Eight Months!

Izzy Lou is now two-thirds of a year old (and a week). Izzy has been a busy little cherub and has a banner month for milestone achievement. It was a month of few naps as she was distracted by her new skills and by the daycare kiddos doing so much cool stuff around her. Izzy has definitely grown a lot. How much exactly, we won't know until December when she has her 9 month check-up. But my back tells me that she's at least 15 pounds. She's now into 9 month clothing for Carter's though she still wears their 6 month onesies. She's also graduated to size 3 diapers. So whatever that all means, it does mean she is growing and fast. Still a peanut, though :)

Izzy has greatly expanded her menu. One of her big achievements this month was the pincer grip. So now she can eat Cheerios and cut up bits of any soft food we're willing to give her including tofu, carrots, potato, peas, yogurt melts (thank you, Griffy!), cheesy puffs, sticky rice. She has started to resist spoon feeding and has tried to feed herself off the spoon with messy results. So any suggestions for finger food for a toothless child is appreciated :) Yeah, still no teeth and no signs of them. Maybe next month.

Another huge milestone met is sitting on her own. Izzy mastered it in about a week after finally figuring out that she can compensate when tipping to hold herself up. Of course, sometimes she'll forget or get distracted and do a head plant, but for the most part, she's pretty steady. It's been a huge help in going out to eat since she can now sit in a high chair. She's also been working on crawling but hasn't figured that one out while awake yet. She's gotten up on all fours and while asleep in her crib she's traveled some. So for now, rolling by leading with her head is still her preferred method of travel. I think the next thing she'll do is to pull herself up to standing since she has a friend at daycare who's been teaching her tricks. Like waving! Oh yeah, that, too. Izzy can wave hello and good bye :) We'll have to catch that on camera.

Izzy has become quite the social butterfly. It's like paparazzi at the supermarket. She is very engaging and now with her new waving ability, has been getting a lot of attention from passers-by. I'm not sure how Kris and I got such a happy and outgoing kid but we're not complaining. We've been having a grand ol' time :)

Milestones:
Sitting unassisted
Pincer Grip
Waving Hello and Goodbye
"Thbbbt" with the tongue out
Drinking from a sippy cup (assisted)
Eating meat and solid dairy
Eating small finger foods

Izzy likes:
Being outside
Real people food!
Her Christmas bell
Rolling under things
They Might Be Giants music
The TMBG John and John puppets
(I need to learn to knit a pair)
Going to bed with her dolly and bunny

Izzy dislikes:
Green beans
Formula (trying Next-Step)
Getting her face washed
Waking up before she's ready

Hey Macarena!



Maybe?

Nope.

What a fine Cheerio.

Mighty fine, indeed.

7 Months Old!

Izzy's seventh month was very busy and this is the first weekend we've been able to relax and hang out as a little family. Izzy has been becoming more vocal about her needs and wants. Typically those involve needing food, a bottle, a new diaper or Mommy or Daddy time. She's becoming more social however has become more leery of strangers. She warms up over time though and will eventually be all smiles with a new person. She becoming interested in how people talk by intently watching their mouths move. Izzy has expanded her "vocabulary" with dadada's and bababa's and nananana's added to her mamamama's.

At her last doctor's visit, the doc gave her the go-ahead to experiment with finger foods. Izzy has loved this. Her favorites are Nilla wafers and biter biscuits. She'll take zwiebacks at daycare but not at home where she knows we must have a Nilla somewhere. She's been working hard at eating Cheerios but has been having trouble getting the little buggers in her mouth. They like to stick to the palm of her hand and she "loses" them. Today I gave her cut up banana and she did much better with that. She hasn't figured out the sippy cup but straws seem to work so that's fine by us. She's been drinking some juice from a juicebox which is oh so exciting for us because it is SO convenient if we're out somewhere. She'll usually only drink about 1-1.5 oz, so well under her 4 oz limit.

At daycare Izzy has been on the go, creeping backwards and rolling all over (and under) the place. Here she'll make her way across the living room to get a toy or to gnaw on the coffee table. Izzy finally fits a bit better in her jumpster and has been bouncy-bouncing away often with us singing the jumpy-jump tune from Yo Gabba Gabba! She has a cutest inhale laugh when she's in that thing. In general she's a very happy kid. Even when she's sick or tired, she tries to summon a smile for us. She does have a temper, especially if dinner isn't quite what she wanted or if she's over tired but so far she's distractable :)


Milestones and New tricks:
Says "Dadadada", "Babababa" and "Mamamama"
Travels by rolling
Grabs faces and hair
Hugs necks
Eats large finger foods (nilla wafers etc.)
Drinks from a juicebox straws
Has grown out of her 3 month clothes.
Can turn on/off her crib "tv".

Izzy likes:
Food!
Bottle time
Chewing on my face
Taking her socks off and eating them
Bathtime
Standing up with help
Kids
Yo Gabba Gabba!

Izzy dislikes:
Teething
Strangers
Not being in bed at bedtime

This is a mighty fine cookie.

Yum!

And now some juice to wash it down.

Izzy likes her Ernie doll

And apparently he's tasty

Near!

Far!

Floor time is fun time!

2 Months Old!

This month Isabel has really been showing off her personality. She learned how to smile while awake during her fifth week and now it's a very common expression and a nice alternative to scowls and crying. Overall she's been a good kiddo and a fairly happy camper. Izzy is at her best in the morning and Mommy is really going to miss that when she goes back to work next week. And she's at her worse starting at around 4pm. Right in time for Mommy to get home from work :(

Izzy Lou has become an absolute mobile junkie. If she's cranky, usually we can put her in her pack 'n' play and she'll calm down to watch her friends: Monkey, Parrot and Blue Froggie. Gosh forbid her mobile stops! She now has a bigger one of the same theme in her crib which she talks to in the morning.

Izzy has started to sleep longer at night which allows us to get in some real sleep. She's up to 3 oz per feeding but often tries to fit in 4, one of which ends up everywhere else. Fortunately, she got a sack of some stylin' hand-me-downs from a neighbor so frequent changes aren't a problem. Izzy has become quite a popular kiddo in the neighborhood. It seems like every other day this month, a kind lady has given her a package. The best is that there's a new little boy exactly one month younger down the street (and of course 2 pounds heavier!). His 5 month old cousin is the one who provided the clothes. So Izzy can look forward to having a crew when she's a little older :)

This weekend Izzy finally stayed awake during a couple walks in her upright carrier. She'll have a lot more fun now that she can hold her head up better to look around. And she loves watching the pups. She smiled really big when we got back from Syracuse and were greeted by Murphy and Holly.

Isabel likes:
Her Mobile (s) (total junkie!)
Her baby gym
Mr. Moose (ping pong balls!)
Riding in her carrier
Looking out the window
Sitting with Great Grandpa Retchless

Isabel dislikes:
Gas!
Wet diapers
Standing still
Waking up
The end of a meal (even if she is way too full and loses half of it.)

Milestones:
Smiles when Mommy or Daddy appear
Laughs (just learned this)
Gets her whole hand in her mouth
Holds her head up during pull ups
Can hold her weight on her legs briefly
Makes aahing and cooing sounds
Bats at dangling objects
Kicks with alternating legs

Awake AFTER a walk?!


Hanging out with the grownups at dinner.


No food for Izzy yet.

1 Month Old

As of Thursday, Izzy Lou has been on the outside for one whole month! Mommy and Daddy can't believe so much time has passed but at the same time are astounded by how long a month can seem. We can't wait for Tuesday when she has her doctor's appointment so we can see how much she has grown. Izzy's feet are now reaching the end of her PJ's and some of her hats have gotten a bit snug. Izzy also can spend more time in her carrier without trouble breathing which is a huge relief. As Cousin Livvie would say, she's "getting bigger and bigger all the time!"

Izzy's been a busy girl and has been more alert during the day. Though today she's a sleepy head due to a very busy weekend of visits and being a crankypants Saturday. Fussing takes a lot of energy! Izzy's been working on holding her head up. Though of course her back isn't steady yet so she has often ends up trying to pitch herself right out of Mommy's arms. Izzy's also been learning how to smile which is a nice expression to add to her ever expanding repertoire.

Isabel likes:
Taking a bath (doesn't even mind water on her head!)
Cuddling with Daddy
Sleeping on Mommy and Daddy's bed
Chilling on the floor or in the bouncy seat
"Dancing"
Brooke on American Idol

Isabel dislikes:
Coming out of the bath
Diaper changes
Tummy time (working on it)

Milestones/New Tricks:
Can track movement
Has side to side neck control
Can see across the room
Stops fussing when someone stands up to go check on her (punk!)
Wakes up a foot away from where she was put down in her crib.

Chillin' with the Sesame Street Gang




Lounging in the tub

Ok. Time to get out.


Cozy in Mom and Dad's bed


Hanging with Dad


Monster Baby!

Three Weeks Old

Hello.

Izzy turned 3 weeks old last Wednesday. Mommy's running a little late due to technical difficulties. Izzy's been more awake this past week and has been more engaged. She's really good about keeping herself entertained until she's hungry, or wet, or just wants to be held (of course). She's made friends with the tiger on her bouncy seat and likes any light source.

The big thing this week was that on Friday 3/14, Izzy finally lost her cord stump and now has a belly button. So far it's an outie. that means that Izzy got her first real bath that Saturday. No pictures since we wouldn't want her to stage legal action against Mommy and Daddy. She has now had a few baths and Mommy's gotten much better at the whole process. Izzy doesn't mind her head being wet and as long as she has a cloth on her belly, she's fine. Just doesn't like a cold belly. Well, who would?

Isabel likes:
Her Orange Jingly Elephant
Being a Baby Burrito
Pacifiers...until they fall out of her mouth
Her new polka dotted sling
Walks about the neighborhood
Foot Rubs

Isabel Does NOT like:
Her Thrush medication
Being on her tummy
Her diaper changed (at all!)


Sleepy Baby


Waking Baby


Awake Baby


Big Yawn


Not on the Tummy! No!

Two Weeks Old

This week Izzy Lou turned two weeks old. And boy does it seem longer than just two weeks to Mommy and Daddy. Especially since Izzy could be dubbed Busy Izzy Lou. This week she woke up and the honeymoon is over. Fortunately Izzy is a sweetheart and a very determined one at that. She has continued to follow the sleeping schedule she had on the inside which is a relief to Mommy since Izzy was most awake in the afternoon and evening and usually slept until Mommy woke up in the morning. Of course this is still way too early for Daddy who isn't a teacher ;)


Let the "sleeping" baby SLEEP!


What's over there? Oh Hey!


Okay, so the Horning girls have a matching problem.

Isabel's Favorite Things:
Back rubs and Butt pats
Sleeping on her side (she goes there herself)
Mommy singing (she needs to work on a song list)
Sunlit windows and the chandelier
Her bouncy seat
The mobile in her playpen
Hats
Her vitamins (mmm cherry flavoured)

Isabel's Dislikes:
Being on her tummy
Poopy diapers
Anything near her face
Being tickled

Milestones:
Can focus on eyes and objects
Turns/cranes head to see what's behind her
Rolled over onto her back from tummy (3/8 & 3/9)
Sleeps through the night with one feeding in the early morning.

New tricks:
Can throw paci across the crib
Fusses until Mommy or Daddy are next to crib
or even just stand up if in the same room (Punk!)

Introducing Isabel Louise

Here is Daddy's original announcement that Izzy had finally made it to the outside. Mommy only recently got to view all of the congratulations. It's good that she has been born already with such a great group of friends and loving family members.

Announcement:

Isabel Louise Retchless Pearson, born yesterday (the 27th) at 1:37PM.
She weighs 5 pounds 15 ounces, and is 18.25 inches tall. Both Katie and Isabel are fine, and resting comfortably. We're at UMass Memorial, and visiting hours are from 11AM to 8PM.

Pictures:
http://www.gweep.net/~troll/isabel/00033.jpg
http://www.gweep.net/~troll/isabel/00037.jpg
http://www.gweep.net/~troll/isabel/00039.jpg
http://www.gweep.net/~troll/isabel/00044.jpg

One Week Old

Isabel Louise turned one week old Wednesday. She has been home for only two days but already has settled into our lives. Daddy was good about learning most of her different cries while in the hospital which has helped a lot and he has become her primary soother. The home nurse visited Monday and Isabel was proclaimed to be very healthy and weighed 5 lb 9 oz which means she gained 4 oz in 36 hrs!

The dogs at first were apprehensive but we were careful to give lots of love and keep their fairly regimented routine intact. Today Murphy actually tried to get her to take her toy so she could play. Holly has surprisingly turned into quite the protector whereas Murphy has stubbornly kept to her own routine and seems to be more protective of the Mumma.



For her week birthday, Izzy went out on her first outing to let Mommy take a break and do some shopping at CVS. She had a nice time sitting with Daddy in the car catching up on some sleep. Wow, when Izzy sleeps, she means business!




Thus far we've taken tons of pictures, changed a lot of diapers (She takes after the famous Kadiddle Whooper Pooper herself) , and have been taking our time just getting used to having a creature in our house that weighs less than 6 pounds.

Isabel's Favorite Activities:
Eating
Sleeping
More eating
More Sleeping
Sucking on her fingers (she is an equal opportunist. no favorite digit yet.)
Playing with Mr. And Mrs. Hand
Sitting in her carrier
Having a clean diaper
Watching Jon Stewart with Daddy
Watching Grandma Pat

Isabel's Dislikes:
Pooping (though she does it A LOT)
Having a naked bum
Having her arms swaddled
Waking up

Milestones:
Can focus briefly on other people's eyes
Can roll over onto her side (scary!)
Slept through Tuesday night (M & D appreciated THAT!)
Can get hand into her mouth

Wardrobe provided by: Aunt Laura