Ali 8 Month Update

I know it's cliché but I can't believe my baby girl is 8 months old already.  Time seems to be speeding in overdrive.

We didn't do a recap last month, so there is a lot to catch up on.

Likes:

Ali’s favorite things in the world (besides Mom of course :) ) are taking baths, watching kids play at the park, and jumping. She has always loved bath time, but she’s really started to love it now that she can actually play in there.  Ali also likes sucking on her Sophie giraffe, and pulling mommy's hair. 

Going outside in walk is something she is also happy to do as well.  Like the rest of us, Ali is a dog lover and giggles and smiles when she plays with Pepper and sees the neighbor dogs. Ali also likes the library time – she loves to try to jump and dance with the music and enjoys watching the bigger kids run around.

Dislikes:

Ali hates sitting still – she needs to be on the go 24/7. I have a feeling she will be a very tiring toddler - we’ll have our work cut out for us. If Ali is upset she is probably bored or tired. Also, she is not a fan of being strapped in the car seat. 

Sleeping:

There have a been a couple bumps in the road this month. She has dealt with a few sicknesses and teething. Boo. But honestly, she hasn’t let it affect his sleep that much. She has gotten into the habit of a midnight feed, and in the last week of sickness, another around 3 am - where she is ready to party a bit after.  Bedtime is around 7 and wakeup is usually between 5:30-6:30 am. 

Eating:

Ali is still a good nurser, but a cough and teething turned her off of true solids for a bit. Right now she is more comfortable with chunky purees, and baby oatmeal, but I’m sure she’ll get back to eating real food soon. She loves feeding herself the crunchy carbs like Cheerios, puffs, and baby Mum - Mums.   She is also learning to drink water from a sippy cup.

Firsts: 

Sitting up - that started right around 6 1/2 months, and now at 8 months she has recently added getting herself up from her tummy or back to a seated position. 

Scooting around a bit, but not full on crawling yet.  (Thank God!) 

Ali did her first hike with Dad this month too.

Still no teeth, but all signs are there for one to pop through any day now. 

Ali still gets complimented from daycare and friends at what a happy, easy going baby she is. 

Ali at 8 Months…

With her Sophie giraffe…

Hanging out on the blanket…

Ali catching up on some Baby Einstein.

The sister’s going down the slide.

Ali’s first hike…

Playing with her toys on the big bed.

Ali is a big fan of looking at us upside down…

Ava, Ali, and Pepper hanging out on the floor…

Sleepy girl….

And a few 7 month photos…

Happy playing in the office.

And sucking her thumb…

Stay tuned for the next update….

Pepper–the newest Ameduri

After a few months of no Chase, and continual asking by Ava of when we were going to get a new dog, we found the right new guy for us. Thanks to the nice folks at Rescue a Golden of Arizona, we welcomed Pepper into our home. He’s a well behaved (mostly) 4 year old Golden who loves the girls and is always ready to play ball.

Some quick photos of Pepper and the girls:

Pepper posing for the camera.

Pepper meets Ava and Ali…Ava is bribing him with treats.

Curled up on the bed after the second day.

Ali trying to get up close and personal.

Ali loves Pepper’s collar (especially the jingly tags).

Pepper working hard in the office.

Ready for a hike..

He’s a good fit for us – always ready to go and play with the girls…

New Year

Hard to believe that we are already a month into the new year. In the deserts of Arizona the weather alternated between chilly and good weather. On the nice weeks we have been making good use of the parks – Ava is perfecting her riding skills while Ali loves watching all the big kids play.

Of course Ali and Ava are always having fun together. Ava and Ali love a little cuddle time.

Click the image above for a video of Ali and Ava playing

Sometimes the girls just like to clown around.

Ali is happy playing with her toys. Oh and she can stay sitting up now too…

Ava is happy riding anything outside…both at the park.

And riding her bike outside at home.

With days ranging from cold (note the hat and mittens)

To sunny and warm just a week later.

Ali continues to be the happy baby – bouncing in her bouncer.

Click on the image above for a video of Ali bouncing.

And even when big sister is feeding her.

Hard to believe Ali is 7 months old already! Where does the time go?

Ali at 6 Months

Besides celebrating a busy and joyful holiday season with family, we also celebrated Ali's 6 month birthday. December 28th marked a half a year since our sweet little girl was born.

Likes:

Ali still likes many of the same things as last month. Taking baths, watching TV, listening to books and playing with toys. She has showed more interest in toys that make a "crunch" sound, putting everything in her mouth, as well as picking up toys and and grabbing her hanging toys. She absolutely loves to laugh, and giggles a lot when big sissy entertains her.

Ali, post-bath time fun.

Reading books in bed in the morning.

Dislikes:

Ali is such an easy going baby, and there isn't much she dislikes. She tends to get a little fussy when she has a dirty diaper or hungry, but those are pretty normal baby things. Our fault if she is fussy. :-)

Ava and Ali clowning around on Dad.

Sleeping:

Naps are still inconsistent, although we are working on sleep training. Aiming for a consistent afternoon nap and bedtime, but other "cat" naps are here and there when riding in the car or stroller. Over the holidays, the excitement of family and the oncoming of teeth, she is getting up occasionally in the middle of the night to eat. Bedtime is around 7:30 and wakeup is anywhere between 5-6:30 am.

Catching some afternoon cuddle time with Mom.

Eating:

There is a new milestone in eating. Ali had her first meal on Christmas Eve. She started with pureed butternut squash and ate like a champ. She is also eating peas and today will try avocado. We are making all our own baby food so far and plan to continue to nourish her this way. Still getting most nutrition through breastmilk and an occasional bottle in the evenings.

Ali’s first solid food…

Some of which actually made it into her stomach, with the rest on her face and bib.

Click on the image above for a video of Ali's first meal.

 

Firsts:

Still awaiting the first tooth, any day now. She had her first Christmas, and we all had our first Christmas in our new home. On the downside, she also had her first fever this past month, but the little champ showed no signs of being down and quickly recovered after a good night sleep.

Doctor Ava is helping Ali with her fever.

We are definitely out of the newborn phase and into the active and fun baby stage.

Ali with Uncle John.

Note the reindeer on the jammies.

Ali and Pops.

Smiling at Dad.

Click on the image above for a video of Ali doing Happy Baby.

Click on the image above for a video of Ali playing with her blocks.

Christmas Part 2

So now for the (belated) part 2 post of Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, Ava and Aunt Marcy read the reindeer book.

On Christmas morning, Ava was thrilled with all the presents that Santa and everyone else brought.

Ava and Uncle John started with the stockings.

While Ali and Aunt Marcy had fun with tissue paper.

Later Ava and Dad had fun with the giant pipe cleaners (and Ava demonstrated some backwards somersaults).

Ali and John caught a little cuddle time.

Ava loved her dressup clothes . Here’s the Minnie Mouse / Tinkerbell combo.

Ali had fun with Pops and NeeNee.

And Ava had more fun with her cash register and fire truck.

And the aftermath of the Christmas fun (or more likely just a break point).

Ava and Ali will be sad when Christmas is over…