9 months!

It's honestly hard to believe our little munchkin is 9 months old! I've already started to play around with ideas for her 1st birthday, call me crazy, but I feel like it'll be here so soon. Now, Madelyn has been bringing us joy for about the same time as I was pregnant with her... its just nuts.

We are back to a steady 6:30pm - 6:30am sleeping schedule and two 1.5/2 hour naps a day. She usually falls asleep on her side after a few minutes of sucking her fingers and snuggling with her lovies, too darn cute! She used to doze off during trips in the car, but our chatterbox now talks through most car rides. Our commutes home at night are more fun because I can "hang" out with her as she entertains me from the back seat, talking and laughing.  She is starting to pull herself up and she whines and grunts if she can't get up on her own. It started just in her crib, and now she does it in her favorite chair, from our laps, just about anywhere she can - she just wants to be up standing all the time.

 She's tried ice cream and cool whip and didn't seem to like either... wonder when her sweet tooth will develop ;) She likes apple juice, and guzzles water, just like her momma! Next week at her appointment we should get the go ahead for real food. Our doctor seems to be cautious and a little slower than some since I know a lot of people whose little ones have eaten lots of other things by this age. Clearly she's getting her nutrition though because M is growing like a weed, long and lean. She is in all 18 month clothes, for length mostly because everything is roomy in the middle. Can't wait to hear her stats next week :)

Verrrrrrrry ready for vacation and time together as a family at the beach! 

So I can look at this face all day, every day with my hubby:

Happy 9 months MJG - you are the light of our lives and such a joy to be around! 

Thank for you for being you, we love you higher than the stars!

8 month recap

What a month it has been! With her 9 month birthday just a few days away, I thought I would reflect on all of the changes we've experienced this month!

Madelyn is more responsive than every before. When you talk to her she'll look at you and smile, or flash you a coy grin - which forget about it, I just melt. She'll get everything and anything she wants if she keeps that up! Madelyn started to wave last month, but the neat thing is now she actually understands. If she hears anyone say "hi" or "bye" she'll raise her hand up and wiggle her fingers!

Just the other day she learned how to show you how big she is... sooooo big! I got a video of it that I'd love to share, but I can't figure out how to attach it here, bummer.  M will give you a high five if you prompt her and she thinks it's great when you applaud her with a "yay!" One other thing that's been really fun is she's learning to give kisses! At this point, its with her mouth closed, and she just leans her face into yours but I LOVE it! As long as you have her attention, she'll do just what you tell her.  I don't want to speak too soon, but it even seems like our little munchkin is starting to snuggle a little more. She'll hang her arms around your neck and lay her head on your shoulders... hey, even if it's short-lived, I'll take it :)

At about 8 1/2 months Madelyn's first tooth broke through on the bottow row. It seems like the next ones to come in are her two front teeth up on top, they're waiting to make a grand entrance. Aside from everything in sight being jammed in her mouth, it's going well so far and I am excited for her to have a few more pop through! That right there, is me jinxing it all, shoot.

As for moving, we're getting a little closer but still no crawling. M doesn't mind being on her tummy, she just slaps the floor, spins in circles or shimmies backwards. She did get herself up on her knees the other day though, so we're getting there. Maybe next month ;-)

Madelyn has rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a bottle with each. Sometimes she'll have a anothe small bottle during the day and puffs for snack. At this point, the only thing she has tried that she doesn't like, is peas. She seems to love everything else, even prunes! Poor thing has had a lot of prunes since it's hard to keep her little system regular. I can't wait to give her real food, like strawberries and blueberries to see what she thinks of those. My guess is, she'll love them too.

Again, I haven't been great with pictures lately.  I think I just get caught up enjoying the moments to remember to grab the camera. Here are a few phone pictures that I've snapped of our happy girl recently:

So excited to see Addy!

Polo twins :)

My date to the Wednesday night concert at Waveny

Smiley!

 

on the horizon...

This time of year as the summer quickly winds down is always a little bittersweet.  My birthday is in August, and I am a big birthday fan, so that is fun. However, when August begins, its a reminder the end of summer is getting that much closer. This August holds some fun things for us though, all of which I am looking foward to!

Next week, Madelyn has her 9 month appointment at the doctor, which I'm really looking forward to. The end of next week we're heading to the Vineyard for 6 days.  Since our trip over Memorial Day was less than perfect because I was so sick, I'm really looking forward to this visit. Hopefully we'll bring Madelyn for her first trip to the beach and time in the sand and ocean! We're even trying to plan for my family to visit for a day or two while we're up there. I am sure it'll be great, and I can't wait :)

In addition to my birthday, we have my brother Brendan's birthday on August 15th and my mom's birthday on August 27th. How can you not love birthdays?! At this age, birthdays = time with friends and family, cocktails, yummy food, and cake... uhh, yes, please :) So having a few family birthday close together always makes for a fun month!

At the end of the month, we have Addy's christening, at which we'll officially become her God-parents. We are very honored to have such a special responsibility and we know celebrating that day with our families will be wonderful.

Lastly, at the end of the month, Madelyn will start attending daycare part time. Eeeek! I remember filling out the forms indicating she would be 9 months old in August, and how crazy that seemed.... poof, now we're just about there. I can't think about it too much because I get emotional but I know it'll be so good for her and for my mom. It'll certainly take a little getting used to, maybe more so for me than Madelyn!

I guess as I look ahead towards the end of summer, we have so much to look forward to, it doesn't have to be bittersweet. I was cleaning up room on my computer this morning and found some old pictures of us, back in the day :) So as we look forward to all that's to come, here's a look at us in summers past!

4 generations

Over Thanksgiving last year, while my grandmother was visiting with us, my mom was adamant about taking a picture with the 4 generations of Zimmer women. At the time I sort of brushed it off with an "ahhhh, OK mom" but that I have adjusted to motherhood and everything has a new perspective, I get it. It's very neat to have these pictures, and moments together, to remember forever.

Here is the picture of me as baby, with my mom, grandma, and great grandmother. (for everyone who thinks Madelyn is Brian's twin... I have to say, this picture may challenge that a little :)

Here is Madelyn, me, my mom - Grammy, and Madelyn's great grandmother - Thanksgiving 2011.

Happy.

On my way to grab lunch today, I had one of those moments where you take a big breath, look around and smile, inside and out.  I am so grateful -  I feel great (especially since going GF again) it's a gorgeous day, my hubby is my best friend, our little girl is amazing, our families are the best and we have awesome friends - life is good :)

I just stumbled on this online and it fits my mood perfectly.

Happy Hump Day - be happy!