Papa, Scarlett and the Swimming Lessons

Today Papa went swimming with Scarlett so I could have a chance to sit out and watch both kiddos in their lessons.

Jonathan's first time putting Scarlett under.  He was a wee bit nervous about it.

 

Scarlett's cute little prune feet. :)

The Toy Box

Our Miss Scarlett pulls herself to standing on practically anything she can.  She discovered Christian's box of toys, and has far more interest in his toys than her own toys.

And just look at those chunky thighs!  I love 'em!

Scarlett and Papa

Scarlett longs for the day she can play outside in cooler temperatures.

Soon, baby girl ... very soon.

A Growing Princess

Wow!  Our Little Princessa is on fire these days!  Seems each days, she's progressing so much that I can hardly keep up with her!

She's moved from her Bumbo Seat to the full-sized high chair.  Not sure how much of that food made it into her mouth, but she sure loved to play with it!

She'd been pulling herself to a somewhat standing position when Jonathan and I would lay next to her on the floor.  But then I looked, and she'd pulled herself to a full standing position!

Last night, we gave her some watermelon in a mesh baggie (since she gags so easily).  And she thought that was pretty tasty, until ...

I brought out the mashed potatoes.  I made them really thick so she could pick them up herself and she loved them!  She gaged quite a bit, but we gave her some water (straight from a regular cup, thank you very much!) and she never threw up.

Today I put her in her crib at naptime and wondered why she was so happy and quiet:  she was playing with the curtains and paper blinds.  Of course, now that they are within reach, we'll have to come up with a new setup.  Her crib is in a corner where she's got windows on both sides.

Obviously, we'll need to lower the mattress in her crib!

Scarlett also loves her water.  We've got numerous sippy cups for her to use - I realized I didn't need to get her cups for younger babies when I saw she was able to drink from Chrsitain's cup that is similar to a tall, insulated travel coffee mug.  So I got her a shorter version.   She also amazed us when she drank from a straw recently.   Amazed us becuase we simply couldn't get Christian to do that - and Granny was able to teach him how to suck through a straw when he was two months shy of turning 2+.

Overall, Scarlett is doing things much more quickly than Christian did, which is really no surpirse:  it is well-known that girls progress more quickly than boys at this age.  Christian didn't have this level of mobility (Scarlett crawls all over everything ... she does not like to stay still ... like EVER).  And I feel quite certain that she'll be walking by year's end - before she's even one.   Mark my words ... :)

Voila! Miss Scarlett Sits Up on Her Own

I knew it was coming ... I saw the signs.  And finally, today, Miss Scarlett sat up by her self.  She was laying on the floor, got up on her hands and knees and started rocking and a few moments later, she was sitting up.

Aw, these milestones happen so quickly - and I am so blessed to be at home and see them as they take place.

Miss Scarlett is Eight Months Old

Whoooooooooooooooo time is passing by quickly!  Our Miss Scarlett is now eight months old!

She still doesn't know a stranger.  Anybody can hold her, and she's good with it.  I think fear of strangers starts to happen at around nine months.  My hope is that she's so used to unknown people holding her that she'll just skip that phase. :)

She's been eating better, though still not much.  She'll take about four bites, or so, of any food we offer her. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

She tends to get upset if she sees me come into a room, or hears my voice.  So if Jonathan is playing with her by himself, she is typically find and dandy until she sees Mommy and then the tears begin.  But overall, I'd say she's a pretty good-natured baby.   We tend to go a lot of places, and she handles it like a champ.  Sure, she's got her moments of discontent, but don't we all? :)

She's still not sleeping through the night.  In fact, she seems to be waking up MORE now to eat overnight.  I'm certain it is because she's just not eating enough solid food during the day to accommodate her growth.  She's got plenty of chunky baby rolls, so I'm not concerned about her intake ... I'd just like her to have more solid foods.  We'll keep trying.

Christian and Scarlett continue to absolutely adore each other.  When she sees him, her face lights up.  He likes to get in her face and makes these noises that would get on my nerves as an adult, but they get her to smiling, so that encourages him do do more.   What I love to see is when they are both in the living room together and I'm in the kitchen making dinner, and I look to see that Christian is sitting or laying next to Scarlett and he's got his arm around her and she's perfectly happy.  Ah, those are the moments that melt a Mommy's heart! :)