Month Eight

Skylie,

You are getting so big! On Easter your dad and I watched general conference while you played on the floor. You wimpered and complained and acted like you wanted to be with us. "Come here, Skylie," I called and reached for you. To my surprise you crawled right over to me. Then it hit me. You aren't my young baby anymore. You're getting more like a (big gulp) toddler than a newborn.

That's why last night when you fell asleep on me, I held you for over an hour--stroking your hair, holding your chubby fingers, and rubbing your back. You will always be my baby, but soon enough you'll be walking. Talking. Holding your own spoon. Doing so many things for yourself. And when that happens I don't think it'll be so easy to hold you while you sleep.

Someday when you're a mother, maybe you'll understand the worry I feel in regards to being a good mom to you. You'll probably agree that babies grow too fast. But more than anything, I hope you feel the same joy and complete honor I feel in my role as mother. It really is my dream job.
You make me laugh everyday with your quirky ways. You've got personality-plus girl, and I love it! At eight months you:

Are cruising. You crawl like a maniac and often walk on all fours--hands and feet--not your knees, which is hilarious to me.

Haven't taken a binkie for months, now.

Love giving kisses. Once when you were being babysat, you crawled over to 10 month old Kai, grabbed his face, and tried to go in for a big smooch.

Handled our car ride to and from Utah like a pro (as long as either your dad or I was sitting in the back with you). Your grandparents loved seeing you.

Pull yourself up on anything you can get your hands on and can stand without support for a few seconds. You love cords, outlets, leaves, cell phones, remote controls, spider traps (gross!)--pretty much everything that you shouldn't have.
Are a drama queen, especially when we try to feed you food that you don't love. You like to feed yourself, too.

Have a wild fake laugh. I L-O-V-E it!
Are constantly on the move. When I'm able to get you to cuddle with me, I bask in the moments because they come so infrequently. Two Sundays ago, I woke you up for church and you were super, super sleepy. You must've not felt good all day because you slept a ton and acted lethargic all morning. You cuddled and slept in my arms all during Sacrament Meeting, which never, ever happens.

Have slept horribly at night the last couple weeks. By horrible, I just mean that you've woken up once during the night quite often. I know it could be worse--much worse--but please sleep well.

Love the book, Where Is Baby's Bellybutton? and get super excited whenever we pull it out to read.
Went swimming and swinging for the first time.
Aren't a huge fan of most baby foods. I don't blame you one bit. Eat 4-5 times a day. Breakfast is between 7 and 8. Lunch is around 11 or 12. Dinner's between 3 and 4. Then you take a bottle at 8 p.m. and go right to bed. Are still long and skinny. I mostly dress you in 6-9 month clothes, but you still fit 3-6 month clothes.

We love you so much!

Mom

Utah Vacation

Matt ended up having a week off during his ER rotation (the doctor he worked with took vacation). Since this would be one of the two weeks Matt has off before graduation next May, we packed our bags and made the 16 hour trek to Utah. Every time I make that long haul, I swear it will be the last. But I can't complain too much--Skylie was a trooper. I whined more than she did.

Highlights at Matt's parents' home include:
Braylie and Skylie chasing each other
Biking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Matt playing racquetball with his dad
Running to the Bountiful Temple and back (It's 10 miles, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to do it this trip.)
Hiking Mount Olympus
Swimming with Laura, Brad, and Braylie

Dining out at a great Thai place

Then we visited my parents in Heber:
After I'd executed an overactive weekend in Salt Lake, we spent the first two days recovering/reading every chance we could.

I read this:
And Matt read this: (Both are great reads, according to us.)


Other highlights with my family include:
Seeing Matt, Krista, Savannah, and Porter
Playing Ticket to Ride with my parents
Savannah and Skylie adoring each other
Stuffing ourselves silly at Tucanos

I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I did nab these two clips which I think are priceless. They depict one of the many reasons I love my guy.




Even factoring in the 30+ hours of driving, the trip was totally worth it to see family.


XOXO

Easter

Spring is finally here in Des Moines. I'm loving that I get to take my baby girl outside and watch her soak in the world. She's usually more mesmerized by my car keys and the remnants of leaves than anything else, but once and a while I'll catch her fascinated at a bird or a tree. Imagine, seeing Earth in all her beauty for the first time. That's got to be cool.
On Easter eve I took Skylie to two Easter egg hunts (not that she cared, but I wanted cute pictures).

Egg hunt #1: Community egg hunt at a nearby school
Skylie was more in awe at the wood chips on the playground than the eggs. If only she'd be that easily amused her entire life!

More than once I had to stop her from tumbling down the hill.

Egg hunt #2: With friends at Michelle Barrett's home
My friend, Nathalie planned this festivity, and it was pretty cute to watch all four babes. They were born within a month of each other. The twins are oldest with Kylee a few weeks behind them. Skylie's the youngest, but she holds her own well. :)

Kylee, Michelle, Skylie, Erin, Logan, Nathalie, and Taylor

Matt finished a 24 hour shift at the ER Sunday morning, so our Easter consisted of watching general conference, sleeping, and eating. Seriously, what could be better?

Since when did Skylie take over this blog?

Believe it or not, Matt and I really do have lives outside of our 14 pound squirmy bundle of love. I'll prove it.

I've been getting our blog ready to be made into a book. Blog2Print.com is my printing utility of choice because it's quick and easy, and I'm all about that.

This week I listened to The Last Lecture audio book. I still haven't started The Hunger Games, because I know when I do I won't be able to put it down. It's that good, I've heard.

My sights are set on running the Dam to Dam 20K on June 5, and my love for my jogging stroller increases with every mile we're together. For real. Bob is by far the best purchase I've ever made.

Last week Matt and I hosted an Easter Party for my Primary class. It was blissful craziness as seven and eight-year-old kids dyed Easter eggs and got a kick out of random party games like "Easter Bunny Says" and "Musical Chairs". During the Easter egg hunt I couldn't help but be completely awed as some kids generously gave eggs they'd found to other kids. I don't know if I've ever mentioned how much I love my church calling, but I do. I love it. I adore these kids and can only imagine how precious these little ones are to the Lord.

I've been listening to general conference today and have been so touched and reminded of the great privilege and responsibility I have as a mother. Last August I got promoted to my dream job--motherhood. It's not always as dreamy-blissful as I sometimes thought it would be. Occasionally Skylie's crying and I'm sobbing right along with her. But overall it's been amazing.

But this post isn't about Skylie, remember. Moving on.

My dad really is the greatest. To say he hasn't been feeling so hot this week would be an understatement, but that's what I'll say. Thankfully, he seems to be on the mend.

I spoke to him a few days ago and despite the fact that he felt worse than he'd ever felt in his entire life (according to my mom), the first thing out of his mouth was a joke.

True to character the conversation went something like this:

Dad: "Erin, I want you to teach Skylie something."

Me (kind of expecting some profound wisdom): "Sure, Dad."

Dad: "I need you to teach her not to go around mooning people."

See picture on this post.

He's right. If that's not critical knowledge, I don't know what is.

So to end this rambling post with a trinket of indispensable knowledge.

Don't go around mooning people.

Seven Month Stats

Height: 27 inches; 68th percentile

Weight: 14 pounds, 2 ounces; 5th percentile

Head Circumference: 41 centimeters; 5th percentile

We love this peanut!

On the Move

These videos taken yesterday capture Skylie crawling. She could barely get around a week ago, but now she's got it down pact.

Last night during her a bath, she grabbed hold of the faucet-thingy that makes the water stay in or out, and she pulled herself up to standing in one swift move. Scary!

I have a feeling this is only the beginning of many, many daredevil stunts this girl pulls.

Month Seven

Sky,

Two days ago I held a newborn. I looked at the newborn then stared at you, and I couldn't believe you were ever that small. It seems like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital, and now you're sitting up on your own, crawling, and are able to hold your own bottle! Where has the time gone? I miss my newborn, but I'll admit that you're a lot more fun now.

Some words that describe you are:

Happy | Smiley | Wiggle-worm | Active | Green-bean hater | Apple sauce lover |
Kisser of Mom | Grinner at Dad when he walks in the door | Independent | Occasional cuddler | Stroller lover | Crib hater | Crawler | Stomach sleeper | Yoga poser (Your favorite is the down-dog position. You do it everywhere--the bathtub, diaper changing mat, everywhere.) |
Talker | Entertainer | CuriousMischievous | And last but not least, a joy.

This month you got a cough and runny nose. Your sick cry was so soft and—dare I admit—pretty cute. That sickness has led to an ear infection, and you're currently taking a round of antibiotics. You seem to be doing great, though.

You've started scooting and can get around wherever you want, now. You're super slow, but you do your crawling thing when you want to. You like to stick your bum in the air like you're doing a down-dog yoga pose. It's adorable, but when you try that stunt in the bathtub, you usually end up with a mouthful of water. Nice.

I took you to Baby Rhyme Time at the library, and you were mesmerized by the bright colors and funny noises, not to mention the ten other babies in the room.

You're teething, and I'm kind of afraid of those two teeth you have now.

Bedtime for you is around 8 p.m., and on good nights you sleep until about 7:00 a.m.. I don't claim that you're a perfect sleeper, though. Good thing you're cute!

Oh, and I think you spit up less now. My clothes thank you.

Please keep giving me kisses. I love them! But sometimes you should share that slobber with your Dad. I think he's jealous. ;)

Love you forever,

Mom