9 months

Baby Girl,  

I want to cry!  I cannot believe you are 9 months old!  Where has the time gone???  I can barely remember from month to month what all you have done and learned because it's so much!  I just want to slow it down just a little!  It's getting harder and harder to watch you grow up and out of clothes and toys.  The only thing that makes me not crawl in a hole and cry is that there is hope that one day we will give you a sibling and mommy another baby :)  

Let's see...we left off with our trip to Children's which you can read about here.  Your blood work did come back with a few questions.  The Doc at Children's doesn't seem concerned but when we go for your 9 month check up I am going to ask Dr. Davis about it.  Other than that you are still a very healthy girl.  I thank God for that!  For being a healthy girl you sure have racked up the medical bills.  I am sure we will have them paid off in time for you to go to college :)

This month you are doing so many new things!  You've started pulling up but you aren't very confident about it.  Once your up though you can navigate our wrap around couch and even make the few steps back and forth between the couch and coffee table.  Mom and Dad are learning to really clean up our piles because if we don't you make sure to sweep it all off the coffee table.  You are master of waving good bye.  If you aren't shy you even say it!  You are also learning high five and that each nose makes a unique noise.  You like to check everyone's nose "noise" by tapping their noses.  You even make a noise if we tap yours.  It's so stinking cute!  


I can't even name all the food you can eat anymore.  You have now tried salmon and chicken.  You eat EVERYTHING we give you.  Tonight you ate cilantro and couldn't get enough!  Everything I tell you!  It's funny because you still like to eat baby food too!  Its handy for me when we are out and about.  If we are eating out, you pretty much eat off of my plate which is my new diet plan.  We still haven't tried any red meats and it may be a while because we really don't eat much of that at home.  And lets face it.  Diapers change after red meat!  


Just this week I have started to ween you down to 4 breast feedings a day.  You have tolerated it pretty well.  If you act like you want to nurse I still let you, I just don't offer it because of the clock.  The last 2 weeks I have and still have a milk blister.  It hurts!  I just have to wait until it pops!  I hope it happens soon because I think it's clogging a milk duct...which hurts even more!  

Finally, this month you have really started with the facial expressions!  You are a funny girl and you know it!  You started mimicking your friend Sarah and her "freeze" face.  You have this nose crinkle smile thing you do when you KNOW you are funny.  You have this flirty face for certain men in your life. You give open mouth kisses to anyone who wants one.  I love seeing you be happy.  It's all any parent wants for their kid!

I love you with all of my heart.

Your Mom 

Update:

Weight: 18 lbs.  Not sure I believe this one.  She wouldn't stop moving on the scale.  2 lb jump...hmm.
Length: 25.9 inches.  No growth.  We have to watch this one...kidneys may be in question...again...
Head: 18.2  Every time I think of Chandler on Friends, " Big head. Big head. Big head."
Eating: As of Feb 25: 7AM Nurse, 9AM Breakfast, 11AM Nurse, 12 Lunch, 3PM Nurse, 6 PM Dinner, 8 PM Nurse  Forget that mess.  I nurse when she wants me to.  IT could be 4 times or up to 6 times.  
Bedtime: 8:30
Rise:7 AM
Naps: 45 min morning nap around 10.  1-3 Nap (that's what we are hoping for anyway!)
Diapers: We love our cloth diapers!  Size 2 at night.
Clothes: 3-6 month clothes and 6-9.  I just pulled out the 6-9 month clothes 2/25
Favorites: Valentine's taggie blanket from Lolli and Pops, Balls, Easter Eggs, 
Latest tricks: waving bye bye, saying bye bye, high five, showing the number one, touching noses, taking all the toys out of her box, "crawling" by using her feet and hands to drag herself, pulling up, cruising, eating trash, finding outlets to gnaw on!

1-8 alternativley titled I hate blogger for not evenly spacing my pictures.

   

Month 8

Baby Girl,

Another month has passed and you are still growing and changing and amazing your parents!  It's hard to think back a whole month and remember all the new and fun things you have done!  Let's see, you celebrated your first new year by staying up passed midnight and then NOT sleeping in the next morning!  I guess you are ready to see what 2013 has in store for you.  You spent most of January hanging out with your boys.  Mommy is watching two boys during the week, Andrew and Hayden.  This month you and Hayden spend a few hours on Wednesdays just checking each other out.  He is 2 weeks younger than you and all boy.  He tries to use you as a jungle gym or tries to eat your face.  Both of which you do not appreciate.  You try to get back at him by taking his pacifier.  We see Andrew at least 2 days a week.  He is 3 and a half months younger than you but is about the same size as you.  He has just started rolling over and you love to take his toys away.  It is going to be so much fun to watch you interact more and more with these guys.  

It's amazing how much you have changed on the eating front.  In one month you've gone from a few purees to eating finger foods.  You still love the occasional puree but for the most part you feed your self.  It's very messy but you love it!  We think you may be allergic to strawberries.  You ate them and then broke out and now we can't get rid of the eczema.  We haven't started any meats yet.  We are going to wait until we meet with the kidney doctor on February 7th.  

When it comes to eating you are super advanced.  When it comes to moving on the other hand, you are content with rolling around.  You have no desire to get up on your hands and knees.  You get where you want to go by rolling and even with rolling you don't go very far.  For now I am not complaining because you are still where I leave you and I don't have to worry too much about you getting into anything!  That being said, you are a paper eater and you can find paper almost magically!  Maybe that's why you eat so well!  You've practiced with paper.  It's pretty funny when people at church think you are lighting up when you see them but it's actually the church bulletin in your hand that excites you!  

Waiting for Daddy

This weekend the Hanke 3 went to Lufkin to celebrate Daddy's 28th birthday.  We had such a good time just spending time as a family which is rare because of work schedules.  We got Daddy some running shoes ate lunch and shopped.  Then last night Carl and I went on our first alone date since the night before I went into labor!  It was nothing special but was nice to just be the two of us for a few hours.  It was almost like a first date!  Last night was also your first night to be without mom!  It was the first time I didn't feed you dinner!  You spent her evening with the Kahldens so it wasn't much of a stretch for you since we are at their house at least 2 times a week.  I heard you had a good time and Drew was a big help.  Telling you that he is your big brother and making your pallet for you to take a nap on.  So sweet!  

Today, January 28th, Carl is 28 and you are 8 months old!  Pretty Special!  We love you so very much!  

Your Mama and Dada.

Update:

Weight: 15 lbs 9 oz
Length: 25.9 inches
Head: 17.91 inches
Eating: 7AM, Breakfast, 10AM, Lunch (sometimes), 1PM, 4PM, Dinner,  8PM 
Bedtime: 8:30
Rise: 6 AM
Naps: cat napper.  Whenever. Wherever.  However long.
Diapers: We love our cloth diapers!  Size 2 at night.
Clothes: 3-6 month clothes.  
Favorites: Still your vanity but you've been loving dolls lately.  Mom's i phone and Fisher Price apps.  Fresh Beat Band
Latest tricks: pulling up and reaching into your toy box, pincer grasp, pointing and swiping i phone!
Medical Note:  Kidney Dr. appt in Dallas on Feb 7th

Christmas Time

We spent Gentry's first Christmas here in good ol' Nacogdoches.  Carl's parents, Gil and Sher, came into town from Nashville on the Friday before Christmas and stayed until the day after Christmas!  We spent time watching Christmas specials, going to church and eating!  

Santa came!  We left out sugar cookies that Carl, Gil, Gentry and I made.  They weren't pretty but Santa ate them all and drank all the milk too!  I helped Gentry write a note to Santa and Santa wrote back!  He left some toys for Gentry and all of our stocking full!

  

We out some water for Rudolph and he drank it and it made it red and sparkly!   

She loved her Santa gifts!  

Daddy helped Gentry open her stocking.  Her favorite part were the super hero Little People. 

Gentry opened her gifts from Buddy and Gigi.  Such a spoiled girl.

She sat and took a picture of all of her goodies from Santa, Mommy, Daddy, Buddy and Gigi!  Clearly, the ribbons and bows were her favorite.

Gentry and I left on December 26th for Dallas.  Gil and Sher headed back to Tennessee and Carl went out to Pirtle Boy Scout Camp.  We arrived just in time to take pictures in the snow!  

That night we had Christmas with Tilly, Lolli, Pops and Uncle Evan.  Tilly even unwrapped her gift from her little sister.  A squirrel to chase even in winter.

My brother, Evan, got copper mugs to drink Moscow Mules.  Gentry wanted to try them out too!

We gave her water and she loved drinking it from the copper mug!  Surprisingly she loved the cold, cold drink!

Gentry painted a picture for both sets of grandparents.  

Unkey and Pops played with all the new toys.

Here she is with all her loot from Lolli, Pops, Harper and Unkey Evan.

The Friday after Christmas we met up with Bevin and Olivia for a girl's lunch!  Olivia and Gentry had a lot to talk about!

We had a great 1st Christmas

Month 6

Dearest Lil' Bit,

Your Daddy has taken to calling you Lil' Bit.  I love it!  He started out calling you cupcake.  I also loved that but I think Lil' Bit may stick.  You are still a little girl.  I can't believe it!  You have been on this earth for half a year! This time last year I was finally feeling good about letting my heart believe I was going to be a Mom!  You scared us a lot at the beginning so I was guarding my heart in case we lost you.  I prayed every night and I still pray for you.  I give thanks every single day that you are not only here but that you are wonderful!  

Half a year old.  Wow. 

This month I have absolutely fallen in love with your little personality.  You are starting to have a little sense of humor.  You "tell jokes" by blowing bubbles, screeching or fake sneeze/coughing. You wait to see how we will react.  It's hysterical.  You are pretty laid back and it takes a lot to get you upset.  The most upset you get is if I leave you with someone you don't care to be with.  You have to be hours past eating, sleeping and changing before you get too upset.  Because you are so laid back there are times I have to stop and remind myself it's eating time.  The best part is that you can really go with the flow which is really handy because both your Daddy and I have jobs that require us to be places past a normal kids bed time!  I love getting compliments about how well you do in a mostly adult setting.  

Just this last week we ate at Cane Rosso in downtown Dallas.  It's a hip little spot in town and there were not any other babies.  A lady stopped me just before we left to tell me that she couldn't believe that you waited so patiently and just hung out at the table with us.  Then a few weeks ago we went to a banquet for BSA Order of the Arrow.  It didn't end until almost 10 PM and you were there in your PJ's (I changed you in the middle of the program) just smiling at everyone.  Several different moms came up to me to tell me they couldn't believe you were still awake, still smiling and so quiet.  I didn't think you were THAT quiet.  In fact when it was time for the most important part of the banquet, and quietest, you heard the drums and thought it was time for you to sing.  We ducked outside before you could get too loud!!!

You can be VERY loud when you sing.  You sing a lot!  You sing in the car.  The.  Whole.  Time.  Until you fall asleep.  It's pretty instant too!  I've never heard a kid "sing" the way you do.  So long and drawn out.  I love it!  You are one special girl!  

I could gush on and on about you and I know I will.  I can't wait to see how your very first Christmas goes!  

Love,

Your Mom

Update:

Weight: 14.8 lbs (22%)
Length: 25 inches (12%)
Head: 17 inches (79%)
Eating: 7AM, 10AM, 1PM, 4PM, 6PM Soids,  8PM
Bedtime: 8:30 (although this varies drastically)
Rise:7-8 AM
Naps: cat napper.  Whenever. Wherever.  However long.
Diapers: You wear your Fuzi Bunz cloth diapers so well!  Size 2 at night but only until we run out of our gifted diapers.
Clothes:We are officially rocking 3-6 month clothes!  Just in time for you to be 6 months!  You are still wearing the occasional 0-3 month pj.  Starting to fit some shoes if we put on socks!  You've worn them once for 30 min. 
Favorites: Fisher Price Little People Nativity from Lolli and Pops!  Nesting Santas and The Christmas Story Dominoes.  The Christmas Tree
Latest tricks: Rolling all over to keep up with Drew and Sarah. Sitting up for a minute at a time (if that).  Eating like a pro.  Running the Dallas Turkey Trot!
Medical Note:  At your 6 month check up Dr. Davis decided to get some labs done to check out the cyst on your head.  We went to the hospital and 1 hr, 4 nurses and 3 stick and digs later you gave up 5 vials of your precious blood.  The nurses remarked what a pretty red it was!  Hopefully that's a good sign!  Dr. Davis did say that you are one of the healthiest kids he's ever seen.  That and he loves your cheeks!  Hopefully you will stay a healthy girl!

Christmas Card Outtakes

We saw Santa at Bass Pro Shop!  It was the only way I could get Carl to go!  Gentry wasn't too impressed.  It was free and we got a free print.  This was the only shot I got.

She was hard to excite.  That's me trying to tickle her thigh.  Nothing.  I think she was overwhelmed by all the rednecks.  By rednecks I mean part of my family.  They were there.

Then we got a picture with the taxidermy polar bear to round out the trip.  Gentry was still unimpressed.  That was until her Dad took her around the store.  When Carl and I met back up he said that she expressed to him her Christmas List.  It is oddly similar to her Dad's list.  We had a good time!

OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS CARD OUTTAKES

Leggings too close to flesh color.

Distracted by ornaments.

Over it.

Shiny.

Look at that head.  

No wonder she can't sit up for more than a few seconds by herself!

\

I love this face!

Wordless Wednesday: 0-5