This Baby is Growing!

Aven and Michael at a Christmas Party last week.  Aven's first time on a bike!

The last week has been full of new and exciting developments in the baby world.  Aven is now sitting up all by herself!  She has a couple "baby friends" the same age as her, that are both over 20 lbs, and moving more quickly in their abilities to use their bodies intentionally.  It was hard, at first, not to compare Aven's development to theirs.  Aven is an amazing little girl, and where she may not be fast in learning to sit and support herself with her arms, she laughs so much, has a continuous stream of baby talk through each day, is an excellent eater (on the boob and off) and loves loves loves to be outside!  Michael and I feel incredibly blessed with this little gal in our lives.

Back to sitting up: Aven took a couple good diggers the last week getting the hang of her balance and spacial awareness.  One was on my watch and one on M's watch.  I think it was more traumatic to her parents than her, but that silent baby scream sure says a lot!  It's enough to make your heart stop. I have a nursing pillow that is great to prop around Aven while she's sitting, so any balance loss puts her on a padded, comfy surface as opposed to just the floor. We will be using that until it is clear she no longer needs it.  

Aven is now 17.5 lbs.  She has gained almost exactly 10 lbs since birth.  Friday was her 6 month birthday, and felt like a pretty significant milestone in this world of being Mommy.  I no longer feel like a new mom.  I am confident in my ability to care for my daughter and give her exactly what she needs.  One of the most beautiful parts of being a mommy is watching Aven and her Daddy interact.  This little girl loves Michael so so much.  I cannot begin to express my gratitude for their love and connection.  I have never experienced that kind of love from a father figure, and it's importance in my daughters life is extraordinary. 

I held a baby that was 6 days old the other day and weighed a pound more than Aven at birth.  She was SO little.  The contrast of birth size to 6 month old size humbled me.  

We got our Christmas tree yesterday!  I am excited for Christmas this year and I love the holiday feel in Prescott.  It might not be all snowy here like Montana, but its chilly and we've had a constant fire in the fire place the last week.  Today it is gray and rainy.  Our house, up on a hill, is in the clouds and it feels like it might snow! 

I made homemade pumpkin pie last night.  It was really easy and much more fun that making it from a can.  I did not get the pumpkin broken down enough, though, and there are pumpkin squash strings in the pie.  Next time I will put it in the food processor after the mixer, and that should do the trick.  It is still a good pie though, with a nice flavor. 

I had no refined sugar yesterday or the day before.  I used brown sugar in the pie and am being very aware of how much of it I eat.  It has been too long since my last run.  My jogging stroller has a rain cover for it, and all the reviews are great, I just need to kick myself in the butt and get out the door.  

Michael tweaked his back a little yesterday, and slinging the baby around while I run today is out of the question for him.  I can see how hard it is for him to stay mellow with all the projects he wants to get done, including getting the Christmas tree put up.  I am happy to do that one though, and hopefully we'll have it up tonight.  Pictures to follow!