Katy and I just returned from a little trip to visit my Dad and Sue along with all my grandparents in the Dayton area where I grew up. It was really nice to not have any plans and just get to visit and spend time together. Yesterday we went to a restaurant where I have a lot of good memories... and then we did the unpredictable: went to Target. :) It was also fun because my Grandma is staying with Dad and Sue right now, so she was with us the whole time.

I don't know if Katy still wasn't feeling perfectly well or if she was experiencing some advanced separation anxiety, but she was very clingy throughout this trip. It was a bit tiring, but she seemed to get better toward the end, so hopefully she was just getting warmed up. However, Katy didn't let her clinginess slow her down!!! She's been taking a step here and there for a week or so, but all of the sudden she's been taking 3 or 4 at a time, especially when she's motivated to reach something she enjoys, such as my dad's dog Scout. So guess what I have for you? That's right, a video:

Bless her little heart...

You know the baby girl is not feeling well when I can take her picture with the flash and she doesn't wake up. As soon as I thought she was feeling better, she woke up this morning with all the symptoms back and refusing to eat. So I took her back to the pediatrician and THIS time: double ear infection. I'm so glad that I trusted my instincts and took her today, because later in the afternoon her fever spiked and she was inconsolable, so I was relieved to know what was going on. So another 10 days of the pink stuff. I hope this will make her all better...

It was another beautiful day, so once Katy was feeling a little better, Brian decided to install my latest craigslist purchase:

This is a test. This is a MAJOR test.

Uh-oh...guess what I learned to do? I saw someone else's blog with the video embedded right into the post, and I thought, "I gotta learn to do THAT!" So for my first attempt, I did one of Katy's first videos, when I think she's just a few weeks old. It's not too exciting, but can believe how itty bitty she was? And this was just last summer! It's so crazy how fast they change. I feel like she is less like a baby and more like a toddler everyday.

We seem to be feeling better, over the virus I think. She still seems to be grumpy though, I don't know if that's the illness or just Katy. :) The thing I'm the most impressed with these days is how quickly her language is developing. For a while we've been working on her waving and saying "bye bye" when people leave. She's done it a couple times, but I was wondering if she was just imitating us or if she really understood the concept. Well, yesterday Melanie was over, and she put on her coat and said, "see you later, Katy," and Katy waved and said, "baba". We both shreiked! She got it! Then she did it 2 more (appropriate) times that day. Also we've been doing a few baby signs with her, and lately when she's done with her food she's been making a hand gesture that closely resembles "all done." I'm so excited about being able to communicate with my baby girl!

10 months old and sickly

One of the hardest things for me about this whole parenting thing has been deciding when Katy is sick enough to take her to the pediatrician. I mean I have really stressed and stressed about this on more than one occasion. Once I even called and made an appointment and then called back and cancelled it because I changed my mind. It doesn't help that the "medical advice nurse" at our pediatrician's office must have in her job description: "Be able to talk people out of bringing their children into the office, suggest home remedies, and generally act as if everything is no big deal." The last time I called and said that Katy had a temp of 101, she said that she needed to have a fever for 3 days or it needed to be OVER 103 before I should bring her in. So I waited 3 days, brought her in, and she had an ear infection, so I started antibiotics after 3 miserable days for the whole family.

So yesterday Katy came down with a runny nose, fever, and a good bit of fussiness. She was pretty much acting exactly like the ear infection incident. So this morning I decided: this time I'm not going to wait, I'm going straight in, not even going to call the advice nurse. Well, guess what? No ear infection. The doc says there's a virus going around and she's probably got that, so just wait it out. But he assured me that if I had called him and described her symptoms, 100% of the time he would've said, "Bring her in, sounds like an ear infection." So I guess it wasn't a waste, at least I know what it is, I don't have to worry that she needs antibiotics, and we can look hopefully toward the middle of the week when she'll feel better. Do you think that's worth a $15 co-pay? I'm sure I'll be debating that the next time she's sick...

Oh, and by the way...she's 10 months old today.

The only time of year I say "go blue"

Brian's alma mater is the University of Kentucky. Down in Lexington, basketball is similar to football here in the Columbus area. In other words, a way of life. The mood of the town is often determined by the success of the Wildcats on the court in the same way that our beloved Buckeyes have a tremendous influence on the people in central Ohio. So this time of year, during March Madness, there are brackets all around and basketball on the television for many, many hours. I also spent 2 summers in Lexington and appreciate the Wildcats, so as a family we support their endeavors. The only end to my loyalty would be if UK ever played OSU (which hasn't ever happened in Brian's memory). Obviously at that point it'd be scarlet and gray all the way, and Brian says it would be difficult, but he would probably have to root for the Bucks.

Currently in the tournament, UK is an 8 seed, and won their first game last night against Villanova. Ohio State is a 1 seed, they won their first game on Thursday against Central Connecticut, and right at the moment they are neck in neck with Xavier. It's pretty intense.

Also, these pictures demonstrate what it would be like if we had had a son: every time I dress Katy in any athletic gear, people think she's a boy. It's hard to find feminine looking sports gear....

A busy busy girl

If I had to describe Katy's temperament in one word right now, it would be "curious." She is into everything, and she just has this look on her face like, "Hmmm... wonder what that's like? I'll check it out." So in the kitchen, I've heard that it's helpful to have one cabinet that is not locked with safe items inside, so she can be easily redirected when she tries to get into the unsafe ones. So, after her 10th attempt to get into the pantry, I'll remind her of the tupperware cabinet, where she will proceed to do this:

So how long until she's old enough to put them back? These pictures were taken before we headed to the Mom's Club "Pajama Party." She's getting old enough to appreciate some kid-type activities. We're planning a trip to the zoo with her cousins in a few weeks.

Also, for those of you who were praying, Brian's Grandma has come through surgery without complications. She's in recovery, but could still use some prayer while she heals from this serious operation.

Jogging Stroller, take 2

All I can say is, "YEAH!" Finally, the weather has broken, it's warm enough to go outside, and we are certainly ready to take advantage of it.

I've had this idea in my head that I'd like to attempt to walk a half marathon (this may be a mini-goal toward the big kahuna at a later date). Back in January, I bought a jogging stroller on craigslist to prepare for this very occassion. A few weeks ago, there was a peak of sunshine, a high temperaure above 40, and I got a little anxious for some fresh air. Brian and I attempted to bundle Katy up (and I mean BUNDLE her up) and take her for her first experience in the jogging stroller. I don't know which problem was bothering her the most: the chilly breeze, the not-completely-full belly, or her peak of separation anxiety at the time, but it was not a pleasant experience. She cried for much of the ride, and I was really nervous that she hated the jogging stroller, and that this would be a large damper in my walking plans. So on Friday, with a full belly, extra jacket, and Baby Bjorn in tow just in case, we made our 2nd attempt. Katy LOVED it. She smiled, giggled, kicked her legs, and made happy noises at every dog and kid who passed us (apparantly dogs and kids look like they might understand her linguistics better). So we went Saturday. And we went Sunday. Same reaction! ("She likes it!") I even went and got good shoes, I'm all set. Now I just need to pick a race... and a partner would be nice. Anyone who lives close by interested?

Cutie in a Hoodie

Sometimes there just isn't that much to post about, but I've taken some cute pictures and I want to put them up. :) I got out this sweatshirt the other day that she got from Great Granny for Christmas, it's a size 12 months and it fits her now. And she looked so cute, I just had to take some pictures. But now, everytime I point the camera at her, she closes her eyes in anticipation of the flash...little stinker!

Now I really hesitate about writing this next part. I don't really believe in getting "jinxed", I guess I'd be more likely to believe that God changes things up because we don't grow much when we're all comfy. BUT it occurred to me the other day that Katy's in a really nice stage right now. She plays, she's mobile but not running crazy. She still sleeps quite a bit. She's not (very) defiant just yet. And she has so much personality and is so fun and social. I talk to so many strangers out in public because of her. At the moment she isn't sick or teething. The only thing that's challenging right now is how clingy she is with me, but that I can deal with. So I'm trying to take a moment and really enjoy her. Because there have been many (many) challenging parts of her development thus far, so I don't want to blink and miss this.

Hopefully my next post won't be entitled "Scratch that!!"

OT clinic from IKEA

Katy loves to swing. She absolutely loved her infant swing, which we were sad to outgrow. And her first experience on the outdoor swing proved to be fantastic. Unfortunately, our yard isn't big enough for a swingset, and of course it's been too cold to go to the park, so Katy hasn't had much swinging lately. I have taken her a couple times to work, where she gets to swing, which is very regulating for her vestibular system. So the last time we were at IKEA, we saw this indoor "hanging seat" which could also easily be used as a swing. Kay (the owner of the clinic where I work) liked them so much that we had my mom get a bunch more to give to the parents of our clients to use at home. So anyway, we finally hung up the swing, in the only place in our house with enough space to use it: our bedroom (which is the attic). I'll let the pics, and the video, tell the rest of the story.

Be still, my heart

I feel like Katy is constantly changing and learning new things. And her LIFE changes so fast, I don't know how she keeps up with everything. For example, 2 weeks ago she could not/would not eat bananas off her high chair tray. Today she loves them, and when she finishes the ones on her tray, and I don't immediately respond by placing more bananas, she bangs on her tray and squeals, as if to say, "More bananas, look alive!" In fact, her diet has changed quite a bit lately. She's been nursing less (which is emotional for me, but all good things come to an end), drinking more bottles, and eating more solid foods (finally). About a month ago, she wasn't interested in much of anything except breast milk. Lord only knows how and why these things happen.

Today we went to the mall to have her 9 month portrait taken. Every time it's picture day, I feel like all my activities for the day revolve around making Katy the happiest baby she can be at the appointment time. When the appointment is at 3:00, that can make for a long day. But it went well, we definitely got some cute pictures. But here's the part where my heart stood still: we were in the studio, waiting for the photographer, Katy crawling around on the floor, and this older gentleman stops and coos at Katy, as strangers often do. There must've been something scary about him in Katy's eyes, though, because she burst into screaming tears, and then...very distinctly... said, "Mama!!!" and turned toward me to be picked up. While I felt bad for the man who was just trying to be kind, I was also caught up in feeling a little teary for my little girl, who I think just called me by name for the first time.

But as much as I love my daughter, I'm really looking forward to tonight. All the ladies in my playgroup are meeting up for dinner at my favorite place: Cap City Diner. It will be really fun to get out with some ladies who are in my same place in life, just to blow off a little baby steam. Cheers!