Author Archives: Jennifer

A shade over a year ago, on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:16 PM, Jessica Ann was born weighing in at 7 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. Looking back at pictures of her first born, I can’t imagine her being that small.

First Born, 10/16/09

She has brought so much joy into our lives. I can’t picture life without her. Yesterday, she went to the doctor for her 1-year well check. She weighed 20 pounds 8 ounces (25-50%), almost triple what she weighed at birth. She has gained 10 inches and is now 30 inches long (75%). Her head measured 47 cm in circumference (90%). She got 4 shots and did pretty well, although James said she wanted her mama afterward (I missed the appointment since I was experiencing a stomach bug and stayed home sleeping).

Now, 10/12/10

Jessica and Daddy, 10/5/10

Jessica and Mommy, 10/5/10

What Jessica is Up To

Jessica isn’t walking yet, but I think she will be soon. She walks behind push toys and things that will push (like the bath stool or the laundry basket). She also stands up very well with just one hand on something to steady herself.

She’s also a little mountain goat, trying to climb everything.

Trying to Climb Into the Exersaucer, 9/29/10

Even though she doesn’t really help yet, I’m preparing her to be Mommy’s little helper.

"Helping" Unload the Dishwasher, 10/1/10

Her fine motor control continues to improve. She opens up things like kitchen cabinet doors and the lid on this Lil’ Pink Bus she got for her birthday. She has also started putting objects inside other objects, like the blocks on the Vtech Push and Learn Pony (I am constantly hearing new songs from that thing and Jessica has had it for almost 2 months) or the mega bloks in the little pink bus.

She still doesn’t speak intelligibly, but she does love to talk. She loves her books and will spend quite a while flipping pages after pulling numerous books off the bookshelf. When we read the lift the flap style books, she knows just where to go to lift the flip.

Enjoying her Books, 10/13/10

The fish tank was in the study for most of the summer due to the flooring issues we had when the AC leaked. Once it went back to its place in the entry way, Jessica was enthralled by the fish. She loves to watch them. We actually got 6 new fish recently just so she would have more to watch since Bob and Buster, the two Black Khuli Loaches I’ve had since 2002, tend to hide in the rocks. Although, I wish we had spent the extra money to get an enclosed stand when James got me the larger fish tank 6 years ago. I’m somewhat nervous about her pulling on the air tubes or heater cord, but once we get the last baby gate up, she won’t be able to be at the fish tank without supervision.

Watching the Fish, 9/28/10

Unfortunately, Jessica is very much a mama’s girl and it is very difficult for her to be out of my sight. In the spring, she did great when I dropped her off at the church nursery for Thursday morning MYC meetings, but this fall is a different story. I love that she is attached to me, but I wish she was more comfortable with other people as well. She does great with James, even when I’m not there, but sometimes when he is holding her and I’m close by, she’ll reach out for me.

What Jessica is Wearing

Jessica is currently wearing 9-12 month clothing. Most of the one-piece outfits are getting too snug in the length, so I will probably be packing them up soon. Another reason to pack them up is most of them are very summery and we’re actually experiencing fall weather, my favorite season. Yay!

"Aren't I stylish?" 10/5/10

What Jessica is Eating

Jessica eats all kinds of fruits, fresh and cut into small pieces. The other day, I had sliced part of a banana for her and laid the rest still in its peel on the table while I finished getting the rest of dinner together. Apparently, I was too slow and she had finished what I sliced and reached out for the rest of the banana.

Eating a Banana, 10/4/10

Vegetables are a different story. She likes a number of vegetables, but they have to be pureed. Or disguised in yogurt. I’m trying to introduce more texture, but sometimes it is difficult.

I can’t wait to see what she learns this next month.