Tessa - 9 Months Old

Weight:

16.5 lbs

Clothing Size:

She is still wearing anywhere from 6-12 month tops and onsies.

But when it comes to pants and leggings, she is now needing to wear 12 month sizes.

She just might have some long legs!

Eye Color:

Blue

Hair:

Blondish

Teeth:

Still only two teeth right now.

Movement:

Oh boy, we have hit some milestones this month.

Not only is she crawling around everywhere,

but she also pulled herself up to a standing position just yesterday!

She loves exploring the house now that she can crawl

and she just realized that she can now follow Mommy from room to room.

Talking:

I am almost completely convinced

that she is saying "Mama" and meaning me...

or at least a part of me.

She has now begun to say "Mama" and reach for me when she wants to nurse.

(not to mention grabbing and pulling down my shirt too) :/

She will also say "Mama" if she wants me to pick her up.

Everything else she says is still baby babble.

She also loves to blow bubbles with her spit and make a "mah" sound.

Playtime:

Tessa is curious about everything.

Which means she is getting into practically everything.

Some of her favorite "toys" to investigate are...

Carseat

Laundry Basket

Bookcase and Books

the "big" Piano

Silas's Bed

Washer and Dryer

Dish Washer door.

She also loves to sit in my lap while she is playing with toys

and crawling all over mommy and daddy.

Sleeptime:

I read a WONDERFUL article on the Kelly Mom website that really encouraged me

to keep a realistic view on Tessa's sleep patterns.

Here's the link.

I totally recommend checking out the article

if you are dealing with a baby that doesn't sleep through the night.

Meal Time:

Tessa has tried a few new foods this month...

Strawberries

Grapes

Raw Cheese (shredded)

Pot Roast (small pieces of the soft meat)

Coconut Flour Pancakes (one of her favorites now)

Tessa's Favorites:

She loves to go outside.

One day this month, I bundled her up and we walked down the street to pick up our mail.

We were gone only 5 minutes before we headed back home.

But the instant we stepped inside the house, she began to cry and cry.

I then realized that we need to get OUT more.

So I strapped her on me again, we put the leash on the dog, and we went on a longer walk.

Summer can't get her quick enough.

Mommy's favorites:

She is starting to snuggle and hug us now.

Especially when she just wakes up from a nap.

She will place her head on your chest and just let you hold her

until she is fully awake and ready to play again. 

Such sweet sweet moments.

 

52 Weeks in a Year - Week Nine

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014."

 

Did I skip a week?

I feel like I skipped a week somewhere in here.

Oh well, I'm just going to continue to pretend that it's week nine.

My poor sleep deprived brain can't count anymore.

 

I love this picture because, not only is my sweet Tessa so happy,

it reminds me to not be a toy snob.

Let me elaborate...

Micah and I both are not the hugest fans of brightly colored, flashy, plastic kid toys.

We will walk up and down the toy isle at Target

and just cringe at the amount of ugly toys there are.

We (especially me) are so picky with the things that we buy,

we have found it so hard to buy one of these tacky toys.

(cue me eating my words)

Well, today in church, Tessa found the toy pictured above.

A huge, plastic, flashy, brightly colored, noisy toy 

that she thought was the most amazing thing EVER.

She was so happy and content exploring every inch of the toy.

I'm eating my words big time because I'm pretty sure

we will be purchasing a big plastic toy in the near future.

Babies, they keep you humble and not a toy snob.

My New Purchase - Porter Baby Ring Sling

I made an investment this week.

I purchased a Porter Baby Ring Sling... and I am already in love.

I knew we needed one fast because Tessa is going through the "Mommy Phase"

and constantly wants to be either with me or be held by me.

I'm not complaining, it's actually quite sweet.

I just knew that my poor tired arms needed a rest.

I definitely recommend this brand.

I was on a very limited budget when searching for the right Sling

and if you have ever shopped around for these, you know how expensive they can be.

Porter Baby Slings are super affordable,

made from %60 linen and %40 cotton blend,

and come in so many different beautiful colors that you can customize.

If you are in the market to buy one, I would head on over to there now!

52 Weeks in a Year Series - Week Eight

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014."

My goofy little girl.

I totally forgot to post her "week seven" photo.

But, to be honest, I had way to much worry on my mind.

Last Friday Tessa got her first real fever along with all the cold symptoms...

coughing, runny nose, congestion, fever.

And even though the Doctors were not worried because her temp never went above 102.5,

I felt like I was standing at attention all weekend. 

So, as the natural mama (that I try to be), I let the fever run its course,

in hopes that it would kill off any bug she had been exposed to.

When it spiked up into the 102 range, I brought it down a degree or two by

 soaking her socks in warm water and lemon essential oil,

putting them back on her feet and covering them with wool butties. 

After two days of straight fever, it came back down to normal.

Now we are just waiting for her runny nose to go away,

but other than that, all better!