Friday, February 29, 2008
L waves!
not the best video (i actually got it better on my cell phone) but here's video of L waving :)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Good News on the Job Front
Thank you to everyone who was praying for me because the good Lord answered (this is Dave by the way). I just got done talking to, who will be, my new boss. I will be doing data analysis stuff which involves computers and writing some code so I think it will be a good fit... I have been wrong before though. The guy I will be working for seems really good and seems to care about the people that work for him so that is a good thing. The job would go until June and by then I could either be absorbed by the program in another area or we should totally have other things around for me to work on so all seems well. God comes through again... I just wish he would do things with a little more advance timing :)
Monday, February 25, 2008
8 mos. + 1 week... our 8-month-old: Week 2
Today, L's 18.2 lbs (with clothes on). According to the CDC's growth charts, she's a little above the 25th percentile for weight.
Exploring objects
Your baby's now exploring objects by shaking them, banging them, dropping them, and throwing them before falling back on the tried-and-true method of gumming them. The idea that you do something to an object is beginning to emerge (using a comb to tidy her hair), so an activity center with lots of things your baby can bang, poke, twist, squeeze, shake, drop, and open will fascinate her.
Your baby will also be fascinated with toys that have specific functions, such as phones. If she can't hold it up to her ear herself, do it for her and pretend to have a conversation. Over the next few months, she'll start to use objects for their intended purposes — brushing her hair, drinking from a cup, and babbling on her play phone.
Watch for her to start pointing or looking at the correct picture when you name an object — especially if it's something familiar (such as eyes, nose, or mouth) or beloved (like a dog or a rubber ducky).
Also, at this stage, your baby likes to see things fall down, get picked up (by you, of course), and then get thrown down again. She's not trying to drive you mad. She just finds the spectacle interesting and naturally wants to see it again and again.
Exploring objects
Your baby's now exploring objects by shaking them, banging them, dropping them, and throwing them before falling back on the tried-and-true method of gumming them. The idea that you do something to an object is beginning to emerge (using a comb to tidy her hair), so an activity center with lots of things your baby can bang, poke, twist, squeeze, shake, drop, and open will fascinate her.
Your baby will also be fascinated with toys that have specific functions, such as phones. If she can't hold it up to her ear herself, do it for her and pretend to have a conversation. Over the next few months, she'll start to use objects for their intended purposes — brushing her hair, drinking from a cup, and babbling on her play phone.
Watch for her to start pointing or looking at the correct picture when you name an object — especially if it's something familiar (such as eyes, nose, or mouth) or beloved (like a dog or a rubber ducky).
Also, at this stage, your baby likes to see things fall down, get picked up (by you, of course), and then get thrown down again. She's not trying to drive you mad. She just finds the spectacle interesting and naturally wants to see it again and again.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
PRAYER NEEDED...
We have a prayer request! Please pray that Dave gets on a new program and that we find out asap. He's on his current program through February 29th and Ball will cover him on overhead for one week after that. If he doesn't have work by then, Ball will lay him off. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray that God blesses us with Dave's continued employment and that He doesn't wait until the last possible moment...that Dave will find out this week that he will get on a new program. Please pray for our patience and trust in God that He will provide for us. Please pray that God calms our nerves and our worries as we place our lives and livelihood in His hands. Thank you!
Tuesday, February 19th...
Today L & I went to playgroup. We had a nice time but I don't think there's any way that I'll ever host play group. Everyone's kids (except mine and maybe one other) run around (they're mostly between 11 and 24 mos. old) like crazy people and drop crumbs all over this lady's house. I think I'd have a heart attack if they were here!
Anyhow, L's latest thing is sticking out her tongue...so here's a few shots of her from yesterday, wearing Cadence's clothes and Sara's shoes and a doll from auntie aran...
Anyhow, L's latest thing is sticking out her tongue...so here's a few shots of her from yesterday, wearing Cadence's clothes and Sara's shoes and a doll from auntie aran...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Our 8-month-old's development: Week 1
Your baby is starting to grasp what it means when someone leaves his sight, the result of a growing understanding of object permanence. An exciting demonstration of this comes the first time he tries to imitate a goodbye wave by twisting his wrist or flapping his hand. Not all 8-month-olds can wave bye-bye, but it's a fun new feat to anticipate. It takes a certain amount of fine-motor coordination to wave in the style of the Queen (or Mom and Dad).
Crawling
Your baby may be creeping (pushing himself around on his belly), crawling, or moving about by bottom shuffling — scooting around on his posterior using a hand behind him and a foot in front of him to propel himself.
Creeping is your baby's first method of getting around efficiently on his own. Usually, he'll first learn to pull himself with his hands and then get up on his hands and knees. Then he'll figure out how to move forward and backward by pushing off with his knees. (A "combat crawl" is a variation in which one leg is the pusher and the opposite arm the lead puller.)
All of these variations on crawling strengthen the muscles that will soon enable him to walk. Whichever mode of mobility your baby's using, it's fascinating to see how he solves the problem of getting around.
Stand and deliver
Your baby may be able to pull himself up to a standing position while holding on to furniture. In fact, if you stand your baby next to the sofa, he may be able to hold himself up, although he may be hanging on for dear life.
At this stage some parents put their children in baby walkers, but that's not a good idea. Walkers are unsafe: Your baby can use a walker as a stepladder to reach things he couldn't normally get to, such as a hot stove or bottle of bleach. What's more, they discourage floor play, which helps him learn to walk by giving him opportunities to crawl, pull up, and cruise while holding on to furniture — all activities that lead to walking.
Safety first
Your baby's newfound mobility means that he's now entering the land of bumps and falls. These are an inevitable part of childhood, and although your heart may occasionally skip a beat or two, try to enjoy watching your baby explore his surroundings and discover his limits.
Restraining your innate desire to protect your baby allows him to grow and learn for himself. However, do make every effort to make your home baby-safe. A good way to do this is to get down to his level to find the possible danger zones. Secure fragile objects so they won't topple, for example, and keep rickety furniture in rooms that don't get much baby traffic.
Now's a good time to move drapery and blind cords out of reach, pad sharp coffee-table corners, install toilet-seat locks, relocate hazardous houseplants to higher ground, lock away poisonous cleaning supplies and medications, cover electric outlets, and secure safety gates at the top and bottom of each staircase.
**L's not quite to the crawling thing yet. She rolls around and can rotate herself while siting or laying and can push herself backwards while on her belly. She can stand while holding on to us, but doesn't pull herself up yet. Sara was 9 months old when she did that so I think L's got a little while to go. We covered our fireplace hearth with padded sticky things last weekend and did other safety things but we still have some things left to do...like the cabinets, etc.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
backwards push...
L has mastered the backwards push/crawl. She gets up on her hands and pushes herself backwards across our hardwood floors.
We installed the clear plastic guard rail barrier today in the loft so she can't fit her little body parts (and drop toys) through the rails. And of course the first thing she did after we installed it was scoot backwards all the way over to the railing and bang on it. She LOVES to make noise banging things together or on our hardwood floors. And the plastic guard makes noise when she slaps it with her hand. :)
Last night we went to a dinner party for my playgroup. We had a good time and got to meet some more people from church. Afterwards, Dave went to his game night and didn't return until after 1am. We're both tired today and of course Elodie wouldn't take her morning nap!
I'll try to post some pictures and video clips later.
Video clip of Elodie discovering the plastic banister shield thingy
Video clip of Elodie on all fours, rocking...
Video clip of Elodie playing the drum with daddy
our little dinosaur....no...she has her leg through a foam puzzle piece while rocking on all fours.
playing the drum with daddy
checking out the clear banister guard
We installed the clear plastic guard rail barrier today in the loft so she can't fit her little body parts (and drop toys) through the rails. And of course the first thing she did after we installed it was scoot backwards all the way over to the railing and bang on it. She LOVES to make noise banging things together or on our hardwood floors. And the plastic guard makes noise when she slaps it with her hand. :)
Last night we went to a dinner party for my playgroup. We had a good time and got to meet some more people from church. Afterwards, Dave went to his game night and didn't return until after 1am. We're both tired today and of course Elodie wouldn't take her morning nap!
I'll try to post some pictures and video clips later.
Video clip of Elodie discovering the plastic banister shield thingy
Video clip of Elodie on all fours, rocking...
Video clip of Elodie playing the drum with daddy
our little dinosaur....no...she has her leg through a foam puzzle piece while rocking on all fours.
playing the drum with daddy
checking out the clear banister guard
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
She claps...
If I say yea, L will clap! It's so cute!!
And a couple days ago, she even waved to me when my mom was holding her, but of course, she hasn't repeated it since.
She's doing the rocking on all fours thing a lot now.
Today she's been babbling all day! very talkative! she's capable but doesn't do it regularly...maybe one day every couple weeks?
And a couple days ago, she even waved to me when my mom was holding her, but of course, she hasn't repeated it since.
She's doing the rocking on all fours thing a lot now.
Today she's been babbling all day! very talkative! she's capable but doesn't do it regularly...maybe one day every couple weeks?
Our 7-month-old's development: Week 4
from babycenter.com:
As your baby's muscles are becoming stronger, she's apt to lunge forward onto all fours from a sitting position. She may even go into a "precrawl" exercise, rocking back and forth on hands and knees with her trunk parallel to the floor. Most babies begin to crawl between 7 and 10 months. A few never crawl at all and bide their time until they're ready to walk!
Getting more emotional
By now your baby's emotions are becoming more obvious. She may throw a kiss to familiar people, and even repeat it if you clap in appreciation.
Over the next few months, your baby may learn to assess and imitate moods and might show the first stirrings of empathy. For instance, if she hears someone crying, she may start crying, too. And even though your baby's just beginning to learn about her emotions, she's picking things up from you. Over the many months (and years) to come, your baby will likely copy the way she sees you treat people.
Nighttime separation
If your baby sleeps in a separate room and gets anxious about nighttime separations, spend some extra cuddle time reading, snuggling, and playing mellow music with her before you put her to bed. Having a regular bedtime routine she can count on will give her the security she needs to make falling asleep easier.
Your baby will appreciate the consistency and predictability of a set pattern every night, and even better, she'll be more relaxed and more likely to go to bed easily. Just make sure you choose something that helps calm your baby instead of riling her up.
While you can certainly start your ritual in the bathroom or the living room, it should end in your baby's bedroom or wherever she sleeps. It's important to teach your baby that her sleeping area is a nice place to be, not just where she's "banished" at bedtime.
If your baby gets upset as she sees you walk out the door after you tuck her in, tell her you'll be back to check on her in a few minutes. In all likelihood, she'll be fast asleep by the time you return.
Even when you're away from home, stick to your routine as much as possible. It can make it easier for your baby to settle down in an unfamiliar environment.
As your baby's muscles are becoming stronger, she's apt to lunge forward onto all fours from a sitting position. She may even go into a "precrawl" exercise, rocking back and forth on hands and knees with her trunk parallel to the floor. Most babies begin to crawl between 7 and 10 months. A few never crawl at all and bide their time until they're ready to walk!
Getting more emotional
By now your baby's emotions are becoming more obvious. She may throw a kiss to familiar people, and even repeat it if you clap in appreciation.
Over the next few months, your baby may learn to assess and imitate moods and might show the first stirrings of empathy. For instance, if she hears someone crying, she may start crying, too. And even though your baby's just beginning to learn about her emotions, she's picking things up from you. Over the many months (and years) to come, your baby will likely copy the way she sees you treat people.
Nighttime separation
If your baby sleeps in a separate room and gets anxious about nighttime separations, spend some extra cuddle time reading, snuggling, and playing mellow music with her before you put her to bed. Having a regular bedtime routine she can count on will give her the security she needs to make falling asleep easier.
Your baby will appreciate the consistency and predictability of a set pattern every night, and even better, she'll be more relaxed and more likely to go to bed easily. Just make sure you choose something that helps calm your baby instead of riling her up.
While you can certainly start your ritual in the bathroom or the living room, it should end in your baby's bedroom or wherever she sleeps. It's important to teach your baby that her sleeping area is a nice place to be, not just where she's "banished" at bedtime.
If your baby gets upset as she sees you walk out the door after you tuck her in, tell her you'll be back to check on her in a few minutes. In all likelihood, she'll be fast asleep by the time you return.
Even when you're away from home, stick to your routine as much as possible. It can make it easier for your baby to settle down in an unfamiliar environment.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
God blesses Dave at work...
Last Thursday, we received a great blessing from God...Dave got a promotion at work! So now he's a Engineer II...woppee! It comes with a pay raise which is greatly appreciated since I'm not making any $$.
BUT, if Dave doesn't find another program to be on, the promotion isn't going to mean much if he's laid off. PLEASE, keep us in your prayers b/c Ball's not doing so well and they're still laying off people. Dave's on a program through February 29th but has to find another program to be on after that or he faces the very real possibility of being laid off (if you don't have a program to charge, then you get laid off). So, please pray that his managers or Dave finds him a new program to be on!!
BUT, if Dave doesn't find another program to be on, the promotion isn't going to mean much if he's laid off. PLEASE, keep us in your prayers b/c Ball's not doing so well and they're still laying off people. Dave's on a program through February 29th but has to find another program to be on after that or he faces the very real possibility of being laid off (if you don't have a program to charge, then you get laid off). So, please pray that his managers or Dave finds him a new program to be on!!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Rocking... and stupid allergies...
Yesterday, I put L down on all fours and she actually stayed (in the crawling position) and rocked back and forth. We got her to do it about four times before she was over it. She's also been pushing off of her feet and getting her legs and tummy off the ground in a giant A shape. Then today, we had her on our bed (carefully looked after of course, else she roll right off) and she got on all fours all by herself and rocked. Then she did it a handful of times tonight as well. It's amazing how one moment kids are totally not interested and the next moment they are totally doing something.
On a totally different note...we had discovered that when I was pregnant all of a sudden I was allergic to zucchini (bad stomach reaction). Before I was pregnant, I used to eat zucchini all the time...it was one of the few veggies I did eat. So, needless to say I was bummed that it made my tummy hurt so bad. (It took a few times to realize that was it.) Then after I had L, we tried again and it still bothered me. Well, tonight we had acorn squash with dinner and boy did my stomach hurt. Then I put two and two together. Zucchini is a squash. Dave had told me that like 2 days ago and I just didn't get the connection until the stomach started to hurt. Then we wikipediaed it and sure enough zucchini and acorn squash are in the same species, Cucurbita pepo, along with the small pie pumpkins, standard field pumpkins, acorn squash, vegetable spaghetti, zucchini, summer crookneck squash, pattypan and most other summer squashes. Apparently the type of pumpkin that they use to can for pumpkin pies (same species with butternut squash) is a different species and that's probably why pumpkin pie doesn't bother me (I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie but i did have a small piece at thanksgiving this year and I was fine). Anyhow, the whole pregnancy induced allergy thing stinks!
On a totally different note...we had discovered that when I was pregnant all of a sudden I was allergic to zucchini (bad stomach reaction). Before I was pregnant, I used to eat zucchini all the time...it was one of the few veggies I did eat. So, needless to say I was bummed that it made my tummy hurt so bad. (It took a few times to realize that was it.) Then after I had L, we tried again and it still bothered me. Well, tonight we had acorn squash with dinner and boy did my stomach hurt. Then I put two and two together. Zucchini is a squash. Dave had told me that like 2 days ago and I just didn't get the connection until the stomach started to hurt. Then we wikipediaed it and sure enough zucchini and acorn squash are in the same species, Cucurbita pepo, along with the small pie pumpkins, standard field pumpkins, acorn squash, vegetable spaghetti, zucchini, summer crookneck squash, pattypan and most other summer squashes. Apparently the type of pumpkin that they use to can for pumpkin pies (same species with butternut squash) is a different species and that's probably why pumpkin pie doesn't bother me (I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie but i did have a small piece at thanksgiving this year and I was fine). Anyhow, the whole pregnancy induced allergy thing stinks!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Our 7-month-old's development: Week 3
The beginnings of separation anxiety
If your baby is like most at this age, he's showing signs of separation anxiety. Far from being a cause for concern, stranger anxiety is a sign of your baby's growing understanding of the world around him.
Earlier, when you left the room, your baby was hardly phased. Now he knows that you're gone — and he's able to picture you and miss you — and may begin to cry as soon as you're out of his sight.
Your baby's reluctance to be separated from you may delight you or just plain frustrate you at times. If you head out to do an errand and your baby's staying home, shower him with loads of hugs and kisses before you head out the door and tell him you'll be back shortly. He won't understand that you'll be returning in an hour, but the love and affection might comfort him and tide him over until he sees you again.
Also, try to have a ritual of leaving that he can rely on each time you go and leave him with someone he's familiar with. That way, if he can't have Mom or Dad, at least he'll feel happy with his temporary caretaker.
Note: Even if your baby has been sleeping soundly through the night, he may now wake up periodically if he's experiencing separation anxiety — the two seem to be connected.
Teething
Teething can start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months, but most babies sprout their first white caps (typically the two middle teeth on the bottom) between 4 and 7 months of age. Don't be alarmed if your baby has gaps between his pearly whites. Teeth often come up through the gums at odd angles, and spaces commonly disappear by age 3, after all 20 baby teeth have broken through.
Once your baby starts teething, you can expect more drooling and experimenting with sounds as he adjusts to having these strange new things in his mouth.
To ease your baby's discomfort, give him something to chew on, such as a firm rubber teething ring or a cold washcloth. He may also get some relief from eating cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt (if he's eating solids) as the cold may temporarily numb the pain. Giving a baby a hard, unsweetened teething cracker to gnaw on is another time-honored trick. You can also try rubbing your finger over his sore gums or applying an oral pain relief gel.
If your baby is like most at this age, he's showing signs of separation anxiety. Far from being a cause for concern, stranger anxiety is a sign of your baby's growing understanding of the world around him.
Earlier, when you left the room, your baby was hardly phased. Now he knows that you're gone — and he's able to picture you and miss you — and may begin to cry as soon as you're out of his sight.
Your baby's reluctance to be separated from you may delight you or just plain frustrate you at times. If you head out to do an errand and your baby's staying home, shower him with loads of hugs and kisses before you head out the door and tell him you'll be back shortly. He won't understand that you'll be returning in an hour, but the love and affection might comfort him and tide him over until he sees you again.
Also, try to have a ritual of leaving that he can rely on each time you go and leave him with someone he's familiar with. That way, if he can't have Mom or Dad, at least he'll feel happy with his temporary caretaker.
Note: Even if your baby has been sleeping soundly through the night, he may now wake up periodically if he's experiencing separation anxiety — the two seem to be connected.
Teething
Teething can start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months, but most babies sprout their first white caps (typically the two middle teeth on the bottom) between 4 and 7 months of age. Don't be alarmed if your baby has gaps between his pearly whites. Teeth often come up through the gums at odd angles, and spaces commonly disappear by age 3, after all 20 baby teeth have broken through.
Once your baby starts teething, you can expect more drooling and experimenting with sounds as he adjusts to having these strange new things in his mouth.
To ease your baby's discomfort, give him something to chew on, such as a firm rubber teething ring or a cold washcloth. He may also get some relief from eating cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt (if he's eating solids) as the cold may temporarily numb the pain. Giving a baby a hard, unsweetened teething cracker to gnaw on is another time-honored trick. You can also try rubbing your finger over his sore gums or applying an oral pain relief gel.
pictures for this week:
1/27:
stepping on daddy
1/28:
looking outside at the snow :)
1/29:
new outfit for Christmas from grandpa Don and mimi Karyn. too cute!! :)
grammie ann comes to visit for two weeks :)
playing with daddy's expensive headphones :)
grammie reading L the bellybutton book
1/31:
bathtime
look mommy! i have food all over my face!
new-to-L outfit borrowed from cousin Sara
she's eating the activity mat (from my cousin justin vls)
now she's pulled it over her
2/1:
cute outfit from grandma karen
she loves to drink from my cup so i gave her a cup of her own...of course, i dumped out the rest of the water first. The other night at dinner she had some of my water b/c she can drink from a straw. :)
stepping on daddy
1/28:
looking outside at the snow :)
1/29:
new outfit for Christmas from grandpa Don and mimi Karyn. too cute!! :)
grammie ann comes to visit for two weeks :)
playing with daddy's expensive headphones :)
grammie reading L the bellybutton book
1/31:
bathtime
look mommy! i have food all over my face!
new-to-L outfit borrowed from cousin Sara
she's eating the activity mat (from my cousin justin vls)
now she's pulled it over her
2/1:
cute outfit from grandma karen
she loves to drink from my cup so i gave her a cup of her own...of course, i dumped out the rest of the water first. The other night at dinner she had some of my water b/c she can drink from a straw. :)
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