Tooth For Tooth

Netty spent much of August and September teething. It was not fun for any of us once the teeth started poking through, they came in rather quickly.

September 14, 2012

September 17, 2012

September 20, 2012

Her two little pearls are now my favorite part of her smile and my least favorite part of her bite. You know the old saying, "His bark is worse than his bite?" Her bark and her bite are both pretty lethal....

We Heart Breastmilk

Two months ago we went to a WIC meeting about infant feeding. They handed out these free shirts to all of the breastfed babies.

Everyone always told me how wonderful breastfeeding my baby would be. They don't tell you what a hassle it is when you're on campus and you have to carry a fifteen-pound baby, a ten pound diaper bag, and a heavy blanket while trying to hold a pacifier in a screaming baby's mouth through a quiet library to one of the very few rooms on campus that provide a mother's chair, all the while praying that someone isn't occupying the handicap stall that houses said chair. They also don't tell you about the dirty looks you get from people on the off-chance that you do have to feed your baby in public, even though you're completely covered with a shield. They don't tell you just how much it hurts when they first get started, or how frustrating it is when both mother and baby are learning how it all works. And then once it doesn't hurt so much anymore, baby gets teeth and bites.

However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the closeness I feel with Netty when I feed her. There is nothing better than Netty smiling at me through her smiling, spilling milk all down the front of both of us. I love when she's latched on and she only smiles with her eyes. It is so satisfying to know that I have been able to keep a person alive solely from the milk that comes from my body.

 

Netty's Friend, the Swing

Netty is such a social girl. She loves people being right up in her face. However, I think she gets bored seeing my face all day every day, so she's taken to talking to her swing. After her feedings I sit her up and she gets comfy sitting on the arm of my chair. It's pretty much one of her favorite things.

Everyday Netty

This is what happens when I forget to buckle her into her chair.

All smiles for the camera. She was wearing a shirt that Auntie Stephie bought her.

Not sure if this is what she REALLY thinks of Auntie Stephie....

Posing Pretty

"Simply Purrfect"--Another shirt from Auntie Stephie

While grabbing a bite to eat and McDonald's, Netty sat on my lap watching every bite I took. She finally couldn't stand it anymore and divebombed my drink. I couldn't get it out of her super-grippy fingers.

This was a realtively CLEAN dinner. Usually she's much messier.

Last Sunday I was looking for the bloomers for this dress. Meanwhile, Netty kept pulling it up. I would say "No, no, no!" and she'd giggle and flap her arms, bringing her dress up again. She thought it was great fun. 

Happy Girl--This is what her face looks like when she screams at a pitch no human should be able to reach, and she does it so effortlessly.

Pretty Flower

This is how she spends much of her day--playing on the floor with her toys.



"Cammo Jammies"--One night after putting her in her pajamas, I put her on the floor and realized that she blended right in with the blanket.

Cereal and Applesauce

This is how Netty eats--with her feet up on the tray and holding the spoon and pulling it into her mouth. She also chews on her feet, which means by the end of dinner, her socks are saturated with cereal and applesauce. It's a very messy business, and bathtime is now a nighttime ritual rather than daytime.

Of course, she chews on her feet after bathtime as well...

Pool Days

Chilling in Stephie's room

 No one will know if I'm awake or asleep...

Pretty in Pink

 Shades

 

 Swimming with Daddy

  Loving the water

Conversation with Mommy

Happy 29th Birthday, Stephie!

Firsts

Netty's life up to this point has been mostly firsts: first smile, first coo, first time rolling over. . .

 

 First pair of jeans

First time in her high chair from Great-Aunt Nancy & Great-Uncle Brent

Water Baby

Netty loves HoneyGram and Papa's swimming pool. Sometimes when I can't console her any other way I take her for a dip in the pool and she calms right down.

Time in Utah

Just after Jon finished the spring semester we came to Utah. It's been about three weeks now, and we'll be going back to Idaho on Sunday. My sister Sarah has been here from Washington the last week.

 

 Netty and Braylin - Braylin, 21 months, gets down in her face and talks to her in an even higher voice than usual. Whenever she cries he looks around saying, "Baby? Baby?", and then when he sees her, he rubs her head and kisses her. It's hard for me to believe that he was Netty's age when I was his nanny.

 Netty and Sophie - Sophie, 4, talks to Netty all the time, and has asked me multiple times why Netty doesn't say real words. She sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to her, and sometimes Netty sings along.

Netty LOVES HoneyGram and Papa's pool. We haven't been able to find her swimming suit the last couple of days, but it is adorable. I will post a picture of her in it when I find it.

I am so grateful that Netty is happy when she wakes up in the morning. This is her after her morning nap. She was on her tummy when I put her down, and this is how she woke up.

I Want Some I-C-E-C!

This is what happens when you leave Netty alone in a room with HoneyGram and Papa...