Saturday, April 19, 2014

We've got a crawler!

Over the last few months, Adly has been inching her way towards a crawl. This is an exciting time to witness. She first began with little dives, grabbing at toys and then sitting back up. You know, just workin those abs out.

Then she advanced to sitting up on her own from laying. Let me tell you, the first time you walk into the nursery or check the monitor and see your little one just sitting and happily playing in their crib when you know you left them laying down is kind of a bizarre experience. For some I know it's not so easy, as some babies do not handle this new ability so well. It can be scary being in a new position and not knowing how to get back down. Thankfully our child figured it out on her own and seemed to act from day one like this new sitting thing was no big deal.

After this, Adly began devising creative ways to move about. If anything like a pillow or your body was in her way, she would writhe and wriggle her body until she got to where she wanted to be. Or she'd give it a valiant effort and then whine until she got help from more able humans. 

Then came the fake outs. We had weeks of this. Where she'd dive forward, get on all fours, even rock a little, then sit back up. This usually got her moving in circles or at least inch by inch towards where she wanted to go. Of course, every time she did this, we'd all jump to attention, whip out our cameras, video cameras, iPads, and start recording. Then she'd giggle and sit back up. Such a tease!

Then we got to thinking. If there's one thing this girl loves, it's electronics. That little snake can sniff out a phone, computer, iPad, remote, baby monitor from a mile away. Even hidden under the depths of pillows and blankets, she knows it's there. She will do anything to trick you, fake you out, and use you, just to get to what she's not supposed to have. I can't tell you how many times I've been duped by the "mama let me up, I love you," sweetest look ever as I sit, confined to the couch. I'll pick her up, only to have her thrash and wriggle her way under the blankets or pillows where she knows the goods are hidden. 

So we bribed her into crawling. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. She's just begun to dance (real quick: this baby phenomenon happens out of nowhere and is the cutest thing ever!) and looooves Pharell's "Happy". We placed Adly on the floor and then using a laptop put on the video for "Happy" with all the colorful minions dancing around. Like dangling meat in front of a hungry lion, she wanted it. NOW. Sure enough she dove on all fours ready to go. But first she needed a little dance sesh. Then she was off. It's a little wobbly, a little unsure, and only a few little "crawl" steps. But it's happened. My baby girl is officially on the move!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

9 months.




Adly spent the last month doing all sorts of new things. I know I say it every month, but THIS has been my favorite so far.

-She learned to clap. She claps for just about anything that excites her, but NOTHING excites her more than a ba-ba coming. 

-She giggles. A lot. And those giggles immediately make me and anyone else who's around giggle too. There truly is nothing better than infant giggles. 

-She is JUST about to crawl. She leaps, she lunges, she dives...and then she sits back up. But on the day of her 9 month birthday we got the teeniest version of a crawl. Maybe this month?

-Her first tooth came through this month on the lower-right side. The tooth right next to it is working its way in. So far, teething isn't too bad. Fingers crossed. 

-She is seriously the happiest baby I know. She loves to give kisses and is just generally happy. I never could've imagined such a thing 7 months ago!

-There is something amazing that happens as their personality begins to show and they become this little person. She knows when she's being a stinker and she seems to understand more of what we're talking to her about. She's slowly beginning to "communicate" through babble, showing us things, waving "bye-bye", and holding her arms out for hugs or a little "sooooo big!"

-I just want to freeze time and enjoy every little second of her right now. I guess there is an upside to being stuck on the couch all day next to my favorite person in the world!



Saturday, April 5, 2014

Recovery Snuggles

You know how they say cats, dogs and other animals just seem to have a sixth sense as to when someone is sick or dying? Like when my grandma entered into hospice a few years ago, the workers there told us the tale of the wild turkeys who would gather outside a persons room in droves right before the person would exit this world. Then they showed up for my grandma and soon after, she left us. Morbid, I know...but I've always believed in it. I also now, more than ever, believe that babies have some sort of sixth sense too. Maybe not as morbid of one, but just an idea that something is different or that mom or dad might need some extra loving once in a while.

Adly has always seemed to have a knack for knowing exactly when mama needs just a little more reassurance. An extra push of, "it's ok mommy, you can do it!" Back in January, when my return to work was impending and I was definitely sad about it, Adly took a moment the night before to give me her first slobbery kiss. It was just what I needed from my lovebug before I embarked on the big change.

The night before my knee surgery, I was once again on the verge of tears and so sad as I was putting her to bed for "the last time for the next 6 weeks". As I laid her down on her changing table, she took that moment to be silly and go ballistic; kicking, thrashing, and yelling non-stop like a crazy lady.  So I started imitating her acting like a wild animal. My impression was met with hilarious, gut-busting baby giggles that will melt anyones heart. It was the perfect little push to remind mommy that everything will be a-ok.

Since returning home from the hospital, a certain someone has been perfectly content playing right by my side. The afternoon and evening of the surgery, she spent the entire time snuggled up against me,  calmly sucking her thumb, and playing with her blankie. In the days following, she has been completely happy just playing with her toys next to mama on the couch. Every once in a while she raises her arms up, asking to come up on my lap for a snuggle, and then goes right back to playing next to me. It is the weirdest thing! This is coming from a formerly crazy, on the verge of crawling 8-month-old who rarely sat still. I swear she knows. She knows mama needs the extra comfort. She knows mama shouldn't be home, but she is. She knows something's different, but she wants to let me know, as always, it's OK.

An infants' snuggles seriously have amazing healing powers. I cannot wait until I can once again carry my sweet pea without any fear of my knee giving out or pain. Soon enough....



Best view in the house! 
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