We have ourselves a little crawler!!!

It's official, baby girl is a crawler as of December 30th, 2012 at eight and a half months old. For the past month or so DJ has been a scooter, mostly doing the backwards crawl and getting too frustrated.. I kept blaming the weight for your hard time, 23 pounds can't be easy to lug around.. But you sure are mobile.. Dad had to put your crib on the lowest setting because all of the sudden you're a hot shot whose standing in the crib now too... You love grabbing for all things you shouldn't, (I.E., electrical outlets, mommys diffusers, candles, trash, brooms, food, drinks). It's so fun to watch you explore and be aware of your surroundings..patches is not a fan of your crawling, because now you grab for her and her stuff.. It's only a matter of time before you start walking. You love to be assisted walking and don't like sitting much anymore.

Deborah's first Christmas

Went to your grandpa Dons for Christmas Eve with the Alexander gang... You seemed to enjoy yourself, had a blast playing with the wrapping paper and tissue paper... Christmas Eve we went and visited your grandmother Deborah Jean Shumaker, this was your first time meeting her. She has been gone for 6 years now, I wish she could have met you, she would have adored you..Christmas day was spent at aunt December and Chris's house with the Robinson gang.. You love your cousins Tanner and Kendall, whenever they are around you manage to have a good time just giggling and laughing while they sing and dance to you for entertainment. Kendall thinks youre a crybaby, her nickname for you is buttski.  You made out like a fat rat with tons of toys this year.. It was so beautiful to watch you and spend our first Christmas as a family together. Even though you are too young to understand what christmas is all about, I have been waiting for this day for years, imagining what it would be like in my head, though in real life it is a million times better and memorable.

Eight months old

Last Thursday you turned 8 months old. The time is going by so fast I am afraid to blink and miss something. You still attempt crawling, mostly scoot backwards or when you do plunge forward you fall on your face and get frustrated. You LOVE your mommy & me classes, so much that you are enrolled in two separate ones and mommy can't figure out which one you like most. You are generally a happy baby, but easily switch to a temperamental little lady. You enjoy your jumper, sitting on the carpet, laughing at the puppy patches, being held, baby wearing, being outside, eating anything (except green beans and peas) . You started soy formula again today, fingers crossed we don't run into any issues again. Your hair is getting long, you're still a Blondie with blue eyes. You are in 18 months clothes and weigh 22.25 pounds and 28 inches tall. You hate getting changed, taking naps, when food is taken away, being in your stroller, and anyone not paying 100% attention to you. You have brought such joy into mommy & daddy's lives. I look at you and all your accomplishments and I could cry at the beauty your father and I have created. We are so lucky to call you our daughter and grateful for every memory you bring into our hearts. Happy 8 months Deborah jean Alexander

A walk to remember

This Saturday we all walked a 5k in honor of your grandmother Deborah Jean Shumaker. Your grandmother passed away December 24th, 2006. Hence, where mom & dad decided on your name. The past few years mom & dad have slacked off and not do e the walk due to circumstances (I.e. wedding, pregnancy). This year was pretty last minute but still a great day to remember & honor your grandmother.

Gastroenterology consult

Today mommy & you went to a G.I. Specialist regarding your constipation issues. The doctor didn't seem too concerned that you have anything serious going on. He recommended taking you off of nutramigen and putting you back on soy. He suggested to continue apple juice and fruits that have a pit in them for solid foods. You weighed 22.25 pounds today!!! Doctor called you "a big girl". Mommy was so relieved so hear that's here wasn't something serious going on.

DJ met Santa Claus

Today baby DJ got to visit Santa and tell him all about what she wanted for Christmas. She was so happy, even let Santa pick her up and hold her. Tried to catch a picture with DJ and baby Caleb for memories sake, but the floodgates started to open. Started to sink in that Christmas is 26 days away. Can't believe how fast the time goes by. You continue to attempt crawling, mommy & daddy went to home depot and bought you a large spool of carpet to practice on since the hardwood floor seems to be hard to try and crawl on.

Deborah's First Thanksgiving

Mommy & Daddy hosted your first thanksgiving at our home in Fullerton. Between mom & dad's families, there were 25 people here. I was worried you would have trouble sleeping with that many people in the house, but you managed to sleep through all the chaos. It was the best thanksgiving yet. Mom & Dad are so grateful this year to have the privilege of being parents to your beautiful self. The turkey came out wonderful (mom has a track record of awful turkeys). Everyone was happy, and you got to meet some of the family for the first time (your uncle Larry & Aunt Misty). We attempted to give to two new foods today, mashed potatoes & avocado. You weren't pleased with either selection. seems as though any food with texture you reject right off the bat.

Jeepers, creepers, where'd you get those teefers?

Its official, baby girl is getting her very first tooth. It is a moment of both happiness and udder sadness. Happy that you are meeting the obvious milestones, but sadness that the time is zooming before i even get to blink. Seems like yesterday dad & I took you home and wondered what the hell we were going to do next. I was always so petrified of showering you, to this day I have done it myself once while dad was away and you threw up all over yourself. And now you have teeth? MY GOSH!!!! you have been exceptionally needy (but you always have been) so I've thought there was a tooth coming, but finally I can see and feel one on the bottom right.
Today your Aunt Debbie & Tori came out to visit. We took you to mommy & me classes, worked on crawling a bit. Though I have NO IDEA why I am eager for you to start crawling. I am IN for it when you can. You are such a curious little girl. If you are eating and a noise is made, you will turn your head to see what the fuss is about. You really love the mommy & me classes, you seem to be the happiest but the quickest to cry when you aren't happy.

Mommy left the nest

Saturday, November 10th, was your Aunt December's 40th birthday. Since mom & dad were not able to go to Costa Rica for proper celebrations, mom made plans to spend the night in Palm Springs. Daddy had you all to himself; Uncle Jason stayed the night, dad said that you were an angel for him (of course & here I thought he would be thankful for all that I do). Though I enjoyed the girl time and sleeping uninterrupted, I missed my little boo. I held you tight that afternoon and made sure you took all of your naps on mommy's chest. Seemed as though you and dad bonded while mommy was gone. You have this look of complete happiness when you stare at your father, it melts my heart to watch.

Halloween

Deborah's first Halloween was spent dressed as a flower and hanging with her cousins. We went to Uncle Chris' house and trick or treated with Tanner, Kendall, Finlee, Noah, Kennedy & Paxton. Grandpa David pushed you in your stroller and you fell asleep halfway through the fun. Afterwards we  went back to Uncle Chris' and stayed the night because Uncle Chris & Aunt December went to Costa Rica to celebrate December's 40th birthday. 

I've always thought you were a little needy child, and expected that while we were staying at someone else's house you may have a hard time sleeping but child, you are one for the books. last night i managed to get you to sleep and no sooner than i put you in the pack n play, you start wailing. I decide that instead of throwing you in bed with me (which I know is what you want) that I will try to soothe you while you remain in the pack n play. That lasted for about 90 minutes until I finally caved because 1) I am a TOTAL sucker for you  2). I was afraid you would wake up the kids and I would have three in bed with me. 

Mommy really has to devise a separation plan from you. You almost refuse to nap in your crib now too. I keep allowing you the snuggles because I know they are short lived and I secretly LOVE them. Also, I'm not sure that this extra clingy behavior isn't attributed to the fact that you are teething (poor baby). 

Holiday Photo Shoot

 Purchased a living social photography deal and wanted to capture some possible pic for this years holiday card. Justin insists that only DJ be on the card, but i was hoping we could get a great family shot. So i got all dolled up only to be late to the session and have to feed DJ mid-session. All in all i would say we got about 15 minutes of one on one photography. Afterwards we hung out in the shade and took some of our own photos. Sadly little miss Deborah has already outgrown size 9 months carter clothes so we had to have her in only the pants.

Little Miss Deborah Jean is 6 1/2 months old. She loves to jump in her jumperoo, sleep on mommy, laugh at the puppy patches, take walks, babywear (baby bjorn, sakura bloom, boba carrier), eat anything!!!, watch baby babble, mommy & me classes at My Gym, see her cousins Tanner & Kendall, be outdoors, pull hair, pinch, roll from back to belly, weasel her way into mommy & daddy's bed at night, and chew on EVERYTHING.