Lucy Vivian: An Update on My Sweetie

Life got crazy over the holidays and I missed a few of Lucy's monthly updates (what a terrible excuse for a blogger/mother I am!) So without further ado, here's what my little cutie pie is up to lately:

Shortly after turning seven months old, near the end of November, our little lady started crawling! Ever so slowly at first, she scooted her way over to her big sister (much to Violet's shock and surprise) and tried snatching one of her toys! Now everyone in the house (especially Charlie and Moe Moe, our cats) really have to watch out because when she wants something she can move fast as lightning! She also started teething (I swear, the person who invented teething should be tarred and feathered! I think it was an evil dentist somewhere...) and her first bottom tooth popped through.

Then, just before turning eight months on December 8th, she started to say "Mama"! Such a sweet sound to her mama's ears. That is...until she started to say "Dada" just after she turned eight months, and stuck with it. Now "Mama" is pretty much reserved for if she's really upset and crying, otherwise, "Dada" it is! (I know my place) I think she definitely knows who she's talking about too, because if "Dada" is home, she will always look at him when she's saying it. And yep, she's got her daddy wrapped around her little chubby finger, don't you my little cherub? Bottom tooth number two came through as well somewhere around here as well (no I didn't record the exact date in her baby book...I mean, first I'd have to like, BUY a baby book or something), and she's been pulling herself up and anything and everything she can get her hands on.

She's also an awesome imitator. It started with head nodding - one night she was up late and I had her in the exersaucer (AKA Ring of Neglect - (thanks Mandy for the perfect nickname) AKA the Poop Chair (the only place she'd poop for the longest time!)), and I looked up at her and she was furiously nodding her head at me. I wasn't sure at first if it was some sort of weird baby tick from being tired - you know how their arms get all thrashy and stuff? So I nodded at her and she laughed hysterically. Then her face got really serious and she nodded back at me and waited. So I nodded at her, she giggled, and we went back and forth for a good ten minutes. Of course it was like a huge amazing monumental occurrence and I had to tell her Dad, who was also completely amazed by his daughter's mad nodding skills (funny what things are completely awesome when it's your own kid, but if someone else told me his kid could nod I'd be like, ummm...yeeeah. Good for you dude. Good for you...) The cutest part is that she laughs hysterically and then gets really serious for her next nod, like she's concentrating all of her little baby brain on that one motion. So. Adorable.

Now she's also able to imitate all kinds of cute sounds - clicking and clucking and sighing, and is starting to wave and kinda sorta blow kisses and give high fives. I can tell something has just clicked in her mind and she's moved to that next level, you know what I mean?

On the flip side, all of this developing has caused major sleep issues. I remember a blissful time when I could just put her down in the crib and walk out of the room. She'd fuss for like a split second when I left and then plunk her head down and GO TO SLEEP. It was AMAZING. But ever since the teething and developing and all of that craziness occurred, I guess separation anxiety decided to rear its ugly head too, because I couldn't leave the room without her having a complete and utter meltdown - I'm talking screaming, screeching, shrieking, full out cryfest to the point that I thought she'd make herself throw up. So we've regressed a lot when it comes to sleep, and mama's crazy tired. The bags under my eyes are like the size of Jupiter and I definitely am looking more and more like a character from The Walking Dead (and I don't mean the living ones) Oh, and did I mention that I stopped breastfeeding and weaned her onto a bottle right before she started teething? Well I did. If only I'd had a crystal ball so that I could have separated the two occurrences. As it was I had no clue which issues were cow's milk/formula/weaning related and which were teething related. That's been quite the adventure too, but that story will need its very own post I think. But the sleep thing is slowly getting better, although we have a long way to go to get back to the lay her down and leave strategy. (If we ever get back to it that is) Sigh.

Other fun little tidbits worth mentioning: She got to swing for the first time in the bucket swings at the park and loooved it, is starting to get really into books - especially the sensory kind with flaps and fur and whatnot, and is just the happiest smiliest girl on the block during the waking hours of the day.

We are so, so blessed to have you, our little Lucy Vivian. Sorry sweetie for being such a neglectful mama and dropping the ball on your monthly updates - I'm doing the best I can I swear! Love you to pieces! xo, Mama

P.S. Isn't this sweater the cutest?! Joules Clothing sent it over for Lucy and it's become one of our favorite go-to pieces this winter season. It's so warm and cozy and the colors are just perfect on her. They have a gorgeous line for little boys, girls, and babies alike - definitely go over and check it out!

P.S. Some of our other favorite go-to pieces for Lucy this winter:

Sweater c/o Joules Clothing
Knotted Headbands from Little Hip Squeaks
Stretch Denim Jegging from Carter's
Herringbone Duck Boots from Baby Gap
Coat from Zara Kids (no longer available)

P.P.S. Violet at nine months 

Milestone Month + Holiday Bucket List

Can't believe how fast my little sweetie pie is growing. Just over seven months and she's suddenly sitting on her own, crawling, trying to pull herself up, and getting teeth! Such a big month - our whole world has changed it seems overnight. Baby proofing is in full swing and Violet is desperately trying to keep her most precious toys out of Lucy's chubby little hands :) I'm now busy chasing after this little girl all day long - she even managed to break her first ornament already! So needless to say I'm super behind on just about everything and didn't even take her seven month photos yet (and we're at about 7.5 months here - oops!)

Although things are speeding up on the baby front, I'm trying to slow down and enjoy the holiday season. I can't believe we're in December already!  I took a minute the other day and wrote down a to-do list so that I make sure to get the really important things accomplished this Christmas season. Here's our Christmas bucket list:

1. Dance to copious amounts of Christmas music.
2. Watch the classics - we've already done Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, Rudolph, and Frosty, so that leaves How the Grinch Stole Christmas, White Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life. (remind me if I'm forgetting an important one please! Mom brain means forgetting lots of things)
3. Take Violet to her first movie theater movie - we're thinking Frozen (reviews?)
4. Make a gingerbread house
5. Make and eat LOTS of Christmas cookies
6. Go to see Santa's "wane deer" and Christmas lights
7. Visit the big guy
8. Make a hand wreath for Lucy
9. Make ornaments with Violet
10. Go hunting for and decorate the tree
11.  Buy and donate toys to Toys for Tots
12. Go to see The Nutcracker
13. Make hot chocolate with marshmallows
14. See a nativity play or live nativity
15. Put out milk and carrots for Santa and his reindeer

I also have to mention that I am completely obsessed with a few things that this little lady is wearing in the above photos - Toto Knits sent us this gorgeous warm sweater and we wear it ALL of the time. Can babies have a Fall/Winter uniform? Because if so this is hers. The tights are from Mini Boden - love, love, love their tights so much.The pretty headband is from Amanda from Oh My Little Dears - she makes the most adorable felt baby headbands and hair clips! Violet got a couple as well and she wears them 24/7 (yes, even to bed).

So what's on your Christmas bucket list? I'm so excited to work on ours. I love being a mama - doesn't it make the holidays so much more magical. Happy December! xo, Lauren

Handmade Wooden Teething Rings

I'm completely smitten with these handmade wooden and crochet teething rings. The creation of mother of three Nihama-Jana Ladizenska, they're available in a huge variety of colors and styles. See more of her lovely work by visiting her namesake Etsy shop here.

Supermom: Katie of Katie's Pencil Box

This week's Supermom is Katie of Katie's Pencil Box! Katie is the super stylish mama of Max who writes the sweetest letters to their baby-on-the-way. Her blog is full of the most gorgeous photos of their day-to-day life. I seriously catch my breath everytime I visit her site. Read on to find out more about Katie...

when max was a toddler i wanted a place to keep pictures and funny stories to share with family and friends. i ended up keeping a blog on livejournal! i found an amazing community of creative ladies and inspiring mamas there...and i'm still good friends with a lot of the gals i met way back then.

i know i say it a lot, but my favorite part has to be getting to be a little kid again...dreaming up silly things for your little one or going on funny adventures that only your childhood-self could come up with! so much of parenting is making serious, adult decisions...but having the opportunity to see life again through a child's eyes and mind is really a gift. really, the whole package of motherhood is a blessing over and over.

the toughest thing about being a mother is learning the dance...keeping time and in step with an ever changing little individual ( who is sometimes nothing like you and sometimes so much like you it's frightening). there is a lot of pressure and responsibility in trying to raise a good and decent human being. i don't know that a day goes by that i don't worry that i'm scarring this little guy for life. but then you see how resilient and adaptable and capable kids can be. and you want just an ounce of their endless capacity for love and forgiveness. in learning this dance, i've found that there's a time for me to lead and a time to just follow and trust.

chickadee booties . sofie teether . babylit board books

wooden snack bowl . notefolio . threadless booklovers tee

anthro maxi skirt . field guided tote . instax camera

i don't even try! i know it's been a good day, lived to the fullest, when there is a pile of laundry and a sink full of dishes waiting on me.

the best thing i've learned is to let your little ones be little ones! it can be a real hoot when you let go and stay present with them, despite the mess making. plus you can learn a lot about yourself and your babies in those minutes when you're not rushing off to clean dirty knees.

definitely my mother! everyday i learn something new and wonderful about her by being a mama myself.

one of my favorite blogging supermoms would have to be james from bleubird vintage...loads of style and lots of adventuring with her babies!

any mom that can show that life doesn't have to stop when you have kids is a supermom to me!


Thank you so much to Katie for your poignant thoughts and advice on motherhood! I so agree with you on seeing the world through your child's eyes - there is truly nothing on Earth like it. See more of Katie, her beautiful family, and stunning photos here. 

xo, Lauren

Bye Bye Binky.

Although we didn't plan to let Violet keep her paci until she was old enough to tie her shoes, we also hadn't planned to wean her from it entirely until she was a little closer to two. She's still going through a lot of teething and it helped to soothe her to sleep, which I was totally okay with. Our biggest issue was that our once ample supply of paci's had been slowly whittled down to one. The lone survivor, we treated that thing like gold. It didn't leave her nursery unless we were going on a long trip  and we thought we were doing pretty great. But while we were busy patting ourselves on the back for going so long without losing the thing, we didn't know that a small crack was slowly forming at the core of our daughter's most prized possession. That's right - the binky broke. 

Oh the horror!

You may be thinking to yourself, So why the heck don't you just buy a new one? Why all the drama? Well I blame that on Dr. Weil. We discovered his line of paci's long ago via Melissa and I was sold - it was a single piece of molded silicone, was BPA free, and was large enough for Violet to keep the darn thing in her mouth. At one point I think we owned four or five of them. Each one slowly succumbed to the will of our toddler. She'd chuck them out of her stroller on walks into piles of leaves, leave them laying at restaurants, and once I even dug one out from under a box of pie at the bakery.

When we were down to two paci's, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and order another pack (yeah, I'm cheap). And that's when it happened...the dreaded words, "Out of Stock". I couldn't find them anywhere - Amazon, Kmart, Dr. Weil's own website - I couldn't purchase them an-y-where. I called the Weilbaby company, I sent them impassioned emails pleaing for pacifiers. I would have seriously purchased a whole case at one point if they had offered it to me. But they wouldn't return my calls or emails. Even the subject line, "Desperate Mom, please help!" apparently didn't capture their attention. Let me tell you - that Dr. Weil is cold as ice. I mean, you should've read this email people. It would've even melted the Grinch's heart. Anyway, I digress...

Shortly after that Violet lost one of the remaining two and we were down to the. last. one. That is until about a week and a half ago when Violet bit it in half it finally bit the dust.

Yes, the binky was broken and I was completely terrified when bed time came. I decided to just go through our usual routine and pretend like everything was hunky dory. Sippy cup, brush teeth (with toothpaste mind you! Aquafresh Apple Banana to be exact. But that's another post for another day), read a few books, sing a few songs, and put her in bed with her blankey and her frog.

And guess what people? She DIDN'T EVEN CRY. Not once. Just a few 'Mommy's' and she was off to dream land. Who knew??!! I mean I won't say we haven't had a few melt down's since then at nap time or bed time, but mostly it's been pretty miraculously quiet and drama-free around the H-Haus. (well at nap and bedtime at least. There are definitely day time tantrums. I mean TANTRUMS! Why do there have to be tantrums??? But again...another story...nothing to do with paci's or sleep. Just my strong-willed stubborn child giving her opinion on, "but yes mommy you SHOULD let me play in the freezer. I mean, don't you know there are PEAS in there?!")

One bad habit that she's developed since the demise of the paci is sucking her fingers or sometimes even (the horror!) her thumb, so I think a few more months may have done her some good, but over all it hasn't been the Armageddon that I had imagined. I will say that I will NEVER purchase anything made by Weilbaby again and will be sure with my next child to use well-established easily accessible pacifier brands like Nuk that will NEVER go out of stock.


I'll file that one away under 'the lessons of motherhood' Does this stuff get easier with the second one? Please tell me that it does! This flying blind stuff is the pits.

Has anyone else had any experience with pacifier weaning? How old was your little one? How did it go for you? I'd love to hear about it!
...

For Babies & New Mamas - Christmas Gift Guide 2011

Clockwise from top left: Pom Blankets, Organic Striped Booties, Eat Sleep Poop, Orfeo Bloom Rattle, IGLU Wooden Play Gym, Striped Bodysuit, lifefactory Bottles, Knit Rattle, Knit Pom Booties, Wooden Crochet Teether, Birth Print, Gizmine Humidifier, Donna Wilson Plush, Sakura Bloom Sling

Violet - Eleven Months

Eleven months old. ELEVEN. Where has the time gone? In just one short month you will no longer be a baby, but a rough and tumble toddler. This month has brought with it many, many firsts, and many many photos. (And all of those photos were just so darn cute that your mama couldn't make a decision to save her life. In the end she decided that there can never be too many photos of you, so there are quite a few here to say the least).

A big first - crawling. Need I saw more? You are now officially a crawling baby, my love. Shortly after your ten month birthday, you decided that it was time, and off you went. You love exploring every nook and cranny, every speck of dirt and dust, every misplaced shoe. It's given your mama a lot of cleaning motivation, that's for sure! And baby-proofing the H-Haus has been a full time job. The outlet plugs have been plugged, the breakables within your reach have been cleared. We have every intention of installing cabinet locks and baby gates, and we keep the bathroom and closet doors closed at all times. We still have a lot to do, but we're getting there. Until then, we just chase you around like a couple of crazy people.

You can now stand on your own for a pretty long time and you're so coordinated that you can even clap and wave while doing so! Standing on one leg? No problem as long as you have something to hold on to. You love to pull things closer with your feet - maybe you're going to be a soccer player someday?

Cruising along the couch and making your way around the perimeter of the room are some of your favorite pastimes. Sometimes you even let go and will take five or six careful steps all on your own.

Your Grammy and Pop Pop bought you a stroller and you like to cruise around the house with your pal, Violet, in tow. (I know, same name, what are the odds?!) She sings some great songs that you love to dance to - you've got some great rhythm sweetheart! (Which you certainly didn't get from  your father or mother by the way). 

Standing at your favorite shelf and handing all of the toys and books to your mama and daddy is great fun as well, and if there is no one is there to hand them to, ripping them all off is just as thrilling. Speaking of mama, it's your new favorite word! Mom-mom-mom-mom - who knew one syllable could sound so sweet? You also love making funny sounds with your tongue. Hopefully next month will bring the da-da-da's - your daddy would sure love that!

Diaper changing has become more and more interesting all of the time. We now have a great system (or at least as good as it's going to get). We've brought your changing pad down to the living room, as we've determined that the way it cradles you helps to keep you in place as we rush like mad people to change your diaper. You really enjoy watching and listening to your favorite bird friends on your little projector while you get your bum cleaned as well. But in spite of our best attempts to keep you distracted entertained, your favorite thing to do is still roll over, stand up, and look out the window mid-diaper change.

Your father and I have become your personal transportation assistants. (PTA's) Although you can take a few steps on your own and can crawl like a champ, you still prefer a hand much of the time. We can't blame you as your little shins probably get sore from roaming all over our house full of hardwood floors.

You had your first overnight stay sans Mommy and Daddy this month as well You had a great time keeping Grammy and Pop Pop awake before you finally decided it was time and put yourself to sleep. Luckily you slept through the night, and even went back to bed for a bit right after your usual 6:15 wake up time. Such a grown up little girl you're becoming!

A few of your favorite pastimes this month include reading books:

Ripping out the contents of diaper bags and laundry baskets and waving around your discoveries:

 Swings! You love to swing and slide. We weren't sure how the swing would go over, as you hated your swing as a newborn, but you looooooove it!

Waving. All of the squirrels, bunnies, birds, and bugs that have come out of hibernation this spring get a special wave from you, my little beauty queen. I'll be sad when your waving phase is over, it's so darn cute!

And you're such a giver! Toys, pacifiers, bottles, pieces of fuzz - you want to give it all away. You love when people say, 'Thank you!' and you especially love when things are handed back to you.

Your favorite person to give things to is your daddy. He's so much fun and has become very skilled at helping you fall to sleep. You had a little more daddy-daughter time than usual this month, as your  mama spent part of the month at the hospital with your Grammy after her surgery and part of the month on the couch with bronchitis. (It's pretty hard to put a baby to sleep when you're coughing your lungs out, so you Daddy got the lion share this month). He loves you soooo much!

A few of your least favorite things this month included eating (you hate, hate, hate solids) and teething - you've got six teeth now and more on their way. You even bit your mama for the first time the other day (ouch!) It wasn't a mean bite - you just thought that my arm might make a good teether, but gosh did it hurt!

Sooo many new things, I feel like I can't keep up! And next month you're going to be a one year old; I still can't get over it. We've been busy as bees planning your party, we hope that you love it. Happy eleven months to our precious little baby. Even though you'll technically be a toddler next month - you'll be our baby forever!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Violet - Ten Months

Ten. Months. Old. We're in double-digit territory now, baby. Speaking of baby - in only two short months you will no longer be one! In two months you will transform into a toddler. A toddler - that sounds so grown up! But don't worry, sweetheart...you'll always be our baby.

This month has brought with it a lot of firsts. You are now officially army crawling. You stay down on your belly and pretty much drag yourself across the floor. It works out pretty well on our slippery wood floors, but we know you'd rather be walking. Every chance you get you grab onto our hands with your chubby little fingers and take off after cats, toys, whatever catches your eye. Sometimes you just walk for the sake of walking - you can't get enough of it!

You think you can walk on your own and often try to let go of our hands and take off, but you unfortunately end up on your tiny little behind instead. You've been practicing pulling yourself up on anything and everything and now you can even walk along the sofa, toy table, and TV stand. Your Grammy and Pop Pop bought you a pretty pink stroller that you love to push around the house as well. Do you know what all of this means? We need to baby proof pronto!

As our first step toward a baby proof house, we bought a new vacuum cleaner just for you. That's right - your mama sacrificed her birthday gift for the sake of a clean house. (You're welcome) Every. single. speck of dirt interests you. It goes something like this: You're army crawling along, minding your own business when a piece of lint catches your eye. You work on picking it up with your newly discovered pincer grip, until - victory! It is in your grasp. It then must be thoroughly examined - you turn it, study it, you furrow your brow in deep concentration, pondering - what is this fuzzy grayish thing I've discovered? Where did it come from? Why doesn't my mommy want me to have it? That must mean it's something really fun and amazing. Hmmmm...I wonder what it tastes like...

Your hand slowly moves toward your mouth when, blast! Your mama snatches it out of your hand as you screech in protest. Your father and I have become skilled in the art of distraction lately - put a book in front of your sweet chubby-cheeked face, and suddenly, all is right in the world again.

Yep, you are some good cleaning motivation babe, that's for sure. And between our two furballs and our new shedding striped rug, there are always plenty of new pieces of lint for mommy to clean up for you to examine. Most things eventually seem to make their way toward your mouth. We can't blame you - you've got new teeth popping up left and right! Most recently, an incisor. You haven't quite figured out what these sharp white things are for, so you've taken to grinding them. Someday we promise we'll let you use them to chew up some yummy food, but for now we usually try to distract you with toys, teething rings, and pacifiers - anything to make that horrible grinding noise stop!

You celebrated your very first Valentine's Day this month with lots of love from your mommy and daddy. You even made us a card at your babysitter's house - what a crafty little girl you are!

And that babysitter of yours - she's a keeper. She has sewn beautiful dresses and skirts for you, has gotten you into a routine, and has helped you learn to fall asleep on your own. She takes you to the library and the park and keeps a journal telling us about your day and new accomplishments. It's not easy for our mama to go to work every day, but it helps to know that you are in a safe, happy home filled with love and fun.

At home we still let you fall asleep in our arms - we like to soak up every precious moment with you that we can, but it's nice to know that you can fall asleep on your own. Your daddy is your favorite person at bedtime these days - his calm presence and big strong arms perfect for sleepy babies.

Your new favorite thing to do is wave. You start waving the minute we lift you out of your crib in the morning and continue until we put you to bed at night. You wave at toys you like, and you wave at the cats; you wave at strangers, and you wave at people you love. Sometimes you wave for no reason at all. Even the most stoic passerby can't help but smile as they pass us on the street - your sweet little princessy wave is just way too cute to be ignored. You also love to clap - I'm sure you'll be blowing kisses and high-fiving before we know it.

Violet, we just can't get over how much you grow and learn each day. What will next month bring? Crawling? Your first words?? Walking??? Only time will tell. Even as we feel that you are growing up too quickly, we can't wait to see what new things you will learn. We love you more each day, sweetheart. Keep exploring, keep learning, keep growing, but please always, always be our baby girl. Happy ten months.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy