scarlett: 9 months old

This last month, specifically the last week, has been a game changer. Scarlett is crawling and curious! This stage can be so fun, but I forgot how much work it is. The other day at the library, Scarlett was so interested in a babe in his car seat. She crawled to him a million times, and I crawled to pick her up and sat further and further back each time. Lots of exercise at this stage, glad I'm ready for it!

The girls are part of the Help Me Grow program. It's free: you take surveys often on your child(ren)'s development and they offer suggestions to challenge them and flag you when it's appropriate. I got a phone call alerting me about Scarlett's tippy toes. When she stands and supports her own weight, she only stands on her tippy toes and never flat on her feet. Something I wouldn't have realized to be problematic until she attempted to walk and balance. My sister-in-law recommended an evaluation through Jordan District's early intervention. The therapist arrived and tested Scarlett different developmental areas- gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, problem solving, and maybe some others? When he flexed her feet, Scarlett resisted and cried, and he warned me against the tightness in her ankles and shortening of muscles affecting her ability to walk. I was instructed to stretch her ankles with every diaper change and balance her in a corner so she can stand with flat feet several times a day.

Scarlett is also a little behind in fine motor, and the therapist suggested letting her pick up more slippery foods to chase, or placing her food in an egg carton so it requires her to utilize just her thumb and index finger. While these suggestions are helpful and enlightening, they brought on so much mommy guilt. How do you give as much to your second child as you did your first? Scarlett's problem-solving skills are through the roof and keeps me entertained. I started placing her cheerios in a tiny container, but instead of strengthening her fine motor skills, she alternated dumping them out and pouring them straight into her mouth. My stubborn babe. :)

Scarlett had Hand, Foot and Mouth and cut two teeth in the same week. It was hard for all of us, but I can't imagine the pain she felt. I nursed her every two hours during the night for a solid week, her naps were sparse and I rocked her often. We snuggled lots, and she got better.

She started sleeping through the night last week. Read: no feedings whatsoever until she wakes up at 7. I believe she has done this ONCE in her entire life, so I was in shock. I'm not a huge fan of the "cry-it-out" method, so I'm grateful Scarlett mastered this "skill?" She still naps about 2 times a day, and is definitely ready for bed by 7:30. She nurses maybe 6 times a day? Morning and night, after meals and before naps. (Amelia has been so good about these special times, because she knows Mommy + Millie time comes next.)

In size 3 diapers, fits in 9-12 month clothing, hair is coming in light, crawls for anything and is pulling herself up like crazy, spits out food and throws it on the ground when she doesn't want to eat it, has a big opinion when big sis doesn't want to share. Am I forgetting anything else?

My two cheezers.
They have the same laugh and the same determined/stubborn streak in them. I love their sisterhood and their independence. They tease each other and share with each other and laugh with each other and it is wonderful. I love hearing them giggle in the backseat when we drive together, I love watching them talk to each other at breakfast time, I love watching Scarlett crawl after Amelia. They are the cutest best friends!

9/27//

Alison Clark's testimony stood out to me this Sunday... how our kids just look at us with so much trust, but really we're just winging it. But if there's one thing we know for sure, it's that Heavenly Father's promises are real, that He listens and He forgives. 'Cause you know, I'm just winging this whole thing too.

And I said the opening prayer for Sunday School and the closing prayer for Relief Society. It was like the Liana Bodtcher show, I tell ya.

9/13//

Scarlett and I spent sacrament "churchin' it in the foyer" and mother's room, like most Sundays. I've been feeling a bit down because I spend plenty of my three hours in the hall with an upset baby who just wants her nap, and then we go home and my toddler acts really sensitive because we skipped her nap and Sundays are kind of a rough go for us. I've been questioning my testimony. It's been strange because my testimony and relationship with Heavenly Father felt rock-solid and unwavering, especially in times are hardship ("when it gets too hard to stand, kneel," right?). As a convert, I haven't really plateaued in my spiritual growth in so long. I remember when I use to read the Book of Mormon out loud to Amelia daily, and felt so much guilt that I haven't even cracked open my scriptures outside of church since Scarlett was born (nope, not even for the 90 day challenge that I helped kicked off as part of the relief society committee). Jeremy's testimony is unwavering and at times it can be intimidating. I shared with him my concerns, and we agreed to started reading together (like we did when I started investigating in the church). Honestly, I didn't feel too much of a difference, until I read this article and received revelation that it's going to be okay. My testimony doesn't currently feel bright and shiny and bursting, but it's still here. And so is my Heavenly Father, and it's going to be okay.

The Adamsons spoke and I got to hear part of Shar's talk on commandments. Another little prompting that I need to take Family Home Evening more seriously. Does anyone have any ideas on FHE for young families for me?

9/6//

From Matthew 13: "And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."

I want to fall into good ground, grow deep roots, and bloom where I am planted.

scarlett: 8 months old

I feel like all these pictures are blurry because this girl doesn't stop moving! Scarlett has grown in small ways all month long! Her fine motor skills are developing-- she now can pick up a cheerio and feed it to herself. She's pulling herself up on her knees and rocks on her hand and knees more often (but still prefers to army crawl). She started pulling herself up to her feet with the shopping cart, but realized she can reach items inside the cart just pulling up to her knees. Such is life. She has been sleeping better all around, 2-3 naps a day and 11 hours at night. Nursing and weaning (I think) and still not loving sippy cups. Eats so. much. food. Makes the funniest faces when I feed her strawberries. Can be so easily bribed by cheerios. Avocados are my go to. Hasn't quite come around to oatmeal yet (but I think it's because of the quinoa mixed in). Gives us the biggest gummy grins often (still only 2 teeth) and rarely pouts. Speaking of grins, she'll smile so big while she's eating that food starts to fall out, and then she'll nonchalantly push it back into her mouth with her index finger. She started saying "da da" "ma ma" and "ba ba" and chatters non-stop. Our happy camper and loves to swing, run in her walker, gum on toys, flip book pages, and do anything big sister is doing!

The sweetest sisters. I feel like their love grows every month! They hold hands and give each other high fives. Amelia now shares are babies and most precious, coveted items and will pick up anything Scarlett drops and sings to her when she's upset.

This next month will be a game changer. Amelia is off to preschool for 2.5 hours, 2 days a week. Bring on mommy+Scarlett time!