Stats

I prefer the child height/weight measurements on about.com. Mostly because they give more "exact" estimates than the general 50% or 75%.

Here's Kiddo's 9 month's info:

At 9 months:

your child is 22.5 pounds, and that is
at the 93th percentile for weight.

your child is 28.5 inches, and that is
at the 74th percentile for height.

Love: Numbers, of course!
Hope: I can get a bit more studying tomorrow than I accomplished today...
Do: chill some before bed.

Dirty ants...

Ants make me feel dirty. Don't ask me why.

Today they were crawling in/around the dog food. Not long ago, we found some carpenter ants on our wood fence. And also recently, ants had infest kiddo's high chair.

I hate ants. I hate cleaning up after them. I hate having to try to control for them.

Love: Bug killer.
Hope: This is the last we see of ants, at least for a while. I need a break!
Do: More studying to do tonight- although I've managed to get almost an hour in already!

Term Paper

No, I'm not in college anymore. But for work this week, I definitely feel like I'm writing a term paper. Which means writing anything else seems like a chore.

Although at least with a blog, I don't think, rethink, over think, and then think some more. How to word things, what to avoid saying, what verbs to use. Blech. I'm not quite done, but I'm approaching the 10 page mark already! Just two more days this week and hopefully I'll be done. If not... well.. more to do this weekend. I've also got an overnight trip that's in a nearby city, which should be interesting. I've been helping prepare data for multiple presentations that will be given for that event!

Whew.

Okay, enough work. Of course, I brought work home, and I've got studying to do- which feels like work, to.

Love: Writing and putting some analysis in writing
Hope: After this week I don't have to work quite so hard- at least for a bit!
Do: Need to get cracking! And get a higher score in my favorite FB game..

New pics

Just a couple of pictures today!

Definitions...

I like just about anything "silly". These phrases, taken from friends, are, in my view, a bit silly. As a result, I take pleasure in thinking about them on occassion!

Sniggle Art
When you get dog nose print "lines" and/or "spots", like on car windows and/or glass doors! Recently, kiddo has been adding some hand prints to go along with the sniggle!

Tire Crumbs
When you are driving down the highway, and you pass by several "chunks" of rubber from a semi-blowout.

Those are the two definitions that come to mind today. As usual, I'm overdue for a picture. Maybe I will post one soon. Not today, though.

Love: Silly phrases
Hope: This week at work makes me stronger!
Do: Need to do study more today - blah. At least I have already got in some study time, while kiddo is napping!

It was real.

Some things stick with you. Like, for example, this weight that I can't get off since having the baby. But alas, that's another topic for another day.

Today's "thing" that sticks with me is my Grandma Pepper. One of her favorite things to say was "It was real." She would also often add, "and it was fun. But I can't say it was real fun."

Today, driving back from going on a run with Kiddo and DH, it was something like that. It was real. Real hot. Real muggy. I didn't want to go, and I'm thankful that DH made me go. And that's when my Grandma came to mind.

Love: That DH keeps me "honest" - and working out, especially when I am having to force myself to do anything lately!
Hope: I get more than 1 run in this week. Easier to say than actually DO!
Do: Need to run again later this week.

Arnold Parmer

Is he a golfer? I think he might be. But really, that's just the name for one of my favorite drinks - - not even an alcoholic drink! Half tea, half lemonade.

I have no idea why I decided that blogging about a beverage would be appropriate for the evening. I guess I feel like I'm running out of topics? Maybe, more accurately, it's that my head is spinning from work, and it takes longer than usual for the work of the day to leave my head. And just in time for me to start studying. :)

Now, I'm watching Mark and Daddy play. I love that!!!

DH made a great dinner. Mark, like usual, ate and ate and ate!

Hope: My head doesn't explode.
Do: Need to start studying - even though I made a half-hearted attempt earlier when Mark took his usual "late" nap!

Another checkup...

Still in the 70th percentile ranges for height/weight and head. Doing well, overall. Doctor had no concerns, but thought baby is still teething and had swollen gums.

Daddy was able to make this appointment. I liked the doctor we saw (who we had never seen before) and may actually make another appointment with her (well, I guess technically, I did make our next appt with her).

No other big or exciting news to report today.

Pondering...

I'm standing on the back porch, listening to the summertime bugs in July, and pondering my next blog topics.

Mark ate brussel sprouts for dinner, and we didn't have to make him something separate. He even fed himself for at least a decent portion of the meal. What a champ! I love that mealtime is a little easier.

My "Do" for the day involves lots of multi tasking. Two meetings today overlapped, and I was more-or-less "in charge" of them both. One involved a scavenger hunt of sorts, and I had fun helping create it and helping tally the scores.

My other thoughts? Flights to tahiti are 1800. And I love stupid reality TV (aka the bachelorette).

I hope she chooses the boy I like in the end. Of course, I think I just like the drama. This kind of drama is better than the kind that hits closer (or "too close") to home. Hmm..

Even my blogs reflect the fact that my mind is constantly multi-tasking some days. I guess it's the real world, and that's how it is.

Love, Hope, Do - embedded within the blog this time.

In Other news...

This morning, I was a bit taken aback to discover that I have a half-sister. My father had at least one child (and possibly more, based on discussions with my mother) that I never - until early this morning- knew about.

This, of course, led to me talking to my mom, sister, and brother all in one day! That's always a good thing - but sometimes, I wish the circumstances were... different.

My sister seems angry. My brother seems sad. My mom seems surprised, and perhaps a little hurt. I'm not quite sure how I think/feel about it yet, other than surprised. But perhaps not REALLY surprised. I did know that my dad had a history before my mother, and I've always known he had a "wild" youth.

At any rate, it is what it is.

Love: My dad. Even though he can't explain himself, and it often hurts that he is gone.
Hope: I can learn a little more about my newly discovered family member.
Do: Get to go out to dinner tonight.

And in other news, kiddo is on his 3rd nap today - which hasn't happened in quite a long time! I should peak in and check that he really is napping, though...

Just me?

Is it just me, or has this week lasted FOREVER?

I woke up on Monday morning (because my husband informed me it was 30 minutes later than I usually get up), and my first thought was, "today is Sunday."

Then, all day today, it has totally felt like a Friday. I told a coworker I was up for studying tomorrow (and then had to backtrack when she said, "on a Friday?")

Ugh. As DH so eloquently put it- perhaps on Saturday, I'll think it's friday and be glad to have the day off. Hmm.

On another note, I feel like the argument with DH on which day is the last/first of the week has been resolved. You see, the weekend includes Sunday - and therefore, by default, Monday is clearly the first day of the week!

Love: Weekends. Perhaps that's why I want it to get here so fast?
Hope: Tomorrow isn't as crazy as the rest of this week!
Do: Get to tally some votes, now that last week's "tooth" post finally made it onto FB!

Deadliest Catch

I don't often blog about TV, but we're sitting at home, snuggling on the couch, watching this show. It's got a good mix of touchy-feely stuff for me, and enough manly stuff for the DH. It's one of the shows that we both enjoy.

Even though it's not a cooking show (which is often what we watch together), it's definitely enjoyable to spend time together over the television.

Of course, even better this evening, we had dinner at the table and DH made fish!

So anyway, not the typical post I suppose, but what's on my mind at the moment.

Love: Mindless television on occassion.. probably too often!
Hope: I can actually study here in a bit... haven't been so good about that lately!
Do: Have lots to do!

Independence...

Kiddo is learning to feed himself.

He doesn't do it all the time, and he hasn't yet "mastered" the skill, but it's such a huge leap - - I thought we'd have to spoon-feed him for the rest of his life!

It's fun to watch him try. He's a little awkward. Often, the food makes it out of his hand, down his front, out of the high-chair, and somehow ends up in the dog's mouth. But once in a while, the food lands in his mouth. And sometimes, his mouth is so full of food that I begin to wonder if he's a chipmunk, his cheeks are so full! Yesterday, there was food on the roof of his mouth that was "stuck".

And another thing about eating... Kiddo loves his food - but almost better than food is water. Who knew someone could be SO EXCITED about something as simple as water? He loves it. He gets whole-body-happy when we offer him a drink. He likes it in sippy cups, or through a straw at a restaurant. He likes it straight from the cup, or straight from the bottle. Any way about it, the kid likes his water. Better than milk, better than food, better than ... you get the picture!

Love: Kiddo becoming a teensy bit more independent. Slowly but surely!
Hope: Kiddo continues to love water - and simple things in life - for his whole life!
Do: Need to take a lesson from kiddo, and drink more water!

Emotions!

Lately, Kiddo has been showing us a specific face. I've had to make many attempts, but I finally captured it on film! This face comes along with snorting. It would probably be better if we had a video - so perhaps we'll eventually pull out the camera again. In the meantime, however, a face for you to enjoy!




In other news, kiddo is finally able to use our swingset! Thanks to a coworker, he has a swing of his own! He loves being outside, and he loves his new swing! He's been on it every day since we brought it home and set it up!





Love: Kiddo's faces
Hope: I get a bit of studying in this evening
Do: some work tomorrow, blah!

Please Vote!

Would you count the "first tooth" as July 1st:




or July 8th:



Love: Silliness
Hope: Lots of readers vote - the baby book is counting on you!
Do: Need a snack.

Chocolate marshmallow Dresses

I've been thinking about Chocolate Marshmallow Dresses all day.

Sometimes I try and remember things by cramming words together. Today, I wanted to remember to post about Chocolate, Marshmallows, and Dresses. Dresses doesn't really fit in with Chocolate and Marshmallows, but that's what's on my mind today.

You see, I wore a dress today. For the first time since I had the baby. Now that Kiddo is totally weaned (and I don't have to worry about nursing or pumping), I can wear a dress again. It was so nice. Nobody else probably noticed or cared, but I actually like wearing dresses. I'm not liking my post-baby body, yet, but I can work on that still. And at least I was able to fit into one of the dresses I like. It was like having a new wardrobe. Speaking of which, I suppose before too much longer I should probably be officially "fit" for a bra again, to see where I am currently and to get some new bras (that aren't nursing bras!) in the correct size. But I digress.

I heard on the radio this morning that today is National Chocolate Day - or even International Chocolate Day. That's reason enough for me to eat a piece of fudge, and a dark chocolate covered orange. Of course, who needs a reason when it's chocolate? I heart chocolate. Especially dark chocolate. Oh yeah, I posted about Shocolate just the other day, I remember now.

And then there were Marshmallows. I don't know why I'm a candy person. I think if I were given my choice between a mini candy bar and a cookie, I might actually go for the mini candy bar. Especially for the same calories. I love candy. Do marshmallows qualify? The other day, DH suggested that Marshmallows were candy. And since then, I've been wondering -- what exactly is the definition of candy? How is it different than cookies, cakes, and other sweets? How do those decadent chocolate desserts at restaurants fit in? What about Chocolate Mousse and Creme Brulee, my other two favorite desserts?

Enough talking about food - - I'll go to bed with a sugar hangover from just thinking about too much sugar!

I'm overdue for a picture, but I'm lazy. Maybe tomorrow.

Love: Candy. Marhsmallows. Lately, I've been doing S'mores without the chocolate - - marshmallows on graham crackers in the microwave. YUM.
Hope: To get a little bit more studying in tonight. I'm pleased that I've put in some time, already, and I'm actually using the computer for a "break" and not an excuse... this time!
Do: Enjoy visitors. I enjoy when they come, and I enjoy when they leave.

Busy..

Busy at home, busy at work.. Not always this crazy.

Today was one of those days where it's tough to slow down, and it's already close to my bedtime - oh my!

Shout out to Sean who was born today! Congrats to his parents. He's one of the biggest babies I've seen/heard of since my little guy was born!

Hope: Momma and Baby are doing well!
Do: Wonder if things will slow down at some point this week...
Love: Blogging.

Parental Bliss...

Ahh, Parental Bliss.

If you think that today I'll be writing about those moments that baby falls asleep on your chest and you just don't want to move him - or those moments that you get to celebrate baby learning to crawl, those moments that baby reaches for you for the first time, or even the moments that parenthood is simply amazing and blissful - this post isn't about that.

This post is about the other moments of parental bliss - the moments when you have the opportunity to throw caution to the wind (even if only momentarily) and forget those "kid" responsibilities.

My DH and I had the complete pleasure this morning of going on a long bike ride (around 14 miles) - for the first time in nearly 2 years! We then took Grandma and baby out to breakfast with us, out for ice cream in the afternoon, and then skipped out during naptime to see a movie (in the theater!) and a nice dinner. In 8+ months, our 4th evening date!

It was fabulous.

Love: My DH!
Hope: We can begin more regular date-nights as kiddo gets older. Perhaps we'll ask a neighbor kid about babysitting soon?
Do: Head back to work tomorrow!

Another...

We're on the verge of another of kiddo's first - this being his first year and all. As I began to post, however, it occurred to me that it was just yesterday that I posted about a first tooth. So to post a 2nd day in a row- about his first fourth of July - seems a little weird.

As I began considering these thoughts, it occurred to me that this could go on for at least the next year, and in some cases, beyond that!

So, at least for now, I'll give you several firsts at once - - and then, perhaps, I won't post about another first for several more days. I don't even know if I can promise a whole week.

Anyhow!

Another first for July 4th: Mandarin oranges.
July 5th - Monday - will be his first July 5th. How is that for dumb?
July 6th - Tuesday -
July 7th - Wednesday - his first day in a new daycare!
...

One funny thing about first whatevers is that I never know when many of the first whatevers will come. Such as - when will he feed himself for the first time? Stand alone for the first time? Say mama for the first time?

As I mentioned, several firsts won't all be packed in this "first" year - - his first day of kindergarten, his first time to ride a bike. His first adult tooth, or his first pair of tie shoes. His first day to go all day without messing himself, or the first time he meets his future wife.

So I guess, life in general, is about new "first"s all the time. I guess even in my life, I did my "first" fly there-and-back-in-a-day trip for work last week. I recently started my "first" post-baby cycle (That's probably TMI though). There's the first time I went to Europe which was only a few short years ago.

Do: Enjoy watching kiddo experience his firsts
Hope: to enjoy more soon!
Love: Starting a blog with a really odd topic, and writing several sentences even when I'm not sure where my brain is headed when I begin! I consider my "blog" entries to be mostly "stream of consciousness" - which may likely explain why not all blogs are intuitive. If you are able to read my mind, however, would you mind sharing with DH? He would love to know/understand what I am thinking even part of the time!

A tooth?

As with all babies, some things come earlier and some things come later as all kiddos develop differently. By 8 months (almost 9), most kiddos have at least one tooth. Our kiddo is on the verge of breaking his first tooth, though - - and I say it finally broke through on July 1st. You can just BARELY see it - - but we finally had to break down and get some orajel, and after 2 nights of being up in the middle of the night and crying in pain, I am hoping the worst of it has passed.

Today, we had super-happy kiddo (even though there was no napping) as we made like tourists and visited the Duke Homestead and Bennet Place, where one of the peace treaties of the civil war was signed.

Love: Being a tourist in and around our "home" town!
Hope: Less crazy toothing in the future
Do: Need to get a picture of the tooth as it grows in so I can show it off, at least a little!

On the mend...

When you blow a button, it's an unfortunate and typically an isolated event. You borrow a sewing kit from a coworker, hopefully learn your lesson and bring a needle and thread to work, and move along.

When you pop two buttons - one on your pants and one on your shirt - over a one week time period, your clothes are conspiring against you and simply telling you "enough is enough!"

So, perhaps I'll learn the lesson this time: 1) I need to lose some weight, even my clothes agree! and 2) bring a sewing kit to work!

Thanks to my "office mom" for taking care of me - on both button blow-outs!

Love: I'm having a pretty good week at work!
Hope: I can go a week without any more button blow-outs!
Do: Need to go to bed early tonight!