Hey everyone! Can you believe it's already the 2nd week of October?! What a crazy and busy and great month-and-a-half it's been!
To start off the month of September, Libby's daycare suddenly and sadly closed. It's kind of a long story, but ends with our family and about 200 others without childcare and with much stress. We searched for a couple of weeks for a center and never found one we were comfortable taking Libby to. I really don't think our standards are that high but there were places we visited and interviewed that I seriously wouldn't even leave her in for an hour. Dirty and unfriendly and at one of them, the 1-year old room teacher didn't even speak English. I just don't know how any parent could take their child to some of these places every day and feel good about it. Maybe our standards are higher than other parents but maybe if all of our standards were higher there wouldn't even be places like we saw.
Anyway - We ended up finding an in-home daycare just a couple of minutes from our house. Libbs has only been going there for a week, but it was a really good first week. Her personality is blossoming more every day and it's so fun to watch. She is funny and cuddly and active and bossy and the girl knows what she wants and will do what she thinks she has to to get it! She is having a hard time "playing nice" with the other children sometimes - she pushes and shoves and takes things and yells... Some of you might know that I've always, even before she was born, had a fear of having a "bratty" or misbehaved child. So when I took Libby to the doctor this last week for her ear recheck (another story in itself) for her ear infection  I told the doctor about how she is acting. The doctor actually said this is not necessarily a bad thing. She said that it's a sign that, like her early motor development, this shows early social development. Tantrums and pushing and taking things are all part of social and lingual development - learning what she wants and working to get it. Average age to start these things is 15 months, so she about 6 months ahead of the curve. Doc says this is good because she will (or should) outgrow it at a younger age. But bad because when kids go through it closer to 2 years old, they have some speaking capabilities and more understanding of what you're saying to them. This way you can tell them this is not how you act - you need to say please and all that good stuff. But Libby is only 11 months old, so we can tell her that, but she's not really going to get it and she's certainly not going to do it. All we can really do is ignore her tantrums so as not to encourage them and tell her no and redirect her when she is acting out toward other children.

We have been using some basic sign language with her since she was about 3 months old and she is starting to use it! She can now give the sign for milk when she's thirsty and the sign for all done when she's full. She can point to your eye and your nose and give kisses and wave bye-bye. She claps and and dances (which is stinkin' hilarious!) and plays musical instruments. AND just this week while she's trying to keep up with the older kids at daycare she finally started walking - not just the 4 or 5 steps to get from here to there but seriously walking around the house! It's so awesome - she's getting so big! Oh yeah - and she's such a little book worm! She spends a lot of time looking at books and having mommy and daddy read them to her. Like seriously a lot of time...sometimes I have to, err, I mean get to, read a book 3 or 4 times in a row. If you need ideas for birthday - I would love to read new stories:)

So I guess that pretty much brings us up-to-date. I feel like I just totally down-played everything so I could fit it in here without writing a novel....It's really been an amazing month!

Little Tiny baby Banta is doing great as well - I got to hear it's little heartbeat at my appointment last week. And I felt the little munchkin move in my belly for the first time on Friday, the 7th!! My morning (or all-day) sickness is getting a lot better - hopefully it will go away for good soon! Last Friday I threw up so hard that I broke a bunch of cappillaries in my face! I looked terrible - there were purple spots all over my face. 6 more weeks and we're half-way through and we get to have our 2nd and last ultrasound!! It's so different from being pregnant with Libby that it makes me think maybe we're having a boy, but deep down I think it's going to be another girl! I guess we'll find out in 6 months since my husband is SO great and agreed to keep it a surprise again:)  Love you baby!

Speaking of loving my husband - we just celebrated 5 years of marriage on Friday!!! It seems crazy that our wedding was 5 years ago, but at the same time I feel like we've been together so much longer than that. It has honestly been the best time of my life and I'm so blessed to have such a great husband and best friend.

Also speaking of love - my sister got married in September! I was honored to be her Matron of Honor. It was so great to see her and spend some time with her and the wedding was beautiful and so much fun! I am very very happy for her and Mike and I wish them a lifetime of happiness together!!

WHEW! What a whirlwind, right?! I hope I'm not forgetting anything...

Enjoy the pics and the musical concert below! She's way better at the flute now - I'll have to get another video for you...

Ravioli!!

Snuggles with G-ma (windchimes)

Family (except Katie and Mike)

Poopin in the dog kennel :)

Cardboard house mommy built me

Sisters

Mama and daughters

Our little family

Newlyweds

Cheezeball eating Cheez-its

Puppy Love!

So this morning I was changing Olivia's diaper on the couch. The boys were outside on their chains going potty and they started barking. Libby turned her head at the sound of their barks and said,  "puppy." Just like that - like she has said it 100 times! It was completely crazy - I have never even heard her make a "p" sound!
I freaked out, of course and almost started crying. It was so awesome...I just can't believe she's already at the age when she's going to start TALKING!!!! Man, I love her.

She's also starting to stand like a Pro...she can stand for quite some time all by herself and then she will take one step - but only one - and then lunges toward whatever she's trying to get to. It's not going to be long! I feel like I've been saying that for a long time, but I'm serious - she's on her way :)

Libbs had a case of Hand Foot and Mouth disease a couple of weeks ago. Poor thing had blisters/sores in her mouth and on her bottom for about 9 days. She wasn't allowed to be at daycare (which is where she got it) so I had 6 days of working from home and hanging out with her. It was so stinkin' fun...She is just so happy and talkative and fun. So she went back to daycare Monday and then they shut down for the next 3 days; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday...due to a case of Whooping Cough! I had to hire one of the ladies from daycare to come over and take care of her at home for those 3 days and I think she had a lot of fun. Rhonda and Libby really get along well...I am glad I spend so much time at the daycare so I have gotten to know the girls well enough to be able to have them do this for us. Tomorrow's Friday and she can go back to daycare. Let's hope the kids can get healthy and stay healthy!

Last weekend we went to Gray's Lake as a little family unit. We walked and walked and walked and then stopped at the beach...we didn't plan for this, so she had to go in her diaper but the water was so warm she absolutely loved it! She thought the sand was the most interesting thing she had ever seen. She grabbed handfuls off the bottom of the lake and studied it before dumping it out and grabbing the next handful. She splashed around and giggled and had tons of fun...Great idea by Daddy!!

Her top two teeth have cut through finally - it's darn cute :) There is a gap between them which I think is super cute and I also think it's pretty normal for babies. She is getting very tall - at her 9 month appointment she had jumped up to the 75th percentile for height - she is 28-1/2 inches tall and she is still in the 50th percentile for weight at 19.4 lbs. Kinda funny - she sure looks chubby to us!
It's getting about time to switch her from the baby seat to a convertible car seat - gotta keep an eye out on Craigslist for a good deal.

Oh my, you guys - our little baby girl is going to be 10 months old on Sunday. Oh my...I look at her now and I don't see a baby; I see a toddler and it makes mama so happy and so sad all in one. She is ever-changing and it's the most amazing thing to be able to witness the changes in her on a daily basis.



Goooooood Morning!



First Trip to the Beach - - Looved it!



O-Water Baby!!

If you read the previous post about Harvest Time, you know that O.G.B. got down and dirty in the garden. And what do you do when you're done playing in the dirt? You go swimming, of course!!!
We got Libbs her very first pool!
Side note: if you wait until July 31, they only cost $7 :) End side note.
When Daddy got home from work we had him fill the pool with water. It was about 3:30pm and it was darn hot outside. Libby got changed into her bathing suit and out we went...The water was very very cold so at first she just leaned over the edge and splashed with her hands. Josh stuck her feet in but she wasn't havin' that cold stuff on her feet; at least not alone. Great idea by daddy: he stuck his feet in to show her how fun it was and then she followed suit. Eventually after dipping and splashing and distracting, she sat down in the water and played. And she loved it! She chased the rubber duckie and the water pig and her daddy's toes. She splashed around and farted and looked as cute as ever with her little ruffles and the bow in her hair.
We were out about a half and hour or so before it was time to go in and get ready for Brandon and Teri (Libby's Godparents) to come over for dinner. They are really great about coming over to hang out with Libby every couple of months or so and I love that they want to have a relationship with her. They got her a new outfit, too! It's going to come in really handy pretty soon when the Hawkeyes take the field!

I need to relax now, so I'm out...xoxoxo

Just splashin'

First Foot Dip - Not lovin' it

If Daddy can do it so can I!

Fully submerged

Cute as can be, right?

Brandon, Teri and Libby

Iowa Booty



Harvest Time

This weekend we decided it was time to harvest our potato crop. We waited for Olivia to wake up from her morning nap and then Mom, Dad, Libby, Cooper and Fletcher all headed out to the backyard.
Libby has never loved the feel of grass under her feet and doesn't venture off of the blanket she sits on. She will crawl to the edge and pick the grass but never leaves the blanket. Today was a different story...I set her up with her toys and then took 4 steps over to the garden box. Not one step behind was the little lady - ready to get dirty!

First Taste of Dirt...NOT Impressed!

It was a lot of fun watching her explore out there today...she's always surprising us with new things she wants to check out and try.

We played inside a lot this weekend, too since it's still so stinkin' hot out! We are still working with her on walking and she's getting braver and more balanced all the time. It won't be long!!
She talks talks talks all day long - She seriously is such a girl! She squeels and screams and smacks her lips. She kisses her babydolls and batts her pretty little eyes.
Somehow she became attached to her bedtime blanket. She wants to drag it around with her everywhere...We would like to try to limit her attachment to it to naps and nighttime, so a little effort needs to come from our part to keep it to that.

I had a talk with the owner of the daycare and we are getting her moved up to the next room in the next 2 weeks. She has trouble napping in the baby room because she's a light sleeper and it is REALLY NOISY in there. Plus, she likes to nap in the dark, with her blanket. In the baby room they can't turn the lights off and she's not allowed to have a blanket. In the Transition Room they have scheduled naptime with lights off and they can have a blanket. It's going to be a great move for her.  We think it will help her to walk, too because she will have older kids to look up to where in the baby room, she is not the oldest but she is the most advanced, so the other kids are learning from her.  Can't wait to get her in there.

There was a break-out of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease this week - in the Transition Room , so thank goodness we didn't get her moved this last week. They send 8 of the 12 kids home with blisters on their hands and feet - Poor little babies! Thankfully she didn't catch it...

This coming week we have her 9 month appointment, so we are looking forward to seeing how all of her stats have changed....I'll fill you in after we go...

DADDY'S BABY

SILLY FACES



For those of you wondering where her reddish hair comes from...NOW do you believe me?!!! It's the same as Mommy's!!





Cooper's new BFF :)







This One's For You

My little baby girl. I miss you so so much. This is mommy's first time away from you for longer than a 5-hour period of time. And it's hard. So so hard.

I stayed pretty strong and only cried a little when we left. And cried once more this morning when I saw your beautiful face and heard your cute little squeal on the computer. It's hard not to wake up to your smiling face and kiss you and hug you and listen to you babble all day long about whatever is on your mind. I miss reading your nighttime story and tucking you into bed. I miss so many things about you - I just want you to know....

But I'm having a really really great time with your daddy. We have heard a ton of great music and seen a lot of interesting people. We witnessed the world's greatest undiscovered dancer last night - Someday I'll teach you the moves I learned from her !!! We have eaten a lot of greasy but tasty food and drank more beer than I've had in the past 9 months. We are just out having a great time  - something that we have needed for a while. I know we both miss you like crazy but I am so glad we are doing this. We have to keep our relationship refreshed and strong so we can be great parents to you...

You are having a wonderful time with Nana Renae and for that I am thankful. You are so lucky to have her as your Grammy - she loves you so very much! And we are lucky that you adapt and that you have a schedule you can always count on. You have been a little angel baby so far - Just one more day to go. We spent some time with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Den and they love you very much, too!! You played with daddy's old panda bear who is bigger than you and you cuddled him and loved him - too cute! You will get to see your Uncle Tom and Aunt Teya, Chy and Tiff today...We don't see them enough so I'm excited for you to spend some time with them!! And Uncle Mitch came down to see you today as well. And all of them love you mucho, too!
Do you see a trend here? There are so many people in your life that love the crap out of you and you are only 9 months old! You will always be surrounded by people who love you no matter where you are because you are the most loveable little girl in the world!!

We love you  and miss you and will see you soon little Punkin!!

L.A.Z.Y.

Oh my - It's been almost a month since I posted. Well, 20 days a least and that's close enough to a month. My sis is giving me a hard time about it, so I am putting down the excuses and picking up where I left off.

Libby is doing great - like always. She is still clinging to the stroller and the couch and our legs to stand / walk. We have been working with her on standing without holding on, and she's getting better. I think her record is 10 seconds! But as soon as she realizes she doesn't have anything to cling to she squats down...she doesn't really fall; just squats down or reaches out for our hands. She can totally do it, but she's just chicken. Completely surprises us, too because she's not afraid of anything. The girl will dive head first off the couch or climb up and sit on the open dishwasher door when we put dishes away. So why is she so afraid to stand? She will get over it in time. Just like her daddy says - All it's gonna take is for her to want to get from here to there and have nothing to hang on to between the two. She'll do it and then think she's super special and super cool (which she is) and she'll be on her way.

She has become a cling-on as of late. She cries and cries and cries if she's not being held. But apparently this is only at home...she must know it tugs on her daddy's heart strings to see tears run down her face :)

We believe she has a Mexican boyfriend because she has been practicing rolling her "r's" and it is hilarious. Not sure where she learned it or how she figured it out, but it's pretty cute! She has also added "nananana" and "uh" to her vocabulary. The "uh" is used when she wants something. She kind of jumps and says "uh. uh." as she does it. I hope she starts picking up on the sign language we have been teaching her for so many months. That way she can sign instead of yell and scream! I make her sound like a little terror, huh? But she's not. She's so sweet.
She is coming into a cuddly stage. It's only when she's tired or sad, but she will now lay her head down on our shoulder and snuggle up for a quick minute. I love love love it! And she gives kisses on command. Just ask her for a kiss and pucker your lips and she will dive in. But be careful because she's a frencher. hahaha!

Well I need to get back to work here...I was on break, but break time is over.



<3 YA!!