Seven Months of Memories, Milestones, and Motherhood: Part 2

As much as I needed to share the last post, how about we lighten things up around here with a bit of the adorable. Code: LOTS of pictures

Diana Joyce Denton

"Annie"

Height: 25ish inches

Weight: 14ish pounds

Yes, she's petite.
4th percentile, but hitting all her developmental milestones.

She wore newborn size clothes until she was 4 months old and still wears size 0-3 month.

Milestones and Firsts: smiling on August 14th at 6 weeks, solids at 4 months, rolling from tummy to back on November 15th at 4.5 months, scooting/crawling/sitting over Christmas break, zoo on Christmas Eve, pulling up to standing on January 9th at 6 months

Nicknames: Annie Jo, Diggle, Annie-Bananie, Dinana, Baby Sweet, Teeny Girl, and Tiny Fing (Thing in baby-talk)

Favorite things: bananas, Mom, graham crackers, Mom, splashing in the bath, Mom, playing with Dad, Mom, going for walks in the stroller, Mom, pacifiers, Mom, pulling and eating Mom's hair, Mom, reading books, Mom, and taking long showers...with Mom

• Seriously though, this girl is going through one heck of a clingy phase. As soon as she realizes Mom's out of reach, it's trauma. She's fine playing on the floor with toys as long as I'm close by, but usually she wants me on the floor by her or she'll crawl into my lap. She still sleeps with me; it's what works best for us. She does naps in the crib, but always prefers Mom. And the shower is her favorite place in the whole world. She gets so excited when she hears the water start and we start to strip her down. She spends the first minute or so sticking her hands and feet in the water before resting her head on my should and curling up into me for a nap. Yes, she has started always taking a nap in the shower. It's her happy place... or something.

Dislikes: getting out of the bath/shower, taking medicine, naps, getting dressed/undressed, the blow dryer, the vacuum, getting her diaper changed, being in her carseat when not in the car (as we're leaving or coming home), getting her boogers sucked/picked

Moments to Remember:

• There's this old picture of Papa as a baby in this wash tub. Over the years, several of the grandkids had the same picture taken in the same old wash tub. So one night, my dad got a little excited and set up a photo shoot for Annie with his paraphernalia from Papa's house. Papa's wash tub, bear and ram skulls, Grandma's hat, and Tressie's boots.

• On August 31st, Annie was blessed in our church (for more info on infant blessings in the LDS church, go here). Tucker gave her a beautiful and really interesting blessing. All of Tucker's immediate and extended family was there, but only my immediate family could make it. However, Granny made the dress from the leftover material from my wedding dress alterations. It turned out so beautifully!

• Some of my favorite memories from this past semester were just spreading out a blanket under the trees and relaxing in the shade. Annie would coo at the trees and kick at the grass tickling her feet. Sometimes, we'd even pack up a picnic and take a walk to find the perfect grassy spot for dinner. I can't wait for summer to return!

• Annie's first Oreo. Here in our house, we are known for our super-human abilities to consume Oreos. Last week, Annie leaned forward and took one out of my hand, and it went straight to her mouth. It wasn't long before her cheeks were black and chocolaty, but boy, was she happy!

• Christmas was a blast this year. We spent the first week with the Dentons and the second week with the Wests cramming in as many activities as possible and enjoying the down-time. Carrying on his mom's tradition of providing a Christmas dress, my dad took Annie to a little dress boutique, but came home with 4 new dresses for her! And they're all adorable.

The Little Things:

I love that Annie loves me. Although it's the hardest part of motherhood, I love that I am her everything. I love her playful shrieks when I playfully bite her toes. I love that she crawls up to me and rests her head on my leg. I love that she likes holding hands to fall asleep. I love her sparkly blue eyes and wispy blonde hair. I love her perfect little hands searching for my face in her sleep. I love that she needs snuggles and songs and kisses. I love her slobbery kisses back. I love the way she looks up at me and touches my face while she nurses. And I love the way her warm little body relaxes into my arms as she drifts off.