On October 26th (8.5 months) Piper found our stairs. It was one of those moments that made me cringe. She never seemed interested in climbing them until this past weekend (Nov 22nd- 9m, 1w), but how cute are those ham hocks hanging out at the bottom of the stairs? She now climbs up one step and as soon as anyone gets close to her she dies laughing. I guess it's time for a gate.
Gigi and Pappy came over to play with Piper on Oct 30th. I took advantage of their entertainment and was working on dishes, laundry, or my never ending to-do list when I Sandi yelled to me that Piper had stood up at her toy. I quickly responded that she likes to stand, but she isn't pushing or moving it anywhere. Gigi quickly called me into the room as she knew I wouldn't want to miss this. Piper was walking with her toy. Over and over again. She couldn't get enough. She had figured out what one foot in front of the other did. And it's not that I don't want her to walk, I'm just not ready for all of this. Where is my baby?
Halloween 2014. It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. Piper hated her trial run as you see below, but she did great for actual event. We went out to Lake Carolina and joined Julie, David, Charles, Gray, Martha, Mike, Sandi and Claudette at Julie and David's house for Halloween festivities. It couldn't have been more perfect. Julie was a great host and we spent the night so we could enjoy some adult time.
Each day brings something new with Piper. On November 4th, we played after her morning bottle and I started blowing kisses to her. She started trying to kiss back at me and my heart literally melted. Thank you for all of your sweetness, SweetP!
I had to be away for work and G sent me this picture in a text. He said he taught her the sprinkler.
Avery's 2nd Birthday Party was on November 8th and we had so much fun at My Gym! Piper's first time in the balls was a success!!
Piper loves Nanny so much!! The pictures on the right (below) are her looking/reaching for Nanny. So thankful for both of them. And that Nanny was there to give Piper a bottle. They were both in Heaven!
Miss Priss on her 9 month b-day!
Gina got married on November 15th, 2014 and it was the most gorgeous event, We enjoyed having Piper in the wedding with us and we think she made a pretty cute (but not so effective) flower girl. She actually had the boys pull her down the aisle in a wagon and after all of my anxiety and hoopla of her outfit, girlfriend decided to lay back and enjoy her ride in her 'chariot' instead of sit up and people watch as I thought she would do. Go figure. No one saw her. They only saw her toto sticking out of the wagon. Thank you, Piper, for keeping us on our toes. Sorry, Aunt Gina and Tio Tater Tot.
Literally every. single. day. Piper changes and has something new and awesome that she is doing. As of today (9m, 1w+) she is feeding herself literally everything. She eats whatever we give her and LOVES it. She hasn't NOT liked anything yet. I normally have to cut her off from eating as she doesn't seem to get full (reminds me of her cousin Avery). She has recently started letting me rock her to sleep. Still no bedtime routine (no books, songs, etc), but she will take her paci, lay on me, and go fast asleep. DEAR LORD, PLEASE MAKE TIME STOP.
Things can't get better, right? I mean a very active 9 month old just wanting to sleep in my arms. I normally have to pry myself back into reality as I dream of us sleeping all night like this. I have never felt my heart so full. That's not a shot at my husband as I have 100% confidence that he would say the same thing. She makes us who we are now and I love every single minute of it.
Piper has 4 teeth and is about to cut 2 more up top. She has a belly that would rival Buddah (and Avery) and the biggest head ever. Most of her clothes that she has 'grown out of' have solely had to do with the circumference of her head. Some things she never even wore because they couldn't get over her head.
Piper Grace, I love you more than you will ever know.
But your 9 months is more about me than you.
I gave myself 9 months to 'get back to normal' (for the obvious rational) and it has taken every single second of 9 months and then some. And yet, I will never be back to normal. In this scenario, I'm referring to my weight and I've succeeded. I'm back. But all of a sudden it doesn't matter. I don't care like I used to and even though the scale says the same thing as it used to there are plenty of pants that won't ever fit again. It didn't go back the way it used to be. But guess what, I'm perfectly fine with that. I gave those pants away with a sense of pride and I've moved up a size with a smile on my face. I joined a gym, but have been no more times than the fingers on ONE hand. I simply don't have the time and I'm not willing to give up a second with you to worry about 'getting back to normal'. Birdie kept you overnight on Monday, Nov 17th and Daddy and I went to Mr. Friendly's on a much needed date night. It was then that I realized that 'we are back to normal', but normal is redefined. I couldn't be more excited about my new normal. I missed you like crazy even though you only slept less than 1 mile away. I literally can't wait until I get you out of your crib each morning (still sleeping 10-12 hours each night at least until 7am each morning #spoiled) and see that smile on your face which starts my day with exactly the motivation I need.
Thank you for the most amazing 18 months of my life as my life was changed as soon as I knew you were my butter bean (no matter how stubborn you were). We love you to the moon and back.
