At the beginning of June, we hopped a plane to visit Grandma and Grandpa Takala in Ohio. I worried for weeks about how Emily would do on the trip. Fortunately, she did really well, even after a long wait to get through security and a delayed flight. Our girl truly is just a wonderful baby. Her temperament is so sweet and although she is VERY strong willed, she can also be very easy-going. Lucky for us, she decided to behave on both flights. The trip there started out a bit rough with about 15 minutes of fussing during take-off, but she fell asleep pretty quickly. She slept for about 45 minutes and after that, she played with Daddy and watched The Backyardigans on my iPad, which has been a saving grace for us on SO many occasions.
We had a great time visiting with Grandma and Grandpa. Usually we are
only there at Christmas, so it was really nice to visit without the
added stress of the holidays. We spent lots of time on the screened-in
porch, playing outside on the blanket and in the swing, eating yummy
food, and laughing at our sweet girl. G&G bought the swing as a special gift for Emily and she couldn't have been happier. We had so much fun and we are sad not to live closer. Hopefully before too long they will be living much closer to us.
Our baby girl is ten months old! She has officially been alive longer on the outside than she was on the inside! These ten months have flown by. I guess that's what happens when your life is just full of joy day in and day out. Of course, we've had our moments, and our hours, too, to be honest, but life has truly been amazing since this little girl has been alive. We didn't get a good picture with Papagator this month because Miss Emily is just too on the go. I did well just to get this picture and it was only after bribing her with the July 4th sunglasses I got her at the Target Dollar Spot. :) Regardless, she was happy, and that smile was what I wanted to see most! Things have just been trucking along through month ten. Here are a few of the highlights:
The End of Nursing: This month marked the official end of nursing. My plan all along had been to nurse her as long as she wanted to nurse up to a year or so. She lost interest for the most part last month, but this month she even stopped her morning nursing. I also decided to quit pumping because it is just too difficult to pump and chase her around at the same time. We made it through ten months of breast milk and I am thrilled with that! She takes about four bottles each day.
Eating: Our little girl is eating all kinds of things now. I wish I had written everything down that she has eaten, but that would be a pretty long list. Her favorite food seems to be blueberries. The only things we've given her that she repeatedly spits out are rice and refried beans. I think it's a texture thing. She eats three meals a day in addition to her bottles. She also learned how to drink through a straw this month.
New carseat: This month, we moved Emmy from her carrier car seat to a big girl car seat! This car seat will stay with her until she is at least three years old. She is still facing backwards, but seems to be much happier now. She was becoming difficult when we were in the car, which had never been the case before.
Waving: Emily learned to wave on command this month. She has gotten pretty good at it, but still mostly only does it if she wants to. I'm pretty sure we have a strong-willed child on our hands. Fortunately, she's a SWEET strong-willed child! Let's hope she stays that way!
First plane ride: Emily took her first plane ride this month to visit her grandparents in Ohio. She did pretty well. Only a few minutes of crying at the start of the first ride and no crying at all on the way back!
First Summer vacation: We also took our first real family vacation this month. We made the 12 hour car ride to Destin, Florida with Mimi and Papa. She did great in the car thanks to her backyard friends, The Backyardigans and lots of entertainment from Mimi. We had a great time!
More Mobility: Still no standing or walking, but this girl is a speed crawler! She can get wherever she wants to go in no time. She spends a LOT of time on her feet and is cruising all over the place.
Another tooth: Tooth number eight came in this month. Our girl has pretty much all of her first year teeth in, so we may be good for awhile. We shall see!
Swimming: She started "swimming" this month and has had a great time! Her favorite thing to do is play on the steps with her toys. Next month, we take swimming lessons!
Home with mommy: The most exciting thing that happened this month is mommy quitting her job to stay home with Emily! It has already been a wonderful experience!
We didn't get good measurements this month due to the fact that we were on vacation on her ten month birthday. However, she is around 20 lbs and 31 inches. She wears 9 month clothing, size 2 or 3 shoes, and size 3 diapers.
Although she doesn't use this carseat anymore, we had to have her picture in it for comparison's sake.
And of course, the faces of the photoshoot. The majority of this shoot consisted of her crawling away from me. She almost fell off the couch four times. Good thing mommy caught her! Silly girl.
Little girl,
We love you more today than we did the day before. Which is nearly impossible, because we loved you so much yesterday! You are our sunshine and nothing is better than your smiling face. Love you forever.
This girl just smiles all the time!
Getting ready for her first time in the pool
First plane ride. Bose noise-cancelling headphones to watch The Backyardigans.
Hanging out in the kiddie pool
First few moments of the real pool. I think she likes it!
With Daddy in Ohio
Chillin with her cousin Julie
Super lifeguard baby
You know what I think about this place? It smells like FISH!
Last Tuesday was my final day as a working mother. It was bittersweet. Sweet in that of course I am thrilled to be able to spend my days with Emily, but bitter to be leaving my wonderful job, my sweet friends, and most of all, Emily's wonderful babysitter, Mrs. Leslie.
Emily and Mrs. Leslie
We were beyond blessed to have Mrs. Leslie taking care of Emily for the last five months. As soon as I began looking for sitters and found out about Leslie, I knew I wanted her to watch Emily. I went to high school with Leslie's daughter Heather and spent many Friday nights at their house. She raised seven children of her own, and I knew she was more than capable to take care of our precious little one. It was so hard to make the decision to continue working and leave Emily with a sitter, but Leslie made it as smooth and easy of a transition as possible. I never worried about Emily for one second when I was at work. As an added bonus, Mrs. Leslie's husband Bill, her daughter Heather, and daughter-in-law Katie also helped out with the kids. Speaking of kids, all of the little ones there were absolutely precious. Emily was the youngest, and they all loved her and took care of her. I loved going to pick her up or drop her off and seeing the other kids playing with her. Emily absolutely loves Mrs. Leslie and I believe the feeling is quite mutual.
We love you, Mrs. Leslie (and Mr. Bill, Mrs. Heather, and Mrs. Katie) and we already miss you! We can't wait to come back and visit!
It's the end of my career as I know it! For awhile, anyway. Today was my last day as a working mom. The past few months have been the hardest of my life. I cannot begin to describe the amount of respect that I have for working moms. I know being a stay-at-home mom is also a job and there are many difficult things about it, but trying to work all day and then come home and do the mom/wife thing is just in another category altogether. And it is a category that I'm glad I don't fall into anymore!
My last eight years working have been really good. I've enjoyed the jobs that I have had, the children I have taught, and the people I have worked with. I have learned so much throughout this time and I wouldn't trade these experiences for the world. Now, though, it's time for something new. I certainly cried today as I said goodbye to so many people and things, but I am really excited about the future. I know I am extremely blessed to have this opportunity that many people do not have. Right now I am just praying that God will give me wisdom, strength, and patience to be who I need to be in this place that he has me in right now. I am so thankful to be Emily's mommy and I'm glad to get to be with her every day from now on.
