New Tooth!

Abigail has a new tooth that popped out today! It's her upper front right tooth. We're wondering if this is part of the reason she's been cranky/extra feverish lately. I know that she had a fever because of the strep (she's feeling better, but not "normal" yet), and my doctor says that babies do not get fevers with teeth (although she did when the other two popped out, too...so I'm not sure if I entirely believe that), but it's awfully coincidental.

I'm glad to see her new tooth! It's been months (since June) since the last one arrived. The more teeth she gets the less worry I'll have about giving her table food!

Somebody, Call a Doctor!

It's the second week of school and I have been out all week, save Monday. Monday afternoon, my throat was hurting badly, but I went about my day and even went to an after-hour staff development. When I got home, though, I had chills (and yes, a fever), so I took a hot bath and hit the hay. Come Tuesday morning, I could barely speak and was very uncomfortable. It felt like my tonsils were the size and consistency of golf balls, only wrapped with gauze to make it even more miserable. You know where I am going with this: strep throat. It's awful! I literally thought that cutting my throat out (if it were possible to live after such an surgery) would feel better than I felt then. I went to the doctor and he gave me a shot and some meds, and I felt much better Wednesday, back to normal on Thursday.

Why then am I out all week? This is the worst part - my precious pumpkin (Abby) has it, too! She went to the doctor and Wednesday to get it confirmed, and I think I will take her back today because she still has a fever. Last night it was still 102, and that worries me. She's so sweet when she's sick, because all she wants to do is cuddle, but I can tell she is so miserable. Plus the fact that I know firsthand the way she feels makes it ten times worse for me. Poor baby! This is only the second time she's been sick, but I really don't like it.

I just hope Robby doesn't get it, too!

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

She finally got it! She finally learned how to tip back her sippy cup!

She can drink by herself!

Reading with Daddy.

Happy girl. :)

First spaghetti dinner tonight!

Yum Yum!

Abigail is 9 months old!

Our little princess is 9 months old today! She went for her well check yesterday - Robby took her since I had to work, but they did quite well. I sent a list of questions with him to make sure that the time was used wisely. No shots this round, so he was lucky with an easy visit!

Abigail is 28.3" long (90%), 19.14 lbs. (75%) and her head circumference is 18.75" (>97% still). Her pediatrician wasn't concerned with her head circumference since her 6 month CT scan came back normal - whew! We got the okay to switch from regular Similac Advance formula to Similac Go & Grow, which is specially formulated for babies 9 months+ to get ready for the switch to whole milk at one year old. The good news is that the Go & Grow is $4 per can cheaper! Yay! Also, we're supposed to let her eat more table foods and drink from a cup more. At one year old no more bottle and no more baby food! I don't know how we're going to make it, but we'll try.

She wears 6-12 month or 12 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and size 3 shoes. She has 2 teeth in and 3 more on the way. They're so close that I check every day to see if they have popped out yet. She has outgrown her love of the jumperoo for a more challenging sport - crawling! She can get around quite well for only having been at it for a little more than a week. Also, she can pull up on just about anything and is trying to climb up everything. As soon as she learns how to get her knees up, I know that we'll find her on top of who knows what. Sometimes if she pulls up she will cruise along the side - like down the couch or the side of her crib, for example. No telling where she will go!

She can clap and wave and when she has a toy in each hand she can bang the toys together. She can open and close things (like a laptop), turn the pages in a book (she LOVES reading!) and turn light switches on and off. Oh my goodness if I walk out of the bathroom without letting her turn off the light.

She's pretty good at feeding herself finger foods and has gotten the pincer grasp down. She can pick up cheerios almost as well as I can! At day care she has made friends and the teacher calls her a social butterfly. (Okay, so I added the butterfly part. The teacher just called her very friendly and social.) The teacher has commented on how much she talks compared to the others (her pediatrician also said that she is advanced on the jibbering and talking, too!). We know she talks a lot, but we think it's normal. It's abnormal when she's quiet - that is for sure!

Speaking of expressing herself, she is very vocal about letting anyone within earshot know what she wants. She has no problem screaming (screeching? squawking?) when she wants something - especially when it is food. At least she's outgrown the crying for food tantrums she had when she was younger. Those were unbearable! She can say Mama, Dada, Hi, Dog and has imitated Papa and Jojo (my parents' dog's name). She can tell the difference between Mama and Dada and if she says Dada she wants DADA - no exceptions. Also, if you say something, like "Say, 'Thank you,'" her vocal inflections mimic the tone I use. It's really fun when I tell her 'I love you' and her voice sounds like it, even if the words aren't there yet. I get excited when I hear it!

She "inch worm" crawls. Down and up and down and up and down until she gets to where she needs to go.

Up.

Down.

Up again. She really enjoys hunting down and chasing Chance - no matter where he is! He is her entertainment!

She got him!

Abigail's attitude!

First Masterpieces

Today was Abigail's second full day of day care. When I picked her up, I had quite a surprise - her first finger painting! I never knew how touched I could/would be by a piece of paper with a blob of blue paint on it, but it really touched me! I wish I had a scanner so I could post it on here...

Finger painting wasn't the only masterpiece she created; she also brush and sponge painted. Her sponges were stars, and she was the only baby in her class who didn't smear the sponge. They were perfect little stars! I was so proud!

Forward, March!

Whoo! Abigail finally mastered going forward! Last Thursday, July 30, she finally started going forward when crawling; previously she would push with her hands and propel herself backwards. This weekend, with a little bribery from juice boxes and Puffs, she learned how to consistently walk forward when in her walker. Up until now she would "back up" her walker by looking over her shoulder to "drive." So cute, but I'm glad she got the hang of forward motion!

Concentrating on backwards walking. The cutest face I have ever seen!

Uh - oh. She caught me.

Bowling Birthday Bash

Today is my cousin Colby's 6th birthday! He and I have always been close - in fact, I think that he followed me around more closely than Robby on my wedding day! Right after the ceremony he stuck to me like glue and is in several of the pictures. Naturally, he adores Abigail. Abigail was invited to his birthday party, so of course we went. :)

We drove to Tyler last night, and even though we got here a little before 10 pm, my mom and dad's house was buzzing with guests! Abigail received plenty of attention. We were a little worried at how she'd react since it was late for her and she was sleeping in the car. Most of the time, when we first get to Tyler, she is a little "grump-a-moose" (as Robby calls her). I guess her 'diva' side took over, because she was perfectly pleasant getting all that attention.

Colby was so precious when he saw Abby; he had to be the first one to hold her - other than Nani and Papa, of course - and he was very protective when others wanted a turn. ("Watch her head, guys." "Be careful with her. She's just a baby." "Don't let her fall over!") He was also very proud of her when he found out she could sit up. He is so gentle and loving with her. I know that they'll be good friends!

This morning was Colby's birthday party at the bowling alley. Good times!

His Bowling Face


Perfect Form

Nani helped Abby pick out her ball.

Ready to bowl!

"Bowling" The ball would roll down that little cutout and we'd roll it back to her to push again. She loved it!

More attention.

She loves to party! Her favorite thing was to watch all the other children. She was fascinated!

The Birthday Boy with one of his favorite gifts - a real turtle! Happy Birthday, Colby!