In Nine Months

Posts tagged anthea by week

Jan
26th

Sat

Dear Anthea,

One thing about being the second child, I realized, is that I perpetually think of you as my baby. But you are 11 months old now, beautiful girl. After a momentous year of firsts, you are about to turn the first big number.

It’s not that I compare you to your sister…far from it. I just have two sweet babyhoods so close together, that I compare them by nature. At first I bought you the same things that your sister liked, because I knew no different. But now I find myself with two very distinct little girls. “Anthea likes this,” I think as I shop for sour cream and onion veggie puffs, vanilla yogurt, mango-flavored things, rye bread. You have your bunny lovey. Your feet are already a size 5. You will pull your socks off while nursing and do insane things with your feet unless you are in a Grobag. You will occasionally snuggle against me, your head on my chest. You love watching the Partysaurus Rex short, and hate having a toy taken away by your sister. You like bouncing and dancing and music.

And what can you do now? You can clap. You almost walk unaided. Certainly, you stand alone, the world waiting for your next move. The control you demonstrate going up and down is like that of a timed elevator. You push things away you don’t like. You are very determined to get what you want. I’m sorry this age is one of doing and not understanding. How frustrating this big puzzle is for you sometimes, kid. You say “mama” discriminately, and I don’t know when that happened. But you reach for me, pleading, and I always comply.

You are continually tall, but thinning out as you explore with boundless energy. You mostly wear 2T clothes, and 3T pjs with the legs rolled once at the feet. Sleeping at night is sometimes a challenge. You love to wake up for a nursing snack three or four times. You nap well, usually once in the morning in the Ergo while we are out and about. And again in the afternoon. Collapsing after we put your sister down.

We brush your teeth now (of which there are FIVE) and I read you stories before bed. Your favorites are Good Night Gorilla, Black and White Baby Animals, (both of which make you laugh) and anything that’s touch-and-feel.

I’m delighted by you. Continually. By the months you’ve spent growing and changing and becoming more you. These last days of true babyhood are so bittersweet, it’s overwhelming. To my beautiful baby and little girl, and always my daughter. I love you.

Mama

— 6 notes ()

Nov
30th

Fri

Anthea had her nine-month appointment on Wednesday.

She weighs 23 pounds and is 32 inches long. Weight percentile is sitting in the 90s, and height percentile would be very much far off the charts. It always makes me laugh. She is exceeding all of her developmental milestones (she’s crusing, and even dancing and saying “mama!”) and our pediatrician is always sure to remark on how happy and mellow and cute her smile is.

Anthea had to get her second dose of flu shot, and she also got a tiny drop of blood taken from her toe to test iron levels. She didn’t even cry or seem bothered by the latter.

Anthea is fast at getting to wherever she wants to get. Given a tiny bit of freedom and followed closely, she is under tables, going up stairs, climbing up cushions on the sofa, following her sister, trying to get into the cozy coupe, and pulling things off shelves. I’ve done my best to babyproof and contain her to safe areas. I like to let her explore her physicality (albeit safely!) and I was so glad we made it to her appointment without bruises or bang-ups (I really wish she’d figure out that the benches at our table are not tall enough for her to sit under!)

As usual, I never really have questions for the pediatrician. But this time, I did make sure to ask how much water and such it is ok for her to drink from a cup. Anthea really goes to town whenever there is a cup within reach (as oftentimes Rosemary leaves them around), plus she gets a sippy of water at every meal. Kiddo can even drink very proficiently from a straw, which I found out when she guzzled about 4oz of Rosemary’s chocolate milk before I got to her. I do offer breastmilk frequently and on-demand, but it’s certainly hard to know what a good balance is since nursing isn’t measured, and I don’t want her to be thirsty. She also really likes Odwalla superfood mixed with water in her cup…which, hey, if you wanna drink Jerusalem artichoke and pureed spinach, child, I am not about to take it away.

I’m feeling grateful that I have a pediatrician I trust and agree with in most matters. My girls have had a few small issues that, of course, scare the bejeezus out of me (thanks in no small part to my friend, Google). The things you do not ever know about until you know about them, I tell ya.

We’re so thankful for Anthea’s continued health. And curious to see where we’ll be at her one-year appointment (hard to believe that’s her next one!)

— 5 notes ()

Aug
21st

Tue

Happy half birthday, little one!

Development-wise, Anthea is really starting to take off. She’s figured out how to really use the jumperoo recently. So much bouncing going on. She loves having her ribs tickled and giggles a lot. She also talks and babbles nonstop.

She has eaten a lot of different things—she loves eating!—and definitely has her favorites. She loves mangoes mixed with her oatmeal and broccoli mixed with applesauce. She also really likes nomming on things at restaurants, like breadsticks or steamed veggies or rice rusks.

She has her six-month check-up in a few days, but we weighed her at home and she’s about 20 pounds! (Rosemary didn’t weigh that until 18 months, haha).

No teeth yet, but lots of drooling and some rough nights.

Speaking of sleeping, napping still seems to be our main issue. She also will only breastfeed in a dark, quiet room, so that makes it challenging to get out and about. But mostly, she’s a very go-with-the-flow kid. Happy to star and play. There is a lot of grabbing going on—everything from my hair to salt shakers and my iPhone to anything I’m trying to hold. Anthea is most entertained by her sister, who lavishes her with kisses and head patting and puts on shows by jumping around her while she lays on the bed. Eep.

I think she gets cuter by the day. I love this stage where they move from being an infant to someone with so much personality. She is already trying to stand and can roll herself around pretty stealthily.

How is she half a year old already? My sweet girl is getting so big.

— 6 notes ()

Jul
17th

Tue

21 weeks. Firsts: sleeping in her own room, trying oatmeal cereal, finding her feet, trip to the Disney store (where she was gifted with a stuffed Suzy mouse from Cinderella), and having mama dip her in paint to do a footprint. Also experienced a new low in the form of a longest night ever. Loves baths, sitting on her own, Sophie, rib tickles, my boobs. And is consistently rolling over, laughing and eating her toes.

Our biggest challenge right now is sleeping, mainly waking up when she is laid down. We also are not the biggest fans of the hot weather right now.

— 7 notes ()

Jul
10th

Tue

20 weeks old, my dear!

You’ve become so grabby. Like a huge piece of Velcro. I can’t do anything without my hair, my clothes, your shirt, blanket, sister, or anything in reach being grasped by you. Today you grabbed the dollop of ketchup on my plate!

Speaking of food, you nom nommed on a cold slice of cucumber and a frozen string cheese this week. You didn’t get any off. It was just so hot in Kansas, that I used a whole arsenal of things to keep you cool. Frankly, you looked a little jealous of Rosemary’s Popsicles.

You are smiley and giggly and content. But a very tedious sleeper these days. You also don’t like to be put down much. My biceps are firming up, kid.

You were the best plane baby we could’ve asked for. So happy to sleep on top of me, and stare at other passengers from my lap the rest of the time. Gold star.

I’m getting your room ready for you to move into. It’s breaking my heart a little to think of you not within arm’s reach of my bed. But our night noises and Rosie’s monitor and such is starting to disturb you. And your sleep is precious, so it’s nearly time for the next step.

You are seeming so grown and, as always, wonderful with every new glimmer of personality.

I love you, baby bee!

-Mama

— 6 notes ()

Jul
3rd

Tue

Happy 19 weeks, from a hay bale in Kansas. (Hey, it seemed fitting).

This week: You took your first airplane ride, saw your first firework, met your first 104-degree day, visited your midwest grandparents for the first time. And dipped your bare feet in your grandparents’ pool.

You are wearing size 12-month clothes, and size 3 diapers (same as your big sister). Before we left Seattle, you had your 4-month checkup and shots. You are perfect. 16 pounds, 8 ounces and 27 inches long. (Over the 100th percentile!)

You are so smiley and easy-going. I get so much joy from cuddling you and cherishing these moments of helpless babyhood. I know how quickly they will go. Soon, you will be eating red, white, and blue cupcakes and running off to chase grasshoppers.

I love you muchly, baby bee!

-Mama

— 9 notes ()

Jun
21st

Thu

Dear Anthea,

You are four months old today, little bee. You love sitting up and standing and stretching those bare legs in all the sunshine we’ve been having.

I’ve gotten to hear some of the most amazing giggle fits lately. There is no better sound. You are growing like crazy—already, 9-month clothes are getting too short, and I’m breaking out the 12-month items.

You haven’t wanted to nap lately, because you spend so much time looking around and watching things. You like to eat your hands and slobber and are really getting into toys now. Calamari the octopus and Sophie the giraffe are your favorites. But you’ll goober on anything—the edge of the blanket, my thumb, whatever. You like being read to and staring at the TV and most of all, watching your big sister with extreme interest. Lately, I’ve been carrying you around facing outward in the Baby Bjorn at the park. You’re happy to see the world and kick your bare feet in the air.

I could spend an eternity just staring at you and telling you things and kissing your sweet cheeks. I want you to grow bigger and stronger, but it’s hard to watch you change so fast.

You have no idea how much I love you, little girl.

Love,

Mom

— 7 notes ()

Jun
5th

Tue

My sweet girl is 14 weeks old today. She’s so lovable and getting cuter by the day.

There has been a recent nap strike, where Anthea has refused to sleep for more than 10 minutes during the day. But, she still sleeps well at night. Waking twice to eat and going back down easily. So we are blessed.

I can’t believe how fast and beautiful time is.

— 5 notes ()

May
29th

Tue

Happy 13 weeks, kiddo! I can’t believe you are already jungle bouncing—feet grazing the floor and everything.

I hope you sleep well tonight, after all that exercise.

Love,
Momma

— 9 notes ()

May
21st

Mon

Happy three months, smiley girl. You’re getting to be such a big girl. You like to listen to stories and stare at toys and grab my shirt and hair and face. You giggle and smile and kick your legs with ferocity. You like to watch your sister. You like to be carried around facing outward so you can see everything. You like lights and baths. You like to sit up. When can make an absolutely heartbreakingly sad face when you get upset. And when you cry, it sounds like you are yelling “maaaa maaa!” Gets me every time.

You’ve outgrown all of your three-month clothes, and can wear anything from 6 months up to 18 months because you’re so tall. You have such long legs and arms and fingers and toes. Your eyes are still blue and getting lighter. Your hair is still dark, but it doesn’t seem as long as when you were born, but it’s still long in the back and I think it’s going to be wavy.

You do not like being outside in the brightness, but you are starting to not mind being worn in the Ergo. Your reflux seems to just get better and better, and you are now sleeping from 9:30pm until around 4am most nights. You don’t take epic naps very much anymore, averaging only 45 minutes or so. Life is a challenge with you and your sister awake and going.

You have such a sweet personality and I love every minute I get to spend with you. The joy you get from being talked to and played with is adorable and addicting to watch. I cannot wait to see you grow and change, but I can’t help cherish the time you spend fitting in my arms.

Love you for always,

Momma

— 8 notes ()