imagine. I cannot wait to meet Marlee and start this journey of motherhood.

Doctors appointment was much longer this time because they had me do a Fetal Non-Stress Test to measure Marlee's heart rate and movement. I had no fears though because this babe is constantly moving and kicking. Nick and I were able to listen to her heart beat for a whole half hour though which was music to my ears. So now is just the waiting game.

Appointment Summary

Blood Pressure: 120/60

Marlee's Heart Rate: 145

Weight gain: 1 lb
Induced: July 22nd

Goals: Be as ready as possible for Monday

After our appointment, I indulged in whatever Marlee's little heart desired for dinner.
I only have a couple more days to blame her for my appetite.
I really went all out too, as you can see. Pizza, corndogs, and french fries. Nick never complains when I do crazy dinners. I can appreciate that.



Now to cross a couple things off my 'Before Marlee Arrives' to-do list!

One Week and Counting

I can't help but look at this picture and question when my belly got so big! And how I don't fall over from the disproportionate weight!? Now I have a better understanding of the phrase 'ready to pop.' Yea, I would say I am right there. Marlee feels differently though. Still no contractions or even enough pressure to bring attention to. My happy little nugget is content on the inside.  

Doctors appointment on Tuesday went well. The doctor set a new record of a whole 4 minute long meeting. I guess that is the norm when nothing is really going on and we don't have any questions. My husband asked about the lack of excitement at the end of this pregnancy and the doctor said that it is pretty normal for a first time mother with no health issues. No contractions mean no baby just yet. Next week we discuss the possibility of being induced. I would really rather stay away from a pitocin induced labor but I don't want to cause any stress on the baby either during labor because of her size. Still hoping she is not 9 pounds...

Appointment Summary

Blood Pressure: 117/74

Weight gain: 1 lb

Uterus Height: 39 cm

Marlee's Heartbeat: 151 BPM

Goals: Not to go into labor at work

 Nick continues to try to talk Marlee into making an appearance this week. For one, he is on midnights this week and would get out of work for a couple days. For two, the Hough side of the family made a betting board for Marlee's due date and he wins between now and noon on the 12th. An outstanding 21 dollars! I told everyone that she is going to be late but few listened. Here is a little preview of the board:

I am down for July 21st - PM.

Still not sure if I pick the day to be induced or the doctor does...

Either way, here I am at 39 weeks and waiting for the next move. Marlee is going to be here so soon!