Friday, July 12, 2013
10 months
Freyja will be turning 11 months next week, so it's a perfect time for an update about how she is at 10 months. At first I planned to write her monthly updates at the beginning of each new month, but I think it makes sense to write about it as a reflection on the past month--if that makes sense.
When Nick and I were on our way home from Brainerd last weekend, we came up with a number of "things about Freyja." Instead of writing it in a story format, we made a list. It's a long update, but I remind myself I write this for me to look back on not for others. So even if no one reads it, I don't mind one bit! For those who don't want to read it all, here's a synopsis over the past month: We are doing well, we are keeping busy, and we love Freyja to pieces! She is growing and getting closer to walking. I miss her at work but enjoy interacting with adults too and working as a nurse. There is never enough time to get everything done or see everyone I want to see, but I bet that's true of many people! As my mother and mother-in-law say, you can't do it all. They are wise women. I have a wonderful family and am so blessed!
I plan to add pictures soon as well--and soon they should be better quality as I not only have my cell phone to take pictures but also my mom's camera that she is lending me.
Freyja at 10 months...
1. Went on her first boat ride
2. First time on a tractor
3. Crawled up stairs (with supervision of course!)
4. Can say "hi" while waving
5. Overall is sleeping better--including earlier bedtime, sleeping longer between waking up, some nights sleeps 8 pm to 6 am without crying out.
6. Still just has two bottom front teeth
7. More difficult to change her diaper or clothes as she wants to move around--doesn't like lying on her back on the changing table or ground. It is sometimes just easier having Nick & me both change her--one to distract her!
8. Has been overall healthy, but recently she developed a topical skin (yeast) infection--late June, a start of an ear infection this past weekend, and fell backwards and hit her head hard at daycare (which ended up with a trip to the ER the following day to check for retinal detachment. Thankfully all was fine!)
9. Has tried more foods...will eat anything I give her except recently will
not eat watermelon or sliced apricots or peaches (she puts them in her mouth then spits them out.
10. Loves the water. First time at a beach/lake and a public pool ("splash pad" at Wabun Park in Minneapolis)
11. Sleeps with a light blanket and stuffed animal or doll--yes, I know it goes against recommendation to wait till 1 year, but it really seems to help her sleep better. Just imagine sleeping with no covers :)
12. Moved to an earlier bedtime and many days just has two naps instead of three. Often wakes up between 6 & 7:30 am, first nap starts between 9 & 10am and second nap starts between 11:30 am & 1:00 pm.
13. Keeps glasses on longer, except when tired. Recently the frame/ear pieces seem small so we will bring them in to get re-sized.
14. Loves to walk along couch or chairs without assistance, can stand unassisted for brief time (probably has ability to stand longer but wants to go, go, go! --rarely holds still for long.
15. Still does great with drop offs at daycare-no crying when Emily leaves her there in morning
16. Gets excited when Nick or I pick her up after work...crawls to us excitedly (I do about 90% of drop offs/pick ups since close to my work)
17. Uses a sippy cup for breast milk at daycare (prefers it cold) and drinks some water too. DOesn't want to drink out of a bottle & she prefers sippy cup of milk with food/at meal or snack time at daycare.
18. Has taken naps and slept overnight in pack and play. Doesn't sleep as well as she does at home, but not too bad either!
19. Can throw a ball a short distance. She plays catch/fetch better than Gasthof already!! :)
20. She is "Busy busy!" as many people say.
21. Still likes to clap, will do it with music or with praise. If I say, "Freyja, can you clap?" and she is paying attention & in the right mood, she will do it. Same with "Freyja, can you wave?" she will wave.
22. Uses pacifier with naps and at bedtime for soothing, and sometimes in between--especially at large social gatherings, it is calming for her. I said it's like how adults sometimes drink alcohol in social situations, she likes to use her pacifier!
23. She is very social and warms up to people pretty quickly. I call her a "social butterfly" and a ham.
24. Will mimic certain words/sounds/tones.
25. Likes dogs and met her first cat. Likes to pet them. Tries to say dog--either "da" or recently "ga" when she sees Gasthof, and in between. When she is practicing something, she does it a lot.
26. When I say "Mama" she often says "Nay Nay." but will say "Dada" to Nick. It seems easier to say :)
27. Likes to laugh when people talk to her, often a "ha ha" (louder, lower sound) than a high pitched squeal or giggle--that happens when daddy plays with her & lightly tosses her in the air and catches her.
28. Still sticks out her tongue some but less than before
29. Still has blue eyes.
30. Hair sometimes has reddish tint but more light brown. Getting more hair in the back of her head (maybe since she sleeps on the back of her head less than usual--now the side of her head has less hair. Sleeps more often on her stomach (with her butt in the air, often at side or corner of the crib) or her side than on her back.
31. Likes to snuggle with her blanket
32. Fingernails grow super fast but it's hard to get her to hold still so I can clip them
33. Weighed about 18.3 lbs at 10 months, 8.6 kg at ER visit 7/11/13.
34. Still breastfeeding, I am pumping once per day at work. Not sure for how long, but no plans on stopping when she turns 12 months. I am sick of people asking me not to breastfeed till she is x age. I don't plan to breastfeed till she is a preschooler, but I don't need to tell everyone how long I plan to and it's no one else's concern. She likes to breastfeed, it's healthy for her, so I don't feel the need to have a plan that I will stop when she is x age/months. I will know when she is ready to wean and I will go with that. Just a pet peeve of mine recently. I don't mind when people ask out of curiosity, more that I mind when people tell me NOT to breastfeed her till she is 3, or tell me that I can stop when she is 12 months old. Now you know. :)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
My mind never rests...
Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down, sometimes I'm happy/perplexed/frustrated/optimistic or cynical.
Sometimes I'm early (yes, it's true!), sometimes I'm late, sometimes I'm wishing the time stopped/reversed/slowed/skipped or the day was longer.
Sometimes I want to scream, sometimes I want to laugh, sometimes I cry/sigh/smile/frown or have days with a wide range of emotions....
...but I can't remember the last time I was bored.
This includes Saturdays, Sundays, weekdays/holidays/vacations or any time of day.
This includes driving, reading, playing/learning/sitting/standing or when I go for a walk.
This includes in a crowd, with family/friends/neighbors/co-workers, or even just alone....
While I don't always feel satisfied at the end of each day, I never feel bored.
My life feels like an adventure. I don't know what will come around the corner or what will get rolled in front of me like in the classic Indiana Jones' scenes, but I know each day won't be smooth. Even when my daily life seems unchanged, my friend's/family member's/neighbor's/co-worker's day--or life-- may have been turned upside down.
I have often thought the word adventure has a positive connotation. Sure, I've heard it used sarcastically ("Well THAT will be an adventure...") but I rarely hear it used to describe one's struggles.
Unfortunately, something can switch from an adventure to a tragedy in an instant. Irregardless of religious or spiritual beliefs, our life as we know it in this body/spirit/soul/mind will come to an end on the day of our last breath. Death is a known risk, but so much leading up to it is unknown.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of adventure is:
When everything is status quo, life is like an adventure. When people predict, tolerate, or accept change, they can create detours, stay on track, and are not haunted by the finish line.
Sometimes I'm early (yes, it's true!), sometimes I'm late, sometimes I'm wishing the time stopped/reversed/slowed/skipped or the day was longer.
Sometimes I want to scream, sometimes I want to laugh, sometimes I cry/sigh/smile/frown or have days with a wide range of emotions....
...but I can't remember the last time I was bored.
This includes Saturdays, Sundays, weekdays/holidays/vacations or any time of day.
This includes driving, reading, playing/learning/sitting/standing or when I go for a walk.
This includes in a crowd, with family/friends/neighbors/co-workers, or even just alone....
While I don't always feel satisfied at the end of each day, I never feel bored.
My life feels like an adventure. I don't know what will come around the corner or what will get rolled in front of me like in the classic Indiana Jones' scenes, but I know each day won't be smooth. Even when my daily life seems unchanged, my friend's/family member's/neighbor's/co-worker's day--or life-- may have been turned upside down.
I have often thought the word adventure has a positive connotation. Sure, I've heard it used sarcastically ("Well THAT will be an adventure...") but I rarely hear it used to describe one's struggles.
Unfortunately, something can switch from an adventure to a tragedy in an instant. Irregardless of religious or spiritual beliefs, our life as we know it in this body/spirit/soul/mind will come to an end on the day of our last breath. Death is a known risk, but so much leading up to it is unknown.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of adventure is:
1
a : an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks
b : the encountering of risks <the spirit of adventure>
2
: an exciting or remarkable experience <an adventure in exotic dining>
3
: an enterprise involving financial risk
When everything is status quo, life is like an adventure. When people predict, tolerate, or accept change, they can create detours, stay on track, and are not haunted by the finish line.
But when tragedy strikes, life is like a hurricane, flood, or any other natural disaster. That's when we replace security with fear and stability with chaos. We question our strengths, our beliefs, and may be haunted by our own mortality.
*Now it's time to go to bed...I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors at the end, but I suddenly got very tired.
Emily
*Now it's time to go to bed...I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors at the end, but I suddenly got very tired.
Emily
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
A Lesson from Grandma Hobbs
After reading my previous blog entry, my Grandma Hobbs sent me the following story. I do not have the original author or source, otherwise I would credit it. I like the story, and wanted to share it with you!
"The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Bottles of Beer"
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was...
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was...
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed...
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18...
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with a friend.
"The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Bottles of Beer"
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was...
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was...
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed...
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18...
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with a friend.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Random Monday Ramblings
I went for a 3 mile run/walk (most of it was walking) yesterday, and I got to thinking about a few things--here goes:
1. Blogging and Boundaries
Sometimes I struggle with determining what is an appropriate amount to share--both in the blog/internet world and in my personal life. I am pretty much an open book, but of course there are times when sharing is not helpful or needed. I am learning these boundaries--and I'm sure I will need to reevaluate when Freyja gets older.
I read a blog recently where the mother was trying to figure out what is ok to have on the Internet, because she doesn't want to embarrass her children when they are older. While I think that is defeinitely something of which to be aware, I also know that if a bully is going to tease a kid, they will find a way with or without the Internet. I will be mindful of what I choose to post, but I am not going to be paranoid. I was teased in middle school before the Facebook era. I'm friends with my grandmas on Facebook and have nothing to be ashamed of, so I know that I can use the same discretion when posting about Freyja. I may have some silly pictures of her with her face covered in avocado, but if some kid teases her for that, they are reallllly stretching. I think Freyja will have thick enough skin to handle that, if she is anything like her parents.
2. "Mom friends"
Right now it's been nice having other "mom friends" with children around Freyja's age, and I enjoy hearing what things they are doing. Since Freyja isn't able to speak up and nothing can embarrass her yet, I am not currently worried about protecting her feelings.
When I went for walks with other moms on maternity leave, I mentioned that I knew that all kids have different interests and strengths, and it certainly wasn't a competition. Most of all, I like hearing about what other kids are doing because:
a) if the child is doing something similar to Freyja, it helps me feel normal (like when I can't get any cleaning done because Freyja is crawling from one thing to another and putting any little thing she finds on the floor in her mouth).
b) if the child is doing something different, I know what things might be coming and can "prepare" (not that you can ever really prepare!). For example, we thought about what needed baby proofing before Freyja could crawl.
When I was in high school and college, I would get uncomfortable when I would hear my mom bragging about me--like any normal mother--especially in regards to grades. Once in college I told her I didn't want to share my grades with her, and when she kept asking I told her I got Fs. She didn't believe me, but that's besides the point. It made me slightly uncomfortable with my educational "successes" being praised, when for some people they worked just as hard--if not harder than me--at schoolwork and didn't get the same grades I did. She didn't go out of her way to brag, she just was a normal, proud mother; I just didn't feel that she needed to share my "success" with others. Other kids asked me my grades, and I shied away from answering this. I worked just as hard at school as I did in the sports I played, but never had the same results. School was important to me and I wanted to do well, but I didn't want any recognition like sports players get at an assembly. Which leads into my next topic...
3. Success
Growing up I was never the fastest, nor was I the smartest--and I was ok with that. I felt comfortable. I knew that if I studied, I would pass the test and likely get an A or B in the class. I put in effort, and my efforts were rewarded by societal standards.
In track/field and cross country running and skiing, I knew I wouldn't be fast but I would finish the race. Would it have been nice to finish in the middle of the pack at least? Sure. But when the timid girl next to me looked unneasy and said she was worried about being last, I could put her at ease by assuring her that I would likely be last and that it was ok. I can't count the number of girls who I talked to who were so afraid of failing. I worked hard--I didn't try to be last, or not give it my all--but I was ok knowing that my best was just not very fast.
I have a bone to pick with whoever coined the phrase if you try hard enough, you will succeed. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case...and that is okay. Effort, intention, and motivation are more important to me than success.
No matter how hard I try at certain things, I will not always succeed according to society's definition of success. While I am ok with this, I have met many people that have had a hard time with this. For example, the girls I mentioned above who were scared to finish last. According to the concept mentioned above, finishing last would mean they didn't try hard enough and thus didn't succeed.
I loved sports growing up, but I had a hard time with the coaches who lived by this motto. They truly believed that the "slow ones" were not working as hard. I didn't want the coaches to be easy on me, but rather meet me where I was at and know when I was pushing myself even if the time I got might not have looked like it.
An example from the NFL is the well known Randy Moss. He was fast, but admitted that he didn't have to work too hard. When he did put in effort, it showed...but his effort was inconsistent. He ended up being a detriment to each team he played for because he wasn't reliable.
I may not have been fast, but I was consistent. I showed up to each practice and game or meet. I worked hard and treated my teammates with respect. To many, I would not be considered a success in any sport in which I participated. This is because many people think that success is objective and quantifiable where effort is subjective. But I beg to differ, and thankfully I surrounded myself with friends and family who knew that I always worked hard.
If you had watched me back in high school running the race--seen my eyes, heard me gasping for breaths and could count my heartbeats--that you would have seen that my effort was equal to some of the fastest runners. I believe that I was a success, just by a different definition.
1. Blogging and Boundaries
Sometimes I struggle with determining what is an appropriate amount to share--both in the blog/internet world and in my personal life. I am pretty much an open book, but of course there are times when sharing is not helpful or needed. I am learning these boundaries--and I'm sure I will need to reevaluate when Freyja gets older.
I read a blog recently where the mother was trying to figure out what is ok to have on the Internet, because she doesn't want to embarrass her children when they are older. While I think that is defeinitely something of which to be aware, I also know that if a bully is going to tease a kid, they will find a way with or without the Internet. I will be mindful of what I choose to post, but I am not going to be paranoid. I was teased in middle school before the Facebook era. I'm friends with my grandmas on Facebook and have nothing to be ashamed of, so I know that I can use the same discretion when posting about Freyja. I may have some silly pictures of her with her face covered in avocado, but if some kid teases her for that, they are reallllly stretching. I think Freyja will have thick enough skin to handle that, if she is anything like her parents.
2. "Mom friends"
Right now it's been nice having other "mom friends" with children around Freyja's age, and I enjoy hearing what things they are doing. Since Freyja isn't able to speak up and nothing can embarrass her yet, I am not currently worried about protecting her feelings.
When I went for walks with other moms on maternity leave, I mentioned that I knew that all kids have different interests and strengths, and it certainly wasn't a competition. Most of all, I like hearing about what other kids are doing because:
a) if the child is doing something similar to Freyja, it helps me feel normal (like when I can't get any cleaning done because Freyja is crawling from one thing to another and putting any little thing she finds on the floor in her mouth).
b) if the child is doing something different, I know what things might be coming and can "prepare" (not that you can ever really prepare!). For example, we thought about what needed baby proofing before Freyja could crawl.
When I was in high school and college, I would get uncomfortable when I would hear my mom bragging about me--like any normal mother--especially in regards to grades. Once in college I told her I didn't want to share my grades with her, and when she kept asking I told her I got Fs. She didn't believe me, but that's besides the point. It made me slightly uncomfortable with my educational "successes" being praised, when for some people they worked just as hard--if not harder than me--at schoolwork and didn't get the same grades I did. She didn't go out of her way to brag, she just was a normal, proud mother; I just didn't feel that she needed to share my "success" with others. Other kids asked me my grades, and I shied away from answering this. I worked just as hard at school as I did in the sports I played, but never had the same results. School was important to me and I wanted to do well, but I didn't want any recognition like sports players get at an assembly. Which leads into my next topic...
3. Success
Growing up I was never the fastest, nor was I the smartest--and I was ok with that. I felt comfortable. I knew that if I studied, I would pass the test and likely get an A or B in the class. I put in effort, and my efforts were rewarded by societal standards.
In track/field and cross country running and skiing, I knew I wouldn't be fast but I would finish the race. Would it have been nice to finish in the middle of the pack at least? Sure. But when the timid girl next to me looked unneasy and said she was worried about being last, I could put her at ease by assuring her that I would likely be last and that it was ok. I can't count the number of girls who I talked to who were so afraid of failing. I worked hard--I didn't try to be last, or not give it my all--but I was ok knowing that my best was just not very fast.
I have a bone to pick with whoever coined the phrase if you try hard enough, you will succeed. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case...and that is okay. Effort, intention, and motivation are more important to me than success.
No matter how hard I try at certain things, I will not always succeed according to society's definition of success. While I am ok with this, I have met many people that have had a hard time with this. For example, the girls I mentioned above who were scared to finish last. According to the concept mentioned above, finishing last would mean they didn't try hard enough and thus didn't succeed.
I loved sports growing up, but I had a hard time with the coaches who lived by this motto. They truly believed that the "slow ones" were not working as hard. I didn't want the coaches to be easy on me, but rather meet me where I was at and know when I was pushing myself even if the time I got might not have looked like it.
An example from the NFL is the well known Randy Moss. He was fast, but admitted that he didn't have to work too hard. When he did put in effort, it showed...but his effort was inconsistent. He ended up being a detriment to each team he played for because he wasn't reliable.
I may not have been fast, but I was consistent. I showed up to each practice and game or meet. I worked hard and treated my teammates with respect. To many, I would not be considered a success in any sport in which I participated. This is because many people think that success is objective and quantifiable where effort is subjective. But I beg to differ, and thankfully I surrounded myself with friends and family who knew that I always worked hard.
If you had watched me back in high school running the race--seen my eyes, heard me gasping for breaths and could count my heartbeats--that you would have seen that my effort was equal to some of the fastest runners. I believe that I was a success, just by a different definition.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
9 months old
Freyja turned 9 months old on May 15.
1. Crawling
Just shy of 9 months--on May 11--Freyja crawled for the first time. I was coming home from picking up some food, the garage door startled her and she cried & crawled a few feet to Nick. I didn't witness it firsthand, but Nick captured it on video. While I may not have experienced her first crawl, I was there the first time she crawled without crying.
I'm being slightly facitious. I know I won't be present to witness all her "firsts," and I am ok with that. She is learning and growing, and I'm glad she feels comfortable at times when I'm not around. Good work, Freyja!
Now that she can crawl, she can really explore! It's fun to see what she is interested in. It also necessitated baby proofing. I may not always have motivation to clean, but when it involves Freyja's safety, keeping things picked up is a must--especially choking hazards. I'm not paranoid, but I also know that things can happen quickly. We don't leave her alone in a room. If we forgot to "baby proof" something, Freyja lets us know. For example, she found an old toothbrush used a while ago to clean the shower, and just about put it in her mouth. Yuck!
2. Eating
Freyja continues to try new foods. I think it was in early April that she developed the "pincer grasp." With this she can pick up little pieces of food...or little items on the floor (hence the safety aspect mentioned above). She gets about half of the attempted food in her mouth-- cheerios, puffs, or small, soft pieces of food. Last month she LOVED eating. While she still very much enjoys it, she is into moving around even more. She doesn't want to sit still as long and eat. We often give her some pureed food as well still, but are transitioning to the finger foods. The foods she enjoyed recently include potatoes (sweet potato & Russet), avocado (although it's slippery to pick up!), bread, and pork & beef roast. We had a beef roast at Nick's mom's house for his birthday and she had the roast, potatoes, and small bites of cooked carrots. Yum! Who doesn't like grandma's cooking, am I right? That night she also had her first bite of vanilla ice cream. It was a hit, especially since she was teething. At Freyja's 9-month appointment, she was in the 50th percentile for weight, 33rd percentile for length, and 42nd percentile for head circumference. Her pediatrician was impressed with her growth.
3. Teething
Freyja's front two bottom teeth started coming in on May 23, two days after her 9-month check-up. Things that helped us get through the worst of the teething: infant ibuprofen, teething toys & cool foods, and her pacifier. Also some cuddling/swaddling/rocking her to sleep for longer than a normal evening.
4. Sleeping
Before Freyja, sleep was pretty consistent for me. I liked my 8-9 hours of sleep, and except for when I was pregnant, I didn't often get up in the middle of the night. That all changed when I had Freyja. A good night's sleep is now a luxury, not an expectation.
Freyja's sleep schedule and patterns change all the time, but I have noticed some consistencies. For example, I can't remember the last time she fell asleep before 8 pm. Her bedtime in the past two weeks continues to be between 8:30 and 9:30 pm and she wakes up between 6:30 and 7:15am. She continues to take 2-3 naps per day, sometimes a good 1-2 hour nap, but often some shorter cat naps as well. I let her sleep with a blanket and her pacifier. She has always been a back or side sleeper up until this past month--now she sometimes sleeps on her belly with her butt up in the air. It's pretty darn cute! We still put her on her back to sleep, but if she puts herself on her stomach we don't wake her up or move her back.
5. Playing
Freyja is very social and seems to enjoy being around people. She does get overstimulated after about 30-60 minutes at a store/mall, and then enjoys being carried (in my arms or in the Boba carrier). In the highchair, sometimes she tolerates being in it for up to a half hour (like at recent birthday parties with lots of people).
She likes mimicking and learning new things, including:
-waving hi and bye (she does this with her whole arm, just her hand, and sometimes just a few fingers moving against her palm...hard to explain, but pretty cute).
-clicking her tongue
-saying new sounds, but her favorite is still "da da". We recently heard her say "ba"
-signing "all done," "more," "milk."
-Lifting her arms up "How big is Freyja?"
-Laughing with peakaboo, rasberries
-She enjoys kisses and hugs but doesn't cuddle much unless she is tired & being held/rocked in my arms
-She still loves playing on the toy piano, splashing in the bath, hitting toys against each other & on the floor.
-In the past month, she moved beyond the game of dropping things to actually throwing them (not out of anger--just being playful and testing out her arm. It's impressive!)
Well, while it looks like a long update, I'm sure I am missing something. Time goes by so fast and I want to remember it all :) It's good that I take pictures and video too.
I look forward to many more "firsts" to come and continuing to watch Freyja grow. I love her so much & feel blessed to be her mama!
Emily
P.s: Pictures to come...
1. Crawling
Just shy of 9 months--on May 11--Freyja crawled for the first time. I was coming home from picking up some food, the garage door startled her and she cried & crawled a few feet to Nick. I didn't witness it firsthand, but Nick captured it on video. While I may not have experienced her first crawl, I was there the first time she crawled without crying.
I'm being slightly facitious. I know I won't be present to witness all her "firsts," and I am ok with that. She is learning and growing, and I'm glad she feels comfortable at times when I'm not around. Good work, Freyja!
Now that she can crawl, she can really explore! It's fun to see what she is interested in. It also necessitated baby proofing. I may not always have motivation to clean, but when it involves Freyja's safety, keeping things picked up is a must--especially choking hazards. I'm not paranoid, but I also know that things can happen quickly. We don't leave her alone in a room. If we forgot to "baby proof" something, Freyja lets us know. For example, she found an old toothbrush used a while ago to clean the shower, and just about put it in her mouth. Yuck!
2. Eating
Freyja continues to try new foods. I think it was in early April that she developed the "pincer grasp." With this she can pick up little pieces of food...or little items on the floor (hence the safety aspect mentioned above). She gets about half of the attempted food in her mouth-- cheerios, puffs, or small, soft pieces of food. Last month she LOVED eating. While she still very much enjoys it, she is into moving around even more. She doesn't want to sit still as long and eat. We often give her some pureed food as well still, but are transitioning to the finger foods. The foods she enjoyed recently include potatoes (sweet potato & Russet), avocado (although it's slippery to pick up!), bread, and pork & beef roast. We had a beef roast at Nick's mom's house for his birthday and she had the roast, potatoes, and small bites of cooked carrots. Yum! Who doesn't like grandma's cooking, am I right? That night she also had her first bite of vanilla ice cream. It was a hit, especially since she was teething. At Freyja's 9-month appointment, she was in the 50th percentile for weight, 33rd percentile for length, and 42nd percentile for head circumference. Her pediatrician was impressed with her growth.
3. Teething
Freyja's front two bottom teeth started coming in on May 23, two days after her 9-month check-up. Things that helped us get through the worst of the teething: infant ibuprofen, teething toys & cool foods, and her pacifier. Also some cuddling/swaddling/rocking her to sleep for longer than a normal evening.
4. Sleeping
Before Freyja, sleep was pretty consistent for me. I liked my 8-9 hours of sleep, and except for when I was pregnant, I didn't often get up in the middle of the night. That all changed when I had Freyja. A good night's sleep is now a luxury, not an expectation.
Freyja's sleep schedule and patterns change all the time, but I have noticed some consistencies. For example, I can't remember the last time she fell asleep before 8 pm. Her bedtime in the past two weeks continues to be between 8:30 and 9:30 pm and she wakes up between 6:30 and 7:15am. She continues to take 2-3 naps per day, sometimes a good 1-2 hour nap, but often some shorter cat naps as well. I let her sleep with a blanket and her pacifier. She has always been a back or side sleeper up until this past month--now she sometimes sleeps on her belly with her butt up in the air. It's pretty darn cute! We still put her on her back to sleep, but if she puts herself on her stomach we don't wake her up or move her back.
5. Playing
Freyja is very social and seems to enjoy being around people. She does get overstimulated after about 30-60 minutes at a store/mall, and then enjoys being carried (in my arms or in the Boba carrier). In the highchair, sometimes she tolerates being in it for up to a half hour (like at recent birthday parties with lots of people).
She likes mimicking and learning new things, including:
-waving hi and bye (she does this with her whole arm, just her hand, and sometimes just a few fingers moving against her palm...hard to explain, but pretty cute).
-clicking her tongue
-saying new sounds, but her favorite is still "da da". We recently heard her say "ba"
-signing "all done," "more," "milk."
-Lifting her arms up "How big is Freyja?"
-Laughing with peakaboo, rasberries
-She enjoys kisses and hugs but doesn't cuddle much unless she is tired & being held/rocked in my arms
-She still loves playing on the toy piano, splashing in the bath, hitting toys against each other & on the floor.
-In the past month, she moved beyond the game of dropping things to actually throwing them (not out of anger--just being playful and testing out her arm. It's impressive!)
Well, while it looks like a long update, I'm sure I am missing something. Time goes by so fast and I want to remember it all :) It's good that I take pictures and video too.
I look forward to many more "firsts" to come and continuing to watch Freyja grow. I love her so much & feel blessed to be her mama!
Emily
P.s: Pictures to come...
Thursday, May 16, 2013
8 months old, part 2 (in pictures, mostly!)
I had an entire post that just got deleted...I'm very bummed. I was trying to insert pictures and I hit "undo" and went back too many times and couldn't redo it.
So, I will be posting multiple "mini posts" of mostly pictures. Since I lost all that I wrote, I am including more pictures than I normally would.
A few things about Freyja:
She has been scooting backward and just started crawling forward on May 11 (few days shy of 9 months old). She is pretty quick and has become more confident in just a few days! She was hesitant for a while and often face planted or ended up on her belly--or with her legs flailing but not propelling her forward--but now she is less frustrated and can explore the world in a whole new way!
Here goes:
APRIL 23
Nick & my 2 year wedding anniversary. We woke up to the sight of a whole lot of snow!
APRIL 26
Freyja and I enjoyed a "picnic" on the deck with our new patio furniture. We had a nice time!
So, I will be posting multiple "mini posts" of mostly pictures. Since I lost all that I wrote, I am including more pictures than I normally would.
A few things about Freyja:
She has been scooting backward and just started crawling forward on May 11 (few days shy of 9 months old). She is pretty quick and has become more confident in just a few days! She was hesitant for a while and often face planted or ended up on her belly--or with her legs flailing but not propelling her forward--but now she is less frustrated and can explore the world in a whole new way!
Here goes:
APRIL 23
Nick & my 2 year wedding anniversary. We woke up to the sight of a whole lot of snow!
APRIL 26
Freyja and I enjoyed a "picnic" on the deck with our new patio furniture. We had a nice time!
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| I love her smile! |
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| Gasthof is ready to clean up any dropped food... |
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| 2 spoons...which to use? |
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| "I want food!" |
APRIL 27-- Freyja loves her daddy! She is close to being on the move. She loves to smile, clap, stick out her tongue, and say things like "da da da, ma ma ma" and she puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. Even socks.
(I try to keep the socks away, but she is sneaky!)
MAY 5
Enjoying our new patio furniture, part 3! A nice birthday gift for Nick and me from our parents :)
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Freyja taking a break from helping me with the grocery list
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| She loves sticking out her tongue! |
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| She doesn't like to just sit still. She wants to stand like a big girl! |
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| The tongue again! Silly girl :) |
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| "All right daddy, let's go!" |
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| Relaxing...beer, sunshine, and family. Doesn't get much better.
You may have noticed already, but Freyja loves to eat!
 MAY 7 Freyja's daycare was closed for a staff development day, so I took the day off from work to hang out with Freyja. It was nice to have a whole day with her during the week!
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| Ready to go to the zoo! |
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| Grandma took this picture before she left! |
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| Her first time in the "big girl" stroller (previously we used this stroller, but with the car seat attachment. |
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| Pretty blue eyes she inherited from papa! |
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| Freyja's first trip to the Como Zoo. The stroller worked as a stand-in high chair! |
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| It looks like she is sleeping--but she wasn't. I just caught her looking down & blinking. There was so much to see that she didn't nap the whole trip until the car ride on the way home. |
MAY 11
Freyja has gotten more interested in Gasthof in the past month or two and tries to "talk" to him to get his attention. She will try to pet him, and he responds by giving her a bunch of licks. He is aware of her and doesn't seem to mind that she plays on the floor too. He is very sweet with her.
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| Getting close to crawling |
MAY 11
Freyja and her piano
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| She is proud of the music she makes |
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| She loves being able to hold on and stand up on her own! |
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| Jam session |
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| Such a sweet daughter! |
MAY 11 PART 2
In the afternoon we hung out with Katherine & Andy and their 1-year old daughter Sophie. It was a cool but sunny day, but we all enjoyed a walk to the park! Katherine and I have known each other since we were 3 years old--we lived on the same block and went to preschool through 8th grade together. It has been fun to see the changes over the years and I am so happy for the wonderful blessings she has in her life!
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| Double slide! |
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| Swing time! |
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| Sophie and Freyja making music together |
May 11 Part 3
Another nice evening on our deck.
MAY 12--MOTHER'S DAY
Nick took care of Freyja in the morning and I got to sleep in! We then went over to my parent's house to get together with my mom's side of the family, including my grandma!
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| Mother's day. I love her smile! |
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| May 12, 2013 (Mother's day) four generations. From left to right: my mom, Deb my grandma, Marilyn me Freyja |
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| September 9. 2012 (3 1/2 weeks old) for comparison of four generation photo on Mother's Day |
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