Buckets of Insight: September 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012

6 Month Well Baby Exam

Today, we saw Dr. Starnes for Annelisa's six month well baby exam! Our little lady seems to be developing into quite the observer (like me) and thinker (like her daddy). Her little personality also has a streak of stubbornness mixed with plenty of easy going, cuteness! I will admit to being more nervous this time, than for the last couple of well baby exams. Why was I nervous, you might ask! She hasn't reached all of the developmental milestones...which are really averages, on time. For example, the child will not initiate rolling over! She has rolled twice on her own to date! I was worried that this milestone not being reached yet would be a signal to worrisome things...yet, God is so good to continue to grow little Annelisa in His timing and Dr. Starnes found her to be perfect in every way! We all agree that Annelisa will roll, it's just a matter of time... especially since she's starting tripod!

6 Month Stats (27 Weeks, September 27, 2012):

Weight: 16 pounds, 11 ounces, 60th percentile
Height: 27.5 inches, 95th percentile
Head size: 16.75 inches, 50th percentile

Where Annelisa's been by the Stats!

4 Month Stats (18 Weeks, July 26, 2012):

Weight: 14 pounds, 7 ounces, 60th percentile
Height: 25 inches, 75th percentile
Head size: 15.75 inches, 25th percentile

2 Month Stats (9 Weeks, 1 day, May 25, 2012):

Weight: 11 pounds, 10 ounces, 60th percentile

Height: 23.75 inches, 90th percentile

Head size: 15.25 inches, 50th percentile

2 Week Stats (2 weeks, 4 days, April 9, 2012 (the day before my due date)):

Weight: 7 pounds, 10 ounces, 25th percentile

Height: 21 inches, 75th percentile

Head size: 14.14 inches, 50th percentile

4 Days Old Stats (March 26, 2012):

Weight: 7 pounds, 2 ounces, 35th percentile

Height: 20.75 inches, 85th percentile

Head size: 13.75 inches, 50th percentile

Birth Stats (March 22, 2012):

Weight: 8 pounds, 0 ounces, 70th percentile
Height: 20.5 inches, 85th percentile
Head size: 15 inches, 99th percentile

Annelisa has grown 7 inches in length since her birth day! And she has doubled her birth weight! She continues to grow in every way! Her personality has charmed us, her smile melts us, and her giggle is music to our ears! I look forward to watching her grow while entrusting her to God daily! By His grace, I am the mother to this darling little girl!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Annelisa is 6 Months!

Half a year, 26 weeks and 2 days, 181 days until she turns 1! Simply crazy!

Annelisa's 6 month milestones:

She is wearing size 3 diapers...I'm liking Pampers Baby Dry best these days.
Her wardrobe consist of some 3-6 month size onesies, 6 month size onesies and outfits (or separates), 6-9 month size dresses, and 6-9 month size onesies. Lots of variety depending on the brand. I need to re-organize her clothes and remove the items that are too snug. My newest fear is waking up one day to it being cool outside and not having appropriate clothing items for her!
She started wearing PJ's! Up until this week she had just been swaddled in a blanket with her arms free. On our beach vacation it became apparent that it was time for footed PJ's and they are just so stinking cute! :)
She is sleeping 11 to 12 hours at night
She is napping twice a day...however, naps are becoming a struggle almost daily of late. If she actually will take a good nap once a day I'm thrilled! Due to these struggles, her bed time has moved up to 7:00 PM most nights.
She is nursing 5 to 7 times a day.
We have decided that she doesn't like rice cereal or oatmeal...I've given her some mashed banana and sweet potato...both of these went way better than cereal. Her pediatrician wants us to wait until her 6 month well baby exam to really begin solids.
She is smiling, giggling, and babbling tons!
She discovered her feet!
She is grabbing intentionally for all sorts of items. Play time has gotten a lot more interesting! She likes to pinch your neck when you are holding her or pull your hair! Watch out for your glasses, too!
She rakes her hands to grab items on the floor or hanging on her play mat.
Everything goes in her mouth! Teething is ongoing! You still can't see them, but her discomfort is increasing.
She is still sucking on her thumbs to go to sleep...she splits time between the right and left.
She likes to guide our fingers into her mouth, too.
She is beginning to tripod...or sit up with support! She really enjoys the view!
She is consistently spending about an hour and fifteen minutes a day in tummy time. Thankfully she has gotten a lot more comfortable on her tummy again.
She is a "happy spitter" ...meaning she spits up a ton and it never phases her! Needless to say, we go through tons of burp cloths around here daily!
She shows zero interest in rolling over on her own...she has daily practice with minimal help from mom and dad, yet, she won't initiate it herself. She likes sleeping on her side though...she seems to be somewhat stubborn in this regard!
She is now pushing herself up by straightening her elbows during tummy time.
She has started pulling her knees under herself during tummy time....the beginning of crawling!
She likes the Jumparoo and Exersaucer more and more, but after about 20 minutes she's done!
She and Farley are still checking each other out! He seems to care more about her though...maybe because we went out of town without him and distance made his heart grow fonder.
She loves her bath...in her bath tub. Learned this in a big way on vacation.
She doesn't like the ocean...or the sand, although the sand was better than the water!...She does like the pool. :)
She has started kicking her legs by raising them up as high as she can then slamming them down on her mattress or the floor...it's really funny because it makes a thumping sound on the monitor!
Her car seat is on the largest harness setting...we are beginning to shop for her next one!
Her Fighten' Texas Aggies are 1-1.
She has been on her first BEACH Vacation!

Pictures from Annelisa's 6th Month

The view on the monitor when I realized she had found her feet...she was supposed to be napping!

Playing in the Jumparoo for the first time!

Ready for the Aggies SEC debut!

Practicing hugging...Ernie is a great teacher!

Annelisa and Farley hanging out in the backyard!

First day at the beach!

Enjoying playtime under the canopy

Happy Baby!

Pure love!

Unsure about the waves

Love, love, love this face!

Nap time with daddy!

Hamming it up with Grammy in the condo

One of her outtakes from today...she looks like such a big girl!

Mommy and Me <3

Friday, September 21, 2012

Sun, Sand, and Sea!

First of all, I now totally understand why going to the beach or the mountains in the summer is desirable with young kids! The ability to pack up "home" and take it with you to your new "home" is completely necessary. Our vacation was a gift from and with my parents and it was wonderful to get away and change the scenery of our lives for 6 days! I learned that vacation is something that will forever be different with children...my daily rhythm did not change during the 6 days we were gone; which usually had been the tell tale sign that we were on vacation. Annelisa was a great trooper: from riding in the car for 6 hours both ways, to sleeping in her pack 'n play, to experiencing the sand and sea!

We stayed at Pointe West Resort on the West End of Galveston Island. The condo we stayed in belongs to another partner in my dad's firm and it is very well appointed with great views of the gulf! We enjoyed all the amenities! You can check it out here. We have come to really enjoy Galveston Island! Far too often the Island gets a bad reputation...I'll agree with those that complain about the lack of white powder sand...but that's the only draw back to me! September was a great time to go, too! No crowds, great weather, and slightly cooler temperatures made for a picture perfect time! Some of our favorite places to visit on the island are: The Spot (Yummy Coconut Shrimp), The Sunflower Cafe (great for Breakfast!), La King's Confectionery (Awesome Old Time Candy Store!! With Homemade Divinity, Salt Water Taffy, and Chocolates! Yum!), and strolling other boutique shops on The Strand.

Finally, some pictures of our sand and sea get away!