Cruisin'

It's nearly impossible to catch it on camera, but here is a glimpse of Kenzie making a run for it.

Get Dirty, Eat Acorns

McKenzie has the good fortune to have a mother who is not afraid to let her get a little dirty. At the first sign of spring Kenzie and I took it outdoors for a little exploring. She was absolutely fascinated by everything she saw. Normally when she has her little push car I can't get her to stand still, but when she was outside she stopped at each step to touch the ground or to pick up a new and interesting object...acorns, rocks, and leaves, oh my!

In typical New England fashion, however, the beautiful 70 degree days were followed by some rain and then 40 degree weather so we were inside for a bit. Yesterday, while Dustin and I did some yard work we let McKenzie explore the backyard. It was a little chilly, but the fact that she had to wear mittens made her put-everything-in-my-mouth game a little easier for Dustin and I monitor. The forecast calls for 3-6 inches of rain over the next few days. I'm teaching Kenzie the "rain rain go away" song and hoping to be back outside soon.

Double Digit Battle Wounds

On Friday McKenzie turned ten months old. Ten months! That's just two months shy of a year. Crazy. She's more active than ever. She took three unassisted steps today and we suspect that she'll be running in no time.

Unfortunately, with increased mobility comes increased risk. Kenzie is now sporting a bloody gash on her nose (I'm probably exaggerating here) from a fall she took this afternoon. Didn't phase her, though, she was back on the horse (or behind her push toy) in no time.

Zzzzzz

Conversation at McKenzie's 9 month well baby visit:

Doctor: Is she sleeping better since our last visit?

Me: Ummm...

Doctor (smiling): Okay. So how many times does she get up at night?

Me (embarrassed): Every three hours.

Doctor (laughing): And what do you do when she wakes up?

Me (guilt ridden): Enable her.

As if on cue, however, that very night Kenzie slept through the night. Completely. Not waking once. When I woke at 5:00am and realized that she hadn't been up all night my first instinct was to run and make sure she was still breathing (check) then I went back to bed to pray this was not a fluke. For the past week she has slept through the night a couple of times and woken just once the other nights. Per the doctor's suggestion, Dustin has been going to her at night instead of me. The hope is that when she realizes she isn't going to get to see her momma she will eventually stop trying. So far so good.

Surrounding her with Binkys doesn't hurt either.

Orange on a Toothpick

In the pink corner...weighing in at 16.4 lbs, and standing a mere 26" tall.......Kennnnziiiiieeee....the Crusheeeeeer...Riiiiiicciiii!


We knew she was a peanut but we had no idea that 90% of babies her age are taller and heavier. Only 20%, however, have a larger head than her. The pediatrician said this is all "completely normal" and that babies are often top heavy.

She's always been a mover and ever since she learned how to pull herself up to a standing position she pretty much never sits down. She loves to walk and starts to bounce up and down when I bring the push car over to her.

There a many things that we are no longer able to do (without significant struggle) because she is so very active, including (but not limited to):

• bathe her
• change her diaper without getting poop all over her legs, feet, back, etc (are you getting a visual?)
• clip her fingernails
• cuddle with her
• read with her
• put her in her car seat
• shop
• leave the room for longer than thirty seconds
• dress and undress her
• keep Kona's ball away from her (although I think Kona is in on this one. He knows if he gives it to her I'll take it away and throw it in the other room...he's playing me)

I wouldn't have it any other way, though. We're having a blast watching her explore and it seems that every day she does something new. Not only is she taking her first steps and crawling like Speedy Gonzales, she also plays peek-a-boo, waves hi/bye (sometimes), finds Daddy, Kona and her cousin Lily when asked, and babbles constantly. We're using sign language for a few words and she recently started to use "more" and she responds well to "all done," and "water." Her bottom front teeth are almost completely in and the top front teeth have popped through. Her smile is getting bigger and brighter everyday and we can really get her giggling when we tickle her.

Finding her voice.

It is rare that she doesn't have something in her mouth. Part of this is teething, I think, but part of it is just an oral fixation that the doctor said some kids have until well into the their second year. I'm hoping it won't last that long. She mouths everything from the furniture (couches and tables alike) to toys, shoes and even Kona (poor guy). Recently we visited Mindy and Greg in Maine and Kenzie tried to chew on the hinge to their front door! It seems that nothing is off limits.

We are very much looking forward to spring when the ground will begin to dry out and we can go outside to explore. A whole new world filled with things for her to put in her mouth. :)

Too Cool for Spoons

McKenzie has decided against being fed by anyone but herself these days (that darn stubborn Taurus bull, just like her mama). I'm struggling to find finger foods to keep her satisfied while still filling the void that multi grain cereals and pureed veggies used to fill. Some foods that I would not classify as "finger foods" have been added to the list by our messy munchkin. Cottage cheese is now a finger favorite.

Tubby Time

I bathed McKenzie in the sink for as long as possible (easier on my back), but she's so mobile now that it's just not feasible anymore. Last night she had her first official big girl bath. She was very excited to be able to crawl around and felt it necessary to constantly pull herself up on the side of the tub, making the entire process a wonderful challenge for mom and dad.

She's happy as long as she's got something to chomp on.

I'll post more about all the amazing things Kenzie is doing these days, as well as her current stats, after her (gasp!) nine month appointment later this month.