You continue to LOVE food! You eat everything I put in your mouth whether it's vegetables, fruits, curry.. you name it. Your Uncle Johnny declared that you were "the neatest baby eater ever" because you open your mouth really wide and don't really allow any food to not go into your mouth. (That doesn't mean that I haven't gotten the occasional raspberry with squash speckling my face though!) The last few days, you have started grabbing at the bowl with your food in it and you try to grab any food (even mine) if it is within your grasp. I think you might be ready for some finger foods soon.
You are getting better and better at sitting up, but you still fling yourself backwards so I have to keep a hand on your back or a boppy behind you. One evening, I put you on your knees and went to do something. When I came back like 5 seconds later, you were sitting up. You have yet to repeat this when I am actually watching though!
Crawling/scooting is coming along. You can scoot anywhere you want and at a decent speed. You get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth frequently. You do this stance where you have only your hands and feet on the ground with your knees in the air. You have been inching your knees forward and you get one hand forward, but then you end up crashing to the ground and get upset. It will only be a matter of time before you have it down. You are definitely strong enough! You just lack the patience.
The standing position continues to be your favorite. I'll try to sit you in front of a toy and you'll refuse to bend your legs, so you can stand holding onto the toy instead of sitting. We have a push toy that you have taken a few steps while pushing, but you aren't walking along and holding onto anything yet. You've let go of whatever it is you're holding a couple times and stood on your own for a few seconds.
Every time someone wants to hold you, the first thing they say is, "Wow! She's REALLY strong!" Then they follow up with, "Does she ever stop moving?" I chuckle and respond that you slow down a little bit when you're sleeping. This last Sunday, Doug had to work and I was alone, so some DEAR brave souls decided to help hold you. It's like being in a baby holding marathon with you Leah! If you weren't grabbing their face/jewelry, you were turned in every direction opposite from the way they would face you, or bouncing on their lap/out of their arms. Another baby the same age just SAT on his grandmother's lap. I don't mind (mostly). You are a mover and a shaker my little Leah and you will change the world!
All of this moving takes a lot of energy and you nap pretty well for the most part. You are definitely getting better at sleeping through the night. You were waking up every 2-3 hours to nurse, so I decided to start some sleep training. It stunk and your little lungs got quite the work out, but you started sleeping longer periods of time within three days of starting. You are pretty regularly sleeping through the night 7:30pm-5:30am, nursing, and then waking up for the day at 7:30am. This is an IDEAL day and we still have QUITE a bit of variance, but it's MUCH better than waking up every 2-3 hours like before.
Potty training is going great! (See previous post if you're clueless about this.) The diaper pale doesn't fill up nearly as fast and isn't nearly as stinky. I would say that you go poo in the toilet about 75% of the time and pee maybe 25%. It's really helping to cut back on diapers. It's probably more mommy potty training because I've had to learn to read the signs that you need to go, but I've heard that some infant potty trainers are officially done with diapers by a year old. I'm not counting on it, but that would be a dream! I really think this comfy Bumbo potty seat should get a lot of the credit. We were at a friend's house and you tried her daughter's potty seat and wouldn't go. Comfort is key!
I can see that your fine motor skills are just barely starting to develop. You rake at smaller and smaller things with your fingers and sometimes you are even able to pick up smaller objects. There are beads on this toy of yours and you love feeling them between your fingers. You can also grab your pacifier now and put it into your mouth the right way.
Things that you love... You still love to read Dr. Seuss's ABC's Book with me. These days, I usually read to you while you are sitting on the toilet because it's the only time that you're really staying still, You also LOVE Darwin, our kitty. You smile really big when you see him and have tried grabbing at him a few times, but he gives you a wide berth. You love bright colors... It may just be my imagination, but you seem attracted to the color yellow right now. You continue to love being outside. You love watching people, especially kids! It fascinating to see you develop interests and preferences. Your personality is showing more each day.
Your Grandma H. and I finished your quilt. (FINALLY!) I'm pretty excited about it! Your name is embroidered on the back in the lower right corner. The colors are some of my favorites and it really did turn out beautiful. We are thinking about making some matching valences to go in your room. (This picture below is you in the cradle your great uncle Al made for you with the quilt grandma and I made as the background. You were making raspberries the whole time I was trying to get a picture!)
We just decided to move you into the next car seat. You have adjusted well! This one should last you until you grow out of car seats. I was worried that you would hate it because there are no buggies toys to talk to like on your old car seat, but you have your feet to chew on and I sometimes place some toys on your lap. This last Sunday was kind of a nightmare because there was no place for you to sleep besides my arms. We're going to have to figure something out!
The weather has started cooling down and I have started layering you up. Here's a favorite picture that showcases your beautiful brown eyes! The sweater is awesome. It is a hand-me-down from your Aunt Heather and it actually zips up the back!
You are amazing, my little girl. I love you more and more each and every day. (If that's even possible!) I feel very blessed to be your mommy.
