Rhowan's 9 month check up

Can you believe our lil princess is nine months as of yesterday?! Wow, where does the time go? I get so sad as she gets bigger and cry with every milestone, however as she is coming into her own lil personality and getting bigger, it is getting more fun. She is at an age that she just loves to interact with people, especially little kids and babies. She gets so excited. We'll be walking in a stroller and she will see another baby or kid and go crazy, squealing, kicking her feet and getting so excited that she can't even contain herself. Ahh, the simple things in life that make her happy!

Our princess had a Dr appt yesterday, only one shot to be given, yay! She was a good girl at the Dr, our first appt where mommy had to put her big girl panties and go alone with her...yes, my big girl panties, I hate doing things like that alone!
Rhowan weighed in at 20 lbs and 7 oz. she is in the 75th percentile for weight. She is 29 1/2 inches tall in the 95 th percentile. She is almost off her chart for height, she hit a huge growth spurt from her last appt at six months. She was a good girl, a busy girl. The Dr was probably thinking, control your baby lady, as Rhowan was crawling all over the office, under the table, pushing chairs, etc. I just continued talking and continued to pick her up, let her scream, put her down, all while talking with my 101 questions. But hey doc, my daughter is a crawling machine and there is NO holding her back! lol.
The Dr said she looked and sounded great. Her gums are swollen all the way around, so teething in more areas then one. She is a little "advanced" in her gross and fine motor skills and an early crawler. The Dr was very excited to see her babbling so much, waving bye and hi, saying "momma" and "uh oh" every time she would throw something down on the ground, her favorite game, as is with most babies.
So, I know I have created a monster by rocking Rhowan to sleep for naps and bedtime...I knew that all alone but it was something I started while nursing and just loved having that time with her and never stopped it. Now, the rocking is turning to full on bouncing, walking, pacing and humming full force to get her to fall asleep...unless, she has had a very busy day then she knocks out. Like tonight for example, she crawled her little booty around all day, had two play dates, went with mommy grocery shopping and took a bath and bottle and was OUT! Yes, that's what I love. So, the Dr didn't stress it too much, she said, do what my comfort level is, it will take time, but I should start putting her down half asleep and letting her put herself to sleep. hmmm, yeah sounds all great when you say it doc, but not gonna happen. Oh am I in a world of hurt when baby number 2 comes. Whatever, I don't even care, I love my baby girl and in 18 years she will NOT want to cuddle with me...it will be slamming doors, attitudes and maybe a few choice words in there, so I am taking advantage people. :) LOL.
So back to my update. It is time to start Rhowan on 3 meals a day and more nutritious foods. I have raised thus far quite the picky baby...warm bottles to a certain temp or forget about it, she will NOT take a bottle and you are in a world of tears my friend. Well she only likes, plain bland ol oatmeal with not enough nutrients that she needs. The Dr says, oatmeal once a day and its time to bring in more foods (which I knew already, I've been reading up on ideas and knew after all our travels I would start.) I tried the whole jarred food thing while in Alaska, but after mommy's yummy homemade food, she pretty much shook her head no so hard that I got the point. Are you saying diva yet? Would you expect anything less? Why would she want fake tasting, processed food after bland, healthy, homemade food?! lol. So we are starting on that. I will update you on how that is going later, stay tuned.

Since we've been home from Alaska, we went to Vegas and now its time for all the laundry all over again and can finally get settled being at home. I have quite the lil traveler on my hands and am so happy I took every ones advice, stopped being so frantic and anal and started her early getting used to being off her typical schedule. I have learned that she will adjust, structure and routine is good, but she will get back on it, so getting off it won't kill her. I am hoping I don't eat my words in a week if she hasn't gotten back on her schedule after all this being on the go.

Rhowan is pulling herself up on everything, standing on her own, wanting to take those steps but only goes as far as her hands can hold on walking along furniture, waving bye and hi, saying momma, uh oh, shakes her head no, laughs and smiles like crazy, eats good, grabs anything she can get her hands on, so much fun! I just love being home with her, teaching her, spending time with her and loving her. I am taking it all in and enjoying each moment for what it is. The house to do's, my own personal to do's can all wait. Yep, I said it, it can wait! Aren't you proud of me?! I am even getting better and not cleaning up her toys the very second she is done with them and leaving them there or leaving a bottle in the sink to wash for later. I know right, big freakin deal!

I will post updated pics and updates on our summer adventures later.

Talk to you all soon.

Lots of hugs and kisses your way.