10 months

My sweet Lainey Jo you are now 10 months old! That's 2 whole hands!!!! I can't believe it! Time is flying by soooooooooooooooo quickly! At your 9 month check up (on Jan. 10) your stats were:

height: 28 1/2" (73%ile)
weight: 19 lbs 5 oz (64%ile) (which means I was way off the past couple of months...whoops!)
head circumference: 17" (26%ile)

Still tall and thin but you've evened out some. Some other updates:

-eat a bigger variety of baby food. We've been given more stage 3 foods which have pieces of food in them and you're not quite sure about it. You struggle with it at times because you try to just swallow it and end up choking on the pieces. You've improved on it but still not quite the expert. And for the past week or so, you haven't been eating much baby food because you prefer people food and to feed yourself. It appears as though you're going to be Miss Independent. Hmmm....not sure who you got that from.
-You are talking so much more. At times it sounds more like you're saying sentences instead of just babble.
-You still sleep great at night. Sometimes you wake up whining if you can't find your binky and Dad or I have to go in there to retrieve binky for you.
-You are so mobile! You have a walker that you hold onto and walk around the living room. It makes me cry everytime you do because you look so big. My itty bitty is gone and it happened so fast. :(
-You're a very curious baby. You find something new and really check out and try to figure out it's use and purpose
-You're also very stubborn. You don't like being told "no" and every time you are, you let out this pathetic fake cry. It's pretty ridiculous.
-You love to point! You use your pointer finger for everything: looking at books, touching faces, playing with toys, pointing at anything, eating food and even gnawing on your pointer finger
-You still really enjoy reading books. I hope your love for books continues as you grow up!
-You love to get in the rocking chair and bounce your body, which makes the chair rock back and forth. Or you like for Mommy or Daddy to rock the chair back and forth while you're sitting it.
-You like to go over the side of furniture and then be flipped over to your back, sort of like you did a somersault. Afterwards you have the biggest smile on your face!
-You snuggle up more and more with your softie. It has definitely become your little sidekick and I'm wishing we had a back up in case something happens to it...
-You still don't like to be left alone in a room. If I leave the room you let out an "uuuhh" and come crawling after me
-You like to play in front of my mirrored closet door. You talk to the baby in the mirror and give her kisses (aka lick the mirror)
-Still not a fan of loud sudden noises, such as a sneeze...still makes you jump
-If a stranger (someone you're not familiar with, not literally a stranger) comes up and talks to you, you'll lay your head on my shoulder (or Daddy's if he's holding you). I guess you're being shy. Ithink it's really sweet :)
-You can no longer sit with us during church as it is very difficult for you to sit still and quiet for that long. So you get to enjoy bible class the entire time (until it's time for you to eat)
-You've started weening yourself off taking 2 naps a day, however I've continued to force you to have 2. I think you do better if you've had 2, even if your morning nap is for only 45 minutes
-You still prefer to fall asleep in your beds. You don't fall asleep if we're out and one of us is holding you. You either need your bed or to be in your car seat in a moving vehicle. I wish you would just snuggle up with me sometimes.
-We've been working on "what does a lion say?" and growling at you. You'll sometimes growl back....so much fun!!

I know there's more that I'm forgetting because you're simply amazing and amaze me with something new everyday! You always turn my gray sky blue again and make me smile everyday! I love you more than I can express and I'm even tearing up as I write this. I still can't believe your mine and I get to help raise you. You are the simply the best!! I LOVE YOU LAINEY JO!!! MUAH!

Love XOXO,
Mom


Hanging out in toy chest

Checking out new walking toy

Loving on Shala

Aww...such a sweet baby

*please disregard the naked baby doll but for some reason Lainey prefers her that way :/ )

9 months!

Holy moly Lainey bug!! You. Are. 9. Months!!! that's 75% to a full year! Oh my goodness time is flying by and you're growing so much! You are a crawling machine!! You crawl everywhere. If Daddy or I leave the room, you crawl after us. Sometimes I've left the room without you noticing and when you did, I could hear you start to cry and go look for me. Once you see my face again, you raise your arms up for me to pick you up. I love to see you lift your arms towards me. I might even, perhaps, at times, have left the room just so I can come back and have you lift your arms towards me.....
Not only are you a crawler but you can also pull yourself up to a standing position. When you first started this, you weren't able to stand very long, but now you can stand for quite some time and pretty steadily too. Watching you do this just amazes me because it wasn't that long ago, you were just a little bug all snuggled up in my arms. Now you just want to be down and moving. All the time. Moving. You're definitely a goer and I feel you're going to keep us very busy once you figure out the walking thing. Which btw, you can hold off on that for awhile...I really don't mind. For now let's just enjoy crawling after one another while we take laps around the couch. :)
Since you're such a goer, we had a nice moment earlier in the month. When it's time for you to nap, you prefer to just be laid down. I tried so hard to make sure you can be laid down and fall alseep on your own that I never really held you while you napped. So now that I don't see you all day because I'm at work, it would be nice to occassionally snuggle with you while you sleep. But no. However, in the evening on Dec. 8th, you were very tired because you didn't nap well at Ms. Mel's house earlier in the day, after dinner, I rocked you in the recliner and you took a nap. It was only a 30 minute power nap but it was pure bliss. I loved getting to just hold you while you slept. Your face is so peaceful and you just look so angelic. It was a great feeling! Thanks baby girl! :)

So here are your stats for 9 months:
length: 28 1/2" (Measured by Mom, more than likely not accurate)
weight: 21 lbs. (measured by Mom, more than likely not accurate)
sleeps: 8:30/9pm - 7/7:30 (although while on Christmas break, you've slept in til 8 a couple of times :) )
eats: a lot! You're up to 8 oz on your bottles (most of the time) and you eat about 4-6oz of solid food at each meal. You're still just eating cereal, fruits and veggies. We've tried some foods with meat in it but you're not a fan.
wears: 9 mos clothing but need to be in 12 mo. It's just hard for me to accept the fact that you're big enough to wear 12 mo. clothing.... :( So big.

Favorite things:
-crawling!!
-crawling around the couch
-crawling b/w chair and table
-playing with car seat
-anything musical - you like to bounce to the music
-clapping! You did start clapping this month and you enjoy it
-giving high fives - you're not consistent with this but you're getting better
-tags on anything. You like playing with the tag on your pillow pet, on clothing, anything
-funny noises made by Mommy and Daddy
-mimicing funny noises made by Mommy and Daddy
-pulling books out of their bin
-moving around during diaper changes......not cool
-playing with other kids. When there's another little person around you just stare at him/her
-playing with Caden. You still love on him rough, but he's starting to fight back some. One day he's going to take you down.
-Poking faces. You usually find an eye socket and your finger up a nose.....need to work on this
-talking. Your chattering has greatly increased. I look forward to your first word.
-singing. You sing with Mommy in the car and usually during dinner too

Not only did you turn 9 months but you had your first Christmas too! You had a great 1st Christmas with all of your wonderful family! We spent time in Duncan with the Looper family, then came back to spend time with the Sutherlin family and the finale was with the Ingram family. You had some busy days with family. You were showered with so much love, attention and gifts! Little girl you are truly blessed and you got more gifts than I could imagine! You weren't really into opening all those gifts. Your Daddy and I did most of the work. But it was fun to watch you none the less, especially after a gift was opened that lit up or made noise. Once you had something musical you were done. I can't believe your first Christmas has come and gone and you're 9 months old. I've already starting thinking about your (sniff ) 1st Birthday. It's absolutely crazy how fast time goes, especially when we're having so much fun with you!! You are such a blessing and I feel more whole with you here. I love you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much sugar bear!!

Love,

Mom


Nana and Lainey @ Christmas



Caden, Aunt Lori & Lainey @ Christmas


Lainey, Jaiden, Caden, Jarreth, Will and the legs of several adults


Daddy, Lainey & Mommy


Cousin Love! Will, Lainey & Ryan


Sweet Lainey bug!!


Looper fam! Grandpa, Daddy, Lainey, Mommy, Aunt Brooke, Grandma, Aunt Julie, Uncle Derek


Lainey and her laptop.Once this was opened, she was done


Lainey and Mommy


Huh? I have to open all of these?


I'm tired. It's bed time.


Daddy and Lainey reading....awwww....


I can help you load the dishwasher!!

8 months

Lainey Jo you are now 8 months old! I can’t believe it! Things are sure different around here lately because you can now crawl!! Oh my goodness you are mobile. IT makes me sad to think about because you will never be immobile again. You are growing so fast and I constantly wonder where my itty bitty baby doll went? I am excited to watch you grow and learn and seeing you crawl for the first time brought me complete joy. I felt such pride watching you move and of course I teared up. You had such a look of determination on your face. Now when I leave the room you crawl after me which melts my heart. It brings a huge smile to my face to turn around and see you coming to get me. I love you so much!

Now that you are mobile means we have to keep a closer eye on you as you explore your surroundings. We also get to start using the word “no”. You have tried to get into things not meant for you and we have given you a stern “no” and you just turn around, look at us, smile and start moving toward the object again. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come…..

Another new thing you’ve developed is a little ‘tude. You don’t like it if you can’t do something, reach something or if now you’re told no. I’m not quite sure where you could’ve gotten this ‘tude (:/) but hopefully it’s just a phase. Even with the ‘tude and laughing off when you’re told no, I wouldn’t trade you for anything. You are the most wonderful, amazing, smart, funny, happy, most perfect baby and I love you more than anything! I can’t imagine my life without you!!

Stats:
-weight: 20 lbs. ( I weighed myself then held you on the scale with me and it was a 20 lb. difference so…..)
-length: 28 1/4 “ ( measured by me so the accuracy is in question)
-sleeps: 8:30/9pm – 7/7:30am YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
-eats: formula (usually 6 oz.), veggies, fruits, rice cereal and recently started some snack puffs
-size 3 diapers
-wears 9 month clothing
-says “mmmaaammmaaamamamma”, “dddaadddaaadadada”, “bbbebebebee” and several other sounds that are hard to type………………….there should be a code for this

Things you enjoy:
-music
-jumper
-looking at books
-playing peek a boo
-hearing people make animal sounds
-checking out new things (computer tower, basket of electronic gadgets, camera case, etc.)
-watching your kid videos
-singing songs
-holding pens
-banging on laptop
-playing with blocks
-knocking over towers of toys
-playing with car seat
-sitting in front of my closet mirror
-bouncing
-patting baby Shala
-playing/loving roughly on Caden
-watching other people (sometimes a little too long…AKA staring)
-you now are intrigued by the vacuum instead of terrified, that's good :)


Playtime

Hanging with Uncle Mikey!

Lainey w/Shala - 1 week



Lainey w/Shala - 8 months

No longer will lay down for pics with Shala.....

Aww...love the baby

7 months

My sweet Lainey Jo you are now 7 months! Time is flying by so quickly! Your stats:

*length: 27 " (I'm thinking you're a little longer cuz this was your measurement last month)
*weight: 16 lbs 14 oz
*eating: formula, some breast milk (no longer nursing :(, using what's left), rice cereal, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, mixed veggies (only way you get peas), bananas, apples, pears, pears/pineapple, and other fruit medleys
*sleeping: 8:30/9pm - 7/7:45am, you get at least 10 hours a night sometimes more :) :)
*teeth: you have 2!! The bottom front (we're thinking you're working on some more)
*movement: rolling back and forth all over the place. I call you my rolly poley. You can also get into crawling position and move backwards, but can't quite crawl forward yet. You work very hard at it and get frustrated that you can't do it.
*you reach for stuff constantly. We have to keep things at a distance or you'll get your hands on them quick!
*because you move so much, we usually find you in a different spot in your crib every morning. Usually it's right up against the side wall. Sometimes you've even turned 180 degrees, facing the completely opposite direction.
*you love going to Miss Mel's house and playing with the other kids. Everytime I drop you off in the morning, you immediately check out what everyone else is doing. I have a hard time getting a kiss from you because you act like I'm just in your way.....so sad. Although I am glad that you enjoy where you spend 3 days a week!
*you scrunch your nose when you smile....absolutely love it!
*you're talking much more, mostly babababa, ahhhhh, grunting, squealing, and giggles. We're still working on Mama :)
*you like sitting on the bed while Mommy or Daddy falls down on the bed making you bounce. You just laugh and laugh at this!
*You get very serious when you're playing with you toys. It's like you are studying them intensely to learn everything you can about them. It's so fun to watch.
*You don't like being left alone in a room. You can handle it sometimes for a few minutes (more likely in the mornings rather than the evenings) but usually start crying as soon as everyone leaves
*You enjoy looking at books. You especially like the sound of your hand rubbing down the pages, making a nice squeaky sound
*You really enjoy typing on keyboards and you're somehow able to find all the buttons that exit out of programs
*Not a fan of getting boogers sucked out of your nose....sorry dear
*You do really well during bath time, just hang out with Mr. Duck
*You like having water put in your mouth from a straw
*You've tried a sippy cup but not quite sure how to use it yet
*You hold your softy to your face when you're tired, the sweetest thing ever!
*You enjoy playing peek a boo and will lean to the side trying to see whoever is hiding

You are learning and growing so quickly and it just amazes me. Each month is full of new adventures, excitements, firsts, and complete joy. I love having you in my life and couldn't imagine life without you. You are the most precious blessing and I love you so much!!

Mommy




Lainey w/Shala @ 7 months


Hey guys!

Love this face!!

6 months!!!!

My sweet, precious, wonderful Lainey Jo is 6 months old!!!! That's half way to 1 year!!! I cannot believe she's already 6 months old! TIme is literally flying by! Someone please make it stop. NOW!! I am loving the stage she's in right. She is much more interactive and really takes in the environment around her. Yesterday we had her 6 month check up with the doc and things are looking good. She's healthy (still currently has a cough, remnants of a pesky cold :( ) and her skills are top notch. She got some shots during the check up, 4 to be exact, and she was such a trooper. She cried some while receiving the shots but I picked her up once they were over and she stopped crying. Then she talked to me and her Nana most of the way home. I can only assume letting us know her displeasure for the shots. Her stats are:

weight: 15 lbs 5 oz (35 %ile)
height: 27 in. (90 %ile)
head circumference: 16 in. (12 %ile)
eating: breastmilk, formula, rice cereal, sweet potatoes, green beans, squash, peas (tried carrots this evening....wasn't a fan)
sleeping: 9pm-7am (Bless you child!)

New tricks:
-- rolling all over the place! But once she's done rolling, she's done
-- sitting up without support (not completely new but can sit longer without tumbling over)
-- sitting up from a reclined position
-- puts binky in & out of mouth on her own
-- moves things from one hand to the other
-- grasps well and quick (got orange juice spilled on me this morning....)
-- lunges forward
-- rotates body while on tummy
-- holds own milk bottle while eating
-- can pull headband off head
-- play peek a boo
-- looks for stuff that become hidden

Likes:
-- Sleeping on her belly
-- squealing (especially when Mommy or Daddy do it back to you)
-- jumping in jumperoo (you get some serious bounce)
-- watching Dr. Phil (he apparently has a mesmerizing voice)
-- watching other kids play
-- being outside
-- kicking toys
-- hearing butterfly squeak
-- checking self out in mirror

I'm sure there's more you're doing. I need to be better about writing them down when they happen because even though I have a good memory, I know I forget some stuff. I'm loving being Lainey's Mom and look forward to watching her grow. Hopefully more slowly though. :) LOVE YOU LAINEY JO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Princess Lainey

Simply gorgeous

Grandma and Lainey

Bathtime is so much better sitting in a duck

Shala with Lainey 6 months

Lainey and Mommy

BOOMER! SOONER!

Saturday was a big day for Lainey. Not only did she eat sweet potatoes for the first time but she also got to watch her first OU game! She had great anticipation much of the day. She wore her first OU shirt proudly. I'm pretty sure she even said "Sooners". :) She was so pumped for the game but by the time it started, she was so busy playing with her toys and in her jumperoo that she didn't watch much of it. Then she started getting sleepy, so off for her bath, fed and then to bed...all before half time. On Sunday morning I informed her that the Sooners opened the season with a win, which made her smile. She then suggested they move future game times up to about 5pm so she can watch all of it!


Lainey and Mommy


Lainey and Daddy

Looper Fam!

Sweet potatoes....yum!!

Lainey had her first encounter with veggies this past Saturday. First up, sweet potatoes. She did great! She liked them and kept most of it in her mouth! :) I can't believe my little baby is big enough to eat solids. Time is moving so quickly!! Sniff. Sniff. Tear.

5 months

Another month has gone by and my sweet Lainey bug is now 5 months old! That's a whole hand people!! I can't believe it. Everyone said it goes by fast, I just didn't realize how fast! I look at Lainey and can't believe how much bigger she is than when she was born. My little snuggle bunny just keeps growing bigger and bigger!
We had a major milestone a few weeks ago that was really hard on me. I went back to work. After 4 1/2 wonderful months of staying home with Lainey every day, I returned to my job. The first day was really hard. I started crying before I even got out the front door to leave. But I kept myself busy working in my classroom so the day went by quickly and before I knew it, I was picking her up and taking her home. That evening completely revolved around Lainey. Jeremy and I both just sat with her, stared at her, played with her and loved on her. It's amazing we took time long enough to eat. As time has gone by, it's gotten easier to not be with her during the day. It just makes the evenings that much more special getting to spend time with her. Of course this means we'll rarely have clean clothes or a clean house because we're too busy playing with her to do that during the evening but oh well. :) Alright, now for the Lainey stats.

weight: 14 lbs 3 oz (this was weight from doctor a couple of weeks ago so probably a little higher)
length: 26 3/4" (taken by me...probably not accurate)
-eats about 5 - 5 1/2 oz
-has added rice cereal to her diet. Most of the time, the majority of it ends up on her face and bib :)
-sleeps from 9pm-7am LOVE THIS!!!!!

Lainey's resume'
-rolls from back to tummy -- only going to her right, working on rolling the other way. Also still working on rolling to back from tummy, tends to get stuck on tummy
-can sit up unassisted for a good period of time!!!
-can jump rather aggressively while in jumperoo
-grabs toys and holds
-reaches for items (especially ones not meant for her)
-takes binky out of mouth and can put back in all on her own
-saying "eeeeooo" "mamamamma" "iiii", "bbrrrrr", grunts, blows raspberries
-squeals (Loudly!)
-laughs
-looks for people if hide behind something
-starting to play peek a boo
-can push self up while on tummy
-grabs toes

Lainey's guilty pleasures:
-looking at books
-being sung to
-watching tv...still
-watching mommy or daddy dance around
-listening to music
-sitting at table and reaching for plates
-jumperoo!
-grabbing your toes
-being outside
-playing with roll & crawl ball

You are the most wonderful baby. I am loving watching you grow and watching you discover the world around you. I LOVE YOU BUNCHES!!!



Caden and Lainey chillaxin' in the pool


Lainey @ 5 mos. with Shala (look at the growth!)



Look at my big girl sittin all by herself!! And with a gorgeous smile too!!