Closing Shop

I think I am about done pumping. I know, I know. The going-ons of my milk production and supply are of the utmost importance, lol, but it is a big milestone for me.

I had to look back and see when I got to this point last time because I couldn't remember how far along I made it. Turns out it was almost the same length of time. I pumped at work for 9 months and 26 days with Katie. The last time I pumped was on September 16th, making it 9 months and 19 days with Nathan.

This time is a bit different since Nathan nurses at home, and I am not exclusively pumping. I started pumping only at work over a month ago because Nathan was nursing so much when I was home. Today alone I nursed Nathan 4 times and worked over 12 hours.

I have an over abundance of frozen milk; last time I checked, I had enough milk for Nathan for 7 months at the amount he was drinking then. I feel like it is not as crucial that I pump frozen milk for him now as it was earlier. And for awhile, I was afraid my regular supply would drop if I didn't pump at work, but I have been doing okay the last week or so.
While I am pretty sure the last time was the last time, I am hesitant to close up shop. I know Nathan is growing up right before my eyes and while we have many more months of breastfeeding ahead, I know it will be over before I know it. I know how fast my Boo Bear grew up, and I don't want to blink. I am enjoying nursing my little boy for as long as I can!

Nathan: Month Nine

Bubba Dubba,

My baby boy! You are already nine months old! Believe it or not, but we have already started thinking about and planning for your first birthday party. You are growing up right before our very eyes and you are such a sweet baby boy! This past month, you have been interacting more and more and developing more personality every day.

Nathan is learning how to climb, August 2, 2012

Bubba at Sea World, August 3, 2012

Nathan and Katie at Grandma and Grandpa's, August 4, 2012

Speaking of, you are becoming quite the flirt! You love to smile at anyone who talks to you and you love looking around to see what is going on.  Sometimes when I am holding you, and someone leans over to talk to you, you get shy and put your head against my shoulder.  It is so precious! You are making more and more sounds. You say “mama” very well and when you want me, you will start calling for me. When I am busy and doing things around the house, you will crawl after me calling for me. You haven’t put together anymore words yet, but your doctor was very impressed with you saying “mama” already! When Gam Gam was here this past week, you were imitating the sounds that she made, especially when she would “fake cough.” Hahaha! You were so funny! You are understanding us more, too. Your favorite thing is to play with the bottles in the wine cabinet or the DVD’s on the TV stand at Mamaw’s house. When we tell you “no!” you finally have stopped to look at us and usually you will leave them alone. Katie is getting good at mimicking people too and she will tell you “no sir!” if I happen to miss you getting into trouble.

Waiting for Mass to start, August 5, 2012

Nathan is too cool!, August 11, 2012

Hanging out with Maci at Aunt Tara's house, August 17, 2012

You are a boy on the go! You crawl very quickly and you are able to pull up on lots of things and cruise around. Chairs, couches, toys, people…you name it and you use it to get up and see what’s around. You like to “chase” Katie, too. This month has been really neat in that you can “play” with her a little bit. She likes to play “get you!” where she yells “Get you!” at someone and runs away. She wants that person to chase after her.  You are so cute because you will be crawling around the house, and when you get near Katie, she thinks you want to play so she screams and yells “GET YOU!” and runs away. You have the biggest smile on your face while you crawl after her! You are content playing by yourself, as well. And will sit happily for sometimes 30 min playing with the toys in your room. You have discovered the animals are a lot of fun this month, as well, however we are still trying to convince you to be gentle. You get a bit too excited and we can hear Kalli and Buddy yelping in the other room when you grab a hold of their hair.

Nathan and Mommy, August 17, 2012

Going Shopping, August 18, 2012

We didn’t make it to many places this month. Unfortunately, I had to work more days during the week because of a class I was taking, and on the weekends we have been working on fixing up the house so that we can sell it and move to a bigger house for you and Katie.  We went to Sea World August 3^rd, and you had such a good time splashing in the water.  We also went school clothes shopping with Aunt Nomi and Isabella; Katie ran like crazy all over the store while I tried to juggle you on my hip. You weren’t very interested in sitting in the shopping cart. Aunt Tara and Uncle Kevin moved into a new house in San Antonio this month, so we have spent a lot of time helping them move and hanging out at their new place.



Learning to chew on sister's toys, August 19, 2012

Nathan the "Puff Daddy," August 22, 2012

Your Clothing/Eating and Sleeping Habits:

Clothing: 6-12 months
Diapers: size 3 disposables and "small,” mostly “medium” cloth diapers
Sleeping: You have been going to bed close to 9pm and waking up several times during the night. Probably because you aren’t drinking your bottles while I am at work. You eat sometimes 3 times a night, but almost always once around 2-3am. You wake up usually by 8am for the day and you are still taking 3 naps a day. You have been taking shorter naps in the morning around 11 and evening around 7 for 45min-1hour. Usually in the middle of the day, you will take a 1.5-2h nap.

 Eating: You are a great eater, well, with a “normal” routine. You nurse 6-8 times a day when I am off, 3-4 times a day when I am working. You have been drinking 2-3 4 oz bottles while I am at work. You love solids! You have been eating puffs like crazy, and you are eating 3 jars of 4.5 oz baby food a day.

More Developments

Sits without support

Drags objects towards self

Crawling Well

Stands while holding on to something

Bangs objects together

Understands object permanence – oh yeah, you are enjoying dropping things to watch it fall

Says mama to mommy

Pass objects from one hand to the next

Searches for hidden objects

Cruising

Using Pincher Grasp

Indicates wants and gestures – you love to bang your hands on your tray for more puffs

Eats with fingers

Plays Peek-a-boo

Stands alone for a couple (maybe one) seconds

Imitates others

Bubba, we love you so very much and are so grateful that Jesus blessed our family with you. You are a wonderful child and we are enjoying watching you grow and learn.

Love,

Mommy

Pumpkin Patch 2010

I have never been really big on Halloween, as most of you know, but I am so excited to show you guys Katie's Halloween costume. This year, her dad and her uncle picked her costume. It came about from her absolute favorite song. Seriously, she will stop crying when she hears this song and listen....



So without further adieu....Katie's 2010 Halloween Costume!



Our Little Bumble Bee




At Northwest Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch




Katie with her Great Grandparents




Our Family



Katie, Our Musician

Kaitlyn: Month Nine

Our Dearest Kaitlyn,

Today you are nine months old! I have to say, this month, you are a DADDY'S GIRL! You really haven't wanted much to do with your mama until the past couple of days. If daddy is home, you cry and fuss unless he picks you up to play or snuggle with you. Also, daddy is the only one who can put your to bed, lately, and it makes him feel really special. (Of note: You have VERY bad separation anxiety, lately.)

Snuggling with Grandpa

 You have continued to grow and amaze us this month. I love to watch you play; you are so content playing by yourself and you find such enjoyment out of things I wouldn't imagine, like a water bottle and your Uncle Jon's "30th" over sized beads. Those two are your favorite toys. You have the cutest soft laugh and your eyes twinkle when you smile. You are very expressive with your emotions be they happy or sad.

Mommy gave me pigtails!

This month, you took for you first steps. The first time was at your Aunt Tara's house on September 6th and again last night for daddy. You also learned how to wave today, for the first time. You are so cute, too! You swing your whole arm up and down to wave, not just your wrist and hand. You have been doing all these new things with your left arm and foot, so we are curious to see if you are gonna be a lefty like your uncle.

Katie and Aunt Tara

You got your first boo boo this month. Mommy and you were at the new JW Marriott Resort to swim with Grandma and Grandpa, and we fell down when mommy's ankle gave out. Luckily you fell on the grass while I fell on the concrete, but you got a little bruise on your chin. I felt so badly and cried that you got hurt, but as soon as I calmed down, you stopped crying and forgot what happened. Unfortunately, mommy has very bad ankles, so I hope that doesn't happen anymore. It was quite scary.

Grandma and Grandpa Day!

 More Nine Month News:

Sleeping: You have been touch and go this month. We try to have you asleep by 8:30 or 9pm and you wake at 7:30 to 8am. We are pretty much down to two naps for 1-2 hour or several cat naps whenever you "decide" to sleep. Sleep has been such a challenge this month

Clothing: 6-12 month close, size three shoes, medium diapers

Mealtime: 16-18 oz of milk in four bottles and 2-3 jars of 4.5oz baby food. You LOVE apple or veggie puffs this month! You have progressed very well in trying to feed yourself.

Katie eating lunch with Aunt Nomi and Uncle Brian

Developments:

-Standing while holding on to something
-Cruising around furniture without our help
-Jabbering, you have a lot of sounds!
-Understands object permanence (You love to look for things when you drop them or they go "missing")
-Eats with fingers
-Bangs objects together (oh yes!)
-Waves
-Picks up things with pincer grasp
-Indicates wants with gestures (you do "gimme" with your hands, too"
-Stands alone for a couple of seconds (you did this when you were taking your first steps)

Slumber Party with Grandma!

We love you baby girl! You are the light of our lives!

Love,
Mommy