Nine months

At nine months Afton -

* loves to hold more than one cheerio or toy in one hand at a time

* loves to click her tongue

* loves to clap and will clap when I say Yeah!

* loves to point at birds and airplanes

* is very aware of strangers and family she doesn't see often

* loves to turn the pages in a book when I am reading

* loves to read by herself

* loves drinking our of her sippy cup and a regular cup

* pulls herself to a standing position on the tub, couch, crib

* does a funny kissy mouth

* puts objects in and out of holes, openings, containers, etc.

* loves to eat pea pods, raspberries, broccoli, and grapes

* will inspect a single blade of grass by turning it around

and passing it from hand to hand

* changes expression in her voice using high and low sounds

* loves cruising in her walker

* wants to walk around holding mommy and daddy's fingers

* puts her fingers in her finger puppets

* has a large array of facial expressions

* puts rings on and off ring holder

Goin' in for the kill... I mean cauliflower!

Father's Day

Sleep

The last few weeks have been soooo long. Afton went from a cold to an ear infection to a double ear infection. She couldn't breathe and then she couldn't sleep and it just got worse from there.
During those first few days Afton's schedule became completely messed up. She was waking up four or five times a night (I don't blame her) and her naps were a mess.
Brett and I were exhausted and Afton was miserable.
Originally the doctor prescribed an oral antibiotic but we moved straight from that into the double ear infection so Afton had to have antibiotic shots. Poor snuggy buggy! The third day we went in for shots she started to cry just looking at the nurse. Luckily she doesn't ever cry for long. But you know that moment when they look to you for help and you're trying to avoid eye contact while you hold them down? AWFUL! I dread that moment.
Anyway, Afton's ears finally cleared but her sleeping habits were a wreck. It was like having a newborn all over again (and you all know how much I loved that).
Brett and I read a wonderful book called, 'Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems' and Afton has slept through the night every night since then. Her naps are also much easier than before. I think we are all struggling to get caught up on our sleep and at this rate we might just make it.

American Fork Canyon Cookout

Afton loves chillin in her stroller - she likes to kick back and put her feet up! What girl doesn't?

To daddy's delight, Afton is already displaying some creative finger holds. Just wait until she hits the rock!

Daddy and little buggy Afton!

Our beautiful fire which we used to warm our Cafe Rio burritos. We were really roughing it!

Tracy Aviary

Afton was fascinated with the birds! She was a little cautious but mommy stayed close by!

This was a cage full of birds. We thought about going in but decided to let Afton enjoy from the safety of her daddy's arms!

This was the gosling that bit Afton on the toe. Scared her a little!

A huge peacock was behind Brett on the fence. Afton loved to watch it and listen to the loud sounds it made.

Why oh why?

Why is it that the smoke detector only beeps uncontrollably in the middle of the night?
Is it not capable of beeping during the day? Why couldn't it beep when the sun is shining and
everyone is happy, fed, and awake? And why does it continue to beep even after you've changed the batteries. These are the questions Brett and I had at 3 this morning. Afton slept through the first 30 minutes and just as Brett had the situation under control it beeped again and Afton was up. So now Brett is off to bed and I am awake with Afton. Did I mention this was going to be the night Afton slept until morning? She has had an ear infection and hasn't been sleeping well. I was so excited for a good night sleep. Ugh!
Anyway, at about 4 Brett was sound asleep in the extra room and I brought a somewhat sleepy baby into bed with me. I was finally able to tickle her face and make shushing sounds until she was asleep. Whew - my turn.
For some silly reason I thought Afton might sleep in a little bit. I know, I am CRAZY to think that because of course she was wide awake at 7 and I was ready to cry!
So, the moral to this story is make sure you change your batteries regularly or disable your stinkin' smoke detectors!
I am sooo looking forward to climbing into bed tonight!

Why Fight it?

Why fight it?
By 'it' I mean everything.

Here are the top 10 things Afton loves to fight:

Snuggling
Wearing her hat (this is new)
Having her face wiped off
Wearing socks
Facing toward you
Tummy time (although she will intentionally roll onto her belly now)
Napping
Carrots
Losing anything she is holding
Medicine

Ok – frustration vented, here are the top
ten things Afton loves:

Being with mommy
Nursing
Sleeping all night in her crib
Daddy's silly dancing
Making noise (with her mouth or an object)
Reading books
Eating rice cereal
Going for walks
Touring the yard with dad
Watching the birds

I LOVE these moments - when you capture an emotion so strong you can feel it!
Every time I see this picture I clench my teeth. She's so cute I just want to squish her!

Afton is now 7 months old but I wanted to post my six month page. I decided a while ago that I loved digital scrapbooking but since then I have completed quite a few pages the old fashioned way. I have really enjoyed making these pages and the end result. So... I am still torn but for now I am sticking to the non-digital approach.

Anyway - Afton is growing so fast. She has reached many milestones and continues to amaze me! I love these pictures and wanted to remember her at this fun age. (Brett hates the headband but I was able to sneak a few pictures with it on. :)

Staring contest!

I am so glad my parents live nearby. I am also glad they are excited and willing to be involved in Afton's life. They love to visit and call. They always invite me over and buy fun new toys for Afton to play with. They do all the wonderful things grandparents do! I don't know what I would do without their support, help and advice!

And Afton... well, she absolutely LOVES them!

Family photos!

"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, "What about lunch?""

Winnie the Pooh

Darn Girl Scouts

FINALLY -
They are gone. I actually felt some relief as I swallowed the last bite of the last cookie. They are no longer lingering around waiting for me to find them after everything I eat.
A piece of toast... and a cookie, an apple...and a cookie, dinner...and a cookie. OH MY GOSH!
Pre-pregnancy they would have rotted before getting eaten.
I blame the gestational diabetes, oh and the nursing. Sometimes I am ravenous and having been deprived of sugar I seem to have developed a problem. Great! Now I not only have gravity and age working against me but sugar cravings as well!

Miss You

Is it possible to miss someone even when you are with them?

Today I met a friend at the park and Afton fell asleep. She slept through us sitting on a blanket, soaking up the sun, going for a walk and the drive home.

All the way home I kept thinking - I miss her.
I miss her little smile, her wiggly body, and the way she
loves to look at everything. Silly, I know!

When I got home and got over the guilt of having had her in her car seat for so long I was so glad to see she was awake. She was smiling and rested. Her little hands were waving around and I couldn't get her out of her car seat fast enough.

It's a funny feeling - missing someone who is right beside you.

For the last few months I have been torn between digital scrapbooking vs hands-on. (I know - me scrapbooking at all is funny) I am not terribly creative and get extremely frustrated working on simple projects. Anyway, I started a scrapbook/journal using paper, glue, scissors, etc. and I was excited about my work until... I gave in and decided to try my hand at digital.
Ok - I LOVE digital scrapbooking.
Somehow it seems sooooo much easier, less time consuming and the finished product always seems to look better. The only problem is the printing. I have found a few places that will print a 12 by 12 but they are usually around $3.50. Yikes! Is that worth it? My other options are to print them smaller and mount them on a 12 by 12 so they will still fit into my existing scrapbook. I don't know, but I will continue to go digital for now and use my hands-on creativity for other projects. Any thoughts or tips would be great!

Time flies!

Afton is 5 months old. I can't believe how quickly 5 months have passed. (although when I was living those 5 months they actually seemed quite long.) I have spent a lot of time wondering which side I nursed on last, when the last diaper was changed and asking myself in the shower if I already used shampoo on my hair? Sound familiar?
I have recovered from Mastitis and Afton is recovering from a double ear infection and a yeast infection – I know... poor kid. She had a rough week. She wasn't napping at all and only sleeping around 5 hours a night. Mom and baby were both EXHAUSTED!
But today is sunny and cheerful (despite the fresh snowfall) and I am optimistic. Afton is taking a nice morning nap and last night she slept for nine hours (with a small break after 7). Whew! Motherhood is great!
Here are a few stats on my sweet little munchkin:
*Afton is saying her b's, v's, d's (dadadada) Brett is in heaven, n's, m's (momomomo) I am in heaven although of course we all know she isn't saying either of those intentionally. But we can still enjoy!
*Afton loves her feet – she puts them on everything and has started grabbing her toes constantly. She doesn't seem to want them in her mouth (fine by me) but she loves to grab them and wrastle them around.
*Afton loves her highchair and sits up well. It must feel good to have some independence.
*Afton will shake whatever you give her to see if it makes noise.
*She loves banging anything. Making noise makes her happy. She is pretty good with her plastic spoon and tupperware bowl.
*Afton weighs 18 pounds. The doctor said she is eating well. Haha!
*Afton never liked tummy time so I never did it. She learned to roll a couple of months ago from her tummy to her back but she doesn't seem to have any interest in rolling the other way. I suppose someday she'll see something she wants badly enough to entertain the thought.
*Afton has never been inside a grocery store. I prefer to go alone.
*Afton LOVES her daddy!

Love

Oh my sweet sweet baby!
I love you more than anything!
I love every little roll, every smile, every expression.
I love every sound, every movement, every moment!

A Day With Dad!

I LOVE hanging out with Dad!
He lets me sit on his lap,

and helps me drink milk from a bottle!

He encourages my spit bubbles,

and even lets me borrow his hat!
Hanging out with Dad is fun!

Milestones

I can't believe my sweet baby is already over 18 weeks old.
These last few months have flown by and lasted forever!
Afton is growing up quickly and every milestone takes
her farther away from that tiny little newborn we brought home.
So...Afton is reaching out for
her toys, the couch, my hair, Brett's face,
and anything else that crosses her line of vision and we couldn't be happier
and sad at the same time.