So measuring a 20 month old is way harder than it sounds. Scarlett is about 35-36 inches tall. (Depending on which time I measured her) I know an inch is a huge discrepancy, but for my sake, sanity, and Scarlett's mood we'll call it 35, because I got that more than once. So in saying that 35 inches doubled is 70 inches, which is 5 feet 10 inches. My daughter is supposed to be 5'10".. wow that's tall. :)
Well don't have much more to update as of yet, but stay tuned for future postings. :)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Picture Post Update!
So tomorrow marks Scarlett's 20th month of life. There is an old wives tale that says if you have a girl take her measurement at 20 months and double it, and that is how tall she will be fully grown. If you have a boy its 24 months. So tomorrow we are going to measure, just to see the rough estimate.. yay! Other developments: Mommy graduated with her Bachelor's Degree, she will be attending Grad school this fall. Papa found full-time work, and Mommy is looking for full time work (working part time right now). Further updates will include life as a 2 parent working household, pregnancy related news, and finding childcare, (scary!). Stay tuned.. Now as promised the picture post update!
The engagement/wedding ring:
It's a vintage silver moonstone with 2 pearls around it. I love it! We are looking at September 2013 as a month/year for the wedding.
Munchkin Monster Progression:
18 months: Scarlett and Mommy at Visalia Renaissance Faire!
19 months: Scarlett is sitting at Mommy's Graduation. She's so pretty!
20 months: Scarlett playing at CEHS. She steals mommy's shoes alot!
20 months: Scarlett and mommy!
And finally...
This is Baby Bean, who is due to join us, January 19th 2013!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Expecting Good Things
Okay so it has been a few months since the last update, but I had a million and one things going on. I graduated from Fresno State, and was accepted into the Graduate Program as well (due to start in August). Scarlett is 20 months old in 4 days and has been developing so rapidly it's hard to keep track.
Mikel and I are engaged, and we are also expecting! :) We are 8 weeks and 1 day, everything looks great, I feel awesome (despite the morning sickness, sore breasts, and exhaustion). We are due January 19th 2013. Mikel has a really good chance of getting a full time job (fingers crossed) and I have two leads on jobs that would really open doors. 1 is a teaching position with a private preschool not too far from where we live, and the second is a sub position for the Early Head Start. :) Yup lots of exciting things happening! I will post in a day or two and post pictures of Scarlett, the ultrasound (our little bean!) and the rings... but for now I need to sleep.
Mikel and I are engaged, and we are also expecting! :) We are 8 weeks and 1 day, everything looks great, I feel awesome (despite the morning sickness, sore breasts, and exhaustion). We are due January 19th 2013. Mikel has a really good chance of getting a full time job (fingers crossed) and I have two leads on jobs that would really open doors. 1 is a teaching position with a private preschool not too far from where we live, and the second is a sub position for the Early Head Start. :) Yup lots of exciting things happening! I will post in a day or two and post pictures of Scarlett, the ultrasound (our little bean!) and the rings... but for now I need to sleep.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
17 months and 24 lbs
The title of this particular blog post is quite fitting. Scarlett turned 17 months old today and definitely is showing her defiant, spitfire attitude.
New words this month: Duck, Ew, Bye. She loves the way her face feels when she says "ew". We are working on "you" which she almost has down.
This brings her word count too: Hi, Bye, All Done (ASL), More (ASL), Ew, Duck, Mama, Dada, and working on ball.
I'm utterly amazed at how much she comprehends what it is you say to her. :)
On the 24 pounds topic: I've got 24 lbs to lose. I've ditched the idea of getting down to 160ish range, because I figure if I want a greasy no good for me hamburger, than so be it! 180 was a good weight on my frame, and I really don't want to have to worry about calorie counting for the rest of my life. That being said I've joined up with myfitnesspal.com and the app on my windows 7 phone (which is my new love and obsession) under name scarlettriver. I'm hoping to be down to goal weight sometime next fall if not sooner. I do not have time currently to exercise regularly or rigorously, so the weight loss will be slow, but at least I'm making an effort.
The celebration of Pi Day is what set me over for today. :) Claim Jumpers Chocolate Silk Pie. Yummy!
I so love this little girl. :) Playing in the front yard on a breezy Tuesday afternoon. :)
She's up to something, I just know it!
New words this month: Duck, Ew, Bye. She loves the way her face feels when she says "ew". We are working on "you" which she almost has down.
This brings her word count too: Hi, Bye, All Done (ASL), More (ASL), Ew, Duck, Mama, Dada, and working on ball.
I'm utterly amazed at how much she comprehends what it is you say to her. :)
On the 24 pounds topic: I've got 24 lbs to lose. I've ditched the idea of getting down to 160ish range, because I figure if I want a greasy no good for me hamburger, than so be it! 180 was a good weight on my frame, and I really don't want to have to worry about calorie counting for the rest of my life. That being said I've joined up with myfitnesspal.com and the app on my windows 7 phone (which is my new love and obsession) under name scarlettriver. I'm hoping to be down to goal weight sometime next fall if not sooner. I do not have time currently to exercise regularly or rigorously, so the weight loss will be slow, but at least I'm making an effort.
The celebration of Pi Day is what set me over for today. :) Claim Jumpers Chocolate Silk Pie. Yummy!
I so love this little girl. :) Playing in the front yard on a breezy Tuesday afternoon. :)
She's up to something, I just know it!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Scarlett: 15 and 16 months!
What's new with the munchkin?
Scarlett amazes me daily with how much she learns, and what she soaks in. She vocalizes a lot now, more so than many infants her age. It's like she is so excited about talking, and has the pitch, highs and lows and even rhythm of speaking English, just can't quite string the syllables and sounds into coherent words. She's getting close though, and we encourage her exploration by talking to her about the things we see, the things that we are doing: just trying to broaden her vocabulary so when the words do come to her, she is prepared to talk!
One of the major changes in her life is that her biological father has stepped in and decided to be a more prominent figure in her life. She spends 2 nights a week with him, and loves it. I'm so glad to see the happiness in her face when he comes to pick her up, or when I drop her off, she recognizes the house, and especially the sounds of the dogs and her brother.
She is securely attached to many of the prominent caregivers in her life: Me, (of course), Grandma, Mikel, who she knows she can depend on and loves him deeply, Scott, and she is beginning to trust other people such as Maggie.
Scarlett is also a walking fiend! Since she discovered the new mode of transportation 2 months ago she is fine tuning it and seeing exactly what her body can do. She is getting more confident around steps, ledges and inclines.
Scarlett is also learning to adapt to new environments and situations. Now that the weather is getting warmer, we are taking her outside more frequently, and I even ventured so far as to take her to the park the other day. Granted it was very busy because it was the first real nice day in months, it took her about 45 minutes to familiarize herself with her surroundings (mostly by investigating the grass which she is familiar with our yard with is green-ish the park was dry bermuda), then decided to take a venture to the swing set, which she loves!
Her check up went well. Scarlett is very tall for her age, standing at 34 inches and weighing in at 27.6 lbs. She is developing both fine motor skills and gross motor skills admirably, and getting to the socialization aspect of being a pre-toddler that I was worried about just fine.
So yep that's my munchkin! Here's some updated pictures:
Scarlett amazes me daily with how much she learns, and what she soaks in. She vocalizes a lot now, more so than many infants her age. It's like she is so excited about talking, and has the pitch, highs and lows and even rhythm of speaking English, just can't quite string the syllables and sounds into coherent words. She's getting close though, and we encourage her exploration by talking to her about the things we see, the things that we are doing: just trying to broaden her vocabulary so when the words do come to her, she is prepared to talk!
One of the major changes in her life is that her biological father has stepped in and decided to be a more prominent figure in her life. She spends 2 nights a week with him, and loves it. I'm so glad to see the happiness in her face when he comes to pick her up, or when I drop her off, she recognizes the house, and especially the sounds of the dogs and her brother.
She is securely attached to many of the prominent caregivers in her life: Me, (of course), Grandma, Mikel, who she knows she can depend on and loves him deeply, Scott, and she is beginning to trust other people such as Maggie.
Scarlett is also a walking fiend! Since she discovered the new mode of transportation 2 months ago she is fine tuning it and seeing exactly what her body can do. She is getting more confident around steps, ledges and inclines.
Scarlett is also learning to adapt to new environments and situations. Now that the weather is getting warmer, we are taking her outside more frequently, and I even ventured so far as to take her to the park the other day. Granted it was very busy because it was the first real nice day in months, it took her about 45 minutes to familiarize herself with her surroundings (mostly by investigating the grass which she is familiar with our yard with is green-ish the park was dry bermuda), then decided to take a venture to the swing set, which she loves!
Her check up went well. Scarlett is very tall for her age, standing at 34 inches and weighing in at 27.6 lbs. She is developing both fine motor skills and gross motor skills admirably, and getting to the socialization aspect of being a pre-toddler that I was worried about just fine.
So yep that's my munchkin! Here's some updated pictures:
She is so full of expressions!
Checking out the grass...
Scarlett's Birth-14 Months
Birth- Month One
I gave birth to Scarlett via c-section on October 14, 2010 at 6:49pm. She was 10lbs 6 oz, 21 3/4 inches long. We have had so many trials and tribulations, and mild successes that the only way to describe Ms. Scarlett's first month of life is a roller coaster.
The first major hurdle was the fight of feeding. Scarlett would not latch properly when attempting to breastfeed. At her wellness checkup after 5 days she weighed 9 lbs 7 oz, she had lost nearly 1 lb instead of gaining weight. The pediatrician said that she was borderline dehydrated and that she was starving. We would spend an hour or more fighting each other, crying, because neither one of us really knew what we were doing, were frustrated, tired, and just wanted everything to work out the way nature intends it too. I went to 3 different lactation counselors, tried the nipple shield, and even pumped. My daughter was born large so she needed more breast milk than the average newborn, and I was not producing enough. I was spending more time pumping to give to her than I was actually spending time with her. All in all for the sanity of both of us, I decided with the support of some of my family to exclusively formula feed. The following week Ms. Scarlett showed a vast improvement, she was a far happier baby, her diaper count increased, and she gained over 1 lb, she was sitting pretty at 10lbs 11 oz.
I went through a grieving period over what I thought was going to be the ideal way of feeding and bonding with my daughter. I had already grieved after the thought of not being able to give birth vaginally after my CNM explained to me the risks of having Scarlett naturally. They were afraid that Scarlett would get stuck, and cause various other complications. So I had a primary C. Now I had lost the natural way of feeding my child as well... I felt ill-equipped, and utterly worthless. With the help of my fabulous boyfriend and his son, and my caring family I was able to find some positives of bottle feeding, and my baby and I are much happier now than if we had continued to try and push breast feeding.
The second major hurdle we just have completed. November 3rd Scarlett was incredibly fussy, arching her back, and was running warm. By evening she had a temperature of 100.4, and we took her into the ER at Valley Children's Hospital. Now my daughter was only 3 weeks old at the time, and as the nurses told us, "newborns are not supposed to have fevers". It took a matter of 30 minutes to be triaged and admitted, Scarlett's fever had spiked to 101.6, and the doctors began running her on antibiotics and completing a multitude of tests. At 3 weeks Scarlett had blood work, blood and urine collected for cultures, an IV drip with hydration and antibiotics, and a lumbar puncture which came back textbook meningitis. After 6 hours we were placed in a room Apollo ward G522 and waited. Turns out she tested positive for Enerovirus and GBS exposure, both which cause meningitis. She was treated for both viral and bacterial meningitis over the period of 10 days and was released Saturday at 3pm November 13.
As a mother this month has been one of the most joyous and one of the worst I have ever experienced. My greatest fear is being helpless, especially when it comes to my loved ones. Low and behold this month tested me physically, emotionally and mentally. I spent all 10 days in the hospital, leaving her bedside a handful of times to run down to the lobby to escort people up, or to get food from the cafeteria. I cannot imagine what would have happened had we not caught the meningitis early.
I hope that the months and years to come are far more tranquil than this last month has been. I look into both of my childrens eyes and see my future, without them I do not know what I would do, nor how I would really function. It would take major therapy and probably an admittance into a clinic to recover from the loss of either one of my children. I shudder to even think of the possibility.
Halloween as a Lady Bug!
Month Two:
Today marks the second month of Scarlett's life. There have been so many milestones she has accomplished at such a young age, it amazes me. December 5th, Scarlett rolled over from tummy to back, she completed this task three times, and has done it atleast once a day since. On December 13th, while Christmas shopping with Grandma Terri, she began her social smiling. I have watched her personality grow in the last few weeks and it is astounding at how beautiful and intelligent my little Scarlett is.
Scarlett will have her first set of shots as of December 20th. She is very tall and weighs quite a bit for her age. I do not have the official numbers, but I measured her last night and she is between 25 and 26 inches long, and somewhere around 14+ lbs.
On the family note things could not be better. Scott is employed with Condor security, working graveyards atleast 4 days out of the week. He is much happier, and this in essence makes everyone much happier, and more at ease. It is taking a toll on my sleeping habits and so forth considering I now have both children for the majority of the day and evening.
I also go back to work for a local elementary school as a AM literacy tutor. I will be working 8am-12pm M-F starting January 10th, and taking a load of 17 units at Fresno State.
We have a busy semester ahead, and I cannot wait for the fun times ahead!
Scarlett will have her first set of shots as of December 20th. She is very tall and weighs quite a bit for her age. I do not have the official numbers, but I measured her last night and she is between 25 and 26 inches long, and somewhere around 14+ lbs.
On the family note things could not be better. Scott is employed with Condor security, working graveyards atleast 4 days out of the week. He is much happier, and this in essence makes everyone much happier, and more at ease. It is taking a toll on my sleeping habits and so forth considering I now have both children for the majority of the day and evening.
I also go back to work for a local elementary school as a AM literacy tutor. I will be working 8am-12pm M-F starting January 10th, and taking a load of 17 units at Fresno State.
We have a busy semester ahead, and I cannot wait for the fun times ahead!
So cute in a Christmas Outfit from the Great Greats Krick and Cousin Debbie!
Months Three-Five
I haven't had much time to type, due to school, work and juggling Scarlett, but just let me say WOW!
I'll be posting month 6 in a few weeks since my little girl will be 6 months old in 8 days. So crazy to think! Anyway achievements these past few months:
Sitting up very well assisted: She loves it! She can sit up for a few seconds by herself, and is able to balance for the most part if you sit her up. I'm thinking another month and we'll have an unassisted sitter.
Discovery of feet: Scarlett has discovered she has feet. It is very cute. She kicks all the time, especially when she is happy, and just recently started bringing them to her mouth and chewing on them.
Solids: Scarlett is a champ at eating and LOVES her food! Likes: Anything orange. (sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, apples, squash, sweet potatoes mixed with prunes, pears, bananas mixed with oatmeal) Dislikes: PEAS! and rice cereal.
Vocalization: Scarlett is definitely more expressive. She is constantly sing songing and talking. I love waking up to the sound of her cooing.
Rolling Over: She is not too excited about rolling tummy to back, (has mastered it though) but is really working on rolling back to tummy.
Turning around: Scarlett inches around and is able to turn herself around now. She is really trying to crawl. She's doing the inch worm.
Height and Weight: As of 4 months she was 17 lbs 26 inches long. We'll find out her 6 months stats as of April 25.
ON Me: I am still needing to lose the baby weight, and having issues with that, but starting to feel a lot better about myself. Scott and I are working stuff out, I'm trying to finish school, he's finding a place to stay. We have our ups and downs and our fights, but it's definitely better this way.
I officially have one year until I graduate! SPRING 2012! Anyway but I am taking a full load next semester, hoping to get some help with daycare, and working as a sub (unless I get a permanent position) in after school programs. But spring break is on the way, all my papers are done, so its sleep and playing with Scarlett, and prepping for our VISALIA renaissance faire.
Life is good, albeit hectic. Okay I'm out. :)
I'll be posting month 6 in a few weeks since my little girl will be 6 months old in 8 days. So crazy to think! Anyway achievements these past few months:
Sitting up very well assisted: She loves it! She can sit up for a few seconds by herself, and is able to balance for the most part if you sit her up. I'm thinking another month and we'll have an unassisted sitter.
Discovery of feet: Scarlett has discovered she has feet. It is very cute. She kicks all the time, especially when she is happy, and just recently started bringing them to her mouth and chewing on them.
Solids: Scarlett is a champ at eating and LOVES her food! Likes: Anything orange. (sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, apples, squash, sweet potatoes mixed with prunes, pears, bananas mixed with oatmeal) Dislikes: PEAS! and rice cereal.
Vocalization: Scarlett is definitely more expressive. She is constantly sing songing and talking. I love waking up to the sound of her cooing.
Rolling Over: She is not too excited about rolling tummy to back, (has mastered it though) but is really working on rolling back to tummy.
Turning around: Scarlett inches around and is able to turn herself around now. She is really trying to crawl. She's doing the inch worm.
Height and Weight: As of 4 months she was 17 lbs 26 inches long. We'll find out her 6 months stats as of April 25.
ON Me: I am still needing to lose the baby weight, and having issues with that, but starting to feel a lot better about myself. Scott and I are working stuff out, I'm trying to finish school, he's finding a place to stay. We have our ups and downs and our fights, but it's definitely better this way.
I officially have one year until I graduate! SPRING 2012! Anyway but I am taking a full load next semester, hoping to get some help with daycare, and working as a sub (unless I get a permanent position) in after school programs. But spring break is on the way, all my papers are done, so its sleep and playing with Scarlett, and prepping for our VISALIA renaissance faire.
Life is good, albeit hectic. Okay I'm out. :)
3 Months sitting a bit...
4 Months with a big gummy smile!
5 Months at her first faire. It was in Coalinga, and super cold...
Month Six:
Scarlett is 6 months old tomorrow, and this beautiful little monster of mine amazes me everyday! On Sunday she made two monumental achievements in a span of 5 minutes!
Scarlett is officially a sitter now! She can sit unassisted fairly well, until she gets super excited, shifts her weight and tips over. (i.e. playing with her flowers).
Scarlett has now learned that toys (especially rattles) make noise when she shakes them. She loves the sound, and now shakes the rattle (or toy) for intent.
I cannot believe how big she is getting! I do not know what her official stats are, won't really know for two weeks, I'll update then too.
Happy 6 months little one!
Scarlett is officially a sitter now! She can sit unassisted fairly well, until she gets super excited, shifts her weight and tips over. (i.e. playing with her flowers).
Scarlett has now learned that toys (especially rattles) make noise when she shakes them. She loves the sound, and now shakes the rattle (or toy) for intent.
I cannot believe how big she is getting! I do not know what her official stats are, won't really know for two weeks, I'll update then too.
Happy 6 months little one!
My Easter Baby! :)
Month Seven:
Scarlett is 7 months old tomorrow! I cannot believe how the time is flying. So her 6 month stats were 19.6 lbs and 27.5 inches long. She is probably 20 lbs now, and closer to 28 inches. Scarlett is firmly in 12 month clothing, and fits into some 18 months. Her newest accomplishment is sitting steadily on the floor as an unassisted sitter, she babbles all the time. Her favorite sounds are "nom nom nom, mamama, dadada, ababab, and bababa" and you can definitely hear each one.
She is also beginning to show more indignation towards bed time and things she does not like. She hates getting wet, but is growing accustomed to the idea of bath time. When she does not want to be laid down, or put down she goes all rigid, and won't bend her legs. It can get quite frustrating.
She loves being read to, sung too, and in general being loved on. She also is beginning to reach for people when she wants up, or does not want to be put down. She did that one to grandma yesterday while in the bath tub, though when she discovered she could splash and that her feet were attached, it wasn't so bad.
Anyway, nothing else new. School is over save a few finals, and I've got my weight loss to focus on. :) Other than that things are just humming right along.
She is also beginning to show more indignation towards bed time and things she does not like. She hates getting wet, but is growing accustomed to the idea of bath time. When she does not want to be laid down, or put down she goes all rigid, and won't bend her legs. It can get quite frustrating.
She loves being read to, sung too, and in general being loved on. She also is beginning to reach for people when she wants up, or does not want to be put down. She did that one to grandma yesterday while in the bath tub, though when she discovered she could splash and that her feet were attached, it wasn't so bad.
Anyway, nothing else new. School is over save a few finals, and I've got my weight loss to focus on. :) Other than that things are just humming right along.
Loves bath time (finally!) And her rubber duckies!
Month Eight:
Scarlett is now 8 months old, and the time has flown! She is (according to the urgent care doctor) 29 3/4 inches long and 20.9 lbs. Scarlett has also had her first ear infection, and was not a happy camper.
She is so close to crawling it is absolutely ridiculous! Probably about 90% of the time when you sit her down to play she ends up on her tummy and pushing up on her knees and her hands and just rocks. She moves backwards pretty well because she can't quite figure out how to move forward. It cannot be justified as crawling yet because the moving backward is due to her failing to move forward, and she kind of slides. lol
Scarlett is also in love with the water! :)
I have decided I am moving both of us up to Wheatland. It just feels like the right thing to do, and I know a lot of people don't necessarily agree with me. I just need to do it. I am reconsidering entering grad school right away, and I'm thinking about focusing on getting a full time job, working and being a mom rather than continuing in school. I might go back after a year... I don't know. It's still up in the air and I have until October to figure it out.
She is so close to crawling it is absolutely ridiculous! Probably about 90% of the time when you sit her down to play she ends up on her tummy and pushing up on her knees and her hands and just rocks. She moves backwards pretty well because she can't quite figure out how to move forward. It cannot be justified as crawling yet because the moving backward is due to her failing to move forward, and she kind of slides. lol
Scarlett is also in love with the water! :)
I have decided I am moving both of us up to Wheatland. It just feels like the right thing to do, and I know a lot of people don't necessarily agree with me. I just need to do it. I am reconsidering entering grad school right away, and I'm thinking about focusing on getting a full time job, working and being a mom rather than continuing in school. I might go back after a year... I don't know. It's still up in the air and I have until October to figure it out.
I love this hair!
Month Nine:
I have updated the blog to reflect Scarlett's favorite toy in the world: Rubber Ducks! I don't know why, or how, but she is obsessed with them!
As always so much has happened in the last month it's hard to keep track of it all, which is why I am in general keeping this blog, so I might be able to look back at all the milestones the drool monster has accomplished.
First off: Scarlett has TONS of teeth! She started cutting top two early in July, then two more followed. By last week four of her top teeth have come in quite a bit. (Lots of Children's advil, screaming and sleepless nights) She just cut her second eyetooth, it's starting to come in as well.
Scarlett has also begun to show high preference to who she wants and when. Mommy and Grandma are pretty much the go too people when she's scared, tired, upset, etc. But she loves spending time with just about anyone. Especially her new friend Mikel, who spends tons of time with her. (Mommy's boyfriend!).
Scarlett has been scooting for about the last month, but just recently has actually begun to crawl! It took her until 9.5 months, but Mommy and Grandma are super happy she has. She also tries to pull herself up on everything, and attempts to stand up, which is quite comical. She gets her feet up under her, but can't quite figure out what to do with the top half of her.
She also is a music junkie. Scarlett loves banging objects together, and hitting different things to hear all the different sounds. She also loves just about any type of music. If she REALLY likes it she does the baby butt bounce dance.
Scarlett loves screaming and jabbering away. She discovered her vocal chords not only make low pitch gremlin growls, but high shrieking banshee wails too!
Anyway her official stats: 30 inches tall, and about 22 lbs. :) She's a tall girl, with a mop head of curls, bright blue eyes, and a biting personality.
Mommy has also decided to venture on the journey of no more bottles. Update in a month and see how that went. :)
As always so much has happened in the last month it's hard to keep track of it all, which is why I am in general keeping this blog, so I might be able to look back at all the milestones the drool monster has accomplished.
First off: Scarlett has TONS of teeth! She started cutting top two early in July, then two more followed. By last week four of her top teeth have come in quite a bit. (Lots of Children's advil, screaming and sleepless nights) She just cut her second eyetooth, it's starting to come in as well.
Scarlett has also begun to show high preference to who she wants and when. Mommy and Grandma are pretty much the go too people when she's scared, tired, upset, etc. But she loves spending time with just about anyone. Especially her new friend Mikel, who spends tons of time with her. (Mommy's boyfriend!).
Scarlett has been scooting for about the last month, but just recently has actually begun to crawl! It took her until 9.5 months, but Mommy and Grandma are super happy she has. She also tries to pull herself up on everything, and attempts to stand up, which is quite comical. She gets her feet up under her, but can't quite figure out what to do with the top half of her.
She also is a music junkie. Scarlett loves banging objects together, and hitting different things to hear all the different sounds. She also loves just about any type of music. If she REALLY likes it she does the baby butt bounce dance.
Scarlett loves screaming and jabbering away. She discovered her vocal chords not only make low pitch gremlin growls, but high shrieking banshee wails too!
Anyway her official stats: 30 inches tall, and about 22 lbs. :) She's a tall girl, with a mop head of curls, bright blue eyes, and a biting personality.
Mommy has also decided to venture on the journey of no more bottles. Update in a month and see how that went. :)
Happily playing in the swing!
Month Ten:
Scarlett is 10 months old tomorrow. I know I say it almost every post, but my goodness time sure does fly! So to business:
Scarlett is a crawling fiend! She scales everything, goes super fast after Horton our orange (dumb) cat, and absolutely loves to go to people then bounce and reach up to be picked up.
The monster is also pulling herself up on everything. She loves standing, and is incredibly strong. She controls herself when she sits from standing and she is quite sturdy when she stands. She is starting to cruise a bit, but not much.
She took her first two guided steps with assistance from Auntie Kris about 4 days ago, as well as said her first word which was "mama".
I also just today purchased her "big girl" bed, because the monkey was rattling the bars so much we were afraid she was going to break the entire crib. Scarlett loves the bed! :)
Scarlett is a crawling fiend! She scales everything, goes super fast after Horton our orange (dumb) cat, and absolutely loves to go to people then bounce and reach up to be picked up.
The monster is also pulling herself up on everything. She loves standing, and is incredibly strong. She controls herself when she sits from standing and she is quite sturdy when she stands. She is starting to cruise a bit, but not much.
She took her first two guided steps with assistance from Auntie Kris about 4 days ago, as well as said her first word which was "mama".
I also just today purchased her "big girl" bed, because the monkey was rattling the bars so much we were afraid she was going to break the entire crib. Scarlett loves the bed! :)
Sporting the SF Giants gear!
Month Eleven:
Scarlett is now 11 months old, cruising, bouncing, and becoming a crazy little toddler. She is taking assisted steps, and can stand up on her own for seconds at a time. I think she just needs to find confidence in her balance, because she is so darn strong!
Scarlett's new words: mama, dada, no (on occasion) go ( once or twice) and almost uh oh. :) My little girl is growing up so fast.
She is firmly in 18 months moving up on to 24 months and a size 5W shoe. Oh my!
Not walking yet, but probably soon.
Scarlett's new words: mama, dada, no (on occasion) go ( once or twice) and almost uh oh. :) My little girl is growing up so fast.
She is firmly in 18 months moving up on to 24 months and a size 5W shoe. Oh my!
Not walking yet, but probably soon.
Happy baby at Woodward Park celebrating Pagan Pride Day!
One Year Old:
Scarlett my darling daughter, today you are 1 year of age, and I cannot believe how the time has passed. I still remember the first kicks, the hiccups, constantly having to pee, the first time I was able to hold you, the first time we gave you a bath, the first time you threw up on me... all of these moments as if they were yesterday. The past 20 months when I first found out that you existed, and then at 24 months I felt your first movement for the first time, seem so close, yet so far away. I have watched you grow and learn literally hourly, and your intelligence, spunk, and uniqueness amaze me daily. I don't know how many times I have been complimented by your beauty, or how amazed people are about your cognitive development, (yes I am using these terms.. I'm still in college at this point.) I would never have imagined that at the age of 23 I would have accomplished this much. I never imagined that at 22 I would actually give birth to one of the little people I was so fascinated with and planned on making a career playing and teaching. Thank you for the experiences, the laughs, the first words, the crawling even more importantly the love. The love that you show me is unmatchable, and I hope that you know that there are no limits to my love for you. My love for you is unconfined... there are times sure that I may not like your choices, your choice in friends, words, or lifestyle, but that love will never change.
I hope that you realize just how much everyone loves you. Your father, though him and I are no longer together loves you very much, as does your older brother. I hope that in time your father and I can learn to co parent in a healthy, loving way, with your benefit being the soul reason we continue to communicate. We may not have lasted, we may not always get along, but you will always have both of us, and I hope that he and I continue to show you that as the years pass.
Happy Birthday my Baby,
Mommy
I hope that you realize just how much everyone loves you. Your father, though him and I are no longer together loves you very much, as does your older brother. I hope that in time your father and I can learn to co parent in a healthy, loving way, with your benefit being the soul reason we continue to communicate. We may not have lasted, we may not always get along, but you will always have both of us, and I hope that he and I continue to show you that as the years pass.
Happy Birthday my Baby,
Mommy
Destroyer of the Birthday Cake!
Month Thirteen:
Split Time: Scarlett is starting to spend more time with her brother and father, which is by far one of the hardest things I as a mother have had to do so far. She loves spending time with them, and I have noticed a few inherent traits that she has picked up from spending time and playing with Scotty. Things that I know Scotty did as an older infant, and things she is doing now.
Scarlett is crawling in patterns typically large circles, quickly and repeatedly. After a few routes she'll look behind her to see if someone is following her.
Scarlett also mimics Scotty's incessant giggle. It's really entertaining, and she had started this behavior after her weekly visit as if she was trying to sell it to our house.
She also does this weird shaking thing, where she will tense up and her little head will shake with her body... she thinks it's absolutely hilarious. I have a feeling that brother does it to make her giggle.
So today was the first time that Dad and Brother have sister time for for than one night at a time. It came out of A) mom starting to realize that she has to share, at least a little bit, and B) Mom needs to get started on a paper due tomorrow evening.
I don't know, it feels really weird not having her all of the time, but I guess that's the price one pays for being a split household. But I know that she will be far happier and things will be so much better with us split and in two households than if we attempted to hold it together as one household. EVERYONE would have been miserable.
Scarlett is teething again, 5 teeth this time. 2 bottom, 2 canines and 1 molar, as well as going through another growth spurt. She is getting closer and closer to walking... I can't wait to have her back this weekend to play at faire as a faerie! Oh and pictures will be taken, lots and lots of them.
Scarlett is crawling in patterns typically large circles, quickly and repeatedly. After a few routes she'll look behind her to see if someone is following her.
Scarlett also mimics Scotty's incessant giggle. It's really entertaining, and she had started this behavior after her weekly visit as if she was trying to sell it to our house.
She also does this weird shaking thing, where she will tense up and her little head will shake with her body... she thinks it's absolutely hilarious. I have a feeling that brother does it to make her giggle.
So today was the first time that Dad and Brother have sister time for for than one night at a time. It came out of A) mom starting to realize that she has to share, at least a little bit, and B) Mom needs to get started on a paper due tomorrow evening.
I don't know, it feels really weird not having her all of the time, but I guess that's the price one pays for being a split household. But I know that she will be far happier and things will be so much better with us split and in two households than if we attempted to hold it together as one household. EVERYONE would have been miserable.
Scarlett is teething again, 5 teeth this time. 2 bottom, 2 canines and 1 molar, as well as going through another growth spurt. She is getting closer and closer to walking... I can't wait to have her back this weekend to play at faire as a faerie! Oh and pictures will be taken, lots and lots of them.
f you cannot tell by the title, Scarlett took her first few unassisted steps today! It was early morning, and we stood her up and held our hands out and said "come on Scarlett!" She first took 1, then 2 steps then sat down to crawl. We got her to a succession of 4 steps before she decided she had had enough of being the performing monkey, crawled over to grandma, and decided it was nap time.
This is so exciting! We are hoping with more coaxing and working on it everyday we may have a full blown walker by Christmas! Merry Christmas to mommy! That would make Scarlett 14 months.
This is so exciting! We are hoping with more coaxing and working on it everyday we may have a full blown walker by Christmas! Merry Christmas to mommy! That would make Scarlett 14 months.
Thanksgiving is around the corner, and Christmas is so close! We're decorating for Christmas on Friday, then Christmas shopping and wrapping the following week! :)
Scarlett the Spunky faerie! At Kearney Renaissance Faire 2011.
Scarlett and I are visiting my Grandpa Parish and Grandma Tina for about a week and a half before she spends time with her father. He and I have discussed it, and instead of opting for daycare, he will spend time with her while I am away either in class or at work.
New Developments: Scarlett is walking. She started about two weeks ago, and has just amazed us all by how much she has learned and how fast she can go.
New favorite toys: Scarlett adores the Hide and Squeak Eggs, Crayola Jumbles, Circo My Starter Laptop, New rubber ducks, Giggling baby doll and the alphabet singing babydoll, and the Ballyhoo Sensory Ball! She hasn't explored any of the bath stuff yet, but will for her mid day bath, since it is so flipping cold up here. :)
Scarlett also has a small plush rocking horse that Santa brought her, and lots of new books. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to Scarlett's growing collection of books. She loves books and being read too, and Mommy appreciates new stories to read instead of Where The Wild Things are for the Bazillionith time.
New Developments: Scarlett is walking. She started about two weeks ago, and has just amazed us all by how much she has learned and how fast she can go.
New favorite toys: Scarlett adores the Hide and Squeak Eggs, Crayola Jumbles, Circo My Starter Laptop, New rubber ducks, Giggling baby doll and the alphabet singing babydoll, and the Ballyhoo Sensory Ball! She hasn't explored any of the bath stuff yet, but will for her mid day bath, since it is so flipping cold up here. :)
Scarlett also has a small plush rocking horse that Santa brought her, and lots of new books. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to Scarlett's growing collection of books. She loves books and being read too, and Mommy appreciates new stories to read instead of Where The Wild Things are for the Bazillionith time.
Scarlett's Christmas Dress! Well one of them. :)
Friday, February 24, 2012
All in One: It's about time
I have finally converted my two blogs to one, cohesive unit. It makes so much sense! I tried and tried to import my Munchkin Ramblings blog, but it would not let me so I just posted it over in the Munchkin Ramblings page, for your reading pleasure/my records.
So all relevant stuff dealing with me or munchkin monster will probably be posted in the main Chronic Life Page. Cooking stuff/ recipes in Kitchen Brew, and super funny pictures of interest in Geekery. :)
So that's about it. Read and enjoy!
So all relevant stuff dealing with me or munchkin monster will probably be posted in the main Chronic Life Page. Cooking stuff/ recipes in Kitchen Brew, and super funny pictures of interest in Geekery. :)
So that's about it. Read and enjoy!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
2012 Goal Update: February
I was reading over my goal list for 2012 and realized that I have made a fair amount of progress, or have reached them.
- Graduate with a 3.1 GPA: I do not graduate until May 19, but I have reached a 3.1 GPA without this semesters grades. :) So I will consider this goal a big huge SUCCESS!
- Have a more stable relationship with Scarlett's father: This goal is definitely in the making. He and I had our first talk in a long while without fighting. He really wants to me a more predominant figure in Scarlett's life, which I agree with as long as he is going to be there for her. I am pleased to say he has been seeing Scarlett on a weekly basis since September. This goal is a SUCCESS!
- Join a group fitness class (or two) at Fresno State Gym: I have joined a Zumba class that meets Tuesdays/Thursdays, and also BodyFlow (when I remember) on Saturdays. I am considering doing the rotation fitness class on Sundays as well when I have time. I was doing classes everyday, but I miss my Scarlett too much. So this goal is a SUCCESS!
- Lose 45 lbs (this would put me around 160-165): I have decided to make a conscious effort to eat healthier, and working out more regularly. I started out with a new scale last week, and when I do a weigh in next week I'll see if I've made any progress here. I do know that I have lost a few inches because my bra fastener had to move tighter. :) So it's a work in progress. :)
- Attend the Fresno State Gym atleast 3 times a week: This is a moderate success. I attend Tuesdays/Thursdays (when time allows) and Saturdays, contemplating adding Sunday as well. So SUCCESS!
- Take a walk everyday: I walk everyday on campus? It's been far to cold to actually go on walks. But as the weather warms up I plan on kicking this goal into high gear.
- Obtain full time work as a daycare teacher: I am working as a student assistant this semester for the Campus Children's Center at Fresno State. I work 20 hours a week directly with infants. I do pretty much everything. Definitely a step in the right direction. :)
- Move out by beginning of 2013: This one is kind of determined by the previous one. Still on my list though
- Obtain Administrative Credential for ECE Site Supervisor permit: I have not even started on this one. I am having a hard time locating where to even take the classes needed or what classes are needed for this permit. But I still have plenty of time. :)
- Communicate more effectively with my partner: Mikel is so empathetic and in tune with his emotions, and here he is dating Ms. nondescript bottle it all up till it explodes girl. SO... I am making a conscious effort to not let things bottle up by addressing the issue that upsets/frustrates/excites etc. in a timely manner (within a day or so) rather than letting it fester.
- Pick up the Tarot Deck: I have had a really hard time getting back into this since the death of a really close friend. He was the last one I did a reading for. So slowly I am going to ease myself back into this work, because I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoy learning.
- Play more with Scarlett: She's getting so big, and learning so much, I want to afford her the opportunities and experiences to help her understand more about the environment she lives in, and is interacting with.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Lost
I am not sure exactly what I am going to use this specific blog post for, perhaps just exploring the utter emptiness that has arisen and taken over my daily life, that I try to muddle through since the beginning of 2012. Anyone that knows me knows I struggle with depression since after Scarlett was born. I had moderate (though not diagnosed) Post Pardum depression that ripped through my emotional psyche like a battering ram. Follow this PPD through a rocky break-up, low self esteem, and you have where I was 7 months ago. Then I met Mikel. My outlook on life and my body had begun to change sometime around May when I realized though I may be overweight, I wasn't exactly unattractive. And though I had a child, did not make me completely "off the market" per say. Mikel changed my perspective a lot, and I thank him for that daily. Fast forward to the end of September when we all lost a dear, close friend. Hello depression! I have knack for not noticing it until I'm through it. Everything was being affected: my relationship with Mikel suffered as body image issues resurfaced, and thoughts of not being good enough took over, my relationship with my daughter suffered, I grew short tempered and irritable, even though I knew that the things she did were completely normative development for her age, somehow she was doing things to aggravate me... (definitely not the proudest time in my life). Then comes the conversation with my father that put things into perspective. I became serious about attempting to manage the stress in my life better, and cope with the loss of a close friend. I never really let myself grieve because it is never within the time constraints of my schedule. Guess that's what I am learning here.
When Mikel, Scarlett and I got home that morning and took a pregnancy test because I was late (and until irregular periods I was never late) and got a big fat positive. I was excited. I told Mikel, and he was ecstatic.
That was January 4th. There was always this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that this pregnancy would not come through. That somehow I was not going to be holding a newborn at the end of 9 months. I don't know what you would call it, but intuition? Who knows. But I was right. Some time around Sunday/Monday January 15th I miscarried, which was confirmed by bloodwork and 2 ER visits the week of January 19th.
Now the logical side of me says that there is nothing to grieve over, it was a combination of cells that had not taken form yet, and that something was more than likely genetically wrong on the chromosomal level which caused the miscarriage.
But the emotional side, the one that was released from depression with the news of this baby, the mother in me cries. And it's not just simple tears... it's cascades of ugly cry... the heaving weeping of some bad actor you see in the movies.
And it has not gone away. Like a good air sign, I get infuriated, enraged at the thought that whatever exists beyond this life decides to grant a life, then take it away just as quickly. Cruel joke?
I cannot reason with either side. I just grin and bear it, go to school to talk about infants and pregnancy, go to work and work with infants that are the age of my daughter, then go home to Scarlett and Mikel and pretend that everything is okay.
Nothing is okay.
I can't stand to use the restroom and to see the crimson... knowing that my body failed to protect the life that was granted, even though on medical terms it "wasn't my fault" due to severe dehydration and a rather nasty stomach bug...
It's an emptiness that I can't fill... a void that no matter how I try cannot be stitched together by any words of wisdom, words of sorrow, remorse... encouragement...
I don't know. I know that I will be okay eventually... but right now it seems bleak. It's been rainy and cloudy since we found out too...
I'm not making much sense in this post, but it is really just to type to get this shit out. I need to move on, continue living, get it together. But doing that is so much more difficult than one would suspect.
When Mikel, Scarlett and I got home that morning and took a pregnancy test because I was late (and until irregular periods I was never late) and got a big fat positive. I was excited. I told Mikel, and he was ecstatic.
That was January 4th. There was always this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that this pregnancy would not come through. That somehow I was not going to be holding a newborn at the end of 9 months. I don't know what you would call it, but intuition? Who knows. But I was right. Some time around Sunday/Monday January 15th I miscarried, which was confirmed by bloodwork and 2 ER visits the week of January 19th.
Now the logical side of me says that there is nothing to grieve over, it was a combination of cells that had not taken form yet, and that something was more than likely genetically wrong on the chromosomal level which caused the miscarriage.
But the emotional side, the one that was released from depression with the news of this baby, the mother in me cries. And it's not just simple tears... it's cascades of ugly cry... the heaving weeping of some bad actor you see in the movies.
And it has not gone away. Like a good air sign, I get infuriated, enraged at the thought that whatever exists beyond this life decides to grant a life, then take it away just as quickly. Cruel joke?
I cannot reason with either side. I just grin and bear it, go to school to talk about infants and pregnancy, go to work and work with infants that are the age of my daughter, then go home to Scarlett and Mikel and pretend that everything is okay.
Nothing is okay.
I can't stand to use the restroom and to see the crimson... knowing that my body failed to protect the life that was granted, even though on medical terms it "wasn't my fault" due to severe dehydration and a rather nasty stomach bug...
It's an emptiness that I can't fill... a void that no matter how I try cannot be stitched together by any words of wisdom, words of sorrow, remorse... encouragement...
I don't know. I know that I will be okay eventually... but right now it seems bleak. It's been rainy and cloudy since we found out too...
I'm not making much sense in this post, but it is really just to type to get this shit out. I need to move on, continue living, get it together. But doing that is so much more difficult than one would suspect.
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