2009 July « Keeping Up With The Christensens

Summer of containment comes to an end July 31, 2009

Filed under: Family and Friends, Noë V, Weekend Revelry — JR-C @ 10:34 am

Noe keeps reminding us she’s not too young for things like summer BBQs, swing rides and slumber parties. She turns 7 months old on Aug. 5 and rarely slows down, with the exception of two naps and the 11 or 12 hours of shut eye she grabs each night.

It’s a faster pace around here these days for a reason: Noe started crawling July 27 after a few weeks of threatening (rocking on all fours, creeping here and there, and sitting up from any position). That means the end of The Containment Era for us! We can no longer put her on the floor and trust she’ll stay in the same spot. Such a big girl…

She recently enjoyed her second sleepover at Tess and Ruby’s house. It was a blast for the kids, and Stacy and I were able to catch up over dinner and wine. I always come away from our visits feeling more relaxed and confident as a mother. Kinda like pressing the re-set button and exhaling…

My sister-in-law Cindi took care of Noe last week, and the pair grew so close in just four days. They went on several stroller rides/walks together and played at the local park. We were grateful to leave her in such capable hands while Grandma R. was on vacation. Noe also met Auntie LaVae, who was home from Charlottesville before heading off to Zurich for vacation.

Joe’s been successful at getting me to take Noe “out and about” more, and not worry so much about sticking to her schedule. I’ve been a little better about letting go. I must cling to routines because of what we went through her first three months, when she was so colicky and we never knew what was around the corner. That all seems so long ago now… thank goodness.

Here are recent pics of Noe living it up during her first summer. We hope you’re enjoying yours, too!

1-mallardshat

She loves Joe’s new Madison Mallards hat, with its bright colors. Can you tell?

2-sleepover2

Her second sleepover with Ruby (left) and Tess (middle)

3-swingwithtess

Going for a ride in Tess and Ruby’s backyard

4-withauntiecindi

Having tons of fun with Aunt Cindi

5-toes1

Toes are a super-convenient snack and way underrated, according to Noe

6-toes2

WAY underrated…

7-withauntievae

Reading books with Aunt LaVae

12-nicezena

Making nice with Zena, Grandma and Grandpa O.’s dog

8-sleepy

Getting sleepy and trying to fight it

9-comopark1

Out and about at the Como Park Conservatory

10-comopark2

Practicing how to “let go” of the afternoon nap, get out and have some fun

Comments (6)

We’re baaaaaack July 8, 2009

Filed under: Family and Friends, Noë V, Weekend Revelry — JR-C @ 9:22 pm

Yes, I’ve ignored the blog, and yes, I regret it. Sorry for the month-long furlough. No, it wasn’t planned. Life just sorta happened.

I started working my new version of full time on June 1 (30 hours per week, Monday-Thursday). And as I explained to my lovely 20-something sister-in-laws over the weekend, when faced with the choice of blogging OR several other activities during the last 4-5 weeks (such as reading, connecting with Joe, turning in early, watching trashy reality TV or getting a pedi), I chose “other” every time. Amazing what a little work and a little Noe does to your ever-shrinking personal time.

So, right before I send you on to the PICS (I work in communications. I KNOW my audience), here are some Noe highlights from the last 4-5 weeks:

As of July 6 (her 6-mos. checkup), she weighs 16 lbs., 6 oz. (59th percentile) and is 25.5 inches long (42nd percentile)
She’s sitting up and has mastered bending over and picking up every toy imaginable
She rolls ALL OVER the place, and can roll in ways we never knew possible
She’s up on all fours and is rocking back and forth (yes, dear sister-in-laws, will get my act together and post video IN MY FREE TIME)
She currently loves to put her toes in her mouth (yummmmmm)
She’s eating three meals a day (some combination of cereal, fruits and veggies), takes a bottle before bed, and sleeps 12 hours per night (and now, because I’ve written this and blurted it out loud to everyone, she will probably stop sleeping 12 hours… I am so superstitous!)
She’s been making strange for quite some time, but no matter how long Joe is on the road for work, she always knows Daddy when he comes home. It’s awesome to see. Such a smartie.
Anyway, I’d better stop blabbing like a new mom and get on to the pics…

1-withgrandpaR