9 Month Check-up

***WARNING - VERY LONG POST!!!***

Last week Sierra had her 9 month check up.  It was a great visit with our wonderful doctor and Sierra is still growing so big and healthy. She did have to get two shots, her Hep B and her 2nd dose of the Flu Shot, but she took it like a champ as always. Thankfully Daddy was there to cuddle with her and calm her down.

Her latest stats:

Weight - 18 pounds, 14 ounces (This is only 1 pound and 3.5 ounces more than she was 3 months ago...I guess this means her weight is stabling out for the time being) She is now at about 50th percentile.

Height - 27.5 inches tall. This is 1 inch taller than she was at 6 months and around 60th percentile.

Here's our little chunky monkey with her two flower band-aids where she got her shots. :(

This is what a 9 month old does at a doctor's office while waiting for the doctor to come in.

And this...

And then some more of this...That is until she tried to eat it and then she got the paper taken away. So sad. :(

Eating - The doctor approved Sierra to start on EVERYTHING SOLID!!!  Of course she told us to stay away from items such as cow's milk, peanuts, and "choking" foods, like large grapes. But everything else is FAIR GAME.  This is bitter sweet for us, just another sign that she is growing up. We have been pretty cautious because Sierra is still behind most kids her age and only sporting 3 teeth, one of which is brand new. The doctor said that as long as we cut things up for her and teach her to "gum" things, she should be fine with eating more table foods.  It didn't take Sierra long to hit it big time. Brian came home from that appointment and gave her pieces of ham for lunch and he was spotted purchasing a large box of goldfish snacks for her and feeding them to her while still shopping in the store! (Pictures to come on that.)  Of course, she still continues to eat her regular "baby food" that we make at home. She now eats and loves (most of it) cheese, bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, peas, rice, avocado, applesauce, Gerber puffs, Mum Mums veggie rice cookies, squash, corn, macaroni & cheese, "fishies", ham, green beans, and yogurt (more on that in another post).  

She is still nursing 3-4 times per day and is still very much interested in it. Based on numerous conversations with other nursing mothers, I really thought she would become distracted by now; but she hasn't and everyone in our house is okay with that.  Plus, we still have a pretty good supply of milk in the freezer, so I praise God daily that He calmed all my fears about going to class and not having enough milk, etc. I am happy to say that Sierra is almost 10 months old and we haven't had to spend a dime on formula, thus far. That makes my hubby a happy man and our bank account is very happy about it too! :)  We had a wonderful conversation with the doctor about weaning; as I have had multiple conversations with others and heard numerous opinions about when to stop. I am so thankful for a Pediatrician that is Pro-Breastfeeding and is very encouraging and forthcoming with information about how and when to wean.  I very much enjoy the cuddling and bonding time with Sierra when she is nursing. Now that she is getting so big and active, the rest of the day seems to fly by, but nursing time is just so special; we pray, we sing,I massage her arms and legs, and she loves to point out the features on my face as I name them all.  It is a special time.  I really will be sad when her nursing days are through. But for now, we will just keep on and I am sure Sierra will let me know when she is ready to stop.

Sleeping - She is still a great sleeper. Only problem is, (well it isn't really a problem for me right now, but it might become a problem when the kid has to wake up for school) Sierra loves to sleep in.  I would love to say that she is taking 2 naps during the day right now, but I can't honestly say that. Although, she does take 2 naps when we are traveling and she is up early; but lately, the kiddo sleeps until 10am - 11am and then goes down for a nap between 12pm - 1pm and sleeps till 3pm - 4pm and then is up for the evening and goes to bed around 7pm.  I guess this is a good schedule to be on, except for the sleeping-in so late part. The days that we have Bible Study or play group, she is up much earlier than that, because both of those things start at 10am; however, we are usually out and don't get home much before 12pm, so she is still in bed around 12pm and then the same schedule as above plays out.  I have really decided to not stress about it. She is a GREAT sleeper, she is ALWAYS happy (except when cutting teeth) and therefore, I am not worried. She really can still only handle about 2 hours of wake time in the morning before zoning out again, which is odd to me, but we will just go with the flow for now. Maybe as she continues to get older, she will be able to stretch it out a bit. Only time will tell.

Developments - I have decided that Sierra is much better with her fine motor skills than her large motor skills. No, she is still not crawling or pulling up or going from laying to sitting. BUT, she definitely has her pincer grasp down pat (which the doctor was very impressed by), she is great with her eye-hand coordination, and she waves and claps like a champ.  As most of you know, because Sierra had Transient Tachypnea of a Newborn (TTN) at birth, her Apgar score was very low and she was considered "low tone". Even after the TTN was treated and cleared, she was still discharged as being "low tone". I worried about this, but have sense turned it all over to God, knowing that He has created our little Sierra perfectly in His own image. I did not mention it to the doctor or ask if this was a reason why Sierra is not developing as quickly as other babies when it comes to her gross motor abilities. I am trying to have peace about it all and know that Sierra will develop in God's time. I also appreciate all the women in my life who have

 showered me with kind words and stories of their own children not developing on "societies time schedule." Those words and stories are so encouraging to me.

In other "developmental" news, as I mentioned above, Sierra is now waving "hello" "good-bye" "night-night" and any time she sees her father or her cats. She definitely has a special place in her heart for Daddy and the kitty's! :)  She also is saying "Ma-ma" and "Da-da". She definitely uses the words in context too. When she is really tired especially, she will reach for one of us and say the words or sounds.

She also understands the signs for -night-night, -milk, -eat, -book, -more, and -drink.

We are still working on -kitty, -please, -baby (she LOVES her baby doll) and -thank you.

She just recently started clapping when she wants "more", so I think she is right around the corner from signing "more" - we just have to work on the proper form. Other than that, she is not doing any other signs.

She also does -Soooo big (lifts both arms in the air), and lately she will do -Thiiiiiissssss Much (Stretching both arms out wide) - (From her favorite book right now, I Love You This Much (thanks cousin Rachel).

Here she is, playing with her dolly. She loves to point out the baby's eyes, nose, and mouth. One of her new favorite things to do with Mommy and Daddy too, especially if you name every feature for her.

She LOVES to stand up. Even though she can't pull her self up yet, she is constantly trying to pull up on me and get in a standing position, which she will stay in for a very long time! She is so funny too. She won't try and go anywhere, she will just stand there and wave her arms in excitement; then she will let go and fall on her bum and want to do it all over again! It is too funny!!!

She loves to read her books, play "peek-a-boo" (this can get her laughing hysterically), EAT, play with her toys, and play with Daddy. Gosh, does this girl love her daddy!?!?!?!  The other day, she was playing and saying Da-da, Da-da, Da-da over and over. I said to her, "Do you want to see Daddy? Where is Daddy?" (Brian was still at work at this time). As soon as I said "where is daddy?" Sierra looked up into the kitchen (where Brian comes in when he returns home from work) and she automatically started waving. I had to tell her sweet little face that Daddy wasn't home just yet, but that he would be home soon. It melted my heart.  I have never seen a baby light up as much as Sierra does when Brian comes home from work (or outside, or upstairs). It doesn't matter where he pops in from, she just LOVES her daddy.

Well, I guess I should wrap up. This post is so long already. I am trying to document all this stuff, so that when the next kid comes along, I will be able to look back and see what things Sierra was doing at this age. I am sure Sierra will love to read this someday too.  

The most important thing to note is just how blessed we are by this special girl. She is truly a gift from Heaven above and not a day goes by that we do not thank the Lord for her life and for His blessing to us. Just three short years ago, my life was COMPLETELY different and I thought me getting pregnant, carrying a child, and having a baby were not in God's plans. How wonderful His Mercy, His Grace, and His Love! I praise God for Brian and for Sierra every single day of my life. I truly am Blessed Beyond Measure. 

Here are some more fun pictures I took of our growing girl the other day. Also, stay tuned for some videos and more pictures coming soon (as soon as I have a few more minutes, that is). I am super slammed with school work these days!

Just looking so innocent.

Sitting on Daddy's lap with her dolly, what could be better?

This is the face we get often these days...the face of a very happy girl.

Getting up with a little assistance from mommy.

Standing up so big and tall!