8 Months!

Check out this peanut, who isn't such a peanut anymore (and can't sit still either)...

I have no idea how much she weighs or how tall she is, but I can tell you she has grown and is still growing. The girl is LONG...she's in 12-month clothes but the onesies barely fit, and at this point I prefer to just put her in 18-month size. She's still got those adorable cheeks and chunky thighs, too. Her eyes are still a somewhat confusing greenish-brown color, and her hair color is a bit confusing too - sometimes it looks reddish, other times it looks dark, and then another day it could be blondish. Mostly she looks like her Daddy, but occasionally there's a little flash of her mama in a certain look or tilt of the head. We'll just have to wait and see I guess!

I know I've said a lot over the past couple of months that she doing so many new things, but this month she has just really exploded in her abilities and in the new things she is working on. At the beginning of the month she watched my dad clap his hands (after weeks of watching us), and then suddenly decided she might like to try it herself. She's been working on it for the past few weeks and while she's still perfecting it, it's much more coordinated. She can pick up little items or bits of food between her thumb and forefinger, and although not all of them make it to her mouth, she's getting close. She's working on waving and doesn't always get it at the right times, but then will surprise us by immediately responding with a shake of the arm and a big smile. She is also highly entertained by peek-a-boo and takes great delight in pulling the blanket away from her face and "surprising" us. Lucy loves her new Christmas toys and can really make the most of all the noises and songs. She has even started "dancing" (bouncing) when she hears music sometimes. And of course, the big one...she started crawling a couple of weeks ago! Wow, what a milestone! We should be good for awhile, right? Oh, how wrong:

I KNOW! This is just moving way too fast for my taste. She just pulls herself right up, and has bonked her head on all kinds of things but seems to have no fear. She'll freely take a dive off our bed if she sees something interesting on the floor. We're getting pretty fast with the hands on catching her. This little one is Trouble.

As a sharp contrast to all this new independence, we are also starting to experience a little clingyness lately, especially with me, but I'm hoping that's temporary. She's also had a little trouble sleeping the past week or so but that may be due to all of the new things she's trying to figure out, and this morning I spied a couple of bottom teeth coming in! Despite these new adventures in parenting, Lucy is obviously still such a joy. She continues to be a happy, smiley baby. She giggles a lot, babbles constantly, and is in general a little goof.

At this rate who knows what Month 9 will bring?! Any guesses?

Uh-Oh...

I'm not sure I like where this is going.

For the Love of a Good Window Seat

I recently returned from a 2 ½ day work trip to Oakland, CA. The actual work aspect of the project was quite positive and productive, but other aspects of the trip were both mentally and physically exhausting. The travel out there was cumbersome (flight delays, near-missed connecting flights, motion sickness, lost luggage, 40-minute train ride, rain, etc.); the schedule was demanding (along with a 2-hour time difference); and it was my first time away from Lucy overnight.

Thankfully, my return flights (connecting through Denver) were much better. I was functioning on very little sleep, but I was actually pretty coherent for most of the flight and took advantage of my window seat. I love a good window seat; I always find it fascinating to piece together parcels of landscape from above, or even to just stare at the clouds. Occasionally I have been lucky enough to see something particularly special - once flying to North Carolina I watched a lightning storm parallel to my plane; flying to Montana one year on the 4th of July I watched multiple fireworks displays from above.

I did fall asleep once on my flight to Denver (it was at 6AM, after all), and as I awoke I peered out the window and was rewarded with a view of snow-capped mountain peaks poking through a blanket of clouds. I have seen mountain views from above before, but this was spectacular. The pale orange of early morning light illuminated the eastern faces and left the western faces dark, reinforcing the definition of the uppermost ridges. As the cloud cover diminished, the light spread and a complete snow-covered oasis of peaks and valleys was revealed. The landscape appeared untouched – just pure wilderness. It was simply breathtaking; a perfect example of the camaraderie between God and Mother Nature. I don’t know about you, but I think my version of heaven looks exactly like that beautiful view.

Of course my own little slice of heaven on earth is in the presence of my baby girl, who did just fine without me these past few days, but was also very excited to see me. I guess that’s just about perfect too.

And We're Off!

We officially have a crawler! Lastnight I got home and Husband said "you just missed it..." but I was quickly rewarded with the sight of our little one finally figuring out how to work those arms and legs together to get where she wanted to go. She would only go a few strides lastnight, but already today she's looking like a pro.

It's funny how she has spent weeks pulling herself up to her hands and knees, and bouncing like crazy without going anywhere...and then all the sudden she just figured out how to make it work. I am just amazed at all of the development that is taking place, and I know there is more to come!

Along with the inevitable baby proofing, comes the realization that the dog and his toys are no longer safe. Enjoy!

Christmas 2009 Tour: Iowa Stops

We finally got down to Iowa to celebrate Christmas with my family. Lucy and I drove down the morning of New Year's Eve, and Husband and Brandon caught up with us the evening of New Year's Day. The little bug and I had a good solid day with Grandma and Grandpa O., and on New Year's headed to Grandma White's to see a lot more family. Even though it wasn't the traditional Christmas Eve celebration, which got thwarted by snow this year along with everything else, it was a nice relaxing time and it was so nice to see everyone.

Lucy got to spend good quality time with her cousins (and I with my nephews), D and E. Two-year-old D liked to be around "Wucy" and would pat her head or get on the floor with her. E is 3 months younger than Lucy but catching up fast. He's a big kid too! I'll be anxious to see if he has a growth spurt like she did between 4 and 6 months.

We are also grateful for members of the Overmohle side of the family braving the cold and coming over to visit. Lucy gave a few coy smiles to her great-grandpa, and had fun with Great Aunt Beth and Great Uncle Bob, and cousins Shelby and Blake. I think Shelby had a good time too; she created this photo:

The best part though, was that all of my brothers and I, and their spouses, were "home" at the same time. That hasn't happened for quite awhile, and we had a nice little Christmas celebration of our own. The kids (big and small) were spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa, and it was a messy, jolly good time. It reminded me of Christmas when we were kids...paper flying everywhere, laughter, the light in the kids' eyes. I hope that happens many more times in the future.

Opportunist

Brandon got up to go to the bathroom, and look who wasted no time taking his spot...

Good thing he's willing to share!

Top 10 of 2009

Happy New Year! Per the tradition I started last year, here is the list of the top 10 events around our house this year (in chronological order):

1. Being pregnant. I know this might sound absurd, but I really enjoyed being pregnant. Sure, it had its down sides…but overall it just amazed me every day that my body could cook a baby.

2. Brandon moving in with us. It was a long, frustrating road to get there, but so worth it in the end. Life got better for all of us.

3. Lucy’s birth. I will never, ever forget the moment I held my daughter in my arms for the first time. I never thought my heart could be so full. Life certainly changed forever on May 30th.

4. Joining a church. This was a long time coming, and Husband and I both found a place that we felt comfortable. Brandon really seems to like it too, and we all look forward to it.

5. Maternity leave. What a blessing to be able to take 3 months off, and during the summer!

6. Brandon’s trip to the Boundary Waters. Although it was only Brandon who went on this trip, I think both Husband and I got just as much out of it by hearing him talk so excitedly about it!

7. State Fair Trip to Des Moines. This year’s trip didn’t actually involve a trip to the fair, but it was so special to be able to share my daughter with my friends and to have all of us and our kids together. I was the “last one” in the group to have a first baby, but the brood continues to grow!

8. New nephew. My nephew E was born in August, tripling the grandchild quotient on my side of the family. I love that he and Lucy are so close in age.

9. Lucy’s baptism. What a great day! Almost every single family member was in attendance, including my Grandma. It was a wonderful, family-oriented event full of traditions, and I’ll never forget how Lucy smiled at Pastor Paul when he anointed her.

10. Our first Christmas as a family of four. Christmas takes on a whole new meaning when there are kids in the house, big and small! Although the snow thwarted our travel plans, it actually ended up being kind of nice to just spend the holiday tucked indoors together. Of course sharing Lucy’s first Christmas with Husband’s family was also a hoot! (with my family to come this weekend!)

In 2010 I hope to remember that each day is a new adventure, and important in its own way. Here's to a great year and the start of a brand new decade!