Weekend Happenings

We had no plans for this weekend and it was glorious. The temperature dropped and it actually felt like fall.

I asked Sophia what she wanted to do on Saturday and her response was "Wear my doggy dress and walk across the shark bridge." Done. (I am not sure why she thinks this is a doggy dress...maybe cheetah print looks like dalmation spots to her.)

We have never been to the aquarium on the weekend and we will never go again. Way too crowded and impossible to see anything in the tanks. Sophia did enjoy touching the starfish, horseshoe crabs, and sea anemones. We watched scuba divers and clean tanks and then she got to walk across the shark bridge. I would have gone with her, but everyone who crosses has to be able to walk independently, and they won't let you carry or wear a baby across. Fortunately, Sophia has crossed a few times with Dave and has no fear, so I knew she would be fine on her own.

Stepping off the shark bridge.

The rest of our day was pretty low-key. We baked a gluten free version of smitten kitchen's pumpkin muffins, played in the leaves, and hung out at home.

love this shot by the three year old

Dave was off on Sunday and we crossed some things off of our to-do list. Luckily his football team didn't play until the evening game so plenty of time to get things done. The highlights of the day were when I had a mini vacation at the grocery store without kids and even found time for a nap. Dinner was successful too. After numerous failed attempts, and with assistance from the chef, I finally made a pork loin that did not dry out.

Maybe we will get around to bagging up some of the leaves this week.

Emma Layne {nine months}

Emma Layne,

How is it possible that you are already nine months old (November 6, 2015)! Your little photo shoot was fun this month because you would not be still and insisted on having a prop.

Here are your stats:

Weight: 20lbs 13oz (87th %ile)

Length: 27.75 in (56th %ile)

Head Circumference: 46.25 cm (97th %ile)

You have brown hair and your eyes are more grey than any other color right now.

You are wearing size four diapers and eighteen month clothing.

You nurse on demand about every three hours during the day. You are getting better with a straw cup and get very frustrated with a sippy cup.

You eat two, sometimes three, meals a day. You feed yourself all of your food, but will occasionally permit one of us to help you with a spoon. Your pincer grasp is amazing. I love to watch you eat - your mouth is open as soon as your get a piece of food in your fingers. You eat what we eat and finish just about everything that is put in front of you. You have eaten all of the major allergens without issue, but the majority of your diet is plant based (although you do love pulled pork).

Nighttime sleep is still a challenge. You fall asleep for the night by 8. Some nights you wake every four hours and other nights you last for eight hours. Your Mama misses sleep! You are flexible with your nap times, but sleep best in your bed. On school days you take a two hour morning nap and another two hour nap in the afternoon.

Lots of new fun milestones this month, but we are still waiting for that first tooth to make an appearance. You are crawling all over the place. You are able to get from your belly into a sitting position. When I check on you during nap time I will often find you asleep and folded in half. I think you fall asleep sitting up and then just fall forward. You just started pulling yourself up on things, but you are a little wobbly once you are up. You would much rather stand than sit and often lock your legs when we try to put you down. We are working on your sign language, waving, and clapping, but you haven't mastered any of them yet.

You are still very vocal and love to talk. You have the phrase 'ma ma ma' on repeat. It doesn't mean any one thing yet, but you love to say it. Most often you say it when you are tired or hungry. Your belly laugh is amazing and I could listen to it all day long. You continue to be such a happy baby and love to play shy and sneak smiles when you meet new people.

Sophia is still your biggest fan. She looks for you as soon as she wakes up and loves to play with you (her current favorite game is teacher). Peekaboo is your favorite game and you laugh the hardest when you play with your sister. Since you are mobile and get into toys that are special to her, we are teaching her to trade toys with you. It is so easy for her to make you laugh - she is your favorite form of entertainment.

Baby Sunshine, we can't imagine our lives without you. You are the perfect addition to our little family. We love you right up to the moon and back!

Read about Sophia's ninth month here.

A comparison with Sophia:

Your monthly comparison: