Time flies when your having fun :-)

Wow how the months just keep flying by. As usual so many new things happen in Kailyn's life each month. Too much for me to be able to remember or write about everything in the last few months since my last post. So I am just going to try and recap on a few important things I would like to have posted for memories, or what I actually still remember. lol

Breaking the Bottle

I wouldn't say this was hard to do, as we really didn't push it. I just don't want her to grow up too fast. But we have now packed away all Ba Ba's and she only has her sippy cups. She has only been using the bottle at night since she turned one. It wasn't until about 2 weeks ago that we tried the sippy and she did really well. She didn't finish all, but even now some nights she just doesn't want it all. And then others she does. It really seems to depend on how big of a dinner she has. This girl can eat and Sunday night after a huge plate of lasagna she just was too full for more than a few sips of her milk.

She also no longer needs rocked to sleep. I still miss those nights and probably will for a long time to come. :*( Even when I try now she just wants you to put her in her crib. She is great at self soothing now.

Too tired to make it through lunch!

Rear facing car seat

Not too much on this subject besides the fact that she is still rear facing. New studies suggest keeping them rear facing until two now instead of changing at one. After doing a lot of our own research on the subject we felt what was best for our daughter is to just keep her rear facing for now. It doesn't bother her at all. She doesn't know any different so why would it. Plus around her 1st Birthday we bought a portable DVD player that mounts to my head rest on my car. I have head rests on the back seats also so we just put it there for now, and when we turn her we will put it on the front seat headrest. She just loves watching her movies now in the car. It's really the only time she will pay attention to movies/TV. She just doesn't have the attention span for TV yet. Would rather be running around at home than sitting in front of the TV, which is fine by me.

But she is still constantly growing and her legs are starting to get a bit cramped. More so in Chris's truck than in my car. So I can't say for sure if we will keep her this way until she is two, but for now she stays rear. Also for those that have little ones that are still rear, you may know how it gets to be a bit difficult getting them in their seat as they get bigger and still being rear.

Watching her Word World

Talking, babbling

Since she started with sounds this girl loves to "chat". I mean she is a girl. ;-) She now has many words in her vocabulary. And the last month it's amazing how much she is starting to understand so much of what we say. She knows where almost all her major body parts are. She says various words and animal sounds such as duck, quack, dog, JD (one of our dogs), good ole Mama and Dada, Nana, Up, please, ball and a few others. We have these flash cards I just love. Baby's 1st words, animals, ect.. They are big, thick and sturdy so even when she tries to crumble them they really don't like the other thin ones. It was through these cards that she has learned a lot of her words. Show her the fish and she still won't say that word but will immediately make fish lips, dog she knows and will bark, cow she moos, cat she meows and so on. She had a little cold over the weekend and I said Eww you have boogies, so she starts picking her nose. I can give her a tissue and she will try to blow. After dinner now she likes to have a napkin to wipe her face.

Never a dull day with her, she will always put a smile on our face each day.

Swimming, water slides. Lot's of summer fun

Most kids I'm sure love the water, Kailyn is definitely no exception to this. Pool, water slides, water table, bath, puddles. If it's water she loves it. We had our first trip to a local water park with Kailyn's cousins and Aunt and Uncle. Of course she had a blast. Wanted to go down the slide without me! She also now goes down the slide by herself on the home water slide blow ups. My brother has a big one that we had at her birthday party and she loves going to their house to play on it. Her and her two cousins will play for hours on that thing. We just recently bought one for our house we found on sale. She has a blast.

In the bath now she constantly tries to kick, swim and float on her back. This she learned from her swim classes. She will definitely miss the water once it is winter again. Although our winters don't last very long so water fun will not be missed for long!

Having a popsicle with her cousin

Swim class w/Mommy

Those pesky dang teeth

Kailyn now has all her teeth except the four two year molars. She got in her four canines shortly after she turned one. Those were NOT fun for Kailyn or Mommy and Daddy. Up all night, horrible red butt, diarrhea and even low grade fevers. I even bought her an Amber teething necklace  to try out to help with the pain from her teeth. Of course, not realizing how long mail take's from Europe to get here, I received the necklace two days after her last canine broke through. Oh well, we still have the 4 two year molars. I am sure the two year molars will start coming in soon, seeing she got the rest of her teeth so young.

Bumps,bruises and bloody lips

Shortly after walking then comes running.......or at least trying to! Kailyn started really walking right when she turned one. I say "really" walking because this is when she started to really take off on her own. She had been walking short distances a few weeks before that, but suddenly she got the hang of it and was everywhere. Then just a few weeks later she was trying to walk quickly, run. This is when the real accidents started to happen. She has had not one, not two, but three bloody lips from falling and her teeth cutting her upper lip. And boy do those bleed! First time Mommy freaked out. Second time I freaked out but not as bad. Third time I calmly took her to the sink and got out her Elmo boo boo thing from the fridge and handed it to her, which immediately stops the crying. I have learned she is a pretty tough cookie. I know this is just the beginning of many accidents to come, I just pray none are are too bad.

Some not so fun phases

Since Kailyn turned one we have started experiencing some not so pleasant "phases". Screaming. Everywhere. All day. Not exaggerating. I am happy to say this phase has ended for now. It lasted about 3 weeks and was not fun for a very stressed out Mommy and Daddy. I read a little about it and realize it had a lot to do with her wanting to express herself and communicate with us, but obviously not able to speak to us yet. It was so bad we didn't even go to dinner or anywhere we couldn't leave real fast. I think it also had a little bit to do with her teeth that were coming in at that time. Sometimes when she would scream she would try to shove her fist or any object in her mouth to bite on while yelling.

Taking off is another phase (not sure this is actually a phase) she is still going through. Anywhere we go now she wants to be down. She no longer likes to sit out to dinner. She used to be so good when we would take her as long as you had food in front of the lil porker. Now she wants down after 5 minutes. Same thing with going to the store or anywhere for that matter. Now that she is a very experienced walker she wants to do just that.....everywhere. She is a little girl on a mission somewhere everywhere we go!

Kailyn also can be so affectionate now. If you ask for hugs or kisses she will come and give you one. I just LOVE this. I have been waiting for this. She also now understands when she hits it can make people sad. So if she hits you and you make a sad face she will then rub your arm or face and try to give you a kiss. It almost makes you want her to hit you, it's so dang cute when she does that after. She is definitely not your mild tempered, sit like a good girl and behave type of toddler. She also is not the most horribly behaved child, but she is very determined and such a personality. And even though she can be such a pain at times, I wouldn't change a thing about her and love her just the same. We just try and hope our parenting skills mold her into a wonderful individual as she gets older.

Last piece of news is that Kailyn started preschool last week. She still cries every time I drop her off, but we knew this would take some time adjusting for her. Also going only three days a week it may take a bit longer to get used to. She loves kids but definitely takes some time for her to warm up to adults. She has never been the type to let someone she doesn't know just take her and hold her. She has to know you pretty well to feel comfortable being alone with you. She is getting better, though. She even likes for my brother to hold her now. :-)

Parachute fun @ The Lil Gym

Issa and Kailyn= too, too cute!

Told you I wasn't exaggerating when I said she takes off

Best Friends do everything together

Having fun with friends

Hanging with Daddy on the boat

C taking K for a spin!

C and K having a morning snack on the 4th of July

Practice makes perfect at The Lil Gym

Swim lessons, 1st shiner and more teeth!

We recently signed Kailyn up for swim/survival lessons. I was hesitant at first, but after watching her the past 4 weeks (she goes 2x a week) I now wonder why any parent would not have their child in some sort of swim class. She really is doing great. I was amazed how she was already reaching for the wall after just two lessons. And she no longer swallows water when she goes under. This will be our last week for her private lessons, then in two more weeks we are going to do a parent/child swim class for 2 weeks, 3x a week. Then depending how things are, and also depending on money as the private lessons are great but not cheap, we may do another 5 weeks of the private lessons starting mid July.
*Click picture album below to see pictures*

Kailyn learning survival/swim

1st shiner :-(

Kailyn is now full throttle and all over the place....which has resulted in her 1st shiner. :-( Daddy was giving her a bath and she wanted to stand up, which is her new thing ALL the time! She was trying to stand up and down she went, her left cheek bone hitting the tub. This = immediate shiner. She really didn't cry that much. She is a pretty tough cookie. Then after that came a bruise/bump on her forehead @ the sitters, followed a few days later by a bloody lip! She is reckless and ruthless! lol She actually really isn't that bad, she is just trying to add speed to her walking and it's taking some getting used to.....with some bumps and bruises along the way!

Hanging out with her best bud ♥

Kailyn has now added another tooth to her mouth of many. ;-) Her top left canine. The top right is very close to cutting and the bottom two canines are not far behind. These have been REALLY hard on Kailyn. They have brought with them diaper rash, low grade fevers, a LOT of uncomfortableness and loose stools. Some of these symptoms I never even knew were related to teething until other Moms told me. I was shocked when she got this horrible diaper rash. She has pretty much never had one since she was born. I busted out the butt pastes but that didn't even help much. It was so raw looking! I was told that long ago mother's called the canine teeth the stomach teeth, because they mess with the babies stomachs by causing the loose stools and horrible rashes. Well I believe it because I have seen it for myself. Teething has never been super easy for Kailyn but these canines have been the worst by far! I would say even more so than when she got her molars.

Playing w/Bambi @ her friend Josie's Birthday party

We also had family pictures done the weekend after Kailyn turned one. Click album below to view them. If any of the family would like any please let me know and I can either print for you or send you the original without the photographers name on them.

fAMILY PICS 2011

Catching up

Well seeing that I am over 2 weeks late of an 11 month post, I am just labeling this one as a "Catch up" post.  I have been dreading doing this post, but have told myself I must! Seeing as Kailyn's baby book is now a long lost cause (empty after month 2), I told myself I must keep up with her blog.  Especially as I am always asking my dear fried when she did this or that with her son? And her response is always, I'm not sure read my blog. I am finding myself already doing the same thing as the first few months are more vague now.  Plus I loved reading my baby book my Mom recently gave me, so of course I hope Kailyn enjoys hers one day too.
So now, on to trying to remember all the many important things the last month and a half.  And in your child's life of course almost everything is important that they do! I'll start with the basics. Sleep is still good. With the exception of a cold or teeth really bothering her, her sleep is still from about 8pm-7am.  And I always stress ABOUT, as we too have those nights were she will be up 3-4 times during the night. Let's face it people, babies don't come programmed with 10 hours of sleep every night of every week! In our dream world...yes, maybe.

Well I obviously never finished this post as Kailyn is now our ONE year old daughter!!! One year and 2 1/2 weeks to be precise. lol  So I am going to try to finally finish my first post in 2 1/2 months. First, here are Kailyn's stats as of her one year check up.

Playing on her B-day with her new "water park" from Uncle B & Aunt Mel

Height: 29 1/2

Weight: 20lbs 14 oz

Sleep: 8pm, usually sleeping until about 7am

Teeth: 12- we now have added four molars to her other teeth

Food: EVERYTHING! This little girl is a very good eater. Everyone that goes to eat with us can't believe how much this little girl can stuff in that tiny belly! No more formula. She is now just having a little whole milk in the morning with breakfast and a bottle (still haven't taken the night bottle from her) She really wasn't drinking much formula the last two months. And the last few weeks before she turned one we took away the bottle (except night one) so she really wasn't drinking during the day as she hates milk out of a sippy. She drinks her water or juice from one with NO problem. Has a variety of cups and has never been picky about using certain ones. Just doesn't care for her milk in them. At at her one year check up I asked her Dr about this. He asked if she eats yogurt or cheese, I said every day. He said that is plenty of dairy. Not to worry. So our next challenge is to take away her last night time bottle. :-(

The past two months has brought so many firsts for Kailyn. We had our first trip to Disney the first week of April. I was in a very good friend's wedding which was held in Orlando. My Mom came with us so she could help out with Kailyn, as I was in the wedding party. We stayed the weekend at the resort for the wedding and then headed over to Disney area Sunday. My brother and SIL with my niece and nephew were already waiting for us at a town house we had rented. They had arrived the day before. We really weren't sure how Kailyn would like the parks, as she was just turning 11 months that weekend and some people (you know, the one's that like to give their opinions w/out being asked) said she may be too young.  Well she shocked Mommy and Daddy how much she truly enjoyed the parks! She may not remember it, but at the present time she had a blast and that's all that matters to me.  She LOVED the characters, which shocked me also.  She hated Santa when she was 6 months, so I wasn't sure about her liking them. She even had a little tantrum a few times when we had to say goodbye to them. She especially liked Rafiki, the monkey character at Animal Kingdom. We went to Animal Kingdom one day also, along with Epcot and downtown Disney. We headed home on Wednesday, and by then everyone was ready! I felt like I needed another day vacation to sleep! lol

While we were on vacation Kailyn also started taking steps for my Mom! She was just turning 11 months that weekend we were there.  She didn't become a full fledged walker until about 2 weeks later, but she would take 4-6 steps at a time. I couldn't believe it, I thought for some reason she would definitely not be walking until after her 1st B-day.  Well by her 1st  b-day she was definitely walking. And now 2 weeks later she is already trying to run!! I love the frankenstein walk of babies. It is so cute. And unlike what others have said, so far I like the walking SO much better than crawling. I know, I know. Wait until she is running, but whatever! It was just creeping me out.  I'm a sanitary type of girl, so the crawling all over floors thing was getting to me.  Especially when she would then stick her pacifier (her two middle fingers) in her mouth!! I couldn't follow her around with a wipe all day!! I actually was pretty laid back in Disney. I didn't even wipe the rides down when we went on them. ;-) Just too much going on to worry about that. We also used to be kinda strict......well I shouldn't say strict, we just had only fed her healthy organic food up until our trip to Orlando.  At that point she was pretty much eating all solid foods.  Wanted NOTHING to do with purees anymore. Well I couldn't very well pack my fridge with us on this trip.  So I got to thinking that we may have to give her *gasp* fast food! Ok stop laughing some of you. Well we did and I'm glad to say she survived just fine. ;-) She had chicken nuggets and sandwiches and burgers. She did get a little constipated on the trip. I think because we always included a course of veggies for her daily meals, and while we were away she didn't get very much. Now a days Mommy is much more relaxed about what we feed her. I still give her lots of fruits and veggies. But occasionally we will have pizza or Taco Tuesday @ Tijuana. :-)
*You can check out a ton of pics from our trip by clicking this link ORLANDO TRIP. These pics are on my facebook as it is too much to keep putting all my pics on Picasa also. Just request me as a friend if you want to see them and we aren't already friends on FB*

Kailyn also had her first Easter last month. The day before Easter we went to Robins Lodge where we met my friends and their kids (Kailyn's friends ;-)), Josie and Mason. They had an Easter egg hunt, the Easter bunny, petting zoo and a few other things.

In petting zoo w/her friend Josie

Josie, Kailyn and Mason @ Robins Lodge

On Easter day we went to my brothers house for a little while during the day and then we went to Grammy's (chris's mom) house for dinner. It was a nice relaxing day. The weekend before Easter I also had some pics taken of Kailyn with a photographer I knew through a friend. She also just did our family and Kailyn's one year pics. Along with a few of my other friends and their children, she individually took pics of each child w/a real bunny and chic she had with her. Here are a few.
*Check out her 11 month album top left of blog to see more Easter pics*

Kailyn also went and had her very first haircut last month. We went the weekend after we got back from our trip. I had trimmed her hair twice before, but I don't do the best job and her hair was all in her eyes, ect.. So we took her for her first professional haircut at a child's salon. She HATED it! lol Screamed, cried the whole time. They gave me a piece of her hair, a certificate and also took an 8x10 photo of her. I thought for $20 that was a pretty good deal.

You can see many more pics of her screaming her head off during her first haircut by checking out her photos in her 11 month album on top left of blog.
Kailyn's 1st B-day came in went in what feels like the blink of an eye. Of course Mommy went over board once I started planning her very 1st party a few months ago. I spent a lot of time and put a ton of love into her party.  With the help of her Aunt Olivia her decorations I made came out great in my opinion. I know I went a little over what I had planned, said I wasn't gonna go too crazy but of course I did! Anyone that knows me, knows I love to throw a party. And this was the most special one of all. My little girl's. The child I cried over many nights before she was ever even conceived. I couldn't help but try to make it the best. And again those people that like to give their opinions will say, but she will never even remember it. She won't, BUT she had a wonderful time AND thanks to her Auntie L's she has a gazillion pics to look at one day. These will definitely show her what a great party she had and how she was loved so much by so many. :*)
Ok before the flood gates open enough of that! Her party turned out great, the weather cleared up just in time. The kids had a blast and all the Moms told me later how the kiddos passed out once they got home. This was thanks to my brother for lending me his awesome inflatable water bounce house/slide. The kids loved it, along with two other pools we had for the littler ones. We had pizza and wings and some other goodies.  You can check out all her many birthday pictures by clicking the album here

Kailyns 1st B-day

and more pics my friend Lauren took in her album here

https://picasaweb.google.com/LKEllison0281/KailynSFirstBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCKqEke_Isv7H8QE&feat=content_notification#

For Kailyn's actual Birthday we both had the day off. We started the morning by finally giving Kailyn her Chica doll I had made. Chica is a bird from Sprout TV that Kailyn has loved since she was 5 months old. She doesn't really watch TV for more than a minute or two, but when this bird come's on with it's little squeeking noise Kailyn will stop what she is doing to waive hi. Here is a quick video from that morning.

After that we went to breakfast at the Original Pancake House. Then we took Kailyn for her first visit to Toys R Us! We got her a few things with GC's she had from her party.

At Toys R Us. Of course she liked all the big kid toys.  Mommy told her maybe next year! lol

After that we went home for her nap. When she woke up we took her outside and set up her new "water park" play thing her Uncle Bruce & Aunt Mel got her for her B-day. She loved it! Later we had some of the immediate family over for dinner and cupcakes. It was a nice day. You can click the link below to see pics from her Birthday.

Kailyn's 1st Birthday

This Mother's day was much different than my very first Mother's day last year. I was recovering from a C-section, extremely swollen from fluid retention, had just developed a seroma on my incision area, had bloody boobies from breastfeeding a newborn that was tongue tied & feeling nauseated every time she was ready to feed again from the thought of the pain to come, living off of 2-3 hours sleep at a time from our strictly breastfeeding schedule and just basically trying to understand what was so "beautiful" about child birth. The lactation lady my Mom got me for Mother's day last year was the best part of that day for me. This year was MUCH different. I was able to spend a wonderful relaxing day with the most amazing daughter I could have ever wished for. Chris, Kailyn and I started the day off at the beach. It was beautiful out. We stayed there until her nap time. She didn't want to nap at the beach so we headed home. Later that day we went by my Mom's house for some BBQ dinner. It was a quite and relaxing day, I couldn't have asked for more. I was also surprised with my very first Mothers Day gift from Kailyn (& Daddy). A beautiful ring with my birthstone in it. I already have the pea pod necklace we had made when Kailyn was born with her birthstone, so Daddy and Kailyn thought I might like something with my own stone this time. They did SUCH a great job and I was very surprised.

Mothers Day 511

A few other things that have happened in Kailyn's life the past few months that Mommy can still remember. ;-) She is now down to one nap a day. This started a few weeks before her 1st Birthday and I have her sitter to thank for that. I like the 1 1/2 (sometimes even two!) hour nap much better than the 2-3 half hour catnaps she used to take.

She is now just having a nighttime bottle as I mentioned above. A habit we have to break still. :-( Mommy just love's rocking her to sleep. I have been giving her the bottle now while she watches TV and then rock her a little to sleep after. We will see how that goes. She has all four molars now. And update as of today I now see a canine tooth on the bottom about to break through.

Talks, talks, talks. She babbles constantly. I was like this too from what my Mom says. Chris says his ears are bleeding some days he watches her! lol Here is a video from last month of her babbling away & the one below it is Kailyn on her Birthday playing outside. I'm sure as usual there are many little things she has done the past few months that I already cannot remember. Just enjoying each day with our now "toddler" Kailyn.♥ Still can't believe the baby days have already come and gone....... :*\

Ears are clear!! But here's your problem.....

Last week Chris took Kailyn to the Doctor yet again. She had finished her meds Tuesday of last week for the double ear infection she had. Then suddenly Wednesday we noticed her pulling at her ear again. Great, we thought! Medicine didn't work for her. :o(
We weren't sure so we decided to make an appointment Thursday after Chris was done teaching. Doctor started his exam, looked in both ears and was happy to see all was clear. No infection, no more fluid. :-)) Then he examines the rest of her. Looks in her mouth and says, well this here is probably your problem. Point's in her mouth to a molar about to pop out!! Just shy of 10 months old and our baby girl was already getting her first molar! He said they hurt like heck and make many babies very uncomfortable. Told us we can give her some Tylenol when she seems in pain. And boy that night was she. The next few nights were not her best. But she was a trooper. Only gave her Tylenol twice.  The last few day's she on and off act's like her teeth are really bothering her.  I tried looking in her mouth a few time's but she really doesn't like it and I just couldn't see if any molars had totally cut through yet.  I felt around and couldn't really feel anything.  So I decided to just wait and let the Dr look and see at her 10 month visit.  Which was today.  Here are the stats for our baby girl that just seems to be growing up WAY too fast for Mommy.

LOVES her scrambled eggs w/cheese!

Height: 27 3/4

Weight: 19lbs 6 oz
Sleep: 8pm, usually sleeping until about 7am
Teeth: 8 - Both bottom central incisors and both top central and lateral incisors AND now a bottom left molar just about to cut through, right bottom not far behind
Food: Some of what we eat, Yummy in my Tummy Stage 3 and meals and Earth's Best meals. Favorites are scrambled eggs w/cheese and also loves her meats! Chicken, lean beef, ground or regular turkey.  She has not wanted her fruits as much this month but still loves her peaches.


She is now on all formula. Similac organic, but getting ready to switch to the regular as it seems the organic may be getting ready to be discontinued.  We have been looking everywhere for it!  She also still drinks just the liquid. (refused powder when we were weaning off BM) We may try powder again, but with less than two months left it really doesn't matter.

Waiting @ the Dr's for what we thought might just be a tooth ache. Ended up being another (double this time) ear infection. :-(

@ the doctor again (meds caused rash)
Fix my ears, fix my ears!

With a now active & mobile baby, this month has been very busy.  Also busy with many trips to the Doctor. Four visits in one month. :-(  First time we thought her teeth were just bothering her until she started with a fever.  Went to the Doctor to find out she had yet another ear infection.  A double this time.  Glad we went because that night she had a fever of 101.9, her highest temp since she was born.  We started the Augmentin that day, which was the reason for our next visit.  Thought I noticed a small rash under her PJs a few mornings later.  Chris said it was probably just her new PJs bothered her skin.  Well next day (wednesday) when I had off with her I gave her her morning dose of medicine and off to our class @ Nova we went.  In class I discovered a now VERY noticeable rash had formed all over her back, chest, neck and other areas.  Called the Doctor and went in for another visit.  Ears looked much better, so the meds were working, but they still has some fluid so they gave us a new script for another med (Omnicef) which she had been on before.  Took this medicine for one more week.  Finished that medicine and then she starts pulling on right ear again!!  So to be on the safe side took her again to the Doctor.  And this is when we discovered beautiful infection free ears and a bottom molar starting to pop out!  And then we had our 4th visit today.  A well visit this time, just for her 10 month check up.  Visit went great.  Tested her urine for a few things.  All was good.  Gave her one shot, her final Hep B.  By now Kailyn is NO longer a fan of the doctors office.  She used to just love to sit on the table and play with the fun "paper".  Now she wants nothing to do with anything in the place.  Poor thing.  Mommy was the same way growing up, as I was in and out of the hospital and doctors office often my first year.  We saw our favorite Dr. today. We mentioned how Daddy took her last week, thinking her ears were infected again.  He said he read that & that they were clear. Also said that the other doctor may have seen possible molars coming in. He says, she is kinda young for that.  They usually don't start coming in until after one year. (almost like he thought the other doctor may have just seen some swelling) Then he starts the exam, Kailyn screaming the whole time until she is beat red. He looks in her mouth. Sounding a little surprised he says, yes indeed.  Her left bottom molar is very close to cutting. Said it can still take another week, possibly two, as the molars are bigger and take longer to cut than the rest. Great! He also noticed the bottom right side was swollen, so this one may follow shortly after. So now Kailyn says, bring on the steak! lol

Celebrating Mommy's B-day

This month we had a few firsts.  Kailyn's 1st time celebrating Mommy's birthday with her. We had a few people over the house for dinner and to also celebrate Daddy's new promotion to Captain at work.  This was the same day we took her to the Dr and found out she had the double ear infection.  Needless to say she was pretty miserable that day.  I felt so bad for her that weekend.  She just wanted to be held and snuggled.  You could tell she just felt horrible. The pic below was when I put her down for a few minutes just to wash her bottles.  Daddy was on shift and she wanted to be held every second of the day.  When I put her down she whined and layed herself on the floor like that until I picked her back up.  Poor baby.  And this was shortly after an hour nap.

Kailyn also had her first Valentine's day.  I was at work and she spent the day with Daddy.  I did take a few pics of her at the park a week before to send out to some family and close friends.  Here are two favs.

I also took Kailyn to her first Renaissance Festival with my brother, SIL and her two cousins.  Turned out to be an extremely hot day for mid February.  So much that when we got home I got our her Elmo sprinkler to finally use.  You can check out some pics in her 9 month album of her playing in the water. 

We also went to the Orange Blossom with her last weekend.  Mommy & Daddy wanted some funnel cake and I also wanted to take her to the petting zoo.  She was not so sure about the animals at first, but then she wanted to pet the baby cow.

As far as milestone's, still just crawling.  She has mastered standing and also cruising with her walkers, toys or using furniture. She also likes to stand up and then let go for a few seconds. She is so cute, such a little show off! We also go to the park several time's during the week after work.  She loves to go on the swings and slides.

Do you think she is having fun?!? ;-)

Kailyn has become very fond of her days spent at Miss Pam's.  She just loves playing with all her friends there. Especially a little boy Brayden that is about the same age as her. It is absolutely adorable to watch. When I get there with Kailyn, Brayden speed crawls over to her.  Then they sit there and smile, babble and touch each others hands.♥ Miss Pam says how they play extremely well for being so young.  So funny how she had such a hard time adjusting to daycare when she first started.  Now when we come to pick her up, she pulls away from us to put her back down!! She doesn't want to leave! She even whines sometimes.  Hurt my feelings at first, but now I'm ok with it.  I have just been so used to her being such a Mommy's girl. She really is growing up too fast. And as her 1st B-day is approaching oh so fast, I find myself having anxiety when I think about it.  No lie. As much as I am enjoying each new milestone, I just wish I could slightly pause things a bit. Also her growing independence from Mommy is something I am having a hard time getting used to. She now will occasionally pick Daddy or Nana over me. I was just so used to....well....being number one to her I guess you could say. Now that's not always the case. I know this is just part of her growing up, but I guess because it is also happening after I just stopped nursing her, I some how feel like she is punishing me.  I know....I sound stupid, as Chris likes to tell me.

Well that about sums up what I can remember of this past month. As usual you can check out more pics in her album on left side of blog.

Sadly this past Friday we also lost a great man.  Kailyn's Great Papa, Chris's grandfather. He will be greatly missed by many. :*(

No....No......No.....NO.....NO.....

....NO KAILYN!! This is the broken record you will hear lately around our house.  Sometimes you can repeat it 5-20 time's and you might just see a hint of recognition on her face.  Other time's nothing and it's time to head to a different area as to avoid another 30 no's repeated.  She really does NOT get bored with this game of hers! lol

It's crazy how in the past month our little "baby" girl is no longer so much baby but beginning to be more like a "toddler". *gulp*

Height and Weight:

Not sure as there is no 9 month Dr visit

Sleep: Started pushing bedtime to 8pm, usually sleeping until about 7am

Teeth: 8 - Both bottom central incisors and both top central and lateral incisors

Food: Some of what we eat, Yummy in my Tummy Stage 3, just tried some frozen Earth's Best meals.  Also tried fish and egg for the first time this month.  Seemed to like the fish and liked the scrambled egg with cheese but NOT a big fan of the hard boiled egg.

She has been taking half BM half formula for her bottles

Things have changed so much this past month.  Mommy and Daddy are always alert as our now fully mobile daughter is on the go and into......you guessed it, EVERYTHING!  As usual friends warned me this day would come sooner than later.  Not complaining, I find each new stage some days difficult and then other days fun and exciting!  Kailyn has taken her crawling to a whole new speed over the past month! lol  When she wants something (usually something she can't have) she will speed crawl over in seconds!  I really need to get a video of this before the crawling stage is over.  I am starting to adapt more to this stage but was having major anxiety at first.  Most of you that know me know I can be a bit of a freak when it comes to cleanliness.  So the fact that my daughter now crawls all over the floors everywhere we go and then sticks those same hands in her mouth.....let's just say it was really freakin me out! We now vacuum every 2-3 days (at least) so that I don't have a chihuahua (what Kailyn looks like with all the hair) crawling around.  And I have two short haired dogs! I have NO idea how we get so much hair in the house.  Kailyn has also started standing all the time the last few weeks.  Just the past week she has been taking a step here or there while holding on to something when trying to reach something else.  (again, usually something that is not hers!)  I was thinking once she was mobile it would be so nice because she could play better with all her toys and be more independent.  Yeah, well she has the independent part down! But while Mommy gets ready in the morning, instead of staying in her play room with her toys where Mommy puts her she is off on a mission.  Trying to pull out, or better yet chew on cords. Pulling out Mommy's many air freshener plug ins.  Or trying to pull herself up on every dangerous thing she can find.  Or playing on the dog beds. *gag* Pulling out DVDs.  Grabbing and shredding magazines on coffee table.  I could go on and on.  Just when you think you did such a good job baby proofing.  Yeah well you didn't! HA!

Playing on the dog bed *gag*

We are still going to our music class @ Nova together on Wednesdays.  Kailyn loves class and just LOVES playing with other babies now.  Miss Pam told Chris the other day how surprisingly well her and Braydon play together lately.  She says surprisingly because usually at there age they don't always play well together yet as they are still learning how.  Braydon is one of the little boys at her daycare.  He is 2 or 3 weeks older than Kailyn.  

Speaking of playing, that reminds me of another thing we have discovered this past month.  Someone does NOT like it when you take something she is playing with away before she is done with it! lol  I first noticed this a few weeks ago in music class when Miss Sue was collecting back the instruments they were playing with.  Kailyn started yelling and waving her arms!  I thought it was funny and just laughed at her.  She has done this several times now.  I usually just tell her to stop it and ignore her.  She only does it for a second and then she is over it.  Maybe because I ignore her? Who knows.
This past month we have been doing half formula and half BM.  I started breast feeding less and less.  Kailyn would still want more after nursing as my supply had decreased so it just didn't make since to nurse her and then give a bottle right after, as I would really have no idea how much to even give since you obviously have no idea how much they get while nursing.  I really think if I could have stayed at home with her a week or two and just nursed, I could have gotten my supply back to normal.  But this is not an option for us with my work.  So I continued to pump my measly 3 ounces every 3-4 hours at work and home.  This has been hard on the days Chris is on shift 24 hours as I need to still pump and then give her the bottle.  Usually putting her in her jumper while I pump, which she does not care for now that she is mobile.  I used to never pump on days I had off and would just nurse.  Just easier, made more since, and at the time kept my supply going.  The past few days I have just started weaning back my pumping's.  I think by the next week, two at the most, I should be done with BFing and she will be on full formula bottles.  This was a decision that to my surprise made me very sad.  Two weeks ago while rocking her to sleep with her bottle the tears started flowing down my face and just wouldn't stop.  I was remembering the many nights, pretty much every night the past 8 months, that I nursed our baby girl to sleep.  The rooting, the little faces she would make, her little hands scratching me and rubbing my arm.  It was the most peaceful beautiful thing.  Me and her. Nothing else mattering in the world.....at those moments everything was perfect.  Something I could never fully explain, but I'm sure many Mom's know exactly what I am trying to say.  I really was a little surprised by this sadness.  I decided on this.  Bring on another head cold now, I just can't wait to down some NyQuil after 18 months! lol  Or how about a night out with some drinks and coming home to crash in bed without having to pump and dump first!  But I will miss it.....  
The formula feeding is going fine.  It's very convenient and easy.  She is taking just liquid for now as both times we tried powder she was not a fan.  I think once she is on all formula we will try again.  Powder has a much stronger odor than the liquid formula.  And breast milk really has no odor unless it has gone bad.  Just like cow's milk. 
Now that we have been giving her bottle's at night this has made it a little easier on me as she now let's Daddy put her to sleep too.  So if I need to wash my hair or something after work I kiss her goodnight and Daddy gives her her bottle for bed.  It's also a nice bonding time for the two of them.  She also let's Nana give her bottle and put her to bed now too.  If you remember from previous posts Kailyn used to only let me out her to bed.  Otherwise she would just scream and cry and would not go to bed.  Now Mommy and Daddy have been able to go out twice the past month for the evening! :o)  Next goal is to try for a sleep over!  To sleep in past 7am after 9 months I imagine would be heaven! lol
Hmmm....what else.  Still babbling like crazy.  This girl can babble! lol  As many keep saying, just like her Momma!  Among her favs are Mama, dada, baba, nahnah.  She loves to make the noise with her tongue as spit goes everywhere. lol 
So many new things we discover together each day.  As usual I'm sure there are things I have left out in our daily changing lives with this beautiful little miracle of ours!!  

One of her favorite places to be! LOVES bath time!

Kailyn's future BFF Issa, my BFF Danas daughter

Those eyes make my ♥ melt

First time eating a hard boiled egg.  Hard to see but if you look closely you can see her gag reflex kicking in.

She LOVES her doggies


Riding the Choo Choo


**You can also click the picture of Kailyn top left of blog to see many new pics added to her 8 month album**