Vanessa-Kate: 9 Months

Age: 9 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Eating is my favorite. I will eat anything at anytime. I also love to play outside, cuddle with my Mommy, pound on the computer keys, jump in my jumpy, play with my piano, mess with my dog, laugh at my bubby when he's being silly, pull Daddy's hair and nose, riding in the stroller, and put things in my mouth that I'm not supposed to.

Things I don't like: My Mom leaving the room.

Milestones: I have two big teeth sticking out on the bottom of my mouth and I'm sitting in my "big girl" carseat, still rear-facing though. I'm also starting to say Mom and Dada. I'm waving and giving kisses.

How I've changed this last month: I'm eating so much more food...and I was already eating a lot before! My face is also starting to thin out, though I do still have adorable little cheeks.

Clothing Size: 6-9 months, size 2 diapers.

Sleep: Okay, but I've been nursing at night a lot. But Mommy and Daddy set up my crib this month. No more cradle for meee!

Eating: I've been eating everything that I can get my hands on. I love fruit pouches too! I will literally eat anything. I even ate curry covered mushrooms from Daddy's rice at the Thai food place. Some of my newest favorites are multi-grain club crackers, eggs, & strawberries. I'm nursing a couple of times a day and a lot at night. I drink some water (sometimes with a bit of apple juice if I'm lucky!) throughout the day now in a sippy cup. I tried Mommy's spearmint green tea and I LOVE it.

Words I say: Da-da & Mom, possibly yeah and Mamal.

Vanessa-Kate: 8 months

Age: 8 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Playing, being outside (lovveee being outside), crawling around like crazy, picking every little thing I can find on the floor and putting it in my mouth, nursing, being in the sling with mommy, playing with my brother and cousins, taking walks, eating ev-er-y-thing, and talking jibberish.

Things I don't like: My carseat. I'm so over the infant carseat. Time to buy a convertible carseat Mom.

Milestones: I can crawl super well now. I also am pulling myself up on tables and such. I got my first tooth all of the way through.

How I've changed this last month: In almost every way. I am getting SO big. There's no way to explain it. Everything I do is just more big-girl like.

Clothing Size: 6-9 months, size 2 diapers.

Sleep: Good, but I'm suddenly waking up to nurse once or twice a night.

Eating: I eat a lot of solid foods now. I also have taken a liking to my brothers beloved fruit pouches. I still nurse about 5-6 times per day. Mommy also gives me water in a bottle or a sippy cup when we are out and about or when we are out in the sun.

Words I say: Da-da, and possibly yeah.

Vanessa Kate: 7 Months

Age: 7 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Playing on the floor, hanging out with Mommy and Daddy, Playing my piano, Eating, Nursing, Screaming and babbling, trying to crawl, getting baths and blowing bubbles.

Things I don't like: The carseat and not having teeth to eat everything with.

Milestones: I'm crawling on my own. It's a wiggle army crawl thing, but I'm getting places. I learned to blow bubbles. And Mommy is pretty sure I'm saying "Da-da"

How I've changed this last month: I'm staying awake much more during the day and I need much more "play" time. I also laugh, babble, and try to communicate more.

Clothing Size: 6-9 months, size 1-2 diapers.

Sleep: Like a dream.

Eating: I still nurse a lot. I've been having some Enfamil formula here and there while Mommy is at school though because her freezer supply is dwindling. But she's going to get me some more freezer milk soon. I'm starting to eat some soft solid foods. I don't eat baby food much, I'd rather have something that I can chew.

Letting them grow.

When Ian and Aiden were babies, I couldn't wait to watch them grow. I was always seeing what they could do. Could they sit up yet? Could they crawl? Were they ready to eat baby food? I think it was a combination of that and the fact that they always had each other to "compete" with so they did everything a bit earlier than normal. They were walking very well before their first birthdays.

But before I knew it, they were growing up too fast. I would lay in bed with Ian at night and just look at him in disbelief. How did he get this big? I promised myself that I wouldn't rush him again. And for the most part, I haven't. He's done everything in his own time. He got big all on his own, he didn't need me pushing him.

And then my little sweet pie was born.

Can I start by saying that Vanessa-Kate is the sweetest baby in the world. I know, I'm bias and all, but she really is outrageously sweet. She hardly fusses, she sleeps all night long, and she has a very easy going aura. And her smile can light up a room. She is all things precious and sweet. I never dreamed I would have a baby like her. From the moment that she was born, she was my sweetheart.

With Vanessa-Kate, I babied her. I didn't care, and still don't care, how long she takes to get big. She's my baby...maybe my last baby, and I'd like to enjoy watching her grow. It wasn't until last month that I realized that I was holding her back. I never even let her try. I didn't know if she could sit up, or if she liked to roll over a lot or anything because I held her all of the time. I didn't know if she liked baby food or soft foods because I never let her have anything but breastmilk.

It turns out, she can do all of those things. One day I decided to see if she could sit up on her own, and by the next day she was doing it. I let her have a gerber puff and not only did she chew it properly, but she had such fine motor skills that she could pick them off the counter one by one. I couldn't believe it. My tiny baby could do all of these wonderful things and I didn't even know it. She must have been so relieved!

I feel like I'm starting to find a balance between the two worlds or pushing them, and babying them. You've got to let them grow at their pace...but you can't hold them back so that they will be babies for longer. Sometimes I wish that they could stay little for longer, but there is no greater joy than watching them grow up. It's amazing to see this wonderful little person in front of you and think "Wow, I did that".

Vanessa-Kate: 6 Months

Age: 6 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Playing in the exersaucer, talking and yelling, cuddling with Mommy, Daddy, Mamal & Papal's, and my brother, playing my piano, playing with my doggy, nursing, eating in general and playing on my belly.

Things I don't like: Dirty diapers, when people won't give me their food, and getting in my carseat.

Milestones: I'm sitting up entirely on my own. I'm also trying to sit from a laying position. I roll all over the place, and I'm starting to make motions like I'm *trying* to crawl...but I've got a way to go.

How I've changed this last month: I'm enjoying independent playtime more. I'm getting stronger and better at sitting up and such.

Clothing Size: 3-6 months, and a couple of 6-9 month sleepers since I'm so tall. Size 1-2 diapers. I had to start wearing bigger socks this month.

Sleep: I am mommy's sleeping baby.

Eating: I nurse most of time. I eat bottled breastmilk while Mommy is at school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I've start protesting formula. But Mommy thinks that maybe I just don't like the kind that she bought. I like baby food, but only if it's REALLY REALLY thick. My favorite so far has been "Roasted Banana & Mango". Mmm!

Baby's First:

(first slide)

Vanessa-Kate: 5 Months

Age: 5 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Playing in the exersaucer, talking, sitting in the bumbo seat, eating, nursing, cuddling, laughing with my brother, and singing.

Things I don't like: Dirty diapers.

Milestones: I have teeth that are almost popping through all over the place. I'm just growing up so very fast!

How I've changed this last month: I stay awake a little more often each month. I am able to sit up (supported) for much longer periods of time. I am able to more accurately reach for things that I want.

Clothing Size: I've moved into 3-6 months now for the most part. I can still fit in some of my 0-3 month onsies. I've actually worn the same onesie in all of my monthly picture so far! Size 1 diapers.

Sleep: I nap well. I sleep all night long.

Eating: Mommy can nurse me without supplementing now! Though I generally have a bottle once per day in the interest in making things easier. I like eating stuff too. Though I did have to take a break from eating after I got a horrible diaper rash from eating some carrots!

Vanessa-Kate : 4 Months

Age: 4 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Cuddling, Nursing, Talking, Sitting in my bumbo chair, Eating my hands, Smiling, Lots of attention!

Things I don't like: Dirty diapers and Riding in my carseat for a long time.

Milestones: I'm getting very interested in toys. And I the tip of my first tooth popped through today! I am becoming VERY chatty!

How I've changed this last month: I'm much more talkative than I was before. I'm starting to be slightly more demanding, letting my likes and dislikes be known. I'm still a very happy baby though. Mommy thinks I am the perfect baby. I'm also getting much taller.

Clothing Size: Mostly still 0-3 months. My pants are getting short, but the next size up won't stay on my waist. I had to move to 3-6 month sleepers though because I am so tall. Size 1 diapers.

Sleep: I sleep 6-8 hours minimum at night. I take good naps throughout the day.

Eating: I'm nursing for most of meals during the day now (yay!) and before bed. I still take the bottle 1-3 times per day depending on my mood though. Most of the time it is breast milk but Mommy also gives me Similac Advance sometimes too.

Vanessa-Kate: 3 Months

Age: 3 Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Stretching my legs, trying to stand, smiling at people, laughing, playing with my taggie blanket, cuddling, taking baths, and being in the Moby wrap.

Things I don't like: Dirty diapers. They are about the only thing that make me cry.

Milestones: I'm holding my head up very well. I've started babbling.

How I've changed this last month: My personality is really starting to shine. I laugh and smile much more often. I have started to play with my blankets. I am staying awake much more often. I am such an extremely happy and easy going baby. Also, I like to talk, talk, and talk.

Clothing Size: 0-3 month clothing...though many of my sleepers are getting too short. My waist is very slim but I am very tall. Pants are difficult. My preemie pants fit my waist but they are like shorts! Size 1 diapers.

Sleep: I sleep 6-8 hours minimum at night. I take good naps throughout the day.

Eating: I drink 3-4 oz of breast milk from a bottle every couple of hours. Mommy feeds me one bottle of Enfamil Newborn Formula everyday too so that she can freeze some extra milk for me. Plus it's easy when we're on the go. Sometimes I like to nurse to calm down...but I'm still not so great at it.

A teeny-tiny personality.

It's so easy to forget what it's like to have a baby. Even though Ian is only two years old, it is amazing how much I forgot.

That first year goes so quickly. One moment you are holding a new baby in your arms, imagining all of the things that you will teach them, show them, and do with them through that first year. The next thing you know you are laying in bed having a little cry because you realize that exactly a year has gone by since you gave birth. And the same goes with the second year...and so on and so forth.

The first year went by so fast that I almost forgot how enjoyable these early months are. Vanessa-Kate is nearing three months. Three months. Sometimes it feels like she has always been here. But other times it feels like it was just yesterday that we were hoping and praying to see two pretty pink lines on the pregnancy test. But I cannot believe how much her little personality is coming out already. She is smiling, and laughing, and she is starting to play with her taggie blanket. She laughs at certain things. She makes a bashful face when you tell her how cute she is. She's mild mannered. She doesn't mind taking a back seat (in her bouncy seat) when her big brother has a big loud ineeditrightnow moment. She doesn't mind if Mommy needs a nap or wants to sleep in. She's sweet and easy going.

I can't believe how much she has changed over the last (almost) three months. She is already letting us know who she is going to be. It's such an amazing thing to be a part of, watching a teeny-tiny personality blossom. My heart swells with such love as I watch her grow. I feel so very blessed that I have been given the opportunity to be a part of something as special as raising her. It really doesn't get any better than this. I love being your Mommy Vanessa-Kate.

Vanessa-Kate: Two Months

Age: Two Months

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Laughing and smiling, taking showers with Mommy, cuddling in bed, my silly brother, being wrapped up in the moby, my binky, and eating.

Things I don't like: Being cold.

How I've changed in the past month: I interact a lot more. I like to make eye contact, coo, laugh, and smile. I weigh over 10 pounds now. I'm eating more, and I've finally got the hang of the bottle. I'm also even latching on occasion. I'm getting bigger in every way. I've gone up one size in both clothing and diapers. I'm sleeping even better at night than I was before.

Clothing Size: 0-3 clothing, size 1 diapers.

Sleeping: I sleep all night long almost every single night.

Eating: I drink 3-4 oz of Mommy's milk from a bottle every 2-4 hours. Sometimes even more frequently in the evening when I get really hungry!

Baby's First: Smiles,

“The smile that flickers on baby's lips when he sleeps- does anybody know where it was borne? Yes, there is a rumor that a young pale beam of a crescent moon touched the edge of a vanishing autumn cloud, and there the smile was first born . . . .”

My baby girl can SMILE!
At 7 weeks old, my baby girl has begun to smile. She already has such a bright and beautiful smile. And she flashes it at just the right times. I'll just be sitting there looking and her and she will look right up and me and just smiiiilee so big. Though, she does tend to give Daddy smiles more often that Mommy.
I've forgotten how exciting the baby "firsts" are. Ian still has his first moments, but there's just something different about babies. They learn so much over the first year. The changes are just amazing. When Ian was a baby, I feel like I just "couldn't wait" for him to do they next thing; smile, hold a toy, roll over, sit up, babble, eat his first solids, crawl, walk, drink from a sippy cup. But this time, I'm savoring each moment of it. I wish that I wouldn't have been so excited for Ian to grow up so fast. I should have sat back and drank in his baby months. I felt the same way about this past pregnancy. Instead of wishing it away, I enjoyed it. I guess there is just a new wisdom that comes with the second time.
I'm enjoying watching Vanessa-Kate grow. She's such a sweet and special baby. I never dreamed that the transition from one child to two children would come so naturally. Everything in life just feels right. I feel like I'm right where I need to be right now. Such a peaceful feeling.

Vanessa-Kate: One Month

Vanessa-Kate is one month old already!

Age: One Month

Things I enjoy doing at this age: Cuddling, Sticking my tongue out, Kissing my brother, Sitting in my bouncy chair, sucking on my binky, and just about everything else. I'm a very content baby. I hardly ever get upset.

Things I don't like: My carseat.

How I've changed in the past month: I weigh about a half pound more than I did a month ago. My head is larger, and I'm a bit longer. I stay awake for much longer periods of time, I eat over twice as much, and my hair is growing even more! My eyes are less dark and are starting to turn a blue-ish color.

Clothing Size: Newborn, I'm still swimming when I put on my 0-3's.

Sleeping: I sleep for 6-7 hours at night. My Mommy is very happy about that.

Eating: I drink 3-4 oz of Mommy's milk from a bottle every 3-4 hours.

Such a pretty little girl

I know that you haven't seen much of Vanessa-Kate yet (and naturally, you're dying to), so here are some pictures I snapped of her right after we woke up the other morning. She's such a pretty little thing to wake up to.
I am madly in love with this pretty little girl. Love, love, love.

We're a family of FOUR!

She's here!

Vanessa-Kate Annabelle Starr

Born July 21st 2011

at 7:25 am

8 lbs, 3 oz : 21.25 inches long

Dainty fingers and toes

Long dark hair like her Mommy

and a crying face that is the splitting image of her brothers

We all love her fiercely.

She is truly a joy.

More to come, promise. =)