Dear Tavin: Month 9

Dear Tavin,

Every month I say I'm going to not wait until the very last minute to write this.  But here I am, last minute, writing this.....

First up this month was Thanksgiving.  Grandma E, Aunt Nikki, and Uncle Tim came to celebrate with us.  Dad and I stayed up late on Wednesday to get everything ready.  Somehow we managed to pull it off!  Turkey, corn casserole, homemade bread (3 different kinds), stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, apple pie, pumpkin pie, butterscotch torte.  MMMM so good!  You didn't quite get to enjoy the dinner as you were passed out cold but you did later have a few bites of sweet potatoes and apple pie :)

The next weekend (11/23-11/25) we went to Grandma and Grandpa D's.  It was a great weekend. 

Loving this picture of you and Grandpa!

Reminds me of this pic:

Yep, that's your Mama with Grandpa way back when (circa 1980)!

We converted one of the toys from Aunt Angie into your "command center".  You loved being able to climb in and out of it all weekend!

Dad and I also went to the movies!!! (insert shocked face)  It was nice to get away but I missed tucking you in for bedtime!

Sunday night when we got back home you were your normal cheery self.  But when you woke up Monday morning you were running a fever and not feeling well.  I ended up staying home with you.  You did not want to lay down by yourself at all!  We held off on taking you in to the doctor hoping you would get better but Monday night was even rougher and you were not any better on Tuesday morning.  I again stayed home with you on Tuesday and ended up taking you in.  The diagnosis:  ear infection (blah!).  We got the antibiotics and the next day you were feeling much better.

On Saturday (12/1), we pretty much stuck close to home (the crazies come out on the weekends this time of year!) and tore apart our storage in the basement.  We had quite the mess but somehow managed to get it all cleaned up that weekend.

We also managed to get our Christmas tree up that night while you were sleeping. You've been doing great gently touching it and just looking at it.

The ornament Grandma got you last year for Christmas has been your favorite. You smile when we listen to it each night.

The next Saturday (12/8) we stayed low key again.  We went to church in the afternoon and sat in the front row.  Behind us was an elderly couple.  You were quite charming and were holding the elderly women's hand.  You definitely made her day!  She was all smiles when she left church.  Later that night, Grandma D came.  We were supposed to get a huge snow storm and she came early because Grandma, Aunt Angie, and I were going Christmas shopping on 12/10.  well the snow didn't start until early Sunday afternoon.  But it was great to have Grandma around. She was like a little elf:  doing our dishes, hanging up your diapers, and watching you while Dad and I took Sadie for a walk. 

While I was out shopping, Dad called and said he had to go pick you up from daycare.  You had thrown up and were running a fever!  WHAT!?!?!?  was my first thought.  You were in a pretty good mood, had just gotten over an ear infection, what next?  So Dad had to take off and spend the day with you.  I didn't make it home to see you before you went to bed (sniffle) but when you woke up on Tuesday you were doing pretty good (same as Monday morning).  Grandma was still there so we took a few pictures before work.

But then around 11:30 I got the call again.....running a fever, clingy, and not yourself   So I went to get you and brought you back to work.  You did pretty good.  Took a while to settle down but once you did you took a great afternoon nap.  Wednesday morning you were still running a fever!  So you again came to work with me.  You were in a good mood most of the day, even climbing the steps at the office numerous times!  Finally on Thursday, your fever was down and you were able to go back to daycare.

The weekend of 12/15-16 we went to Grandma and Grandpa D's again, this time to help Uncle Keith move.  Although we (you and me) didn't do any heavy lifting, it was nice to spend time with family (as always).


What you've been up to this month:

• Trying more new foods (including more food that Mom and Dad are eating)
• Starting to try to walk.  You're afraid to let go but when you have something to hang on to you're good to go!
• Finding anything and everything on the floor (and not on the floor--grandma's earring from her ear!!) to put in your mouth.  
• Watching your Mama like a hawk.  It's cute to look at you from across the room when someone else is holding you.  You have the "are you sure this is okay, mom?" look on your face.
• Pulling bag after bag out of the drawer in the kitchen.  
• Doing the touchdown signal!  You respond more and more to it!
• Wanting to climb steps all.the.time!

Note to Mama:  Posing a very mobile, 9 month old by yourself is extremely difficult!  Try and do it with Dad next time around !!

It's so hard to believe that you have now been "out" for as long as you were "in"!

Love,

Mama

Dear Tavin: Month 8

Dear Tavin,

These months are just whizzing by!  The weekends have been pretty laid back and have been all about getting things done!!  Yay for Mom & Dad!

The weekend of October 20 was all about raking leaves.  We managed to get quite a bit of it done while you took some extra long naps.  Grandma and Grandpa came over to help on Sunday as well.    Grandma even helped snap some pictures of you/us!

The week of October 22, your daycare peeps were on vacation so guess who got to watch you all week!  DAD!!  He found out just how hard it is to take care of you (i.e, was in bed by 8:30 the first day he watched you).  You had quite the week with Dad.  Visiting his work, visiting Grandma E, playing in/on boxes, waiting for Mom to come home.  All in all you both did very well.

Then came Halloween.  Though we didn't dress you up, I still had a few cute outfits that we put you in.

The Drunken sailor look...

But Dad dressed up...wait for it...as King Candy from Candy Land!

This costume really tested Mom's creative abilities.  But with some help from some of your Nestie Aunties (thank you Jacqui!), we managed to pull it off.  And pull it off pretty decently I must say!

The weekend of November 3 and 4, we did more work around the house.  I also found out that we had a hungry beaver baby who loves to chew on his crib!!  So I went to Google and found a quick solution!

I think it turned out pretty good for doing a quick fix before the beaver you chewed on it even more!

November 5 was a sad day as we had to say goodbye to your Great Uncle Mike.  You never met him but he was a pretty awesome guy.  The memorial service was touching and tearful.

On November 11, we trekked to some backwoods to surprise your Aunt Angie for her birthday.  We met at a restaurant and you did such a great job!

What you've been up to this month:

• exploring more rooms in the house
• clapping (so adorable)
• drinking from a sippy cup
• wanting to go-go-go!

The "how much longer do I have to do this" face

Ready to take off!

Love your smiles!!

With the holidays coming up, it should be interesting to see how much trouble you get in to!

Love,
Mama

Dear Tavin: Month 7

Dear Tavin,

Month 7 is starting out SOOO busy!  The first week flew bye as we had something going on almost every night (church meeting, your 6 month pictures, packing for Chicago, and leaving for Chicago).

Your 6 month pictures turned out great despite the fact that you didn't want to take a nap before hand (again!)  We even went about the day normally not mentioning them to anyone!  Somehow you just know something is up!

As I mentioned, we went to Chicago. We left around 7:30 p.m. on Friday (9/21).  We didn't let you nap when we got home from work and it seemed to work out best.  You woke up and cried a little when we dropped Sadie off at the sitters but then you slept until we walked into the hotel room!!

Saturday you woke up at your normal time (after sleeping in the roomy king size bed).  We ate breakfast in the hotel and you were charming all of the other guests!  It was quite amusing to watch!

After taking a nap, we went out to meet up with one of your Nestie Aunties for a little shopping.  Then we headed to the zoo!  You were quite the trooper all day!  Hardly making a peep!

That night, we went out for pizza and you had your first kiss!!  Haha!  Unfortunately, no one caught it :(

Sunday, we loaded up all of our stuff and went out to brunch with the rest of your Aunties.  You did great, despite wanting to just get down and go!

Monday (9/24) you had your 6 month Dr. visit.  It went great!  You weighed in at a hefty 17 pounds 6 ounces and were 26" long.  Dr. looked closely at your ears and said they looked perfect! (phew!)  Dr. also asked if you were getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth and I said "Sure is!  Even is crawling and pulling himself up".  To which she replied " Really!??!  I expect that he'll be walking when I see you next (9 months)".  Yikes!

On Thursday (9/27), you had your vaccinations.  You were a trooper.  Cried a little during the shot and after some comforting you were okay.  When we got home you played and babbled and were your normal self.  We took you to daycare on Friday and I got the call at around 10:30 to come get you....When we got home you laid down for a nap and then were pretty much your normal self!  Thank goodness you didn't have the same reaction as last time!

Proof that you were in a good mood (taken the day after your shots)!

Saturday (9/29) you spent the day with Uncle Keith, Aunt Syd, and Roni while we went car shopping!  (Read: longest.day.ever!).  We finally came home with a new car though!  A 2012 Nissan Murano!  That means I had to say goodbye to my Jetta ;(  I will sure miss that car!

Stock photo of the new car.

Sunday (9/30) we went mini golfing with some friends and their daughter.  We strapped you to Dad's chest and you "planked" it while dad golfed.  It was quite funny to watch!  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures :(  FAIL!

The weekend of October 6 and 7 we made the trek out to Grandma and Grandpa's.  It had been a while since we were out there for a visit.  Not much happened while we were there, but it was just nice to visit!  While we were there, you tried peas for the first time!  You seemed to really like them!

You also "helped" Grandma in the kitchen...

Sunday afternoon when you woke up from your nap your fever started to spike.  You were a little out of sorts and just wanted to be held.  When we got home we did the normal stuff and put you to bed around the normal time.  Around 11 you woke up.  Dad got you to lay back down for about an hour.  When you woke up, you did not want to lay down by yourself.  In an attempt to get some sleep, I "slept" with you, holding you in the chair in your bedroom.  You were so irritable.

Your fever spiked (102!) again in the early morning.  I gave you some Tylenol and it seemed to go down after that.  I took you to daycare and you made it through most of the day.  I had to pick you up about half hour early.  When I got there they said that your front bottom teeth broke through!!! We have yet to get a picture of them as you do a very good job at covering them up when we want to see them!

On October 12, daycare was on vacay so you got to spend the day at the office with me :)  It was a hectic day.  You didn't want to sleep at all but were still in a pretty good mood.  But as soon as you were strapped into your carseat and we were on the road home, you zonked out!

The last weekend (10/13-10/14) of this month was uneventful.  It rained all weekend and we resorted to staying inside.  This is also the weekend I found out that I suck at putting you down for a nap.  Seriously all you do is cry like crazy.  I handed the reigns over to Dad and you feel asleep quickly for him!  Thankfully!

What you've been up to:

• exploring more of the house (you found the kitchen and {gasp!} the stairs!
• talking more.  You love it when we lay on the floor and let you crawl all over us.
• getting down from the standing position to the floor without falling over and banging your head!
• eating like a champ!  We've added peas and apples to your menu and you're doing great with them!

The pictures of you laying down on a blanket aren't happening anymore :(  You're just so ready to go go go! Instead, we got pictures of you standing/crawling around!

::sigh::  You are getting sooo big and sooo handsome!

Love,
Mama