9 Month Checkup... not fun and possibly worrisom

Ariana has fallen off the growth chart since her 6 month checkup and is in bellow the 5th percentile for weight and now for length too. She weighed in at 14 lbs 8.5 oz. We went to a new doc who was WORLDS better as far as giving info before having to ask, not feeling rushed and the nurse who weighed and measured Ari was so sweet and gentile with her unlike the crotchity old woman at our previous Peds office! They were thorough and asked more questions to make sure she's meeting milestones and about her nutrition. So we had to get some blood work done to see if their is any thyroid issues that is slowing down her growth or any other possibilities. She will be getting vitamin D supplements (cause BM isn't a good source for it) and they will check her iron for possible anemia, Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and others. We get the results by Tues so I am trying not to worry and freak out until there is something concrete to worry about. She ahead on most milestones and so smart signing 2 words already and understands much more than she can communicate back yet... so we think and hope she's just got the little Filipina gene but is doing stellar with her cognitive and motor development.

THE WORST was having her blood drawn and having to hold her down while she is screaming in pain while they find the vein. I sobbed the entire time and kept saying "I'm sorry sweetie, it's almost over." I need to work on not getting sad in front of her in the future cause she needs me to be strong for her but it breaks my heart seeing her in pain and scared cause she doesn't understand what's going on and why Momma isn't stopping the pain this stranger was inflicting on her. The look in her scared tear filled eyes broke my heart. Not being able to save her from the pain had me in tears. I love this little girl beyond words could ever express.

Negligent Blogger!

Totally have not made time to blog for the past 3-4 months! Ariana is just so active and I am trying to keep her busy and find ways to do the daily grind of laundry and other wifely tasks, taking pictures with my new camera for a friend who just had a baby and so on. So now that the little booger is better about napping and for longer stretches, I am hoping to get caught up again. This is just for me to journal her milestones and for me to be able to chronicle my feelings on this journey of motherhood.

We are nearing 9 months of age next week and cannot believe how much has changed in the past month alone! Ariana started being able to sit unassisted at 5 months, belly crawling at 6 months, full crawling at 6.5 months pulling herself to stand at 7.5 months, cruising along furniture at 8 months and some change. She now doesn't need much to lean on to get to standing and is tempting fate by trying to let go of the support for split seconds to try to reach for something or get to me if I am near by... she will be a walker before 10 months old!

We found her first tooth poke through on the 10th of June. It is the front bottom right (when looking at her) tooth and the one to the left poked through around a week later. Not much change in crabbiness leading up to the teeth appearing except lots more drool and chewing on fingers a bunch. I have been clamped down on while breast feeding a couple time which is very no pleasant to say the least! Actually, she gave me a grin then proceeded to chomp down and pull her head back as if my nips were an elastic band and then released! Little stinker! Tried not to make too much of a reaction except to say "NO BITE! Or else no more milk!" so that she doesn't think it's funny seeing mommy get riled up. Hope she doesn't make a habit of it!

Off to get ready for our Hawaii trip for the 4th of July weekend. Flying with a very active almost 9 monther should be an adventure!

Moments I Treasure...

Last night, Ariana was getting sleepy and so i sat back on the couch after nursing her and she just placed her cheek om my breast and laid there smiling at hubbs listing to my heart beat.

This afternoon, we were sitting on the floor, she was playing and I was on the laptop. Ari got tired and let me know by grabbing my arm, pulling it to her to wrap around her then buried her face in my upper arm.

A simple smile or sweet giggle makes even the toughest day a priceless gift.

6 Months Old Already?

I have been good about blogging because I have had my hands full. How is it that my wee baby is 6 months old already? I will try to update with milestones and pics this weekend!

5 Year Anniversary!

Feels like time has passed in a blink of an eye! At the same time, it's crazy how much has happened and how much we have grown as a couple in just 5 years! We have had our challenges but we have come through it all stronger while maintaining our sense of humor with the ups and downs of married life. The cliche is true... the challenges we have overcome just cement our faith in our dedication to each other. I know that life can be scary and some obstacles seem impossible but my faith in the proven strength of our love gives me a sense of peace and confidence to battle any future road bump.

D, my love,

On this day 5 years ago, we started our family with a vow to love, honor and cherish through good times and bad. Our love makes the bad not so bad and the good amazingly blissful. Thank you for loving me with such gentleness and patients. Thank you for being such a loving and dedicated father. You gave me your hand in marriage 5 years ago but have given your heart and soul everyday since. I hope you know how deeply honored I am to be your wife, how infinite my love for you is and continues to grow. I look at the life we created and my heart bursts with joy. I can't wait to see what joys the next 5, 10, 25+ years bring and the laughs we will share remembering our journey.

I love you,
XOXOXO,

L

Our exciting morning one year ago today...

...we woke up to this amazing blessing :o) I can't believe a year has flown by so fast... ok maybe it dragged at certain not-so-fun parts of the pregnancy! We were in shock for some time and it didn't really sink in until I started feeling her move inside me. And even now, there are moments of "OMG, I am a freaking Mom!"

Ariana is almost 4 months old and is such a joy each and every day. Babies are so demanding of your time but they also generate so much love and devotion in your heart that sometimes you feel the need to smooch and snuggle her constantly when in her presence. There truly are no words to describe it.... how a child changes your perspective on life forever. I treasure even the most repetitive and mundane of events with her... when she falls asleep in my arms while nursing her, the discovery of her feet this morning, her high pitch squeal of joy when I act silly, catching glimpses of her with her head on my shoulder as I move around the house, stroking her hand as she falls asleep beside me at night... so many precious moments I want burned into my memory.

At times while pregnant or during labor, I wondered why anyone would want to do this more than once... the joy of loving this precious little person makes all the pain and discomfort of bringing her into this world forgotten... almost.

What a difference a decade makes!

Where were you at the start of this passing decade?

This question was posted on TheBump and OMG... WOW... it just hit me how HUGELY different my life is now! This time 10 years ago, as the 90's were drawing to a close, I was in the hospital recovering from multiple surgeries after a severe spinal chord injury counting my blessings I was alive but depressed seeing the world-wide festivities on TV from my hospital bed... wondering if I could ever find happiness again with disabilities, facing a possible life in a wheel chair and plenty of physical an emotional scars.

The start on 2000 was spent sadly wondering "what now?" My life had been carefully planned out and those plans, my Air Force career as a pilot was no longer possible and the very idea of dating was now something of a sick joke. Who the hell would want this shell of a woman? What will I do if I never get out of this wheel chair?

I sit here crying with joy at how amazing my life is. Now, the start of 2010 draws near and I am healthy, running again and happily married to my best friend who gave me a beautiful daughter... WHAT a difference a few years make [:D]