9 Months Old!

Naomi, you are 9 months old today! We are visiting family in CO this week and I realized that you would be turning 9 months old while we're here, so this might be quick and breezy, but you know I don't like to miss doing the posts on the day-of your milestones!

Hot, humid day at the park near our house! 

- You are crawling! Your legs get up beside you like a frog and you are very flexible, but you are moving right along! You get your knees up under you most of the time. You are also sitting up and when you move from sitting to crawling I often see you doing the splits! It doesn't look very comfortable to me, but you don't seem to mind and just keep inching back and forth until you move to where you want to go! 

 - Most of these pictures you are in your swimsuit! We're having a hot summer in KC! You love the water -- splashing and feeling the water. You have been to the lake, several water/spray parks, and a few days in our backyard kiddie pool. You can sleep amongst all the noise at these places which I really appreciate! You are such a flexible, easy-going baby!

 - You sleep pretty well! Naps are shortening these days, but you are starting to consolidate them into a bigger afternoon nap. And then sleeping from about 8:30 pm - 6:30 am. You've been a bit restless lately, but I think you are growing and changing so much, it's hard for your brain to shut off. You are starting to say the "baa-baa" consonant now. You like to suck on your tongue and talk more when it's just you and me in a quiet room.

Spray park fun with Aunt Teresa 

Naomi, you love your family! And we all love you! I can see why there is such a tendency to spoil the baby of the family because we just want to do everything for you! No one likes to hear you cry so we pick you up and fix it. You get lots of attention and kisses and hugs and toys. You aren't the best traveler, but you're getting better especially now that your seat has been moved over next to Levi. He can hand you things and make you laugh and give you bottles which is a big help! How have you been here already as long as you grew in my tummy? It's going by in a blur and I'm soaking up the moments because I know just how fast it goes now. You are so loved by me! ~Mommy 

Zoë is THREE!

Zoë Kayte, you are 3 years old today! You are such a joy in our lives!

Let's kick off with a birthday interview so we can look back and remember some of your favorite things as you turn 3:

What is your favorite food? "Umm, cake." 
What is your favorite color? Pink
Favorite movie? My Little Pony
Favorite drink? Juice! 
Favorite song? "Trolls ... Jesus loves me..." 
Things to do? "Play with my kitchen stuff. My cake and my birthday." 
{We completed her survey on 7/30/18 after not taking a nap so she didn't have a lot to say. :)}

- You are a lot of fun! You are always up for adventures and doing the things the boys ask you to play with them. Although, you are starting to move off independently and play on your own sometimes, especially creating tea parties as of late.

- You love animals and like to follow Dora around and try to pet her. She lets you sometimes because she knows you can be calmer than the boys, but it doesn't usually last for long. 

- Recently, as I'm talking about the things Naomi does, you like to chime in and say that you did those same things as a baby, ending with "...'member that?" If you're distracted while I'm talking to you, you'll whip your head up all of a sudden and ask, "What you say?" You call Naomi "No-mee" and when she cries you often come to me and say "No-mee need you." 

Look at those beautiful curls! 

Reading books while Zeke takes TaeKwonDo class

I thought you looked so grown up this day so I took a snapshot! 

- When you get dressed, often in skirts and dresses these days, you like to walk in to the boys and show them your pretty outfit for them to comment on. 

Reading with great-Grandma in IA

- You like playing with Naomi and are very aware of her presence or lack thereof. As timid as you were upon first meeting her almost 9 months ago, you have grown into your role of big sister beautifully! You are calm with her, don't get mad when she pulls your hair, like holding her for short bursts, try to be gentle with her, and love giving each other kisses before bed at night. I'm so excited that you have a sister to be friends with in the years to come! 

Mommy's Birthday

- You have begun noticing my earrings and we have chatted about the possibility of getting your ears pierced. You are not quite ready which is ok with me. You like playing with my jewelry and have taken an interest in my rings of late. You have several bracelets that you enjoy wearing and I think it is partly because of the one I'm always wearing. It's fun that we can share an interest in jewelry and things that make us look pretty!

- You know your ABCs pretty well, we just need to work on enunciation. You can count up to 15? I think? You love to sit at the dinner table and paint or color. And you like to carry around a pad of paper with a pencil and draw ALL kinds of squiggles and pictures. Your current notepad is completely filled with your drawings. You look like a little reporter going around adding to your notes.

- You have a daily rest time, but you take less naps these days. I'd say most weeks you nap 3-4 times which was an all-of-a-sudden reduction! You had been napping daily and then all of a sudden it was like you didn't need to anymore, but we persevered and I continued to make you lay there, so now you have circled back around to a few naps a week which I am thankful for! You play hard most days so I can tell you're exhausted about the time dinner rolls around on the days you haven't napped. You've started falling asleep in chairs and sitting at the dinner table on those days of no naps, but it sure makes for a nice evening for me when you go to bed early!

- You are a good runner! You can really pick up your legs and get them moving fast!

- You like to take pictures on my phone, so I have begun to find photos such as these

- You are potty trained and only wear pull-ups at night! You took a little longer than the boys to figure it out, but we also started you just a bit sooner, so I think you did a super job! 

Carousel Ride at the KC Zoo

Zoë Kayte, you smile more than you frown and love chocolate and have recently become really attached to me. I'm excited to take you out for your first movie theater movie and then dinner with Daddy and I and give you some special time. You have been so patient and become very independent with the addition of your baby sister. You like helping me in the kitchen, mostly stirring, and sometimes help us set the table in the evenings. Sometimes you help feed the cat and dog and you adore your cousin Miriam -- who gets to have a sleepover with you tonight!! Zoë I am so thankful for your enthusiasm in getting tasks accomplished and your willingness to help your family. You are a delight and I can't wait to see you grow and blossom into a wonderful girl as your life journey continues! Love, Mommy 

8 Months Old!

Naomi Irene, you are 8 months old today! Here's what you've been up to:

- You started saying "Mamamamamama" earlier in the month and a few days ago you began "Dadadadada".

Father's Day 2018

- Since Zoë's clothes were in a different season, you are wearing 9 month and some 12 month onesies this summer. You are fitting in 9 month clothes pretty well and still wearing size 2 diapers. It's probably about time to move up to 3s!

 - You went camping for the first time! We went up to our cousin campout at the end of June and saw lots of Mommy's family out on the farm. You had had a rough week with fevers and sickness so I was afraid it might be another long night, but you slept better than you had in a long, long time, maybe ever! Yay for 60 degree weather in a tent :)

- You are a good eater! You drink about 12 oz. of formula and nurse 5-6 times each day. You're eating all kinds of fruits and vegetables and have had bits of ground beef, eggs, and some sweet treats :) You are grabbing the food off of your tray, but haven't quiet figured out how to get it into your mouth.

- You celebrated your first 4th of July and did terrific! The fireworks didn't seem to bother you at all. In fact, you fell asleep during part of the show!

- You are sleeping well, usually around 9 pm - 7 am with 2-3 naps each day, although these are getting a bit shorter. You still like to sleep in the solly during church on Sunday mornings which I enjoy since I get to keep you with me a little longer.

- You love playing with Zeke, Levi, Zoë and Miriam too! I love watching your smile grow when you see them being silly. Or surprisingly, even when the boys try to scare you! You seem to be a Mama's girl and are happiest when I'm holding you. You'll go to most anyone and will even lean toward them if you want to go. But sometimes it doesn't last long.

- You are starting to get up on your knees and moving your body back and forth. Crawling will be here soon! You can roll almost anywhere and get to the toys you want to reach.

- We've been swimming a few times this summer and you seem to enjoy it. Your swimsuit is super cute! You liked splashing your hands in the water at the pool on the 4th.

Naomi, you are such a lovely, darling girl! We cannot imagine our life without you! You are starting to let your giggle out a little more and let me put in a few bows this month. Although, your hands are busy and you snapped one of the bows back into your face which was very upsetting for you! I think we're about to see some big leaps in the coming month -- crawling, feeding yourself, maybe a tooth?! Who knows! But I'm excited to see what's next for you and watch your little personality grow and develop! Love, Mommy

7 Months Old

Naomi, here we are, closer to being a one year old, than being born. You are 7 months old today! You are such a joyful, sweet, lovely baby! Here's what you've been doing:

- You are eating like a champ! It was like a switch was flipped! You like sweet potatoes, white potatoes, bananas, applesauce, scrambled eggs, and the little bits of other things we give you like pancakes and ice cream :)

Meeting great-Grandpa in IA

- You met your great-grandparents in Cedar Rapids, IA! It was your first long-ish car ride and it wasn't too bad. You also got to meet a little more of Daddy's side of the family and see Grandma and Marty again! It was a nice little trip.

Being a little sassy to great-Grandma

Bubba loves helping with you so very much! 

 - You sleep great in your pack-n-play, although you're about grown out of the bassinet! So we have a sheet down on the mattress so you can start sleeping down below. You only wake up a couple times a night, typically at 4 am and 6 am right now. You take a few good naps each day and still enjoy sleeping in the wrap, especially on Sunday morning.

- You've started copying us -- rolling your head to the side, especially in the high chair, to watch us do the same. You also stick out your tongue when we do it as well. You think it's funny to show your tongue and sometimes blow raspberries. 

 - You like to chew on your toes! And your spoons. And the fingers of people who are holding you.

Mother's Day 2018

- We got out the jumper this month and you played in the one (below) at Mimi's house. Your legs are very strong and you hold your head up for long periods of time now! You're not quite sitting on your own, but I'm sure you will be soon. You love to be held and watch what's happening around you. You like to pat the people who hold you and rub our faces. You are rolling everywhere these days! You've fallen off the bed once, so I consider you mobile now. It has to happen to everyone right?! You enjoy watching Marshall (he loves licking your feet!) and Dora as they walk around us. 

 - You laugh so hard when I tickle you on the chest. And under your chin is still a good spot!

Your 6 month picture turned out so sweet! 

- At your 6 month check-up, you had doubled your birth weight! The doctor and I were very happy! I've never had a baby with chunky legs, and it makes me very happy to have you healthy and thriving.

Naomi Irene, your smile is beautiful and your eyes seem to sparkle when you smile. You are very interested in the world around you -- your family, toys, leaves, animals, etc. You seem to be adjusting to the very hot and humid summer here in MO. I think it's time to put away all the 3 month clothes I keep trying to squeeze you into. You're wearing mostly 6 month clothes now, so I just need to get them put away so they're no longer an option. We love having you as part of our family and look forward to watching you grow and change and be you! Love, Mommy 

Walk for Arthritis Update

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Zeke's Walk for Arthritis this month! He raised $65 which was way more than I expected! His team won 3rd place for the highest amount raised among the groups that participated! He completed 2 full laps around the stadium which equaled 2 miles. He got pretty tired the second time around, but his Taekwondo coach Miss Tiffany was walking with us and encouraged him to use his perseverance and he made it the rest of the way!

It was a very warm and sunny morning, but the kids had lots of fun! They received balloon animals, played on a playground, drank new juices, received some fun swag, and Pop-Pop was able to come and cheer us on! 

Human Hamster Ball -- a big hit! 

Zeke was invited to test for his first Taekwondo belt the first week of June! We are excited to see him grow and learn. He is enjoying his class very much!

6 Months Old!

Naomi, you are six months old today! Here's what you've been up to:

 - You are grabbing your feet, especially when you lay on your back. You continue to hold your hands together as you sit watching and waiting for things. I think it looks so precious!

 - You are talking even more! Aunt Heather lovingly referred to it as "squawking" :D And you love to join in the singing, especially at night when Zoë and I are singing before bedtime.

 - You've started eating some solid food the last 2 weeks! We're sticking with applesauce, bananas, and potatoes (both white and sweet) while your tummy starts adjusting. But you are loving it! We got out your high chair and the bibs and you're sitting at the table with us at meals, in your chair. You are opening your mouth when the spoon gets close and trying to chew, at least a little bit. We did try some avocado one day and it did not sit well and I mixed in a cooked carrot with the potatoes one night, which you enjoyed. I'm excited to try new foods with you and see how you enjoy them! You like when we feed you pretty fast, just like when your Daddy was a baby!

 - You're about to outgrow the little sleeper in the pack-n-play! The other day I saw you stretching after you woke up from a nap and your little toes kept popping up from the bottom, it was so cute! You are taking a great morning nap, usually a couple of hours! And then your afternoon nap is shorter and your last cat nap is usually from 7:30-8 pm and then you'll sleep for the night from 9 pm - 7 am. It's a pretty great schedule!

Naomi, you bring even more joy to our family. You are gentle and I love when you reach up and grab my face. You laugh when we blow raspberries on your tummy or tickle you under your chin. Your legs are always moving and your toes are long! You are wearing size 2 diapers and I just purchased a couple new 6 month outfits for the summer (thanks great-Grandpa and great-Grandma!) because you are ready to move up! And surprisingly we don't have many dresses or outfits for the hot weather, just lots of onesies. You enjoy bath time and playing with the green frog. You hold onto one of his front flippers for a long time. You've lost some of your newborn hair, but I can see the new growth coming in underneath and it seems to be staying pretty dark for the time being. I feel like we're going to see some big jumps in development in the coming month. Your family loves you so much and we are so thankful for having you in our lives for a half a year already! It has gone incredibly fast and before we know it we'll be celebrating your first birthday. So I'm holding on to these baby days and trying to stare at your face a little longer and take pictures in my mind of these fleeting days. Love, Mommy