8 Months

Standing Proud

This is a picture I took of Isabella before I turned around to wash bottles at the sink:

This is the picture I got to take when I turned back around:

We have been practicing having her stand since she was 3/4 months old and over the last few weeks began putting her up to things like the couch and the activity table to practice standing.  This is the first time she did it all by herself.  #dontblink

Meeting Santa

I had originally said that I wasn't in favor of taking Isabella to see Santa this year.  This was primarily because she has no clue as to what is going on and also because there was a 50/50 chance the experience would make her cry for no good reason.  However, I changed my mind when my mother-in-law and J.T.s aunt were coming in for the weekend and we needed to find something to entertain them with.  As a side note, his other aunt and cousin also came along which my MIL didn't mention in advance, but they weren't staying with us so I guess it doesn't matter.

As luck would have it, my MIL brought along a super cute Christmas outfit that appropriately enough said "Santa Baby".  So we changed her into her outfit and headed out.  "Fortunately" it was super cold and the santa we were going to see was at an outside shopping center (though Santa himself was inside a cute little "house").   The line was super short and very quick.

Isabella didn't smile, but fortunately she didn't cry either.

Afterwards we went out for dinner.  With one exception her whole life, Isabella has done a good job in restaurants.  She likes the people and as long as I am prepared with a steady stream of toys to chuck at her and some food if she's hungry, she is all set.

While Isabella is not much of a smiler in pictures these days (she is too busy with the things she wants to do I guess), she has become a fan of the selfie.  She is such a little ham!

  

There They Are!

Isabella started drooling and chewing on everything in sight at 3 months.  We assumed she would start teething early...we were wrong.  She was pretty fussy off and on for a couple of days and it seemed like she was brewing a second cold.  I randomly put my finger in her mouth and could feel two teeth starting to skim the surface of her lower gums.  It took a few weeks for them to come in fully and the little stinker won't let me get a good shot, but they are definitely there. 

Once they popped through the fussiness cleared.  Though now that we have officially started teething it has dawned on me all of the very many things that people blame on teething.  Fussiness, fevers, runny noses, biting, the list goes on.  If only babies could talk and tell us what is really going on...

"6 month" appointment

Yeah, so Isabella is about 7.5 months old and we just did her 6 month appointment today.  Between child care and the pediatrician's schedule this is the earliest we could come up with.  Technically we were scheduled for one last week but the doctor went out of town so here we are.

Our giant baby continues to hover around 90th% for height and is now around 80th% for weight.  Her giant head seems to be averaging out and is now around 60th%.  She handled the first shot like a champ, but shot number two burns according to the nurse and Isabella could totally tell:(.  I declined the flu shot (I'm not getting one either).  I am in total support of vaccines that prevent diseases which may lead to substantial harm or death.  I am less inclined for the vaccines that alleviate discomfort.  I really have only gotten flu shots in the past couple years because of J.T.s immune system being weak due to his Chron's medications and my working with an extremely germ infested school population. Skipping the flu shot might be a mistake, but only time will tell.

The only 6 month benchmark Isabella is missing is the use of consonants.  She is a total chatter monkey, but little girl still loves her some pterodactyl screams and uses vowels for days.  We keep trying. Though I think someday she is going to think that "mamadadabyebye" is some crazy word for which she needs to learn the meaning. 

We got the green light to attempt to wean off of the Nexium.   Which is good on two fronts.  First her digestive system is hopefully maturing and her reflux is not an extended issue.  Second, that stuff comes with a $75 copay for a 30 day supply.  It was worth its weight in gold, but it would be nice to have that money back if possible.

We left with a scheduled 9 month appointment while she is still 9 months old...back on track!

So Much to be Thankful For

And Just Like That...

we have a little girl who can sit up by herself!

For the last couple of weeks she could sit up with the Boppy:

And then today..."Look ma, no hands!"

It is amazing how quickly these milestones come and it is equally amazing watching them master these skills I used to totally take for granted with older kids:).