Almost a year...

As I sit here and type this I am overcome with emotion.  My baby girl will be a year old in a couple of weeks and I am just not handling it too well.  Don't get me wrong…I'm soooo excited to watch her grow and look forward to all the milestones ahead, but it's all so bittersweet.  My baby won't be a baby anymore.  My baby isn't a baby anymore.  Where have the past 11 months gone.  When they say the days are long but the years are short they really mean it.  I feel like it was literally yesterday that I was holding her for the first time...that dark head of hair and those chubby cheeks…and those eyes…oh those eyes.  -Sigh-

So…I will kick myself in the butt and move on to the important stuff!  Baby girl is walking!  It was so sudden and unexpected.  She went through a biting phase and still isn't completely out of it.  I was sitting on the floor with her and she flat out bit my arm…and hard.  I picked that darn girl up and sat her down away from me saying my usual "no bite".  Well, she wasn't having it.  Screaming ensued and she picked herself up and took 2 steps toward me.  I was astonished.  After she calmed down I put her in the middle of the floor to see if I had been hallucinating and sure enough she took 4 wobbly steps towards me.  Over the moon I tell ya…over the moon.  We immediately called Daddy and then Mimi and Pawpaw.  It still isn't her main source of moving around simply because crawling is so much faster but she is getting there.

Adelaide loves to clap and dance!  Her favorite song to dance to is the hot dog song on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!  She waves hi and bye but the Adelaide way.  She doesn't flap her little fingers like most kids do, instead she prefers to simply stick her hand out and hold it there…no movement! Haha.  Leave it to my kid to be different.  She enjoys throwing balls (and chasing after them) and loves to look through books.  She has now added "dog" to her vocabulary although it comes out "dug".  She said "Pawpaw" once but hasn't said it since.  She is so talkative and silly.  I could sit and watch her interact with her surroundings all day.  She is such a curious little girl and so determined.  She has mastered drinking from a cup although still needs some help with cups that don't have lids and she has almost mastered the spoon.  At the moment she dips the spoon into the food but doesn't exactly scoop it out yet.  She's so smart and we are so very proud of her.  Daddy taught her how to climb the stairs but is still working on teaching her to get down them safely.  I'll leave that task to him.  She loves to snuggle and we adore that about her.  Sometimes it's the best part of my day…Adelaide snuggles!  :)

My little bookworm

I love my snuggle time!

Enjoying her new toy!  Lots of rolling balls around now.  :)

There is one thing…she still doesn't sleep through the night…not even close.  We have had a few decent nights in the past 6 months but I can count them on one hand.  I know it will happen, I'm just wishing it would happen like yesterday perhaps.  Tired is an understatement in this house.

Adelaide visited her first pumpkin patch which she wasn't too fond of but I enjoyed taking a few pictures of her.  She also had her first Halloween.  Her Daddy wanted her to be something awesome…so a superhero she was!  We didn't go all out with the costume…didn't really feel a need to.  She was a cutie and she can wear the outfit again.  Win win if you ask me.

Headed to the pumpkin patch with my silly goose!

Not sure what to think about these things!

Trying out her first tractor with Daddy!

Our Super Girl on Halloween!

Her main food source is still breast milk although she does love fruit, yogurt and applesauce.  She still isn't a huge fan of veggies but likes meat pretty well.  I love nursing my little and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  To think…I was never going to breastfeed but Alex kept encouraging me to at least try it.  That's all he asked…try.  If it wasn't for his persistence and support I would have missed out on one of the most rewarding journeys of my life.  11 months strong and no end in sight.  I am so thankful for my supportive husband and so grateful for him sticking to his guns.  He will never know how much that means to me now.  Having a supportive husband who is also the world's best Dad is a blessing I can never thank God too much for.  Sometimes he leaves me speechless as I watch him interact with our baby girl.  10 years ago if you asked me if Alex Perez would have made a good father I probably would have laughed.  Even 5 years ago I probably had my doubts however that all went out the window when she arrived.  His love and support is endless!

Spaghetti monster!

So next time I sit down to write one of these…I will have a one year old!  Until next time…

My mischievous monkey!

Daddy brought home 100 pound pumpkins from work for target practice!

Being silly with Daddy at the Holiday Market

Tutu I made for Adelaide's birthday party!

9 Months Already!

Time sure has flown by!  Our baby girl is 9 months old.  I'm a little late on getting this up because we were on vacation last week.  Our little one has learned so much in the last month.  She weighed in at 18 lb. 11 oz. at her doctor appointment on the 23rd.  She was 28 inches and still has a big ole' head.  She is definitely not a chunky kid but still growing and healthy.  She must have her Daddy's metabolism...lucky girl!  She is so smart and learns so very quickly.  She is advanced in many areas and her doctor thinks she will be walking soon.  Yikes! 

 These monthly pictures are extremely hard to take now!!

Adelaide is still getting 95% breast milk.  She is offered solids at lunch and dinner but it's up to her whether or not she eats them.  Some days she devours it and other days throws it all off the high chair.  She doesn't seem to really dislike anything except broccoli.  She never eats it no matter how it's prepared.  

Enjoying a breast milk popsicle!

Waiting on dinner with PawPaw

Devouring some of Daddy's homemade tomato soup!

She is so vocal and is always making new silly sounds!  Alex teaches her new stuff all the time and she catches on so fast.  She gives 5 now and loves to give kisses (mainly just to Mommy though).  Sometimes she stops nursing just to give me kisses and then goes back to eating.  She melts my heart.  She is trying to wave although mostly she just sticks her hand up with no motion yet.  Alex is also trying to teach her to clap.  She hasn't yet clapped her hands but will take his hands and clap them together.  Haha!  She is still all over the place and is super fast.  You can't blink or you will miss her leave the room.  She loves finding and playing with cords which includes sucking on the metal end.  I have no idea why she does this but it's a constant struggle with my stubborn girl.  She stands by herself pretty well and loves to climb!  She is a monkey just like her Daddy.  Everything still goes straight to the mouth.  She chews anything she can get her hands on!  She also likes to play peek-a-boo with the curtains in the living room.  She crawls over to them and covers her face until we say "where's Adelaide..." and then she shows herself with a huge smile on her face.  She's a hoot.

Adelaide is an extremely curious child and loves exploring.  We vary rarely confine her to a single space so she roams around exploring and learning all at the same time.  She loves going into the kitchen and sliding whatever she can get her hands on all over the floor.  She gets a kick out of it and it's so funny to watch.  She is such a goofy kid. We adore watching her silly personality blossom.

She still has sleeping through the night issues.  We have tried just about everything but I guess she simply needs to wake up and know we are there throughout the night.  Some nights she does ok and others are simply horrible and we end up holding her in our bed the rest of the night.  It's not ideal but when you have a kid who doesn't sleep well you do whatever you have to do to get some rest yourself so you can take care of her.  She still loves holding her blanket while sleeping on her side but generally rolls to her stomach for most of the night now.  

Napping...I love taking pictures of her sleeping.  :)

She loves snuggling at night with her Daddy

This is how it normally ends up after snuggles...Daddy asleep and Adelaide in some weird position snoozing away!

We decided to go ahead and get her a new car seat because of a really awesome deal going on at Babies R Us.  She loves the new seat.  I think she is more comfy in it.  

Like my new big girl car seat?!?!

She also has 4 top teeth coming in all at once right now and she is a trooper.  They rarely seem to bother her and I sincerely believe that her amber necklace is doing it's job.  

Adelaide is such a fun baby with a spunky spirit!  I love being able to stay at home with her.  

Until next time...

My sweet girl and her silly smile

Chewing on a blanket...doesn't everyone?!!

Taking a walk with Mommy!

Helping Daddy cook dinner!

7...7...7...

7 Months...yes that is correct, baby girl is 7 months old!  WOW!  It almost slipped by me actually.  I woke up on the 10th and did all the normal stuff, and then while she was in her bouncer I remembered what the date was!  Gosh...my brain.

P.S.  Warning...this blog post contains a picture of Adelaide breastfeeding!  Nothing is showing but if you have a problem with it now would be the time to click the X at the top of your screen for this blog is not your cup of tea!

Such a helper!  ;)

Our little love bug has gone wild...she is mobile and loving it!  She is crawling all over the place and getting into everything!  She is pulling up on anything she can get her hands on, which includes a lot of falling and bumping her noggin!

On the move!

Exploring!

She loves the pool!  She enjoys lounging in her float and chewing on toys!  She also loves to be pulled around the pool so she can kick her legs!  She is a natural.  :)

My Heart!

Silly time with Daddy

Laughing at Mommy

She is always offered food at dinner, but only eats it occasionally.  Some nights she likes to suck on them but not swallow, other nights she manages to actually eat it, and then there are the nights where she wants nothing to do with it.  All a normal part of baby led weaning!  As long as she still has her good ole' boobie milk as we call it she is good to go.  She has become a funny little nurser.  She enjoys sitting on my lap and eating while bouncing.  I suppose she likes to make milk shakes!  She is so sweet to watch and I adore the bonding time we share.

Nursing my love to sleep!  <3

She had her first 4th of July!  We didn't do too much which was nice.  We went and had breakfast at my Dad's work, visited with Kelly and Noah for a couple of hours while Matt was at work, went swimming, and went out to eat for dinner with my Mom and Dad!  It was a nice day and our girl looked beautiful!  :)

Happy Independence Day!

She has such a silly personality!  Her Daddy likes to scare her and she thinks it's the funniest thing.  I love to hear them "yell" back and forth at each other.  It's a hoot and they can go on forever.  She is so so so vocal and I simply adore hearing her precious voice.

She still loves to be worn in her Boba or ring sling and we love to wear her so it's a win win for all of us.  Alex wears her mostly when we are out in the Boba unless she wants to eat and then I get to wear her for a little bit while she is nursing.  I love that he loves to wear her so I don't mind at all!  They have such a cool relationship and I love watching them together.  I have probably said that before and I will say it a million more times.  It's amazing and I just sit back, watch them and smile.

Trying on hats at JC Penny!  ;)

The only thing I wish the little one would work on is sleeping.  We are exhausted parents and have tried just about everything.  7 months of little sleep is wearing us down.  She wakes up often because she wants her paci, and lately just wakes up crying.  She wants to be in the bed with us but our bed arrangement simply isn't safe for the 3 of us.  So last night we decided to side car her crib on my side of the bed.  It's never anything I had ever intended to do with my children but I have to meet her needs as her Mother and she needs to be close to me when she sleeps.  If that is what she needs that is what we shall give her.  Night 1 went ok...hoping that it only gets better from here.  :)


 Until next time...

Swinging for the first time at Mimi's house!

Half A Year...

As I sit down to write this blog post...it's bitter sweet.  I can't believe that 6 months have flown by with our baby girl.  It's so amazing to watch her grow and learn every day but so sad to know that this time is flying way to fast and I can never have it back.  One thing I don't take for granted is spending time with her.  Most of my time in the day is dedicated to her...the cleaning can wait!  Therefore it depends on the day of the week whether my house is presentable or not! ;)

These pics are getting hard to capture!

Adelaide's 6 month Doctors apt isn't until June 21st so we don't know how much she weighs and measures in etc.  We do know she is growing leaps and bounds.  Just ask Alex...he carries her car seat most of the time. Haha!  

She is still breastfed of course!  I am very aware how lucky (better yet, blessed!) I am to have been able to keep my supply going so well and for her to have never had a drop of formula!  My big goal was 6 months old...thus we have passed that goal and are on to our next big goal which is 1 year!  Past that is just icing on the cake.  Nursing in public is still a little nerve racking for me at times, but it gets easier and easier.  She hates the nursing cover and I don't want to be uncovered because that makes me uncomfortable.  Not because I'm embarrassed of what I am doing or because others might stare, simply because I am so modest, always have been I don't want anyone to see a lick of my boobies! ;)  Nursing in the Boba carrier has been a life saver for us.  No one can see a thing and there is no cover to pull off.  It's awesome!  Breastfeeding is still an adventure but one that I am so glad to be a part of.  

We introduced solids when she turned 6 months old also.  We are doing baby led weaning so that means no spoon feeding, no purees.  She gets all whole foods and does it all herself, no helping allowed!  So far we love it.  It's a different mind set then what most people are used to but it was an easy adjustment for me.  The idea is that she has been feeding herself since birth since she is breastfed (thus starts and stops when she is good and ready) so why take that away from her.  I did quite a bit of research before deciding what to do about solids and after a few months of doing so knew that this was the right way to go for us!  Since breast milk is her main source of nutrition for the first year, even if she doesn't eat much it simply doesn't matter because she is getting everything she needs from me.  Solids are simply a compliment for now and she enjoys playing with all her stick pieces of foods while we eat.  She is amazing to watch.  We truly underestimate the smarts of little humans!

Enjoying her first solids...avocado!  She loved it!

Avocado and Banana!  It sure is messy...but oh so fun!

Adelaide is very strong willed and has let us know she will do things in her own time and not ours!  And that is ok with us.  She can and will roll over but only when necessary in her mind.  She prefers to scoot on her bottom or tummy to get around.  She loves to pull up on our arms, our fingers, our bodies, toys, etc.  She is a pro at that and loves to do it.  She goes up and then plops down just so she can do it again.  It's a fun cycle.  She likes to take some steps now if she is holding on to your hands also.  

She has been able to get up on her knees and rock for a while but never really knew what to do from there.  So in the past couple of weeks she is starting to understand that she can move...forward...or backwards.  She has mastered backwards of course but is still trying to get the hang of forward.  She can take a couple of knee steps forward but then gives up usually.  She has zero patience!  I guess she got that from me!  Alex loves to work with her and is always pushing her to do more and do better!  That's what Daddies are for after all.  She has him wrapped around her little finger though.  No one can make her laugh like her Daddy!  It's so amazing to see their relationship unfold!  I just smile and watch and try to ingrain it all in my memory for I know that someday I won't be able to remember!  :(

She also got a tooth!  It started cutting through around June 4th, and it is pretty much all the way out.  She handled it like a champ though.  She was fussy and not wanting to eat for like a day and then back to normal ole' Adelaide!  

She is amazing to watch and talk to.  She is so vocal and loves to hear herself talk.  She doesn't give up her laughs very easily and it's only for Mommy and Daddy when she does!  She is definitely unique in that  respect.  But when we do hear those belly laughs we soak them up.  Giggles are an all the time thing though, it's just the belly laughs that take a lot of coaxing and only when she is in the mood.  Oh did I mention she is also stubborn! That's her Daddy through and through!!!!!  :)

We simply love watching her independence blossom as well.  She will just sit on the floor and play with her toys and enjoy the time exploring.  But when she is ready for cuddle time she sure lets you know.  Sometimes she simply wants you to sit beside her.  I guess it gives her comfort knowing we are right next to her.  Oh how we love her...she is our world!

We are simply the luckiest 2 people in the world not only to have each other  but to have this amazing miracle God has blessed us with!  Until next time...

First time in a shopping cart!

Look at this cute face!

Ready for Church

Finally tolerating tummy time!

Loving the Boba..she is knocked out in Hobby Lobby!  :)

Our Peanut is 5 Months Old!

Here is what I do know...these months go by way to fast.  I have already shed some tears over the fact that my next month by month post will be 6 months!  My baby girl is almost half a year old and it seems like yesterday she was popping out.  I also cry when I listen to the song You & Me by Frances England.  Oh boy...tear jerker for sure.  Anyways, enough about my sappy emotions due to being a Mommy...on to why I am here...May 10th marked 5 months with our beautiful miracle.  She gave me a run for my money trying to get a picture of her with her little board.  I suppose from now on it will be a 2 man job!  Here is a sneak peak of what I went through! HAHA...

And what might this be Mommy!?

Don't worry I'll fix it for you...

Ok...Looks great now I want this...

I'll only smile with my rattle...no negotiations

New negotiation...I will loose the rattle but I want to fly

Ok...you win flying is for the birds anyways!

There is our precious peanut!!!!

Wow...that was a task!  But so fun to look back at the process of getting a 5 month old who is a wiggle worm anyways to get a good picture.  I wonder what 6 months will hold!?  :)

Not much has changed in the rolling department since 4 months...she did it a few times and then realized in her mind it was pointless!  She still has no interest in it.  She simply finds other ways to get what she wants, which is usually some method of scooting.  

One thing that she has been doing for quite a while is sitting up with no help.  She obviously can't get to sitting by herself since she doesn't roll, but when placed she could stay there for days and play.  She is so strong!  

Play play play!

She also figured out she could sit up in her rocker!

She has also realized that when in her exer-saucer she can bounce!  Who knew.  So if you want to have a conversation or hear something on the TV while Adelaide is in her exer-saucer, forget it!  All you can hear is her constant bouncing rattling all the toys on that darn thing.  It's amazing to watch...she adores it.  

She is very very vocal as she has always been.  Her favorite phrase is "Uh Guh"...whatever that means!  :)  When she is upset she says "MaaaMaaa".  I'm pretty excited about that, however Alex...not so much! A real "Dada" will be worth the wait though. 

She has also figured out that she can make raspberries with her mouth!  She likes to do this on: her hands, your hands, a toy, her paci, or anything she can get her hands on really...or nothing at all.  She is amazing to watch.  We have a hard time taking our eyes off of her.  

Another thing that hasn't changed...feet play!  This child loves playing with and sucking on her feet!  Too cute!

Hello there friends!

We put her in her high chair for the first time when she turned 5 months old.  She sits in it and plays with toys while we eat!  She will be good and ready for solids soon.  We plan on starting baby led solids on or after her 6 month birthday.  What an adventure that will be.  I'm sure a blog post of it's own.

First time in high chair!  

She has started to realize that if she grunts at us we will pay attention to her.  So for example, if she is in her exer-saucer and decides she doesn't like the fact that Mommy isn't watching her, grunts start coming until I look at her.  Then she is all smiles and giggles and goes back to playing.  Oh what a Diva!

She loves the TV!  YIKES!  This of course was not intentional at all...but it does help me occasionally get something done, like eat, use the bathroom, you know normal stuff.  Her favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!  Luckily it's a pretty decent kids show or I would have already stabbed myself in the eyes.  ;)

Watching some Saturday morning cartoons with Daddy!

Lounging with some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

We also participated in the Great Cloth Diaper Change!  We loved it and thought it was super neat to be a part of a world record.  We participated at All About Baby Boutique downtown.  Love love this place...it's where we get all our cloth diaper and other natural goods.  

Getting her booty changed for a World Record!

We are still exclusively breastfeeding and loving the adventure.  If you gave my kid a bottle she would probably look at you like you were crazy.  She wouldn't know what to do with one and that makes me proud!  Breastfeeding is no easy task, but I wouldn't trade it for the world and I have my supportive husband to thank for that.  He was the one to encourage me to try and was the one that encouraged me through all the hard times.  I am forever grateful for that.  Maybe a blog about our breastfeeding adventures in the future...who knows.  We are also still of course loving our cloth diapers.  Cloth wipes are in the near future as we are running out of disposable ones.  Kinda nervous about that one.

We are so in love with our beautiful little girl and thank God everyday for her warm smile and little giggles.  She is our everything!!!  We still have no idea how we created something so beautiful and amazing.  

Until next time...

He is so in love!  :)

Those beautiful blue eyes!