Atlie at 9 months (July 27)

It seems like there has been an explosion of development for you this month! You are so active and can do so many things, it can be hard to keep track of your accomplishments.

Your motor skills are really developing. You've started clapping, which you really like to do when you think you've done something praise-worthy. Of course, I join in with you! You've also starting to point with your finger and your pincer grasp is getting more accurate every day.

One of your biggest accomplishments this month is that you took your first step... and right now it seems to be your only one. I think I got over-excited about it and pushed you too much because now you refuse. As soon as you think I'm going to let you go, you get noodle legs and plop to the floor. But, you've gotten really confident with your pusher and can really get going!

You've also started signing a little bit this month. It's not all the time, but so far you've signed milk and more. I think by the time 10 months rolls around, you'll have gotten them down consistently.

Last month, I thought you were getting top 2 teeth, but actually it was 3! (front 2 and a canine) And as of today, you're getting the second canine. In just a few days, you'll have 6 teeth!

101 Reasons I love You

Recently, when Branna is describing something really big or really long, she'll say "it's one hundred and one". In her mind, that's a huge number. Each day, I look at her and realize how grown up she's getting. I know she's still just four years old, but I see more and more of a "kid" and less of a young child. I love watching her grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Somethings are trivial and some are profound, but they all make me love her more and more each day.

While I could write 101 lists with 101 reasons why I love Branna, I thought I'd share some highlights for this post.

I love:

your imagination

your innocent questions

your curiosity

the way you can tell it like you see it

how much you love Atlie

that you still talk about Saige

your made up Spanish words

that you still want me to hold you in my lap

Branna the bird hunter. Notice her outfit is complete with salt shaker net.

Branna the princely ant hunter. (The socks are on her hands, not her feet. She couldn't find her gloves and didn't want the ants to bite her.)

Branna is one-of-a-kind and I am so glad that God chose me to be her mom!

The Jury's Still Out

When Atlie was first born, I thought she looked completely different than Branna. As Atlie has gotten older, I think I see more similarities... but then I put there pictures side by side and I still don't know. They are definitely sisters, but I'm not sure it's quite the look-a-likes that some same sex siblings are.

Atlie is the top picture and Branna is the bottom picture.

It has been fun to do these comparison takes and I'm curious to see what traits they share and which will be different!

Atlie at 8 months old (June 27)

This month has been a super-busy one. Because of that as I was preparing to write this blog, I realized I have no pictures for the month of June (and it's also the reason for the tardiness of the post). I can't believe that I didn't take any pictures... I feel a bit guilty. Hopefully next month will less hectic.

Here are a few things that Atlie has accomplished this month:

• Perfected hands and knees crawl
• Eating chunkier food (Like banana and sweet potato chunks. We started puffs and mum-mums, too)
• Loves animals and gets so excited when she's sees dogs and cats
• More interaction and mimicking Branna. She loves to watch Branna play and run around.
• Says bye-bye and waves
• Has started getting some separation anxiety and cries when I leave the room
• She's getting her top 2 teeth
• Starting to cruise with walker

Going Out

Branna has always been very independent and now that she's older, she has gotten really good about getting herself dressed. I keep enough clothes in a cabinet that she can get into so that when I say, "Go get your clothes on." she can do it all on her own.

This was the senario played out for one of our weekly grocery shopping trips.... except that it backfired on me! This is what she came out in:

She was so proud of herself for getting it done fast and finding all the right "royal" attire... I just couldn't tell her to go change!

Pool Time!

With 100+ degree already, we decided it was time to hit the pool! Unlike other first-time-in-the-pool experiences, Branna was instantly swimming around, with the help of her swim tube.

This was also Atlie's first time in the water. She was a little tentative at first, but after a few minutes, she was enjoying it as much as the rest of the kids.

She especially loved splashing her hands in the little waterfall.

We're looking forward to lots more trips to the pool and good times with friends!

Atlie at 7 months old (May 27)

Among the various babblings, you've started saying ba-ba. It's been so much fun hearing you start "talking". It is so cute to see you talk to an object or mimic the loud sounds Branna makes.

You have perfected your army crawl. Even though you're not hands-and-knees crawling just yet, you can get around on your tummy so fast. You are so close to the real deal, and without hesitation, you can go from crawling to sitting.

You're sleeping a little better. While it's still not 8 hours a night or even 6, you typically sleep for 4 hours at the beginning of the night and between 2 and 4 hours after that. It's still not great, but I'll take over the 1 hour stretches a few months ago.

We're starting to get more of a schedule and less of a routine. I think because of that, when it's nap time, your body knows it. You've fallen asleep in the high chair a few times!

You've also started using a sippy cup. While you're still getting used to it, you've done pretty good for a 7 month old.

One of my favorite developments this month has been your facial expressions. Two in particular are sticking your tongue out when you're happy and a look that you give when you're frustrated.

(A little background to this picture: This was Atlie's first dress-up experience provided by Branna. You may not be able to see it very good, but Atlie is wearing my headband along with the leis.)

Have a Banana!

After Atlie's first experience with bananas and her not liking them so well, I thought I'd try again. So that the bananas didn't go to waste (no one else likes the bananas as brown as they needed to be to serve to Atlie) I decided to get baby bananas. Maybe all I needed to do all along was let her play with the bananas because this time, she really enjoyed them!

I thought this picture was too cute. It reminded me of when Mowglie from the Jungle Book met King Louie and his quote, "Have a banana!"

Atlie 6 Months (April 27)

• You have started saying ma-ma-ma and da-da-da. Sometimes I think you are even relating it to Daddy!
• Your first 2 teeth came in (at the same time).
• One of your favorite games is playing peek-a-boo.
• You love Bible class. Your favorite part is when the teacher sings, "Where is Atlie?" and you get to see yourself in the mirror. it's so funny to see you nearly come out of your seat with excitement.
• You are starting to sit up really good on your own.
• You started solid food. So far, we've tried banana and avocado. You don't care too much for banana, but you can't get enough of avocado.

Mother's Milk

There are so many joys to life that I couldn't have imagined before having children. There's nothing like hearing, "Momma, I love you. I want to stay with you forever." or getting to cradle your baby as the drift off to sleep.

One of the greatest joys that I have experienced is breastfeeding. It is an indescribable bonding experience. I love the thought I am giving my baby the perfect nourishment for growing body, mentally and physically.

Knowing how crucial proper nourishment is for babies, particularly those that are premature, to get the best, most pure food they can, really pulled at my heart-strings. I had heard about milk donation after Branna was born, but didn't seek it out. This time, after Atlie was born, a friend sent me some information about the Mother's Milk Bank at Austin. After reading the stories of women and their fragile babies, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I wish I could have been better at pumping regularly, but after a couple of months, I had enough milk to make my first donation. I am so glad that Atlie has been able to share this great gift with other babies.