So Thankful!

We are so excited that Isabel's first baby cousin was born last week.  Miss Avery Allison Meyer joined our family on November 19th, weighing 6 lbs, 12 oz with a length of 21 inches.  She is tiny and delicate and as lovely as can be.  I am incredibly honored to share a name with such a precious little gift.

I am so excited that Izzie has a girl cousin so close in age that she will grow up with.  I can't wait for the pedicures and slumber parties and princess dresses.  Little Aves is just another perfectly fit puzzle piece for our family, and we are so happy that she is here.  Actually, I should use the word "we" carefully--Isabel isn't sold on this kid yet.  When Izzie came to meet Avery in the hospital she couldn't take her eyes off Caden.  Emily and I were sitting on the hospital bed with all the kids, and Iz was smiling and laughing and trying to get to Caden (who was "holding" baby).  We kept trying to get her to look at baby girl, and when she finally did she made ugly face and started crying.  We're working on it.  She doesn't cry anymore but really likes to hit and pull things she shouldn't.

The day she was born!

The day they met.  Iz was still happy because she hadn't

spotted Avery yet.  (Bryan says she cried when she saw

her because she knew she had been replaced.  Not true!)

 We bought these two matching outfits a long time ago!

 How funny do they look together?!?  Izzie looks a little awkward...

Finally warming up to her--and ready to throw her off the

couch.  Caden requested that he hold two babies for the

picture, and it turned out pretty good (notice his hand

on Izzie's back--precious!)

 

re-LAX...**updated**

Isabel continues to amaze us with how chill she is.  I don't know that you could find a baby that is more easygoing or happy go lucky than Iz, but if you do you should keep it or rent it for an extended period of time.  It's good stuff. 

Don't get me wrong.  Muchie's a busy girl.  She likes to move and play and get into everything.  But she's also very go with the flow and will be pretty content in most situations.  Below is a collection of her best relaxed poses to date.  Notice that she likes to prop her (tiny) foot up up almost anywhere, a sure sign that she is chilled to the max...

 Even in bed that sweet little Munchkin

foot will pop up.  This was one morning

when Bryan was having a lot of trouble

waking her up to go to school.

We sit her up in the cart normally, but

inevitably she finds a way to this position...

 Like I said... (And yes we're at Target again. 

Don't judge.  You know you love it.)

 

Grabbing a bite at Don and Millie's

with Grammy.  I'm not even sure how

she gets her foot out of the high chair

and up there so fast!

 

 

Foot isn't propped up, but I like how she is

casually leaning on the ottoman.  "S'up."

 

One of my all time favorites.  Just

relaxing in the high chair at Runza.

Only fools sit up--it's a lot of work!

 

Check back...more favorites to come but my camera is currently in limbo!

**Camera recovered, and here are a few more good ones**

The foot can even get propped up
during meal times at the table,

 or when you're having a bottle on the floor.

 

Duh.

Yep.  That happened.  And she wore it for awhile.  Really nonchalant about it, too.

75% of a Year...

Bryan keeps giving me a hard time because I'm always calculating things about Izzie...the percentage of time she has left living in our house, the percentage of a year that she has been in existence, etc...  My love of math and my desperate hold on my daughter's babyhood are a nasty combination.  Many times I will bring myself to tears with my calculations.  Bryan will come home to find me on our bed, forcing my very un-cuddly daughter snuggle with me.  "Did you know we have lost x% of her time living at home with us?", I sob as I force yet another hug from the squirming mass that has no interest.  Bryan just rolls his eyes and says, "Thank goodness you have me, Izzie, or your mother would never let you grow up."

BUT, these are some stats that I can't be called crazy for having because they were given to us by a medical professional!  Izzie had her 9 month appointment yesterday.  She was 29 1/4 inches long (94th percentile) and 21 lbs, 7 oz (88th percentile).  This chick is a beast. 

As a fresh 9 month old, she is rocking 12-18 month clothing no problem.  Those 12 month clothes that I bought when I was pregnant, just sure the size had to be wrong because there was no way my baby would fit into that at a year old?  Well, I was right...because she is nearly busting out of them at 9 months.  The 18 month shirt I bought for under her Halloween costume so she could wear it all winter?  Probably will last thru November if we're lucky.  Ah.  I love my deliciously healthy baby, don't get me wrong.  I just wish they didn't have to put an age on the clothes.  It's making me feel like I'm losing my baby too soon.  Can we just give the size a letter?  She could be size K, or even Q for that matter, just don't tell me she's the size of someone twice her age!  (Also, an interesting side note:  While her weight and height are clearly proportional, she has itty bitty feet.  Her 6-9 month shoes are too big for her.  Let's hope that evens out so we don't end up with a 6ft daughter in size 4 shoes.)

Facts about 9 month olds:

9 months olds have hair that is long enough to curl at their

neck after a bath and get stuck in the collar of their shirts.

9 month olds pop up everywhere!

9 month olds eat big girl food.  (You can guess the amount

of food that actually gets into her mouth given the

two expectant canines that are ready and waiting.)

9 month olds go to weddings.

Bad news for cousins:  9 month olds fight back!

9 month olds ride in big girl car seats!

No more infant carriers! (Big thanks to the

Harms', Rahn's, and Larson's for the gift!)

 

 

I wish I had a picture of this, but something else 9 month olds do?  Play in their cousin's room with them "by themselves".  Caden is recently really fond of Iz playing in his room with him.  I have to remind him to leave the door open--"But then she get out!" he protests.  I have to remind him that he probably shouldn't try to pick her up--"But she can't go over there!" he argues.  I have to remind him that, although he's really good at making sure she doesn't play with things she's not supposed to play with (small cars, cords, etc.), he does have to let her play with something--which is usually met with him digging in his closet and presenting her with a toy he no longer plays with as if it's such a treat.  But she doesn't care!  And although their play is less than perfect, it is so precious and sweet that he loves her so much and wants to be with her.  And he has his shining moments, like when I was standing outside his door while they played in his room and heard him say, "You wanna play football, Iz?  Okay! (ball slams against the wall)  Go get it, boy!"  He tries.  And we love him for it.