Ready or not mom - it's coming.

What you ask?? my BIRTHDAY!! I am almost one!! I have 4 days left! Here are some thoughts from my mom!!

Here is a glimpse of my life at this time last year! This is from my unpublished blog of my pregnancy with Amelia. I wrote in it weekly as a keepsake to amelia.

We have made a BIG decision
Filed under: Uncategorized — expecting2006 at 7:30 pm on Thursday, July 13, 2006

I just wanted to add an update. we went for my ultrasound and they have predicted that Amelia will weigh 9lbs 12oz at this point! i was stunned. i was thinking she would be 8lbs or so - but almost 10 WOW!!! i went to the doctor and she has advised us to have a c-section. It will be the safest for both Amelia and myself! It is not what i wanted, but I know for sure I want a health baby! It took me awhile to accept it, knowing that I won’t get the delivery i have envisioned since I saw the word pregnant on the test stick. But what i want most is to have a healthy baby girl! My cervix is soft, no effacement or dilation, no movement down of the babys head. no nothing. I am struggling with the decision inside - i really wanted a vag delivery, really wanted to dry her off and clean her up myself, really wanted to breast feed in the first hour, and was so looking forward to them placing her on my abdomen after she was born. It’s saddens me that none of this will happen. all that is left now is to go add more clothes to the hospital bag - looks like its a 4 day stay for us. Oh -no date yet, but hopefully it will be wednesday or thursday at the latest. I am very excited about meeting this little one though! I have started my FMLA too - no more work for me! That part i like a lot!!

What happening with baby

week 38 - i’m almost done!
During the next two weeks your baby will gain weight (really?? gain more weight??), as fat is stored to help maintain body temperature and glucose levels. Your baby might still have vernix (that creamy coating that protects the skin), but it is mostly confined to skin creases and folds and the back and neck. Your baby has a firm grasp reflex now. If a light is shown on your belly, your baby will now turn towards it. This is called the “orienting response.”
Your baby may weigh six to six and one half pounds at this point or he or she may weigh eight pounds or more! At around 18 1/2 inches long, he or she would look very well developed if born today. Your baby would not need any special care at this point.
The “lanugo” or fine downy hair that covered most of your baby’s body in the second trimester is mostly gone now, or present only on the upper back and shoulders.

Funny - she was 9lbs 12 oz exactly! And 21 inches. What a chunk! I find myself missing my baby that needed me so much. She is now walking, talking, pushing me away (i know -what is that about!), running, feeding herself and is so independent. She is so very sweet sometimes, running towards me with her arms behind her just to give me a hug. she freely gives kisses, loves the phone and the remote and will play by herself on occasion. She loves sweet potatoes, carrots, chicken and turkey sticks, raisens with or without yougart and bootylicious!! She is so in love with that cat! She also loves her paci, and her giraffe blanket. I think she may take the giraffe to college. She babbles nonstop, saying new words everyday. Lately she has said cheese, nose, eyes and mine. Yes mine. where do kids learn this stuff??

Happy early birthday my sweet girl! May you have hundred's more!! You are a wonderful girl and I love you so very much!! Please don't grow up too quick - mommies heart can't take it!!

Just like daddy

Sometimes mommy has to go to work and I get to stay home with Daddy. I really like staying with Daddy because he does funa nd silly things with me. Today he let me wear his hat!! I love daddy's hats! This was one of his favorites - his Cubs hat!! I have my own, but I prefer Daddy's!! It is a little big, but I don't mind. I can't wait till we can wear our hats to a real Cubs game - maybe when they are playing the cardinals!

My first trip to the zoo

My mommy and daddy had some vacation time this week so we went to the fabulous St. Louis Zoo. Mommy and Daddy took me to see lots of different animals, like the elephants, giraffes and the hippos!! I even got to ride a merry-go-round! I rode the giraffe, and although it didn't move, i had a great time. We also went to the puffin and penguin coast. The puffins were so cute!! We even saw a gorilla named Hugo!! That's so funny - my puppy is named Hugo!! I also saw a giant tourtise and some very colorful birds! I can't wait to go back to the zoo. It was so much fun!

Thanks Holly!

Not too fond of the hat!!

Look mom no hat!

This is a long overdue post - by about 2 months or more! My friend Holly at work made Amelia a beautiful sweater to wear for easter. She let me pick the pattern, bought the yarn and spent her own time making it. It turned out beautiful! She even put sweet little bunny buttons on the hat. It was so pretty and I couldn't wait to see Amelia in it. Holly has not seen the pictures yet, so here are some I took just for her! Enjoy Holly and thanks so much! We appreciate it!!

swim lessons part 2

Way back in June, you may recall mommy saying that they had signed me up for swim classes. We finally have some pictures from those classes! I loved going and getting in the pool! My favorite part was jumping in and fetching the duck. I loved swimming after the ducks! I wasn't that excited about the hokey pokey (especially the part where we put our whole selves in!). I made it all 6 weeks though! and with very little crying. My last class will be next week, july 12th!

Wean = whine

July has arrived and brought with it some changes. After mommy discovered she was giving me A LOT of formula - A LOT - she cut me back to 4 bottles. (i was getting 6 still!) I was ok with that - 4 bottles works for me. Mommy also had big plans to wean from my bottle. I have to admilt, I was not aware that I would be loosing my precious bottle!! She has kept it a secret. Little does she know - it won't be an easy transition! She initially tried to be sneaky and tried to put my formula in a C U P! What?? Well, i showed her and everytime i saw my bottles i would cry and whine for it. everytime. even when i didn't really want it. So, mom cold turkey'd me. While i was sleeping (this is the sneaky part i mentioned earlier) she took all my bottles out and replaced them with cups! I didn't really miss them to tell you the truth. Then Mommy realized that she slightly underestimated my formula need and we probably wouldn't make it to my birthday as planned. So, she bought me some whole milk. She slowly introduced it to me and so far, no problems!! I get 3 to 4 glasses of milk per day and I love it!!

Happy Birthday America!

Today is the Fourth of July - my first fourth of july! Last night I got to experience my first fireworks. I was quite intrigued by them. I liked the bright sparkly colors, but not the noise. It kinda scared me. But my Daddy was holding me so i was OK.

Some random pics for your viewing pleasure!

I am ready for the fireworks display!!

Ooooo how pretty!

ahhhh - i love the fireworks!!

Here are some pics of me and my new pool - momma and poppa let me get in - clothes and all!

How cute is this suit?? Thanks Tia, I love it!

These are some of my favorite candids - i love how hard she was laughing. i think you can feel her giggle!

On the road again...

well, maybe not again. I am on the road for the first time. I am headed to Springfield, Illinois. doesn't that sound exciting?? Springfield, Illinois. It just sounds like a fun place. I hear it is our state capitol, so it must be a great place! Our friend Lori lives there (lori, my personal photographer!). I can't wait to see all the fun places she has for us to go! I think we are going to Washington Park and to the state capitol! Check back for some wonderful pictures!!

edit: here is a quick sample of Lori's work!

Happy Birthday Buela!

Today is my Buela's Birthday! I wish I could go see her but she in under the weather so we have stay home. I hope you get some wonderful gifts and we will be out to see you as soon as possible!! I miss you and can't wait to bring you your gift!!

There's a monkey in our house

My newest skill to report this week is...drum roll please........climbing up on the chair! Today I grabbed on to my mom and used her to help me pull up. I have been practicing on my dad. When he is on the floor, i climb over and all around him. My next goal - the couch. I love the couch and can't wait till I can climb up there and run all around. Mom warns me I wil bumb my noggin, but I think I will be OK!

Saying it with a smile

I have learned yet one more trick. I have figured out what the phone is for. When I can get ahold of one of the phones, I like to put it up to my ear and say "hi". It's pretty funny. It makes you wonder how many times i have seen my momma and poppa do this exact same thing. Now when there is someone on the other end, it's a totally different story. Then i clam up and sit there and smile. No talking or babbling, just smiles. So if you are talking to me and you don't hear me talking back, know I am saying hello with my smiles!

Welcome to St. Louis, Shelby!

Today I went a BBQ at my friend Shelby's! It was actually at her grandma's house. It was alot of fun. There was a cat there who actually liked to be petted! I wish bootylicious was like that. Mom tried to take some pics of Shelby, but I liked to run over there and try to get Shelby. Mom and dad had some really good BBQ. After dinner we sat around and visited wuth Andrea and Darrin. Shelby slept a lot while we were there. I liked to explore the house. I even figured out how to climb the stairs while i was there! thanks for having us! We had a great time!

let the games begin

Amelia is beginning to master the art of temper tantrums. She has figured out how to hold on to what she wants and pulls back. It's kinda funny when it happens, and as long as she doesn't see me, i have to laugh at her. She first did it to me with balmax, then she did it to Darrin with a magazine i think. It was totally unexpected and took us both off guard. I really expect to just take the balmax back and she clamped down and held on. i had to pry her fingers off. She has also started to throw herself down when she is unhappy. If you tell her no, she gets mad, makes a fake crying face and throws herself on the floor. It's really hard not to laugh at her. We try to ignore her so she won't get the reaction she wants. Where do kids learn these things? How do they know to throw themselves on the floor? there has to be a secret class on misbehaving; the toddler years :) this pic was snapped right after the tug of war over the blamex ended.

one, two buckle my shoe

I have been paying close attention to everthing mom and dad does. everything. One thing i have figured out is that shoes are for feet! I like to take my sandles and try to put them on my feet. It will occupy me for awhile sometimes, which mom and dad like. I have also tried to put my shoes on mom and dads feet! that didn't work out as well!

Eleven Months!!

Wow - how can I possibly be 11 months? It can't be possible! Wasn't i just posing for my 10 month pics? Well, time flies when you are having fun i guess! This has been a very busy month for me with lots of changes! My favorite change this month is that my daddy is home with me full time now! We have had a great summer so far! and it's only just begun! We have big plans this summer - swim in the pool, swing in my new swing and enjoy each other's company! Mommy has some things planned to - like a party for lil ole me :) Plus some trips to the zoo, the botanical gardens and maybe a water park! They all sound like fun to me :) I am looking forward to my first summer!

Is she destined for the San Fransisco Ballet??

One of the newest things that Amelia has learned to do is stand on tippy toe. She has taken it past just standing on her toes for a better view. She likes to move her feet around and actually fold her toes under her and stand on them. It looks painful but she continues to do it. I managed to get some pics today. I personally love the first one. It is too cute! When I took these, she was looking in the door for her poppa. She could hear him but not see him. She then decided to start yelling DAD DAD so he would come see her! She is starting to let us know what she wants, and we already know she wants it now! She has become very independent and very demanding. Toddler-hood here we come!

The pointing has begun

This has become Amelia's preferred way to communicate with us. She will point at something and stand there saying "uhh" until we figure out what she wants. I have to say, I wasn't looking forward to this phase. I have tried since Amelia was about 4 or 5 months to use some basic signs. Bite, drink, milk, cat, dog. Amelia will watch me and then laugh and go about her business. We are trying to tell her what things are when we give them to her. "here is your milk, that is your giraffe, cat, dog etc. She still prefers to point and say "uhh". I hope this is a quick phase! Now one thing that she will say is Cat, or tat. She would chase the poor cat around all day if we would let her! Here is a pic of her and the "tat" - well - as close as bootylicious will get to her!