8 months

Lucy is 8 months old!  I can hardly believe it.  Her babyhood (if that is a word) has passed so much quicker than Emma's.  She is the happiest baby, and plays so well alone (unfortunately she has to sometimes).  Still no teeth, but I think she might be working on one.  We started introducing solids around 6 months, so there's a few she can eat...pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, prunes, squash, butternut squash, avocado...and the sweet potato flavored puffs.  We started apples this week, and I think will do green beans next.  She likes to eat, but her appetite isn't what it used to be.  Her weight gain has really slowed down...she's been in 9 month clothing for probably 2 months now, although I think we'll be moving up to 12 month soon.  We've finally gotten her out of the swaddle...last night was the first night we had tried it.  She needed her pacifier to go to sleep but slept all night.  For some reason she immediately rolls onto her belly, and then gets upset as if she can't roll back over.  But she can.  And she will always sleep on her stomach now anyway, so I don't know why she gets so upset.  She goes to bed around 7:15 and gets her medicine at 7am, then gets up at 7:30.  She's almost always already awake by 7...both of my girls are going to be early risers apparently.  She takes two naps a day, from 9:45-11:45 and 2-4.  Usually one nap is great and the other is only ok.  She's still on Prevacid, but we're hoping to start trying over the counter in another month or so to save us some money.  Her reflux seems to be really well controlled right now, and the spitting up has almost stopped completely.  Woohoo!  I can't believe how suddenly she improved, but I'm so glad.  Lucy sits up all the time now, but still falls over after a while.  She would much rather be standing and thinks it's so funny to try to walk holding our hands.  She can't stand alone and doesn't really try to pull up yet, but loves to have us help her stand.  We finally got her in a pool for the first time this past weekend.  She got in the big pool and also in our small inflatable pool.  She seemed to like it, but I hate keeping her outside too long in the heat.

I am still having a hard time believing she is so close to turning one already.  She has been so much fun, and her and Emma love each other so much.  Nick and I have been really surprised at how well they get along and play with each other.  She has added so much joy to our family.

8 Months!

Yesterday i posted some pictures to compare lucy and Emma.  Today I want to post lucy's month by month pictures.  I've tried to take a picture of Lucy each month on the 18th, give or take a few days (oops).

Lucy's 1st picture

November 2011

December 2011

January 2012

February 2012

March 2012

April 2012

May 2012

2 kids and no free time

I guess it's been a little while since I've blogged.  Two kids keep me pretty busy!  I've been wanting to post some comparison pictures, because Nick and I think the girls look exactly alike, especially as Lucy gets older.

Emma - May 20, 2009

Lucy - October 18, 2011

Emma - 1 month

Lucy - 1 month

Lucy - 2 months

Emma - 2 months

Lucy - 3 months

Emma - 3 months

Emma - 4 months

Lucy - 4 months

Emma - 5 months

Lucy - 5 months

Emma - 6 months

Lucy - 6 months

Emma - 7 months

Lucy - 7 months

Lucy - 8 months

Emma - 8 months

Lucy Goosey

Dear Lucy,

You will be 3 months old this Wednesday.  I don't quite know how to explain these past 3 months...they seem at times to drag by (sorry but that's just the truth).  Before I know it, we'll be celebrating your 1st birthday but honestly right now, that seems like such a long time away.  9 more months.  I have discovered that I am not a newborn person.  I hate that, but it's just how it is.  Would it be different if my babies didn't have reflux?  Maybe, but I guess I won't know.  Do I feel guilty always complaining about your reflux?  Absolutely!  You are alive and beautiful and healthy for the most part, and your reflux is not life threatening.  And we know you will outgrow this.  So do I have the right to complain and grumble?  Not really.  But that doesn't stop me, and I'm sorry about that.  But just so you know, it does seem to be in your genes so good luck with your future children.

What else is going on with you right now?  Well, you do not sleep well and yet you love to sleep.  If we're out anywhere near your nap or bed time, you are not happy.  You like your room and you like your schedule.  I am so thankful for that.  Your dad and I are toying with the idea of taking away your pacifier, because we are exhausted from constantly going in your room to put it back in your mouth.  I hate it for you, because I know it helps you feel better.  But we have got to get some sleep soon!  It might be too early, but we'll see.  We started today and you're asleep right now...fingers crossed.  The 45 minute intruder has definitely reared its head.  I'm unsure if it's a sleep problem or just the paci...I'm fairly confident it's not a hunger issue.  This past week you went back to waking up several times at night again too.  But then last night you slept until 5:30am, which we can totally handle.  Please though, start sleeping better soon!

You (usually, please don't let this jinx it) have finally started to be happier during the day.  After feedings, I can hold you for a few minutes (you used to scream if we did anything with you), or I can put you down to play and you're content.  You have such a sweet, contented temperament when you feel well.  You love the play gym that's in your pack & play...you can kick the piano keys and bat at the toys and watch your mobile (sounds a little overstimulating now that I think about it).  You also love your bouncy seat, which you previously HATED.  The swing is still not a favorite, so I think it's about time for it to go.  You also despise your car seat still, but we have a convertible one coming tomorrow, so I'm really optimistic that that will help.  I've also started putting your in your high chair seat at the kitchen table when Emma and I eat lunch, and you will usually sit there quietly watching us.

You are already so enamored by your big sister.  You just stare at her when she's around.  And she is much better with you than we anticipated.  She wants to check on you and kiss you on your head and feet, and especially play with your toys.  She is always coming over to show you something.  She has started playing with her baby to change the dirty diaper or wipe up her spit up or get her to stop crying.  She says you cry a lot.  Fortunately, the crying has diminished significantly in the last month.  Now if you cry (other than during naps or the night), we know there is something going on.

Unfortunately, because of the reflux I think you might be a bit slow with your physical development like your sister was.  You hate hate hate tummy time, which means you get so upset that you spit up all over yourself and become inconsolable.  So we don't do as much of it as we should.  You also are sitting or laying inclined a lot, so that probably restricts your movement somewhat.  Maybe you'll surprise me and roll over soon or sit up early, but I'm going to try not to worry about it so much this time.

Lucy, for all my complaining and complete exhaustion, we all love you so much.  Your sister was a difficult newborn too, and our life wouldn't be complete without her.  Your dad and I say that all the time...it was so hard but oh so worth it.  I can only imagine what life will be like when you're a toddler.  I can't wait to see how you and Emma interact and to watch your personality develop.  We're so blessed to know you and to be your parents!