One Year

This past month has been very busy with getting ready for her first birthday. Lots of planning and I have learned a lot. Knowing that this was the first I wanted it to be big. I just thought it should be. After the first what is there? just kidding

Milestones this month - she is walking with a "walker". Go ahead and move into the walking stage honey! We've got the banister up! Unfortunately the baby gate doesn't fit, so we still have to do the modified version that she knows how to push over. Oh well. Jolynn is also eating more solid big people food. I think she is very much over the mush of cereal. She really likes banana, peaches, grilled cheese, mac-n-cheese, pancakes, and waffles. So far these have been the finger foods given. I tried some veggies, but she just chewed on them then spit them out. I forgot watermelon! she is also transitioning to a sippy cup.

She now has 4 teeth on the top and 2 on the bottom. Not sure which ones will come in next, but I think there are more in the works because she has every sign at the same time. Lots of drool, rosey cheeks, chewing on everything, and diaper rash.

We've had a few 90+ degree days with 100+ heat index. That makes for good pool weather. I see us having many more of these pool days if the summer keeps up like this.

We thought she had said Momma a few months ago, but couldn't tell if it was just a sound she was making or the actual name. We believe her first word (that is decipherable as an actual word) is UH OH! It is so cute. She does a lot of babbling and I suspect more words will be coming in the next few months.

Happy Birthday Jolynn!

Today is the day - at 7:17am I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. This year has gone by so fast. I think I need to recap with a few of my favorite photos.

ELEVEN Months!

It's hard for me to even write the words. I can't believe she is eleven months already!

Swimming classes have ended. She missed class over Memorial weekend; but had her first camping experience and we visited Grandma and Grandpa Benson's cabin. The following weekend was BOW. She was going to miss her final class too, but my mom was able to take her. I mainly wanted her to take the class if she was afraid of the water as a way to get her not to be. She LOVES the water.

Late May I watched Jolynn crawl from one end of the room to the other, then pull herself up on the toy box and coffee table. I was cooking in the kitchen and the sliding door was open with the screen shut. Jolynn crawled across the kitchen, over to the screen, put her little hand on it - and OPENED IT! There isn't a lock on the screen door, not sure how we will keep her in on this one.

Still working on getting the railing up. So far we have been letting her wander around in the living room while we sit on the couch watching. She seems more adventurous and wanting to discover what things do when she doesn't think someone is watching. If we can't be watching her, she goes in her room and we put up a baby gate or we put her in her exersaucer.

This past month she also started: waving bye bye and hello, claps, and is "cruising" from couch to couch to coffee table and back to couch. I am quite positive she will be walking in a few months. She really thinks she is the stuff when you hold her hands and she practically runs (like a march) across the room. She is so proud, and so are we.

More sounds are emitting from her - can't wait for them to be words. We have been working on sign language during eating. Mostly "done", "more", and "milk". I don't know much else. "please" and "thank you" have been others that I try to do.

Ten Months

BIG CHANGES! May 6 - Jolynn crawled! Since then she has been scooting all over the house. I used to be able to leave her in the living room on her blanket while I got ready for work. Now when I check on her she is into some wires or stuck in a corner. She is also fascinated with Polly's toys. Like she doesn't have enough of her own, she has to go after Polly's. So far Polly hasn't minded. Polly just licks her...over and over and over. Saturday morning I watched her crawl across the living room and reach up to the coffee table. She wasn't able to get off her knees, but I suspect it won't be long.
I'm very disappointed. We have this great video camera that was intended to capture all this special moments. So far we have captured them, but not been able to share them.

Next project - Banister and railing so we can put a gate up for the steps. Also, time to baby proof.

We have been working on the two upper teeth for a few weeks. Looks like the top right has finally broken through. I can't imagine how that feels. Just the thought of it makes me feel bad for her.

Another thing she has found (and quite loudly) is her voice. What once was quiet babble, is now ear piercing screeching. Jon and I have taken to singing when she starts to do this. So far I think it is working.

Two more busy months until her 1 year birthday. I can't believe it. It went by so fast. We have something going on all but maybe two weekends for the next 2 months.

Swimming lessons are going great. I will be gone this weekend at a scrapbooking retreat so the Grandmas are going to take her. They are going to have so much fun. I'm sure they both wish they could be in the pool with her at the same time. There will be plenty of time for that this summer. She LOVES the water. I hope we can spend lots of time at G&G Moritzs.

Nine Months

A few days late, but I wanted to get her stats from the doctor's appointment in this time.

She is still in the 50% for height and 5% for weight. 15lb 12.5oz and 27 inches.

This month has brought a few changes. More teeth are on their way. I see two white dashes on her upper gums. Finger food is getting easier and keeps her entertained for a while. Polly likes it too because sometimes a few fall to the floor. I tried to tell her there would be treats galore once Jolynn arrived.

Movement: she is rolling front to back and back to front. I haven't actually witnessed the back to front, but when laid in bed all the sudden I will look at the monitor and she is on her stomach. She also pulled herself up in the pack and play. This brought us to moving the crib down. That was a big step. I packed up 3 more boxes of clothes. She is onto the 9-12 month clothes. She has also started scooting backwards and in circles. Crawling isn't there quite yet, but soo close. We really need to get that banister up :)

I love waking up in the morning hearing her talk to her "friends" in her crib. Then I go in and peer down at her. She gets as excited as when I pick her up from daycare. It's a great way to wake up.
We also had her 9 month photos taken at Flash over the weekend. See facebook for all 26.

Brookings, SD

We were able to take our first family trip last weekend. Jolynn has been for a long trip to Florida, but not a long trip in a car. This was a four hour trip. She did very well. We went to visit friends. While there, we went to the Children's Museum. It was very cool. I can't wait to go back when Jolynn is more mobile. They have a great outdoor part too, which will be nice to visit when it is warmer.

I can help Grandma Benson gather eggs.

Official weight at time of Brookings visit=15 1/2 lbs

Heather helped Jolynn look at the kids in the toddler play area.

They had a cool room with a window and water color like paints. I probably shouldn't have used red, looks a little creepy.


The boys waiting for us to check out from the gift store.


Pooped out from her exciting day at the museum.

Eight Months

Again, not much has changed since last month. The grandparents would beg to differ - since they see her every few weeks or only on the weekends. I see her every day. I still love picking her up from daycare and seeing how excited she is when she sees that it's me picking her up. She starts talking/screeching and waving her hands and kicking her feet. Pure excitement - all to see me! I love it! Physical progress: still not rolling over. Sitting much better, even without using the tripod method. If you put her on her stomach, her arms are stretched out and her stomach is off the floor. Knees are pulled up almost like she wants to crawl. When she is in her exersaucer she goes crazy. Sometimes I think that thing is going to flip over she makes it rock so much.

She is still a big eater.
Breakfast: 6oz formula, 4 T oatmeal, 3.5oz fruit (stage 2)
Snack: 6oz formula
Lunch: 6oz formula, 4 T oatmeal
Snack: 6oz formula
Dinner: 6oz formula, 4 T oatmeal, 3.5oz veggie (stage 2)

You would think eating all that she would be this chubby little thing. She's still tiny. Another month and she will have her next doctors appointment. At the 6 month appointment he said she was doing just fine and would be on the small side because of being premature. So far she does what she is supposed to do so I guess we are doing something right.

Communication has kicked up a bit. Besides her normal babble and squawks, we think we may be hearing mama and dada. Or just wishful thinking. When you put music on sometimes she sounds like she is singing along. She also loves to dance (with you of course).

At the end of this month we will be taking a trip to Brookings, SD. Besides going to Florida, this will be Jolynn's first long car ride. Since we are leaving after work, I'm sure she will sleep the whole way there. This will also be our first family trip, as Jon usually works the weekends. It is my birthday weekend and I am so excited to be able to be with him and her and on vacation.