Amusement Park Ride

Dear Scarlett,


     For some reason or other, you are a dare devil. You like to fly around in Daddy's arms, you like when I scare you with BOO, and you love to play "all fall down". You don't take after Daddy. He won't even ride on a Ferris Wheel. But Mommy loves the feeling of riding on a roller coaster so maybe you take after me. Here you are in our home made"Indoor Amusement Park Ride" made from your walker....Heehee.

Love, Mommy & Daddy

I'm Sassy & I Know It.

Blouse: Old Navy
Black Leggings: Crazy 8
Flats: Laura Ashley
Button Up Coat: Old Navy
Large Jewel Headband: Baby Gap

Stripe Me Pretty

Dear Scarlett,
 Sometimes you dress better than mommy...


Stripe Me Pretty

Purple skinny Jeans: Toys R Us

Striped Shirt: The Children's Place

One Button Outerwear: Old Navy 

Ruffle Band: Scarlett's Roses

Shoes: Gymboree

Rock Star

Dear Scarlett,

Sometimes you dress better than mommy....

***Rock Star***

Pink Puffer Vest: Children's Place

Hot Pink Skinny Pants: Babies R Us

Rockstar Shirt: Sears

Boots: Timberlands

Headband: Scarlett's Roses

Sick.

Dear Scarlett,

I took you to the doctors this week for your 9 month appointment. The doctor spoke of how amazed he was about your standing abilities. You stand by yourself for 10 or so seconds at a time. He said you are very healthy! But I remember one time when you weren't so healthy...

 I was thinking about the time that you got very sick. It was a time I try not to think about because it was such a hard time for me. It makes my stomach uneasy every time I think about it. But I thought I should share it with you in case you have children some day, and they get sick, you will stay calm and be hopeful.

You got very sick at 6 weeks old. It was a terrible experience for a small baby and for us as first time parents. 

 I remember it vividly. I, honestly, wish I didn't remember it as much. I was heartbroken for my little Peanut Baby. I remember you were very quiet all day, which, at the time, wasn't like you. You usually cried when you needed something. But you looked sleepy all day long. I went grocery shopping with you and when I got home, I laid with you on the couch. I remember your eyes looked sad. Here is the picture I took of you a few hours before your fever hit. 

I felt your head and remembered thinking that you felt much warmer than usual. I took your temperature and it was high. About 101. I called your doctor to ask what I should do. Before I could even get off the phone, you were vomiting. The doctor said for us to take you to the Emergency Room since you were so young. 

We headed out right away. By this time, around 10 p.m, you were throwing up a lot and getting warmer. By the time we reached the hospital, you had a temp of 103 and were throwing up bile. The ER Dr said that after tests and x-rays, we were being sent to UMass. They didn't know if you might have a bacterial infection. They said when babies are so young, it can be dangerous. They aren't fully immunized. 

I cried. I cried the whole way to UMass. We rode in the ambulance and Daddy followed behind us. I prayed a lot that night. I prayed that God would make my tiny baby better. I had been scared before in life, but not like I was that night. That night, I felt true fear. Fear that only a mother could understand. 

When we got there, they did all kinds of tests on you. I was crying hysterically because I was so afraid for my little precious baby. Thankfully Daddy was there to keep me rational, as much as I could be. They couldn't get the iv in your small veins because you were dehydrated. You would look up at me as if you were saying, "Mommy, help me!" And I couldn't do a thing but hold you and stay by your side. I never left your side. Not for one moment. They didn't know what was wrong with you. Your fever kept spiking. They admitted us and finally got an iv in your foot, after trying for about 45 minutes. You started to get some fluids.

At about 4 am the next morning, they gave you some tylenol and you were resting. You couldn't eat so you were just drinking small sips of Pedialyte. I was exhausted and felt like I was going to pass out. I hadn't eaten or slept in over 24 hours but I couldn't sleep. I let Daddy sleep and I watched you. He needed to rest so that he could watch you later. You were so fragile and small. Your tiny body all rosy from the fever. I prayed that you would get better quickly. We spent 4 days in the hospital before they finally figured out it was just...a stomach bug. But there was no way of knowing if it was something minor like a bug or something bad that could harm you like a bacterial infection which, babies can die from. 

Thankfully God answered our prayers. I will never forget the morning that you woke up and smiled. It was a smile of relief to me. It was as if you were saying, "Mommy, I feel better." Nunna brought you a Piggy that you still like to play with. It was one of the scariest times in my life because I felt so helpless. Someday, if you have children and they get sick...sick like you did, remember to stay calm. Stay calm for your sick one. Pray. God is looking out for you just like he did that night when you were sick. He will do the same for your babies...Know that no matter how scary it may seem, it's all in God's hands. We got to bring you home on the fifth day. I always say that the hard times bring your closer. It is true. I always held you close to me but after facing a scary time, I held you longer, and appreciated you even more....if that is at all possible.

Scarlett, I love you more than words can say. I can't tell you enough....


Love Mommy

No Hands?

9 months old. First poncho...

First Tooth!

Dear Scarlett, 

Your first tooth has popped through! Finally! You are a late teether but that's okay. What do you need them for right now, anyway? Daddy noticed it yesterday (February 11th, 2012) while you were munching on his finger. We took a look and sure enough, there was the little toothy! It is so cute. Anyways, I just wanted to write you a short note letting you know when your first tooth popped through. As soon as it is more visible, I will take some photos to document.  No more toothless smiles! ;)

Love Always, Mommy 

Favorite Toys @ 9 Months

Your favorite toys the last couple months:

This is a Melissa & Doug fish tank that you LOVE! Your favorite is the fishy. His tail is corduroy which you like to munch on. 

This is your toy winkle. You like to bite it. 

Scout the Dog always makes you smile! He is programmed to say your name & sing your favorite songs. He also plays bedtime music for you. 

You don't go to sleep without your sock monkey. You even have a baby sock monkey that you cuddle.

Here are some of your favorite stuffed animals:

And you think socks are toys. You chew on them and stretch them out. 

Here is baby bear. He usually travels with us.

And life would not be the same without your all time favorite Jumperoo! You jump in, you rock in, you laugh at, you play with, you talk to and you fall asleep in this!

And this is your FAVORITE book. You cry when it is done. I guess you take after Daddy with his love for farming...

Sources:Amazon.com

9 Months.

Dear Scarlett,

 Are you really 9 months old already?! 

You are growing up to be such a big girl. 

My heart is overwhelmed by the little person we have created.

 Right now, you are standing while barely holding on to a hand or a chair.

 You still won't crawl. 

I have thoughts that you will skip that and go straight to walking. 

You love to read books. 

Since month 7 you have been helping Mommy & Daddy turn pages. 

You point to each page as if you really are reading. 

You are just too smart. 

You were sick this month with a bad cold. You didn't sleep for 2 nights but I took advantage of those nights and the cuddles you had for me. All you wanted was Mommy. You would cry if I laid you down. I ended up sleeping sitting up with you laying on my chest. So Daddy, you and I all camped out on the couch. Sometimes I think it is the hard times that bring families even closer. 

You started swim class this month. 

It seems to be something that you enjoy. 

Actually, Mommy enjoys it too. 

It's nice to meet other Mothers and babies. 

We are still living in New York but I think we will be moving soon. 

I can't wait to get all of our things in one place. 

You have yet to use your crib at home. 

This month, I found a dress that I wore when I was just about your age. 

It is a vintage dress from 1986. 

I am going to dress you in it and take your pictures. 

Right now, you are wearing 12 month clothes. 

You are so long. 

We will find out how big you are on Monday when you have your 9 month appointment. 

You still love baths. 

Rubber duckies play with you while you splash. 

You are such a happy baby. 

You are content in playing with your toys, reading books & watching Olivia. 

You love Olivia and if it is on tv, you look around me to watch it. 

 Your personality is starting to stand out. You are a very independent baby. You like to do what you want, when you want. Wonder where you get that form.... ;) You are starting to become a cuddle bug. You love to grab my face and kiss me. You are very interested in everything....remotes, necklaces, cell phones. Pretty much everything that you aren't supposed to have. Haha. Every time Daddy comes home, you are elated. You shriek and he comes to kiss you hello. 

Happy 9 months baby Scarlett. We love you with all of our hearts....