Charlie Beth || 10 Months

Well I suppose since Charlie Beth turned ELEVEN months old last week, I should probably go ahead and get her ten month update published, don't you think? Whoops..

Ten months already? How is that even possible? Every month flies by a little quicker than the last and before we know it we will be celebrating your first birthday. Cue the tears! Speaking of your birthday, I have nailed down a theme for your party and have already begun the planning. I can't wait! 

You seem to be slowing down a bit on your growing. I think it's probably because you are constantly on the move so you're burning tons of calories. Seriously though, you never ever sit still! You're still in mostly 12-18 month clothes and size 3 diapers. Speaking of clothes, I've bought you a TON of new fall outfits to wear (Mama loves a good consignment sale!). Now if only the weather would cool down enough so you can wear them!

You started walking last month as soon as you turned nine months old, and it's safe to say you have officially mastered walking around on those two feet of yours. You're everywhere and into everything these days! You have a way of finding the smallest piece of dirt, paper, whatever is laying on the ground and putting it straight into your mouth. You're keeping us on our toes these days, for sure! 

We can also add TALKING to your list of milestones. You said your very first word this month and it wasn't Mama... Your first word was Dada and your Daddy's face lights up every time you say it. You are turning into such a daddy's girl, and I can't wait to watch the relationship between the two of you grow even closer. 

You still have six teeth, and aren't showing signs of breaking anymore through anytime soon. Those teeth give us the best smiles and give you the opportunity to eat everything in site. You aren't a picky eater at all, in fact there are very few things you don't like. You aren't crazy about fruit, but you will eat any and every vegetable that's been offered. You're a huge fan of beans, peas, and anything with cheese at the moment. 

You are sleeping better, but sleep is always a work in progress with you, little one! You usually wake up 1-2 times a night and take 2 naps a day. You go down for your naps and bedtime in your crib so easy these days. You nurse as I rock you then I place you in your crib when you finish. You roll right over to your belly, stick that booty up in the air, and your out. I love seeing that booty sticking straight up in the air over the monitor! You're definitely a morning person and an early riser. Your wake up call is anywhere from 5:30-6:00am. Don't you think you could stretch that out just a littttttle longer?

Unfortunately this month brought on your very first sickness ever! After a couple of days of cough and congestion I brought you to the doctor where you were diagnosed with your very first ear infection. We started antibiotics right away, but they didn't touch the infection. We went back the next week to learn that you now had a double ear infection and were given a new round of antibiotics. A couple of days later you started developing a terrible rash all over your body. It was then we discovered that not only were you dealing with a case of Roseola, but you are also allergic to sulfa drugs. That was a ROUGH couple of weeks. I wanted nothing more than to take the pain and sickness away from you. I hate seeing you hurt. 

Football season is just gearing up, and we have already managed to confuse the mess out of you when it comes to cheering for teams! Your Daddy insists you wear orange on Gamedays two cheer on the Vols and Mama instead on red for the Tide. You usually end up wearing at least two outfits every Saturday to please us both. I can't wait to see which side you eventually cling to (Roll Tide!). 

Some of your favorite things this month include: taking stroller walks around the block with mommy, walking around everywhere by yourself, pulling all the pots and pans out of the cabinets, taking baths in Mommy and Daddy's big Jacuzzi tub, and playing with the dog's bones. 

I still can't believe just how fast you are growing. I'm going to have a toddler in just a matter of weeks! You are so, so very loved, Charlie Beth. Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to be your parents and watch you grow. 

Charlie Beth || 9 Month

These days it seems like every month goes by a little bit quicker than the month before. The more I will time to slow down, the faster you seem to be growing up. The other day I caught myself looking through my phone at pictures from your first few weeks of life. You were so tiny! While I miss seeing you that little, I absolutely love watching you grow and learn every day. I'm amazed by you every single day.

We had your nine month well visit at the doctor's office this week. You weigh 21.3 lbs (75%) and are standing so very tall at 29.5 inches (95%). You get that height from your daddy! You are wearing anything from 12 to 18 months and are still in size 3 diapers. You're growing by the minute, kid!

This was certainly a month of milestones, and you hit a huge one right before you turned 9 months. The week before we celebrated your ninth month of life you took your first steps! We were at your Nana and Papa's lake house visiting with family when you decided to show off your skills for the first time. I caught it on camera, and I'm so happy that I did! I can't believe my little baby is already WALKING!

You are chatting up a storm these days and are so close to saying your first words! As much as I was hoping that first word would be "Mama," I don't think it's going to happen for me. You're much closer to saying Dada, Yaya, and Nana. According to your dad and two grandmothers you have already said their names, but I'm not counting it quite yet. ;)

You now have 6 teeth now, and I love when you flash a big ole' smile to show them off!You are using those teeth of yours to chomp down on some food. You're now strictly on table foods, and you love just about anything I put in front of you. I'm amazed most nights at how much your dinner looks like a toddler meal. It just reaffirms to me how quickly you're growing. Some of your favorite foods include: eggs, spaghetti, mac n cheese, avocado, turkey, sweet potato, and baked beans. You certainly love your carbs. Like Mother like, daughter, right? :)

You spent a ton of time at the lake this month visiting family. You even met some of your family for the first time! We had so much fun making lifelong memories with your aunts, uncles, and cousins. You, little girl, are already such a lake girl! I can't wait to watch you grow up on the water. If you Daddy has his way, you're going to be skiing by the age of three.

We've made some strides in the sleep department. Although you still wake up 3-5 times a night, you are now officially sleeping in your own crib! It was such a hard transition to get you to fall asleep in your crib, but with some hard work and persistence, we did it. Next stop, sleeping through the night! You actually did sleep through the night for the first time ever a few weeks ago. I was crossing my fingers and toes that you had finally turned that corner, but no such luck. We'll get there one day! Mama may be exhausted now, but I know I'll miss these days when they are over.

Some of your favorite things this month include: playing with your dogs, walking around the house holding onto mommy's hand, playing with your toys in your playroom, making a mess, napping in your car seat, getting into anything and everything.

You are one of a kind, Charlie Beth, and Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to call you our little girl. We love you more than you'll ever know! Please don't grow up so fast, ok?

Dreaming Of Fall Weather With Burt's Bees Baby

It may be August in Alabama, but that doesn't mean that we aren't dreaming of the crisp, fall days ahead. The vibrant colors of the leaves falling from the trees, the sound of football on tv, the aroma of pumpkin flavored everything, and mostly, the fashion. What's not to love about Fall?

Charlie Beth and I are preparing for the upcoming season the best way know how, by making room in our closets for new clothes! I could shop non-stop for this little girl. Clothes are just so much more fun when they come in mini-size. When Burt's Bees Baby sent us these adorable clothes I couldn't wait to have Charlie Beth try them on. I mean, how adorable are these dresses? And do they come in my size? 

 

The quality of these organic baby clothes are unlike anything I have felt. They are just so incredibly soft! Charlie Beth is going to stay looking stylish and feeling comfortable all season long in her adorable new outfits from Burt's Bees Baby. 

Have you checked out the Burt's Bees Baby Fall 2016 line yet? Whether your little ones are heading back to school or just trying to grow their fall wardrobe, there is something for every occasion. 

Charlie Beth || 8 Months

With the blink of an eye, another month has come and gone. I say it every month, but I truly can't believe how quickly you are growing. It seems like I was just feeling your kicks in my belly and now I'm watching you learn and discover the world around you. This month has probably been the greatest in terms of your development. You are on the move and unstoppable these days! 

We haven't had a doctor appointment since your 6 month well visit, so I'm not sure of your exact stats. I weighed you on our scale at home and if accurate, you are just about 20lbs. You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes, but I've starting stocking up on 18 month outfits. You are still in size 3 diapers with plenty of room to grow. Now that you're crawling, pulling up, and overall more active I think you are slowing down as far as weight gain goes. 

You have a total of five teeth now with your sixth one breaking through any day. Your two bottom teeth are fully in, and they are just about the cutest thing I've ever seen! Your four teeth on top started coming through at the same time, and you are still working on getting them all the way through. You are going to have a mouth full of teeth before we know it! Thankfully, even with all those new teeth, you haven't had anymore incidents of biting Mommy while nursing. :) 

You are officially on the move!! You started crawling during our beach trip last month at 7.5 months old. Now you are crawling all over the house and pulling up on anything and everything you can find. Mommy is in the process of finishing off your playroom so you have a safe area in the house to explore. You are also walking with the help of holding onto mommy's hands as I guide you around. It won't be long now before you let go and take off on your own. I don't think I'm ready for that quite yet! 

Speaking of our beach trip, you had your first beach vacation this past month. We took a family vacation with your Nana and PaPa to Orange Beach. You turned into a beach baby the very moment your toes hit the sand. We had such a fun week, and you were an absolute dream baby the entire trip. Your favorite activity included taking long naps while laying on Mommy's chest down by the ocean. It was Mommy's favorite part of the day as well. I was nervous about getting you out of your routine, but you just went along with the flow the entire time. It was my favorite beach trip to date.

This past month also brought big changes to our family. Mommy and Daddy sold the first home we bought together and purchased a brand new home with more room for you to grow and play. We grew out of our old home the minute we brought you home. Who knew a tiny newborn could take up so much room?! With your mountain of toys and gear, we knew the time had come to find something better suited for a growing family. We found a home that we love and adore not too far from our old home (but in a much more family friendly area). You did so good during the move, and you are adjusting really well to your new home. We still have to paint your nursery and get your room situated, but you don't seem to mind the boxes and chaos. 

You are still not a huge fan of eating solids. I've given up on trying to give you purees. You have no interest in them whatsoever! You do, however, enjoy feeding yourself, so we've decided to take a modified baby led weaning approach. You really like eating avocado, sweet potato "fries", yogurt melts, banana, puffs, and cooked apple. The only thing you seem to hate is carrots. I'm not a fan of carrots either, so I don't blame you for that one. I'm trying to incorporate more of what we eat into your meals. You are still nursing every 2-3 hours, so that is where the majority of your nutrients are coming from. Any solids we can get you to eat right now are just for fun! 

We haven't made many strides in the sleep department this month. You are still cosleeping with Mommy, and Daddy gets booted to the couch most nights. Mommy is determined to get you sleeping in your crib this month. I've been researching several different sleep tactics, and I think I have narrowed down a plan. You're not sleeping through the night, and I am fine with that. I just want you to be able to self soothe and sleep in your crib alone for at least the first stretch of the night. Stay tuned... ;)

You're favorite things this month include: taking walks around our new neighborhood in your stroller, riding in your new big girl carseat, boat rides at the lake, playing in the dog's water bowl, Mickey Mouse, trying to put anything and everything you find into your mouth. 

Oh, and I just had to share this outtake from our 8 month pictures. You were NOT having pictures, and this captured your mood perfectly. I'm going to have my hands full with you, baby girl!

We love you so much, Charlie Beth! You have the most infectious smile, the most determined personality, and the best snuggles. I thank God everyday for allowing me to be your Mommy. You are our whole world, little one.