Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Oh My!

We have had a busy last few days! Thursday we went out to Dad's for Thanksgiving and oh man, was is delicious! Dad make the most AMAZING turkey. We had turkey, stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, rolls, and for dessert pie. Sprout ate SO much! We also found out she is just as big if not a bigger fan of pumpkin pie as her dad. We got to bring a ton of left overs home and it is still delicious!

So Black Friday is an amazing day! We got some really great deals and got a good portion of our list done. We have a LOT (20+)  of people to buy for so it takes some serious organization to get it all done! I think we got 7 people done so almost half.

I think the one thing I am most excited about besides getting Spout's gifts is getting my new DSLR Camera! It takes AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL pictures. I have a lot to learn about it and am excited to be able to use it to document Spout's First Christmas! So family be warned I will most likely have my camera to my face most of the time! If you dont want to be in pictures let me know and if you'er in the background I'll crop you out! We got Sprout some AWESOME toys and clothes (Meijer was having a buy one get two free on all carters clothing!!!!)

We got up pretty early. We were out of the house by 6 and Sprout was up by then to so why not go out! I am sure I got some pretty interesting looks when I wasn't looking, but everyone commented on how happy and content she was! After a few stores Sprout (and Mom) was getting hungry so we made a pit stop to have breakfast. Then we went out again. It was crazy that it wasn't that busy out. I know most of the big box stores opened up the night before but I still thought it would be a bit more packed than what it was. We were in line less than 5 minutes for every store we went to! When we got home around 11 we all crashed and took a nice 3 hour nap!

I don't know if Sprout is going through a growth spurt but for the past 4 days now She has taken 2 2 hour long naps each day! She has never taken that long of a nap ever! Her naps are normally 45 mins to an hour, maybe an hour and a half at MOST. I really enjoy these naps because it means I get a 2 hour nap too! With her waking up 2-3 times a night still I am still only getting around 5 hours of sleep at night which is not enough for me!

We got Spout's Christmas pictures back! I am so excited and amazed at how gorgeous her eyes look! I got our Christmas cards all made up and ordered. I have to say that card is adorable and I am so excited to get them in so I can send them out to everyone! Here are her Christmas pictures!

And here are some pictures with my new camera!!!

Sprout got mail! 

 She loves sticking out her tounge right now. Good thing she has so much extra saliva in her mouth right now!

No more baby food for us.

Let me back track for just one minute and tell everyone Sprout's 9 month stats. Weight is  14 lbs 8 oz. Height is 25 in. And her head is 48 cm. She lost 3 oz in just a week from being sick and she is on her 3rd ear infection in 4 months. If she has one more in the next two months we will be sent to the ENT (Ears, Throat, Nose Dr.) The worse part about Sprout having an ear infection is that she shows NONE of the normal signs! No pulling at her ears, crying when laying down, no red ears. The only sign I have had each time is a fever over 100 degrees. So besides the ear infection she is a happy, healthy, little peanut!

Ok, now on to the topic Sprout has been refusing all baby food! I am not ready for this! My one saving grace is that she will still let me feed her yogurt and applesauce, but besides those she wants to feed herself. I can't believe we are at this point already! On one hand I am excited to let her feed herself but then my brain also is telling me that 9 months seems a bit too young to me to be going to just table food. We are pretty lucky that is such a huge eater! For example a few days ago she had a whole pork quesadilla (just a regular taco shell) 3 baby carrots, some banana, and some corn! Where does she put it all?? She also ate about 80% of it! The one bad thing about her feeding herself isn't that she makes a complete mess of her self which requires a bath right away (or a wipe bath first), it is that she take FOREVER to eat! LOL I believe last night it took her an hour to eat. So this is now affecting when I have to feed her and when she goes to bed. Sometimes we are after her normal bed time and then she is a terror to get to sleep. 

This past week we lost power in a pretty bad storm. So I took Spout out to my dad's house to keep warm and to save all of our food! After I got there and put away all of the food I then called up my Aunt to see if she would like to see Sprout. She of course said yes and that another one of my Aunts was over as well. So off we went! Sprout had a blast! As did my Aunts. Sprout is the first Great Niece/Nephew. As the second youngest out of all of my cousins I am the first to have a child. So of course my Aunt's and Uncles had to tease my dad (the baby out of 8) that he was the first Grandparent.

                                                     Oh did I mention she Loves the cat??

My crazy child decided to give me a heart attack yesterday. She decided she was ready to climb the stairs like she has been doing it since day one! Before now she has been too short to get both of her legs up to climb up to our landing to even go up the stairs. She climbed up that thing like it was nothing! I'm really happy Cody was home and downstairs to see this HUGE milestone! Ill try to get a video of it and put it up. 

Lastly, I may have to stage an intervention here soon. Ginny is an electronic junkie! She LOVES anything electronic weather it be my phone to the computer and even the Ipad. She can already send e-mails on the Ipad! Now while I know electronics are the normal and she will be using them in school, But I want her playing with TOYS. Just like I did. I remember playing barbies for the longest time or My Little Pony. I want her to use her imagination. Go outside and play. I spent most of my days outside playing or playing with some friends around the neighborhood. Anyway, Sprout gets so mad st me when I take her hands off my computer or the Ipad.

 Want to know the best part???? She KNOWS better!!!! She knows she is not supposed to touch my computer or the phone or Ipad.

Here are some pictures just because!

40 Week Photo! 

Kisses for Mama!

Growing up!

Sprout,

Tomorrow you will be 9 months old! This past week you have have learned how to say DA-DA, your doing AMAZING (AKA in the top percentiles of your group) of Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem Solving , and Social Skills. With you being a month early you are proving to every one you are your Mother's and Father's daughter. When we are told we can't do something we HAVE to prove the world wrong!

                  You have learned how to shake your head no.

You love to dance now

And walking will be in your future soon I am sure!

OH and getting down from the couch is not a problem!

You had your first Spaghetti Dinner last night. Surprisingly you got 70% of it in your mouth! I gave you a piece of bread and you Loved it! You had a utter melt down when I took it away so I could feed you. Here is a video!

Yesterday was a hard day on you. I saw for the first time how...... hmmm what is the word..... Oh I know DETERMINED you can be. Also I saw your temper for the first time yesterday. (you got that from your dad I am afraid) I let you watch your Old MacDonald Baby Einstein for the first time in a while and when it was done you laid on the ground face in the floor and cried. Poor baby. I could also not walk away from you at ALL!

Meltdown #5 of the day!

Nap time with Daddy

We will find out what your stats are on Friday at your 9 month check up... I am not looking forward to the shots part. Hopefully your dad will come with me.

A letter to Sprout

Sprout,

As your mom, I know I am a bit bias when it comes to you. I think you are the smartest, Happiest, most beautiful baby in the world. Of course I do. I'm your MOM! I love you with all my heart and will do anything for you! You bring so much joy to my life that I didn't know I was missing.

I love the little ball of fire who will laugh at some random thing I do without thinking about. I love who you are going in to. You show concern for me, your dad, and even Realyn when we are hurt or sad. I love our snuggle times and that you now will give people hugs. Your newest thing is giving me some really wet but of so sweet kisses in the early hours of the morning as we are on the couch watching Cat in the hat while I finish waking up.

I LOVE that you LIGHT up like a light bulb when you see your dad! You start to smile like it is only you and him in the world. You will follow him around as he is getting ready for work. You try and get his cereal as he is eating it in the morning. I can easily say I love your dad more now that you are here because he is such a great dad and you love him SO much!

You are such an easy going baby (While still being very demanding all at the same time!) You will Smile at anyone if they talk to you or even smile at you. I love your little talks that you have as we are driving down the road. Even if all you say is BA! I know you will get mama soon!

You make me laugh so many times a day! From you looking over at me and just smiling the biggest smile, to you crawling as fast as you can to get to me when I call you. And finally your love of blowing air or when you are in the bath tub getting your face as close as possible to the water and blowing water bubbles!

To end my letter here are a few quotes I like to remember while raising you (now and for years to come)