10 Months, That was Quick - Baltimore, MD - March 2011

Okay, so maybe it's that February was so short, but it feels like there has been no time since this month and last, but alas, our baby girl is already 10 months.

Monkey Brand New

Monkey 1 Month

Monkey 2 Months

Monkey 3 Months

Monkey 4 Months

Monkey 5 Months

***6 month picture MIA***

Monkey 7 Months

Monkey 8 Months

Monkey 9 Months

Monkey 10 Months

Here are her new stats:

Weight: 16 lbs (5th %)

Length: 26 1/2 inches (25th %)

Head Circumference: 42 centimeters (5th %)

She has 6 Teeth and the whole house is feeling it! We've taken a step back in the sleeping department. She is much more aware of the world around her these days, and we think that that combined with significant developmental milestones are the contributing factors to the fact that our sweet little girl has stopped sleeping through the night. We thought a couple of nights ago that we were on the road to recovery, but after last night, I'm not so sure.

She is pretty much moble through a combination of rolling, butt scooting, backwards crawling, and laying on her back and scooting which is her preferred method as it's the fastest, but it's my least favorite because she's now bald again on the back of her head... So SAD! She pulls up to standing and thinks she's big stuff when she does it. She growls and grunts with excitement and of course we cheer like she's won a 5K or something which only makes her more excited. She's also at a point where she enjoys playing for long stretches on her own which is nice for me with respect to keeping the house clean and laundry folded.

Swim class is going really well and we've signed up for the next session which will carry us pretty much all the way to when our pool opens for the summer. She loves to watch other kids and lately she's been a lot more interactive with them. Splashing in the pool with other babies, as well as sharing toys at play group.

Eating has gotten to be a lot more pleasant of a time at our house. Her diet is expanding and her apatite is getting bigger. She still has her favorites like yogurt and fruits, but with the addition of cheerios she's become much more open to eating a bite of something she's not too crazy about if there's a Cheerio close behind it. Also she's starting to partake in our big Sunday morning breakfast. She LOVES French toast and pancakes!

She is a joy to be around and her little personality is growing by leaps and bounds. It's amazing to me that in less than 2 months she will be a year old. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. but ready or not, here it comes!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Swimming - Baltimore, MD - March 2011

The Monkey's swim classes are going great but much to my disappointment, I hadn't been able to capture it via camera to share it because aside from hiring a full time photographer to follow us, which believe me has crossed my mind because she's so stinking cute and does the cutest stinking stuff ALL THE TIME! I couldn't figure out how I could wield a camera and also participate in the class.

This week, our sweet friend Katie came to snap a few pics of El and I during the class. I knew she was a talented photographer, but I continue to be impressed with her madd picture taking skills.

Although they were all SO good, here are a few of my favorites...

Thanks Katie! Hope I get to return the favor someday!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

9 Months - Baltimore, MD - February 2011

NOTE TO READER: It is getting more and more difficult to take this little lady's monthly picture!

"Mom stop taking my picture!"

"No for real, I'm not looking at the camera anymore!"

"If I could just crawl..."

"I'm out of here!"

"...oooh this blanket is soft..."

"Wait... What was I doing?"

I can't believe our little girl is already 9 months old.

Monkey Brand New

Monkey 1 Month

Monkey 2 Months

Monkey 3 Months

Monkey 4 Months

Monkey 5 Months

***6 month picture MIA***

Monkey 7 Months

Monkey 8 Months

Monkey 9 Months

Here are her new stats:

Weight: 15lbs 3 ozs (3rd %)

Length: 26 1/2 inches (23rd %)

Head Circumference: 42 centimeters (2nd %)

Her advances this month are more mental rather than motor skills although she's becoming increasingly more confident in her strength with regard to standing and moving around on her belly. Still not crawling, but she is doing this really funny butt scooting that makes us think that she just might skip crawling all together. She has 5 teeth and it looks like the next one or two are going to arrive any day now.

She's starting to develop a bit of stranger anxiety when we go places like play group, but once we've been there a little while she warms up and is a little more social. She has also started crying when you leave her room at night. She only cries for a little while before she falls asleep, but it still breaks my heart.

She's starting to grasp object permanence and cause and effect which is really fun. If she drops a cherio rather than just picking up the next one on her tray, she actually looks for the one she dropped. She also has figured out that she can use objects as tools. For example if she can't reach something she'll pick up a book or toy in order to move what she wants within reach. She's a pretty smart cookie!

She is truly a gift from God and we continue to me amazed at how our love for her grows each day.

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Three Years! - Baltimore, MD - February 2011

Wow, I just realized that 3 years ago, after eating at Salt Grass Steak House, I posted my very first blog entry from a hotel room in Dallas, TX. And now, 162 posts later, it's really cool to look back and see the journey. The most I have ever posted in a month is 10 times and that happened twice, first in October 2008 and then again two months later in December 2008. The Longest I've gone without blogging in the last three years was 35 days, between November 20, 2009 "Most Girls Dream" to December 26, 2009 "So Much to Say".

I've seen a lot of bloggers come and go and sometimes I thought I might be one of them, but here I am. And although my content has changed a bit, I'm still here. There have also been a few fans that have faithfully followed my blog since the beginning and to you guys I say THANK YOU! Your comments have been AWESOME!

Just for fun, here are some of my favorite posts:

Something You Should Never Do In Public… EVER!!!

Catalytic Converters… Who knew!!!???,

it's sequel, Catalytic Converters... Who knew!!!??? - Supplement,

All the Hub Stories,

And looking back at my pregnancy is also fun.

I truly hope you've had as much fun reading as I have had writing, Here's to the next 3!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Swim classes Start Monday - Baltimore, MD - February 2010

This Monday our little Monkey starts swim classes!!! For the last several months, a good friend of ours has been raving about the "Get Wet" swim classes, which are part of the Michael Phelps Swim School here in Baltimore. So with summer approaching and having just received another 6 inches of snow, we're taking matters into our own hands and jump starting our summer a few months early.

Here's a little video of the musically geared program for kids 6 months - 3 years old.

Swim suit...

CHECK!

We're SUPER excited!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage

The Common Cold - Baltimore, MD - February 2011

About the middle of last week The Hub started showing signs of this rascal.

On Sunday he so lovingly passed it along to me. Then yesterday our little Monkey caught this...

Look a Little Closer...

Closer...

Yep Her first Temperature, runny nose, watery eyes, only wants to snuggle with mommy, "common cold".

(Visual aides are courtesy of Giant Microbial.com and Aunt Lo)

This looks to be a 3 or 4 day bug, so hopefully she'll be feeling better in a couple of days. In the mean time I'm enjoying this cuddle bug and her "common cold".

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Our LOVE DAY FEAST - Baltimore, MD - February 2011

Are you noticing a trend? Most of the important events in our lives are surrounded by food and when you think about it, really, is there any other way!? LOVE DAY is no exception!

After a disastrous Valentine's Day dinner about 4 years ago at a swanky restaurant in Memphis, we decided that there had to be a better way to celebrate "LOVE DAY". That night, on the way home from said disastrous dinner, we agreed that in the future we'd buy stakes, fancy salad fixings, and what ever else struck our fancy, and we'd celebrate at home in our p.js.

This year we had fillets

Corn on the cob

mashed potatoes

and yummy salad.

We had Fresh strawberries, bananas, and pineapple with fondue chocolate for dessert, but after stuffing ourselves on dinner, surprise of all surprises, there was no room for dessert.

Next year maybe we should start with dessert! Mmmmmmmmmmm!Another Love Day tradition is that The Hub makes my Valentine's Day Card.

Last year's card... (yep those are pink post-Its)

This year's card...

I think next year I may decorate.

Thanks to The Hub for another GREAT LOVE DAY!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!