Irelyn {15 Months}

Here's what happens when a stay-at-home mama starts a job.... blogging just doesn't happen.  Hopefully I can play catch-up with Irelyn's monthly posts over the holidays!  15 months... finally :)

15 months, October 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 15 months!
Stats from you 15 month check-up:
Weight: 20.2 lbs.
Height: 30.7 in.
-You got four shots at your appointment which went okay, but then they had to do a blood draw to test for iron levels and that was NO fun.  SO many tears!  You cried as soon as the nurse came in the room!  I think you subconsciously remember all those heel pricks you had as a newborn :(.
Here's what you've been up to this month:

- You've learned three new signs this month: "water", "ball", and "fish"!

-Started piking your body like you're about to do a somersault, and you peek between your legs!  The world looks so different upside down! (Sept. 9)

Using Dan as a backrest... he really didn't mind :). 

-You have started wanting to wear your ballet slippers, you get SO excited when you have shoes on your feet.  The problem is you kick your little feet together (like Dorothy) and the shoes come flying off!

*Twinkle Toes *

-I took you to the library to check out books for the first time (Sept. 10).  You were kind of upset that Mommy didn't put you down to crawl around, but you did like looking at the other kids in the children's section and trying to socialize with them!  The librarians thought you were pretty cute- especially when they were checking out the books and every time the scanner made a beeping sound you got SO excited!  When we got home you would have NOTHING to do with the new books from the library and only wanted to read your own books (which Mommy has all but memorized)!  Such a goofball! 
-You have started trying to talk more.  You say "hot" when you see a coffee mug and "up!" when you want to be held!  It is so fun to hear you talk!  You always whisper your words and jabber loudly :).

Peek-a-boo... someone likes to hide behind the curtains! 

Playing with magnets

Someone LOVES Barney :)  TV distraction while Mommy makes supper.

"Where's baby's eyes?"  POKE!

-You have never been a super snuggly baby, but you have started giving really good hugs!  You even patted mama's back while hugging me, it was so sweet!
-You got your 3rd tooth (2nd on bottom) (Sept. 24)
It's been a busy month baby girl!
We love you bunches Ladybug!
Love,
Mommy

Irelyn {14 Months}

14 months, September 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 14 months!

At 14 months you are:

-Signing for "book" (Aug. 13)

-You LOVE pointing out your belly button!  You also like to try to find other people's belly buttons by lifting up their shirts... oh dear!

-You are learning body parts- you know "belly-button", "nose" and "toes" :)

-Putting food on your own spoon
-You like sitting on the recliners like a big kid :)

-Almost said "paper", Grandma took you to get the newspaper and she was telling you about the paper and you tried repeating it!
-You are getting into EVERYTHING!  You like to dump your toys and help "organize" papers!

-Say "uh-oh" ALOT (started Sept. 3)!  It is so cute!  Although, sometimes you drop things on purpose just to say "uh-oh"... like throwing your sippy cup off the high chair... hmmm.

-Daddy had to go back to work this month, you miss seeing him everyday.  We are working on getting back into our school-year routine!

-You still love love love your animals and dolls! You give them lots of hugs :).

-You are still crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything- no walking yet!

Window gazing while sucking you thumb = multitasking! 

You like to play piano, but Mommy has to keep you away from the sheet music!

Major hat-hair after a hot afternoon walk in the back-pack!  Look at that frizz!

Hanging out with Uncle John and Daddy :)

It's been a busy month little girl!

We love you ladybug!

Love,

Mommy

Irelyn {13 Months}

13 months, August 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 13 months, a TODDLER!  How did that happen?!

It never ceases to amaze me how much you change in a month!

Here's what you've been up to:

-Crawling everywhere!

-Will crawl the opposite direction very quickly when I call you!  Sometimes you even "Shoo" me away and get VERY upset when I try following you! Defiant!

-We had your birthday party on July 27th

-Feeding food to your dolly- you share your Cheerios :)

-Eat like a bird

-Stand up on everthing

-You've started trying to climb on furniture

-Throw a fantastic temper tantrum (can be quite demanding!)

-Want to whine instead of using sign language!  Goober.

-You got your first tooth on July 14th!  Mommy noticed it in church!

See that little tooth?!

-You love to eat olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, mixed veggie puree, graham crackers and cinnamon rolls.  You still hate eating watermelon, I'm hoping your taste will change for it as mama LOVES watermelon!

Eating cinnamon rolls with Grandpa

-Drink milk and water, you really like cold water and generally it MUST have ice (can we say "Diva"?!)

-Wants to eat everything off of our plates and not your own

-Sometimes you say "mama"

-Babble talk frequently with inflection

-Like the TV (never thought I'd let my kid watch TV... jokes on me!), Barney, Arthur, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood are your faves

-Love playing with the Kindle or keyboard... you are mastering the touch screen

-Dance to music by swaying your hips or swinging your arms back and forth!  So cute!

-Like to play peek-a-boo and still love to be read to (you would sit for books all day if I let you!)

-LOVE dolls, especially your Carter's  "First Doll" from Grandma... sometimes you insist on taking "Dolly" with you to the high chair to eat- then Mama has to sneak her into the washing machine!

Carrying Dolly everywhere!

-Suck your thumb (right thumb) throughout the day- you used to just do it at night

-You have finally attached yourself to your blankie (fleece froggy) and lovey (bunny).  When I give you either you will instantly suck your thumb or rub them on your face for comfort!

-Fight naps but not bed-time

-Generally sleep from 6:30pm-7:00am with one 1 1/2 hr. nap during the day

-Eat with left hand more than right

-Like it when people clap... you'll join in a few seconds later

-BIG mama's girl when you're tired, hurt, or not feeling well

Mama cuddles :)

-Point to everything!

-Follows verbal directions well- you understand a lot of what we say.

-You have also started trying to dress yourself- putting your pants on or pulling your shirt over your head.  You help me dress you which is nice :).  You love clothes so sometimes Mommy lets you pick out your own outfit from the closet- you get pretty excited!
Love having a little girly-girl!

Dan is your buddy :)

Love you Ladybug!
Love,
Mommy

Irelyn {12 Months}

Irelyn, 12 Months Old, July 5, 2013

Sweet baby girl,

You are 12  months old!

It is hard to believe you are ONE already.

One year ago we were in the hospital, awaiting your arrival.

Everyone was impressed that you decided to come right on your due date!

Mommy has a hard time looking back at those pictures, they make her miss her little peanut!

Of course, you are still tiny according to the pediatrician.

At your 12 month appointment we found out you are only in the 5th % for weight!

She told us to add butter/ peanut butter to your bread and give you full fat cheese and yogurt since you eat like a bird.

At 12 months:

Height: 29.6 in.

Weight: 17.12.8 lbs. (5th %)

Teeth: No teeth yet! Eight months of on and off teething and no teeth to show for it!

Diapers: Size 3 sposies, still on mid-settings on the cloth dipes

Clothing: 12 month

You have had a busy month.  We went on a "camping" trip to Oklahoma with Grandma and Grandpa B., Auntie Elissa, Uncle Dustin, and Easton.  It was a four hour drive and you did surprisingly well- despite the fact that you didn't nap very long in the car!  We stayed in cabins so it was pretty easy to keep you on your sleep schedule.  The best part of the trip for you was getting to swim in the lake and the salt water pool at the resort.  You LOVE swimming and seem to have no fear of the water- even when it splashes in your face you don't care!  You liked it when Easton was near so you could play with steal his trucks and motorcycles.  You also seem to have a fascination with his pretty hair and wanted to pull on it when he got close :).  At this point you weren't sitting up and getting down on the floor by yourself very well so you spent a lot of time doing "spin-cycles" and looking longingly after your cousin as he ran around.  It was a lot of fun to get away and spend time with family!

Grandma time on the porch :)

Cars!

Hanging out on the porch

Splish-splash!  Your little legs were moving the ENTIRE time in the pool!  Little fishy!

Weee!

Daddy kept sneaking up on you and making you laugh!

Tether ball time!  We have a video of this because Easton was laughing hysterically the whole time!

Some other exciting milestones from the past month:

- Signing for "milk" for the first time (June 13)

- Sitting up from a lying position (June 20)

- Saying "mama"- although I think it was a fluke and not in regards to me! (June 22)

- Sitting up in your crib (June 30)

- End of June you mastered sitting up and lying down without hesitation, as well as pulling yourself up on everything and attempting transitioning from things.  You also bend your knees now when you go from standing to sitting instead of just plopping down on your bum stiff-legged.  We have to watch you when we leave a room because you will try following!  We are now in official baby-proofing stage!

Pool time

Daddy-Daughter Love :)

We spent your actual birthday in the car driving to Uncle John and Auntie Andi's wedding in South Dakota.  I felt bad that you had to spend your birthday strapped in a car seat for 8 hours, but you did okay and only got really fussy when it was close to nap time.  Unfortunately you have a hard time falling asleep in the car seat and usually will not sleep for very long once you are asleep.  At least you no longer scream at stop lights like you did as a newborn (silver lining)!  We drove up with Grandma and Grandpa B. and stayed with Grandma's Aunt in Freeman, SD.  

Reading her first birthday card from Grandpa and Grandma

The scrapbook sleeves were a hit!  Thanks for the idea Nancy!

Opening your first birthday gift in Freeman, from Great-aunt Lois!

A book!  You love it!  It is now your official bedtime story book :).

Grandma and Grandpa watched you during the rehearsal dinner Friday.  They gave you your first birthday cupcake, and we hear you simply picked a few sprinkles off to eat! You stayed with Gma and Gpa while Mommy did wedding flowers Saturday morning.  Grandpa held you during the ceremony and you did great despite the outdoor heat!  I was so proud of you for letting other people hold you too!

Rehearsal, they are so cute :)

 Daddy's Aunt Lois and cousin Alexi did great entertaining you for awhile!  We stretched your bedtime to about 8pm when Gma and Gpa took you back to the house to get you in bed.  It was so nice to have extra hands to help with you!  You rode back with Mommy, Daddy and Pa-Paw and did great!  I was glad I had a bag full of "new" toys and books for you as each toy only last about 5 minutes, ha!  Daddy also spoiled you and got you your first Happy Meal at McDonalds- of course you barely ate any of it and only wanted the toy :).

Irelyn and Alexi

Grandma time!

Hanging out with Great-aunt Lois!

Someone had an obsession with the balloons!

Daddy time!

Cake!

First dance

You are such a goofball and love making people smile!

Ducky face!

Reading with Great-aunt Clarice

Bunny cuddles with Pa-Paw

Water!

Uh-oh, bucket head!

ALL smiles! 

Baby girl you are the LIGHT in our lives and we cannot imagine our lives without you!  You are a joy to everyone around you!  On your first birthday it is amazing to reflect on the meaning of your name that we so carefully chose for you, and how you have grown into it.  We named you Irelyn Nadene- a combination of "Irene", meaning "peace", and "Lyn", meaning "waters"- Nadene means "hope".  It is amazing to see how your name fits you so, a wonderful peaceful (most of the time!) little lady who loves the water and brings hope to everyone around her!

Happy FIRST birthday Ladybug!

We love you!

Love,

Mommy